💥K-POP: Kingdom Legendary War Episode 1 (part 1 of 2)-ATEEZ, BTOB, SF9

I’m here for your Kingdom: Legendary War reaction. This show has amazing performances and I love the way the groups support each other even though they’re competing. I originally watched Kingdom for SKZ however, through this show I started loving Ateez and BTOB.. I’m excited to see what you think. Also, you should check out TVXQ. Vocals are insane!

please watch more of the show! joined up for this , lol. I look forward to your analysis, but I also just really enjoy watching non-fans interact with more behind the scenes stuff of bands. As well as see people get to learn more about Korean culture and Kpop industry

The little "they are so tall" from Han when SF9 comes out allways takes me out😂 Skz and their average height of like 1.72m😂😂

100% agree that BTOB are amazing! They where so supportive and cheerfull during the whole show!

IM ENGAGED LOL I hope it becomes a long term thing!! joined just for this

I don't think you will (despite mentioning it a few times), but something that would REALLY help you get to know them would be learning Hangul. The show's subtitles always show who is speaking (or singing, during performances), but the translation doesn't. As a voice teacher, I think learning Hangul would be even easier for you because the characters in Hangul are shaped/formed in relation to the way you make those sounds in your mouth!

I really, really hope that you'll continue watching and reacting to this show! Seeing that you started reacting to it brought me back to Patreon to watch it :) As a Staytiny I'm looking forward to seeing your reactions to both Stray Kids and ATEEZ in this, and I think you'll really appreciate some of the performances. It'll also show some cultural aspects (like showing respect to your seniors in the same profession as well as your elders, which you already commented on) which could be useful

so as a resident korean patron.....i do think there are some things that you find awkward or bizarre or weird that requires a little cultural explanation. Korean culture is EXTREMELY hierarchical......on a 1 to 1 basis there are just things the younger person just cant say or do or act BECAUSE they are younger. Within a group dynamic its the same......when BTOB walked in and the previous 3 groups all got up and clapped and bowed...you said they were being celebratory, they weren't. They were being respectful bc thats what youre required to show to groups older than you/have more experience. EVERYTHING in korean culture is based off of heirarchy even down to our language. There are different words for older siblings vs younger siblings, different words for groups or people who started working in your industry earlier vs later. Your graduating class in school, the year you were born, when you passed the BARR exam or got your medical license year.....it's all marked by when it happened bc these set levels are required to know how to interact with people. Its why in korea it isn't rude whatsoever to ask how old someone is bc it immediately sets your status and dictates how you conjugate verbs when speaking. On the flip side to that, older groups do have an unwritten obligation (or should) to be older brotherly which is why BTOB started joking around with the younger 3 groups when they sat down to lighten the mood. However, had a younger group joked around like that when they walked in being the youngest group, that would've been viewed as really rude. On a 1:1 basis for example, the older person always pays if you go out to dinner as an example. My dad is 87 years old and he STILL bows (I mean now kind of in jest but he still DOES it) to his best friend bc his best friend is a year older and graduated med school a year before my dad did

Its really cool you're doing this.....korean competition variety shows are just their own thing and so so so different from any western counterpart (like say American Idol). Korea has been just so genius about building an entire system around the kpop industry from shows like this, weekend music shows, variety shows on tv, variety shows on YT, the groups' own channel variety, fan events, etc to just create a whole ecosystem of fan engagement and while it was unfortunate that this was filmed at the HEIGHT of covid, normally, its just ANOTHER opportunity/venue for fans in korea to be able to see the groups they love and it's not impossible (compared to something like Taylor Swift tickets). In addition to being able to see your favorite groups perform in various different environments, all these programs are just additional ways for fans to learn about the groups and members and their personality.

Same as everyone else I think it also has been a while for me to watch the whole thing instead of just my favorite performances here and there so super excited and ready to go!

I watched this show around the time it came out, so it's been a while, and I'm happy to rewatch it with you! It's a fun way to get to know these groups and get to know more about Korean culture. As you noticed Koreans are very big on respect and hierarchy (based on age/seniority) as well as staying humble. It's very different to most western cultures for sure. I love how uplifting everyone is. Since it's been a couple years since this show aired, it's also interesting to note how much these groups have improved. Not that they weren't good back then, of course, but one thing I love about kpop is how you get to see the idols' growth over the years (and yes, all kpop artists are called idols). The performances here were indeed very short (even the full versions on YT are) but future episodes have longer performances. My favourite ones are the performances where they have to cover each other's songs in their own styles and when they are mixing the groups & they have to do performances together. Some groups/members became friends during this show and still are to this day.

i can't wait for you to do the BTOB killing voice!

