What has the Korean entertainment world come to lately? Once upon a time I was a high school student, kicking it to K-Pop tunes in 2008 and 2009, imitating the silly and fun dance moves and singing the ad-libs in my shower like no other. 

Now, I'm in my 20s, crying during my struggle to enter adulthood, and it feels as if K-Pop is growing old with me. In 2015, K-Pop is rife with scandals, controversies, and sexy concepts. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind celebrities dating or idols sexing up the stage; I just miss how simple K-Pop used to be to my naive, teenage eye. I don't want to think about certain idols' messy lives or the sexy concept as a marketing ploy to get the fanboys' moneys. I'm sure I'm not alone in this. 

So, for those of us who got into K-Pop when Wonder Girls and TVXQ were still each 5, let's jump into the time machine together and reminisce. Here are the reasons why the 2008-2009 era was one of the best.

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1. All my favorite groups were still together. 

AKA when there was no JYJ and only TVXQ. 

When Jessica crab-danced across the stage in the most attractive way possible along with the rest of the Girls' Generation members.



When Hangeng was still Hankyung and chillin' with his Super Junior buds.



When Wonder Girls were still making wonder happen. 



When the MBLAQ boys made us go, "Oh yeah~," as a fivesome. 

And now they're all just making us go, "Y".... 

2. "Omona" was happening.

So "omona." Much Sohee. Too cute. 

3. Almost PARAADIIIISE! 

AKA when this guy



and this guy



...were total eligible bachelors. Now... well... they're..........



MOVING ON.

4. When Mishil was the scariest person in the world

The good kind of scary. The kind of scary that you can hide from when you turn off your computer screen. We have much more to be scared of now--words like "disbandment," "lawsuit," "BREAKING"....

5. When Lee Byung Hun was just another hot, K-Drama male lead

Sweetest kiss ever? Eh? Eh? 

Plus, more opportunities to see this piece of sexiness.



Ugh. Right in the heart. 

6. Other K-Drama notable mentions

'Iljimae' (and his luscious locks of hair)

'Beethoven Virus'



'High Kick 2'



'You're Beautiful'



'Shining Inheritance'

7. The golden days of 'We Got Married'

AnSol/AnBi



Ant Couple



Adam couple

8. When K-Pop dance moves were actually pretty easy to dance to

Washing hands, washing hands.



Put all the aegyo possible in those fist pumps girls! 

I don't ca-a-a-a-a-re. 

9. The cuteness that was WonderBang and 2PM Generation.

10. When 2NE1 raised the roof with "Fire"!

The start of good things to come. 

11. When it was a "Time to Looooooove."

Before the Hwayoung fiasco hit the fan. 

Bonus: When Lee Hyori was THIS HOT.

...Oh wait, just kidding, she's still hot. 

---

There you have it, my reasons why I miss the 2008-2009 era of K-Pop. Sad to see times a-changin', but maybe it's a good thing that K-Pop celebrities' dirty laundry is getting aired out. Maybe it's time for us to grow up and see the reality that K-Pop idols are human and make mistakes and dispute in their careers too.  

What do you guys miss about 2008-2009? And what do you like about 2015?