tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65803181505211722302024-03-13T06:19:27.016-05:00Kiss Kiss Kpop ReviewsKiss Kiss Kpop Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306258347914732719noreply@blogger.comBlogger118125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580318150521172230.post-40707161843302979972019-02-11T14:05:00.001-06:002019-02-11T14:05:32.824-06:00BTS at the Grammys!Congratulations to BTS, who became the first-ever Korean presenters at the Grammy Music Awards for 2019! This is a proud day for Kpop as we are witnessing history being made.<br />
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<br />Kiss Kiss Kpop Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306258347914732719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580318150521172230.post-25514240866375068232014-08-14T09:34:00.001-05:002014-08-14T09:34:30.665-05:00Mall Adventures: Psy yet again!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bURULdHtflI/U-zHIEoFNLI/AAAAAAAAEvY/gNIQGymHDbk/s1600/IMG614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" title="Cool t-shirt, bro!" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bURULdHtflI/U-zHIEoFNLI/AAAAAAAAEvY/gNIQGymHDbk/s320/IMG614.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Well, guess who showed up unexpectedly at an HMV in the mall! This t-shirt obviously refers to Psy’s addicting music video “<a href="http://youtu.be/ASO_zypdnsQ">Mother Father Gentleman</a>,” which I like much more than his newest collaboration with Snoop Dogg, the repetitive, monotone “<a href="http://youtu.be/HkMNOlYcpHg">Hangover</a>.”<br />
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I’m very glad to see that Psy is still getting lots of attention here in North America, and not just for his lovely “<a href="http://youtu.be/9bZkp7q19f0">Gangnam Style</a>” (which I <a href="http://kisskisskpopreviews.blogspot.ca/2012/09/review-psygangnam-style.html">reviewed here</a>). Carry on, Psy!<br />
Kiss Kiss Kpop Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306258347914732719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580318150521172230.post-88364993759365454292013-09-22T20:26:00.000-05:002013-09-22T20:26:18.938-05:00Mini-Review: JYJ—“Only One”<center>
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Complete fangirling in this post, sorry! JYJ have released the music video “Only One” as ambassadors to promote the 2014 Incheon Games, an international sports festival (details <a href="http://blog.incheon2014ag.com/jyj-onlyone-mv/">here</a>, if you’re interested).<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tj99qDP7vBM/Uj-XD9UBQPI/AAAAAAAAEsM/HMG9KwGFrSI/s1600/JYJ+Only+One+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="JYJ Incheon Games ambassadors" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tj99qDP7vBM/Uj-XD9UBQPI/AAAAAAAAEsM/HMG9KwGFrSI/s320/JYJ+Only+One+2.jpg" title="Promo for the Incheon 2014 Games" /></a></div>
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Junsu, Jaejoong, and Yoochun</center>
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That aside, though, this video legit made me tear up. The song is kind of cheesy and the video is <i>very</i> cheesy, but I’m just really that happy to see JYJ all singing together after what feels like a very long while. It’s also lovely to see everybody’s genuine pleasure in being together (particularly Yoochun and Jaejoong, aww, but that moment when Yoochun and Junsu kind of have a moment behind Jaejoong’s back when they’re leaning forward, oh, it’s adorable).<br />
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Junsu, Jaejoong, and Yoochun</center>
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I’ve missed these guys so much! *wipes tear*Kiss Kiss Kpop Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306258347914732719noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580318150521172230.post-39335392510259919192013-07-28T20:37:00.001-05:002013-07-28T20:39:16.016-05:00Mall Adventures: Psy again!Further to <a href=http://kisskisskpopreviews.blogspot.ca/2013/07/grocery-store-adventures-psy.html>this post</a> from last time, I have again encountered Kpop merchandise while just out-and-about, minding my own business in a nondescript As-Seen-On-TV store in a Canadian mall.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4EGx7FzYruM/UfXE-J_BjCI/AAAAAAAAErI/UAIjvsP2HmA/s1600/IMG123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4EGx7FzYruM/UfXE-J_BjCI/AAAAAAAAErI/UAIjvsP2HmA/s320/IMG123.jpg" alt="Psy dancing doll figurine" title="Psy!!"/></a></div><br />
<center>Ah, Psy. We meet again.</center><br />
Yes, Psy is back as a gyrating doll thing, dancing to the chorus of “<a href="http://youtu.be/9bZkp7q19f0">Gangnam Style</a>.” He even comes in three suits: black, blue, and green. Here is another angle:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bGOXuH-yga8/UfXFVqfOPqI/AAAAAAAAErU/XDDR1rDtolc/s1600/IMG125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bGOXuH-yga8/UfXFVqfOPqI/AAAAAAAAErU/XDDR1rDtolc/s320/IMG125.jpg" alt="Psy dancing doll figurine Kpop" title="Lookin' good, Psy!"/></a></div><br />
And a shot of him, um, “dancing,” which basically consists of the little guy moving his hips around in a style more suited to Psy’s dance in “<a href="http://youtu.be/ASO_zypdnsQ">Gentleman</a>” than in “Gangnam Style,” i.e. just using the Brown Eyed Girls’ amazing hip dance from their “<a href="http://youtu.be/o4wJGWcHzVA">Abracadabra</a>.”<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RShQ_p1NfBw/UfXFVj65rMI/AAAAAAAAErQ/BBAP_f49JSQ/s1600/IMG124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RShQ_p1NfBw/UfXFVj65rMI/AAAAAAAAErQ/BBAP_f49JSQ/s320/IMG124.jpg" alt="Psy dancing doll figurine" title="Psy in motion"/></a></div><br />
The doll figurine dances in a very similar manner to this one I found on Youtube, if you’re interested:<br />
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<center>Er...not quite as fluid as the original Psy’s horse dance, I’m afraid!</center><br />
Kpop is finding me no matter where in the world I am! And I’m loving it! :)Kiss Kiss Kpop Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306258347914732719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580318150521172230.post-31714705661731754422013-07-01T09:05:00.002-05:002013-07-28T20:41:00.088-05:00Grocery Store Adventures: Psy?!<center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/rE6iiiDdTNY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />
<center>Psy’s 2013 Super Bowl ad for...pistachios.</center><br />
Presenting the above ad pretty much without comment because it’s very silly and also perhaps a little belittling. However, I wanted to give some context to my trip to a local grocery store in Canada back in February when I was confronted with this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ODXqKCHl_5s/UdGLJo3L_eI/AAAAAAAAEp0/Qpg6k1FiwwY/s1600/IMG047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ODXqKCHl_5s/UdGLJo3L_eI/AAAAAAAAEp0/Qpg6k1FiwwY/s320/IMG047.jpg" alt="Psy pistachios grocery store display" title="Psy?!"/></a></div><br />
<center><i>Psy?!</i></center><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bz3gaG-xKgc/UdGLtIPm2EI/AAAAAAAAEp8/aSBusHyqL3o/s1600/IMG048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bz3gaG-xKgc/UdGLtIPm2EI/AAAAAAAAEp8/aSBusHyqL3o/s320/IMG048.jpg" alt="Psy pistachios grocery store display" title="Well, this was unexpected!"/></a></div><br />
<center>Yup, definitely Psy.</center><br />
So, yeah, I’ll admit I was a little excited to see a full-size cardboard cutout of Psy in a grocery store. (And quite pleased to have a phone that takes decent pictures now!)<br />
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It seems Kpop really is slowly but surely making a dent in North America. (I also saw an awesome Kpop store <a href="http://kisskisskpopreviews.blogspot.ca/2012/05/vacation-adventures-kpop-america.html">in Chicago</a>.)Kiss Kiss Kpop Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306258347914732719noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580318150521172230.post-62301240895185665112013-03-04T10:00:00.000-06:002013-03-04T10:00:11.708-06:00Review: Teen Top–“Miss Right”<center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/TaGCTbqJKO0?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />
Teen Top get stuck in detention at school.<br />
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<b>Did you like the song?</b><br />
Musically, this one reminds me sooo much of “Be Ma Girl,” which I <i>adored</i> (it was my <a href=http://kisskisskpopreviews.blogspot.ca/2012/12/my-top-15-best-kpop-2012-songs-part-2.html>#8 top song</a> in 2012). The “lalalalalala” part is an earworm, and the piano riffs just make me want to tango. Also, this song sounds soooo good on piano! (Check out a great piano version <a href="http://youtu.be/5CFSn6DIpOA">here</a>.) Simple and repetitive but fun and eminently danceable.<br />
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<center><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nZL-20kWBk0/UTPFb5PfViI/AAAAAAAAEmQ/I5Lv4Q-uuTE/s1600/No.1+group.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nZL-20kWBk0/UTPFb5PfViI/AAAAAAAAEmQ/I5Lv4Q-uuTE/s320/No.1+group.jpg" alt="TEEN TOP No.1 review member names" title="Teen Top members"/></a></center><center>Ricky, C.A.P, Chunji, Niel, L.Joe, and Changjo.</center><br />
<b>What was your favorite part of the song?</b><br />
I love Ricky and Chunji’s <a href="http://youtu.be/TaGCTbqJKO0#t=01m25s">sliding part</a> right before the “lalalalalala”: “na eotteokhae, ije eotteokhaeya haeyo” (“What do I do? What do I do now?”). And thank God the parts and screentime are more evenly distributed now (not just between Niel and Chunji like in previous music videos).<br />
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<center><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LY8wUWdkDg0/UTPFmjPbwzI/AAAAAAAAEmY/YZZ3BIesVEo/s1600/Jail+alter+egos.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LY8wUWdkDg0/UTPFmjPbwzI/AAAAAAAAEmY/YZZ3BIesVEo/s320/Jail+alter+egos.jpg" alt="TEEN TOP Miss Right prison jail alter egos names" title="Teen Top with their “alter egos,” lol!"/></a></center><center>(Top:) C.A.P, Niel, L.Joe, (bottom:) Chunji, Changjo, and Ricky.</center><br />
<b>Does the English make you want to rip your eardrums out?</b><br />
There’s not much. Basically L.Joe (who actually <a href="http://youtu.be/849_n00J3dM">attended school</a> in America!) says, “Yeah, Teen Top is back, let’s go!” at the beginning and Niel says, “Oh, baby, you got me crazy.” Both just fine, though perhaps “I’m going crazy” would have been better for the latter. Not a big deal, though. :)<br />
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<center><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0jlcVA20k7w/UTPFwVlYw_I/AAAAAAAAEmg/m-svE8WpX5E/s1600/No.+1+group+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0jlcVA20k7w/UTPFwVlYw_I/AAAAAAAAEmg/m-svE8WpX5E/s320/No.+1+group+2.jpg" alt="TEEN TOP No.1 review member names" title="Teen Top members"/></a></center><center>(Top:) Ricky, Changjo, L.Joe, (bottom:) Chunji, Niel, and C.A.P.</center><br />
<b>Did you like the video?</b><br />
A common saying is that school is like prison—you have to wear uniforms, you must eat together at an arranged time using plastic utensils, you are forced to do activities that are not of your own choosing, often (in America, at least) there are armed guards, outside visitors must sign in and out, inmates/students can be searched for weapons or narcotics at any time for any reason, violent bullying is rampant, you are often segregated by sex, you are forced to participate in outdoor activities (yard time/recess), you can be detained and placed into isolation/detention, etc. Even if you don’t completely agree that school is like prison, at the very least, it has to be acknowledged that there are at least a few striking (and alarming) similarities.<br />
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Teen Top does a good job at highlighting the initial similarities between the education and incarceration systems, but ultimately their goal seems to simply draw those similarities without delving deeper into more controversial territory. It’s not so much the school system in general they’re protesting but the stifling feeling of being stuck in <i>detention</i>, which is like a prison within the prison of school.<br />
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While I love the use of color and the fun, cute tone of the music video, I do believe that the school/prison metaphor deserves a darker and more nuanced exploration that may lead to better funding, legislation, and eventually (hopefully) to a better school system for children that is less likely to draw comparisons to a system that is meant for criminal punishment.<br />
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<center><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j0MvkEIT9vc/UTPGW15-nsI/AAAAAAAAEmo/yDW4YRvY8dk/s1600/prison+colorful.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j0MvkEIT9vc/UTPGW15-nsI/AAAAAAAAEmo/yDW4YRvY8dk/s320/prison+colorful.PNG" alt="TEEN TOP Miss Right colorful prison outfits" title="Teen Top members"/></a></center><center>Niel, Changjo, L.Joe, Ricky, Chunji, and C.A.P.</center><br />
Now, obviously, that’s not necessarily the responsibility of a Kpop music video, but I do have to say that my favorite parts of the video were the darker, gritty opening scenes when it seemed like the boys were actually in a real prison cell, fraught with all the dangers that implies.<br />
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<center><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U8IBjXW1Ox0/UTPGiyRrwEI/AAAAAAAAEmw/o4qCRdnPbvY/s1600/Prison+panorama.png" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U8IBjXW1Ox0/UTPGiyRrwEI/AAAAAAAAEmw/o4qCRdnPbvY/s320/Prison+panorama.png" alt="TEEN TOP Miss Right prison jail gritty panorama" title="Teen Top panorama I made from the still frames in the music video"/></a></center><center>In age order: (top:) C.A.P, Chunji, (middle:) L.Joe, Niel, (bottom:) Ricky, and Changjo.</center><br />
<b>Was there a storyline? If so, did it make sense?</b><br />
The guys are in detention at school when a very pretty girl with “long, straight hair” (from the lyrics) saunters in and is immediately the focus of their attention.<br />
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<center><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RX-b466fuDw/UTPGupky0NI/AAAAAAAAEm4/K8FshvbiQzg/s1600/Changjo+with+girl.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RX-b466fuDw/UTPGupky0NI/AAAAAAAAEm4/K8FshvbiQzg/s320/Changjo+with+girl.PNG" alt="TEEN TOP Miss Right Changjo" title="She is the only girl in the detention hall, so she was bound to get some attention."/></a></center><center>Changjo’s instantly infatuated.</center><br />
Running with the metaphor that detention = prison, the members of the detention hall have to don uniforms and do lots of manual labor as punishment for their wrongdoing. Each of the guys is given a different punishment.<br />
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<center><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-32FBnsvKfYw/UTPG8XIQyZI/AAAAAAAAEnA/aUN0CO2zwIY/s1600/Niel+with+uniform.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-32FBnsvKfYw/UTPG8XIQyZI/AAAAAAAAEnA/aUN0CO2zwIY/s320/Niel+with+uniform.PNG" alt="TEEN TOP Miss Right prison uniforms Niel" title="Poor Niel."/></a></center><center>Niel is <i>not</i> happy about the uniforms.</center><br />
C.A.P sweeps the jail cell while he and the girl try to do anything to escape...<br />
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<center><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ka6p1nPntH0/UTPHVEN3AAI/AAAAAAAAEnI/i8v4t5GmWNw/s1600/trying+to+get+keys.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ka6p1nPntH0/UTPHVEN3AAI/AAAAAAAAEnI/i8v4t5GmWNw/s320/trying+to+get+keys.PNG" alt="TEEN TOP Miss Right C.A.P with girl" title="C.A.P"/></a></center><center>Maybe a metaphor for trying to sneak off-campus when they’re supposed to be cleaning the classroom?</center><br />
She and Ricky saw up wood, like in shop class.<br />
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<center><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zIODrqkq0uA/UTPHg3zTwGI/AAAAAAAAEnQ/JkU6KhE74b0/s1600/Ricky+shop+class.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zIODrqkq0uA/UTPHg3zTwGI/AAAAAAAAEnQ/JkU6KhE74b0/s320/Ricky+shop+class.PNG" alt="TEEN TOP Miss Right Ricky with girl" title="Ricky"/></a></center><center>That’s a woodworking class for you non-Americans. :)</center><br />
She and Changjo half-heartedly fix a broken car...<br />
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<center><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oD4RxF3C2cY/UTPHxOOQSBI/AAAAAAAAEnY/mFuLlxuAIRU/s1600/Changjo+broken+car.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oD4RxF3C2cY/UTPHxOOQSBI/AAAAAAAAEnY/mFuLlxuAIRU/s320/Changjo+broken+car.PNG" alt="TEEN TOP Miss Right Changjo with girl" title="Though having such a class might actually be a good idea, come to think of it!"/></a></center><center>Maybe a metaphor for...a mechanics class? I don’t know many high school car repair classes.</center><br />
She and Niel dance (aww)...<br />
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<center><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gLQgKYMzx94/UTPH8hvCORI/AAAAAAAAEng/d4-HQZ62HXA/s1600/Niel+dancing+with+girl.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gLQgKYMzx94/UTPH8hvCORI/AAAAAAAAEng/d4-HQZ62HXA/s320/Niel+dancing+with+girl.PNG" alt="TEEN TOP Miss Right Niel dancing with girl" title="P.E. stands for “physical education,” i.e. a class where you play sports and things of that nature."/></a></center><center>That’s gotta represent P.E. Or music. Or perhaps drama?</center><br />
Chunji pretends to be asleep on the job and gets a bit of a show in the locker room after all that hard work...<br />
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<center><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B12YhrPHGCI/UTPIK2RgXpI/AAAAAAAAEno/NiPez3Mk7k4/s1600/Chunji+locker+room.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B12YhrPHGCI/UTPIK2RgXpI/AAAAAAAAEno/NiPez3Mk7k4/s320/Chunji+locker+room.PNG" alt="TEEN TOP Miss Right Chunji with girl" title="Verrry shifty. Chunji always gets the shifty roles."/></a></center><center>That is some shifty behavior there, Chunji!!</center><br />
And finally, she and L.Joe paint, which is obviously representing art class.<br />
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<center><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m_ug3oRw0l8/UTPIb4WvvnI/AAAAAAAAEnw/uEctaO_kCGs/s1600/L.Joe+painting+with+girl.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m_ug3oRw0l8/UTPIb4WvvnI/AAAAAAAAEnw/uEctaO_kCGs/s320/L.Joe+painting+with+girl.PNG" alt="TEEN TOP Miss Right L.Joe with girl" title="L.Joe"/></a></center><center>Well done for protecting yourselves from paint fumes!</center><br />
Those lung protectors, of course, allow for this romantic moment:<br />
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<center><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ih6HCCBr1bY/UTPIlZUEnfI/AAAAAAAAEn4/2OUHcSkNzYU/s1600/L.Joe+kiss.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ih6HCCBr1bY/UTPIlZUEnfI/AAAAAAAAEn4/2OUHcSkNzYU/s320/L.Joe+kiss.PNG" alt="TEEN TOP Miss Right L.Joe with girl kiss" title="Smooch!"/></a></center><center>Aww!</center><br />
And they top it all off with a massive <strike>orgy</strike> slumber party.<br />
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<center><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d_vAu7E70Rc/UTPIwcnZR5I/AAAAAAAAEoA/kc0eBCV8sqw/s1600/slumber+party.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d_vAu7E70Rc/UTPIwcnZR5I/AAAAAAAAEoA/kc0eBCV8sqw/s320/slumber+party.PNG" alt="TEEN TOP Miss Right slumber party" title="I agree, an orgy would have been better."/></a></center><center>Pillow fight!</center><br />
Moral of the story: <i>everyone</i> should misbehave at school and try to get detention! It may be reminiscent of prison, but you could meet the love of your life!<br />
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<center><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bxZ9ooPtXyw/UTPJDBtHR-I/AAAAAAAAEoI/urY3sZRhH1o/s1600/girl's+hair.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bxZ9ooPtXyw/UTPJDBtHR-I/AAAAAAAAEoI/urY3sZRhH1o/s320/girl's+hair.PNG" alt="TEEN TOP Miss Right actress" title="But you will probably have to do a lot of manual labor first..."/></a></center><center>So pretty!</center><br />
<b>Was the dance cool and distinctive?</b><br />
This is one of the most energetic and fast-paced <a href="http://youtu.be/-p8pVAyQux4">dances</a> I’ve seen. There are lots of separate memorable parts and hardly any downtime during the dance for the boys to relax and catch their breath. They must be totally exhausted by the end! <br />
<br />
There’s the part where they shake their right hands (and sometimes have little mini-pom poms or something?), the part where they are wearing invisible hats (the Michael Jackson move), the crotch shot, the windmilling arms, the floor part—all really cool, even if they’re a bit thematically all over the place instead of sticking with just one overarching move (like the hiding-behind-their-jackets move in “No More Perfume On You,” which I felt was one of the <a href="http://kisskisskpopreviews.blogspot.ca/2012/01/my-top-10-best-kpop-2011-dances.html#TEENTOP">best dances of 2011</a>).<br />
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My favorite part in this dance is when they all crowd toward the camera with their hands on L.Joe’s shoulder. So cute. You can really sense their rapport with each other, which is great to see. (I also loved all the scenes in the locker room for the same reason.)<br />