Oooh yeah I'm in for it 🥰

You heard WAVE as the opening of the ATEEZ Killing Voice video, and YES, your reaction to this dramatic, epic pirate orchestral arrangement of the cheery, joyful summer anthem "WAVE" was exactly ATINy's too at the time! We didn't know which songs they were performing, so when we saw the dark colored pirate costumes and ominous opening pirate ship film, we were sure they were going to do WONDERLAND as their opening number. But instead -- it was this brilliantly transformed version of WAVE! XD As soon as Hongjoong whispered, "Hakuna Matata!" at the beginning, we were floored (and sat!). The lighting issue you and Hongjoong noted continues in many of the future stages for ATEEZ and a few of the other bands. They really made the most of having the dynamic freedom to move around the stage/use the whole stage theatrically rather than just flat-forward like in a performance with an audience. Btw, there were no audiences during this show because this was in the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. You can also see all the full-length performances (without the editing/reaction cuts) on youtube, like the Symphony No.9 From the WONDERLAND stage you've already reacted to!

This show came out during the pandemic when none of the bands were able to tour, and was a great way for kpop fans around the world to get to see their favorite bands show some of their most spectacular work in this pressure cooker of a competition show. ATEEZ even released a multi-episode behind-the-scenes "making of" documentary about their work on this show, which revealed how hard they worked preparing for their spectacular stages on KINGDOM while also simultaneously doing nightly music show recordings for their "Fireworks"/FEVER Part 2 album release promotions, and also while they had one member down (Mingi is not in the show at all/was on a medical hiatus at the time). But just wait till you see what they manage to pull off during these four rounds of brilliant competition in spite of those challenges! Also, the awkwardness you mentioned is because ATEEZ is the clear underdog of the show -- the youngest band (they'd only debuted 1.5 years prior to the start of KINGDOM's run) as well as coming from a non-Big4 agency. Btw, the Big4 (HYBE/Bighit, SM Entertainment, JYP Entertainment, and YG Entertainment) are the corporations that dominate the kpop industry/basically ARE the kpop industry, and own every major kpop band that makes it to the top of the worldwide charts -- *except* ATEEZ, that is. ;-) But this present era ATEEZ who is unignorable as one of the leading kpop bands of today and regularly top the Billboard charts is far in the future of these bright-eyed youngsters eager to prove themselves on this show. Their tiny agency was hit hard by the pandemic canceling their world tour, and they and ATEEZ (their first and only band at the time) really poured their entire hearts and souls into what ATEEZ does on this show. Just wait and see.

Eeee I'm very excited for this. Here's my official engagement vote for continuing. Some of these performances are really going to blow you away. This is the first time I've watched a WHOLE Kingdom episode. I've watched the performances and some edited-down clips. I LOVE how nice they all are to each other. You'll see more later on they really cheer and support their fellow groups its so sweet. I HAVE noticed pretty much all the Korean content I've watched has this style of editing. The little game show / variety shows that involve idols are even more over the top with the sound effects and the silly captions on screen. I find it very endearing but it can be a little jarring, I feel like American reality/competition shows are so boring in comparison😂 "What's with this long breathing segment at the end here?" That's the ending fairy of course. Surely you've seen an ending fairy before! "You're probably all used to them going on military service" NO I am NOT used to it 😂😭 Stray Kids aren't quite at the age. They are close though, if I understand right, Lee Know is up first, sometime late this year or next year. They haven't shared how they are going to handle it. I think some groups try to go all at once. Stray Kids is unusual because two (the Aussies) won't have to serve and they self-produce prolifically and already do a lot of unit tracks with fewer members, so they have a lot of options. Great reaction Tim! Don't worry about the intro performances the real ones will get meatier.

ATINY PRESENT! Making some notes while watching: I ADORE this version on WAVE! The original is so summery and tropical so I love the dark orchestral switch-up. I still have it on my playlist. You mentioned their acting and how Theatrical it was - this is one of my top descriptors for ATEEZ. (with Cinematic) You should see some of their concert performances! One of them even has a body count. (One day I'll actually count how many dancers they kill in DJANGO.) Interestingly ATEEZ was first known through synchronized dance videos but decided to not prioritize that above expressiveness. Now they dance together but with their own individual colors and moods. (which often change depending on their costuming that day) It's unusual but it leads to such FUN moments! It really allows them to trade perfection for character and it's part of what makes them such a joy to watch. Each of the performances has two versions on YouTube - with the reaction cut-ins and the straight performance without. Both are fun (especially when they get crazy theatrical or Jongho goes off) but if you want to see them normally you need to watch them individually on YouTube. This was 2021 so the only audience are the judges because of lockdown. Since there was no physical audience in seats it allowed them to get really creative and choreograph the camera as well. They are REQUIRED to be polite and know their EXACT place in the hierarchy and it has it's own language. As the group who debuted last ATEEZ are junior to everyone else there so they MUST address and refer to every group and member in those groups as Sunbaenim (senior) - every time. iKON Sunbaenim, BTOB Sunbaenim, Peniel Sunbaenim, until the senior invites them to speak more casually and then they will still normally do it when referring to them. Being good-looking (and tall) is very well respected. So much so it's an actual position you can have in a KPOP group - Visual. People don't beat around the bush with it either. They talk openly about people's looks a lot. The weird extended close-ups with the heavy breathing after the song is a thing. If you get the close-up you are the Ending Fairy. Depending on the song it can be intense breathing or something flirty or super cutesy. There is additional content. It's KPOP. Performance video. Performance with reaction inserts. Full stage fixed cam so you can see the choreo\camera logistics. Individual fan cam for every member. Behind from MNET. Behind from the group. FOR EVERY SONG. Maybe even a dance practice too. My playlist just for ATEEZ has 93 videos. WOW I got chatty! Sorry

Kingdom Legendary War is the best show MNet has ever done.

