I.O.I Mini Album Vol. 1 Chrysalis - Album Review (Special Edition)

Recently I was cleaning my bookcase and came across this album which was super popular back when it came out. We are talking about the OG Produce 101 group I.O.I and this is their first physical release. I remember being so excited to order this as I watched all the episodes of the first season. It is rather large and takes up a fair amount of space on the shelf. I used to have it facing outwards so you could see the cover however now it's just stacked with other albums.

Chrysalis is the debut mini album from korean girl group I.O.I and it was released on May 4th 2016. Which it's insane to think that it is one year off being 10 years since being released. Wow that's crazy and even more crazy if you think about what an amazing group I.O.I could've been if it wasn't temporary. The mini album was released in two editions: Normal and Special. The normal edition came with a 68 paged photobook and a random photo card. It is housed in your typical hardcover style k-pop album and the photobooks are glued in place. I brought the special edition from YesAsia as I thought that would the harder one to get if I didn't buy it and I would regret it. The Special Edition comes with the following: 

• Outer box packaging
• CD - 7 track mini album
  
• 100 paged photobook (68-pages same as regular edition + additional 30 pages)
• Making photobook 
• Four postcards - Group and member units
• Folded Poster (Random 1 of 11 members)
• Group poster
  

Kep1er 2nd Mini Album Review DOUBLAST - Album Review (B1ue Blast Jewel Case Version)

The inspiration for today's blog post is that I haven't posted a music review in ages so that is what we are going for. I randomly picked an album in my blog backlog and it is the 2nd Mini Album from K-Pop group Kep1er!

DOUBLAST is the 2nd Mini Album from Korean girl group Kep1er and it was released on June 20th 2022. The mini was released in four versions: Lemon Blast and B1ue Blast with both having a photobook and jewel case format. I ordered the jewel case format from YesAsia who sent a random version and I ended up the B1ue Blast one. I did like the concept of the Lemon Blast version more however this one is still fun and fresh. The jewel case format of DOUBLAST comes with the following:

• CD - 5 track mini album
• Jewel case
• 16 page photobook
• Photocard (Random 2 out of 18 types)
• Postcard (Random 1 out of 9 types)

My J-Pop Collection 2023

The J-Pop Collection post for 2023 is not an exciting one and is starting off on a sad note. Unfortunately I had to declutter a large amount of my T-ARA Japanese singles at one point of the year. The story is that when I first got these CD's along with some others from Yahoo Auctions, they stunk of cigarettes. Like super strong! At the time, I managed to get the smell out or so I thought. The CD's that had the jewel case type were okay but the ones in cardboard sleeves were not. I always kept them in a separate box due to the smell and I came across the box whilst cleaning. The smell still hadn't gone from them and I decided it was a sign to clear something out of my collection. At least I still have the songs in my iTunes and maybe one day I'll re-buy them. Until them, my T-ARA collection has shrunk to just these five titles: two albums and 3 singles (one from the subunit QBS).

Everything else in the J-Pop collection is the same as 2022 as I didn't buy any new titles. No Zenmarket purchases as it is too expensive to import nowadays and some of the items I want are rare to find. I occasionally check Yahoo Auctions and I cannot find listings for some of the older CD's I want. No clue where I'll buy from Zenmarket again, maybe if the exchange rate is amazing. I'm thinking about getting some albums off iTunes as it is easier and I don't have to store the CDs which is totally up my alley as I'm big into decluttering in 2024.

Lately I have been listening to a few of my E-girls albums and I forgot how much I love E.G. Crazy! That album is so good and is full of great songs for the gym. That is where I have mainly been listening to it along with some of the singles like E.G Summer Rider. Crazy to think I'm still missing E-girls singles from this photo! Only a few more releases I need from them to complete my collection of one of each of their discography. Also my yearly compliant of the last Dream Ami single not matching the rest as it doesn't have an outer sleeve. Still bummed about that one.

My K-Pop Collection 2023

The end of 2023 is upon us and that means it is time to round up my K-Pop collection for another year. Pretty much only purchased Korean releases this year and no Japanese ones. Luckily I was able to obtain all the albums locally in my city. The main music store here which is JB Hi-Fi has a decent K-Pop collection and it was easy to find ones I was interested in. Let's get straight into it!

