Music Elixir
Eavesdrop on a conversation between two friends about their favorite Asian artists and music and how music is their tonic of life.
Music Elixir
The Comeback Season: From Monsta X to Arashi, and more!
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After an unexpected hiatus filled with personal challenges, Sarah and Panic are back for a jam-packed catch-up episode brimming with news, plans, and fan adventures!
The K-pop landscape is evolving rapidly as Monsta X makes a triumphant full-group return following their staggered military enlistments. We dive deep into how military service transforms idols' perspectives, noting that these mandatory breaks often become crucial reflection periods where performers reassess their careers and futures.
The revelation that sent us into absolute shock? Arashi's unexpected announcement of their reunion activities leading up to spring 2026! We share our unbridled enthusiasm and slightly outrageous contingency plans for attending their performances – including possibly camping outside venues or traveling internationally with no guaranteed tickets. The prospect of this legendary J-pop group's comeback after their 2020 hiatus has reignited our most dedicated fan instincts.
Travis Japan fans can celebrate as member Noel gradually returns to activities following his health-related break, while we also unpack the controversy surrounding girl group Kiss of Life that led to their removal from the KCON LA 2025 lineup. Between Ninomiya Kazunari's upcoming solo releases and Masuda from NEWS taking a health-related pause, the J-pop world remains as dynamic as ever.
The episode concludes with Panic's detailed chronicle of waiting two hours for the Hello Kitty Cafe Truck – a tale of determination, strategic line positioning, and the unspoken rules of merchandise purchasing etiquette that every true fan understands. Whether you're planning concert attendance strategies or navigating merch lines, this episode celebrates the dedication that connects us all as music fans.
What lengths would you go to for your favorite artists? Share your stories and join our community of passionate music lovers who understand that being a fan is more than casual listening – it's a lifestyle!
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OK ASIA
Welcome Back After Life Happened
Speaker 1Welcome everybody to another episode of Music Elixir with me, Sarah, and.
Speaker 2Miss DJ Panic.
Speaker 1Miss DJ Panic. Yes, every title you can throw in there, right?
Speaker 2Mm-hmm, mm-hmm, mm-hmm, mm-hmm, mm-hmm. So I'm going to thank you everybody. You're ending it already. Wait a minute, we just started.
Speaker 1Well, you know what?
Speaker 2Thank you. Thank you, everybody for being patient with us. Yes, here we go. That's. I think that's what I wanted to say, but it kind of like well, that kind of sounds like I'm ending the podcast but I'm not, so thank you everybody for being patient with us as life has happened to sarah and I again as of like let's say um, I'm, I'm really stuck to this. My head will. I will never forget this date of april 12 2025, because I think from then on, things have snowballed for us yeah, they have you know, I had the hit and run it was carless.
Speaker 2Then it something happened that we couldn't see each other again. I think it was, you had all, you were traveling, yeah, yeah. Then, in the mix of that, another thing happened and we couldn't see each other again. So thank you for just being there, you know, just being patient with us, thank you. Thank you. Thank you, for I mean that's awesome. It means that you guys are like our friends exactly.
Speaker 1Yes, you know you put up with our flakiness and shenanigans. Well, I was gonna say and the latest thing was just in fact you can sort of tell from my voice I got sick, so I'm getting over uh yeah.
Speaker 1So if I cough a couple of times, you'll know why. Yeah, and so, while we're at it, maybe we should also say we had every intention of covering new music. Yeah, but in these few weeks a lot of things happened, yeah, so we're actually going to do like a little rants and ramblings. Talk about some news yeah, but we know. Yamada put out new music, travis Japan put out new music, jin from BTS put out new music. I mean, monsta X are finally all back.
Speaker 2Girl. I want to talk about that because I'm like, oh my god, right, my boys.
Speaker 1So they're putting out a new album. Yeah, I mean like stuff, just so much has been happening.
Speaker 2I am really rooting for Monsta X this year. They're all together and I'm like why, for some reason this time, I'm like more attached to them than I was before.
Speaker 1Well, because when they all started the military stuff and I like I'm leaving the company but not the group, right, we were really kind of nervous about how that was all going to play out, because they were so spaced out in the way that they went into military, not like how bts sort of went in groups. This was like everybody's just like, oh well, I guess I'll go now, yeah, and then somebody else, if you know, I guess I'll go now. So we were like where are they really at? Because shono had been gone and came back and they weren't doing a whole lot and we were like, is this the end?
Speaker 2please no because it felt very weird.
Speaker 1Yeah, it was so disjointed yeah, and so we were really getting stressed out about it, yeah it's like what's gonna happen?
Speaker 2because lately what we have been seeing after somebody goes on to their military uh, you know, enlistment like they use those two years or whatever time they're out there because, depending on what they're doing, to reflect on what really want to do as an idol, right, right, because they're like, oh yeah, I'll come back and fulfill some of that contract, but then after that I'm like, well, so-and-so is gonna be leaving the company or doing their own thing, well you know, it's like everybody's like no, don't go to the military.
Speaker 2Oh, we're gonna miss you. And I'm like I think I know why. Because they just take that time to reflect, because they're back to being civilians right.
Speaker 1Well, you know, being an individual yeah, as much as you can be an individual in a military setting, but you know that's a whole, nother thing. But they're being yeah, they're on their own, they're not part of a group, it's like a performing group.
Speaker 2Right, it's a different schedule because in the military you have, you know, drills, and then the food is the same and everybody's the same everybody.
Speaker 1Yeah, you all get up together, you go eat together, you go to bed together. Yeah yes, it's kind of like an idol, but it's way restricted you know, yeah, you don't get to wear your own clothes, you don't get to. Yeah, no, very limited social media.
