#jillwandersen

On October 12, 2011 I reblogged a post of Donghae gifs from the Super Girl MV and was like, who is this guy? Back then, I had no idea what I was getting into. And today, on the 4th Donghae Day, I still can't quite believe it's been four years. A lot has happened over the past four years, but kpop (and what it has spread to) has remained a constant. Even when I thought my interest was waning, it always comes roaring back.

In the past year, since the previous Donghae Day, a lot has happened. I've fallen out of love with some bands (including VIXX, who I saw live after last year's Donghae Day), but, more importantly, I've fallen in love with others! And, honestly, that's what's at the heart of Donghae Day, right? Celebrating the thing(s) I love.

Which is why I'm hereby christening 2015 the year that I learned to love kpop bands I swore I'd never like. First on my never list was SHINee. It was far easier than I expected and due in large part to certain people on twitter (hey, @noonasaidwhat I'm looking at you, as well as a bunch of you on twitter whose tumblr names I don’t know ♥♥). I really have no regrets, because I didn't know how much I needed SHINee in my life until they were there.

Next to fall was Teen Top. I had some hangups, of course, but with a combination of my interest in L.Joe and Niel's solo album, it wasn't long before I just gave in. Their fancy footwork and hilarious variety shows made it easier, once I accepted that I was going to like them, it was easy.

And, finally, Infinite. This was a much, much harder obstacle to overcome. You see, I was already a fan of four of the guys in Infinite (L, Hoya, Sunggyu and Sungjong) but I refused to listen to their music. I refused to even give it a try. I swore I would never ever like them. But through the efforts of two friends of mine (💝 @obsessivedilettante and @jillwandersen), independently, they both turned me into Infinite fans. It was only a matter of time.

And this is what's most important on Donghae Day. Kpop and the friendships that it's brought with it. I'm grateful to all of you. I'm happy to be a kpop fan, even if sometimes it drives me crazy. Thank you kpop and thank you to all my kpop-loving friends (and those of you who are still friends with me, even though my tumblr is mostly kpop these days). I love you all!

This is also the first year I won't be going out (because sendme2thestars has to work, #sob), but I'd better get used to it, because I'm pretty sure the next two Donghae Days, at least, are on days I can't go out (I mean, who knows if I'll even be into kpop by this time next year). 

ANYWAY. I always write something thoughtful on Donghae Day, but I don't really have anything thoughtful this year, though I'll try. I've become friends with a lot of great people (via the internets) over the three years I've been into kpop (wangthatsea, obsessivedilettante, and jillwandersen for starters) and probably even more (thanks to a combination of twitter, omona, and wyfuniverse).

Since last October, I haven't watched as many kdramas, but I did get to see two kpop concerts (Block B and the perfectly flawless B1A4), which I never thought would happen. It's been pretty great. Hopefully there will be many more in my future! I've also figure out how to like more than one band at a time (which is both time consuming and pretty rad, actually).

I'm really lucky, tbh. And the friends part, from hanging out every week with sendme2thestars to meeting obsessivedilettante and jillwandersen in person to tweeting with wangthatsea and to all the other (much newer) friends I've made -- that's the best part. I look forward to another year of kpop, friendships, and lots of fun.

My favorite bands might change, but these friendships stay strong. And, in the end, I couldn't ask for anything better. Thank you, all of you, for making this so much fun. Hopefully this next year will be even better.

LOL! I love it.

Any time you can blame someone else is totally valid. ^_^

Oh, you know… it’s that sort of thing that just sneaks up on you and BOOM.