SERA00 Star City [2/2]

Hey everyone!

I split up the post because the first one was getting too long. Tonight will be the first of our two-night 2016 SERA00 Winter Concert!

I was talking about Star City in the previous post as if it was all going to happen in the future, which understandably made some of you confused, as there have been a lot of ads and commercials for the show recently. Yes, you're right - the first episode has already premiered yesterday night. The results from the first challenge will be revealed at the beginning of the next episode, but the surprise I mentioned earlier is that we will actually be revealing the results on the second day of the concert! Both to the members and the audience, both of which have never seen the results before the reveal.

For those who haven't seen the first episode yet, I gotta say right off the bat that you won't be seeing me on the show. I'm sorry. I was not one of the souls brave enough to risk my rank for a stab at a solo concert and musical role T.T At least now I'll be able to provide a (hopefully) unbiased commentary of the show.

PARTICIPANTS

STAR POWER

STAR TALENT

B rank Samantha Willis “Sammi” Hollis Stern “Holly” C rank Tang Tang Tsang Fawn Cobbleton Eclair Holland "Echo" Felicia Russel “Felicity” Ginelle Gerald “Ginger” Piper Weston Yura Chung Oakley Canterbury Cindy Howe Ariande Wong “Ariel” Braelyn Rowe Liesl Surrey Kaya Courtland April Heffron 00 rank Katarina Ren “Katalie” Xue Ling Kuo Emily Wattana Cora Hyland “Coral” Erica Cortez Seren Ellery Judy Kim “Juhyun” Linda Hoang “Liha” Yuzuki Ito CASUT00 Arron Isabelle Nikki Holiday

B rank Raine Colbert Macey Fent C rank Sora Takashi “Soracchi” Mikayla Iverson Jessica Caves Kai Lee “Kailee” Shannon Hunton Kerria Santivejkul Isla Hedley Emma Jung Poppy Ganeson Briar Ross “Briar Rose” Eliza Moir Celestia Charrete Aspen Wilkenson Haley Wickham 00 rank Henley Rey Izumi Kimura “Ice” Dana Jennings   Romy Stokes Jenna Moore Sayoung Yoon Leanne Chen “Lychee” CASUT00 JY Rachel Madison Ava

As I was compiling this list, I realized something that may be confusing which I will clarify now. If you read my election results post, you will see some girls, like Sayoung - who is listed high up under B rank, but is listed under 00 ranks on this list - whose rank seems inconsistent. Well, even though in the election she landed within the bracket required to move up to B rank, you cannot become an official member just by ranking high at an election. You remain a 00 rank despite your ranking until you are promoted by Management. The only difference is that when other 00 ranks get promoted, the automatically become C ranks - she will become a B rank.

Anyways, my thoughts on the participants: unsurprisingly, none of the A ranks elected to join. Likely, it was because the higher ranked A ranks felt no need to join the show (honestly, if Sassan wanted a solo concert, all she would have to do is ask), and the lower A ranks weren't positive that they could snag first place to retain their A rank. Same with the B ranks, although there were a couple who took the chance - 4, to be exact, which means that unless the winning three are dominated by B ranks, at least a couple of them are bound to drop a rank. As expected, all the C rank and 00 ranks joined, as there was really no threat to their position, and same with the CASUT00 girls.

Alright, I was finishing up this post during a break - we're running a dress rehearsal at the concert venue. We're just wrapping up now and we can already hear you guys lining up outside the stadium :o I'm glad it's not too cold tonight! I'm going to go prepare with the rest of the members now. See you on stage!

Please support SERA00!

SERA00 Star City [1/2]

Hey everyone!

Remember that thing I told you I tell you about? Well, here it is. Introducing...*drumroll*...SERA00 Star City! No, I'm not talking about the SERA00 City. This is SERA00's first survival show! 

Like the election, participation is voluntary, and all SERA00 and CASUT00 members are eligible to join as a participant. I wouldn't say that the show is targeted towards the 00 ranks, but rather that it's likely all or most of them will join, compared to official members who have already debuted. Later on, I'll discuss reasons why official members may or may not want to participate.