Speaker 2Oh, extremely, you know it's like you know you're doing this and this is what do you do. You eat, sleep, breathe, military completely different. You become an outsider when you do things for the military, so it's like some of them that looks like it's more of a fresh air for them. You know, like seeing things differently and like like what do I really want to do with my life? Do I really want to continue being an idol? Do I, um, do I do want to continue being an idol, but differently?
Speaker 1the other thing, too, is the. The members who aren't in yet or have already come back are also thinking differently. You know they're like well, while you're off, now I'm gonna live this idol life, but as a single, semi-civilian, semi-still idol, because I'm in this group but the group's not active, so right, I'm doing my own thing anyways. And yeah, it's.
Speaker 2It's a very odd dynamic, right watch happening you can't yeah, like you can't tell who would like to continue to be an idol or wants to be a, an actor, or just only do production, you know, just do something different. Or just completely don't do anything in the entertainment industry, just you know. Whatever, something else.
Speaker 1Yeah, exactly.
Speaker 2So, yeah, I'm so happy about Monsta X.
Speaker 1I know, when I saw the announcement the other day I was like what?
Speaker 2I was like oh, my God.
Speaker 1Family and. I started watching old Monsta X videos when Wano was still there and we're like oh, my God, Family and I started watching old Monsta X videos when Wano was still there and we're like oh my God, yeah, I was going to say because I'm excited, like Hyungwon literally got out like two days ago and they're like all right, we're ready, yeah, we're going to boom, put stuff out and be on the road.
Speaker 2So wow, so yeah gonna boom, put, put stuff out and be on the road. So wow, so yeah, again those years that they are in the military. Let's say, maybe, juhani, you know, saw rm a couple of times, you know, like you were thinking, hey, they like to produce and write and who knows, so oh yeah, speaking of you know being all together bts next month, yeah so again. You know our boy RM. He likes to reflect and think and I bet he did a lot of that.
Speaker 1Oh, I'm sure, and I think, though, that this I think he's coming out of this sort of in a better mindset, like I think that this reflection time is sort of, uh, making him appreciate a little more what was going on, instead of being dragged down by it and bogged down and and feeling the burden of all of this. I think now he's sort of like I see what it was, I I see where it was going and where it was starting to not be the direction he wanted, and now he's like I can steer it back, I can save this, you know Right, because he's been in his posts and stuff, like, I think, just had sort of a slightly better outlook on things. It's not so burdensome. I think a lot of that had to do with his solo time before going to the military too.
Speaker 2I saw a blur out there about him, uh, talking about the idol life, and he made some comments. So I'm like I gotta find this article now. Of course I can't find it because I really want to talk about it. I just saw a blurred and I'm just going by what the article, the title of the article is, and you know the title of the article is just to you know, fish you in to read it, yeah to read the article.
Monsta X Returns Fully Reunited
Speaker 2then when you read it you're like, oh okay, then you know, I know, but uh, but you know, uh, my baby opa he is, you know, he's so intelligent, I don't know, it's just different soul, he's an old soul.
Speaker 1Yeah, definitely.
Speaker 1He always has been, but again because he had so much of the burden of what they were doing. He was the leader, but also the only one really sort of fluent in English. You know, to the point of, everyone relied on him on both sides to do this, and he was young. He was young to have that much responsibility. You know, like to be this figurehead the way he was, and I think that that's what he needed to come to terms with. And the whole solo era for all of them, I think, sort of allowed everybody to be like spread my wings, say what I want to say, how I want to say it, and then refocus on what you know everything meant to them. Yep, you could. Definitely. His last album. Definitely. There was a lot of that self-reflection and double ways of thinking of how he was saying things. You're like, oh, this could be taken two different ways and you know. Only he knows how he meant it.
Speaker 2But hey, anyways, yes, yes, that's exciting that's another we're already all over the place, yeah can't wait for monster x, can't wait for bts. Now that we're talking about monster x and bts and comebacks, the one that we are very, very, very, very, very, very, very very excited about is maybe a few more, very very okay, very, very, very, very, very excited about five fairies. How about that all?
Speaker 1right, yes, it's arashi that when, when that announcement happened, I was like I, I don't know, it was sort of like it didn't even register. I remember I looked at my sister. I was like, oh my gosh, hey Rachel, how is she going to do another tour? They're coming back. Oh my God. Briefly, yes, it's going to lead up to something that we've all been dreading but sort of expecting. Right that they're just the activities are going to cease. Yes, after this year and a half maybe we'll say that they're going to be getting ready to do things, do a tour.
Speaker 2More details from the announcement yes, but they're saying spring of 2026. We're hoping maybe some activities or things are happening this year or the end of the year, or leading, you know, leading to the well, because they're gonna.
Speaker 1You know, they're gonna be meeting, they're gonna be prepping things, they're gonna be working together. So hopefully they'll throw us little bones here and there to chew on while we wait.
Speaker 2Uh international auditions are hoping for. You know a few stops in the internet. We know they were going to California. So we're hoping that maybe there's a rain check.
Speaker 1You know that's the rain check of coming to LA.
Speaker 2Of course, because it's only going to be LA, it's not going to be New York, definitely not Boston. No.
Speaker 1Even though I wish, because I think their original plan was just to do la. So, yeah, hopefully, maybe that'll be back on the table, because you know, well, they debuted it in hawaii right correct yes, I mean logically.
Speaker 2You know a hawaii date? Yeah, that would be awesome a day or two or three three dates in hawaii.
Speaker 1Well, they did two last time, so yeah, three, yeah, let's let's do three. No, let's do five. Oh, five.