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<center><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gqg8dH5HJQk/UTPJexlpx7I/AAAAAAAAEoQ/kzLXrLLeVEA/s1600/Favorite+dance+part.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gqg8dH5HJQk/UTPJexlpx7I/AAAAAAAAEoQ/kzLXrLLeVEA/s320/Favorite+dance+part.PNG" alt="TEEN TOP Miss Right dance version" title="This part."/></a></center><center>C.A.P, Chunji, L.Joe, Changjo, and Ricky, with Niel in the back.</center><br />
<b>Do the members look good?</b><br />
I think C.A.P’s transformation is getting the most attention—having longer hair somehow seems to have made him more cute and relaxed.<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xjGVhtv0QnA/UTPJzMdpT_I/AAAAAAAAEoY/ylgac4lTr9I/s1600/C.A.P+cute+smile.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xjGVhtv0QnA/UTPJzMdpT_I/AAAAAAAAEoY/ylgac4lTr9I/s320/C.A.P+cute+smile.PNG" alt="TEEN TOP Miss Right Cap smile cute" title="Leader C.A.P"/></a></center><center>Look at that adorable smile!</center><br />
For me, though, I’m used to Teen Top videos being all about Chunji and Niel (my bias anyway), so it was a really pleasant surprise to see the other members getting more lines and much more screentime. I was particularly interested in L.Joe and Changjo, who are really cute.<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FFcTp4uhGuk/UTPJ-DuRwqI/AAAAAAAAEog/kxo7KLbbkgQ/s1600/Panorama+I+Made.png" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FFcTp4uhGuk/UTPJ-DuRwqI/AAAAAAAAEog/kxo7KLbbkgQ/s320/Panorama+I+Made.png" alt="TEEN TOP Miss Right members names edits" title="A panorama I made!"/></a></center><center>In age order: (top:) C.A.P, Chunji, (middle:) L.Joe, Niel, (bottom:) Ricky, and Changjo.</center><br />
<b>Which member stood out the most?</b><br />
Gotta give this to L.Joe. He always looked like he was having a blast, and that kind of happiness is infectious.<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WCkhKrYUwCw/UTPKJy_IAhI/AAAAAAAAEoo/3i40GX_RPGI/s1600/L.Joe+hot.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WCkhKrYUwCw/UTPKJy_IAhI/AAAAAAAAEoo/3i40GX_RPGI/s320/L.Joe+hot.PNG" alt="TEEN TOP Miss Right L.Joe" title="L.Joe."/></a></center><center>Plus, he is <i>super hot</i> here.</center><br />
<b>Do you like it enough to buy the song?</b><br />
Yup! I’ve already done so, in fact. :)<br />
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<b>Any ending thoughts?</b><br />
Isn’t it sweet how this dance set has all the members’ names projected onto the white boxes in the background? I really like that detail.<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bh9xMFn7zrw/UTPKUgC7f7I/AAAAAAAAEow/TrDD9aSzTvY/s1600/set+names.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bh9xMFn7zrw/UTPKUgC7f7I/AAAAAAAAEow/TrDD9aSzTvY/s320/set+names.PNG" alt="TEEN TOP Miss Right set names" title="Even if Chunji’s name is cut off."/></a></center><center>C.A.P’s is the most distinctive to me—also the shortest, which is probably why!</center><br />
<b>Fiancé’s one-liner:</b><br />
“Whoa, co-ed jails! Hope they like each other!”<br />
<br />
Thanks for reading! Please share your comments below, and feel free to <a href="http://kisskisskpopreviews.blogspot.ca/p/requests.html">request a review</a> if you would like. :)Kiss Kiss Kpop Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306258347914732719noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580318150521172230.post-49812406741876513012013-02-25T16:03:00.000-06:002013-02-25T16:03:44.522-06:00Review: SHINee–“Dream Girl”<center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/vhxjEXDAy6s?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />
Normal people sleepwalk. SHINee goes sleep-trampolining.<br />
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<b>Did you like the song?</b><br />
As Minho seems so fond of reminding fans (even though it should be self-evident), “SHINee’s back” with “Dream Girl,” a song that is musically reminiscent of SHINee’s <a href="http://youtu.be/-TgqhibSYkw">“Juliette.”</a><br />
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The part that mainly reminded me so much of “Juliette” was the use of that delicious layering effect that SHINee demonstrates so well. At the end of “Juliette” (starting with when Jonghyun says, <a href="http://youtu.be/-TgqhibSYkw?t=2m47s">“Once again”</a>), we get Jonghyun ad-libbing in the rafters, Minho rapping low, the “Juliette” chorus, the “da-da-da” section, and I think the other members get a few lines in there, too—all at or close to the same time. This effect creates the illusion that there are a lot more guys in SHINee than there actually are, and the harmony in their voices is totally gorgeous.<br />
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And that’s the part I love in “Dream Girl,” too, starting at <a href="http://youtu.be/vhxjEXDAy6s?t=2m27s">the end</a> of Minho’s rap, when I think everybody’s ad-libbing over the chorus. This kind of layering could have sounded too busy, but SHINee’s songwriters have a firm grip on just how many voices are enough without being overwhelming. I guess I just wanted more buildup to that cool ending, though.<br />
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All in all, I liked it, and it reminded me pleasantly of “Juliette,” but “Juliette” is better.<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ivw5xcqDbIo/USvV9cBZw4I/AAAAAAAAEjI/5KyUGlCrlyg/s1600/Members+promotional.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ivw5xcqDbIo/USvV9cBZw4I/AAAAAAAAEjI/5KyUGlCrlyg/s320/Members+promotional.jpg" alt="SHINee Dream Girl teaser photo" title="SHINee members"/></a></center><center>Onew, Taemin, Jonghyun, Minho, and Key.</center><br />
<b>What was your favorite part of the song?</b><br />
I always like SHINee’s choruses and whenever Jonghyun gets a chance to show off his voice. So I enjoyed <a href="http://youtu.be/vhxjEXDAy6s?t=1m56s">this buildup</a> to the high note—which Taemin actually went for (ah, my bias). He’s really matured and improved a lot, so I liked that he got to show what he’s been working on.<br />
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<b>Does the English make you want to rip your eardrums out?</b><br />
There isn’t much English, but what’s there is good! “Dream girl” and “baby,” mainly. Minho’s rap had some English, and the pronunciation could be better, but it’s not bad.<br />
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<center><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eo2hJXedQ3c/USveGK2u8pI/AAAAAAAAEl0/hR-RVFPNwYk/s1600/Minho+suit.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eo2hJXedQ3c/USveGK2u8pI/AAAAAAAAEl0/hR-RVFPNwYk/s320/Minho+suit.PNG" alt="SHINee Dream Girl Minho rap" title="Minho gets to sing a few lines in this song, too, in addition to his rap!"/></a></center><center>Minho!</center><br />
<b>Did you like the video?</b><br />
This video is very curious. While there are some typical moments of SM dancing-in-a-box-stage (i.e. the black lacquer box with blue neon lights), the video has other promising creative moments to illustrate the concept of a dream girl without having a straightforward storyline. It reminds me of U-KISS’ “Doradora” in style (though maybe that’s because I <a href="http://kisskisskpopreviews.blogspot.ca/2013/02/review-u-kissdoradora.html">just reviewed</a> that); that dizzying motion that U-KISS used to create surrealistic optical illusions definitely works well for SHINee’s dreamscape.<br />
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I like the recurring motif of empty picture frames that lead to fantasy worlds and can allow for interesting effects like this one:<br />
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<center><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uGWX08B-KBg/USvWbn0WIuI/AAAAAAAAEjQ/xMvIo4roER8/s1600/Onew+portal+effect.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uGWX08B-KBg/USvWbn0WIuI/AAAAAAAAEjQ/xMvIo4roER8/s320/Onew+portal+effect.PNG" alt="SHINee Dream Girl Onew portal" title="Portal is a fun video game that plays on the concept that Onew is demonstrating here. I got to...level 2 or so (?) before I had to give up because it was too hard."/></a></center><center>Onew demonstrates his <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal_(video_game)">Portal</a> skills.</center><br />
Or even more risqué ones like this:<br />
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<center><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9D9EXRy6c14/USvZBPJd-UI/AAAAAAAAEkQ/oahTH3praAE/s1600/Marilyn+Monroe+effect.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9D9EXRy6c14/USvZBPJd-UI/AAAAAAAAEkQ/oahTH3praAE/s320/Marilyn+Monroe+effect.PNG" alt="SHINee Dream Girl fantasy girl" title="Seriously, though, was this entirely necessary? I guess it did push the video into less innocent territory, but subtly enough that it looked almost accidental, which is just awkward. Either be overtly sexual or don't be, please."/></a></center><center>We call this the “Marilyn Monroe effect.”</center><br />
<center><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mwoCYfjA0Ls/USvZk_y5QkI/AAAAAAAAEkY/OGlDXem7DIo/s1600/Marilyn+Monroe.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mwoCYfjA0Ls/USvZk_y5QkI/AAAAAAAAEkY/OGlDXem7DIo/s320/Marilyn+Monroe.jpg" alt="SHINee Dream Girl Marilyn Monroe" title="Ah, Marilyn. This shot is from a 1955 movie The Seven Year Itch, hence my “58 years later.”"/></a></center><center>Still all the rage 58 years later.</center><br />
The boys also really look like they’re having fun on the trampoline (I remember they seemed to enjoy <a href="http://youtu.be/Rp-i6zYD1_8">jumping on the trampoline</a> for that cool special effects shot in the Korean version of <a href="http://youtu.be/Dww9UjJ4Dt8">“Lucifer”</a>).<br />
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<center><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0UX34GPheIg/USvWyCAOvwI/AAAAAAAAEjY/n76caKQhzVs/s1600/Jonghyun+on+trampoline.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0UX34GPheIg/USvWyCAOvwI/AAAAAAAAEjY/n76caKQhzVs/s320/Jonghyun+on+trampoline.PNG" alt="SHINee Dream Girl Jonghyun trampoline" title="It really does look like fun."/></a></center><center>Jonghyun on the trampoline.</center><br />
The only thing I didn’t understand was the repeating use of pixelization. When I first watched this video, I was worried that there was something wrong with my monitor because there were random digital remnants all over the place. I shortly figured out that it was deliberate, I just...still have no idea <i>why</i>.<br />
<br />
I mean, seriously—what the heck is this?<br />
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<center><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QdK2SkYWSKw/USvXTXuTsbI/AAAAAAAAEjw/Hu68Lz2FzfQ/s1600/Jonghyun+pixelization.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QdK2SkYWSKw/USvXTXuTsbI/AAAAAAAAEjw/Hu68Lz2FzfQ/s320/Jonghyun+pixelization.PNG" alt="SHINee Dream Girl Jonghyun pixelation pixelization" title="Yes, pixelization is a word. It's like pixelation, except the “-iz” adds a measure of deliberateness."/></a></center><center>That’s Jonghyun, though I’d be pretty surprised if you could tell!</center><br />
And what have they done to Onew?<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SZEtMykGsSw/USvXyHtumUI/AAAAAAAAEj4/oII_S6HuM2A/s1600/Onew.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SZEtMykGsSw/USvXyHtumUI/AAAAAAAAEj4/oII_S6HuM2A/s320/Onew.PNG" alt="SHINee Dream Girl Onew pixels" title="I am SO not digging this, SM."/></a></center><center>It looks like he’s been covered in cobwebs and censored for some reason.</center><br />
I still have no clue as to the purpose these out-of-place digital pixels serve. It doesn’t help with the dream motif because, well, SHINee aren’t <i>robots</i>, and digitization does not equal dreaming in my mind, anyway. Aaand now I’m wondering if <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Do_Androids_Dream_of_Electric_Sheep%3F">androids dream of electric sheep</a>. :)<br />
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<b>Was there a storyline? If so, did it make sense?</b><br />
Have you ever had a dream or a fantasy (or a daydream) where you’re with a wonderful person, but you can’t quite make out the details of their face? But it’s not creepy or scary or anything; you get a good feeling from them, and you may even think you love them in the dream. Like, instead of dreaming of a celebrity crush, you make up your own partner but haven’t fully filled in the details yet.<br />
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I think in those pleasant dreams, the faceless people are more like placeholders for people we may meet in the future, or perhaps our brain’s way of giving form to the abstract concept of love or sexual desire or just close friendship.<br />
<br />
But I’d never really though about it until this music video, which does a lovely job of illustrating the concept without being (too) scary:<br />
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<center><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9jfmXyzqwJk/USvYO7uvjqI/AAAAAAAAEkA/Opf1u6qVMTA/s1600/girl+with+flowers+for+a+face.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9jfmXyzqwJk/USvYO7uvjqI/AAAAAAAAEkA/Opf1u6qVMTA/s320/girl+with+flowers+for+a+face.PNG" alt="SHINee Dream Girl flower girl" title="Going to a wedding?"/></a></center><center>A literal flower girl!</center><br />
So every time a SHINee member falls asleep, he’s dreaming of this girl who is an amalgamation of all his fantasies, except he hasn’t quite filled in all the details yet.<br />
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<center><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TJednqAREok/USvdoVf2XJI/AAAAAAAAEls/Teex4neoH8g/s1600/Key+in+bed.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TJednqAREok/USvdoVf2XJI/AAAAAAAAEls/Teex4neoH8g/s320/Key+in+bed.PNG" alt="SHINee Dream Girl Key in bed" title="Maybe he’s more comfortable sleeping in a suit?"/></a></center><center>Key, you might find it easier to sleep if you didn’t wear a full suit to bed.</center><br />
I think that maybe all this fantasizing started after they took a trip to an art museum and saw a woman in painting that matched their ideal partner, but that’s all just speculation on my part. :)<br />
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<center><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1EkauHQQ-H0/USvYfOl4ppI/AAAAAAAAEkI/PpI0wd7Ngzg/s1600/painting.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1EkauHQQ-H0/USvYfOl4ppI/AAAAAAAAEkI/PpI0wd7Ngzg/s320/painting.PNG" alt="SHINee Dream Girl Taemin Key painting" title="Ah, interactive art."/></a></center><center>Taemin and Key visit a museum. SHINee seems to spend a lot of time in museums.</center><br />
<b>Was the dance cool and distinctive?</b><br />
Distinctive? Yes. Cool? Maybe. But the thing is—this is <i>SHINee</i>, probably the best dance group out there, and they reeeeally don’t need props of any kind to pull of a distinctive dance. So in this case, there were some interesting tricks they did with the microphone stands, like this moment when Taemin balanced on it while spinning (oh, Taemin, can you be any more awesome?):<br />
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<center><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lr1QBfQVOWI/USvbbMqULgI/AAAAAAAAEks/ILu338UClo0/s1600/Taemin+spinning+move.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lr1QBfQVOWI/USvbbMqULgI/AAAAAAAAEks/ILu338UClo0/s320/Taemin+spinning+move.PNG" alt="SHINee Dream Girl Taemin mic stand dance" title="“The mic stand dance”"/></a></center><center>Whee!</center><br />
But despite those little neat moments, I felt that the mic stands were distracting from SHINee’s dance prowess, and I would have preferred that they got a chance to show off their skills more instead of this choreographed playing with the props. So I was a bit disappointed. But hey, at least it’s creative.<br />
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<center><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e-oZ-PtszGk/USvbC6A72YI/AAAAAAAAEkk/OgB0OYKEqx0/s1600/mic+stand+dance.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e-oZ-PtszGk/USvbC6A72YI/AAAAAAAAEkk/OgB0OYKEqx0/s320/mic+stand+dance.PNG" alt="SHINee Dream Girl mic stand dance" title="The SHINee members"/></a></center><center>The mic stand dance.</center><br />
If you want to check out the dance version, it’s <a href="http://youtu.be/EzNaAY2yn6g">here</a>. The dance is much more interesting in this version than the regular music video version.<br />
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<b>Do the members look good?</b><br />
I’m just gonna throw this out there:<br />
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<center><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xy3jROy3SQM/USvb13Lk3xI/AAAAAAAAElE/4f_CFkkCle8/s1600/Taemin+teaser.png" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xy3jROy3SQM/USvb13Lk3xI/AAAAAAAAElE/4f_CFkkCle8/s320/Taemin+teaser.png" alt="SHINee Taemin Dream Girl teaser photo" title="Guhhh."/></a></center><center>Taemin’s teaser photo = whoaaa.</center><br />
I’m not a huge fan of the clothes in the music video. They look kind of cutesy and dorky but not in a SHINee-style way. It’s hard to explain because SHINee’s style keeps changing anyway. But at least everyone’s hair looks acceptable (though I miss Taemin’s extensions, sigh).<br />
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<center><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zkVsEVQQ_NU/USvcISYZLSI/AAAAAAAAElM/2nOsVrVd6es/s1600/SHINee+members+2.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zkVsEVQQ_NU/USvcISYZLSI/AAAAAAAAElM/2nOsVrVd6es/s320/SHINee+members+2.PNG" alt="SHINee Dream Girl" title="SHINee members"/></a></center><center>Minho, Onew, Jonghyun, Taemin, and Key.</center><br />
I prefer this more modernist style:<br />
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<center><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-juJ2r3ZuSDU/USvcQyeiTpI/AAAAAAAAElU/Ze7zSQAfvUs/s1600/SHINee+members.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-juJ2r3ZuSDU/USvcQyeiTpI/AAAAAAAAElU/Ze7zSQAfvUs/s320/SHINee+members.PNG" alt="SHINee Dream Girl" title="SHINee members"/></a></center><center>Minho, Onew, Jonghyun, Taemin, and Key.</center><br />
<b>Which member stood out the most?</b><br />
Taemin’s my bias, but in this instance, I think Jonghyun stood out most to me.<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rRO90yGgTtk/USvcnDuMLfI/AAAAAAAAElc/MKq6jShuTdc/s1600/Jonghyun+suit.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rRO90yGgTtk/USvcnDuMLfI/AAAAAAAAElc/MKq6jShuTdc/s320/Jonghyun+suit.PNG" alt="SHINee Dream Girl Jonghyun" title="Jonghyun"/></a></center><center>Even when they digitally rearranged his clothing.</center><br />
<b>Do you like it enough to buy the song?</b><br />
Yes. It’s not my favorite, but I’ve learned my lesson with <a href="http://kisskisskpopreviews.blogspot.ca/2012/04/review-shineesherlock-clue-note.html">“Sherlock”</a> to <a href="http://kisskisskpopreviews.blogspot.ca/2012/12/my-top-15-best-kpop-2012-songs-part-3.html">never underestimate</a> the catchy potential of SHINee’s songs.<br />
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<b>Any ending thoughts?</b><br />
Those stupid ads on SM Entertainment’s videos are a never-ending nightmare. And hard-embedded, too, so there’s no getting rid of them, and screencaps are impossible on those scenes....It just seems so...mercenary, so against the art of a music video to hard-code ads on there. I strongly disapprove, SM.<br />
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<b>Fiancé’s one-liner:</b><br />
“Can you count the number of triangles in that background neon triangle?” (Sorry, he’s a math major.)<br />
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<center><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CnavpOU6QXk/USvdMEVp5aI/AAAAAAAAElk/uBO1LneNOJY/s1600/triangle.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CnavpOU6QXk/USvdMEVp5aI/AAAAAAAAElk/uBO1LneNOJY/s320/triangle.PNG" alt="SHINee Dream Girl triangle background" title="Triangles counting game!"/></a></center><center>(I think <a href="http://www.transum.org/Software/sw/Starter_of_the_day/Starter_September23.asp">it’s 27</a>.)</center><br />
Thanks for reading! Please share your comments below, and feel free to <a href="http://kisskisskpopreviews.blogspot.ca/p/requests.html">request a review</a> if you would like! :)Kiss Kiss Kpop Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306258347914732719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580318150521172230.post-76211554418339985392013-02-18T13:57:00.001-06:002013-02-18T13:57:49.632-06:00Review: B.A.P–“One Shot”<center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1zRzl1d5vNU?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />
B.A.P tangle with gangsters and incompetent security guards in their new music video.<br />
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<b>Did you like the song?</b><br />
Just like B.A.P’s songs <a href="http://kisskisskpopreviews.blogspot.ca/2012/02/review-bapwarrior.html">“Warrior”</a> (their debut), <a href="http://youtu.be/eBSaX3jvyEc">“Power,”</a> and <a href="http://youtu.be/0hzz4mGyehw">“No Mercy”</a> before it, “One Shot” follows a similar style and structure: opening rap by Yongguk, pretty vocals by Youngjae and Daehyun, rap in the middle by Zelo, impressive dance, aggressive masculine themes. I didn’t feel like this song had as much, uh, power as “Warrior,” still my favorite of the bunch, but nevertheless it’s still a very good song, worthy of praise, and I liked it a lot and continue to be impressed by B.A.P’s performances.<br />
