1. "Nobody" by WonderGirls
What: "I want nobody, nobody but you!" Anyone who has not heard of this song probably has no Internet access or TV. Or radio.
When: Summer 2009
Why: You'd think it's just the song that's annoyingly addictive–you'll find yourself humming along subconsciously, much like a reflex. But what makes it worse (or better?) is the clap-clap-point-with-one-leg-raised-ala-Vegas-showgirls dance move that has spawned so many versions, from prison inmates to robots to Jollibee and the KFC mascot grooving to "Nobody."
2. The WonderGirls
Who: A pop group of five girls with ages ranging from 17 to 21.
When: Summer 2009
Why: It's not so much the girls per se that are remarkable (though the male population might beg to differ)–it's their songs that will leave an impression on you (translation: LSS). "Tell Me" and "So Hot" (apart from "Nobody") are so darn addictive, you can't help but sing along even if their high-pitched voices and sex-kitten-clad selves irritate the heck out of you.
On second thought, maybe it is their high-pitched voices and sex-kitten-clad selves that make them so memorable. How's that for a Lolita complex?
3. Boys Over Flowers
What: The Korean adaptation of Meteor Garden, the Taiwanovela that propelled the Taiwanese boy band, F4 (Jerry Yan, Vic Zhou, Ken Chu, Vanness Wu), to fame.
When: May 2009
Why: Fur, Ferrari, and the F4–though this adaptation has plenty of plotholes (really, be prepared to overlook errors in continuity and logistical boo-boos that make you go WTF?!), one can't help but ogle at the best looking F4 (among the three versions) and drool over their ostentatiously expensive wardrobes and set designs. The drama is like crack: you know it's bad for you but you can't wean yourself away from your addiction/obsession. The songs featured in the drama aren't really of Grammy-Award-winning caliber, but man, are they LSS-inducing ("Almost paaaaaaradiiiiiise").
4. Sandara Park
Who: The former Star Circle Quest runner-up is back with a vengeance, this time as a certified Korean celebrity and not just some foreign wannabe.
When: Sandara first burst into the local scene in 2001, faded out, then resurfaced this year as a pop star by virtue of being a member of 2NE1, a Korean girl group.
Why: Sandara filled the need for a cute chinita in Pinoy showbiz (there's the mestiza, the morena) when she first appeared onscreen, but after the novelty wore off, Sandara decided to head back to Korea. And a good move it was: now she's part of 2NE1, which is fast rising in popularity. Of course, her being a "has-been" in Pinoy showbiz only adds to the public's rediscovered fascination with her.
5. My Sassy Girl
What: Arguably the most popular romantic comedy film in contemporary Korean cinema.
When: 2005
Why: How often do we get to see films depict a love story where the guy falls for the girl first? Or a film where the girl has the "upper" hand in a relationship and bullies her guy into giving in to her every whim? To add to its appeal, My Sassy Girl is able to pull off romantic and comic with its funny, aww moments. For those who hate sappy, weepy romantic flicks: the mushiness factor is nicely balanced out with laugh-out-loud scenes. Heck, even guys dig the movie.