Speaker 2Yeah, there are five members, five dates. How about that doula mini residency? Again, that was another idea. I mean logically, I don't know. For me it would be nice to have a residency in Japan, of course. Maybe a few dates in Hawaii, california. You know, it all depends on the members. Yeah, it does, you know.
Speaker 1Well, and what they can secure. You know, true, what kind of arrangements can be made for the time that they want to be doing this Right, be doing this right. So you know, it's just, as we all know, the way things work as far as ticketing and right being able to go to events that a lot of international fans are not going to be able to oh yeah, to do this it's yeah.
Speaker 2Uh, for us is gonna be battle like yeah. Um family said you know what your best bet is?
Speaker 1to actually just go to japan and just stay outside of I don't know if they're gonna be in tokyo dome and just sit out there and listen from the outside well, I'm wondering, you know, because usually they sort of they start up in hokkaido and work their way down, you know, hitting all the major cities, so like, yeah, I don't even know. We just have to wait and hear from them what exactly they're gonna be putting together, you know, and how long they used to do entire summer tours. Is this gonna be multiple dates, multiple cities? Throw a couple of foreign countries in there?
Speaker 2come to the us maybe europe, your european fans, would like go absolutely crazy okay, so let's, let's put this out there and, uh, hopefully for june to hear, or somebody, mr organizer, yeah, just putting out there for for mr june, because he's the one probably getting all this together.
Speaker 1Oh yeah, he's got his whiteboard Okay.
Speaker 2So if June, let's say, does the LA and Hawaii, are you willing to do those dates, if we get tickets, of course?
Speaker 1Okay, hello, all right, I booked a trip to Hawaii without even having tickets back in 2014. I know, but I'm just putting it out there, I'm asking you.
Speaker 2I booked a trip to Hawaii without even having tickets back in 2014. I know, but I'm just putting it out there.
Speaker 1I'm asking you, this is not recorded. I would absolutely be there, yeah.
Speaker 2Okay, because, I mean, la was the only place that we know that they were going to tour. I don't think they were going to do anything besides. You know California. Next. Also question if they're not doing um usa at all, even hawaii, and it's only gonna be in japan and they're doing that tour that you were saying, would you like to just stay in Japan for those tours, even though we don't get tickets?
Speaker 1Yes, because they could open it up publicly. Because that's what what happened with the Hawaii is. It was originally sort of like a fan club package thing, and then they opened it to the general public and we got tickets. Ok, I don't know if that ever really happens in japan with their tours, because I mean, there are so many people in the fan club yeah, this is rsh exactly rsh, we don't even know if it's nobody's gonna let out their ticket, unless you really lost your ticket yeah, I mean you know, yeah, no, I'd totally go just to be in the vicinity, maybe, you know, up on top of a building with binoculars to see them get out of their van and go into the venue.
Speaker 1You know, I don't know, because that's as close as we'd be able to get to it, right, but you know.
Speaker 2So you'll be willing to stand outside a venue just to listen to Arashi?
Speaker 1Before they kick us out yes, Because I'm sure people walk around going. You can't loiter here, you got to move.
Speaker 2I'll be like well, we want Arashi. I'll probably be the one like laying on the floor. You're like Arashi, I wanted to be in there and people probably put me in handcuffs, take me to the and I'll be like get all the news in here that this guy came over just to listen to RH in the outside because she couldn't get in there.
Speaker 1Oh my God, yeah, no, I totally.
Speaker 2No, I Okay. So you and I, United, we're going to do this. Yes, We'll be handcuffed if they kick us out.
Speaker 1Actually, we can beat them to it. Bring our own handcuffs and handcuff ourselves to the outside of the venue. Yeah, you got to find out how to get these off, and then you can take us away.
Speaker 2Okay, oh my God, please, people don't do this. This is only okay. All right, okay, sarah and I will be doing this. Please do not follow our lead yeah, it's not the best advice but no, okay you know how we are about our, our idols?
Speaker 2yeah, sarah was very fortunate enough to see them once live. I have never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever seen them five times. I'm saying it. So all right, we got plans. I gotta save money I know right and go back to the gym to be strong enough to endure.
Speaker 1Yeah, exactly, oh, my God, don't touch me.
Speaker 2You're assaulting me.
Speaker 1Oh, my God.
Speaker 2Oh no, They'll probably be like please don't get this crazy guy.
Speaker 1But yes, most definitely if they come to the US. I will do everything in my power to be there.
Speaker 2At this time, just get any tickets.
Speaker 1Yeah, well, that was the thing With Hawaii. It was very, so random because whatever we got, we got. We were off on the side, but right next to a special stage the first night and then the second night we were close to the center front in the like, just in the middle of everything. So you know, I think that it is pretty random, okay, okay, but yes, we will all right the way things work over here.
Speaker 1Sometimes you have to like fight tooth and nail to get a spot, so we'll just take whatever we can get for sure all right, we got goals, we got plans.
Speaker 2We're already planning ahead, just like our shit is right now yeah yeah, so we're. We're doing this all right, so I gotta save some monies now. Our month of june is packed I know packed. We're not saying what kind of concerts and things that we're doing for june. We're gonna leave those for episodes.
Speaker 1So yeah, yeah, one of them. There's four, four very distinct things going on.
Speaker 2Yes, yes, yes, yes, and then in july we have um a whole weekend, so we'll wait for that. Thank God, if you are listening to the episodes, you know what we're doing in July. So now let's go with some news.
Speaker 1Yeah.
Speaker 2And this one is from a member from news. So our Matsuda is taking a temporary pause from his activities. This is actually from tokyo hive. You know. News is what is the second debuted after arashi. When did they debut?
Speaker 1they debuted after arashi, right yes, yeah, yes, they've definitely been around for a while and they've gone through a lot of changes. We were we've talked about it before you know them and Catoon went from like a dozen members OK, I exaggerate, but you know went from. I think News originally had eight or nine, maybe it was eight, and they slowly went down to three.