First off we have aespa who are the main group that i follow nowadays. I don't stan the group but I always make sure to get their new releases. Aespa is the only girl group that my local store stocks regularly and you can always find a few different versions. All of the albums shown except Girls are purchases in 2023. I pre-ordered My World and was fortunate enough to get the Zine version which was the one I wanted! Plus I got Ningning's photocard! I eventually found the World version at another JB Hi-Fi. The Drama albums are a recent purchase from last week and I wasn't too sure about getting them. Originally they were listed as online only and wouldn't be available in store. Then the listing changed and I was able to order them. It was impossible though to tell what the versions were so I did some research online. I got the big two photobook version and the what I believe is the retail exclusive version of the Giant one. It isn't the Target exclusive as it doesn't have the same inclusions and you get the English message photocard. It is pretty easy to buy other versions of aespa albums in store and it is always those poster versions which I'm not interested in. Just not at the price they are set at and I doubt it would drop.

Isn't this the most aesthetically pleasing photo of this post? So gorgeous and I love the hardbook structure of Red Velvet releases. Previously I only had four of these albums and got two new ones in 2023. Russian Roulette and Summer Magic are the new additions and I adore how they are the same size as the other smaller ones. Rookie is just chilling there being gigantic and The Red I've had forever. The store I brought it from isn't even around anymore.

This year I wasn't planning on collecting more releases from Oh My Girl but I lucked out with finding their latest mini album stocked in my local store. Seems such an old girl group to find so easily available. Love the design on these two albums and all the inclusions were gorgeous. I'm a big fan of bookmarks being included in albums recently as that is definitely something that I will use often. Also picked up their first mini album which I ordered specifically in as the price was quite reasonable.

YesAsia Haul - MODEL Debut3 #nicola & Fashion Dreamer Guide Book

My parcel from YesAsia arrived and I'm rather excited for two items I ordered! The third game in the MODEL Debut #nicola series was released the same day as Fashion Dreamer and since I enjoyed the second one, I brought the next one. It was rather tricky to get hold of as YesAsia thought they wouldn't be to secure stock and the order almost got cancelled. Lucky the stock came in at the last second and I was able to get the game! Honestly I thought the other item I ordered would be harder to get but turns out it wasn't. I ordered the guide book for Fashion Dreamer as I love looking through Japanese guide books and it seemed like a good item to help with playing the game.

The cover art for MODEL Debut3 #nicola is gorgeous and I love the colour scheme. The clothes the models are wearing on the front cover are super trendy and the game always has the best styles. Inside of the case showcases from tutorials for the game and the game has good instructions when you start playing. I've played about an hour so far which I will post about soon.

Now onto the Fashion Dreamer book which I'm still surprised I was even able to get. Most sites were out of stock when I went to pre-order and I thought for sure that YesAsia may have been out too. But I was wrong as the item came in from the supplier quite quickly for my order. It still is available on YesAsia and you may be able to find it on other sites like PlayAsia or Amazon Japan.

After School DIVA - Single Review (CD Only)

Another day another set of After School singles. This time I will be posting the Japanese single DIVA which is a total bop. Honestly you need to listen to this song and it is just as good as the original Korean version. Cannot decided which one I love more! I have all three editions of the single as I am a huge After School fan and this single is a must for the collection. The first review will look at the CD Only edition.

DIVA is the second Japanese single from Korean girl group After School and it was released on November 23rd 2011. The single came in three editions: CD+DVD Type A, CD+DVD Type B and CD Only. Some sites call the CD Only edition the normal or regular edition so it's tricky to figure out what it is officially called. If you purchased the first press edition of this single, you would receive a photocard and that is how I got mine. The single was actually kind of old by the time I brought it so it was interesting to see that the first press ones were still available. I got mine from YesAsia and it came with the following contents:

• CD - 5 track single
• Jewel case
• Lyrics booklet
• OBI
• Promotional flyer
• Photocard (Random 1 out of 9 types)

Dream Ami トライ・エヴリシング Try Everything - Single Review (CD Only)

Another beautiful single release from Dream Ami for today's music review. Her singles always have the most gorgeous designs to them and the colour palette of this one is to die for. Loving all the pastels and touch of the green on the cover. The focus for this review is トライ・エヴリシング Try Everything and as usual I will be reviewing the CD Only edition as that is the edition I always collect.

