Infinity Challenge Totoga 3 (Episode 557)

Finally, the new Infinity Challenge ToToGa series is here!
YEAAAY!!!

I think I will write long for this recap.

I'm gonna be honest, Infinity Challenge is really not my cup of tea.
But I do enjoy some of their episode such as their Music Festival and ToToGa.

What is Totoga?
It stands for Toyoil Toyoil eun Gasu da (토요일 토요일은 가스다) which in English means Saturday, Saturday is for Singers.

Mmm, okay, I still don't get it.
Saturday, Saturday is for Singers is one of famous music broadcast on 1990s era.
I don't know the exact year when the program is broadcasting.
But, in Infinity Challenge, they make a special episode for ToToGa to reminiscing about Korean music in 90s.

For season 1, they made a music festival which consist of many popular groups and soloist in 90s, such as: Turbo, S.E.S, Cool, Jo Sungmo, Lee Junghyun, So Chan-wee, Jinusean, and Kim Jungmo.
I totally love the episode, especially for Cool performance. They are just so entertaining!

For season 2, they made a very special episode to reunite Sechskies.
You can google them and you will found out how big they were in 90s.
They were one of the best group from DSP Media.
They only active for 3years or so then suddenly disbanded during their peak, leaving so many fans heart broken.
I do know about Sechskies leader, Eun Jiwon, since I love him in varieties.
But to know the whole group and their discography is a new thing.
Thanks to Infinity Challenge, I become their fan.
The episode was such a success for broadcast and for the group.
The episode receive such a good rating.
And Sechskies officially become an active group again under YG Entertainment, except for one member who decides to not become a singer anymore.
Until now, they already release new albums and doing great.

For season 3, this season, the show treat us something great again, they make a reunion for H.O.T

 If you think their name is lame, you should search what it stands for.
Let me make it easier for you, H.O.T is Highfive Of Teenager.
So much respect for Lee Soo Man for making such an unforgettable group name.
Lee Soo Man? Do you mean the main guy of SM?
Yes, it is.
H.O.T was a group under SM Entertainment before they disband 5years later, leaving some of them stay in agency, and some of them left.
One of its member, Kangta, even become one of director (or something like that) in SM Entertainment now.

The episode start with Yoo Jaesuk and Haha come to some old unused studio of MBC.
Then the black curtain on background coming up, revealing a neon sign of ToToGa 3, marking the the began of new ToToGa series.
Both of them cannot contain their surprise.
Because, obviously, IT IS A BIG DEAL.
The crew showing up some old video for the hint: we can hear a loud scream of sooo many fangirls holding a white balloon. Which is no doubt a hint of H.O.T!!!!!

Oops, sorry for the kshowonline mark, I cannot remove it, lol.

Woohoooooooo!
H.O.T is the start of idol culture in Korean music industry.
They're legendary first generation of idol singer.

The crew introduce H.O.T awesomeness during their era:
1. They sold a total of 6 million albums
2. The number of their fans reached 100.000
3. They received awards from three major TV channels
4. They're the first idol group to be popular in China
5. They even appeared on the 9pm news (it really means that they were such a big deals back then. If you're not relevant, 9pm news is just a dream)
6. School even forbade students from leaving early (maybe during their concert or such things)
7. H.O.T created a fan club culture with the color coding (white is their representative color, just like Sechskies with yellow, DBSK with red, Super Junior with sapphire blue)
I heard it from time to time that their fans were the most extreme even compared to fan nowadays. You really cannot beat Club H.O.T, their fanclub name.


In conclusion, they were an iconic figure in the 90s.

Is it really possible to invite them?
The PD explain that they met them for the first time in 2015, but they couldn't invite them due to different opinion within the members.
The crew continuously approach them to appear in ToToGa.

On 2001, there were a rumors about the disbandment of H.O.T during their peak
Because of the rumor, at their concert, they promise to never disband
But unfortunately, one month later, they really disbanded.
Their fans were really disappointed by the news and start to campaign in front of SM office.
Kangta and Moon Hee Jun performed as solo artist.
The rest of members formed a group called JTL.
They don't resolve their misunderstanding between each other, and 17years have passed.
That's why the member very careful and needs many time to think about Infinity Challenge proposal to reunite.

The staff really couldn't give up about H.O.T, and they met again with each member separately on the beginning of 2018.

The member actually really wants to perform again, at least for the last time, for the fans who already waiting for 17 years.
They feel bad for the fans who might already tired from waiting for them.
And it got me very emotional.
I think about what if my bias group in the same situation, I would really love it if they comeback together as a whole again.

The PD then give them a suggestion to think about it carefully without contact with other member. The given time is one day.
They need to focus on their thought and their fans.
If they really want to perform together again on this ToToGa 3, then they have to come to their debut stage tomorrow.
The said place is actually the old studio where Yoo Jaesuk and Haha is waiting right now.

Yoo Jaesuk and Haha waiting there with anticipation and worries, since not all member might come.

Then the camera on the building entrance shows that there is someone is coming.
With such a high hope, it turns out that the one who's come is Yang Sehyung.
HAHAHAHAHAAAA.
Such a troll. He is invited there since he is close with some of H.O.T member.
To properly met H.O.T, the three of them change the outfit to H.O.T's signature "Candy" outfit.
It was insanely popular during the promotion of their song, titled Candy.

Suddenly one person came, it is KANGTA, the main vocal and main visual.
Turns out that he actually already waiting for 20minutes before come in because he doesn't to come very early, but he is the first one to come, hahahaa.
He really nervous and drink water from time to time.

When their busy talk with each other, the other member come.
Kangta even know who is that just from the way that person walks.
It's TONY.
Kangta is full of smile.
Tony also said that he is very nervous today.
Yeah, me too.