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One thing I really appreciate is how intense and passionate the group as a whole is. It seems nobody ever slacks off; they always put a huge amount of energy into their performances. I know we as fans tend to claim this about a lot of groups, but in B.A.P’s case, I think fans can assert this sentiment with all sincerity: they are working <i>hard</i>, and it’s paying off.<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j7uSV9NehNA/USJ8NDf_9ZI/AAAAAAAAEek/NukwGb0d2KE/s1600/Members+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j7uSV9NehNA/USJ8NDf_9ZI/AAAAAAAAEek/NukwGb0d2KE/s320/Members+1.jpg" alt="B.A.P BAP One Shot members review brown picture" title="B.A.P members"/></a></center><center>Yongguk, Himchan, Daehyun, Youngjae, Jongup, and Zelo.</center><br />
<b>What was your favorite part of the song?</b><br />
This is going to look dumb, but the <a href="http://youtu.be/1zRzl1d5vNU?t=1m34s">“ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh”</a> part was amaaazing. So pretty.<br />
<br />
<b>Does the English make you want to rip your eardrums out?</b><br />
Hmm. Yongguk: “One shot, let me tell you something that you already know. You just get the rock to me. You know what I mean?” Sorry, I’m not sure I do.<br />
<br />
However, I’m willing to forgive pretty much any English infraction because he references Martin Luther King, Jr., in the line “Bicheul barkhyeo Martin Luther King cheoreom” (“Shine your light like Martin Luther King”)! In his opening rap in “Power,” Yongguk referenced <i>Guernica</i>, a Cubist painting (i.e. very abstract) by Pablo Picasso about the horror and devastation of war. It was created in response to the bombing of the Basque city Guernica in the Spanish Civil War. And in this music video, he’s referencing Martin Luther King, Jr., an American hero and civil rights activist who used civil disobedience to combat racial injustice.<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2bAm642FZLs/USJ8n_g9FpI/AAAAAAAAEes/9YkNx-5R12Y/s1600/Martin+Luther+King+Jr..jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2bAm642FZLs/USJ8n_g9FpI/AAAAAAAAEes/9YkNx-5R12Y/s320/Martin+Luther+King+Jr..jpg" alt="BAP One Shot Martin Luther King Jr." title="He is most famous for his “I Have a Dream” speech, won the Nobel Peace Prize, and was assassinated at the age of 39, having irrevocably changed the United States."/></a></center><center>Martin Luther King, Jr.</center><br />
I am willing to overlook every other questionable English phrase in this song because of the mind-blowing depth of Yongguk alluding to Picasso and Martin Luther King. This is not content you usually get in Korean pop music videos, and I very much appreciate the references.<br />
<br />
See, I <a href=http://kisskisskpopreviews.blogspot.ca/2012/01/review-mblaqthis-is-war.html>complained about</a> MBLAQ sampling a speech by Malcom X in their “This is War,” but here I am praising B.A.P for referencing Martin Luther King, Jr.—what’s up with that?<br />
<br />
The real difference to me is the theme of each song. MBLAQ’s “This is War” is about how the speaker is angry that another guy stole his girlfriend and made her cry—the speaker then melodramatically “declares war” on the other guy. Now, it’s a good song, but in my opinion, that’s not really appropriate material for inserting a speech by a human rights activist. It felt rather like the songwriters just threw that speech sample in there because it sounded dramatic and interesting, but they weren’t really considering the impact or history of the content. <br />
<br />
Contrast that to B.A.P’s “One Shot,” which is an inspirational song that encourages the listener to get up, get out there, and make a difference in the world because time is running out, and they only have this “one shot” (a phrase used as a double-entendre in the music video). When Yongguk declares that we should go out there and shine our lights like Martin Luther King, Jr.—yeah, that not only fits and make sense, it enhances and elevates the song by giving us a concrete example of what we can achieve as humans in a complex world.<br />
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<b>Did you like the video?</b><br />
Multiple member deaths, members spitting blood, member betrayals, alternate endings, blood splatters all over the camera—yup, sounds good to me. I really like how the members get to act in different roles, and everybody seems to have something significant to do. Also, I doubt it’s like this in Korea, but in the U.S. right now, there are some serious discussions going on about why America seems to have so many gun-related mass killings and what kinds of regulations are needed to attempt to prevent these in the future. These discussions include examining what role media may play in shaping our attitudes towards guns.<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TJ85W2W54QY/USJ88duLndI/AAAAAAAAEe0/lW8_44PhKPs/s1600/crate+of+guns.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TJ85W2W54QY/USJ88duLndI/AAAAAAAAEe0/lW8_44PhKPs/s320/crate+of+guns.PNG" alt="B.A.P BAP One Shot Daehyun guns" title="He has very nice fingernails."/></a></center><center>Daehyun’s crate of guns.</center><br />
In this music video, while there was, of course, some of the glorification of guns (i.e. the guys looking pretty cool while holding them and shooting them), I appreciate that B.A.P’s scriptwriters actually showed that, yeah, people with guns can kill good guys as well as bad guys. In this case, fans were treated to the sight of <i>all the members being shot to death</i>—which might be a tad traumatic! The scriptwriters instantly undid the damage with an alternate ending in which Youngjae was actually just an undercover cop all along and nobody had to die, but nonetheless, those images of the members being shot and killed are haunting reminders of what guns can do, even to beautiful and badass people.<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IsIMFz12kZo/USJ9H8wIFkI/AAAAAAAAEe8/ymkh6ArE2U0/s1600/Jongup+and+gun.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IsIMFz12kZo/USJ9H8wIFkI/AAAAAAAAEe8/ymkh6ArE2U0/s320/Jongup+and+gun.PNG" alt="B.A.P BAP One Shot Jongup guns" title="Speaking of beautiful and badass..."/></a></center><center>Jongup contemplates violence.</center><br />
<b>Was there a storyline? If so, did it make sense?</b><br />
Turns out it takes a lot more than just one shot to take down the B.A.P gang.<br />
<br />
There are two versions of what happened here, so I’ll do the first and then the second version instead of mixing them together.<br />
<br />
<i>Version One</i><br />
<br />
The members of B.A.P are all in some kind of gang. We see them at the beginning enjoying the rewards of their ill-gotten gains.<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1tH6IFMU7hg/USJ9niAxSPI/AAAAAAAAEfE/m-Bh4W0KGlQ/s1600/ill+gotten+gains.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1tH6IFMU7hg/USJ9niAxSPI/AAAAAAAAEfE/m-Bh4W0KGlQ/s320/ill+gotten+gains.PNG" alt="B.A.P One Shot members on a boat" title="I’m on a BOAT! /in joke; I’ll explain it further down."/></a></center><center>Fine dining, fancy clothes, and scantily-clad women on a yacht.</center><br />
Then it’s down to business. I’m guessing at some point the B.A.P gang got in trouble with some bad (worse?) people who are now seeking their revenge. They drive by the headquarters where Yongguk is just starting his day by greeting Jongup, when—<i>BAM!</i>—one of the bad gangsters hits Jongup with a lead pipe and throws a zip drive down on his unconscious body, clearly sending a message that they are unhappy with Yongguk’s B.A.P gang.<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jzeQqoE45Rs/USJ93s40d-I/AAAAAAAAEfM/ibfnlL1_wck/s1600/jongup+unconscious.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jzeQqoE45Rs/USJ93s40d-I/AAAAAAAAEfM/ibfnlL1_wck/s320/jongup+unconscious.PNG" alt="B.A.P BAP One Shot Yongguk Jongup pipe" title="Yongguk with an unconscious Jongup"/></a></center><center><center>During the next part of this music video, Jongup will have a bandage around his head with a bloodstain on his forehead, even though he was hit in the back of his head.</center></center><br />
Cut to the B.A.P headquarters, which are pretty cool, assuming you like motorcycles:<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TyZwORKQvac/USJ-EHIKI9I/AAAAAAAAEfU/z81eoWu6DfA/s1600/bap+headquarters.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TyZwORKQvac/USJ-EHIKI9I/AAAAAAAAEfU/z81eoWu6DfA/s320/bap+headquarters.PNG" alt="B.A.P BAP One Shot headquarters" title="Note Jongup’s inexplicable blood on the bandage."/></a></center><center>Assuming you <i>really</i> like motorcycles.</center><br />
They examine the content of the zip drive, which reveals that the rival gang is keeping Youngjae in a torture dungeon, beating him up, and holding him hostage for 10 million dollars—in U.S. currency, that is. Why they want U.S. money is never explained. I feel a bit obligated, although it might seem superfluous, to point out that $10,000,000 is quite a lot of money—more than I would have anticipated from kidnapping just one person and <i>way</i> more than one person could reasonably and legally hope to raise in a short time period. But then, I suppose the bad kidnappers are attempting to extort a gang that is operating outside the law, and if they figure the B.A.P gang is going to steal it anyway, why not aim high?<br />
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<center><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5x3rYcwRnxk/USJ-Qp0Rm4I/AAAAAAAAEfc/0HbcKkfk1VI/s1600/10+million+dollars+Youngjae.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5x3rYcwRnxk/USJ-Qp0Rm4I/AAAAAAAAEfc/0HbcKkfk1VI/s320/10+million+dollars+Youngjae.PNG" alt="B.A.P BAP One Shot Youngjae ransom" title="Poor Youngjae."/></a></center><center>Youngjae and his insane ransom.</center><br />
Yongguk slams down the laptop lid in anger (warning: don’t actually do this! I destroyed my old laptop by doing this!) and then gets to planning an elaborate heist, full of intricate back-door dealings and perhaps involving a poker game or seduction or out-maneuvering a kingpin or—<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ymd-2oc7gqA/USJ-fQeHwpI/AAAAAAAAEfk/9mrWdX04l54/s1600/playing+with+toy+cars.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ymd-2oc7gqA/USJ-fQeHwpI/AAAAAAAAEfk/9mrWdX04l54/s320/playing+with+toy+cars.PNG" alt="B.A.P BAP One Shot toy cars" title="Er..."/></a></center><center>Or playing with toy cars, yeah, I guess that could work...? I know you guys are super into motorcycles, but...</center><br />
And can we just talk about Jongup’s blingy handcuff necklace for a minute...? No wonder they hit you with a lead pipe, man; there’s fashion and then there’s going <i>way</i> overboard.<br />
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Yongguk and Zelo wander around taking pictures of the sights in Manila (the capital of the Philippines, where this music video <a href="http://youtu.be/mZuTJlF4Ua4">was shot</a>, in case you were wondering):<br />
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<center><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xSSzlmQ4HR8/USJ-4usd7vI/AAAAAAAAEfs/OlHC1rXJaoI/s1600/Manila.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xSSzlmQ4HR8/USJ-4usd7vI/AAAAAAAAEfs/OlHC1rXJaoI/s320/Manila.PNG" alt="B.A.P BAP One Shot Manila Philippines" title="It's quite pretty, as you can see."/></a></center><br />
In particular, <i>this</i> sign:<br />
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<center><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_riU6kPkBX0/USJ_lD5nqLI/AAAAAAAAEf0/TWU2FYqhghw/s1600/Pearl+Plaza+Now+Open.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_riU6kPkBX0/USJ_lD5nqLI/AAAAAAAAEf0/TWU2FYqhghw/s320/Pearl+Plaza+Now+Open.PNG" alt="B.A.P BAP One Shot meaning summary review" title="I suppose they’re English words, though, so maybe they had to get them translated."/></a></center><center>Pearl Plaza Now Open—we had to take a photo because we couldn’t remember four words...</center><br />
Meanwhile, Daehyun and a newly recovered Jongup are stalking around abandoned subway stations, meeting with shady dealers who dole out boxes of guns.<br />
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<center><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6gBbyXBeXiA/USJ_yYyUzxI/AAAAAAAAEf8/jS0lYPWnBRU/s1600/subway+station.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6gBbyXBeXiA/USJ_yYyUzxI/AAAAAAAAEf8/jS0lYPWnBRU/s320/subway+station.PNG" alt="B.A.P BAP One Shot Daehyun Jongup subway" title="Shady in more ways than one because they’re underground!"/></a></center><center>Seriously shady.</center><br />
And Himchan...fixes trucks.<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yZ-Nrp6ROpk/USJ_703ZCjI/AAAAAAAAEgE/rnqyj6wIfRE/s1600/Himchan+car+repairman.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yZ-Nrp6ROpk/USJ_703ZCjI/AAAAAAAAEgE/rnqyj6wIfRE/s320/Himchan+car+repairman.PNG" alt="B.A.P BAP One Shot Himchan truck" title="There needs to be more Himchan in this music video, by the way."/></a></center><center><i>Somebody’s</i> gotta make a living around here! (Just kidding, it’s their getaway truck he’s fixing up.)</center><br />
So this, then, appears to be the master plan: the B.A.P gang is going to accede to the evil kidnappers’ demands and procure $10 million in exchange for the captured Youngjae. They’re going to do this by robbing an armored security vehicle carrying the proceeds from the newly opened Pearl Plaza. The B.A.P gang, organized by Yongguk on a walkie-talkie, corners and traps the security vehicle, whose professional, trained occupants then do the sensible, professional thing of sitting tight in their bulletproof van, calling the cops, and simply waiting for the police to take the B.A.P gang away—<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDRRzXOofGI/USKAJ3hkyeI/AAAAAAAAEgM/wI35b5fUWX0/s1600/getting+out+of+the+car.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDRRzXOofGI/USKAJ3hkyeI/AAAAAAAAEgM/wI35b5fUWX0/s320/getting+out+of+the+car.PNG" alt="B.A.P BAP One Shot armored car" title="We seriously need to get better-trained people in here, stat!"/></a></center><center>Or—oh, okay, so they’re just going to get out of their cars and confront the B.A.P gang, two vs. four. Well, surely nothing can go wrong with that plan...</center><br />
<center><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BEta36XwGdM/USKAYR0Hf-I/AAAAAAAAEgU/aoLpLY0vaTU/s1600/security+guard+being+hit.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BEta36XwGdM/USKAYR0Hf-I/AAAAAAAAEgU/aoLpLY0vaTU/s320/security+guard+being+hit.PNG" alt="B.A.P BAP One Shot armored car 2" title="Why did you get out of the car?!"/></a></center><center>Ah. Nobody could have foreseen <i>this</i> one coming.</center><br />
The B.A.P gang overwhelms the two security guards and takes their keys and cash. I feel pretty sorry for the security guards and the pearl sellers at this point, losing all their cash in one hit:<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G5V4jEAJMDo/USKAmgrm3GI/AAAAAAAAEgc/E2halCsqgn4/s1600/stolen+cash.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G5V4jEAJMDo/USKAmgrm3GI/AAAAAAAAEgc/E2halCsqgn4/s320/stolen+cash.PNG" alt="B.A.P BAP One Shot stolen cash" title="I hope there’s a lot more than that, though, because that’s not even close to $10 million."/></a></center><center>Stolen cash.</center><br />
Then comes The Confrontation, which takes place at that same abandoned subway. Clearly the police there should patrol in abandoned subways more often.<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f6AwOSdCqqU/USKA045w8zI/AAAAAAAAEgk/MBrfBi3npPM/s1600/the+confrontation.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f6AwOSdCqqU/USKA045w8zI/AAAAAAAAEgk/MBrfBi3npPM/s320/the+confrontation.PNG" alt="B.A.P BAP One Shot Youngjae kidnapped" title="You can see that Youngjae’s not in a good state here."/></a></center><center>The Confrontation. By the way, wearing earrings to a fight is probably not the best idea.</center><br />
The exchange of cash for Youngjae is made.<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G8NcZqxwmMA/USKBBwzV_KI/AAAAAAAAEgs/xLW2ZWXTcMc/s1600/Youngjae+makeup.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G8NcZqxwmMA/USKBBwzV_KI/AAAAAAAAEgs/xLW2ZWXTcMc/s320/Youngjae+makeup.PNG" alt="B.A.P BAP One Shot Youngjae beaten up" title="Poor guy."/></a></center><center>Let’s all take a moment to appreciate the makeup job on Youngjae.</center><br />
He and Yongguk have A Bromance Moment, just before the evil kidnappers prove that, yes, they are actually the bad guys here, and decide that now they have their money, they should just go ahead and kill the entire B.A.P gang anyway.<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CnGKmR3J4vc/USKBKexSZ6I/AAAAAAAAEg0/DT20WTspLkE/s1600/kidnapper+with+gun+to+shoot+Youngjae.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CnGKmR3J4vc/USKBKexSZ6I/AAAAAAAAEg0/DT20WTspLkE/s320/kidnapper+with+gun+to+shoot+Youngjae.PNG" alt="B.A.P BAP One Shot kidnapper shooting Youngjae" title="He has an “Abandoned World” t-shirt on; what did you expect?"/></a></center><center>The kidnapper’s t-shirt is prophetic.</center><br />
We’re then treated to a massive shootout in which every damn person involved ends up dead. I found Zelo’s death most affecting because, well, he’s just so young, but Himchan’s had the advantage of cinematic blood:<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T1ohQAUnv2I/USKBTeclvZI/AAAAAAAAEg8/AoTIAaY6M90/s1600/Himchan+dead.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T1ohQAUnv2I/USKBTeclvZI/AAAAAAAAEg8/AoTIAaY6M90/s320/Himchan+dead.PNG" alt="B.A.P BAP One Shot Himchan blood" title="OMG :(((("/></a></center><center>R.I.P. Himchan :(((</center><br />
<i>Version Two</i><br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-usHc4B_H5pE/USKBgtiqNNI/AAAAAAAAEhE/iKgtK-2WNbQ/s1600/Youngjae+police+badge.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-usHc4B_H5pE/USKBgtiqNNI/AAAAAAAAEhE/iKgtK-2WNbQ/s320/Youngjae+police+badge.PNG" alt="B.A.P BAP One Shot Youngjae undercover officer" title="Twist ending!"/></a></center><center>Twist ending: Officer Youngjae!</center><br />
This is an alternate ending in which Youngjae is actually working undercover in a police sting operation designed to catch the <i>B.A.P</i> gang in wrongdoing by fabricating a fake kidnapping. We get a flashback to undercover!Youngjae implanting some kind of tracking or recording device at the B.A.P gang headquarters so that officers could listen in to the gang’s plan to procure $10 million (illegally). Then the police can take them all in.<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FyZcJXovBuE/USKBxJ4U53I/AAAAAAAAEhM/-2_YdmY3f_4/s1600/tracking+or+recording+device.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FyZcJXovBuE/USKBxJ4U53I/AAAAAAAAEhM/-2_YdmY3f_4/s320/tracking+or+recording+device.PNG" alt="B.A.P BAP One Shot Youngjae undercover officer tracking or recording device" title="Oooh, betrayal."/></a></center><center>Thingy...</center><br />
It looks like at least two of the “rival gang” were in on the sting, as well, either as hired actors or also undercover operatives.<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zld_KccW9Lg/USKB9sg5taI/AAAAAAAAEhU/pRDc14NmVbU/s1600/Youngjae+with+rival+gang+members+sting.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zld_KccW9Lg/USKB9sg5taI/AAAAAAAAEhU/pRDc14NmVbU/s320/Youngjae+with+rival+gang+members+sting.PNG" alt="B.A.P BAP One Shot Youngjae undercover officer rival gangs" title="I’m a bit confused on this point."/></a></center><center>Either way, they’re on Youngjae’s side, as he’s shaking their hands.</center><br />
What’s not clear to me is if any of the rival gang is real or not. It looked like some of them were also being arrested at the end. *shrug*<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6ADmlnPyPLA/USKCH3tqFpI/AAAAAAAAEhc/U-_rJzJhQ0w/s1600/Youngjae+salute.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6ADmlnPyPLA/USKCH3tqFpI/AAAAAAAAEhc/U-_rJzJhQ0w/s320/Youngjae+salute.PNG" alt="B.A.P BAP One Shot Youngjae undercover officer salute" title="*salute*"/></a></center><center>Ooh, the smell of betrayal.</center><br />
This alternate ending is nice because nobody dies, but it’s also <i>awful</i> because Youngjae betrays his team! Which one do you prefer?<br />
<br />
<b>Was the dance cool and distinctive?</b><br />
I love love love this dance. I mean, B.A.P is always awesome, but this one is something particularly special. I can’t decide which part I like most: the lying on the floor bit? The leg criss-crossing bit? The push-ups? Puppet-master!Himchan? Jongup leapfrogging? The part where they all basically collapse in a circle around Youngjae? <br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KWt-TXXK_mY/USKCP_oir8I/AAAAAAAAEhk/iZwRaEQYLBs/s1600/Circle+around+Youngjae.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KWt-TXXK_mY/USKCP_oir8I/AAAAAAAAEhk/iZwRaEQYLBs/s320/Circle+around+Youngjae.PNG" alt="B.A.P One Shot Youngjae circle dance review" title="Youngjae, lord of the circle."/></a></center><center>Yesss.</center><br />
Zelo <a href="http://youtu.be/G8xV-zdF3GA">spazzing out</a> all over the floor and then topping it all off with the scorpion move?<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QpZsKc2m4Ow/USKCa-I25II/AAAAAAAAEhs/4jVMjldktuo/s1600/Zelo+ground+dance.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QpZsKc2m4Ow/USKCa-I25II/AAAAAAAAEhs/4jVMjldktuo/s320/Zelo+ground+dance.PNG" alt="B.A.P One Shot Zelo dance move sick review" title="Zelo, LORD OF ALL."/></a></center><center>...</center><br />
Okay...yeah, actually, that was probably the coolest moment. Zelo is a freakin’ badass, singlehandedly doing an inverse worm and a scorpion and this weird head spinning move. But the other parts were really neat too, so yes, this dance wins!<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0YbxzhKku_0/USKClUevQLI/AAAAAAAAEh0/1WFxaR1T7Dg/s1600/Zelo+closeup.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0YbxzhKku_0/USKClUevQLI/AAAAAAAAEh0/1WFxaR1T7Dg/s320/Zelo+closeup.PNG" alt="B.A.P One Shot Zelo closeup review" title="Zelo, STILL LORD OF ALL."/></a></center><center>Well done, Zelo.</center><br />
