Interlude: Media

You don't know, you don't really know
you really don't care
you really don't know how I really feel
I'm the only one in love...
-translated from “Do You Really Know”
from Future Colors' first album Future Colors

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Your choice: Future Colors or cuSKYE?
translated from hallyufevah.net

Fans of Royal Ent's two rock bands, rejoice! Labelmates Future Colors and cuSKYE will perform back to back at the upcoming Battle of K-Pop festival at the Seoul Olympic Stadium on Saturday, October __, 20__. 

Future Colors are vocalist Jeon Minha, band leader and lead guitarist Ahn Jungkyu, bass guitarist Kim Junhee, second guitarist Baek Sangmin, and maknae drummer Kang Myungseok. They are known for their emotional pop-rock melodies.

Their hoobaes, cuSKYE, are band leader and guitarist/keyboardist Lee Youngmin, lead guitarist Song Woojin, maknae bass guitarist Choi Sungjae, and drummer Kang Jae-soo, who are more known for their alternative rock sound. 

Are you ready to support your oppas? Who is your choice-- Future Colors or cuSKYE?

Top comments:

[+10] Why do we need to choose? I like them both in different ways.
[+6] Looking forward to this! I can't choose! Both bands are good!
[+5] Future Colors, fighting!!
[+5] cuSKYE forever! Go Youngmin oppa!
[+3] Minha oppa the best!

* * *

Future Colors Minha faints onstage, is rushed to hospital
from everythingkpop.com

What promised to be an awesome evening for fans at the Battle of K-pop festival turned into something else when Future Colors vocalist Jeon Minha collapsed onstage while the band was performing their first set. 

Minha was singing their hit song “Hello is the Same as Goodbye” when his voice suddenly broke towards the end of the song, and then he fainted, to the horror of the audience.

“Minha oppa just fell and did not get up again,” said a fan who was in the front row. “Jungkyu oppa and Junhee oppa (referring to band leader Ahn Jungkyu and bassist Kim Junhee) rushed over and tried to help him to get up, but he was very weak.” 

“It was very scary,” said another fan. “We are all very shocked and worried for him.”

Jeon Minha was assisted by an emergency team and brought to the hospital and Future Colors did not perform any more that night. Instead, their labelmates cuSKYE took over the stage completely.

We are still waiting for updates on his condition.

Top comments:

[+5] Minha oppa T__T
[+2] I couldn't believe my ears when his voice just broke. T__T
[+1] Get well soon, oppa. T__T
[0] Jeon Minha does everything with flair-- even his collapse could not have been timed better or more dramatically. Kekeke.
----> [+5] He had to be brought to hospital and must be suffering a lot right now, and that's all you can think about?
---->[-10] Aish, lighten up, it was just a joke!
---->[+2] Even if it was a joke, it was in very bad taste!
---->[0] Come on, guys, you know Minha oppa. If he read this he would just laugh and agree!

* * *

UPDATE: Fatigue caused Jeon Minha to collapse?
from soopmi.com

According to some of the backstage crew at the Battle of K-pop festival, Jeon Minha of Future Colors already seemed tired and unwell while the band was getting ready for their performance. 

The band's arrival at the festival had been delayed because of traffic. A crew member, who requested that his name be withheld, said that he heard the band members complaining of hunger and fatigue but they had no time to eat or rest before their set was due to begin.

It is no secret that Future Colors have been very busy the past few weeks, with photoshoots, CF shoots, fan meetings, appearances and shows. The week before the festival alone, they were flying back and forth between Jeju, Busan, Seoul, Taipei, and Tokyo.

Top comments:

[+25] Of course he was tired! The band finished shooting a Japanese CF in the morning and were guests on a live TV show in Tokyo in the afternoon of the festival, and then they had to fly back to Seoul immediately. Their schedule was cutting it too close there.
--->[+45] I heard this from someone who was also backstage at the time-- one of the boys asked for food, but their manager said they had no time to eat because they still had to prepare before going onstage. Minha was coughing but no one paid any attention.
--->[+10] No time to eat... I can't even. No wonder Minha collapsed. The wonder is that he's the only one who did!
[+20] What the heck is the matter with Royal? They should take better care of their talents! I thought that was their motto, to put the talents first. Seems like they're really just no better than other agencies or labels out there.
[+10] I feel so sorry for Minha oppa. I hope he is getting better.
[+5] Please get better soon, oppa...

