Happy Saturday!
So, recently I was thinking that I really need to use this blog more, and I had an idea… Every week, I’m going to make a post on here about the things that I think are hot…and the things that made me introspective. A combination of things that are both thoughtful and escapist! My goal with these posts is to be positive/silly and to speak more about my interests and the little things I nerd out over. Realizing that making this a thing I do every week will also encourage me to be more positive and to also keep track of the things that make me smile. Each post will be split into two sections: things that are Hot (culture, entertainment, etc) and introspective (educational, informative, etc).
GirlSet – Little Miss
You’ll probably notice I will use this section to fangirl over pop girl groups quite a bit. Yes, I am a Goth, but I am also occasionally pop trash because of my nostalgia for girl/boy bands. I wasn’t allowed to listen to much secular music growing up, but I remember quietly renting Spice World from my library as a kid, which gave me an appreciation for everything girl/boy band. I primarily follow Asian pop music, which led me to GirlSet. This group came from a reality TV competition called A2K, where Americans auditioned to be part of a K-pop group managed by a K-pop company. Those familiar with the group will know that Girl Set is a rebrand of Vcha, which was the original name for the group that debuted after six members won the competition. However, two of the girls would withdraw from the group, with one of them alleging that they experienced abuse and torment while working under the management company, JYP Entertainment. Former member KG even asserts that the abuse may have pushed a member towards suicidal ideation.
With two of its members gone, Vcha was rebranded as GirlSet and given a more mature look, since the two youngest members are no longer in the group.
Initially, when they debuted with their song “Commas,” audiences were underwhelmed by the low-quality music video and what felt like very little investment from JYP. Many complained that the song had already been ruined with JYP posting the chorus all over TikTok and Shorts, as the company tends to do with many of its groups. Many people expressed disinterest and even a lack of faith in the fact that Lexus, Camilla, Savanna, and Kendall could ever truly step into their own and carry through with the remaining members; especially as both KG and Kayle, another member who also left the group, were powerful vocalists, with the remaining members having more strength in dance… and then Halloween happened.
The group posted a spicy cover of Britney Spears’ hit Gimmie More and each member was dressed as a Bratz Doll from the recent Alwayz Bratz 2024 release. The video was an absolute hit, and it currently sits at 1.2 million views, reaching a milestone much faster than their debut. The video also affirmed their more mature rebrand, associating them with a brand already known for its daring, but fashion-forward, and still girly style. A perfect fit for the diverse group of young women who have indeed grown since their A2K days.
When GirlSet announced they were having a comeback, I was not at all prepared for how much I’d enjoy this small snippet of their upcoming song, Little Miss, and I wasn’t the only one!
The song samples Lean Like a Cholo, and the girls appear in a distinctive urban style that seems like an excellent fit for them. I was surprised by just how much this group of introverts has grown. Even the group’s nay-sayers have decided to learn the choreography and upload their own cover of it, which was choreographed by Latrice, who has choreographed for acts like Teamin and Vivis. The dance is going massively viral, and the song isn’t even out yet!
Little Miss will officially release on November 14th, and I will be rooting for them! And as I root for them, I hope they are treated well.
Eli performs at Spirit Halloween
Transgender pop ingénue, Eli was gracious enough to perform for customers at the Silverlake Spirit Halloween location just last week.
Originally discovering her on TikTok, I’ve genuinely fallen in love with Eli’s very pensive, Y2K teenage-dream vibe, and I immensely appreciate her sense of humor on social media. With impressive chops, I think she’s successfully reaching her goal of becoming the kind of pop darling she herself wanted as a young queer kid.
Eli just released her EP, Girl of the Year, a tender album that explores her journey, identity, and love life. Worth a listen!
After
A few weeks ago, I discovered the group, After. I don’t know much about them, but last week I went to Amoeba looking for their music. I found out they haven’t released their most recent EP yet, but honestly, I can’t really describe just how much I enjoy their music. It hits that particular Imogen Heap space that I’ve held in my mind for a while. It reminds me of music I listened to before I truly left my bedroom. When I would spend days and days just making art, surfing online, and replaying everything that made me feel dreamy.
Dhoom Machale and Zohran Mamdani
Zohran Mamdani is the newly elected mayor of New York City. While I will never be a simp for a politician, I have to admit I appreciate his policies quite a bit, and I think he represents a different direction, free of AIPAC funding and centered on the people. I am cautiously optimistic about where the left will go if his success is replicated nationwide.
While I am too pessimistic to be charmed, I will say the one thing that really made me smile was the fact that he played Dhoom Machale after giving his winning speech.
Many years ago, I discovered this song while I was… researching Hrithik Roshan (please forgive me, I was young). It’s one of the songs that makes me so happy. It’s such a joyous song to me that I can’t help but feel satisfied when I hear it. In fact, I’ve played it many times to improve my mood. This moment truly tickled me, and I have to be honest, it did something to my mood to know that all of these Billionaires invested tons of money into him losing, and the people said no. I do believe his win is a good sign.
Ashnikko – I Want My Boyfriends To Kiss
I absolutely adore Ashnikko. I can’t remember the first song of hers I’ve heard, but she’s someone whose music I rarely skip when it comes up. I find myself saying “same” all the time when I listen to her music, and I could not have felt more seen by her new song, I Want My Boyfriends To Kiss. This subversive anthem forces us to ask the question… what would our society be if men simply relinquished ego and embraced homosensuality for the female gaze. In this thesis, I will….
And I’ve absolutely loved watching some of the most fascinating creators make their own videos lip-syncing her words.
Boy Throb and the Quest for Darshan
Boy Throb is a.. very interesting social media video series about an unconventional boy band trying desperately to make it big.
At the time I am writing this, we don’t know much about the people behind these videos, but they appear to be an elaborate skit that many people have taken to. What I’ve loved most about this series is that they’ve managed to create a really intriguing set of videos that went viral very quickly. They’ve created a narrative that people have latched onto, and I think the people behind it are brilliant.
This amazing Evangelion cover in a Garage
Maybe it’s because I’m a weeb, but this video made me really happy this week lol. Their entire page is full of really great stuff just like this.
Freshpet may be bad for your dog
Some users are reporting that their dogs have health issues after consuming Freshpet. As a doggy step mom whose dog eats Freshpet, I thought I’d spread this along.
Nathan Ramos-Park Shows His Audience How to Eat Well on $50 in LA
Like a lot of people right now, I’m thinking a lot about saving money, eating well, and treating food prep more seriously. LA local, Nathan Ramos, shares how he manages to do it for $50 at Zion Market in Ktown.
Scottish Tiktoker explains why Scottish and Irish Americans are Disproportionally MAGA
This video came into my feed and I thought it was utterly fascinating.
The Library Of Things
You may be surprised to hear that your local library has a lot of tools and equipment and offers many services beyond lending books. However, this new story got a lot of people excited about the idea of expanding that further and creating more robust mutual aid.
I think that’ll do it for this week! I’d love to hear what you have to say in the comments! Please subscribe to my blog to get updates!
Blaque In The City 
Leave a comment