You can check out the <a href="http://youtu.be/hh1zi-4zZY0">dance version here</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>Do the members look good?</b><br />
Heck, yes! Although I prefer it when they color-code their hair, at least they’re not all blonde anymore. :)<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jd1eYherZp0/USKC3jJgGeI/AAAAAAAAEh8/kBpbQpiH_9g/s1600/Members+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jd1eYherZp0/USKC3jJgGeI/AAAAAAAAEh8/kBpbQpiH_9g/s320/Members+2.jpg" alt="B.A.P BAP One Shot members review picture with words" title="B.A.P members"/></a></center><center>Youngjae, Daehyun, Himchan, Yongguk, Jongup, and Zelo. </center><br />
Speaking of, have a flashback photo from “Warrior”:<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vHFbFDhg0bU/USKDCGz3Q4I/AAAAAAAAEiE/WPb7MMGNr2I/s1600/Members+Blonde+Panorama+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vHFbFDhg0bU/USKDCGz3Q4I/AAAAAAAAEiE/WPb7MMGNr2I/s320/Members+Blonde+Panorama+1.jpg" alt="BAP members names age order Warrior photos" title="Photos from “Warrior.”"/></a></center><center>Members in age order: (top:) Yongguk, Himchan, Daehyun, (bottom:) Youngjae, Jongup, and Zelo.</center><br />
And one from the teasers for “Power,” in which they did actually color-code their hair:<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VpUo3Z2xO0Y/USKDMIuEe1I/AAAAAAAAEiM/7xgedOENymY/s1600/Power+panorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VpUo3Z2xO0Y/USKDMIuEe1I/AAAAAAAAEiM/7xgedOENymY/s320/Power+panorama.jpg" alt="BAP members names age order Power closeups primary promo teaser photo" title="Pretty closeups from their “Power” music video."/></a></center><center>Members in age order: (top:) Yongguk, Himchan, Daehyun, (bottom:) Youngjae, Jongup, and Zelo.</center><br />
<b>Which member stood out the most?</b><br />
Um, this is really hard because I’m biased toward Himchan and his dramatic looks, but Yongguk’s low-voiced rapping stood out to me, and that circle part of Youngjae’s was amazing (as was his acting), and Jongup’s scene where he’s beaten up was very memorable, and Daehyun’s high note was awesome, and Zelo throwing himself all over the floor was sooo cool.<br />
<br />
Still, it’s hard to pick anybody but Yongguk for this one, as he seemed to have the most screentime and some seriously interesting scenes to film while being the leader of B.A.P and playing the leader of the B.A.P gang. That scene where he recognizes Youngjae’s betrayal, just...ouch, my heart!<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3VhbYJgguhM/USKDWk-lVkI/AAAAAAAAEiU/iqltg4-Gk1A/s1600/Yongguk.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3VhbYJgguhM/USKDWk-lVkI/AAAAAAAAEiU/iqltg4-Gk1A/s320/Yongguk.PNG" alt="B.A.P One Shot" title="Leader Bang Yongguk"/></a></center><center>Those earrings don’t hurt, either. :)</center><br />
<b>Do you like it enough to buy the song?</b><br />
At first, I was leaning towards no, but I think I’m going to seriously get into this group and start watching their variety shows soon (<i>Ta-dah! It’s B.A.P.</i>, MTV’s <i>B.A.P Diary</i>, and <i>B.A.P’s Killing Camp</i>), so I’ll probably want it. Also, that “ooh” part and Daehyun’s high note are things I will want to listen to repeatedly.<br />
<br />
<b>Any ending thoughts?</b><br />
Keep doing what you’re doing, B.A.P—it’s seriously working for you.<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6qVKa37TPOw/USKDkiPBmNI/AAAAAAAAEic/FJVUKSBzpQo/s1600/bunny.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6qVKa37TPOw/USKDkiPBmNI/AAAAAAAAEic/FJVUKSBzpQo/s320/bunny.PNG" alt="B.A.P BAP One Shot rabbit bunny logo" title="Bunnies Are Precious"/></a></center><center>The bunny is back!</center><br />
<b>Fiancé’s one-liner:</b><br />
“<a href="http://youtu.be/avaSdC0QOUM">I'm on a boat</a>, m*#^$%*^%&#r, don't you <i>ever</i> forget!” That link has <i>very</i> bad language; be careful. :)<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XXJigNqOdaI/USKD-wFGGDI/AAAAAAAAEik/E--sMbU8gWc/s1600/on+a+boat.PNG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XXJigNqOdaI/USKD-wFGGDI/AAAAAAAAEik/E--sMbU8gWc/s320/on+a+boat.PNG" alt="B.A.P One Shot boat scene" title="B.A.P are on a boat!"/></a></center><center>Looks like fun!</center><br />
[P.S. Yes, as of Saturday, February 16, the boyfriend and I are engaged! He got down on one knee and gave me a ring and everything, and I started crying even though I really wasn’t anticipating doing that and didn’t think I was that soppy and weepy, haha. But whatever! So happy! And now instead of “boyfriend’s one-liner” it will be “fiancé’s one-liner.”]<br />
<br />
Thanks for reading! Please let me know your thoughts, and feel free to <a href="http://kisskisskpopreviews.blogspot.ca/p/requests.html">request a review</a> if you would like.<br />
<br />
Kiss Kiss Kpop Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306258347914732719noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580318150521172230.post-45701905490453322692013-02-11T21:20:00.000-06:002013-02-11T21:20:04.737-06:00Review: U-KISS–“Doradora”<center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8vfiaNtF9B4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />
The cameraman for U-KISS has a field day with this music video.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
<b>Did you like the song?</b><br />
Despite working for years and presenting catchy song after catchy song and video, I still feel that U-KISS is one of the most under-appreciated groups out there. I’m not sure what’s causing that—mismanagement in some way? Is NH Media not promoting them heavily enough? What is it about them that isn’t having a huge mass appeal? Well, whatever—the group appeals to <i>me</i> and has always impressed with their hard work, addictive songs, distinctive dances, and positive attitudes, so I’m going to try to give them as much publicity as I can, even if I’m still a bit bitter about them replacing two of their members (switching out Kibum and Xander with AJ and Hoon). <br />
<br />
Musically, though, the group continues to evolve and improve, and “Doradora” does not disappoint. It’s a mixture of electronica and rock with a bit of dubstep thrown in and passionate lines delivered intensely, all of which combines to create a danceable, fun, and totally catchy song.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iP32t_kgebY/URmu9YYfTqI/AAAAAAAAEa4/xJ6TElkdE60/s1600/Members%2B2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="225" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iP32t_kgebY/URmu9YYfTqI/AAAAAAAAEa4/xJ6TElkdE60/s400/Members%2B2.png" alt="U-KISS ukiss Doradora members pink kiss" title="U-KISS members"/></a></div><center>Kevin, AJ, Eli, Kiseop, Dongho, Hoon, and Soohyun.</center><br />
<b>What was your favorite part of the song?</b><br />
I really love the transitions between one section and another. So I suppose I have to have <i>two</i> favorite parts. The first is <a href="http://youtu.be/8vfiaNtF9B4?t=58s">here</a>, right after the chorus when Hoon takes over, and the second is <a href="http://youtu.be/8vfiaNtF9B4?t=1m15s">here</a> right after <i>that</i> part, when Kevin takes over and goes into that insanely sexy “heundeuronwa biteuronwa nan ojirowo ojirowo” (“You shake me up, you make me stumble, I’m dizzy, so dizzy”). I can’t explain it; they’re just really badass section transitions, and Hoon’s voice is almost unbearably sexy singing them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6bUv8H67_AI/URmvXAC5OVI/AAAAAAAAEbE/mncJyCx78KY/s1600/Hoon%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bmiddle.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="199" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6bUv8H67_AI/URmvXAC5OVI/AAAAAAAAEbE/mncJyCx78KY/s400/Hoon%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bmiddle.PNG" alt="U-KISS Doradora review members names" title="U-KISS members"/></a></div><center>AJ, Kiseop, Hoon, Kevin, and Eli.</center><br />
<b>Does the English make you want to rip your eardrums out?</b><br />
Um, at the beginning of this song, did they try to rhyme the word <i>nuance</i> (pronounced NEW-ahnce) with <i>bounce</i> (which...just has one syllable)? Oh dear.<br />
<br />
I swear that Eli’s strange, angry English lines are a highlight of U-KISS’s songs nowadays. Eli’s a native English speaker, so that’s always been a weird thing with U-KISS that I’m now actually looking forward to in a perverse way. He must petition the songwriters for these lines or something. In <a href="http://youtu.be/zx8xNJ5Ow-w">“Manmanhani,”</a> it was “You make me pissed off!” In <a href="http://youtu.be/Iiikpj15i84">“Sikkeuro!”</a> it was “Girl, you’re pissing me off.” Here, he has the fairly straightforward lines, “I hate you!” and “I don’t want you back.” Why don’t you tell us how you really feel, Eli?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R-OSCelvKQA/URmvlLV8YTI/AAAAAAAAEbQ/nSOJEqf6yyk/s1600/Eli%2Bsheepish%2Blook.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="220" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R-OSCelvKQA/URmvlLV8YTI/AAAAAAAAEbQ/nSOJEqf6yyk/s400/Eli%2Bsheepish%2Blook.PNG" alt="U-KISS Doradora Eli" title="Eli!"/></a></div><center>Oh, don’t give me that sheepish look. :)</center><br />
Also, in case you’re wondering, it seems that the main riff, “dora dora dora,” means something like, “Go away because you’re making me crazy.” AJ <a href="http://youtu.be/U9slqDD_d-k">explains it</a> better than I can. It seems that U-KISS are just repeatedly unlucky in love.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cDveJPnpt2o/URmv_BAcq1I/AAAAAAAAEbc/VPhiXE9vDgI/s1600/Members%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cDveJPnpt2o/URmv_BAcq1I/AAAAAAAAEbc/VPhiXE9vDgI/s400/Members%2B3.jpg" alt="U-KISS ukiss Doradora members two levels" title="U-KISS members"/></a></div><center>(Back row:) AJ, Dongho, Soohyun, Kiseop, (front row:) Kevin, Eli, and Hoon.</center><br />
<b>Did you like the video?</b><br />
According to Kevin, the concept is “dizziness, with a spinning effect.” You’d think they’d have enough spinning around with <a href="http://youtu.be/CtLWGX5yHFs">“Binguel Binguel”</a> (“Round and Round”), the music video for which uses a few of these cool rotating camera tricks.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2yjjq6xjBmY/URmwIksCnpI/AAAAAAAAEbo/PYSZlmWNdGo/s1600/Kiseop%2Bin%2Bred.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="221" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2yjjq6xjBmY/URmwIksCnpI/AAAAAAAAEbo/PYSZlmWNdGo/s400/Kiseop%2Bin%2Bred.PNG" alt="U-KISS Doradora Kiseop" title="Kiseop in red and barefoot!"/></a></div><center>Kiseop goes spinning.</center><br />
But I’m glad they didn’t give up that concept because this music video for “Doradora” is <i>so freakin’ cool</i>. The first time I saw this, I was so fascinated that I couldn’t really pay attention to the song or anything else in the video because I just <i>had to know</i> how they staged all those cool shots. Ones like this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zVkVVCnX90k/URmwdnEr_PI/AAAAAAAAEb0/y86iCk1G0OY/s1600/Shot%2B1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="219" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zVkVVCnX90k/URmwdnEr_PI/AAAAAAAAEb0/y86iCk1G0OY/s400/Shot%2B1.PNG" alt="U-KISS Doradora Hoon Kevin" title="Hoon and Kevin"/></a></div><center>Hoon and Kevin in the bedroom.</center><br />
and this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vdxcUYoXXd8/URmwobkQrnI/AAAAAAAAEcA/wNLq0XYD93Y/s1600/Eli%2Bin%2Bblue%2Broom.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="220" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vdxcUYoXXd8/URmwobkQrnI/AAAAAAAAEcA/wNLq0XYD93Y/s400/Eli%2Bin%2Bblue%2Broom.PNG" alt="U-KISS Doradora Eli blue room" title="Eli"/></a></div><center>Eli in the blue room.</center><br />
and this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gAun_KOPaS0/URmwyjBC-jI/AAAAAAAAEcM/4tR2cFwncBY/s1600/Donghyun.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="215" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gAun_KOPaS0/URmwyjBC-jI/AAAAAAAAEcM/4tR2cFwncBY/s400/Donghyun.PNG" alt="U-KISS Doradora Donghyun" title="Donghyun"/></a></div><center>Donghyun casually reading a book.</center><br />
and this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2PycQ7XWPxA/URmw9MhIOrI/AAAAAAAAEcY/22VmCHkH4oo/s1600/figure%2Bout%2Bthis%2Bshot.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="219" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2PycQ7XWPxA/URmw9MhIOrI/AAAAAAAAEcY/22VmCHkH4oo/s400/figure%2Bout%2Bthis%2Bshot.PNG" alt="U-KISS Doradora amazing filming techniques" title="It will blow your mind. Amazingly creative filming techniques."/></a></div><center>Seriously, like, try to figure out this shot.</center><br />
And of course they’re all just optical illusions, but sooo visually interesting. As far as I understand it, it’s just clever staging, set design, acting, and camera rotation, but if you’re interested in seeing some more details on how they filmed the music video, <a href="http://youtu.be/U9slqDD_d-k">this making-of video</a> is fun, even if the narration is a bit awkward at times (and they mix up AJ and Kiseop at one point).<br />
<br />
But that bed is vertically attached to the wall, isn’t that awesome? So in this photo (below), Kevin is standing normally and Hoon is lying with his back on the floor and his feet in the air, and the whole room is oriented sideways.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y3qrwqyjltk/URmxG53RcUI/AAAAAAAAEck/BtYvBgJniQY/s1600/actual%2Bset.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="219" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y3qrwqyjltk/URmxG53RcUI/AAAAAAAAEck/BtYvBgJniQY/s400/actual%2Bset.PNG" alt="U-KISS ukiss Dora dora Kevin and Hoon" title="Awesome."/></a></div><center>Whoa.</center><br />
<b>Was there a storyline? If so, did it make sense?</b><br />
The U-KISS members are stuck in a horrific carnival funhouse ride that consists of a revolving bedroom, a blue and white room, and various areas that are lit with black lights.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KegPZzXGLhQ/URmxRlcIDWI/AAAAAAAAEcw/HtYSKSf68t4/s1600/Black%2Blights.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="219" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KegPZzXGLhQ/URmxRlcIDWI/AAAAAAAAEcw/HtYSKSf68t4/s400/Black%2Blights.PNG" alt="U-KISS ukiss Dora dora black lights" title="I really like laser tag, btw."/></a></div><center>Anybody up for laser tag?</center><br />
Possibly called something like the “Fun Factory” or “Wacky Shack” or something equally ominous and vaguely creepy. And constantly having to keep on their toes lest gravity crush them makes everybody very tired. All they want to do is sleep, but the rotation makes it impossible.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IR-G0A40sUk/URmxcVimfiI/AAAAAAAAEc8/VVAG9vhdspQ/s1600/Soohyun%2Bon%2Bbed.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="221" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IR-G0A40sUk/URmxcVimfiI/AAAAAAAAEc8/VVAG9vhdspQ/s400/Soohyun%2Bon%2Bbed.PNG" alt="U-KISS ukiss Dora dora Soohyun" title="Poor Soohyun."/></a></div><center>Soohyun just wants to get some shut-eye.</center><br />
My personal theory is that Kevin is the puppet master, or perhaps Time Lord, considering the fact that he can skillfully manipulate an hourglass while in a spinning container:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m__vDRtCAGU/URmxlLn9z_I/AAAAAAAAEdI/sKCBTSbvdRc/s1600/Kevin%2Bhourglass.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="224" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m__vDRtCAGU/URmxlLn9z_I/AAAAAAAAEdI/sKCBTSbvdRc/s400/Kevin%2Bhourglass.PNG" alt="U-KISS ukiss Kevin Doradora hourglass" title="Whovians, I think, is the proper term. But doesn’t Kevin look kind of sinister here?"/></a></div><center>Sorry, fans of <i>Doctor Who</i>.</center><br />
His motivation is simple—who <i>wouldn’t</i> want an entire Kpop group forever stuck in a bedroom where you can observe them? Er...sorry, I’ll tone down the fangirling now. :)<br />
<br />
<b>Was the dance cool and distinctive?</b><br />
Um, can I just—<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://s1091.beta.photobucket.com/user/kisskisskpopreviews/media/dancegif_zps2c5a49a6.gif.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i388/kisskisskpopreviews/dancegif_zps2c5a49a6.gif" border="0" alt="U-KISS Doradora dance gif" title="Gif from kebean-sprout.tumblr."/></a></center><center>It’s the bend-and-snap!</center><br />
SO SEXY, OMG.<br />
<br />
U-KISS dances are always a treat, and this one is particularly special with that sexy snapping wave motion and the parts where they go in a circle (and shuffle!). <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nSOBrpo8vDE/URmyCb-55VI/AAAAAAAAEdU/Kn0HRHeoaA0/s1600/circle%2Bdance.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="220" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nSOBrpo8vDE/URmyCb-55VI/AAAAAAAAEdU/Kn0HRHeoaA0/s400/circle%2Bdance.PNG" alt="U-KISS ukiss Dora dora Kiseop" title="Circle dance?"/></a></div><center>Kiseop in the center.</center><br />
I love the total wanton abandonment with which U-KISS dances and how each member puts his own little spin on each move instead of going for robotic synchronization.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2vLiL6V5q_8/URmyMCyGg6I/AAAAAAAAEdg/fHwPC5OObFM/s1600/Soohyun%2Band%2BKevin.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="222" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2vLiL6V5q_8/URmyMCyGg6I/AAAAAAAAEdg/fHwPC5OObFM/s400/Soohyun%2Band%2BKevin.PNG" alt="U-KISS ukiss Dora dora Soohyun Kevin" title="This part literally makes me squee each time I see it because they look sooo sexy together."/></a></div><center>Leader Soohyun and Kevin demonstrating the aforementioned “wanton abandonment.”</center><br />
<b>Do the members look good?</b><br />
Yesss, so good. I was very pleased that all the members seemed to get adequate screentime. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PEre9mUS498/URmyYES2OeI/AAAAAAAAEds/4ApIo9dhgx8/s1600/Group%2Bpicture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PEre9mUS498/URmyYES2OeI/AAAAAAAAEds/4ApIo9dhgx8/s400/Group%2Bpicture.jpg" alt="U-KISS ukiss Doradora members black and red" title="U-KISS members"/></a></div><center>AJ, Kiseop, Hoon, Eli, Kevin, Dongho, and Soohyun.</center><br />
<b>Which member stood out the most?</b><br />
It’s, like, a four-way tie between AJ, Eli, Kiseop, and Kevin here for me. AJ was front and center and really different-looking a lot of the time (something about his eyes are so arresting), Eli’s bleached hair is like a beacon, and Kiseop…is Kiseop (i.e. sex on legs) and also has maroon hair to boot. The man could not look more gorgeous. And despite his weirdly elongated t-shirts, Kevin looks <i>so</i> good doing that dance (heh, I’m a tad biased, though; Kevin’s my favorite).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pktkh5tIt0M/URmyiJtNssI/AAAAAAAAEd4/b_8OubuU8N4/s1600/Four%2Bmembers.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="222" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pktkh5tIt0M/URmyiJtNssI/AAAAAAAAEd4/b_8OubuU8N4/s400/Four%2Bmembers.PNG" alt="U-KISS Doradora members names" title="Poor Soohyun, Dongho, and Hoon! I still love you, it’s just that these four really stood out to me here!"/></a></div><center>Yup, these four: AJ, Kevin, Eli, and Kiseop (and Soohyun on the right).</center><br />
Now, who do I have to pay to get Kevin to go back to his “Manmanhani”-era hair?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xaYz2Nuroeg/URmyo_MaJYI/AAAAAAAAEeE/Uc6NdEx1P2o/s1600/Kevin%2BManmanhani.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="266" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xaYz2Nuroeg/URmyo_MaJYI/AAAAAAAAEeE/Uc6NdEx1P2o/s400/Kevin%2BManmanhani.jpg" alt="U-KISS ukiss Manmanhani Kevin hair blonde" title="It’s even better with braids on one side. Also, apparently I have a thing for blondes? Who knew?"/></a></div><center>Yes, please!</center><br />
<b>Do you like it enough to buy the song?</b><br />
Yes, I do! I’ll have to add another to my <a href="http://kisskisskpopreviews.blogspot.ca/2011/12/my-top-10-favorite-u-kiss-songs.html">top ten U-KISS songs list</a>. :)<br />
<br />
<b>Any ending thoughts?</b><br />
Did you know that AJ <a href="http://www.allkpop.com/2012/07/aj-to-pursue-his-education-at-columbia-university-and-halt-his-activities-in-u-kiss-for-the-time-being">studied at</a> Columbia University in New York? That’s a very prestigious school and a very impressive achievement!<br />
<br />
Also, don’t confuse this song with Nep’s <a href="http://youtu.be/bvAcLkrZzhk">“Doradora.”</a><br />
<br />
<b>Boyfriend’s one-liner:</b><br />
“Makes me want to play <a href="http://youtu.be/B6q5Bb6SOyc">‘And Yet It Moves’</a> [a video game where you can rotate the camera angle to change gravity].”<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jJ1VsDTbZUc/URmy1I-cxlI/AAAAAAAAEeQ/cd7j6TJyyt4/s1600/And%2BYet%2BIt%2BMoves.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="368" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jJ1VsDTbZUc/URmy1I-cxlI/AAAAAAAAEeQ/cd7j6TJyyt4/s400/And%2BYet%2BIt%2BMoves.PNG" alt="U-KISS Doradora review And Yet It Moves indie video game" title="My boyfriend is a video game geek. :)"/></a></div><center>Here’s a screenshot from that game.</center><br />
Thanks for reading! Please share your comments below! :)Kiss Kiss Kpop Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306258347914732719noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580318150521172230.post-86992122482445412512013-02-04T10:00:00.000-06:002013-02-04T11:00:10.823-06:00Review: Ailee–“I’ll Show You”<center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MCEcWcIww5k?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />
