I am not in a very good mood right now (and I am typing this on my phone because AT&T can’t get their DSL network back to work), so I might say something rash and offend some people. So I’d like to ask for everyone’s understanding beforehand.
I became a fan of SeungGi in August of 2009, and started posting on Soompi in November of 2009. A lot of things have happened in the fandom in these last 2 years, and I have learned a lot of valuable lessons.
When I started out as a fan, I had zero knowledge of the Korean language, so I learned everything about SeungGi through the old posts at China Cafe and Soompi. And I relied on them as my only news sources. When I started sharing news at Soompi, I translated them from the Chinese ones I read at China Cafe. I knew about the Korean sources like DCLSG and Naver back then, but I didn’t even know how to navigate a Korean website.
Then something happened and taught me a big lesson about responsible fan blogging (even though I didn’t consider myself a blogger back then).
It was after the Shadow Repackage Album came out. Many fans were anxiously waiting for some promotional activities. Then I read on China Cafe that SeungGi was going to appear on Chocolate. I was super excited to read the news and I posted it on Soompi to share my excitement. Then a DCLSG fan read it and posted it with a link to Soompi. Everyone was excited. Seriously, I had never seen that many visitors on Soompi before that. But then it turned out that it was a misunderstanding on the Chinese fan’s part. I felt sooo bad to have spread the news and raised false hopes in so many people. And I had to ask everyone for their forgiveness.
After that, I made it a habit to always go to the original sources for verification whenever possible. Even though it was hard, I learned to navigate the Korean news sites and search engines (after I started learning Korean of course). Sure, things were much easier and less time-consuming before when all I had to do was take things from Chinese fan sites and translate them into English. But to be more responsible, I made the decision to take the long-winded road (or can I call it the high road? hehe). It’s just that I’m a working professional with strong work ethics, and trust is very important to me and in my line of work. So I cannot stand myself becoming someone less than trustworthy, even if it’s just online.
As with translations, I also wanted my work to be as accurate and trustworthy as possible. I’m sure everyone knows that things can easily get lost in translations, especially when there are a lot of differences between cultures, and of course more would be lost after more rounds of translations, say from Korean to Chinese then to English. Honestly, translating from Chinese to English is a breeze for me, since I am fluent in both languages (and I actually worked as a Chinese-English translator back in high school). But after I started learning Korean, I decided to take the extra time and effort to translate Korean directly to English (starting with SeungGi’s tweets), hoping to relay the original messages as accurately as possible. That’s why I get annoyed when people claim they are translating from Chinese to English yet their translations end up eerily similar to my Korean-to-English translations. (Seriously, I can read the Chinese they are translating from, and I know how they can be translated. I’m not that stupid.)
Anyway, with all that said, let me go back to what started me on this rant. When I posted the article about SeungGi wanting to leave Strong Heart, I stated very clearly that it was published in Sports Korea, and I credited it to ‘hankooki’. If you cannot find the original source with all those clues given, maybe you should question your own search abilities, rather than accuse other people of ‘unprofessional blogging’. I know it was not confirmed by Hook (and I never said it was official; I was merely reporting what was out there), but when does Hook ever confirm or deny rumors? So from now on, should I wait to report only on Hook’s official announcement? If my memory serves me correctly, Hook has released ONE official statement (with LOTS of unsought help from KBS) during the two years I’ve been a fan. So I guess I can just stop blogging at this point, since I won’t have anything official enough to blog about.
But for those who don’t know how to search properly, here is the link for your verification and approval: hankooki
rumours are meant to be discussed, even though they are rumours. Seunggi leaving Strong Heart and 1N2D is either a bad or a good move for some (or most) people. there’s no such thing as ‘unprofessional blogging’ unless you work for a Public Relations (PR) team that is paid to blog about things (like foods in a particular restaurant or blogging about the iPhone). official or unofficial, people always have something to say (whether positive or negative). you can just ignore people who are accusing you of spreading rumours, since one way or another someone out there will eventually read this article (even from a totally random site) and blog or post about it on a forum. besides, the topic at hand is already in people’s minds anyways. one way or another, Hook and/or Seunggi will hear this question and they have to answer it themselves.
