Unboxing: BTS x Despicable Me 4 Figures

So, um, I pre-ordered these last August and they shipped out in December to my Korean forwarding address... and I kinda forgot about them until my BTS Island figures arrived. So I realize this unboxing is exceptionally late, but they're all still available for purchase so this post isn't completely redundant yet!

BTS x Despicable Me 4 Figures — Outer Boxes

To be honest, I'm not like, a die-hard Despicable Me fan, so I didn't even know a fourth movie was coming out until this collaboration was announced. And even then, I wasn't really sure how BTS was related to this movie franchise. (I looked it up: there's a new character in DM4 named Poppy Prescott who loves BTS. Which is fair. She has a BTS phone case and a "Butter" poster on her wall, and they also play "Dynamite" in one of the scenes.) But I've always loved the Minions, so when I saw that they were releasing figures that featured BTS as Minions in the "Permission to Dance" MV outfits, I had to get my hands on them. Resistance was futile.

BTS x Despicable Me 4 Figures — RM, Jin, and Suga
BTS x Despicable Me 4 Figures — J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook

All the figures come packaged in yellow (Minion yellow, if you will) with clear cellophane windows in the front. Each member has his own distinct box with his name and his Minion character illustration on the front. Each figure comes with a white foot stand. The figures measure 6.6cm to 7.8cm tall, and are made of PVC and ABS plastics. Each figure retails for ₩32,000 or $25.18 USD on Weverse Shop Global (and, as mentioned, they are shockingly all still available for purchase!).

BTS x Despicable Me 4 Figure — RM
BTS x Despicable Me 4 Figure — Jin
BTS x Despicable Me 4 Figure — Suga
BTS x Despicable Me 4 Figure — J-Hope
BTS x Despicable Me 4 Figure — Jimin
BTS x Despicable Me 4 Figure — V
BTS x Despicable Me 4 Figure — Jungkook
BTS x Despicable Me 4 Figures(Top row, left to right: RM, Jin, and SugaBottom row, left to right: J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook)

Now, granted, unless you're very familiar with BTS' "Permission to Dance" MV, you probably won't be able to tell which BTS member is which in their Minion form. But I will say that the designers really got down the hair and outfits to a T so any ARMY will be able to recognize these fellas as BTS, and that is what counts. (Also, these are just cute AF. Funko also released BTS x Despicable Me 4 figures, but they actually look kinda creepy so I'm still debating whether I will get them or not. We shall see. The BTS figure collector in me might cave.)

Unboxing: BTS Island: In the SEOM — BTS Island Figures V2

So, I finally got around to unboxing Version 2 of the BTS Island: In the SEOM BTS Island Figures. I pre-ordered them last October (yes, six months ago) and they were officially released this February, but I got them shipped to my Korean forwarding address and didn't end up shipping them out until a couple weeks ago, so here we are.

BTS Island: In the SEOM is BTS' match-3 mobile game that was released in June 2022, and the characters — which are based on the 7 members of BTS, obviously — are sickeningly adorable, so it was only a matter of time before merchandise for it was released. If you're a BTS figure collector, then you'll know that the first version of the BTS Island: In the SEOM figures came as a set which could be displayed separately or together on an "island base." This second version features the 7 member characters on separate bases, like the TinyTAN figures.

BTS Island: In the SEOM — BTS Island Figures V2 — Outer Boxes

All the figures come packaged in purple boxes with clear cellophane windows in the front. Each member has his own distinct box with his name and his character illustration on the front. Each figure comes with a matching stand with the name of the respective member on the base and a sticker background each to decorate the stand. The figures measure 5.5cm to 7.7cm tall, and are made of PVC and ABS plastics. Each figure retails for ₩27,000 or $21.24 USD on Weverse Shop Global (and, as of this post, the majority of them are shockingly still available for purchase!).

BTS Island: In the SEOM — BTS Island Figures V2 — RM in "Wild Flower," Jin in "The Astronaut," and Suga in "Haegeum"
BTS Island: In the SEOM — BTS Island Figures V2 — J-Hope in "On the Street," Jimin in "Like Crazy," V in "Slow Dancing," and Jungkook in "Seven"

So, instead of one cohesive theme, Version 2 of the BTS Island Figures actually features each member with their solo work. More specifically, each member's title track music video from a solo project:

• RM in "Wild Flower" (Indigo)
• Jin in "The Astronaut" (The Astronaut)
• Suga in "Haegeum" (D-DAY)
• J-Hope in "On the Street" (Hope on the Street)
• Jimin in "Like Crazy" (FACE)
• V in "Slow Dancing" (Layover)
• Jungkook in "Seven" (Golden)