Speaker 2Three, yeah, Because now there's three. Catoon were six and now they're well, no long. Well, they're just three or not three no longer three.
Speaker 1Nope cartoon also called it a day.
Speaker 2Yes, shall we say so yeah, everybody's doing their own thing, but uh, on news, so matsuda, uh, let's see on. I'm reading this from tokyo hive saying that the 14th, matsuda visited a doctor due to facial pain and swelling, oh God. Following a medical evaluation, he was advised to be hospitalized for approximately one week. Wow, wow. So, consequently, all of the scheduled activities will be put on hold for the time being. Oh geez, so of course they're not gonna say what it is, but, uh, we hope that he's doing well and whatever it is is not that serious, but he is um under observation. Oh my god and he's my favorite singer.
Speaker 2He has this voice that I'm like.
Speaker 1I hear it.
Speaker 2I'm like, oh, it's just, I don't know love, so speedy recovery and whatever it is is not serious in that he's able to turn back to his group activities as soon as he's well.
Speaker 1That's scary, you know, when you're not sure exactly what the problem is I'm not a doctor where I'm thinking hopefully it's a wisdom tooth.
Speaker 2It sounds like a wisdom tooth.
Speaker 1Yeah, that could be like a tooth well, because the the wisdom teeth can affect your sinuses and your like, your ears and stuff so I mean it can affect a lot of different things. Hopefully it's something that simple and they can take care of it and he'll be on the mend again soon. Oh my gosh, sounds scary it just sounds scary.
Speaker 2Yeah, but of course they don't have to give us details, but at least he's doing well and uh. But in the good news, I know it came out. I think I don't know if we started to discuss this earlier, but our Nina Mia with the second solo cover, oh my God, I know right.
Speaker 1You know we got to talk about that one. Oh yeah, when it comes out we will. When are they saying the?
Speaker 2first one came out on June, right around his birthday. Remember he did that one for his birthday. This one will be on available starting on july 2nd, so it's gonna be after his birthday. Okay, so we're gonna be here see, so he's gearing up his voice. He's like I better start singing again. You know, I'm doing all these acting jobs, that's all. We have seen him only acting he has right, yeah, like movie series.
Speaker 2He's been busy with his acting right now. Currently, unless he's not there anymore, he's in france. I'm like, oh, look at him living his best life.
Speaker 1He's just been everywhere, everywhere, so wow. So I'm just checking out all the the stuff he plans to cover. That's pretty cool, cool, what Live showcase what.
Speaker 2What live showcase what?
Speaker 1Nina Mia Kazanari fan club live showcase.
Speaker 2tentative timetable you gotta be part of that fan club.
Speaker 1Yeah, man, we miss out on all the good stuff. Yay, nina.
Speaker 2Mia Looking forward to Naino. Yeah, he has kids, kids to feed. He has family. He doesn't have another kid right, just the two girls just the two girls that we know of. Yeah, at this point, yes, I've only has one boy right. Show has a kid too. Yes, show kept it really quiet with his child.
Speaker 1Yes, he has like it was like a really quick blur on on his.
Speaker 2Well, he is like that he's personal life. He's very, very. I mean all of them, but ronino's a different. He likes to always say something about his family.
Speaker 1Well, he'll, he'll say something, but do not get in his face, as you should, not with any of your idols. Let them have their time with family, oh yeah that thing with that.
Speaker 2Yeah, he was just like adamant. He's like no, keep my family out of the public eye. I did not give any permission.
Speaker 1I'm like kudos for you yeah, exactly because he's like when I'm filming and promoting for movies or doing my music, that's one thing, but when I'm out with my family, that's private and you just leave it be and show, yeah, shows very much.
Speaker 2Uh, keep it all on the down low, yeah apparently abcz is uh releasing their 30p called romantic, that will be out on june 25th. Called romantic, that will be out on june 25th. Nice, I do like their voices. I do like when they do like the 80s type style, more dancey poppy type. They had the I don't know like, I feel like they enjoy those a lot more. And I enjoyed listening to them as well, because they just sound like they are like yeah, I'm loving this and I'm like cool, I can hear it on your voice.
Speaker 1Should we also mention somebody coming back?
Speaker 2yes, so we're recording. On may 18th, somebody took a bit of a break of activities and, as of may 17th, travis, japan's Japan's Noel came back.
Speaker 1He's going to reincorporate himself with the guys. I think they're going to take it slow, but that is just super exciting. Very happy to hear that. Glad he took the time to sort of focus on himself, figure out what he was doing, and everybody else was just like you, do you. We'll keep active till you come back, and here he is gearing up to be with them. So what's? The first thing they're gonna do so let's just sorry, I was trying to find.
Speaker 1Now I can't find the article I read, okay so start to announce on may 17th.
Speaker 2Uh regarding noel from travis japan. Thank you very much for your continuous support of noel. Due to poor health, uh, noel has suspended. Hit her, why is this translated to her?
Arashi's Surprising Reunion Announcement
Speaker 2his activities that happens a lot for a while, but after discussing with him and the other members of Travis Japan, we are pleased to announce that from May 17th, he will be gradually resuming his activities. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all of the fans and people involved who continue send send him words of support and messages even during his hiatus. The continued support he received even during his hiatus was a great source of encouragement for him. First of all, we are making preparations to be able to start in front of you all at the Lala Arena, tokyo Bay, performance of Travis Jiménez concert tour 2025 visual on June 7th and 8th. We would like to thank you for your continued support for Noel Yay. So this is roughly translated from StarTour Entertainment. There were some words that had to change grammatically so it could sound.