Hi tryp,
You have made your point perfectly clear in your original post (and all your other posting). Anyone who did not get it or misunderstood it was 1) too dense, or 2) with bad intentions. So don’t waste time or stress over those unworthy people.
In fact, the most interesting point in your disclaimer is how fast you’ve achieved your Korean proficiency. Do share your learning method or process if you can. I am so envious.
Yes, totally agree with A.M here, While reading through your disclaimer the most interesting point that struck me was how fast you’ve learnt the Korean language and I was like, ‘aah…maybe I can get a pointer or two from this intelligent blogger on how to attain proficiency in the Korean language in the fastest possible way!’ I am envious too. I’m a newbie to your blog and enjoy reading all your posts including those comments coming from your regular readers. Thanks for sharing! Cheers!
I have been reading your blog for very long time and never left any message, but this time, I think I need to write something to show my support to you. It looks like there are some Airens are way too sensitive to the news or rumors that they don’t like, then they blame whoever wrote about it. Just ignore those people and do whatever you like to do, it is your blog and I have been always appreciate your effort to give readers the info about Seung Gi as soon as you can.
I became an around-the-clock fan of Lee Seunggi about 8 months ago. Since then your blog has been a great help not only to enjoy up-dated information but to think and interpret what is available about our very special entertainer Seunggi.
I can see you are trying your very best to be careful and responsible in treating articles, pictures, and videos out there and in processing any form of data.
When it comes to “official statement,” Hook is one of the most introverted(???) entertainment offices. (I’m not criticizing Hook here…Please don’t misunderstand…) Under these facts-thirsty circumstances does it hurt anyone to relay the rumors already printed to those who are interested in the matter?
We are grown-ups. We can tell the huge difference btwn the New York Times and the National Enquirer!!!
Thanks again tryp and we love you!!!
I love your analogy of the NY Times and the National Enquirer, hahaha! And I am so happy to have you in our camp as a fellow LSG fan. Totally agreed with you about the weird (provincial?) way Hook handles PR matters too. However, for the recent events, I believe they ARE caught by how fast things have moved and situations changed. Hopefully they will put their heads together, with SG’s input too, to come up with a best strategy under these unfortunate circumstances.
Tryp~~~ Fighting! Remember, most of the fans (even if they don’t express it online) know everything and can read in between the lines, so you don’t need to explain nor defend yourself any longer. You represent so much of what Seunggi is about and what he stands for… one of the reasons why fans (and Seunggi!) really admire and love you so much.
Hi, Tryp
Being a Korean living overseas for a very long time, I’ve always wondered how you become so good at Korean, reading the translations, I have learned both Japanese and Chinese at uni, I become quite fluent in Japanese but Chinese I had to give up after 2 years of study (my Chinese is laughable). Learning Korean would mean like learning Chinese for me, so difficult, I would imagine, as Korean is quite complex language. I both go through Korean SeungGi’s sites or some of Korea’s main sites and couple of English blogs, one of them being your blog where I always thought it’s amazing how you put so much effort to search and translate. So I know I can vouch for your blog is what other Korean sites are mentioning about and translations are as accurate. I’ve never left any comments before but I do this time, to let you know there are some people who are not worth the trouble and there are more people who appreciate your efforts and sharing all the information, as I am certainly one of them… Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day and cheer up
the soure article you linked is from sports jousnal newspaper. I think there’s very little truth in the article. these types of sports entertainment newpaper don’t do their due diligence to check the truth of the rumors. they just report out what would be eye catching article headline. when first seung gi’s rumor started,many newspaper started saying seung gi will debue in japan in March, or he will come back to korean drama in July, or he will take a new talk show with cha seung won. or he has alrady contracted with japapanese company. it turned out that none of these reported articles was true and accurate at all. This article is the same. readers have different expections in newspaper journal and national inquirers. the cited newspaper is sports newspaper that deals with gossip type news.
