A new year means new experiences and things to look forward to, and I have quite a list of things to look forward to this year. Let’s see what’s in store for me in 2023.
Music
More BTS Solos
2022 marked the start of BTS doing more individual projects, and I am looking forward to seeing what is to come from the other four members that didn’t release anything the previous year.
Taemin Comeback
Taemin will be returning from his military service this year, which means a lot of new music will be coming our way from the soloist and the groups he is a part of.
SuperM Comeback
Speaking of groups Taemin is a part of, SuperM will finally be making a comeback now that Taemin and Baekhyun are both returning from the military. They are by far my favorite of the SM super groups. And I am interested to see what will happen when it comes to Lucas, who has been on indefinite hiatus/quietly working outside of Korea.
Rookie Group Comebacks
There is arguably an oversaturation of new K-Pop groups from the last couple of years. But I am looking forward to seeing what these groups bring in 2023. I hope for more diversity in sound and concepts, and having groups find their signature style.
Movies
25th Anniversary of Mulan
2023 marks 25 years with my favorite film, Mulan. I’m excited to see what Disney will do to celebrate it. I’m expecting to see merchandise, particularly pins, because that is what they have done in the past. So my pin collection is ready to accept their new member in celebration.
Haunted Mansion
The re-do attempt at making the classic, spooky Disney attraction into a movie is releasing this year allegedly. I’m a little wary honestly, but hopefully something good will come from it.
Wish
Disney’s newest animated feature is coming towards the end of the year. The next musical movie about Asha, the heroine, wishing on a star and a troublesome star coming to Earth to join her on her adventure.
Elemental
Pixar’s next big project is Elemental. Set in a city where fire, water, land, and air residents live together, a fiery young woman and a go-with-the-flow guy discover something elemental: how much they actually have in common.
Games
Hogwarts Legacy
Problematic creator aside, I am really looking forward to Hogwarts Legacy. Those of us that grew up with it have always wanted to get our letter and go to the famous magic school, and now we will have a way to do so.
Self Careless
This is a game that I backed on Kickstarter that is expected to deliver in 2023. Self Careless is a cozy card game of life balance in a time where that’s a bit more challenging to achieve. A solo game with a two-player expansion, you have to balance your self care with necessary chores, using fancy coffees to power you up and get it all done.
Familiars and Foes
This is another game that I backed on Kickstarter that is expected to deliver in 2023. This cooperative tabletop game for 1-5 players will have you play as a familiar who must use magic and artifacts to save your coven, and each familiar has unique spells and abilities to help the team.
Koriko: A Magical Year
This is another another game that I backed on Kickstarter that is expected to deliver in 2023. Koriko: A Magical Year is a tarot-driven story game of novice witches, urban exploration, and teenage drama for one player. It is reminiscent of the Ghibli film Kiki’s Delivery Service, where you are now on Kiki’s broom as she travels to an unknown town for a year of magical discoveries. It is designed for contemplative solo play, and if you couldn’t tell I was on a bit of a solo-gaming streak when backing these projects.
Way Too Many Cats!
Another Kickstarter project, Way Too Many Cats! is spatial puzzle drafting game about making cats happy and not getting overrun by kittens! I am a lover of felines and have enjoyed other games from Weird Giraffe Games, so I look forward to receiving this in 2023.
Steam Up: A Feast of Dim Sum
It feels like I backed this project an eternity ago, so I’m very excited to finally get it. Steam Up is a competitive Dim Sum collection board game offering a delicious cultural experience for 2-5 players. The creators have put a lot of work and love into it, so I’m looking forward to getting it on my table.
Dead by Daylight: The Board Game
I’m a fan of the asymmetrical horror game Dead by Daylight. I’m literally watching a stream of the game as I write this. So when I saw a Kickstarter to create a board game version, I was instantly a backer. While it was supposed to be sent last October, delays have pushed it to March of this year.
I’m Going To Start Streaming
Now that I have more or less settled into my new home and have an office set up with decent internet and computer, I can finally get into streaming on Twitch. I did a little bit of streaming back in 2016 but couldn’t keep it up do to tech difficulties. But now I can start up again, which I hoped to do later this week!
Experiences
Lion King at the Hollywood Pantages
2022 was a big year for seeing live theater, and 2023 won’t be much different. There will be less in Hollywood however, with the only show scheduled to be seen there is The Lion King. Of all of the Disney Broadway shows, this one was a must see for me due to the amazing puppetry and how the African culture is embraced.
Visiting London
This is the most exciting adventure of the year by far. For Christmas, I gifted my brother a trip to London. We’ll be seeing a lot of West End theater (4 shows total), checking out The Making of Harry Potter, having afternoon tea, and seeing as many sites as we can. I’ll be sure to share the experience on the blog.
Stray Kids Concert
I’ve never been to a traditional concert before, but that will change in March when Stray Kids return to LA for their Maniac tour. Stray Kids is one of my ult groups in K-Pop, so I am very excited to see them live.
Another Disney Trip
Going back to Disney, I’ll be taking my brother for his birthday in April. It will be the first time in what feels like forever that the two of us will be going at a time other than Halloween or Christmas. We’ll finally get to see the original, non-holiday Haunted Mansion. Also by this point, the new attraction Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway will have been opened.
Los Angeles Ballet
I danced ballet through my whole childhood and teen years, and I’ve seen a few professional productions since that time but it has been a while. So when looking for theater shows to see, I came across the Los Angeles Ballet doing a performance of The Lady of the Camellias, which I am actually not familiar with so it will be a wholly new show for me.
Birthday Disney Cruise
I got a little Disney crazy I know, but now I’ll be mixing it up by taking a cruise instead! I decided as my birthday gift to myself, I wanted to go on a Disney cruise finally. My best friend and I will be going to the Bahamas in June, including Disney’s private island, on their newest ship. I’ll be sure to recap everything for you afterwards.
What are you looking forward to this year? Let me know in the comments!
I Think Disney’s Wish will be a Big Hit Of 2023
Nice
*packs my magnifying glass, opera glasses, mouse ears, and more*