So how does the show work? There will be two competition streams that members can choose from - Star Talent and Star Power. Star Talent participants will be judged solely on their dance and singing skills, whereas Star Power participants will be judged on idol aura, stage presence, performance. To those who are not in or are new to the idol scene, the Star Power stream may seem rather abstract to you. How can it possible match up with the Star Talent stream?

It's the same way that Sassan is ranked above Luraland, despite Luraland being the better singer. The way that Yumichan and Sayoung are miles ahead of the other girls in their generation, despite joining SERA00 at the same time. Of course, it's not to say that talent doesn't get you anywhere, or that girls who gain popularity through means other than singing or dancing talent don't deserve it. I'm not making such a generalization, rather, I'm trying to explain why the concept of Star Power should not be taken lightly.

The judges will all be celebrity guests and trainers who have no affiliation with SERA00. That's right - even Miss Avery is taking the break on the judging in this show. 

After each challenge, participants will be evaluated and ranked.

Phase 1: Solo performance

Phase 2: Self-cam

Phase 3: Same stream team performance (elimination round)

Phase 4: Musical performance

Phase 5: Cross stream team performance (elimination round)

Phase 6: Solo performance (final elimination round)

You might be thinking that Phase 4 is rather random. After all, musicals aren't for everyone, and despite SERA00's recent run of "Dreamweavers," being an idol doesn't require any experience in musical theatre. Well, at the end of the program, there will be a first, second, and third place winner for each stream, six winners total. These six girls will make up the main cast of SERA00's next musical! 

Members who are eyeing a role in the musical might consider joining the program. Viewers might argue that it's unfair to pit rookie idols against seasoned idols, but it's not an easy road for official members either.

The final ranking from the program will OVERWRITE your current ranking. First place winners get A rank, second and third get B rank, and everyone else gets either C rank if you're an official member, or if you're a 00 rank then you stay as a 00 rank. In other words, current B and A rank members have a lot more to risk losing if they decide to join compared to 00 and C ranks.

But nothing bolsters improvement like a little friendly competition. So Management is offering some pretty big prizes for the winners of each stream. Mimicking the old SERA00 Complex, the SERA00 City is able to host three sizes of concerts (from smallest to largest) - SERA00 Stage, SERA00 Encore, and outdoor concert. First place winners get a solo outdoor concert, second places get solo Encore, and third places get a solo Stage.

Granted, it's not a full-blown concert like the ones we do as a group, but it's still a super attractive opportunity, even for the top members. Can you imagine that in the 9 years SERA00 has been active, not a single member has put on a solo concert? Ever?

More to come. Here's a thumbnail selfie for your time.

Please support SERA00!

Lunar New Year & macarons <3

Hey everyone!

I decided that my posts have gone too long without a photo, so I shall provide you with one now!

Yes, it's my photo and my macarons! Today is Lunar New Year, so Management gave us half a day off (the show goes on!). What better way to de-stress than eat sugar... I know, totally not called for in an idol's diet but they were fun to make! I baked 72 of them. One batch of strawberry, one matcha, one chocolate, and one tiramisu. Seventy-two...but they all mysteriously disappeared >.< next time I'll have to make even more!

Happy Lunar New Year!!!
Please support SERA00!

Date set for winter concert!

Hey everyone!

Our winter concert has finally been confirmed!! The 2016 SERA00 Winter Concert "If It's Forever" will be taking place February 20-21! This is exciting as it's the first time we've held a two-day long winter concert. All our past winter concerts have only been a single day.

Although you may see our 34th single "Counting Minutes" live on broadcast before the concert, you will get to hear some of the songs from the album live for the first time!

As well, we will be unveiling a special surprise - well, maybe not so much of a surprise by then as I'm going to write a post on it soon.

Please support SERA00!

Upcoming 34th single!

Hey everyone!

I was meaning to post something earlier. I had written a 750 word blog post, but it was on a more serious topic and I debated with myself for a couple of days on whether or not to publish it. Ultimately, I decided not to and I'm okay with that decision.

Well, our upcoming single is love-themed, since it's going to be Valentine's Day soon ;) The single is called "Counting Minutes" and will be release on February 13, 2016! Each type contains 4 songs - the title, b-side, and c-side, as well as the team song.