Speaker 1Yes.
Speaker 2So it could sound correctly, I'd say, because, anyways, that was the translation never go by the translation. Please don't never go by the translation text. Okay.
Speaker 1That being said, so I guess apparently this is going to be a live streaming of the arena tokyo bay performance, nice, all seven members, travis japan will be live broadcast on saturday, june 7th. So if you're able to check it out, I think they're saying fan club members only, but that might just be for the ticket price, because there are viewing tickets on sale Started on the 17th, the same day they announced that he was going to be back. I wonder if we can. I'll have to look if I can get this ticket.
Speaker 2Well, we'll see.
Speaker 1Because it's like fan club members only a certain price. So I'm wondering if there's like a general admission one too.
Speaker 2Okay, We'll see. Let's see what happens. But you know, welcome back, Noelle. Yes, I did miss you. I didn't. You are my bias. When I heard that announcement, I'm like oh no, ok, but you know boo you need. Yeah, just you know. You're feeling better, you said, and you're going to come back with your activities with the group. That's awesome. So welcome back. I miss you.
Speaker 1Yeah, no, it's very good that he took the time to focus on himself, because you know, if you don't feel you're 100% there, that comes through to everybody, and when you push yourself to do something you're not in the right frame of mind to do, it just compounds the problem. So it's best that he took a step back to focus on himself, and here he is ready to come back and be a part of everything again, and that's awesome.
Speaker 2And you can tell. You can tell when the person is not there, they're just obligated to do something and it's just like that's all right, you know take a break. We're glad that you took a break for yourself. Always take care of yourself first, focus on you. Any K-pop news? There's been some really K-pop news, oh yeah.
Speaker 1Did you heard about Kiss of Life? K-con oh yeah, that all started from a very poorly presented. What the heck was it, though?
Speaker 2what was it what really happened? Because I was like what happened?
Speaker 1well, it started one of them, apparently, because I don't know what was said and where it was said. It might have been in a post she did or she was doing. You know, some of them do their little live like, do an Instagram live or whatever kind of thing. Apparently, a racial slur was used Again I don't know what it was but then they proceeded to do a live celebration for one of their birthdays with a poorly chosen theme idea. Oh no, and this it's affected a lot of things for them, k-con being one of them, because the controversy I mean like they had to sort of go silent for a little while because fans and non-fans were like what is going on with this? So yeah, just some some bad decisions being made, and that was what led to this, I think so apparently there was.
Speaker 2Uh. This is on soompi on april 5th. Kiss of life members share handwritten apology for controversial live broadcasts. Amidst the growing controversy over their recent live broadcasts, the kiss of life members have shared a handwritten letter of apology. Earlier this week, kiss of life came under fire for a live broadcast they held in a celebratory of julie's birthday. The theme of the broadcast was old school hip-hop. I knew it and view many viewers voice concerns about. Is perceived cultural insensitivity Whoa.
Speaker 1Yeah, that's what I said without coming right out and saying it.
Speaker 2Okay, you know that was yes.
Speaker 1They some very poorly chosen outfits, ways of speaking, while they were doing the live things they said they were imitating what.
Speaker 2Let's say, whoever they follow as a hip-hop artist. That is like oh you know, because you're a hip-hop artist, this is how you should look and how you should act and how you should speak, and if you were imitating word by word what they were saying.
Speaker 1Uh, no, exactly and a lot of, a lot of the controversy was also like people were like this written apology just seems like something that was written by someone else and they recopied it, redid it, whatever.
Speaker 2Yeah.
Speaker 1So anyways, yeah, no, when I originally was seeing that KCON announcement I was like I thought they were canceling the whole thing. I thought that too, because the way they started it, I was like oh my God, are they going to just not do KCON this?
Speaker 2year KCON anymore, I know.
Speaker 1It seemed so like I don't know, immense and final sounding, and I was like oh no.
Speaker 2I was like oh my God, no more KCON. I mean they're not doing any. Kcon at all. Like no more KCON New York. That's not coming back at all. They like no more kcon new york, that's not coming back at all.
Speaker 1No, um, they used to have one in texas. I haven't seen that one either. Yeah, no, I think just la is the only place yeah, which?
Speaker 2that's where it is the original. You know that's where it started. But, yeah, the uh, I'm gonna read that. So, kiss of life to no longer perform at kcon la 2025. Uh, so'm going to be reading the post that actually KCON posted on all their social medias. All of them, dear KCONers, thank you for your continued interest and support for KCON LA 2025. When I read that, I was like, oh shit, no more KCON.
Speaker 1Yeah, that's exactly what I thought I was like. Oh no.
Speaker 2No, they're just going to give everybody their money back if we're not doing no. Kcon Regrettably, after careful consideration and thorough discussion exploring all venues for participation, kcon and S2 Entertainment have mutually decided that Kiss of Life will no longer be participating in k-con's la 2025. Yeah, the whole free few sentences.
Speaker 1I'm like, oh my god, yeah the whole beginning I was like just next time start with. We regret to inform that kiss of life. But well, you know what I mean.
Speaker 2But as very well social media marketers know that you gotta keep the people reading yeah, that's because it's like no, we gotta keep continue, because if they do the, you know if they they're not gonna anyways, they know what they're doing. That that's why they're good at their social media and getting people linked for these shows. So continue reading. Uh, we sincerely apologize to the fans who were looking forward to their performance, and we kindly ask for your understanding. We'll do our best to bring you even more special and memorable experiences in the month ahead. Sincerely KCON team. Oh, and there were people like yeah, why don't you bring back blah blah, blah for this spot, you know?
Speaker 1wow man yeah, wow.