BTS Island: In the SEOM — BTS Island Figures V2 — RM in "Wild Flower"
BTS Island: In the SEOM — BTS Island Figures V2 — Jin in "The Astronaut"
BTS Island: In the SEOM — BTS Island Figures V2 — Suga in "Haegeum"
BTS Island: In the SEOM — BTS Island Figures V2 — J-Hope in "On the Street"
BTS Island: In the SEOM — BTS Island Figures V2 — Jimin in "Like Crazy"
BTS Island: In the SEOM — BTS Island Figures V2 — V in "Slow Dancing"
BTS Island: In the SEOM — BTS Island Figures V2 — Jungkook in "Seven"
BTS Island: In the SEOM — BTS Island Figures V2(Top row, left to right: RM in "Wild Flower," Jin in "The Astronaut," and Suga in "Haegeum"Bottom row, left to right: J-Hope in "On the Street," Jimin in "Like Crazy," and Jungkook in "Seven")
BTS Island: In the SEOM — BTS Island Figures V2 — Coupon Code Photocards(Top row, left to right: RM in "Wild Flower," Jin in "The Astronaut," and Suga in "Haegeum"Bottom row, left to right: J-Hope in "On the Street," Jimin in "Like Crazy," and Jungkook in "Seven")

As usual, the attention to detail in their individual hairstyles, outfits, and even background stickers is impeccable. I'm glad that HYBE decided to create figures with a totally different theme than their other figure collections (e.g. TinyTAN, Funko, Banpresto, etc.), which have a lot of overlap (for example, they've done "Dynamite" and "Butter" across all toy brands). These particular figures for BTS Island: In the SEOM actually mark the first series of figures that feature BTS' solo work — a cute acknowledgement of this second chapter of BTS while they're in the military. Can't wait to see what they come up with for Version 3!

Unboxing: J-Hope Hope on the Stage Tour Official Merch

You didn't think I'd go see J-Hope on tour and not get merch, did you?

J-Hope Hope on the Stage Tour US Exclusive Zip-Up Hoodie
J-Hope Hope on the Stage Tour US Exclusive Zip-Up Hoodie
J-Hope Hope on the Stage Tour US Exclusive Hoodie
J-Hope Hope on the Stage Tour US Exclusive Hoodie
J-Hope Hope on the Stage Tour US Exclusive Brooklyn Acorn Keyring Charm
Yes, my friend Iris and I decided to get in line for merch at Barclays Center at 7:00AM. There were about 100 people in front of us when we got there which, compared to the last time I was in line for merch at the BTS Permission to Dance concert in Las Vegas a couple years ago, seemed quite reasonable. (I guess, to be fair, there were also about 5 times more people at that concert.) We waited for about 3.5 hours to get in (the merch booths opened at 10:00AM, so all things considered, we actually got in pretty fast), and both Iris and I managed to get everything we wanted. For me, that included the two US-exclusive hoodies (that, frankly, cost a small fortune with the atrocious USD to CAD exchange rate) and the Brooklyn-exclusive acorn keychain (SO CUTE — every city in the US leg of the tour gets a city-exclusive acorn keychain).

J-Hope Hope on the Stage Tour Hoodie
J-Hope Hope on the Stage Tour Hoodie
J-Hope Hope on the Stage Tour Blanket

Of course, when I got home, my Weverse Shop package from Korea also arrived with the general Hope on the Stage Tour merch I had ordered a few weeks ago — I picked the hoodie and the blanket. Yes, I, too, am wondering where the hell I'm going to fit three new hoodies in my already packed closet.

Now, did I get a cold when I got back from NYC from waiting in line for nearly four hours in 5°C weather on three hours of sleep? Yes, yes, I did. Was it worth it? Yes, yes, it was.

Unboxing: Jimin — MUSE Complete Album Set

(Warning: This post is long and photo-heavy.)

MUSE is Jimin's second studio album as a solo artist. It was released globally on July 19, 2024, at all music retailers both online and in-store. MUSE is a predominantly pop album with a total playing time of 19:52. It is comprised of seven songs, including the digital single released last December, "Closer Than This," the pre-release single, "Smeraldo Garden Marching Band," and the title track, "Who." The album was recorded throughout 2022 to 2023 before Jimin enlisted for this mandatory military service last December.

Jimin — MUSE — Outer Boxes (Front)(Left: Blooming ver., Right: Serenade ver.)

Jimin — MUSE — Outer Boxes (Back)(Left: Blooming ver., Right: Serenade ver.)

MUSE has a total of 3 versions across 2 formats: 2 CD, and one digital for Weverse Albums. This post features the CD set for MUSE, which includes the CD versions only. You can find this CD set, the digital Weverse Albums version, as well as a set with all versions on Weverse Shop. The CD versions are also available individually and can be found at all major online and in-store retailers, but please note that Weverse Shop sells the individual CD versions as randomized so you cannot pick the version (most other music retailers, including Amazon, offers the versions individually if you do want one version over the other). The CD versions set retails for $32.47 USD or ₩39,600 on Weverse Shop Global, but please note that no money is saved by buying the set as opposed to each version separately.