Not long after another member come, MOON HEEJUN, the leader.
Now the remaining 2 member left.

Then, LEE JAE WON comes, the maknae.
The hyungs cannot hide their exitement.
Me too.
It's my first time seeing him and he left such a good impression.
He looks like having a unique personality, hahahaaa.

Lastly, the dancing machine, JANG WOO HYUK.
I literally screamed with a bit tears when he comes and all the members hug each other.
It's a really a touching moment.

Some of member even tearing up.
And here I am, cried.
Even though I'm not a fan, but I'm overwhelmed.
It must be very strange for the member for having all of them together like that with possibility to perform again.

They sat down for talk and their stories.
The crew show us their debut stage and as expected, it so cringy. Hahahaaa.
And we also got to see their last concert which filled with so many fans (around 80.000 people, wow!) and white balloon.
They were unrivaled.
Watching those old awesome videos, the member just said that actually it feels like watching someone else clip.
It hurts me a bit, since they said that actually they were so busy to the point they cannot enjoy the time of their peak.

I learn something interesting.
Found out, during their times, the ticket concert sold by bank!
So, the fans would camping outside the bank for days to get the ticket.
Jokingly Woohyuk ask: Banks don't sell them anymore?
Yoo Jaesuk: Where have you been all this time?
Hahahaa.

To proof that he's been living in 90s all this time, Woohyuk bragging about his outfit today.
He wear something that he wore back then.
He even still have the script of program they did back in their time.
To his amusement Heejun ask: Why do you have the scripts?
Woohyuk: I wonder if it become money.
HAHAHAHAHAAA.
I found my bias, guys. It's HIM.
He really loves his group to the point he keep the merchandise and outfits.

Then they were talking about their last concert.
Found out, the sad part of it is the fans didn't know that it was their last concert back then.
The truth is, the member also didn't know it was their last.
Kangta explains that the circumstances happen because they were so young and something happens that they couldn't handle.
That's why they always feels sorry for their fans.

Tony said that actually it feels like the world was end with their disbandment.
Since their group is the first generation idol, they don't really have someone to ask for advise.
They have to endure and deal with whatever circumstances they were given.
It such a sad story, actually.


Back to ToToGa.
As previous ToToGa, there is a rule they have to do before they can perform again: they have to score 95 at karaoke machine.

The first song is 'We Are the Future'.
The song start with such a heavy dance.
AND THEY LOOK SO COOL!
You can see how well Jang Woohyuk dance is.
He is one of the best, seriously.
Then we can witness that Kangta proves himself as main singer.
Unfortunately, the score only 94, lacking 1 point to be qualified.

Try again! They sing 'Warrior's Descendant' and 'Candy', but still got no good points instead they're just getting exhausted. Hahahaaa.

They need to choose sing oriented song, without any heavy choreo to have better score.
They tease Kangta saying finally it's the time for 'Light'.
Light is the song which made by Kangta himself.
It's Kangta favorite song and he even jokes that the ending must be 'Light'.
So that's why many SMTown concert ending song is 'Light', hahahahahaaa.
All the member joking that they should do this song from the start to have end it quickly. Lol.
The song is indeed great. One of my favorite.
AND THEY GOT SCORE 95.

HAHAHAHAAAA.
So it's all in Kangta's scheme. Hahahaaa.

By them passing the minimum score.
They will start to prepare for their performance.
A lot of practice and preparation are needed.
The most challenging is because of their stamina and physical condition is not young anymore, so it must be hard for them.

During the preparation, they are thinking about the song selection.
They have to choose 9 songs to be performed.
Moon Heejun jokingly said: Let's just sing 'Light' for 9 times, to a delight from Kangta.
Hahahahaaa.

We got to see a bit shot of their practice.

 
And I have to say, I DO LOVE JANG WOOHYUK DANCE!
All of them can dance good, but Jang Woohyuk is just another level.
He can dance the same routine with others, but he looks so much better.
Such a skill which left me in awe.

The concert will be held on 15th February.
The reservation for their concert is OPEN for one week and makes the homepage crash.
It shows how greatly anticipated this concert is.
During the previous ToToGa, the total applicants for one week is about 70k.
But for H.O.T, in just 3.5hours, the applicants already hit 50k!
WOW!

One day, the Infinity Challenge member and H.O.T member sit together.
They talk about a practice video that Woohyuk upload in his SNS.
Jaesuk: didn't you hear anything from your acquaintance after posting it?
Woohyuk: I've heard a lot.
Jaesuk: what they said?
Woohyuk: they said that I'm cool.

YES YOU ARE!

Let me share you the mentioned video and admit that he is have the rights to feel proud about his dancing skill.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQ6EZMZXqoI

Found out, after Woohyuk upload his dancing practice video, Kangta also put his singing practice video on his SNS. Hahaha.
ALSO, Tony upload in his SNS that he is receiving treatment for his knee. He explains that actually it's not a big deal, but there is even a news about that and he feels sorry.
Heejun also update that he success losing some weight. Wow, that's impressive.
But then, there is no much news about Jaewon.
To everyone surprise Jaewon said that he also actually put something in his SNS, BUT NO ONE KNOWS. Poor maknae.


The total applicants for one week is 170.000 PEOPLE!
That's a new record.
Proofing their class still the top.

From that day on, the crew will start to contact the applicants who win the ticket.
Today they will call some of their fan and see their reaction.
Their fans reaction was really CUTE and so relatable tbh.
My favorite is the Ottohke woman, hahaaa. You should watch the episode to know what I mean.

After they call some fans, the episode ends left us with anticipation for next week.
The actual concert.

IT WILL BE EPIC!
I will write for the next episode as well.