Speaker 2So I was like damn, even with that, with even with the entertainment company it's like whoever you have under. We don't want them, we don't want them. We don't want them either. You guys are bad news. Yep, wow. So pretty much the career for these four young ladies is over.
Speaker 1Yes, well, like I said, it started with one of them making a comment two weeks maybe before the live thing happened, so this was already an issue for them, and then they sort of just doubled down on it. Oh my God, like wow, that's some really poor, poor judgment and execution, Definitely.
Speaker 2Yo. What happened to just having colorful streamers and like, wear a tiara because it's your birthday? Balloons with yeah spelling out your name in silver Exactly Balloons with your favorite color and some flowers and whatever gifts, then you know, streamers, yep, I know you want to make it fun for your birthday and also for the fans. You want to interact, but like, wow, yeah, if you want to make it a theme, you, you know, make us look up into it.
Speaker 1A pertinent theme. Yeah, you know how.
Travis Japan's Noel Returns
Speaker 2About like, for instance? You know I want to bring example. I love Hello Kitty. By my birthday I'm always going to be Hello Kitty themed. She's loved worldwide by billions of people. You know my birthday parties are always easy Hello Kitty it's for everybody. Speaking of Hello Kitty, the Hello Kitty truck cafe was in Boston and I was there. Yay, oh, my god, I'm going to give my Hello Kitty cafe truck experience. The rundown. Sarah was not there, so I'm going to give my Hello Kitty.
Speaker 1Cafe truck experience.
Speaker 2The rundown. Sarah was not there. You know I was there with family, family's, like you know, this is your thing. We're just going to walk around and I'm like, that's fine, just leave me here. I'm here for my Hello Kitty, that's fine, I'm prepared. I'm prepared with my umbrella, because it was cloudy in boston. We didn't know if it was gonna rain. It was fortunate that it was cloudy, so there was no hot sun beaming down on on you know, on me or anybody who was out there waiting for the cafe, for the truck cafe. Just to remind everybody, it's a truck cafe that goes around in the united states and there's an east center and west uh. So the east east Hello Kitty Cafe was in Boston on May 17th. So I was there. I waited in line, like everybody else, two hours for the Hello Kitty, merch, I do want to say it's a two-hour event just waiting in line.
Speaker 2So I you know, family is like are you gonna do this? And I'm like yes but I was there in boston first of all, I was going to see concert. I went to see raul alejandro, but we went extra early because when I heard about this hello kitty cafe, you know I'm like I'm going, we're going so nothing's gonna keep you away from that, no that's my love for heli key.
Speaker 2I love my heli so much anyways. So, um, I'm like you know what? I'm here, I'm committed, I'm going for it. I got an umbrella, I'm ready. I got my sneakers, I'm, I'm fine, I'm fine, I'm fine. So they're like all right, you know, I'm just gonna walk around see what else is around here. I'm like cool, I'm good.
Speaker 2There was, uh, four people in front of me that bailed out, one of them being, um, I think it was a grandparents holding the line for their grand granddaughter. So when granddaughter arrived with mom, dad and big brother, um, she was wearing I see, she was so cute, she was wearing a hello kitty t-shirt with the, with the pants and the sneakers. She was all Hello Kitty decked out. I'm like, yes, girl, she's a true fan, she's going to be there, wow. So, grandma, how did I find out it was a two-hour wait? Because grandma already inquired how long was the wait. So grandma said it's going to be a two-hour wait. Honey, we got to wait here in line for two hours. The little girl goes. She's probably like five or six. Wow, all these people love Hello Kitty.
Speaker 1I'm like oh, my God that's so adorable.
Speaker 2I didn't know Hello Kitty was so popular and I'm like, in my head I'm like girl for 50 years. She's been around a lot longer than you. I became that fan. It's like excuse me, you just became a fan. No, no, no, but I was just putting, it was so adorable, you know, so adorable. She's like oh, and then it's like and then grandma, it's being grandma. Because you know, grandparents know how to handle little kids. Well, you know, grandparents know how to handle little kids. Well, you know, grandpa and I were walking around and we found this store that had candy and Hello Kitty stuff. This little girl lit up. She's like okay, I'm like Grandma, you know how to handle candy. She knew, she knew.
Speaker 1Grandma was like I am not standing in this line for two hours.
Speaker 2It's like you're my granddaughter. I love you, but I gotta find a way to get out of here.
Speaker 1Yep, this is. I did not sign up for this. That grandma.
Speaker 2I give her props. She knew what she was doing. She's like I gotta plan this correctly when I'm gonna be standing there oh, you know what?
Speaker 1I bet there's a miniso in that area. That's probably what she's thinking of.
Speaker 2Family didn't see a mini-soul.
Speaker 1Really.
Speaker 2Yeah, ah, but there was a candy store. Oh, okay that they found Hello Kitty stuff there. There's a mini-soul at the Holy Oak Mall.
Speaker 1Really, when did that go in? Oh my God, holy crap. I mean holy, wow, holy oak.
Speaker 2Well I haven't been there since COVID. You want to go? We should. Yeah, you want to go up to this? Hey, I will go around in my new car, in my Susie, oh my.
Speaker 1God.
Speaker 2Yeah, I'm going to say my Susie.
Speaker 1Oh, that's what you named it, yeah.
Speaker 2All right, it was, was gonna be lucy. But then family's like how about suzy?
Speaker 1and I'm like okay, suzy, it is well, if you're not feeling it, don't stick with it, because you know I was gonna call it that lucy suzy, but anyways, grandma, grandma knew what to say and do.
Speaker 2And and then mom and dad, you know, they're like oh, that's awesome, honey, we should go. Okay, let's go. And I'm like good, I got no people in front of me.
Speaker 1The line just got shorter. The line got shorter by two.