* * *

Jeon Minha resting, recovering: Royal Ent.
translated from koreanpulse.kr

Royal Entertainment has released a statement today on Future Colors vocalist Jeon Minha's condition. In part, it reads:

“We apologize to the fans for the unfortunate incident. Jeon Minha is now resting in the hospital and recovering from the fatigue that caused his collapse. The doctor has ordered him to rest for several days. We will update you with his condition when we have more information.”

Top comments:

[+10] The Dreamers are organizing a gift drive for whoever wants to send get-well gifts to Minha oppa. Please contact your local Dreamers club or go on the club official website for more information.
[+10] Ugh, Royal! Let my boy rest for a while longer... and please organize his schedule better! This is all your fault! Anyone want to join me in sending letters to Royal Ent telling them just what we think of all of this?
----> [+2] I'll join you! They really should treat our babies better!
[+5] Get well soon, Minha oppa!

* * *

Jeon Minha to be replaced?
from dramacaffeine.com

Noooooooooo! Puppy!!!

While fans of Future Colors have been greatly concerned as of late with the fact that the idol band's vocalist Jeon Minha collapsed on stage due to fatigue and had to be brought to the hospital, there might be more bad news ahead.

Royal Ent., the band's agency and label, has just issued an update: The doctor has forbidden Minha to sing for at least a month, pending evaluation of his condition.

If fans will remember, Minha's voice broke while he was singing, just before he collapsed. Apparently his vocal cords have been strained and there is a rumor going around that he has lost his voice. 

To add to that, another rumor going around is that due to Minha's condition, he might not regain his voice altogether and might have to be replaced by another vocalist. One source attributed this rumor to Future Colors' own manager; however, Royal has issued a statement denying this. 

If all this is true, then it is indeed a sad day for the fans. Jeon Minha is known as one of the best voices of K-pop. It has been said of him that he has a unique and truly moving, expressive voice, and K-pop and music will be so much poorer without him.

--dramacaffeinejunkie

Let's face it, contemplating a future devoid of that cute puppy with an awesome voice-- it just seems bleak. :( Minha's what, only 22? He's too young for this. He's gotta bounce back. He will bounce back.

--sidekickagasshi

Top comments:

[+150] NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
[+131] Puppy. T__T Gajima. Jebal.
[+120] Why does something tell me that it's only a matter of time before Royal makes that announcement? T__T Even if they denied that rumor, I keep dreading that they were just buying time.
------> [+59] Royal denied that rumor. Royal has been pretty consistent with their statements about their artists so far, I see no reason not to believe them.
------>[+45] Well yes, they did, but most agencies would too, in this situation. So I'm still conflicted over this.
[+100] I don't want Minha oppa to be replaced. I love his voice! T__T Please please Royal don't replace him.
[+21] What is important now is Minha's condition. If he needs to leave the band in order to recover and get well completely then it is not for us to say that he should stay. Although I will still be sad if he does leave. T__T Jeon Minha fighting!
-----> [+5] I know in my heart what you said is right. But I can't keep from screaming “No! Oppa!! Andwaeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!”

* * *

We will wait for Minha oppa!
from dreamersinternational.com

We are the members of Tomorrow's Dream, the official fanclub of Future Colors. We are saddened by the recent news that our Minha oppa has been hospitalized and the rumors that he is going to be replaced. 

We have made this statement and this petition to tell Royal Entertainment that we don't want Minha oppa to be replaced. We will wait for him to get well and come back on stage to greet us and we have faith that he will. Until he comes back and tells us himself what he wants to do, we will continue to wait for him.

Future Colors, hwaiting!

Signed: 
(over 1.2 million signatures from all over the world)

* * *

Future Colors on hiatus?
from hyperkangaroo.com

Well, this is sad. There hasn't been any official announcements yet, but Future Colors fans have noticed that there haven't been any public appearances made by their oppas recently either. The last one seems to have been Junhee, Sangmin and Myungseok on a morning variety show just after Minha was hospitalized. It's also the last activity posted on Future Colors' schedule on Royal Ent's website. There have been no updates since then, and the boys have not been spotted anywhere. There is also no news or updates on whether Minha is out of the hospital. Geez, Royal, what's happening?