トライ・エヴリシング Try Everything is the second single from Japanese solo artist Dream Ami. It was released on April 20th 2016 with the digital version being released a few days earlier on the 15th. The single came in three editions: Limited CD+DVD, CD Only and One Coin CD Only. The One Coin edition was only available through selected online shops and has a lovely close-up photo of Ami on it. トライ・エヴリシング Try Everything is the Japanese version of the song with the same name from the Zootopia movie. The original was sung by Shakira and it actually had a few translated versions around the world. Of course I got the CD Only edition and I brought it from YesAsia. It came with the following contents:

• CD - 6 track single
• Jewel case
• Outer sleeve box
• Lyrics booklet
• Promotional flyers

Dream Ami はやく逢いたい Hayaku Aitai - Single Review (CD Only)

Onto another Dream Ami CD review today and this time it is her single はやく逢いたい Hayaku Aitai. All her singles and albums had stunning designs and I love the pastel tones. The singles look perfect next to each other especially the earlier ones that had similar colour schemes. This post will look at the CD Only edition of the はやく逢いたい Hayaku Aitai single.

はやく逢いたい Hayaku Aitai is the fourth single released by Japanese singer Dream Ami. It was released on March 22nd 2017 and came in three editions: CD+DVD, CD Only and One Coin CD. Dream Ami's physical releases always had such beautiful colour schemes and aesthetics. That was one of the main reasons I would collect them. I brought my copy from YesAsia and the plastic sleeve has a nice promotional sticker detailing the single. The back cover of the jewel case has a different photo to the cardboard sleeve which is a nice surprise. There is a repeat of the back cover image though on the lyrics booklet.

After School Bang! - Single Review (CD Only)

I'm back with another After School CD review and this time it is their Japanese single Bang! I thought I would post all three versions for the next few reviews as I have all of them in my collection ready to go. Feels like forever ago when I brought this single and that was back when After School was still a group! Ugh makes me so annoyed that this group suffered a terrible end and we could've had many more amazing songs from the girls!

Bang! is the debut Japanese single from Korean girl group After School who is also known as AFTERSCHOOL in Japan. This single was released on August 17th 2011 and came in three versions: Limited Edition CD+DVD Type A, Limited Edition CD+DVD Type B and CD Only. The song was also previously released as a digital single a few days earlier and is the Japanese version of their hit song 뱅! Bang! I brought my copy from YesAsia and I actually have an extra copy as I got one from a seller on Yahoo Auctions as part of bulk lot of After School CDs. My original one is the only one to include a photocard however and I got E-Young who is quickly becoming my new bias in the group! Of course I got the CD Only version which comes with the following contents:

• CD - 5 track single
• Jewel case
• Lyrics booklet
• OBI
• Photocard (Random 1 from 10 types)
• Promotional flyer

2nd Mini Album 화양연화 The Most Beautiful Moment In Life - Album Review

First off I want to say how easy this photobook in this album was to photograph! The pages stayed open in the most perfect position and I could get photos of the entire page. Photobooks are notoriously annoy to photograph so I'm glad this one turned out good. This album I'm talking about is the 2nd Mini Album from Korean singer Hong Jin Young. I feel in love with her songs and have ended up with two of her albums in my collection.

The 화양연화 Most Beautiful Moment In Life is the 2nd Mini Album from Korean trot-singer Hong Jin Young and it was released on March 24th 2016. There was only one version of their album and I brought my copy from YesAsia. I always brought my K-Pop and J-Pop from YesAsia in the early days of collecting. I'd pick up a few at some local Korean shops but sadly they have all closed down. There isn't much to this album and you don't get any photocards. I did notice she has started doing photocards in her latest release and they look amazing. The 2nd Mini Album includes the following contents:

Dream Ami ドレスを脱いだシンデレラ Dress wo Nuida Cinderella - Single Review (CD Only)

It has been forever since I reviewed one of Dream Ami's singles and I forgot how beautiful these releases were. The singles come in these gorgeous cardboard sleeves and have a nice matte feel to them. Makes them look so elegant on the shelf and I've even kept the original plastic sleeves on them. Dream Ami is one of those artists where I always ordered her new singles when they came out and I have all eight physical singles she released in the CD Only editions.

ドレスを脱いだシンデレラ Dress wo Nuida Cinderella is Dream Ami's debut single and it was released on July 29th 2015. Ami was still a member of Dream and E-girls at the time of this release hence the inspiration for Dream in her artist title. The single came in four editions: Limited CD+DVD, CD+DVD, CD Only and One Coin CD. I brought mine from YesAsia as that was where I brought most of my J-Pop years ago. Purchased the CD Only edition as that is the usual one I tend to pick up due to the price point and extra tracks. This edition comes with the following contents:

• CD - 6 track single
• Cardboard sleeve
• Jewel case
• Lyrics booklet
• Promotion flyers

Strawberry Milk 1st Mini Album - Album Review

This mini album from Strawberry Milk has to be one of the cutest in my collection. Ever since I got it, I've just loved looking at it and it also has the most amazing texture to it! It has this textured gloss to the front and back cover. Everything about it is perfect from the large size to the lovely photo book of Choa and Way. There is no official title for this mini besides being called the 1st Mini Album which is super imaginative.