Speaker 2Then in front of me it was a dad and their daughter. So mom chimed in how are you guys doing, you know, know? And dad is like, well, um, we just overheard that it's gonna be a two-hour wait. So we're just, you know, just sit standing here and mom apparently was somewhere else in like in the area and she had like an ice dunkin. I mean, they're like in front of me so I was able to see. I overlooked their phone.
Speaker 2Come on, she looks like she was, you know, her iced coffee I don't know if it's Dunkin or what iced coffee and like, well, I'm having fun, you know like the husband's like, dang it. Like you can see his face, like, all right, your mom is, uh, having a good time, you know, all right. And then he's like, um, how are you doing honey, are you okay? And she's like I'm getting hungry. And he's like, oh, you. So if you're getting hungry, we gotta leave this room, we gotta get this line. We, you gotta go eat.
Speaker 2Uh, you didn't have breakfast. I did tell you to eat breakfast. Well, I well, can you leave and? And then get me something. I'm not gonna leave you by yourself on this line. If you're hungry, you need to come get me something. I'm not going to leave you by yourself on this line. If you're hungry, you need to come with me. We got to leave. Anyways, they're open here until seven. Why don't we just come back? Another smooth so reluctantly, the girl left with that and I'm like, yes, moving on, the universe is working with me. The universe is working with me.
Kiss of Life Controversy
Speaker 2So now I have a couple with a six months old that's just crazy I was just like I can tell this is for mom and not for dad or the baby yeah, six months old, doesn't know. The baby was not decked out on any hello kitty stuff and I'm like okay, I'm like all right, all right, maybe baby will start crying, get fuzzy and we'll leave. Okay, all right. I'm thinking, okay, what baby will start crying, get fussy and we'll leave. Okay, all right, I'm thinking okay, what's going to happen? What's going to happen, what's going to happen. I guess he went and she went and got ice cream. So they were eating ice cream to keep themselves cool and whatever. So the ice cream was done, baby started to get a little fussy and the time I think you know they're gonna be.
Speaker 2You know, yeah, she was like well, take him, go for a round, go walk. I'm fine over here, I'm by myself, I'm okay, you know, just just walk around and well, you know, whatever, I'm like she's sticking, she's sticking I'm like all right, all right, that's fine that's fine, but he didn't take the uh empty containers. So she asked me please, and I'm like, oh, no problem, I'll hold on.
Speaker 2Hold your spot yeah, I'm like, yeah, sure you know hello kitty fan to another, that's fine, you know I I'm not gonna say no, no, no, yeah, go ahead. So she comes back. And I'm like, no, she seems nice, let me start talking to her. So I'm like, how long you have been a hello kitty fan? She's like, oh, since like elementary, and I'm like me too. So we started talking. We talk about hello kitty, the collections, so that helped the line move faster because we weren't paying attention of like, this damn thing moving, this thing is moving. We're like, oh, my god, we're almost there. The husband comes around when we were like almost to the truck and he's like, wow, you guys move fast. And I'm like, yeah, I know, got to meet the baby, the husband, really nice couple. Then I found they had the sandwich board where they have all the items and things that they don't have.
Speaker 1Their menu yeah.
Speaker 2I said to her I'm going to take a picture of that. So I took a picture of it and I'm like this is what they don't have, this is what they don't have. She a picture of it and I'm like this is what they don't have, this is what you don't have. She's like. She's like oh my god, that's a good idea. Let me go take a picture. She took a picture of it, so she knows what to get. So you know, you and I, we always said if somebody have like a menu of things that they have, you can check it off and they, you know, bring it up and make things quicker. I already have like what. I already knew what I wanted when that's what we always do.
Speaker 2We always do that we always do, that Get prepared. When we got to the line she was ready. She's like I want this, this, this and this. I went to the guy and I'm like I want one of this, two of this, one of that, one of that, one of that.
Speaker 1And he's like already with his clipboard, okay, okay, you said two.
Speaker 2Two Uh-huh, uh and then the only interaction that with it was for the, for the t-shirt, and I was fine, but it was because, they were getting limited on that one, yeah.
Speaker 2And he's like okay, 11 items, packed it all, put it in. Just like the guy thanked me. He's like I wish more people were like you. This is like the prepared prepared, because all I had to do was just tell him I already have my card. This is only credit card only. I already had my card in hand, tap it up. He already had it and I left and he thanked me for being prepared and I'm like you know what yeah, people should be well, we've talked about this.
Speaker 1We were talking about when, when we went to see wasa and we were like you know, we checked out all the merch before we went in, yeah, and then we were checking it while we were in line. So once we got up there, we were just like yep, I want this, this and this. Yeah, you know, you know you, because they got the prices, you got the budget.
Speaker 2You know what you're doing exactly so okay, so I said to family and I'll be going to raul. I'm sorry, raul, I did not buy any of your merch because I'm the. I was there for support hello kitty. Hello kitty's team been my number one since, like childhood and then when I knew there was hello kitty merch, all my money went to hello kitty. So I'm like raul, you already got my ticket money I didn't buying any of your merch sorry, boo sorry, but not sorry.
Speaker 2So yeah, all my money went there. It was amazing and just giving getting a thank you from uh the hello kitty staff staff member I was like oh thank you.
Speaker 2So I was gonna say that two hour wait, that's sort of uh because of people not like oh well, um, do you, um, you know, like they're doing the whole um and I don't know if I want this. And with their, the lady behind me she was now, mind you they have all the items, not just only the sandwich board in the poster, but also the physical items to see like displayed right, yes, yeah they even have the t-shirts outside so you can touch and feel the t-shirt, all right.