I think Hook will soon announce their decisions on strong heart.
hi tryp you are the best in updating seung gi’s activity…
with regards to people who say things to your blog….
well i just know one thing they envy your multi-lingual talent on translating the latest news and updates….
ke ke ke ke ke……
cheer up……
Dear Tryp
Though I am new reader here. I find that you hv been very ‘cautious’ & responsible in your reporting on LSG news. Not only that, i find your news are very up to date. As we know in entertainment circle there will be lots of ‘rumours’ or even ‘truths which are carefully concealed’ news, so for us fans, we can only get our news through various sources (which is hard for us to know which are the ‘true’ news).
So Tryp please don’t be discouraged by those ppl who are not understanding & unreasonable. The stars are too far for us to ask them directly what are the truths.
Tryp, thank you for all your postings & i really appreciate your hardwork which are done so voluntarily. Fighting… Tryp!!!清者自清。
Ignore their ranting… from the way i see, it’s like they come here to take things without permission, then tell others that the things are not good…not in a nice sentence, it means stealing.
If they come here to read and they do not like what you have posted, then don’t come here at all. Don’t benefit it from reading here and then go around gossiping at other places… If tryp way of blogging is not your cup of tea, just leave this place. If it’s someone else who told you, then tell that person to stop visiting tryp blog and she won’t get frustrated. If a blog is so frustrating to you, will you still surf that page? I won’t because i will lose interest. So if those who bitch about tryp blog, why are you still here? You have a choice….. don’t get information from here and then go round throwing trantrums. That is an immature way!!!!
And if you can’t find the article, that’s your incapability. Just because you can’t find the article, you shouldn’t criticise others.
And since all the news articles & fans account are not official from Hook Entertainment, are they saying that they did not translate either? How much do they trust that the fans account are reliable? (just because they trust the fans who gave them first-hand accounts?).
Tryp has stated the creditability of the article in her post, so it’s up to the fans to decide whether to believe or not. She is merely translating what is in the article. If you need to be spoon-feed with 100% accuracy of the posting & only believe in official articles, then the readers, you should not even come here, you should just stick to leeseunggi.com for official articles. You should not even join any unofficial twitters, blogs, facebooks set up by fans, because they are all unofficial..
This looks like a fan/blog/facebook wants to monopolize the situation and push tryp to her limits? They want to be the one and only blog/website for seung gi fans? What a big ego!!!
Tryp, don’t fall into their trap, they are just trying to irritate you so that you will stop doing it. Tryp, remember the ‘K’ word we talked about? you have seen it happened to me, it’s a matter of time only.
I agreed with Ms. Yon’s statement.
Don’t be discouraged, just ingore those people… Tryp, fighting!
Cheer up… Girl
Hi, Tryp, please cheer up! I really rely on your blog for everything of Seung Gi news, if you don’t blogging anymore I’ll feel very lost. I’m really envious of you, you can understand Korean so quickly. I also learn Chinese and my Chinese is still so far from good, but you used to be a Chinese-English translator when you’re in high school? That’s amazing, Tryp! You’re such a great fan of Seung Gi, I really really appreciate you. Please cheer up and ignore those people, after all that news about Seung Gi leaving SH may not be true. This is your blog and you can blog whatever you want (I tried blogging but I give up, cause I end up blabbing nonsense there, hehe, I really admire you for your blog!), you even maybe sacrifice so many things for sharing Seung Gi news with us, really thank you! Please cheer up, Tryp! I will continue to support your blog and Seung Gi! Tryp, fighting!
And also, please forgive me if I’ve offended you with my comment in that post, I never meant it that way. >.< Really, I agree with brewedawakening that Hook is too introvert. Once again, Tryp, cheers and fighting!
Dear Tryp…
Please do not feel upset or discourge, just ignore those people..
Your site has been helping me to know more of LSG…
You had been working hard bringing him closer to all of us..
His news, his work and all of his stuffs.
Please do not give up.. There’s tons of us out there supporting you..
FIGHTING…
Just keep going on, doing the things that you love and things that make you happy… (“,)
Everyone, thank you so much for the outpouring of support! I really do appreciate it.