TRACKLIST

Counting Minutes (title)

When Roses Are (b-side)

Letters to my Love (c-side)

Ribbon (type Aurora)

This Year With You (type Angel)

By Starlight (type Night)

More on the album when it releases. Pre-orders are only available until Feb 5th - that's the end of tomorrow! Pre-orders come with an extra photocard like always. Limited edition theatre type will be sold at the SERA00 Theatre starting February 14. Oh, the Valentine's Day show will be a SERA00 Encore so be sure to come! :)

Please support SERA00!

SERA00 5th General Election RESULTS!

Hey everyone!

So...Merry Christmas? Happy Holidays? Happy New Year? :D

My first post ever on this blog was on January 30, 2013. It'll soon be the 3rd anniversary of the SERA00 blog, and it'll be on January 13th, instead of the 30th. The reason is that the blog was actually conceived on the thirteenth of January, three years ago. If you look at our discography, the media members actually have a song called "13013", which represents that date - I mean it doesn't translate literally (that'd be 011313) but there are a lot of thirteens...close enough?

I wrote 98 posts in 2013, 82 in 2014, and 56 in 2015. The number keeps dropping :( There is definitely a positive correlation between years and amount of schoolwork, and a negative correlation between amount of schoolwork and number of posts written. I won't bore you with reasons why I haven't been super active. You clicked on this post for one reason, and that's to learn the results of the SERA00 5th General Election! (long overdue. I'm sorry.)

I wrote up the results around three weeks ago, but I never got around to posting it. That is a sign of either extreme forgetfulness or laziness. Well, I made it extra detailed? Onto the results. Commentary after the list.

A rank
1.     Sakiko Mihashi “Sassan” (–)
2.     Luna Remington (–)
3.     Maya Shale (+2)
4.     Annelise Gillian “Angel” (-1)
5.     Harley Breeze (-1)
6.     Evangeline Vera “Evie” (+3)
7.     Kotoka Aida (+1)
8.     Alura Land “Luraland” (-2)
9.     Yumi Tsukino “Yumichan” (+3)
10.   Fallon Mackenzie “Fracken” (-3)
11.   Sara Rivera “River” (-1)
12.   Rosanna Keros “Rosie” (-1)
13.   Alyssandra Houser “Alyss” (+3)
14.   Geneviève Dupont (–)
15.   Wyoming Delaney (-2)
16.   Brynn Dell “Brindle” (-1)

B rank
17.   Romanne Taylor “Rome” (+9)
18.   Kansas Sommerset (–)
19.   Alison Li “Liz” (+2)
20.   Samantha Willis “Sammi” (+10)
21.   Sayoung Yoon (NEW)
22.   Tomiko Hamasaki (+11)
23.   Willow Stockholme (+2)
24.   Reece Walters (-2)
25.   Bryce Immelman “Imery” (-1)
26.   Thalia Zhu “Taz” (-3)
27.   Evalyn Trent (–)
28.   Raine Colbert (+4)
29.   Cherie Delacroix (-1)
30.   Hollis Stern “Holly” (-1)
31.   Katarina Ren “Katalie” (NEW)
32.   Macey Fent (+8)

