- I really miss BoA as representative. She was genuinely the best thing about last season, she was so nice and supportive to everyone. I just really love BoA.
- Even though Mnet probably only did it because they wanted an added layer of drama with Kaeun being there (and maybe they hoped that she would cry like last year when she saw JR) but I was happy to see Kahi. I will miss her for the rest of this season. I'm sure returning judge Bae Yoon Jung will do a fine job of traumatizing contestants for the rest of their lives in her place, but Kahi is more charming about it.
- They're definitely setting up the Japanese contestants as less talented than the Korean ones. Yoon Jung was pretty brutal about the lacking performances as well. But some girls were still really impressive, Takeuchi Miyu even snatched an A rank!
- Sakura made some statement about how Korean idols can break through in Japan, yet when Japanese idols leave Japan they don't get recognition. It wasn't a very smart thing to say considering probably the most important reason as to why Japanese idols aren't as popular worldwide is due to how inaccessible the market is. There's not much for people to recognize if they can't find it.
- I was super happy to see that everyone seemed to to get along and even tried to bond a bit, despite obvious language barrier. I need wholesome friendships!
My one and true fave, Miss Lee Kaeun did really well and I'm so proud of her. And I cried so much. She told the story how she has just been waiting for a comeback for 5 years, and how she thought she was alright but then seeing her old trainee friends go onto the first season and be more successful made her realize that she really wasn't. She even regretted debuting, because if she hadn't she maybe could've gone on the show with them instead of watching it at home. Bae Yoon Jung asked her whether After School has any plans or whether they're disbanded. Kaeun said that After School has not disbanded, but the fact that Pledis allowed her to go on the show 'does make it seem like that'. She asked to go on the show herself btw, seeing NU'EST last season inspired her. Anyway, she got an A rank which is what she deserved.
Other girls that have performed and I liked:
Heo Yoonjin (Pledis) - Kaeun's new little sister. For a trainee of only 6 months she was really impressive and I felt a bit sorry for her that there was no focus on her due to Kaeun's story. Her C rank should've at least been B imo, but I hope she'll be able to rise. She's a talented cutie!
Lee Chaeyeon (WM) - I never watched Sixteen (she used to be in JYP and was in the running to be a Twice member) but she's super talented! I was so impressed by her dancing and stage presence. Her vocals are more than decent as well.
Yamada Noe (NGT48) - She was so much fun to watch, one of the girls with the strongest stage presence. I can definitely see why the judges liked her so much, I hope she does well.
Hwang Soyeon (Wellmade Yedang) - The girl who looks a bit like Sunmi and danced to Gashina. Holy shit, she was awesome! I hope she becomes more popular, because she's low in rankings atm.
Takeuchi Miyu (AKB48) - We love a vocalist! She's the highest ranking Japanese contestant so far, the only one at A. I liked the other girls in her team as well; Iwatate Sato and poor Goto Moe who lost her voice (due to allergies?) and couldn't sing.
I also liked the Yuehua Girls and Starship Girls, both teams had strong performances and their personalities stood out because they were quite chatty and loud. But I don't have a fave among them yet. The HOW Entertainment girls definitely had the most entertaining performance of the episode, special shout out to them.
Next week it's time for the others (including Sakura and Jurina) to perform and get their ranks.
- Even though Mnet probably only did it because they wanted an added layer of drama with Kaeun being there (and maybe they hoped that she would cry like last year when she saw JR) but I was happy to see Kahi. I will miss her for the rest of this season. I'm sure returning judge Bae Yoon Jung will do a fine job of traumatizing contestants for the rest of their lives in her place, but Kahi is more charming about it.
- They're definitely setting up the Japanese contestants as less talented than the Korean ones. Yoon Jung was pretty brutal about the lacking performances as well. But some girls were still really impressive, Takeuchi Miyu even snatched an A rank!
- Sakura made some statement about how Korean idols can break through in Japan, yet when Japanese idols leave Japan they don't get recognition. It wasn't a very smart thing to say considering probably the most important reason as to why Japanese idols aren't as popular worldwide is due to how inaccessible the market is. There's not much for people to recognize if they can't find it.
- I was super happy to see that everyone seemed to to get along and even tried to bond a bit, despite obvious language barrier. I need wholesome friendships!
My one and true fave, Miss Lee Kaeun did really well and I'm so proud of her. And I cried so much. She told the story how she has just been waiting for a comeback for 5 years, and how she thought she was alright but then seeing her old trainee friends go onto the first season and be more successful made her realize that she really wasn't. She even regretted debuting, because if she hadn't she maybe could've gone on the show with them instead of watching it at home. Bae Yoon Jung asked her whether After School has any plans or whether they're disbanded. Kaeun said that After School has not disbanded, but the fact that Pledis allowed her to go on the show 'does make it seem like that'. She asked to go on the show herself btw, seeing NU'EST last season inspired her. Anyway, she got an A rank which is what she deserved.
Other girls that have performed and I liked:
Heo Yoonjin (Pledis) - Kaeun's new little sister. For a trainee of only 6 months she was really impressive and I felt a bit sorry for her that there was no focus on her due to Kaeun's story. Her C rank should've at least been B imo, but I hope she'll be able to rise. She's a talented cutie!
Lee Chaeyeon (WM) - I never watched Sixteen (she used to be in JYP and was in the running to be a Twice member) but she's super talented! I was so impressed by her dancing and stage presence. Her vocals are more than decent as well.
Yamada Noe (NGT48) - She was so much fun to watch, one of the girls with the strongest stage presence. I can definitely see why the judges liked her so much, I hope she does well.
Hwang Soyeon (Wellmade Yedang) - The girl who looks a bit like Sunmi and danced to Gashina. Holy shit, she was awesome! I hope she becomes more popular, because she's low in rankings atm.
Takeuchi Miyu (AKB48) - We love a vocalist! She's the highest ranking Japanese contestant so far, the only one at A. I liked the other girls in her team as well; Iwatate Sato and poor Goto Moe who lost her voice (due to allergies?) and couldn't sing.
I also liked the Yuehua Girls and Starship Girls, both teams had strong performances and their personalities stood out because they were quite chatty and loud. But I don't have a fave among them yet. The HOW Entertainment girls definitely had the most entertaining performance of the episode, special shout out to them.
Next week it's time for the others (including Sakura and Jurina) to perform and get their ranks.
Jurina won the Senbatsu Sousenkyo btw, and Sakura placed 3rd (kinda unexpected?). It was apparently Sakura's last Sousenkyo as well.
In non PD48 related news, BLACKPINK had their comeback. I really tried to like it, but I just wasn't very impressed? The song was underwhelming and their MV aesthetics have become predictable. Forever Young would've been a better title track imo, at least I can bop to that a little.