Royal is uncharacteristically keeping mum on the matter, and I'm not used to it at all, since it's one of the more vocal and open agencies where their talents are concerned. Even superstar actors and singers Baek Shingu and Seo Jaeseung (formerly of BD Ent. idol group Divinity, now Royal Ent. duo Jaeshin), who have been quick to speak out in the past, have declined to comment. 

What's really happening over there, Royal? Is Future Colors on hiatus? Or being sequestered? Or put on hold? Or just on vacation? What?

I suppose when you look at it, it's really not that much of a big deal, but we're all antsy over the band's current status, what with all the rumors. I'd take news of a hiatus or a vacation any day over news of Minha leaving, or at the worst, of a breakup. Future Colors is one of my favorite bands. They have made so many good songs, and let's face it, part of what made those songs good (and sent them straight into this hyper kangaroo's heart) was that Minha was singing them!

Top comments:

[+37]  “I'd take news of a hiatus or a vacation any day over news of Minha leaving, or at the worst, of a breakup.” THIS.
[+25] I agree with you, Roo... Royal is being uncharacteristically silent about the matter. They can't have lost the boys, can they? Lol.
----->[+10] Loool now that would be like a drama... the boys just get fed up and are like screw you and your schedules, we're gonna go on vacation! And then you get the agency scrambling to find them while trying to hide the situation from the media... ~~Roo
----->[+1] Nah, too makjang for real life. They probably just gave everyone some time off. Or they're just too busy worrying about Minha.
[+20] The band deserves a nice rest after that hectic schedule. I hope they're taking time to relax on a beach somewhere! What's that? Who's saying “breakup”? Lalala I can't hear youuuu...
[+10] They are not going to break up. I refuse to entertain that thought. Andwaeeeeeeee!

* * *

Jeon Minha: Wild child, voice of an angel
from kpoploveforever.com

I first saw and heard Jeon Minha and Future Colors in the MV for “Hello Love,” from their second album Colorful Life. That was four years ago, and I have been following them ever since. Just what is it about Future Colors that makes you want to watch them and listen to them over and over again?

Well, there's the fact that everyone is so good-looking. Myungseok, the maknae, is the drummer, and a total cutie. Sangmin, the second guitarist, is also cute and has a sweet smile, and he's got this relaxed stance that looks totally cool. Junhee's the bass guitarist, and he's so intense. He's got a good voice too, when you hear him singing backup vocals. Jungkyu is lead guitarist and keyboardist, and the band leader, and totally, unbelievably gorgeous. You end up imagining him as this fairy-tale prince, and yet there he is up on stage, rocking out in a t-shirt and ripped jeans. Is there such a thing as a rock star prince?

And then there's Minha. How do you explain Jeon Minha? He just is. You look at him offstage  and he's super cute, like that boy you always wanted to move in next door, with those big brown eyes and that impish smile. And yet he's a total chameleon. You never know what outfit he'll show up in. Junhee once said it depends on his moods for the day. Today he's a punk rocker, tomorrow he's all East Coast big man in a fedora and trench, and the day after he might be a beach boy. Or a preppie. And the weird thing is-- he's wearing outfits that would look totally ridiculous or too much on anyone else, but on him they just look right, they just look super cool. 

But, you know, Minha isn't perfect. There are news articles about him throwing a hissy fit and acting like a diva when things don't go his way. And he totally won't hesitate to call you out if you wrote something online that he happened to read and disagree with. Jungkyu shared anecdotes about Minha getting into fights when they were trainees, and Minha himself confessed he often got into fights when he was still in school and caused his mom to get called to the principal's office. 

But then you put this wild child on stage... and you're ready to forgive him everything. Because the boy was born to be a star. (trails off into a dream...)

Where was I? Oh, right. Minha just attracts your attention simply by being there. Even in a band full of droolworthy cuties, he just stands out. And then when he starts to sing-- merciful God, I think I've totally died and gone to heaven. He can make you feel like he's singing directly to you, he can make you cry, laugh, and fall in love. That voice. THAT VOICE. It's got to be the best voice ever in K-pop, and that's saying some.

