What's up K-pop fans? Today is a big milestone for the Uncle Fan as it's the 20th episode of the series. Back in April when I started this, all I wanted to do was talk girl groups from the perspective of someone who's slowly but surely becoming an Uncle Fan. It's been a fun six months and I appreciate everyone who reads this but as always, let me know the topics and subjects you want to see more of and those that you would like to see less of (and no, I will not be abandoning The Taeyeon Experiment). So, without further ado...

Cool Things of the Week

Hello World, Meet Crayon Pop

Last week Sony Entertainment announced they signed a partnership with Crayon Pop's management Chrome Entertainment to at least have the ability to promote the group's music internationally which means we could be seeing the "Bar Bar Bar" dance begin to creep across the globe. It's too early to really tell what Sony's strategy will be but they are one of the big three music powerhouses and if they're really intent on getting the group international, the sky really is the limit. Very cool stuff and it just goes to show that originality and creativity wins the day.

Jun Ji Hyun + New K-Drama = Finally!

From 'My Sassy Girl' to the more recent 'Thieves', Jun Ji Hyun is one of Korea's most popular and well-loved movie actresses. But fourteen years ago, she made a name for herself on TV as well with a role in the very famous drama 'Happy Together' (which also had an all-star cast with Lee Byung Hun, Song Seung Heon, Kim Ha Neul, and future 'My Sassy Girl' co-star Cha Tae Hyun). The drama she'll be returning with is called 'Man from the Stars' featuring Kim Soo Hyun as an alien (weird). I'll definitely be watching but to me, Jun Ji Hyun will forever be known as "The Girl".

Sunmi Showing She's All Grown Up

There's no doubt that the main point of Sunmi's new single "24 Hours" was to show her growth and maturation; no longer an idol girl grouper but a confident young woman. I'm honestly not crazy about the song but I think it's a good first step in getting past the Wonder Girls label and starting a new career for herself.

INFINITE at SMTOWN?

It looks like SM will be increasing the synergies of their latest acquisition (that's total business mumbo jumbo that I have to hear all day). Reports are saying that some of the groups under Woollim Entertainment will eventually be part of the SMTOWN concerts but since this is a column devoted to girl groups, my question is, does Woollim have any girl groups? I did a quick Wikipedia search and saw they have a few solo female artists (I think Baby Soul performed with Sunggyu on an episode of 'Immortal Classics 2') so for all the Uncle Fan's out there, here's a sample of who hopefully might be joining SMTOWN at some point.

Girl Group Variety Round-Up

• 'Star King' - f(x), Brown Eyed Girls
• 'Barefoot Friends' - Eunji, Jung Ah, Juniel
• 'Running Man' - Kim Ye Rim
• 'God of Food Road' - Eunji, Bomi, Chorong (see Top 5 Current Girl Groupers)
• 'Healing Camp' - Sung Yuri (See Top 5 Current Girl Groupers)

Pic/.Gif/Video of the Week

I didn't want to double up on the GG but I had to include this .gif of member Yuri. Look at the girl at the top right corner... that look says it all. #dayam

Give the Uncle Fan a heads up on the latest and greatest pics and videos of your favorite girl groupers. Email me at KpopUncleFan@gmail.com or tweet me @KpopUncleFan.

Uncle Fan Mailbag

That's what I'm thinking. "Interesting POV about Woollim having something that SM needs (distribution system)."
-marthalj

I'm just guessing that's what the plan is. I don't know nearly enough about Woollim Entertainment to make any other guess, but it probably isn't just for the talent. 

Be prepared for a long wait. "I am still waiting for the day this Uncle Fan stop[s] writing s**t! You are irrelevant!!"
-sarahthebest

I don't know what to tell you, I'm a crappy writer I suppose so you'll just have to keep waiting. But I encourage you to read every week just to make sure what I'm writing isn't s**t.

I'm just figuring that out. "SPICA is so talented *heart eyes*"
-is2u

They have to be one of the more underrated groups in K-pop and the idea to have them on a "reality" show with Hyori was genius. That right there elevated their profile exponentially. The power of TV.

A Few Non-K-pop Related Things

1. *Major 'True Blood' Spoiler!!*  What the crap happened to Eric Northman? Is he dead? OMG... I swore this would be the last season I watched but I'm sucked back in.
2. For any NFL fans out there who may not be able to watch their team on a weekly basis (like an Uncle Fan living in New York but a fan of the Washington Redskins), EA Sports and Amazon have a special edition of Madden 25 available that gives you a year free of the NFL Sunday Ticket. That is literally the best news I've heard. #wishgranted
3. Anyone who grew up with the show 'Full House' knows that the true star of the show was the one and only Uncle Jesse played by John Stamos (I refuse to acknowledge it was Michelle even though Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen are worth close to $300MM). Anyway, Uncle Jesse turned 50 yesterday and if I can have his hair when I'm 50, I'll consider that a life win. #jesseandtherippers

Top 5 Favorite Current Girl Groupers

1. Eunji - Sings well, likes to eat… nothing more needed.
2. Narae - Officially my favorite SPICA member.
3. Sung Yuri - I don't watch a lot of dramas anymore so I haven't seen Sung Yuri on TV in years but yesterday she officially took over Han Hye Jin's spot on 'Healing Camp'. She still looks good and nice to see the old school girl groupers still going strong.
4. Taeyeon - There are a lot of pics of her and girls in Vegas so go check out Instagram for the latest updates.
5. Min - the miss Aer has been on fire with the Instagram updates which include the Superman logo, Batman, and twerking.

Song of the Week

This is not girl group specific but the first two episodes of 'Superstar K5' have aired and already the show has discovered some amazing talent. One thing to note is that from the first four seasons, 'Superstar K' has yet to crown a female winner so maybe that'll change this year. In the meantime, take a listen to young Kim Jae Won from Korea's Kangwon Province. This kid is the definition of cherubic with a voice to match.

Have a great week, enjoy the music, and see you next time on Confessions of an Uncle Fan!