C rank
33.   Tang Tang Tsang (+9)
34.   Sora Takashi “Soracchi” (+10)
35.   Fawn Cobbleton (+1)
36.   Eclair Holland (+5)
37.   Felicia Russel “Felicity” (-6)
38.   Ginelle Gerald “Ginger” (-3)
39.   Mikayla Iverson (+4)
40.   Piper Weston (-3)
41.   Jessica Caves (+9)
42.   Henley Rey (NEW)
43.   Yura Chung (+3)
44.   Emma Jung (+1)
45.   Kai Lee “Kailee” (+3)
46.   Shannon Hunton (+5)
47.   Kerria Santivejkul (+6)
48.   Poppy Ganeson (-1)
49.   Briar Ross “Briar Rose” (+3)
50.   Isla Hedley (+10)
51.   Xue Ling Kuo (NEW)
52.   Oakley Canterbury (+2)
53.   Cindy Howe (+9)
54.   Ariande Wong “Ariel” (+2)
55.   Braelyn Rowe  (–)
56.   Aspen Wilkenson (–)
57.   Haley Wickham (+2)
58.   Liesl Surrey (–)
59.   Celestia Charrete (+5)
60.   Kaya Courtland (+1)
61.   Yuzuki Ito (NEW)
62.   Izumi Kimura “Ice” (NEW)
63.   Dana Jennings (NEW)
64.   April Heffron (+1)
65.   Leanne Chen “Lychee” (NEW)
66.   Emily Wattana (NEW)
67.   Eliza Moir (+2)
68.   Romy Stokes (NEW)
69.   Jenna Moore (NEW)
70.   Cora Hyland “Coral” (NEW)
71.   Erica Cortez (NEW)
72.   Seren Ellery (NEW)
73.   Judy Kim “Juhyun” (NEW)
74.   Linda Hoang “Liha” (NEW)

And the news no one wants to hear...our graduates.

Graduating (participated):

Sara Rivera "River"

Rosanna Keros "Rosie"

Graduating (did not participate):

Larisa Difiore “Fiore”

Elena Fernendez “Fern”

Blissen Hewitt “Blisse”

Josephine Harte

Lorena Castagna

Amelia Tyson “Amity”

With the graduation of River and Rosie, longtime favourites, SERA00's first generation is reduced to four members - Angel, Sassan, Luna, and Geneviève. River will be turning 24 this year. She's decided to venture from the safety of SERA00 to explore solo career options. Rosie, who is turning 22 this year, has deferred her university education so far and has decided to enroll this year. She'll be pursuing her gymnastics career further as well, and has decided to graduate from SERA00 to focus on those.

Sassan has managed to keep her crown. With the 3rd election being her only upset by Luna, this is Sassan's 4th win overall. Maya has continued to rise, claiming third place this year, her highest ever. I managed to rank 6th this year!! Thank you to those who voted and supported me, I will continue to work hard ^_^ Because I entered the top 8, I ended up taking Fracken's spot in the media members. Sorry Fracken. (She was very nice about it and congratulated me.)

Ahh! Congratulations to my very best friend Rome, who managed to snag the centre of the B rank single at number 17! It's quite a large improvement from last year. Speaking of improvements, Tomiko takes the trophy for largest improvement. She jumped up an astonishing 11 places to number 22! Those following closely behind include Sammi (#20) and Soracchi (#34) who climbed 10 places each. 

As for the rookie awards, Sayoung has accomplished quite a feat, placing #21 at her first election! The only other newcomer to finish in the B rank is Katalie at #31. Rounding off the B ranks at #32 is Macey Fent, and the centre of the C rank goes to Tang Tang Tsang, ace of the 7th generation. Echo, who is said to be conditioned by Management to be the next Angel, is rising steadily at #36 this year. Not sure if she's rising as fast as Management had hoped, but I guess we'll see.

I don't know if it's surprising or not, but all of last year's A ranks actually managed to maintain their A rank position. No one has been able to break the A rank wall this year. However, with the graduation of River and Rosie, who are both A ranks, there'll definitely be space for girls to advance into the top spots next year. It'll be interesting to see what happens.

Well, that's it for now. It would take forever to comment on everything, but let me know if there's anything I didn't cover that you'd like to hear about! I will update the member information in the "Lists of Members" section soon.

Please support SERA00!

P.S. I applaud you if you're still reading. I'll let you in on what we've been doing the past couple of weeks...preparing for the 2016 SERA00 Winter Concert and the release of the 34th single featuring the A ranks of this election as the main cast!

Sometimes you just gotta...

Hey everyone,

The irony of this post is that by taking the time to write it, I'm losing my focus on the real task at hand - tomorrow's chemistry test TT_TT

Please support SERA00!

Busy...

Hey everyone!

I realize two things. One, the election has passed. Two, I haven't written about it.

Here's one photo to sum up my excuse.

This is the beginning of my work day - that is, my "Sunday" work day.

Well. Please don't be like me and get some sleep ^_^

Please support SERA00!