Have watched it! The others here in the comments have already said a lot, but for more behind the scenes…I’m not sure how interested you’d be and it would be mostly just for STAY so maybe it’s a no, we already get a lot, but I know SKZ have behind the scene vlogs where we see even more behind the scenes. They’re really cool, as you mentioned behind the scenes. There’s probably stuff like that for the other groups too but their fandom members would know better so I’ll humbly leave that to them. Again though, no pressure! As you said, this is already a commitment if you continue! As for missing members; as someone said, many groups are missing some due to various reasons. You will see Hyunjin in the background in this particular performance, but due some unfortunate rumours regarding his behaviour in school that were later revealed to be false, he wasn’t participating in the show after the first episode. You being fascinated by the very respectful Korean culture and age hierarchy was quite entertaining too :)

I love watching people watching this. So I will 100% watch this. Before this I only knew Stray Kids, but now I like pretty much all the groups on this show to varying degrees. I hope you enjoy it!

PLEASE continue the show! It’s great to learn about the groups and their interactions with each other. The voting system totally sucks so I’d just ignore the rankings and enjoy the performances and such. Things to note: 1. Most all the groups are missing members (it’s most noticeable with BtoB who are missing two prominent vocalists… but others are also missing folks) 2. BtoB, ikon, and SF9 accepted the show contract later and didn’t have clear direction to budget which is why their first performances are more low key. 3. I DO NOT recommend cutting the episodes in half. The first episode is unique in that each group performs. A lot of the later episodes will have two episodes per round. If you cut one round into four episodes it will reeeealy drag a lot. 4. The Boyz won the show “Road to Kingdom” which was for lesser known groups. The winner of Road to Kingdom got the chance to move to Kingdom Legendary War and compete with the big players at that time. 5. The style of editing and sound effects is VERY common in Korean variety shows- even sometimes in serious dramas 6. Respecting older groups is a must- Age hierarchy is very important in Korea. The Korean language centers around this. Conversing with someone requires you know your position in that hierarchy. Nearly one of the first questions asked when meeting new people is “what year were you born”. This determines how formal/casual you are and what terms you are to use when referring to the other person. 7. They are ALL idols. All kpop artists are referred to as idols.

I'm just getting into k-pop myself and this is such a fun way to get to know more groups! Watching this I also couldn't help but compare how different a competition like this would be in the U. S. This feels more wholesome and fun and the respect from all the artists is very refreshing. I'd love to see more of this!

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE keep going with the show! I hope so many people like it. I know every single one of these groups and Jesus they are all so good. Stray Kids is bigger worldwide I'd say, it helps that Felix and Bangchan are Aussies and the English part, Bangchan also does a lot of streams alone and talks to fans worldwide. BTOB has one really strong dancer and then they are all insane vocals, and here you are missing two vocals from them that are insane. SF9 is one of the first groups I followed, Rowoon (The one that didn't perform because his back is hurt) is no longer in the group, they are 8 now. The Boyz are a powerhouse but their music these days is not my cup of tea, I loved their older bangers. iKON, I don't think I can say anything people don't know, they are probably the biggest group in this contest, they are on the same agency as Blackpink, Winner, Treasure, Baby Monster and others, YG Entertainment, which is huge. They are big on rap and Hip Hop, super big in that scene, mostly Bobby (The guy with the white hair pulled back and the eyebrow piercing). ATEEZ OMG probably my favorite group from the ones in here even though I love them alllllll, you already know them, it's a shame Mingi is not here, but Jesus they are so so good they make up for it, don't they? I still miss our Mingi. STRAY KIDS well, I mean, you know them well, Han and Changbin are rap big stars not only in this show but in the whole Korea, Changbin mainly. Han has the advantage that is is also one of the best singers in the group (and also one of the best rappers). Bangchan improved so much in all aspects, he used to rap more, now he goes crazy vocally and does a lot of tumbling and acrobatics. The guys are really super complete. I hope you keep going with them... I really cannot wait for a deep dive on SF9, I don't know how much pull they would have in the community but I would recommend you everything from them in order and I think you would love them, they got a lot of crazy choreos and insane vocals. I talked a lot I'm sorry this video made me too excited.

I haven’t even watched yet, will do in a few hours, but I’m excited!

More BTOB yay! 🩵

I’m always here for it! Whenever you can fit it into your busy schedule!!! Maybe we can watch the stray kids show too?