I think I’m probably just too sensitive to criticism (kind of like HoDong). But after taking a break and then coming back to read all of your heartwarming comments and encouragement, I’m feeling much much better. Again, thank you all for helping me recharge! I think I’m ready to tackle it all!
Dear Tryp,
Don’t feel down if these people are trying to bring you down and discredit you. We know how hard and dedicated you are in giving us Seung Gi updates.
Keep your spirits up! Fighting!
Remember that when people are trying to bring you down, it means you are way up than them.
Haha.. I like your last sentence.. ‘when others are trying to bring you down, it means you are way up than them’.. It’s so true..
Yeah, that is our girl “Tryp”
Fighting! Be happy!
I’m so happy that you are re-charged again. I was afraid you were really saying goodbye. Not right after Hodong’s announcement! It would have been too much! So million thanks for thinking of the MAJORITY (that’s us loyal fans), and not getting swayed by and lose to those bunch of losers (they are just a few anyway).
You’re entitled to your rants, as you are only human. Remember, Seunggi also got criticized and all, and he went through hard times too, but look! He is up and running again and doing great!
Cheers! We are not only Seunggi’s fans, but Tryp’s fans too! Fighting!
Hi tryp,
I don’t know why people keep on criticizing you with your incomparable dedication and hard work to share the latest about Seung Gi..I really can’t understand why..But it just crossed my kind that maybe,they’re envious of you because people from different parts of the world are so grateful of you.For fans like us who doesn’t know much about Korean language,your blog is really a big help for us.We are so grateful of your hard work tryp.You never fail to update us from the biggest news down to the small one.You know very well how fans from other part of the world would feel with just a small update about Seung Gi.So I guess,just do what you love to do and never let those people pull you down.We support you tryp,like how we support Kang Hodong-ssi now..Keep fighting and know that you are loved by Seung Gi’s fans all over the world..Cheer up!Again,thank you for always updating us…=)
I also remember that you clearly stated that the source may not be reliable and the implication was to take it with a grain of salt. People are just so nervous about Strong Heart’s (and LSG’s) uncertain future that some get their knickers in a twist and look for ways to release that stress including name calling or picking fights. Ignore those foolish people, please. I am a relatively new fan of LSG and I appreciate your due diligence in reporting and your frequent updates. Thank you truly for all you do!
Dear tryp, please don’t be upset. I was just wondering if I was one of those people you mention. If I am, I truly and sincerely apologize from the bottom of my heart. I didn’t mean to hurt anyone. I really appreciate your hard work all this time and you’re the best in laying out the latest Seung Gi news.I’m really, really sorry if I upset you with my post, I think I’m just nervous and agitated with reading Kang Ho Dong news. Again, I’m sorry.
Don’t worry, it wasn’t because of you or anyone else who commented on this blog. It was what some people were saying elsewhere.
Hello Tryp,
Your are a real darling. We are blessed to have a professional, dedicated and intelligent person like you. Your post on Seung Gi leaving Strong Heart has attracted many concrete comments. At least,,,,we can express our sincere opinions be it positive or negative, and I’m sure this will give an idea on how we felt about the whole crisis and our voices are being heard. We want the best for Lee Seung Gi. You did an awesome job here with your frequent up-to-date post about him 24/7.
Don’t be discouraged by those people who are jealous of your capabilities.
es.
Hi tryp.. Ive read this since you posted this and I had no time to give some comment…
Take Care.. 
Aren’t they ashamed of their doings? Even when you give them warnings and everything they still not doing what’s right, and that’s to credit you… I admit that I rely on this blog for my reference on my fanpage but I do give credits. That’s my way to show appreciation for your hard work. I even wonder if you have time for yourself or do some beauty sleep or whatsoever to pamper yourself. Because God knows how dedicated of an Airen you are! If only LSG knew that Im sure he too will be so proud. So cheer up!! You have us on your back to support you. We don’t want to loose you ok?
And dear, please get some rest if you want some. We can understand if you cant post an update…