Forecasters are saying that the heat wave that enveloped the east coast is moving out but for the hot summer things are just kicking off in the world of girl groups. We're now moving into the second half of the year with even more comebacks and new songs from our favorite artists. It looks like it'll be a fun ride for fans so let's get right to it.

Cool Things of the Week

For over a year, fans of the quartet have been waiting for the comeback of their favorite group and that wait is over with the release of their new single "Falling in Love". The anticipated track is a departure from their normal hip hop/EDM style of music and goes with a much more summery, catchy reggae beat; more of a flip flops with shorts sound rather than thigh-high boots and metal spikes. It's good to see a softer side of the group and it's always good to listen to more of Park Bom's singing (see Top 5 Favorite Current Girl Groupers).

The Queen is Getting Married

What an odd start to an engagement. First, Lee Hyori's and Lee Sang Soon's respective management companies announce the marriage, then they reverse course and deny the story altogether. It was all a bit crazy until Hyori herself took to the pages of her fan cafe to confirm that she was indeed tying the knot. The day fans have been dreading for years is finally upon us and while I should be happy for the couple, I am a little sad. Not so much because I thought that I was going to marry Hyori or anything. It's just that she represented the free spirit of my age group and now even she is settling down. Although my initial reaction was a little more primal:

But I think former Fin.K.L member Ok Ju Hyun had the better response:

Brown Eyed Girls + Comeback = Very Ninja-like

I had no idea that Brown Eyed Girls were making a comeback! I haven't been the best at keeping up with all of the latest releases (there are just too many to keep up with) but I'm a BEG fan and normally would have heard about it. Anyway, it's a fact that no one does sexy quite like BEG and fans are waiting for their big return. Until then, they've given us just enough to whet our appetite with the pre-release single, "Recipe".

4minute Goes Clubbing

I saw this article yesterday about the girls from 4minute just pulling up to the club and strolling in for a little night life R&R. For you and me, that's just how you do it but for celebs, they always have their entourage of managers and bodyguards and it causes quite a mess so it's cool to see these ladies just do their thing without all the fuss. Although, I don't know how "natural" all of this is seeing as how a photographers were all on-site to snap pictures and who knows what happened inside. BTW, is Sohyun driving a Kia Soul? #swag

Girl Group Round-up

A list of all the girl group appearances on variety shows (that I saw ) this week.

• 'Incarnation' - 2NE1 Dara and CL, Lee Hyori
• 'Happy Together' - 4minute Hyuna and Gayoon, SISTAR Dasom and Soyu (See Top 5 Favorite Current Girl Groupers)
• 'Yoo Hee Yeol's Sketchbook' - Lim Kim (Kim Yerim)
• 'Star King' - After School
  
• 'Thank You' - SISTAR
• 'God of Food Road' - 4minute Sohyun, Jiyoon, Gayoon
• 'Barefoot Friends' - Rainbow Jaekyung, Woori, No Eul, Yoonhye
• 'Running Man' - Sulli
• '1000 Song Challenge' - Ladies Code, Rainbow, Ivy
• 'Real Men' - 2EYES

The Taeyeon Experiment

Each week I will post a picture from Taeyeon's Instagram account in the hopes that one day she'll post a picture of herself reading this column.

This picture of Taeyeon and some of her fellow GG members grabbing lunch in staircase to escape the heat seems to be getting some buzz. This is the first time in my life that I wish I were stairs.

Pic./.Gif/Video of the Week

After School's Jooyeon is featured in some Japanese lingerie commercial providing further evidence that After School is slowly taking over the world. #holymoly

Send your favorite pics or videos to the Uncle Fan on Twitter @KpopUncleFan or email KpopUncleFan@gmail.com.

Uncle Fan Mailbag

Good idea. "You should make a list of all the female idols [on Instagram] in your next article". 

-ASlove23

It might take a little time to gather every account but yes, at some point this summer I will do that.

I love the passion. "It's time for [the] Uncle Fan to get married or get another job. Your perception of what we call "reality" is [out of] touch from what's really going on".

-panda19

All this fury because I posted a 4minute video online. The video was relevant, it was timely, and there are fans of the group out there. Not sure why you're so annoyed. And the whole getting married thing.. you sound like my mom.

Duly noted. "Uncle Fan, you need to check out Crayon Pop. Their new song "Bar Bar Bar" is catchy as hell".

-tyger11

See Song of the Week below.

A Few Non-Kpop Related Things

1. Superman is dating Penny from 'The Big Bang Theory'? This is like every nerd's dream!
2. *Note: Anyone born after 1990 might not get this* DJ Tanner and Kimmy Gibbler were spotted at a New Kids on the Block concert. While that might seem like an episode of 'Full House' (with the girls sneaking into the concert, Danny and Uncle Jesse having to chase them down while Joey watches Michelle and Stephanie in the car then they all somehow make their way on-stage and suddenly become a part of the show like the Hawaii Beach Boys episodes). In reality, it was a series of pictures Candace Cameron Bure (DJ) uploaded to her Instagram from the actual concert with former acting pal Andrea Barber (Kimmy). Very random I know but if you're interested, check out the pics

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Top 5 Favorite Current Girl Groupers

1. Hyori - I may have to start some sort of countdown to the wedding of one the most influential female singers in Korean music history.
2. Taeyeon - Posts pictures of Peter Pan and Wendy, sings Lana Del Ray on rainy nights... my kind of girl.
3. Park Bom - One of my favorite singers in general and she's back! More please.
4. Gayoon/Soyu - They were both on last week's episode of 'Happy Together' as the lesser known members of their groups and these two need to get a show together. From claiming they invented airport fashion to interesting eating habits, they're hilarious to watch.
5. IU - Her character finally sings in the drama she's in and that made me go watch videos of her singing with a guitar. 

Song of the Week

Not only did I get multiple comments about this but I also received many emails and tweets from fans telling me I needed to listen to Crayon Pop. So I did and it was quite the experience. This group is almost like a reactionary movement against all of the overly sexy, over produced videos and goes with a completely quirky but mysteriously addicting style. I can totally see why they have so many fans. Can someone explain the helmets and gloves thing?

I don't know how to follow up that video so... have a great week!