Ailee pulls a self-imposed <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0160862/"><i>She’s All That</i></a>.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<b>Did you like the song?</b><br />
So I remember Ailee from her collaboration with Wheesung (her mentor) in <a href="http://kisskisskpopreviews.blogspot.ca/2011/10/review-wheesung-feat-aileethey-are.html">“They Are Coming,”</a> and she’s been having a promising beginning solo career since that time. Her first single, <a href="http://youtu.be/L9ro1KjkJMg">“Heaven,”</a> is very listenable, though not as awesome as “I’ll Show You,” in my opinion.<br />
<br />
Because, oh my God, Ailee. She must be one of the absolute best female singers in Kpop right now. This song is addicting and powerful, with surprising vocal turns that make it simply fantastic. It has elements of both a ballad and a faster song, and the two sections transition between each other swiftly but without being jarring. There’s also a superb climactic moment. All of these elements blend together to make something very special. I wish I’d heard it prior to putting together my <a href="http://kisskisskpopreviews.blogspot.ca/2012/12/my-top-15-best-kpop-2012-songs-part-1.html">favorite 15 songs</a> from 2012—this one would be near the top.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kCylO0MRU0Y/UQ8hOqmV98I/AAAAAAAAEZ8/NEkJj9zEQlI/s1600/ailee%2Bcloseup.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="222" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kCylO0MRU0Y/UQ8hOqmV98I/AAAAAAAAEZ8/NEkJj9zEQlI/s400/ailee%2Bcloseup.PNG" alt="Ailee I'll Show You review pretty" title="So pretty"/></a></div><center>Ailee</center><br />
<b>What was your favorite part of the song?</b><br />
Oh man, I love the <a href="http://youtu.be/MCEcWcIww5k?t=2m44s">buildup</a> to that spectacular high note.<br />
<br />
I also recommend listening to <a href="http://youtu.be/oVpdBTfAiYo">some of</a> the <a href="http://youtu.be/2-Vnuv9J5_w">live versions</a>; Ailee’s vocal performance is <i>even better</i> than the recordings, with completely different improvisational notes on each one. <a href="http://youtu.be/G0HfWr3WuCc">This version</a> at the Cultwo Show actually made me freakin’ <i>tear up</i> while watching it, um. So color me very impressed. Keep giving her fast-paced songs where she can show off that voice, and I’ll keep eating them up. :)<br />
<br />
<b>Does the English make you want to rip your eardrums out?</b><br />
Ailee is a Korean-American from New Jersey, so obviously her English is great, but there isn’t much of it here. “Boy, you gotta be aware” is the only line, I think.<br />
<br />
<b>Did you like the video?</b><br />
I adore the song. I love the people in the video. I really like the staging of the video and how it looks and everything. But I hate the message in this video.<br />
<br />
We all know the typical <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0160862/"><i>She’s All That</i></a> plot—there’s a shy, nerdy girl with glasses and a dorky hairdo...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T-zV7FceDug/UQ8e20OUbEI/AAAAAAAAEYQ/72WTDn3ynXA/s1600/Ailee%2Bwith%2Bglasses.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="227" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T-zV7FceDug/UQ8e20OUbEI/AAAAAAAAEYQ/72WTDn3ynXA/s400/Ailee%2Bwith%2Bglasses.PNG" alt="Ailee I’ll Show You dorky" title="Geeky but still sexy!"/></a></div><br />
...and one day, she shakes her hair out, removes her glasses, and puts on something hot, and her entire personality transforms into a sexy, confident diva. Everybody starts to take notice of her.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lNWL0z06we8/UQ8fEgOCzRI/AAAAAAAAEYc/9D2qBC5QEwo/s1600/guys%2Bsurrounding%2Bher.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="229" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lNWL0z06we8/UQ8fEgOCzRI/AAAAAAAAEYc/9D2qBC5QEwo/s400/guys%2Bsurrounding%2Bher.PNG" alt="Ailee I’ll Show You crowd scene" title="Sing it with me now: “Everybody wants you!”"/></a></div><br />
But the thing is, what makes people sexy is a small part their looks and a large part their <i>personalities</i>, their confidence in themselves. Changing a person’s looks might change their personality a little bit, but becoming sexier is much more effective if they themselves work from the inside out rather than the outside in.<br />
<br />
For a while, I thought that the video for “I’ll Show You” was going to be somewhat progressive and, well, <i>show</i> viewers exactly that—that sexiness and confidence come from within. I loved the moment when G.O knelt down to give Ailee flowers, and she literally pushed him away and spat in his face.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4ArKJEDLmBI/UQ8fM04YoaI/AAAAAAAAEYo/dkb_UO4PotA/s1600/G.O%2Bwith%2Bflowers.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="219" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4ArKJEDLmBI/UQ8fM04YoaI/AAAAAAAAEYo/dkb_UO4PotA/s400/G.O%2Bwith%2Bflowers.PNG" alt="Ailee I’ll Show You G.O flowers" title="I know it’s physically impossible to reject G.O, but still."/></a></div><center>Rejected!</center><br />
But then that ending just pulled a total 360 and made me rather exasperated and frustrated.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yrgk8jt0GnA/UQ8f9TNlzHI/AAAAAAAAEZM/-j7e_xGUItc/s1600/ailee%2Band%2Bg.o.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="251" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yrgk8jt0GnA/UQ8f9TNlzHI/AAAAAAAAEZM/-j7e_xGUItc/s400/ailee%2Band%2Bg.o.PNG" alt="Ailee G.O MBLAQ I'll Show you hug" title="The whole time, I was like, “Please don’t go there, PLEASE don’t go there...” but it went there."/></a></div><center><i>WHAT?!</i></center><br />
Believe me, I completely empathize with wanting to be with G.O, but according to the lyrics, his character dumped Ailee’s character for another girl! Ailee shouldn’t go back with him, and she certainly shouldn’t feel that she has to change herself to prove something to him. Her character has nothing to prove to anybody. If he dumped her, that’s <i>his</i> problem. If she wants to change herself, it should be <i>for herself</i>, not for him, and absolutely not to win him back. Why should she want to be with a guy who had treated her like that, anyway?<br />
<br />
This message, that women should feel they must “improve” their looks for men, is rather clichéd and frankly has the potential to be very hurtful. I was disappointed by it.<br />
<br />
<b>Was there a storyline? If so, did it make sense?</b><br />
G.O’s character and Ailee’s were dating, but G.O dumped her for another girl (according to the lyrics). Ailee is depressed for a while (as shown by how dim and dingy the opening scenes are), then she takes off her glasses, shakes out her hair, and starts wearing makeup and tight dresses, seemingly making an effort to move on. (The scenes start looking brighter at this point.) She also invests in a red carpet for her high school...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XffW6YSFQJI/UQ8fd0z4UWI/AAAAAAAAEY0/4df_heFfLxE/s1600/red%2Bcarpet.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="216" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XffW6YSFQJI/UQ8fd0z4UWI/AAAAAAAAEY0/4df_heFfLxE/s400/red%2Bcarpet.PNG" alt="Ailee I’ll Show You red carpet" title="Do the principals not have any say as to what goes on in their schools?"/></a></div><center>Totally necessary.</center><br />
...as well as a <i>perpetual wind machine</i> to follow her around <i>constantly</i>.<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://s1091.beta.photobucket.com/user/kisskisskpopreviews/media/windgif_zps76eb826d.gif.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i388/kisskisskpopreviews/windgif_zps76eb826d.gif" border="0" alt="Ailee I’ll Show You wind machine" title="So much wind! Gif from l0verse-stvtion.tumblr"/></a></center><center>Seriously, this place is a wind tunnel for one person! It’s getting out of control!</center><br />
Makes you wonder just what is going on in today’s schools. <br />
<br />
Anyway, since she became more noticeable in G.O’s eyes, he suddenly wants her back. And the ending scene makes it seem like she has accepted him back.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GCVO8GJOiVs/UQ8fzSYJ_2I/AAAAAAAAEZA/nri9pHajyJI/s1600/hug.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="218" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GCVO8GJOiVs/UQ8fzSYJ_2I/AAAAAAAAEZA/nri9pHajyJI/s400/hug.PNG" alt="Ailee I’ll Show You G.O hug" title="Not a particularly sexual one, either, but I don’t often hold my platonic guy-friends in a lingering hug and smile like that."/></a></div><center>That...is likely not a platonic hug.</center><br />
<b>Was the dance cool and distinctive?</b><br />
I don’t think we got to see enough of it to tell if it’s particularly distinctive. You can check out a <a href="http://youtu.be/kaDmVkXe2PE">mirrored version here</a>, though. I like the big moves that go with the music, but I didn’t notice anything particularly memorable.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f2CyD9eGiH8/UQ8gYjcOb8I/AAAAAAAAEZY/8avMsRynFMw/s1600/dance.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="229" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f2CyD9eGiH8/UQ8gYjcOb8I/AAAAAAAAEZY/8avMsRynFMw/s400/dance.PNG" alt="Ailee I'll Show You review dance" title="Or perhaps I should call them leg lifts?"/></a></div><center>Some nice kicks, though.</center><br />
<b>Do the members look good?</b><br />
Yes, they do! MBLAQ’s G.O is always attractive, and I like Ailee both before and after her transformation in this music video.<br />
<br />
<b>Which member stood out the most?</b><br />
Ailee, obviously. But did anybody else notice that her backup dancers actually had fake microphones during part of the dance?! Except...Ailee herself didn’t have a mic.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MVkGBIy6Beo/UQ8gw09_pII/AAAAAAAAEZk/Vsx35FKxVGw/s1600/microphone%2Bdancers.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="215" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MVkGBIy6Beo/UQ8gw09_pII/AAAAAAAAEZk/Vsx35FKxVGw/s400/microphone%2Bdancers.PNG" alt="Ailee I’ll Show You backup dancers microphone" title="Don’t know why I noticed this."/></a></div><center>Weirddd.</center><br />
<b>Do you like it enough to buy the song?</b><br />
Heck yes, and I’ve been listening to it non-stop ever since.<br />
<br />
<b>Any ending thoughts?</b><br />
Ailee got a new Twitter, <a href="https://twitter.com/itzailee">@itzailee</a>, and on that I laughed to find out what her fans are called (though I don’t think it’s official or anything)—aliens. Isn’t that funny? I love it.<br />
<br />
Also, Ailee’s “logo,” which we see at the beginning of the music video in black and white and at the end in pink and purple, is pretty awesome:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-biWWOpq2QD8/UQ8g7d-yc7I/AAAAAAAAEZw/OTwswyf3HpI/s1600/Logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="373" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-biWWOpq2QD8/UQ8g7d-yc7I/AAAAAAAAEZw/OTwswyf3HpI/s400/Logo.png" alt="Ailee logo butterfly pink" title="Ailee’s logo"/></a></div><center>A cute butterfly!</center><br />
<b>Boyfriend’s one-liner:</b><br />
“C’mon, really, you don’t have to change—I thought you looked damn cute in your über-geek glasses!” ...Even if they don’t have lenses!<br />
<br />
Thanks for reading! Hope everybody is having a good February. Please share your comments below! :)Kiss Kiss Kpop Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306258347914732719noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580318150521172230.post-87514848797658330112013-01-28T14:43:00.002-06:002013-01-29T11:05:01.385-06:00Review: Hyuna (feat. Psy)–“Ice Cream”<center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/QlWZluzBNxM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />
Hyuna will melt you down like ice cream.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<b>Did you like the song?</b><br />
So a lot has happened since Hyuna’s “Bubble Pop” went viral and Psy and Hyuna collaborated on the music video for “Gangnam Style”—Psy made YouTube history with over a billion views, Psy announced that some American record labels are considering signing Hyuna...oh, and Hyuna followed up “Bubble Pop” with a music video that was doubtless intended to be as dirty and envelope-pushing as that one. And Psy has a long cameo!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Ic2fJx4XSw/UQbaSYa97uI/AAAAAAAAESs/FRV9qlIsM-0/s1600/Psy%2Bcloseup.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="221" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Ic2fJx4XSw/UQbaSYa97uI/AAAAAAAAESs/FRV9qlIsM-0/s400/Psy%2Bcloseup.PNG" alt="Hyuna Ice Cream Psy cameo" title="Too soon?"/></a></div><center>Oppan Ice Cream Style!</center><br />
The song itself is kind of what we expect from Hyuna: talk-rap, fun singing parts, on the catchy side without being an exceptional song.<br />
<br />
<b>What was your favorite part of the song?</b><br />
I like the <a href="http://youtu.be/QlWZluzBNxM?t=58s">beginning of the chorus</a> (“Nan dalkomhan ice cream neon noganaerilgeol”/”I’m like sweet ice cream; I’ll melt you”).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3JhX34Ur6PE/UQbgp-E8_6I/AAAAAAAAEWI/VXI2w60PYSA/s1600/ice%2Bcream%2Bphallic.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="218" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3JhX34Ur6PE/UQbgp-E8_6I/AAAAAAAAEWI/VXI2w60PYSA/s400/ice%2Bcream%2Bphallic.PNG" alt="Hyuna Ice Cream pretty" title="Phallic symbol or no, it's still cute and sexy."/></a></div><br />
<b>Does the English make you want to rip your eardrums out?</b><br />
If I hear the word “cream” repeated one more time, I swear... ;) No, the lyrics aren’t too bad—“my diamond ring, so bling bling” is my particular favorite...even if she isn’t actually wearing one and has just drawn it on her hand.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RfvNw744uvI/UQbanEleDaI/AAAAAAAAES4/TvZ1UzfswUg/s1600/diamond%2Bring%2Bso%2Bbling%2Bbling.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="217" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RfvNw744uvI/UQbanEleDaI/AAAAAAAAES4/TvZ1UzfswUg/s400/diamond%2Bring%2Bso%2Bbling%2Bbling.PNG" alt="Hyuna Ice Cream diamond ring so bling bling hand" title="Hey, diamond rings are expensive!"/></a></div><center>My hand draw-ing, so bling bling?</center><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0nmb2c7-VCA/UQba4FnSXcI/AAAAAAAAETE/_4kcnkk_8yQ/s1600/actual%2Bdiamond%2Bring.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="220" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0nmb2c7-VCA/UQba4FnSXcI/AAAAAAAAETE/_4kcnkk_8yQ/s400/actual%2Bdiamond%2Bring.PNG" alt="Hyuna Ice Cream huge diamond ring" title="But, again, clearly fake because it’s so freakin’ huge!"/></a></div><center>Oh, wait, <i>there</i> it is! That is some serious bling indeed!</center><br />
Still not sure what “I got 31 flava, ttaeron [sometimes] shooting star, pop pop” means, though. <br />
<br />
What is a little more confusing are the English signs the protesters are carrying later in the video. It’s probably a fun game to pick out what they’re saying and then attempt to understand it. “DO NOT HURRY YOU HAVE 4 MINUTE” is a favorite of mine with the reference to 4minute, the group Hyuna is in. But some other signs are a bit more confusing: “SALE: MY LITTLE BROTHER WITH BIG SHOUT,” for example. Is a little brother for sale? Interesting! Or perhaps we should be concerned because “BATMAN HE IS GONE” and “ELIENS ARE COMING!!! LET’S PREPARE PARTY TONITE.” Not just any kind of alien. Eliens. Maybe that’s related to “SHALL WE DRIVE? ON YOUR UFO.”<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sMlFKzv-Z-4/UQbbSBcuaPI/AAAAAAAAETQ/DMvCT7JSPNc/s1600/incomprehensible%2Bsigns.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="217" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sMlFKzv-Z-4/UQbbSBcuaPI/AAAAAAAAETQ/DMvCT7JSPNc/s400/incomprehensible%2Bsigns.PNG" alt="Hyuna Ice Cream protesters signs English" title="Well, at least they tried."/></a></div><center>Hmm.</center><br />
<b>Did you like the video?</b><br />
Not gonna lie, it’s colorful and fun and, yeah, really sexy. I did have a moment of, “Oh, this again, Hyuna? Can’t we have a different theme this time?” while watching it, though. I wish she could star in music videos that aren’t primarily about sex. However, it seems that this is her trademark now, so perhaps she can’t change it even if she wanted to.<br />
<br />
The thing is, at least to me, that it seems like this music video is almost...meta (i.e. self-referential; made with foreknowledge of expectations about what it will be). People <i>expect</i> Hyuna’s music video persona to be jaw-droppingly sexy to the point where it’s almost ridiculous and obvious. And, sure, “Ice Cream” is chock-full of innuendo: the phallic ice cream cone; the “cream” itself deliberately evoking comparisons to...well, you know; Hyuna wearing a black leather top in bubble bath while the camera looks down her cleavage—you get the drill. The male gaze perspective could not be more obvious.<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://s1091.beta.photobucket.com/user/kisskisskpopreviews/media/bubblebathgif_zpsd63f068e.gif.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i388/kisskisskpopreviews/bubblebathgif_zpsd63f068e.gif" border="0" alt="Hyuna Ice Cream bubble bath scene gif" title="Gif from comeinwiththemilk.tumblr."></a></center><br />
But just because a video is sexy—and very much intended to be sexy—doesn’t mean it should automatically be condemned as sexist and degrading to women. It <i>certainly</i> doesn’t give critics blanket permission to call Hyuna derogatory names (I won’t repeat them; I’m sure you can imagine). Women are allowed to enjoy sex and be sexually provocative if they want to. I’m not saying you can’t hate this video for other reasons, but hating it because Hyuna is “too sexy” in it is applying a double standard to music video behavior.<br />
<br />
Here’s another reason why I think it’s unfair to condemn the video for being too sexy: in the majority of the scenes, at least to my eyes, it’s Hyuna who holds all the power. <i>She’s</i> the one melting <i>you</i> down like ice cream. She’s the one who owns the ice cream truck and bursts into places unannounced and sits on a guy’s back like he’s her personal valet.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C3fr9D77Y8o/UQbcQsskjhI/AAAAAAAAETg/R0hqjoqi95s/s1600/dance%2Bmove.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="220" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C3fr9D77Y8o/UQbcQsskjhI/AAAAAAAAETg/R0hqjoqi95s/s400/dance%2Bmove.PNG" alt="Hyuna Ice Cream dance move" title="Looks like fun!"/></a></div><center>That little smirk, omg.</center><br />
And, sure, we do get the bubble bath action, but we also get this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xpk5pFC9BUI/UQbcgwxNgtI/AAAAAAAAETw/xlo9jgv8L1A/s1600/guys%2Babdomen.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="217" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xpk5pFC9BUI/UQbcgwxNgtI/AAAAAAAAETw/xlo9jgv8L1A/s400/guys%2Babdomen.PNG" alt="Hyuna Ice Cream abs" title="That’s not particularly male-gaze oriented, now, is it?"/></a></div><center>Abs of steel! (Oh, sorry, in Kpop we call them “chocolate abs.”)</center><br />
and this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4KE4ECS9tO8/UQbcz4EC9zI/AAAAAAAAET8/aaxsh2jGZJk/s1600/Hyuna%2Bwith%2Bguys%2Bback.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="218" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4KE4ECS9tO8/UQbcz4EC9zI/AAAAAAAAET8/aaxsh2jGZJk/s400/Hyuna%2Bwith%2Bguys%2Bback.PNG" alt="Hyuna Ice Cream name tattooed on guy’s shoulder" title="Mmm."/></a></div><center>Her name is tattooed on his shoulder.</center><br />
Now, where I come from, if you get someone’s name tattooed on you, you’re professing your undying devotion to them, essentially announcing that you acknowledge that they <i>own</i> you.<br />
<br />
And in the end of the video, it’s not Hyuna with ice cream all over her face: <i>she’s</i> the one spraying the <i>guys</i> (and girls; she’s not picky) with her ice cream. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vqV2Thu4F8c/UQbeCB8yXaI/AAAAAAAAEUM/vkHd9dH6xSg/s1600/Getting%2Bsprayed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="119" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vqV2Thu4F8c/UQbeCB8yXaI/AAAAAAAAEUM/vkHd9dH6xSg/s400/Getting%2Bsprayed.jpg" alt="Hyuna Ice Cream spraying guys and girls" title="This is called Extreme Ice-Creaming."/></a></div><center>Quite a different ending to most porn films, isn’t it?</center><br />
So I think the filmmakers are aware of the expectations Hyuna’s music videos come with and they are subverting those expectations in subtle ways. Maybe not as much as some of us would like, but there are signs of baby steps forward.<br />
<br />
<b>Was there a storyline? If so, did it make sense?</b><br />
Hyuna owns an ice cream truck that, like the Tardis in <i>Doctor Who</i>, is much bigger on the inside. Unlike the Tardis, though, it...doesn’t actually ever move. :/<br />
<br />
One day after Psy visits (and steals ice cream), there is a massive picket line by protesters whose motives are, to say the least, incomprehensible. Hyuna commits a bit of vehicular manslaughter...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iAutRNDfAbE/UQbeZ8jMKgI/AAAAAAAAEUc/AvS80Arj_0c/s1600/clown.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="216" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iAutRNDfAbE/UQbeZ8jMKgI/AAAAAAAAEUc/AvS80Arj_0c/s400/clown.PNG" alt="Hyuna Ice Cream clown car" title="Well, there’s jail time for sure..."/></a></div><center>That clown must’ve had it coming.</center><br />