The 1st Mini Album is the first and only mini album from the duo Strawberry Milk who are a sub-unit of the Korean girl group Crayon Pop. The group consists of twins Choa and Way who are still together as a sub-unit now under the name Choa and Way. The mini album was released on October 15th 2014 and came in one version. I believe I brought my copy from YesAsia and it's just so long ago since I got it. I remember being super excited to order it as I'm a huge Crayon Pop stan. The mini album comes with the following contents:

• CD - 8 track mini album
• Photobook

My J-Pop Collection 2022

It's not too late into 2023 to post my J-Pop Collection for last year! Finally got some time to write out this blog post and I was shocked at how long my list of J-Pop releases has gotten! Only 9 new additions to the collection in 2022 and all came from this Zenmarket order. Picked up a few new artists however so let's get to know them! 

First up is one of my favourite groups of the recent year which is MAX. I just love their sound and influences of Eurobeat as I love that genre. I would've love to have gotten more from Japan of their stuff but I settled on their first album MAXIMUM and the most recent best of MAXIMUM PERFECT BEST in the 3CD edition. The best of was a steal and brand new for a great price. MAXIMUM was harder to track down as the CD is from the mid 90's and I wanted one in good condition. Amazing album and highly recommended for a listen!

I've combined these two together as they are quite similar with their quirky concepts. The single on the left is ニッポン笑顔百景 Nippon Egao Hyakkei from Momoiro Clover Z. I came across this songs MV on YouTube and thought it was super fun. Ended up getting the single as who doesn't love a single and it has quite a few tracks on it but the title track is my favourite. The other CD is the second album from Cho Tokimeki♡Sendenbu who were a random find on Spotify for me one day. Good old Bookoff purchase and it contains 2CDs inside. I absolutely adore the outfits these girls wear and they always have cute concepts.

More 48Group releases because why not? I've branched out to groups outside AKB48 in the recent year and picked up the first albums from both NMB48 and SKE48. Enjoyable albums and I was able to get them super cheap for 100JPY because there is a billion copies floating around. The NMB48 was brand new which was a great deal and I couldn't decide which edition to get for SKE48. I settled on the Regular Edition as it was the cheapest and had the two extra tracks that I liked. I love the original AKB48 Ponytail to Shushu so I wanted the SKE48 version.

My K-Pop Collection 2022

Originally I was planning on posting this collection post earlier this month but I got lucky and found two more CD's to add to my collection. I actually brought more K-Pop albums than I thought I would in 2022 and it was kind of fun! I used to enjoy getting albums so much before I got hardcore into collecting Japanese releases. Korean albums are always a joy to unbox as you get a good range of goodies and the albums are always gorgeous. Ended up picking up eight new additions to the collection during 2022 and I'll talk about those first.

Starting off with the lovely 1st Album from one of my favourite groups Orange Caramel. This Lipstick album was always hard to find and I never purchased it when it first got released as I wasn't buying albums back then. So for many years I could never find it for a decent price as I would always see it for like $100+! Eventually I found this copy on Yahoo Auctions and now it is part of my collection yay!

Let's talk about Red Velvet who has suddenly turned into my current obsession. I've found out I can get hold of Red Velvet albums quite easily through a local music store so I somehow ended up buying three in the last two months! Sorry the pictures are separate which is due to me taking the first photo with the Ice Cream Cake and a little later I brought Rookie and Red Summer. Also have Summer Magic on order but that one is taking longer to arrive. When I ordered the Ice Cream Cake one, I was so worried I would get sent the Automatic Version and I really wanted the Ice Cream Cake version. Luckily randomness was on my side! For Rookie, I got Irene as the cover which is nice but I would've preferred Yeri as she is my bias and I have heaps of her photocards.

A few individual CD's now starting with Cignature's 1st EP Album Listen and Speak. This is a group that I quite enjoy listening to and I picked up this album in particular as it had all their previous digital single releases on it. Good to see that the group is still together and is even releasing a new single soon! I can order their 2nd EP from my local store so maybe that is on the cards this year.