Jimin — MUSE — CD-R Sleeves(Left: Blooming ver., Right: Serenade ver.)

Jimin — MUSE — CD-R(Left: Blooming ver., Right: Serenade ver.)

The tracklist of MUSE is as follows:

1. Rebirth (Intro)
2. Interlude: Showtime
3. Smeraldo Garden Marching Band (feat. Loco)
4. Slow Dance (feat. Sofia Carson)
5. Be Mine
6. Who
7. Closer Than This

There are two CD versions of MUSE: Blooming ver. and Serenade ver. Both versions are packaged in cardboard sleeve boxes, with the album title, artist name, and artist photo on the front in black. Blooming ver. has an aqua colour theme and features the Blooming photo concept, while Serenade ver. has a yellow colour theme and features the Serenade photo concept. They both contain the following content:

• Outer box (2 versions, 1 each)
• CD-R sleeve (2 versions, 1 each)
• CD-R (2 versions, 1 each)
• Photobook (2 versions, 1 each)
• Folded poster (2 versions, 1 each)
• Card set (2 version, 1 each)
• Instant photo (3 versions, 1 randomized each)
• Coaster (2 versions, 1 each)
• Sticker pack (2 versions, 1 each)
• Photocard (2 versions, 1 each)

Jimin — MUSE — Folded Posters (Front)(Left: Blooming ver., Right: Serenade ver.)

Jimin — MUSE — Folded Posters (Back)(Left: Blooming ver., Right: Serenade ver.)

Jimin — MUSE — Card Sets, Coasters, and Instant Photos(Top: Blooming ver., Bottom: Serenade ver.)

Jimin — MUSE — Sticker Packs(Left: Blooming ver., Right: Serenade ver.)

Jimin — MUSE — Photobooks(Left: Blooming ver., Right: Serenade ver.)

Jimin — MUSE — Photobooks (Inside)(Top: Blooming ver., Bottom: Serenade ver.)

Jimin — MUSE — Photocards(Left: Blooming ver., Right: Serenade ver.)

Jimin — MUSE — Weverse Shop Pre-Order Gifts: Photocard and Acrylic Tags

I'm a little late in posting this so it's been about a month since the album was released, and I've pretty much played it into the ground. Though MUSE was recorded shortly after FACE, the two albums sound distinctly different. While FACE is far angrier, more raw, and more emotional, MUSE is much lighter and happier. It starts off slow and dreamy with "Rebirth (Intro)", gets energetic and cheerful with "Smeraldo Garden Marching Band," and turns sultrier with the R&B-driven "Slow Dance" and Latin pop-based "Be Mine." We then get title track, "Who," which is an ultra-catchy, rhythm guitar-heavy, 2000s pop-influenced bop that is a pure earworm, and it finally ends with the contemporary R&B love letter to ARMY, "Closer Than This." In a nutshell, MUSE is fun, sophisticated, polished, and a complete joy to listen to.

Unboxing: Summer 2024 Skincare Haul

As my skincare stash from Hong Kong is dwindling now, I decided to scope out some new products. But between summer sales, late-night T&T runs, and Amazon Prime Day, it got a little out of hand:

Fresh x Juno Shen Kombucha Facial Treatment Essence in Juno Purple, Lotus Youth Preserve Resurfacing Dream Serum, and Sugar Roll-On Deodorant Antiperspirant

Kumano Hatomugi Lotion and Etude House Soonjung pH 5.5 Relief Toner

Curel Japan Intensive Moisture Care Moisture Facial Lotion II, Moisture Facial Milk, and Moisture Facial Cream

Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Serum, Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cream Moisturizer, Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Intensive Moisturizer, Water Sleeping Mask, and Pink Lemonade Lip Sleeping Mask

Farmacy Honey Halo Ultra-Hydrating Ceramide Moisturizer and Mango Lip Smoothie

Kracie Naive Face Wash in Peach Leaf and Yuzu Ceramide and Shiseido Super Mild Green Citrus Body Soap

Off & Relax Refresh Spa Shampoo and Spa Treatment

Kracie Limited Edition Ichikami Moonlight Beauty Shampoo and Conditioner Set

BTS TinyTan x Toy Story Shu Shu & Sassy Hand Cream in Jin as Alien, Suga as Hamm, J-Hope as Forky, Jimin as Rex, and Jungkook as Buzz Lightyear

BTS TinyTan x Toy Story Shu Shu & Sassy Hand Cream in Jin as Alien, Suga as Hamm, J-Hope as Forky, Jimin as Rex, and Jungkook as Buzz Lightyear

But this should last me until next year, right?