...then she offers up some ice cream! For some reason all the boys swarm towards her while the girls scowl from afar.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NaHVb2EPEb0/UQbenJ7T7xI/AAAAAAAAEUo/oF4w_iUIbIY/s1600/guys%2Bswarm.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="218" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NaHVb2EPEb0/UQbenJ7T7xI/AAAAAAAAEUo/oF4w_iUIbIY/s400/guys%2Bswarm.PNG" alt="Hyuna Ice Cream guys" title="Guys clearly enjoy ice cream more than girls do."/></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BSlOhT4AQd4/UQbevIdLKSI/AAAAAAAAEU0/SdM7gBcLxPc/s1600/girls%2Bscowl.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="237" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BSlOhT4AQd4/UQbevIdLKSI/AAAAAAAAEU0/SdM7gBcLxPc/s400/girls%2Bscowl.PNG" alt="Hyuna Ice Cream girls" title="Girls prefer cotton candy."/></a></div><center>That girl in the middle is seriously angry at free ice cream.</center><br />
Then Hyuna sprays the protesters with liquified ice cream—as a subduing measure, perhaps? But they seem to like it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wi3OJWpFJes/UQbe7k8qOfI/AAAAAAAAEVA/Ao6vvv3Q7jk/s1600/please%2Bsubdue%2Bus.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="218" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wi3OJWpFJes/UQbe7k8qOfI/AAAAAAAAEVA/Ao6vvv3Q7jk/s400/please%2Bsubdue%2Bus.PNG" alt="Hyuna Ice Cream sexy guys" title="It is really hard to write this review without using overtly sexual language, btw..."/></a></div><center>“Please subdue us!”</center><br />
Note that nowhere in the video does Hyuna actually eat any ice cream. She comes fairly close to it here: <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k8qHEgiRWs0/UQbfOz71l0I/AAAAAAAAEVM/SlxQNjYLp20/s1600/close%2Bto%2Beating%2Bice%2Bcream%2B2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="221" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k8qHEgiRWs0/UQbfOz71l0I/AAAAAAAAEVM/SlxQNjYLp20/s400/close%2Bto%2Beating%2Bice%2Bcream%2B2.PNG" alt="Hyuna Ice Cream sexy" title="Are we thinking mint chocolate chip here?"/></a></div><center>...but then ends up giving it away. :(</center><br />
Also note that the fact that Hyuna <i>freakin’ ran someone over with her truck</i> is literally just shrugged off and never referred to again. Whoa. Cold.<br />
<br />
<b>Was the dance cool and distinctive?</b><br />
I seriously think Hyuna is one of the best dancers out there, but the dance is kind of obscured in the music video itself. I recommend watching a <a href="http://youtu.be/sV_ZQxSdKq4">compilation version</a> or a <a href="http://youtu.be/MxCCmbppw6c">dance cover</a>. But even then, the dance doesn’t seem that distinctive to me. There’s lots of vertical movement (i.e. standing up and squatting down again). The most distinctive part to me is when Hyuna sits on the male backup dancer’s back.<br />
<br />
<b>Do the members look good?</b><br />
Oh, yeah. I don’t think Hyuna ever actually looks bad.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P4zGxY7H8Wk/UQbfxOSG_VI/AAAAAAAAEVY/6S1cDN_pqtI/s1600/Hyuna%2Bwith%2Bgold.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="219" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P4zGxY7H8Wk/UQbfxOSG_VI/AAAAAAAAEVY/6S1cDN_pqtI/s400/Hyuna%2Bwith%2Bgold.PNG" alt="Hyuna Ice Cream gold teeth" title="Bling!" /></a></div><br />
<b>Which member stood out the most?</b><br />
The...bubble bath? I think most people are talking about the bubble bath. :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4JXgcvOfXXs/UQbf8laOwhI/AAAAAAAAEVk/4GxgUo5NgN0/s1600/Hyuna%2Bpretty%2Bcloseup.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="219" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4JXgcvOfXXs/UQbf8laOwhI/AAAAAAAAEVk/4GxgUo5NgN0/s400/Hyuna%2Bpretty%2Bcloseup.PNG" alt="Hyuna bubble bath" title="Evil suds!" /></a></div><br />
But don’t hold out hope that it will return in future music videos—apparently Hyuna <a href="http://www.soompi.com/2012/10/27/behind-story-of-hyunas-bubble-bath-scene/">had a skin reaction</a> due to the hours she spent covered in suds. :(<br />
<br />
<b>Do you like it enough to buy the song?</b><br />
Not at first, but actually my boyfriend became kind of obsessed with it, so, yeah! I wouldn’t say it’s a high <i>priority</i> or anything, but I like it, the boyfriend likes it, and I already have <a href="http://youtu.be/jI__E0pYEeU">“Change”</a> and <a href="http://youtu.be/bw9CALKOvAI">“Bubble Pop,”</a> so I might as well complete the set!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fe94sooYDLM/UQbgLPiDimI/AAAAAAAAEVw/K_Gl0EJVc5w/s1600/Mickey%2BMouse%2Bears.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="220" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fe94sooYDLM/UQbgLPiDimI/AAAAAAAAEVw/K_Gl0EJVc5w/s400/Mickey%2BMouse%2Bears.PNG" alt="Hyuna Mickey Mouse ears Ice Cream" title="Mickey Mouse ears!"/></a></div><br />
<b>Any ending thoughts?</b><br />
Also check out 4minute’s <a href="http://youtu.be/omRLij2knRk">“Love Tension”</a> (where the ladies rock business suits) and 4minute’s new sub-unit collaboration in 2YOON (4minute’s Gayoon and Jiyoon), <a href="http://youtu.be/kQwhjXE27XI">“24/7”</a>; it’s so catchy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6RKZQcR-rZc/UQbgcifvdbI/AAAAAAAAEV8/yeR78Gok2S8/s1600/2YOON.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6RKZQcR-rZc/UQbgcifvdbI/AAAAAAAAEV8/yeR78Gok2S8/s400/2YOON.png" alt="2YOON members names" title="2YOON members Gayoon and Jiyoon"/></a></div><center>Gayoon and Jiyoon</center><br />
I’m a huge 4nia, in case you couldn’t tell! :)<br />
<br />
<b>Boyfriend’s one-liner:</b><br />
“If there were an uncensored version of this song, I’m sure it would be called, ‘Guys Scream.’ Oh, Hyuna!” (Oh, God. *facepalm*)<br />
<br />
Thanks for reading! Please share your comments below!Kiss Kiss Kpop Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306258347914732719noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580318150521172230.post-71652800777421191442012-12-31T08:00:00.000-06:002013-03-04T11:06:20.198-06:00My Top 15 Best Kpop 2012 Songs: Part 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qQ_pkcgvjds/UN5K17qZjtI/AAAAAAAAER0/W38h6p3H8Uo/s1600/Cover%2B3.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="375" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qQ_pkcgvjds/UN5K17qZjtI/AAAAAAAAER0/W38h6p3H8Uo/s400/Cover%2B3.PNG" alt="Best Kpop Songs 2012 Reviews" title="My Favorite 2012 Kpop Songs"/></a></div><br />
My favorite songs of the year, #5-1.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<center><a href="http://kisskisskpopreviews.blogspot.ca/2012/12/my-top-15-best-kpop-2012-songs-part-1.html">Part One (#15-11)</a> | <a href="http://kisskisskpopreviews.blogspot.ca/2012/12/my-top-15-best-kpop-2012-songs-part-2.html">Part Two (#10-6)</a> | Part Three (#5-1)</center><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uoLJz_U5_70/UN5LAKpyA2I/AAAAAAAAER8/DExiyDdQXcA/s1600/Year-End%2BAwards%2Bsign%2Bresized.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="309" width="332" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uoLJz_U5_70/UN5LAKpyA2I/AAAAAAAAER8/DExiyDdQXcA/s400/Year-End%2BAwards%2Bsign%2Bresized.png" alt="Best Kpop Songs 2012 Reviews" title="My favorite Kpop songs this year!"/></a></div><br />
Here are my top five songs for this year!<br />
<center>~★~</center><br />
<a name="T-ARA"></a><b>#5: T-ara—“Day By Day”</b><br />
<br />
<center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kb6mCsvLqP0?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />
Or you can see the insanely long drama version <a href="http://youtu.be/brnCe8lL7l4">at this link</a>. I actually quite liked the drama (continued in <a href="http://youtu.be/vb___tTA1po">“Sexy Love”</a>), which features Hyomin and her character’s younger sister (played first by Dani, the newest T-ara member, and then later by Eunjung), who has super powers, battling an evil Jiyeon. It’s a bit…well, dramatic, but it has pretty cool sword fights and blood, and the story was interesting.<br />
<br />
T-ara has had a somewhat controversial year with <a href="http://www.koreaboo.com/index.html/_/editorial/full-story-hwayoungs-departure-from-t-ar-r16788">rumors</a> about member Hwayoung <a href="http://www.soompi.com/2012/07/31/complete-list-of-t-aras-alleged-bullying-incidents-with-hwayoung/">being bullied</a> and then departing from the group this month, being replaced by members Ahreum and (soon) Dani.<br />
<br />
Obviously, we will likely never know what really happened, but I think that it was probably a minor incident that was overblown, as this sort of thing seems to happen a lot in our Kpop community. True fans should take all rumors with a grain of salt. I do feel it’s a shame that they are changing up the member lineup in what seems like a response to this, though. I very much dislike member changeups. To me, however, the quality of the music overrules any private issues, and I <i>loved</i> “Day By Day,” even though it kind of took me by surprise. <br />
<br />
It’s different than most of the ones on this list: rather slower and more gentle but very sweet. My boyfriend noted that “it doesn’t sound like most Kpop,” and I have to agree. I think it’s the flute that gives it that different feel. I loved Hwayoung’s two rap sections (which makes her imminent departure from the group even more painful!).<br />
<br />
The English is a bit, er, horrible (“Kiss me, baby, I’ll must be stay here day by day”), but frankly I don’t care because the music in that part with T-ara’s blended voices (particularly Jiyeon’s) is very lovely.<br />
<br />
<b>Boyfriend’s one-liner:</b><br />
“I like the soft bunny rabbit. Also, the pink-haired lady is like the Bride from <i>Kill Bill</i>.”<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ksp66lCoUwI/UN40B-BZyYI/AAAAAAAAEO8/eGbowScQ-nA/s1600/T-ara%2Bmembers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="297" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ksp66lCoUwI/UN40B-BZyYI/AAAAAAAAEO8/eGbowScQ-nA/s400/T-ara%2Bmembers.jpg" alt="T-ara members Day By Day" title="T-ara members without new member Dani"/></a></div><center>[Top:] Qri, Soyeon, Hyomin, Ahreum, [bottom:] Hwayoung, Jiyeon, Eunjung, and Boram</center><br />
<center>~★~</center><br />
<b>#4: SHINee—“Sherlock”</b><br />
<br />
<center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8kyG5tTZ1iE?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />
Whoo, boy, I sure <a href="http://kisskisskpopreviews.blogspot.com/2012/04/review-shineesherlock-clue-note.html">complained</a> a lot about this song, but ultimately I bought it, and since then, the chorus has grown on me to the point where this is one of my favorite songs of the year. I still don’t like the music video much and I’m still irritated by the “Give it up for SHINee!” parts, but I just love SHINee’s trademark chorus so much that it more than redeems the entire song for me. “I’m so curious, yeah!”<br />
<br />
I did a full review of this music video <a href="http://kisskisskpopreviews.blogspot.com/2012/04/review-shineesherlock-clue-note.html">at this link</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>Boyfriend’s one-liner:</b><br />
“Clearly the real Sherlock is the dog.”<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1JXERncPd6s/UN40gQzNlBI/AAAAAAAAEPI/ofPaRszzBFM/s1600/SHINee%2Bmembers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="288" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1JXERncPd6s/UN40gQzNlBI/AAAAAAAAEPI/ofPaRszzBFM/s400/SHINee%2Bmembers.jpg" alt="SHINee members Sherlock" title="SHINee members"/></a></div><center>Minho, Jonghyun, Key, Taemin, and Onew</center><br />
<center>~★~</center><br />
<b>#3: Psy—“Korea”</b><br />
<br />
<center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rpYq1lSce1U?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />
I know, I know, this is the year <a href="http://kisskisskpopreviews.blogspot.ca/2012/09/review-psygangnam-style.html">“Gangnam Style”</a> took the world by storm (more than a billion <a href="http://youtu.be/9bZkp7q19f0">Youtube views</a> at this point and climbing), but in terms of music alone, I very much like “Gangnam,” but I <i>love</i> “Korea,” Psy’s Olympics cheer song.<br />
<br />
I love the heavy rock and the relatively little amount of melodic variation. It kind of reminds me of SHINee’s <a href="http://youtu.be/Dww9UjJ4Dt8">“Lucifer”</a> in that respect, giving the impression that the lyrics are being almost yelled or chanted while still being very listenable. It makes the entire song very exciting, culminating in the best part, “Korea!”, which is just made of win.<br />
<br />
I did a full review of this music video <a href="http://kisskisskpopreviews.blogspot.ca/2012/08/review-psykorea.html">at this link</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>Boyfriend’s one-liner:</b><br />
“I want to see the Winter Olympics version in two years…mainly to see Psy in a figure skating outfit.”<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wKVOnufx1IM/UN40wvSKHsI/AAAAAAAAEPU/JiwYwHXbReU/s1600/Psy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="341" width="386" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wKVOnufx1IM/UN40wvSKHsI/AAAAAAAAEPU/JiwYwHXbReU/s400/Psy.jpg" alt="Psy Korea Olympics" title="Psy!"/></a></div><center>Psy</center><br />
<center>~★~</center><br />
<a name="BlockB"></a><b>#2: Block B—“Nillili Mambo”</b><br />
<br />
<center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/4AYJZvHeKFo?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />
Dear <i>God</i>, this song has some serious attitude, and I absolutely adore it. With a backdrop of the pirates theme in the music video (P.O even wears an eyepatch!), Zico is free to growl all over the place and show off his register for lower notes (whoa!). I think there are few personalities in Kpop as arresting onscreen as he is. Such swagger.<br />
<br />
But the other members get to shine here, too, which I appreciate. Kyung saying “holiday” was so cute, and P.O’s “ooh, yeah” part after Zico’s growling was awesome. But the best part for me is the kickass chorus: “Nillili lalala nillili ya nillili mambo!”<br />
<br />
My hope for 2013 is that Block B continues to release material like this. That will make me very pleased. Bye, guys—hi, ladies!<br />
<br />
<b>Boyfriend’s one-liner:</b><br />
“The rooster ate the diamonds, and the next video will be like <i>Snatch</i>.”<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V-7wsIe8ueg/UN41DSpNPCI/AAAAAAAAEPg/NoqipRSayNM/s1600/Block%2BB%2BNillili%2BMambo%2Bmembers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V-7wsIe8ueg/UN41DSpNPCI/AAAAAAAAEPg/NoqipRSayNM/s400/Block%2BB%2BNillili%2BMambo%2Bmembers.jpg" alt="Block B members Nillili Mambo" title="Block B members"/></a></div><center>Jaehyo, Kyung, U-Kwon, Zico, B-Bomb, TaeIl, and P.O</center><br />
<center>~★~</center><br />
<a name="BTOB"></a><b>#1: BTOB—“Wow”</b><br />
<br />
<center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/cXcUXWL1mJA?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />
Okay, yeah, this song has some issues, namely the frankly ridiculous intonation on some of the English phrases (Like “Groove it, groove it”—Minhyuk, what is up with your voice here?), which doesn’t make much sense as they have an English-speaking member (Peniel), but he doesn’t get any lines here!<br />
<br />
However, I’m willing to forgive pretty much any offense for that amaaazing chorus: “geubi dalla namdalla, tae tae tae taega dalla [Your level is different, it’s different, the air around you is different]; I like it, I like it.” <i>I</i> like it, too!<br />
<br />
I love the rough bluegrass guitar, which helps make the song slouchy, fun, and danceable. I also love the “Don’t break, oh eh oh eh, okay” section. And I don’t think I’ve ever heard falsetto lines as sexy as the ones here. Just a really stunning and catchy song, and my favorite of the year! Makes me happy whenever I hear it.<br />
<br />
<b>Boyfriend’s one-liner:</b><br />
“Guess she really…wait for it…blew them away.” …Oh dear. -___- One might even say (sarcastically), “Wow.”<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-06iWqlsj1qs/UN41g3SaFUI/AAAAAAAAEPs/uUKW-x9hFpw/s1600/BTOB%2BWow%2Bmembers.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="236" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-06iWqlsj1qs/UN41g3SaFUI/AAAAAAAAEPs/uUKW-x9hFpw/s400/BTOB%2BWow%2Bmembers.PNG" alt="BTOB members Wow" title="BTOB members"/></a></div><center>[Back row:] Minhyuk, Eunkwang, Ilhoon, Hyunsik, [front row:] Peniel, Sungjae, and Changsub</center><br />
<center>~★~</center><br />
So that’s it! Let me know your favorites, too! Thanks for reading, and have a very Happy New Year! :)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://kisskisskpopreviews.blogspot.ca/2012/12/my-top-15-best-kpop-2012-songs-part-1.html"><b><< Go to Part 1 (#15-11)</b></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://kisskisskpopreviews.blogspot.ca/2012/12/my-top-15-best-kpop-2012-songs-part-2.html"><b><< Go to Part 2 (#10-6)</b></a>Kiss Kiss Kpop Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306258347914732719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580318150521172230.post-11901378657501247772012-12-30T08:00:00.000-06:002013-03-04T11:00:40.138-06:00My Top 15 Best Kpop 2012 Songs: Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DBRgpv59ZiY/UN5KKQvfv5I/AAAAAAAAERU/Y_k04MTi7RA/s1600/Cover%2B2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="380" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DBRgpv59ZiY/UN5KKQvfv5I/AAAAAAAAERU/Y_k04MTi7RA/s400/Cover%2B2.PNG" alt="Best Kpop Songs 2012 Reviews" title="My Favorite 2012 Kpop Songs"/></a></div><br />
My favorite songs of the year, #10-6.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<center><a href="http://kisskisskpopreviews.blogspot.ca/2012/12/my-top-15-best-kpop-2012-songs-part-1.html">Part One (#15-11)</a> | Part Two (#10-6) | <a href="http://kisskisskpopreviews.blogspot.ca/2012/12/my-top-15-best-kpop-2012-songs-part-3.html">Part Three (#5-1)</a></center><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SfHofbiKxAo/UN5KY-pU0yI/AAAAAAAAERg/tt0z3f-9G0I/s1600/Year-End%2BAwards%2Bsign%2Bresized.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="309" width="332" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SfHofbiKxAo/UN5KY-pU0yI/AAAAAAAAERg/tt0z3f-9G0I/s400/Year-End%2BAwards%2Bsign%2Bresized.png" alt="Best Kpop Songs 2012 Reviews" title="My favorite Kpop songs this year!"/></a></div><br />
Onwards for part 2!<br />
<center>~★~</center><br />
<b>#10: Sunny Hill—“The Grasshopper Song”</b><br />
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<center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/4h1SixKJSKs?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />
This song and its catchy chorus grew on me a bit, but I knew right away that I would like it once I heard that gorgeous violin. That “ring-a-ling-a-ling” part never gets old. Couple that with a cool and meaningful and totally <i>gorgeous</i> music video (though a bit overly talky for me at the beginning), and I’m not sure how this wasn’t nominated for a music video Mnet Asian Music Award.<br />
<br />
Can’t wait until Janghyun returns from his military service, but in the meantime the four ladies are still producing great music—check out their <a href="http://youtu.be/FG3QZHMkyPg">“Princess and Prince Charming”</a> as well.<br />
<br />
I did a full review of this music video <a href="http://kisskisskpopreviews.blogspot.com/2012/01/review-sunny-hillthe-grasshopper-song.html">at this link</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>Boyfriend’s one-liner:</b><br />
“First attempt at escape—no hat. Get thrown out on butt. Second attempt at escape: hat + umbrella. Success!”<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4HdbuIvk888/UN4wC6noeXI/AAAAAAAAENE/dWtukGdtXWk/s1600/Sunny%2BHill%2Bmembers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="346" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4HdbuIvk888/UN4wC6noeXI/AAAAAAAAENE/dWtukGdtXWk/s400/Sunny%2BHill%2Bmembers.jpg" alt="Sunny Hill Grasshopper Song members" title="Sunny Hill members"/></a></div><center>Janghyun, Seungah, Kota, Jubi, and Misung</center><br />
<center>~★~</center><br />
<b>#9: B.A.P—“Warrior”</b><br />
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<center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/5tLooPlf2Sw?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />
What. A. Debut. This song has serious swag, from Yongguk’s deep rapping in the beginning to Zelo’s crazy fast-paced section (he even has to fake-pause for breath, lol!) with a wonderfully aggressive chorus and Daehyun’s great climactic high-note in the song. Love it. I am, however, beginning to be concerned with how many of my favorite songs have well-timed gunshot sound effects and gestures in them…<br />
<br />
I did a full review of this music video <a href="http://kisskisskpopreviews.blogspot.ca/2012/02/review-bapwarrior.html">at this link</a>.<br />
<br />
Also check out their songs <a href="http://youtu.be/eBSaX3jvyEc">“Power”</a> and <a href="http://youtu.be/0hzz4mGyehw">“No Mercy,”</a> which came out this year and were very good!<br />
<br />
<b>Boyfriend’s one-liner:</b><br />
“All those skulls but no Hamlet reference? For shame!”<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WS3Ij9xOfAs/UN4wbodESLI/AAAAAAAAENQ/Wr-iUc3po7k/s1600/BAP%2Bmembers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WS3Ij9xOfAs/UN4wbodESLI/AAAAAAAAENQ/Wr-iUc3po7k/s400/BAP%2Bmembers.jpg" alt="BAP members Warrior" title="B.A.P members"/></a></div><center>Daehyun, Jongup, Himchan, Yongguk, Youngjae, and Zelo</center><br />
<center>~★~</center><br />
<a name="TEENTOP"></a><b>#8: Teen Top—“Be Ma Girl”</b><br />
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<center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ReyRdXsqlrE?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />
Okay, okay, so maybe the English is a bit lame (L.Joe’s “I wanna love you all day, wanna love you all night”)—but at least it’s grammatically accurate—and maybe it’s a bit whiny at times, but damn, I love this song. The “ooh, oohs” mixed with the Spanish guitar feel make this one of my most re-listenable songs this year.<br />
<br />
<b>Boyfriend’s one-liner:</b><br />
“I wish I could go glow-bowling, but I have too much dandruff. :(” Too much info, I think…<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m9NmewpKTog/UN4ww7bZC4I/AAAAAAAAENc/GU2P7E4T0GQ/s1600/TEEN%2BTOP%2Bmembers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="266" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m9NmewpKTog/UN4ww7bZC4I/AAAAAAAAENc/GU2P7E4T0GQ/s400/TEEN%2BTOP%2Bmembers.jpg" alt="TEEN TOP members Be Ma Girl" title="Teen Top members"/></a></div><center>Ricky, C.A.P, L.Joe, Niel, Chunji, and Changjo</center><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1LSa6bipVsw/UN4xAY5Tn-I/AAAAAAAAENo/a0qOf8pMfn8/s1600/TEEN%2BTOP%2Bmembers%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="266" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1LSa6bipVsw/UN4xAY5Tn-I/AAAAAAAAENo/a0qOf8pMfn8/s400/TEEN%2BTOP%2Bmembers%2B2.jpg" alt="TEEN TOP members Be Ma Girl" title="Teen Top members"/></a></div><center>L.Joe, Ricky, C.A.P, Chunji, Niel, and Changjo</center><br />
<center>~★~</center><br />
<a name="SNSD"></a><b>#7: SNSD—“Paparazzi”</b><br />
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<center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/IUqP1xzRZkw?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />
Ah, SNSD, how I love your music. It tends to grow on me like nobody’s business. I feel like this song is one of the most self-reflective in SNSD’s repertoire, basically about the group’s relationship with the paparazzi and how they are always watched, with lines such as (translated) “Life is a party: the more damage it causes, the more it sells.” I think the song does a pretty good job at portraying how the girls’ lives might be filled with glamor and car chases and crazy nights, but there is a dark side in the form of having to avoid rumors and the press—the price of fame and all that. I do think the girls’ lives might be more frustrating and lonely than this song can necessarily portray, but I admire it for trying, at least. Listening to a song about being bored stuck in a hotel because the press are milling around everywhere maybe isn’t as interesting.<br />
<br />
I love the mix of old-timey and modern trappings in the music video (“Singing in the Rain” and burlesque costumes interspersed with pictures of the girls dealing with the press at the airport), showing how their lives are always on view to the public: they’re basically <i>always</i> on stage. The newspaper at the end is even called the “Weekly Exploitation Press,” and you don’t get more obvious a message than that.<br />
<br />
The song itself is more modern, but it does have the “ooh la la la” parts that are so pretty—and the “ra ta ta” bit that I associate with 2NE1’s <a href="http://youtu.be/j7_lSP8Vc3o">“I Am the Best.”</a> So I guess I just like gibberish? But when it’s catchy how can I resist? The chorus is very exciting, and I love how the “boom, boom, boom” parts are timed with Tiffany and Yoona’s picture-like hand gestures in the video.<br />
<br />
(The boyfriend wishes to express his displeasure at the police siren sound effects in this song, which alarmed him when we played this while driving.)<br />
<br />
<b>Boyfriend’s one-liner:</b><br />
“How on earth does it never actually rain in this music video?”<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dUyiMY2ao24/UN4xcr6AoGI/AAAAAAAAEN0/KHT02jcaQ_Y/s1600/SNSD%2Bmembers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dUyiMY2ao24/UN4xcr6AoGI/AAAAAAAAEN0/KHT02jcaQ_Y/s400/SNSD%2Bmembers.jpg" alt="SNSD members Paparazzi" title="SNSD members"/></a></div><center>Sooyoung, Hyoyeon, Yuri, Jessica, Yoona, Tiffany, Taeyeon, Sunny, and Seohyun</center><br />
<center>~★~</center><br />
<b>#6: Block B—“NanlinA”</b><br />
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<center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/grrpg_r1Nb8?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />
So Block B has made it to this list not once but twice (you will see tomorrow!), which really surprises me, but what can I say? When something is as catchy and badass as this, I will tend to love it. And they were great this year, despite some <a href="http://www.allkpop.com/2012/02/block-b-stirs-controversy-with-thai-interview-draws-response-from-2pm">controversial behavior</a> during an interview in Thailand back in February, for which the boys later <a href="http://www.allkpop.com/2012/02/block-b-apologizes-for-their-thailand-interview-incident">apologized</a>.<br />
<br />
But let me tell you, you can behave as badly as you want, as long as you keep releasing songs like this. Catchy, memorable, danceable, manly, and overall <i>fun</i>, with just fantastic choruses and members who are musically giving their all: yeah, that works for me. Zico growling will always be sexy to me (“rrrah!”). I think the only things I didn’t like in the song were the high-pitched electronic “We rockin’ now” line, the “googoo, gaga” bits, and U-Kwon’s confusing “I don’t know, but I’m hot” line.<br />
<br />
I did a full review of this music video <a href="http://kisskisskpopreviews.blogspot.ca/2012/02/review-block-bnanlina.html">at this link</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>Boyfriend’s one-liner:</b><br />
“If you’re going to be in a badass gang, it’s probably more practical to wear contacts instead of glasses…” (Oh, TaeIl.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EESHSZFitLs/UN4yjFYxjnI/AAAAAAAAEOY/THf_JF5Cb8w/s1600/Block%2BB%2Bmembers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EESHSZFitLs/UN4yjFYxjnI/AAAAAAAAEOY/THf_JF5Cb8w/s400/Block%2BB%2Bmembers.jpg" alt="Block B Nanlina members" title="Block B members"/></a></div><center>B-Bomb, Zico, Kyung, P.O, U-Kwon, Jaehyo, and TaeIl</center><br />
<center>~★~</center><br />
Next up tomorrow, songs #5-1! :)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://kisskisskpopreviews.blogspot.ca/2012/12/my-top-15-best-kpop-2012-songs-part-1.html"><b><< Go to Part 1 (#15-11)</b></a><br />
<p align="right"><a href="http://kisskisskpopreviews.blogspot.ca/2012/12/my-top-15-best-kpop-2012-songs-part-3.html"><b>Go to Part 3 (#5-1) >></b></a></p>Kiss Kiss Kpop Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306258347914732719noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580318150521172230.post-11240105015249164572012-12-29T13:32:00.001-06:002013-03-04T10:49:54.848-06:00My Top 15 Best Kpop 2012 Songs: Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OTxaB73-HJY/UN5IFtwToBI/AAAAAAAAEQU/Ac3US9mWzKY/s1600/Cover%2B1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="386" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OTxaB73-HJY/UN5IFtwToBI/AAAAAAAAEQU/Ac3US9mWzKY/s400/Cover%2B1.PNG" alt="Best Kpop Songs 2012 Reviews" title="My Favorite 2012 Kpop Songs"/></a></div><br />
My favorite songs of the year, #15-11.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<center>Part One (#15-11) | <a href="http://kisskisskpopreviews.blogspot.ca/2012/12/my-top-15-best-kpop-2012-songs-part-2.html">Part Two (#10-6)</a> | <a href="http://kisskisskpopreviews.blogspot.ca/2012/12/my-top-15-best-kpop-2012-songs-part-3.html">Part Three (#5-1)</a></center><br />
I have been very, very busy this year moving around and getting an actual job that pays actual money, so I apologize that I haven’t been able to review as many music videos as I would have liked this year. But I have, however, been keeping up with the music, at the very least playing it in the background and dancing to it in the basement for some exercise. So here I am compiling my favorite songs—not music videos this time!—even though it was hard to narrow them down.<br />
<br />
Please note: these are only my personal favorites, and my taste is rather different than yours may be. Right off the bat, let me tell you that I still generally don’t like ballads; I prefer catchy, fast-paced pop songs that are easy to sing along to. I like melodic songs that build to a climax, especially where the singers give it their all, really committing to the notes. I like rap <i>sections</i> in more melodic songs but not necessarily songs that are entirely rap (with some notable exceptions *cough*BIGBANG*cough*). Also, ha, I still know basically no Korean whatsoever, and while bad English doesn’t necessarily bother me to the point where I don’t like the song anymore, I do prefer good English if I can get it. Finally, you’ll notice that most of these songs have awesome music videos to go with them. This is certainly not required! It’s just that if they don’t, then it’s likely that I will never even hear of the songs in the first place.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OGdfeFH143w/UN5JXZngV4I/AAAAAAAAEQs/BL0Vkm-4V70/s1600/Year-End%2BAwards%2Bsign%2Bresized.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="309" width="332" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OGdfeFH143w/UN5JXZngV4I/AAAAAAAAEQs/BL0Vkm-4V70/s400/Year-End%2BAwards%2Bsign%2Bresized.png" alt="Best Kpop Songs 2012 Reviews" title="My favorite Kpop songs this year!"/></a></div><br />
I hope you enjoy! And as always, feel free to disagree with me and to recommend others to me! I’m running kind of low on my iTunes queue! Listed in backwards order:<br />
<br />
<center>~★~</center><br />
<a name="BTOB"></a><b>#15: BTOB—“Lover Boy”</b><br />
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<center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/PpkKMO6Xr8Q?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />
First off we have BTOB, who took the fifteenth <i>and</i> first places on this list, which you’ll see when it’s posted in two days. This song has some very impressive rapping and that quick repeating “naneun molla” (“I only know”) part that made me sit up and take notice of this song. Eunkwang’s “don’t say goodbye~” bit is also very good. Peniel needs more lines, though! (He’s actually from Chicago, so he <a href="http://youtu.be/P52DdDAN2Ss">speaks English</a>, too, which is so sweet.)<br />
<br />
I’ve really got to learn more about this group. They seem adorable and have great songs.<br />
<br />
<b>Boyfriend’s one-liner:</b><br />
“Ooh, bungee jumping and riding on ATVs—risky behavior for pop idols!”<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sgfbCv29P5g/UN4qxn_icwI/AAAAAAAAELA/zRiVatYhRiI/s1600/BTOB%2BLover%2BBoy%2Bmembers.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="255" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sgfbCv29P5g/UN4qxn_icwI/AAAAAAAAELA/zRiVatYhRiI/s400/BTOB%2BLover%2BBoy%2Bmembers.png" alt="BTOB members Lover Boy" title="BTOB members"/></a></div><center>[Back:] Sungjae, Hyunsik, Changsub, Peniel, [front:] Minhyuk, Eunkwang, and Ilhoon</center><br />
<center>~★~</center><br />
<a name="Jewelry"></a><b>#14: Jewelry—“Look At Me”</b><br />
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<center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/F42fR6BCl_g?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />
After Jewelry’s fantastic <a href="http://youtu.be/ryF0SgbXwPk">“One More Time,”</a> I began to despair that the group would ever come up with something as sexy and addictive as that song—but they did! After the member change-up in 2011, dropping members Jung-ah and Seo In-Young (who’s having a great <a href="http://kisskisskpopreviews.blogspot.ca/2012/10/review-seo-in-younganymore.html">solo career</a>) and adding members Yewon and Semi, I believe they’ve finally settled into their positions long enough to put out quality content like this.<br />
<br />
Sure, maybe at first I thought it was a bit simplistic and repetitive, but after just hearing it once, I found myself repeatedly humming this at work, so I’ve completely changed my mind to the point where this is one of my favorites for the year. A horn section has rarely been used to such great effect—and the long “oohs” are really great, too. Welcome back, Jewelry. I may not have been looking at you carefully before, but I certainly am now.<br />
<br />
<b>Boyfriend’s one-liner:</b><br />
“Well, if you insist!”<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-12IQyNErVjY/UN4rRidjBfI/AAAAAAAAELM/6Dwcbn8Kb00/s1600/Jewelry%2Bmembers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="213" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-12IQyNErVjY/UN4rRidjBfI/AAAAAAAAELM/6Dwcbn8Kb00/s400/Jewelry%2Bmembers.jpg" alt="Jewelry members Look at Me" title="Jewelry members"/></a></div><center>Yewon, Semi, Eunjung, and Baby J</center><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qdIbF9d-XRI/UN4rqWWv0yI/AAAAAAAAELY/lE7cksEaCd4/s1600/Jewelry%2Bmembers%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="233" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qdIbF9d-XRI/UN4rqWWv0yI/AAAAAAAAELY/lE7cksEaCd4/s400/Jewelry%2Bmembers%2B2.jpg" alt="Jewelry members Look at Me" title="Jewelry members"/></a></div><center>Yewon, Baby J, Eunjung, and Semi</center><br />
<center>~★~</center><br />
<a name="KARA"></a><b>#13: KARA—“Pandora”</b><br />
<br />
<center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/g0XpNvLWimo?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />
This song is like listening to a zany horror musical, similar to…oh, I don’t know, <a href="http://youtu.be/VzpWJx3I2DY">“Ballroom Blitz”</a>? Unlike most of the songs on this list, I love the verses more than the chorus. The verses have this accelerating sense of urgency, and I think the chorus unfortunately dissipates some of that building tension. Also, the transition to the slow bridge is a bit more sudden, jarring, and unnatural than I’m used to with KARA’s songs. So overall I prefer their song <a href="http://youtu.be/zYoYoBtLqOY">“STEP”</a> from last year. But I like “Pandora” enough to include it on my list of favorites this year. The harmony of all of the KARA members’ voices is always so listenable, and the fast pace works well.<br />
<br />
<b>Boyfriend’s one-liner:</b><br />
“That pink box reminds me of the Tesseract from <i>Avengers</i>.” So this would make KARA the female Avengers! Works for me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tRm9kSoplh4/UN4sk7dT7uI/AAAAAAAAELo/nMcQCE3GRa4/s1600/KARA%2Bmembers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="299" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tRm9kSoplh4/UN4sk7dT7uI/AAAAAAAAELo/nMcQCE3GRa4/s400/KARA%2Bmembers.jpg" alt="KARA members Pandora" title="KARA members"/></a></div><center>Gyuri, Jiyoung, Seungyeon, Nicole, and Hara</center><br />
<center>~★~</center><br />
<a name="OrangeCaramel"></a><b>#12: Orange Caramel—“Lipstick”</b><br />
<br />
<center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0Z9R57maGvc?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />
I have just this to say, and it’s <i>FINALLY</i>! Finally, an Orange Caramel song I love. <a href="http://youtu.be/mZUZdGCyLmw">“Bangkok City”</a> didn’t do it for me; <a href="http://youtu.be/jxxoq7uqnbU">“Shanghai Romance”</a> didn’t do it for me; none of the previous songs worked for me. This one does.<br />
<br />
Part of it, I acknowledge, it certainly the fact that it samples that traditional snake-charmer’s song (see <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Streets_of_Cairo,_or_the_Poor_Little_Country_Maid">this article</a> for more on that), and it seems that songwriters can only rarely go wrong for me by doing that. Heck, even Ke$ha managed to make a listenable song by sampling that (see <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edP0L6LQzZE">“Take It Off,”</a> my favorite song of hers). But I also absolutely love the “eomeoeomeo~” (“oh my, oh my~”) part in “Lipstick,” which matches the cute dance move.<br />
<br />
<b>Boyfriend’s one-liner:</b><br />
“Doubles is hard enough in ping pong! Triples would just be crazy!”<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6yLUAwEmMXs/UN4s7qGAMEI/AAAAAAAAEMI/OZHU7leJanY/s1600/Orange%2BCaramel%2Bmembers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6yLUAwEmMXs/UN4s7qGAMEI/AAAAAAAAEMI/OZHU7leJanY/s400/Orange%2BCaramel%2Bmembers.jpg" alt="Orange Caramel members Lipstick" title="Orange Caramel members"/></a></div><center>Raina, Lizzy, and Nana</center><br />
<center>~★~</center><br />
<a name="HELLOVENUS"></a><b>#11: HELLOVENUS—“Venus”</b><br />
<br />
<center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/zU3Ug5pw7sw?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />
A strange thing happened to me while listening to this song. At first I can legitimately say that I hated it. “What the heck does ‘V-I-C-T-O-R-Y girls’ mean?” I thought. Irritating drivel; too cutesy. But once the song ended, all I could think was that I wanted to hear it again…and again…and I finally realized that what I like about this song is that there are so many different sections but they all fit so nicely together, and the moods seem to alternate in each section. Some really are too cutesy, but some are almost badass (Lime’s rap! That bridge!). Each part is separately fairly catchy and memorable, even the parts that are somewhat annoying (“Hello? You know!”), but together the juxtaposition of the moods is great. “So cool, boo~” I also love the dance here. So flirtatious!<br />
<br />
Not going to lie, it doesn’t hurt that Psy and the members of NU’EST are briefly featured in this music video also. *fangirls*<br />
<br />
Also check out HELLOVENUS’s new song, <a href="http://youtu.be/Y1pM6FB6u_4">“What Are You Doing Today?”</a> Not as good as “Venus,” in my opinion, but still nice.<br />
<br />
<b>Boyfriend’s one-liner:</b><br />
“If only everybody had cellphone animations abover their heads. It’s like watching The Sims!”<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FWFHbhv9M5Q/UN4tPy9_UKI/AAAAAAAAEMU/pcZjnVEwEFs/s1600/HELLOVENUS%2Bmembers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="283" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FWFHbhv9M5Q/UN4tPy9_UKI/AAAAAAAAEMU/pcZjnVEwEFs/s400/HELLOVENUS%2Bmembers.jpg" alt="HELLOVENUS members Venus" title="HELLOVENUS members"/></a></div><center>Nara, Alice, Yoonjo, Yoo Ara, Yooyoung, and Lime</center><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3xYMOmMQqZw/UN4tc_dP3WI/AAAAAAAAEMg/3RNEmU6iUog/s1600/HELLOVENUS%2Bmembers%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="319" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3xYMOmMQqZw/UN4tc_dP3WI/AAAAAAAAEMg/3RNEmU6iUog/s400/HELLOVENUS%2Bmembers%2B2.jpg" alt="HELLOVENUS members Venus" title="HELLOVENUS members"/></a></div><center>[Top:] Yoo Ara, Alice, Nara, [bottom:] Yoonjo, Lime, and Yooyoung</center><br />
<center>~★~</center><br />
Next up tomorrow, songs #10-6! :)<br />
<p align="right"><a href="http://kisskisskpopreviews.blogspot.ca/2012/12/my-top-15-best-kpop-2012-songs-part-2.html"><b>Go to Part 2 (#10-6) >></b></a></p><p align="right"><a href="http://kisskisskpopreviews.blogspot.ca/2012/12/my-top-15-best-kpop-2012-songs-part-3.html"><b>Go to Part 3 (#5-1) >></b></a></p>Kiss Kiss Kpop Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306258347914732719noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580318150521172230.post-70924112732786448992012-12-24T09:00:00.000-06:002012-12-24T15:06:21.546-06:00Mini-Review: Orange Caramel feat. NU’EST–“Dashing Through Snow in High Heels”<center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/td8mzvYNRl0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />
Merry Christmas, everyone!<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Last year I did a <a href="http://kisskisskpopreviews.blogspot.ca/2011/12/review-christmas-special-part-1.html">two</a>-<a href="http://kisskisskpopreviews.blogspot.ca/2011/12/review-christmas-special-part-2.html">part</a> Christmas special. But since so many of the songs are so similar, that’s a bit dull, and between then and now, I may have become a liiiittle obsessed with rookie group NU’EST, watching all their clips and English-subbed videos and everything. I enjoyed their <a href="http://youtu.be/gyXy0m-4bvE">“Face”</a> very much (and their <a href="http://youtu.be/JRG_ZA0oPcA">“Action”</a> song/video a bit less, but I still enjoyed it!). And at the same time, I fell in love with Orange Caramel’s <a href="http://youtu.be/0Z9R57maGvc">“Lipstick,”</a> which is just so damn catchy and with such a funny video.<br />
<br />
Well, they collaborated on a super-cute Christmas music video, so I may as well feature it here!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SRp1uypw-ls/UNYi569bk5I/AAAAAAAAEJ4/5cwHlYTSpSM/s1600/Group%2Bpic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="268" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SRp1uypw-ls/UNYi569bk5I/AAAAAAAAEJ4/5cwHlYTSpSM/s400/Group%2Bpic.jpg" alt="Orange Caramel and NU’EST members Dashing Through Snow in High Heels" title="Orange Caramel and NU’EST"/></a></div><br />
<center>[Left to right:] Baekho, Lizzy, Minhyuk, Nana, Ren, Raina, Aron, and JR (seated).</center><br />
While the song/video are pretty standard bubbly aeygo holiday fare, the people in it are so likeable that I wanted to highlight them a little. Also, if I get any more Ren-centric fanservice, my little fangirly heart may well explode. :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TjkCeH_7ahI/UNYjLqCTmnI/AAAAAAAAEKE/MXBTwMh2H5s/s1600/Group%2Bpic%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TjkCeH_7ahI/UNYjLqCTmnI/AAAAAAAAEKE/MXBTwMh2H5s/s400/Group%2Bpic%2B2.jpg" alt="Orange Caramel and NU’EST members Dashing Through Snow in High Heels" title="NU’EST and Orange Caramel"/></a></div><br />
<center>[Back row:] Minhyuk, Aron, Nana, Raina, [front row:] Baekho, Ren, JR, and Lizzy.</center><br />
