Karaoke
There are some things that subtly remind me that I'm Asian (besides mirrors).
I mix up my 'Ls' and 'Rs' often, especially when overly tired or carelessly thinking. I couldn't say 'world' (wuld) until middle school and couldn't say 'Jerusalem' (Jelusalem) until high school. While all the other kids in CCD class were praying about whatever, I was praying the teacher didn't call on me to read out loud because Jerusalem is every other word in The Bible.
I, unfortunately, can be textbook passive aggressive. "Man, Jennifer. You're never angry about anything..." It's because I just got even sucka!
I've taken great strides to overcome this, but there's always room for improvement. Alex is already passive aggressive at two.
My parents learned real quick that guilt was the best punishment for me. I think I got spanked once. Even Alex has somehow tapped into this and lays it on thick. Sometimes I lay awake at night super overcome with guilt about how much I'm messing him up and how much therapy he'll need as an adult.
But the best discovery of my Asian roots is my love for Karaoke.
But I didn't always love Karaoke.
Standing in front of a barfull of drunk strangers is terrifying. I would never sing in those conditions. Then my friends introduced me to Korean Karaoke or at least that's what I'm going to call it.
There are places in Koreatown Dallas where you can go and rent rooms for you and just your friends. You can sing your hearts out and suck beyond belief, but it's okay! It's just your friends and they know way worse stuff about you than your inability to carry a tune.
The best part is they play these really dramatic silent music videos in the background that always involve a love triangle or forbidden love and someone always dies...either in a car accident, or suicide, etc. They are fascinating and I find myself watching them thinking...that's exactly what I would have done if I would have stayed in the mother country...made music videos for karaoke!
When I was younger (and sometimes now) if I really liked a song...usually some sick, terrible pop ballad...I would imagine what the music video would be. I could cast it, and play it out in my mind. I would type you out one, but you would never be friends with me ever again. I would also be crying before I could tell you everything out of pure shame.
Ask V sometime. In a true moment of vulnerability and test of our relationship I narrated one out to a David Archuleta song. It was one of my best ones...
Just a few suggestions for your first Korean Karaoke experience:
1. Go ahead and get the full cultural experience and drink some soju. I think it tastes like rubbing alcohol but it gets the job done to make you think you sound decent. It also might help you navigate the karaoke remote.
2. We all love a little rap. Even the worst rapper on Earth is more talented than the rap performance you'll think is a good idea to try. Trust me. (Rap City, Bitch)
Unless you've rehearsed it a million times and know every. single. word. You'll still be off beat and terrible.
3. Karaoke is also about performance just as much as knowing a song. Don't be afraid to be the artist you never knew you could be...
4. Don't be afraid of the deep emotional awakening you'll experience by watching the background videos. Why did he drive his car off a cliff? Because that two timing whore broke his heart...
5. What happens in your karaoke room stays in your room. I have several videos of performances, but would never share them with you because I value my life...
We go to Norazo in Dallas. You will think that you will be murdered in the parking lot and that there are shady sub-businesses happening all around you.
Don't worry. You will soon lose yourself (and your voice) in one of the funnest nights of your life.
I mix up my 'Ls' and 'Rs' often, especially when overly tired or carelessly thinking. I couldn't say 'world' (wuld) until middle school and couldn't say 'Jerusalem' (Jelusalem) until high school. While all the other kids in CCD class were praying about whatever, I was praying the teacher didn't call on me to read out loud because Jerusalem is every other word in The Bible.
I, unfortunately, can be textbook passive aggressive. "Man, Jennifer. You're never angry about anything..." It's because I just got even sucka!
I've taken great strides to overcome this, but there's always room for improvement. Alex is already passive aggressive at two.
My parents learned real quick that guilt was the best punishment for me. I think I got spanked once. Even Alex has somehow tapped into this and lays it on thick. Sometimes I lay awake at night super overcome with guilt about how much I'm messing him up and how much therapy he'll need as an adult.
But the best discovery of my Asian roots is my love for Karaoke.
But I didn't always love Karaoke.
Standing in front of a barfull of drunk strangers is terrifying. I would never sing in those conditions. Then my friends introduced me to Korean Karaoke or at least that's what I'm going to call it.
There are places in Koreatown Dallas where you can go and rent rooms for you and just your friends. You can sing your hearts out and suck beyond belief, but it's okay! It's just your friends and they know way worse stuff about you than your inability to carry a tune.
The best part is they play these really dramatic silent music videos in the background that always involve a love triangle or forbidden love and someone always dies...either in a car accident, or suicide, etc. They are fascinating and I find myself watching them thinking...that's exactly what I would have done if I would have stayed in the mother country...made music videos for karaoke!
When I was younger (and sometimes now) if I really liked a song...usually some sick, terrible pop ballad...I would imagine what the music video would be. I could cast it, and play it out in my mind. I would type you out one, but you would never be friends with me ever again. I would also be crying before I could tell you everything out of pure shame.
Ask V sometime. In a true moment of vulnerability and test of our relationship I narrated one out to a David Archuleta song. It was one of my best ones...
Just a few suggestions for your first Korean Karaoke experience:
1. Go ahead and get the full cultural experience and drink some soju. I think it tastes like rubbing alcohol but it gets the job done to make you think you sound decent. It also might help you navigate the karaoke remote.
2. We all love a little rap. Even the worst rapper on Earth is more talented than the rap performance you'll think is a good idea to try. Trust me. (Rap City, Bitch)
Unless you've rehearsed it a million times and know every. single. word. You'll still be off beat and terrible.
3. Karaoke is also about performance just as much as knowing a song. Don't be afraid to be the artist you never knew you could be...
4. Don't be afraid of the deep emotional awakening you'll experience by watching the background videos. Why did he drive his car off a cliff? Because that two timing whore broke his heart...
5. What happens in your karaoke room stays in your room. I have several videos of performances, but would never share them with you because I value my life...
We go to Norazo in Dallas. You will think that you will be murdered in the parking lot and that there are shady sub-businesses happening all around you.
Don't worry. You will soon lose yourself (and your voice) in one of the funnest nights of your life.
Comments
Post a Comment