Which is why I felt like I had been stabbed in the heart when I read the news that he collapsed during a concert and now he's lost his voice and that there are plans to replace him. NONONONONONONONO. I just can't... this can't happen. I mean, he's young, yes? He can still recover and go back to singing. Minha is a big part of what made that band what it is now. With him gone... it just won't be the same anymore. It totally won't be.

So here's praying and hoping that he gets well soon, he recovers, and we will see another Future Colors album with his vocals in it. Do you suppose dropping coins in a wishing well will work? Or do I need to send a petition to the Pope in Rome for a special prayer? Or maybe stick a note in the Wailing Wall-- is there someone from Jerusalem reading this blog? Anything. Just let Future Colors and Minha stay together!

--Thanks for reading! Love, Samantha

Top comments:

[+40] “But then you put this wild child on stage... and you're ready to forgive him everything. Because the boy was born to be a star.” A million times THIS.
[+20] That's Minha for you. I think once he goes up on stage and sings, it's like his life's mission is to make you just FEEL.
[+20] No need for soju or makgeolli or something. It's really easy to get drunk on that voice, I swear.
[+15] I'm from Jerusalem. Want me to go to the Wall for you? :)
-------->[+10] Oh, would you? Yes, please, it would be much appreciated. ~~Sam
-------->[+5] I'm from Jerusalem too, want me to go with you, unni?
[+5] Time to go seek out wishing wells I guess. Won't hurt.
-------->[+2] Haha, me too. ~~Sam
[+1] I hope Minha oppa gets well soon and makes a comeback. Minha oppa and Future Colors, hwaiting!
[+1] Minha will recover. He's got to. I just had a thought-- if we're all in a tizzy over this, I hate to think what would happen if we find out that one of the boys, say, Minha, is dating someone...
----> [+2] I'd like to think that we would be totally cool fans who will wish them well. ~~Sam
---->[+5] Don't say bad words. Jebal.
----->(This comment has been removed by the blog owner as inappropriate.)

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Vocabulary:

Hoobae - A schoolmate or colleague who came into the institution or profession after you did, so basically a junior. cuSKYE and Future Colors are both under Royal, but since cuSKYE debuted two years after Future Colors, they are the latter's hoobaes.
Fighting! - Korean cheer, it's basically the same as "fight!" or "go!" Also written as "hwaiting!"
Kekeke - same as "hahaha"; signifies laughter.
CF - Commercial Film; basically a video ad.
agasshi - Korean, "girl", "young lady"
Gajima - Korean, "don't go."
Jebal - Korean, "please"
Andwae - Korean, "no way!", "it can't be!" 
Makjang - Korean term for a drama element that is over-the-top outrageous or overdramatic and is put in a drama to keep the viewers watching, so basically soap opera stuff like revenge, fatal illness, birth secrets, etc.
Soju - Korean liquor, similar to vodka.
Makgeolli - Korean rice wine.

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Author's Note:

So yeah, this is more of a collection of articles / blog posts off the Internet about what happened and how the fans reacted. (But there are hints in there, so...) The numbers in the comments correspond to the number of likes (or dislikes, if negative)-- something you often see in articles that incorporate netizen reactions, if you follow K-pop news. XD

Speaking of news, it worries me that Modern Farmer is now in live shoot, which means that Hongki, who has concerts in Japan with FT Island, is traveling back and forth between Japan and Korea to fulfill his commitments and getting like only two hours sleep a day. I love the drama and the band, but I sure hope the guys get some R&R. Gods above, Hongki bebe, take care of yourself, 'kay? Don't end up like Minha!

The background music for this part is Promise, from the You're Beautiful OST, because it is the first song where I heard both Jung Yonghwa and Lee Hongki sing, which went a long way towards getting me hooked on both their bands. (In fact that drama is responsible for getting me hooked on a number of things, but that's another story.) You can easily differentiate their voices in the song, as well as their individual styles (Hongki comes in at 0:55 and Yonghwa at 1:44). Would it be too much to ask for a CNBlue / FT Island collaboration in the future, K-pop gods?

Anyway, comments, votes, suggestions and reactions, violent or otherwise, are very much appreciated. Thanks for reading, love you all!