Speaker 2With that being said, the lady behind me is like oh, I already overheard that you only have the blue one in small. Um, the pink one, do you have an extra large? He's like yeah, we have. Yeah, we have the extra large. Mind you, that t-shirt was next to her face. And she's like can I see it? Oh my God, I was like bitch. It's right next to you, it's right on your face, I mean because it's not extra large.
Speaker 1Yeah, maybe she needed to see the extra large was extra large. You know, I don't know.
Speaker 2I always go a size up, you know, I always go a size up. And even looking from the, you know I can tell, oh yeah, yeah. Even by looking at it, I'm like, yeah, this is not. And if you can feel the material, you know what kind of material it is. Oh, my girl, I was just like you're the problem that we have two hour lines? You're the type of people we have two hour lines when we shouldn't have a two hour line.
Speaker 1Well, I was going to say remember when we went to see Sugar, though that line was forever. Yo that was, but that's also because it wasn't open, so everybody was just lined up forever. But they gave you the menu card. We had the little double-sided menu card and people still were like, um, that, Can I see that? I was like you've been staring at a menu card for four hours. What is wrong with you? Get out of the damn line. I was just kidding.
Speaker 1Yeah, no, that's what you want to feel like, just yell at that person and be like you're the type of person you're the type of people you know like if you don't know what, I'm ready.
Panic's Hello Kitty Cafe Adventure
Speaker 2So just step back for a minute and let me do my thing go back to the back of the line and think about what you want to buy. So you know. So it was cool that that, um, the girl that I was, you know, hanging with at the line, saw what I, what I, did. She's like, oh my god, that's a good idea. And I'm like, yeah, it is, you know, makes things quicker. If they have, I mean, you already know what they don't have, because they have already put a sticker saying we don't have this. And it's not like the sandwich board was not visible. You can't see it if you don't pay attention. Then, yeah, there's probably like do you have the mug? Well, that mug is sold out. Oh, you know. Like, uh, the sandwich board says, right there, not available. You could just walk away, yeah exactly you wanted.
Speaker 2If that was all you wanted, yeah, leave so that was my thing with the hello kitty cafe the hello kitty cafe was sweet and nice and awesome. I love all my merch, I do. I missed out some things that I really wanted, but of course that's all right, I do. You know people be prepared, be prepared when you're on these merch lines, especially like this was like out in the open, like the hello kitty cafe that's no, but people won't be, you know, but no, it's just but human nature to just be like another thing that I do want to give as not a shout out, but like, hopefully, help the Hello Kitty Cafe is to if you, you have the two people in the truck, have one outside telling people we're out of this, we're out of that.
Speaker 2If they're only going for one item, don't waste people's time, don't you know? If somebody just came in line saying I'm just gonna get the plushie, well, the plushie sold out, ah, then they can leave. Yeah, you know that will be less people in line, less frustration from people that are going up there.
Speaker 1Communication definitely well, was the sandwich board not visible to everybody?
Speaker 2the sandwich board is there, so if you pass the truck it's really easy to miss oh, okay, so if they just at least have someone pointing it out, saying these items are not available if the line was, since the line is that board, it's so so long the board was not really too like the around on the blog. You know there's no more signs. It's just kind of close to the truck, yeah yeah.
Speaker 2So if you see that your item is not there when you get to the truck, we at least have somebody saying we have limited items of blah, blah, blah the Tumblr is gone. Yeah, exactly Tell people the items that are either limited or just sold out. Yeah, like for the t-shirt, if you're here for the blue t-shirt only small size you know at least that type of communication to keep the line moving and don't waste those people's time. That was probably my only pet peeve it's just to have somebody in the line, you know, all right.
Speaker 2So sarah's giving me a face like we have talked too much, but a lot has happened to us so, so we're gonna end it right there thank you everybody for joining us, though, and hope you enjoyed this sort of craziness, panics, hello kitty adventures.
Speaker 1yes, please, yes, please rate review and thank you for being patient with us and share, share, share.
Speaker 2Give us five stars because we love our constellations and I want more Hello Kitty stuff.
Speaker 1What's that got to do with five stars?
Speaker 2Give us five stars because we love Arashi.
Speaker 1Okay, yeah, you're like oh okay, that works.
Speaker 2That changed the mood, completely changed the mood, because we love. Arashi, I'm losing my voice.
Speaker 1And if you're so inclined, please become a subscriber.
Speaker 2So June Matsumoto can hear this.
Speaker 1Well, I was going to say because that might be the one time we actually use the music elixir money to go to Arashi. Get ourselves to Japan to see Arashi.
Speaker 2Hopefully there will be somebody with a lot of kindness and money that will sponsor us to see arashi. You know that we'll see, like you know these girls. They have gone through some rough times for arashi you know one of them just just became a fan in 2020 and never seen them.
Speaker 1One of them did saw them, but you know it's it's her life passion and they're, you know, halting activities well, if you like, almost every single episode, almost every single episode we've ever done, there's at least a brief moment. Yeah, there's always, there's a few. We didn't, but more often than not they came up in conversation. We frequently just say Ono Satoshi, ono Satoshi.
Speaker 2I know, but I think you know we gave him a break Because I think, that's why he's like. I think we made him. I think we went to the brink of like. That's it.
Speaker 1That's why it's like I think we made up I think we went to the brink of like that's it, that's it. Well, they were already on hiatus when that was happening, so it's not our fault. No, okay, we were just calling them back.
Speaker 2Oh no, you can live in the cave. We keep it hush hush, or some island in Puerto Rico. How about that?
Speaker 1Because we both, yeah, yeah, we got family in those places exactly, you will be well taken care of like very well, taken care of.
Speaker 2All. Right, it's enough. Now we sound cray cray. We are okay, so until next time. Bye, bye, bye.