In the video, the members of Orange Caramel (which is a sub-unit of After School) and NU’EST take part in a cute photoshoot with a bunch of stuffed animals. While Ren is my favorite NU’EST member and Baekho usually stands out the most in NU’EST’s music videos, I thought Aron was the stand-out here, as well as Nana, who always steals the show in Orange Caramel’s videos. :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MCK-QGXujQ0/UNYjlnKq2RI/AAAAAAAAEKQ/xhpZH_tdkOc/s1600/Nana%2Band%2BAron.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="218" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MCK-QGXujQ0/UNYjlnKq2RI/AAAAAAAAEKQ/xhpZH_tdkOc/s400/Nana%2Band%2BAron.PNG" alt="Orange Caramel and NU’EST members Nana and Aron" title="So cute!"/></a></div><br />
<center>Nana and Aron</center><br />
<b>Boyfriend’s one-liner:</b><br />
“I want to see the look on the Sears photography workers’ faces when they come in the next day. ‘Someone’s been messing with the kids toys again.’” (This was the boy’s second one-liner, actually, after “That bleach blond girl making a heart with her hands is cute”—referring, of course, to Ren, who is a gorgeous guy. *facepalm*)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OhHuWjNvEcg/UNYj0BhlAnI/AAAAAAAAEKc/PhBAjTg__es/s1600/Ren%2Bheart.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="217" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OhHuWjNvEcg/UNYj0BhlAnI/AAAAAAAAEKc/PhBAjTg__es/s400/Ren%2Bheart.PNG" alt="NU’EST members Baekho, Ren, and Minhyuk" title="NU’EST members"/></a></div><br />
<center>Baekho, Ren, and Minhyuk</center><br />
Thanks for reading! There are lots of pleasant winter-themed songs coming out around now, so let me know if any sound especially great to you. Happy holidays!<br />
<br />
P.S. Please don’t actually go dashing through the snow in high heels. That sounds like a very dangerous proposition. :)Kiss Kiss Kpop Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306258347914732719noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580318150521172230.post-35496566821455681782012-11-10T17:35:00.000-06:002012-12-12T17:18:52.827-06:00Review: MAMA’s Best Music Videos of 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vvc730l6EQk/UJRdxxMDF5I/AAAAAAAAEDg/gSA9HzrFtPk/s1600/Cover%2Bphoto.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="326" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vvc730l6EQk/UJRdxxMDF5I/AAAAAAAAEDg/gSA9HzrFtPk/s400/Cover%2Bphoto.PNG" alt="Mnet Asian Music Awards 2012 Best Music Video full list" title="Nominated for Best Music Videos of the Year." /></a></div><br />
An overview of the five videos that have been nominated by the Mnet Asian Music Awards for 2012.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Yup, it’s that time of year again! The Mnet Asian Music Awards, or MAMAs, are a popular year-end K-pop music award ceremony, and I like doing a little overview of the vids nominated in the Best Music Video category.<br />
<br />
If you’re interested, you can <a href="http://mama.interest.me/poll"><b>vote here</b></a>. The poll runs until November 22, and you can vote once a day.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uq0ctdhwaG8/UJRellYrpmI/AAAAAAAAEDs/AfOvjIKEpFg/s1600/Mnet%2BLogo%2B1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="336" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uq0ctdhwaG8/UJRellYrpmI/AAAAAAAAEDs/AfOvjIKEpFg/s400/Mnet%2BLogo%2B1.JPG" alt="Mnet Asian Music Awards logo" title="Mnet's logo for 2012"/></a></div><br />
Jump links for the impatient:<br />
<br />
<center><a href="#Psy">Psy</a> | <a href="#Ga-in">Brown Eyed Girls’ Ga-in</a> | <a href="#Infinite">Infinite</a> | <a href="#BIGBANG">BIGBANG</a> | <a href="#NAUL">Brown Eyed Soul’s NAUL</a></center><br />
Let’s kick this off with…<br />
<br />
<a name="Psy"><b>Mini-Review: Psy—“Gangnam Style”</b></a><br />
<br />
<center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9bZkp7q19f0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />
I reviewed this music video in much more depth <a href="http://kisskisskpopreviews.blogspot.ca/2012/09/review-psygangnam-style.html">here</a>, so I won’t re-hash it on this page: it’s not only fun but unexpectedly meaningful! But I would be remiss without mentioning that in terms of exposing Korean pop culture to the western world, they couldn’t have done much better than this song and video.<br />
<br />
At the time of writing this, the vid has almost 700 <i>million</i> views—so, eh, not bad! :) It was just behind Justin Bieber’s <a href="http://youtu.be/kffacxfA7G4">“Baby”</a> for the <a href="http://www.allkpop.com/2012/11/psys-gangnam-style-reaches-2-on-youtubes-most-viewed-videos-of-all-time">most-viewed Youtube video</a> of all time—and has recently surpassed even that, which is quite the achievement!<br />
<br />
I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve heard this song on the radio, at movie theaters, and on TV, and there are tons of everyday people parodying the dance. I also heard that next season, they’re going to sing this—in Korean—on <i>Glee</i>. So I think that regardless of the quality of the rest of the music videos, this one is very likely to win for political reasons. And also, you know, because it’s awesome. :)<br />
<br />
<b>Boyfriend’s one-liner:</b><br />
“Why does my football keep getting interrupted by the players dancing this in the endzone?”<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vxGKMCsohc8/UJRfFbtS7zI/AAAAAAAAED4/kBxtGoSFUrQ/s1600/Psy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="238" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vxGKMCsohc8/UJRfFbtS7zI/AAAAAAAAED4/kBxtGoSFUrQ/s400/Psy.jpg" alt="Psy Gangnam Style photo review" title="Psy!"/></a></div><center>Psy!</center><br />
<center>~★~</center><br />
<a name="Ga-in"><b>Mini-Review: Brown Eyed Girls’ Ga-in—“Bloom”</b></a><br />
<br />
<center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/K64mb5KUhhs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />
The song is pretty catchy. I don’t like it enough to buy it, but I like the rock feel coupled with the sweeping vocals. There is a lot of very interesting (and grammatically correct) English phrasing, too (i.e. “chemical blue ocean” and what may or may not be a <a href="http://youtu.be/N5EnGwXV_Pg">John Mayer reference</a> with “you’re my wonderland.”)<br />
<br />
The video is a metaphor for a woman’s sexual coming-of-age—or “blooming,” if you will. This idea is not a new one—see, for example, artist <a href="http://clarafications.wordpress.com/2009/12/14/georgia-okeefe-painted-vaginas/">Georgia O’Keeffe’s</a> close-up paintings of flowers that seem remarkably similar to female genitalia. But it’s interesting to see the idea so blatantly portrayed in Kpop.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1bZoMp7GD_E/UJ7DbJudffI/AAAAAAAAEFc/txGcDFtt04U/s1600/Gain%2Bflower.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="202" width="198" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1bZoMp7GD_E/UJ7DbJudffI/AAAAAAAAEFc/txGcDFtt04U/s400/Gain%2Bflower.PNG" alt="Ga-in Bloom flower sex" title="Pretty flower in bloom."/></a></div><br />
At the beginning and end (in the old-style film flashbacks), Ga-in projects an innocent image of an inexperienced woman in love in an idyllic country setting. But after her first sexual encounter, the tone shifts dramatically, and the image is much raunchier—and frankly more fun, as well as more blatantly sexual. Then there’s the actual relatively hardcore sex scene that drives the message home. She also gets major points for having what seems like a masturbation scene in the kitchen (rawr!).<br />
<br />
Kudos to Ga-in for creating a music video with a sex-positive message. It’s clear that she feels that sex between two loving and consenting individuals is a good thing worthy of celebration.<br />
<br />
<b>Boyfriend’s one-liner:</b><br />
“With all those flowers, I’d hate to see the size of the bees.”<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AF2y31-F3gw/UJRffQPHRMI/AAAAAAAAEEE/laeo-I5n-QQ/s1600/Ga-in%2BCover.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="331" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AF2y31-F3gw/UJRffQPHRMI/AAAAAAAAEEE/laeo-I5n-QQ/s400/Ga-in%2BCover.jpeg" alt="Brown Eyed Girls GaIn Ga-in Bloom album cover review" title="Ga-in from her album cover."/></a></div><center>Ga-in</center><br />
<center>~★~</center><br />
<a name="Infinite"><b>Mini-Review: Infinite—“The Chaser”</b></a><br />
<br />
<center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wgmSImDoJNg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />
Funky guitar riffs give this song a retro sound, and it’s very listenable, though I much prefer <a href="http://kisskisskpopreviews.blogspot.ca/2011/12/my-kpop-2011-awards.html#Infinite">“Before the Dawn”</a> and <a href="http://kisskisskpopreviews.blogspot.ca/2011/10/review-infiniteparadise.html">“Paradise.”</a> There’s just something that doesn’t appeal to me about “The Chaser” musically: it seems a bit unnecessarily dramatic, maybe, in a way that worked wonders for their previous songs but doesn’t seem to work here (for me, anyway).<br />
<br />
I just have two words for this music video: SUNJONG!!!! SUNYEOL!!! Dear <i>God</i>, both are so incredibly hot here, and I’m not just saying that because they’re my biases: that is fact. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3KTsWb4MDYs/UJRf-lAoIwI/AAAAAAAAEEQ/uocYkD_Yl08/s1600/Infinite%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="299" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3KTsWb4MDYs/UJRf-lAoIwI/AAAAAAAAEEQ/uocYkD_Yl08/s400/Infinite%2B1.jpg" alt="Infinite The Chaser music video review" title="Infinite looking so cool."/></a></div><center>Dongwoo, Woohyun, Sunggyu, L, Hoya, Sungjong, and Sungyeol.</center><br />
Um, but to be more professional: this music video is very <i>Infinite</i>: kind of smoky and wistful and, I’ll be frank, difficult to interpret. It seems like there’s a key, and all the boys are competing to get the key to the box that Sungjong eventually finds. The most dramatic thing happens to L, who gets in a ridiculous and rather unlikely car crash. Without resorting to symbolism for which there isn’t much evidence, it’s hard to tell what might be in the box that would make the boys kill for it.<br />
<br />
Fortunately, though, the majority of the video is spent dancing in a kind of teepee with geometric shapes. Infinite’s dances just make me drool. The synchronicity, the crispness, the way the choreography makes use of the space and allows the members to interact with one another, and to use their seven members to their advantage. Everything is awesome.<br />
<br />
<b>Boyfriend’s one-liner:</b><br />
“At least now we know how they roll.” (Can we get a collective groan?)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XYPi4x40IDU/UJRgh9TdZ4I/AAAAAAAAEEc/rHqtpdrr6Ko/s1600/Infinite%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="227" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XYPi4x40IDU/UJRgh9TdZ4I/AAAAAAAAEEc/rHqtpdrr6Ko/s400/Infinite%2B3.jpg" alt="Infinite MTVK photoshoot" title="Infinite in a MTVK photoshoot"/></a></div><center>Sunggyu, Sungjong, Sungyeol, L, Dongwoo, Hoya, and Woohyun.</center><br />
<center>~★~</center><br />
<a name="BIGBANG"><b>Mini-Review: BIGBANG—“Monster”</b></a><br />
<br />
<center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/btDd9rOlc2k" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />
Last year at the MAMAs, BIGBANG’s excellent <a href="http://youtu.be/IKZEmLvYVF0">“Love Song”</a> took home the award for Best Music Video (read my review of that <a href="http://kisskisskpopreviews.blogspot.ca/2011/11/review-mamas-best-music-videos-of-2011.html#BIGBANG">here</a>).<br />
<br />
To me, this song and music video of a supernatural prison break lack the simple, gentle elegance of <a href="http://youtu.be/IKZEmLvYVF0">“Love Song”</a> or <a href="http://youtu.be/2GRP1rkE4O0">“Blue,”</a> or the outlandish fun of <a href="http://youtu.be/AAbokV76tkU">“Fantastic Baby.”</a> But the more I listen to it, the more I love the catchy chorus: “I need you; baby, I’m not a monster.” BIGBANG seems to excel at this type of song.<br />
<br />
Actually, the music video in “Monster” could be considered a dark version of “Fantastic Baby.” Like what might happen if the guys from “Fantastic Baby” were locked up and experimented on and one day decided to escape.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-73JyBPknnhs/UJ7b_1-Q5kI/AAAAAAAAEGg/bYkr9xZXQ4w/s1600/G-D%2Bpanorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="366" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-73JyBPknnhs/UJ7b_1-Q5kI/AAAAAAAAEGg/bYkr9xZXQ4w/s400/G-D%2Bpanorama.jpg" alt="BIGBANG G-Dragon G-D Monster vs. Fantastic Baby" title="G-Dragon in 'Fantastic Baby' vs. G-Dragon in 'Monster' = not much difference..."/></a></div><br />
The boys’ hairstyles are absolutely off-the-wall ridiculous—even for BIGBANG’s standards, which is saying something! (Taeyang...just...what is happening?!) They also seem impeccably styled for guys caught amidst rubble, explosions, and collapsing buildings. I love T.O.P’s slouchy cowboy-esque hat, though. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yltQBTErB_0/UJ7YY7rBhpI/AAAAAAAAEF8/IcG69ltJ_lQ/s1600/T.O.P%2Bhat.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="222" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yltQBTErB_0/UJ7YY7rBhpI/AAAAAAAAEF8/IcG69ltJ_lQ/s400/T.O.P%2Bhat.PNG" alt="BIGBANG Monster T.O.P review" title="T.O.P's...er...top hat..." /></a></div><br />
Overall, the video is creative and unusual, and BIGBANG’s fanbase is expected to support them in the voting like last year.<br />
<br />
<b>Boyfriend’s one-liner:</b><br />
“This video was very hurtful towards the glowing-eye population: just because your eyes glow doesn’t make you a monster.”<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wCy6Ut63Wzs/UJRhZu7sKyI/AAAAAAAAEEo/tW0dBEM2qh8/s1600/BIGBANG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="276" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wCy6Ut63Wzs/UJRhZu7sKyI/AAAAAAAAEEo/tW0dBEM2qh8/s400/BIGBANG.jpg" alt="BIGBANG Monster music video review members names" title="BIGBANG members"/></a></div><center>G-Dragon, Seungri, Taeyang, Daesung, and T.O.P</center><br />
<center>~★~</center><br />
<a name="NAUL"><b>Mini-Review: Brown Eyed Soul’s NAUL—“Memory of the Wind”</b></a><br />
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<center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/f5ShDNOqq1E" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />
NAUL from the quartet Brown Eyed Soul has released a lovely traditional ballad. He hits the high notes like crazy—this chorus is so dramatic and filled with emotion.<br />
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This music video reminds me of the movie <i>War Horse</i> with the loving shots of Lee Kiwoo athletically riding the horse in military-esque garb:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tfBFF3ZIHQM/UJ7jFeMy-gI/AAAAAAAAEHo/RKToyMv1gPM/s1600/Lee%2BKiwoo.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="220" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tfBFF3ZIHQM/UJ7jFeMy-gI/AAAAAAAAEHo/RKToyMv1gPM/s400/Lee%2BKiwoo.PNG" alt="Lee Kiwoo NAUL Memory of the Wind actor" title="Lee Kiwoo on horseback"/></a></div><br />
Here’s my summary for the video: On her wedding day, a young woman remembers how her father saved her from bombs (or meteors, or whatever) being dropped in their idyllic field when she was a child.<br />
<br />
I knew as soon as I saw the father and daughter being happy and playing in the beginning that something horrible was going to happen to them. It’s just a rule.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zF7YwI9nKHI/UJ7gf3EOldI/AAAAAAAAEHE/deXmV0b_Hxg/s1600/happy%2Bfamily.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="223" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zF7YwI9nKHI/UJ7gf3EOldI/AAAAAAAAEHE/deXmV0b_Hxg/s400/happy%2Bfamily.PNG" alt="NAUL Memory of the Wind review father and daughter" title="They're just too cute."/></a></div><center>They’re just too cute for this to end without tears and pain.</center><br />
<b>Boyfriend’s one-liner:</b><br />
“The most heroic of deaths for a father: sacrificing himself to protect his daughter from meteors.”<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aDShvnVE4uM/UJRiHXncsgI/AAAAAAAAEE0/wKcQ1PxXlRc/s1600/NAUL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="265" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aDShvnVE4uM/UJRiHXncsgI/AAAAAAAAEE0/wKcQ1PxXlRc/s400/NAUL.jpg" alt="NAUL Memory of the Wind music video review" title="NAUL"/></a></div><center>NAUL</center><br />
<center>~★~</center><br />
So which one was your favorite, or which music videos would you have liked to see in the nominees? I was pretty sad that Sunny Hill’s <a href="http://kisskisskpopreviews.blogspot.ca/2012/01/review-sunny-hillthe-grasshopper-song.html">“The Grasshopper Song”</a> wasn’t included in this list, for example, but maybe it came out too early in the year or something? I’m not sure of the nomination rules exactly.<br />
<br />
EDIT: the MAMAs have now aired, and Psy won in this category. Congratulations! The full list of winners is <a href="http://mama.interest.me/history?type=winner2012"><b>here</b></a>.<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://kisskisskpopreviews.blogspot.ca/2011/11/review-mamas-best-music-videos-of-2011.html"><< Go to the Best Music Video nominees for 2011</a></b>Kiss Kiss Kpop Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306258347914732719noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580318150521172230.post-42142960166628452922012-10-31T18:54:00.000-05:002012-10-31T19:06:37.684-05:00Mini-Review: MC Mong (feat. Kang Ho-dong and Whale)–“Horror Show”<center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/OirtgESEV4Q" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />
Happy Halloweeeeeen!<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
No time for a proper review since it’s Halloween, so I’ll just leave you with one of my favorite ~spooky~ Kpop songs. It’s from 2009, so kind of a blast from the past! And I lied, it’s not spooky at all—but it is a parody of many spooky movies. (Don’t know why I can’t seem to find an official version of the video with higher quality. Oh well.)<br />
<br />
Anyway, I freakin’ <i>love</i> this song and music video.<br />
<br />
The song is catchy as hell, especially that chorus, and even has its own dance remix at the end (and what a memorable dance!). The video is a great parody of horror films with classic elements like <i>Psycho</i>’s shower scene, the creepy head-spinning from <i>The Exorcist</i>, the little ghost boy from <i>The Grudge</i>, the TV girl from <i>The Ring</i>, the axe scene from <i>The Shining</i>, and elements from <i>Dracula</i> and <i>Frankenstein</i>, as well as the girls from the Korean movie <i>A Tale of Two Sisters</i>, which I haven’t seen but looks <a href="http://youtu.be/anF5XiN8QY8">really scary</a>.<br />
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I also love that MC Mong calls himself “Dr. Monkenstein.” Hysterical.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pyK3X0uptDg/UJG4wzMwmLI/AAAAAAAAECU/kZiVHnLfHGY/s1600/Panorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="192" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pyK3X0uptDg/UJG4wzMwmLI/AAAAAAAAECU/kZiVHnLfHGY/s400/Panorama.jpg" alt="MC Mong Kang Ho-dong Whale Horror Show" title="I couldn’t get really good screenshots because the quality was bad :("/></a></div><center>MC Mong, Kang Ho-dong, and singer Whale.</center><br />
Of course, because of two of the participants, this song is retroactively plagued by controversy. In 2010, MC Mong was investigated for draft dodging, allegedly delaying his mandatory military enlistment on purpose (teeth pulling was involved?)—see <a href="http://seoulbeats.com/2012/06/the-trials-and-tribulations-of-mc-mong/">this article</a> for more. In 2011, MC and comedian Kang Ho-dong, who was also in the video, was involved in a tax-evasion scandal.<br />
<br />
Since then, both have been missing from the entertainment industry, either due to temporary bans (MC Mong) or retirement (Kang Ho-dong). Though as to the latter, apparently Ho-dong has sorted everything out and <a href="http://www.allkpop.com/2012/10/kang-ho-dong-returns-to-set-of-star-king">returned to <i>Star King</i></a> as of…two days ago, wow.<br />
<br />
As I know very little about the guys or their separate scandals, I don’t feel I can comment on those elements, though obviously alleged draft dodging and tax evasion are serious issues. All I can say is that as entertainers, MC Mong and Kang Ho-dong are top-notch and have been sorely missed in their absence. I hope that one day after he serves his sentence, MC Mong can also return to the entertainment world. I suppose Psy has done a lot to fill MC Mong’s shoes on the comedy music front, though, and that helps.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--dggflaemgw/UJG5MsJj5fI/AAAAAAAAECg/9h9Lq4SVcHk/s1600/Horror%2BShow%2BSign.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="199" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--dggflaemgw/UJG5MsJj5fI/AAAAAAAAECg/9h9Lq4SVcHk/s400/Horror%2BShow%2BSign.PNG" alt="MC Mong Horror Show" title="What is that a costume of, though? Just a generic monster? Frankenstein? Dr. Monkenstein?"/></a></div><center>Nice costume, sir.</center><br />
<b>Boyfriend’s one-liner:</b><br />
“That was funnier than any of the <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0257106/">past</a> <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0306047/">three</a> <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0362120/"><i>Scary Movies</i></a>.” (Ooh, burn.)<br />
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Thanks for reading! Have fun trick-or-treating. And for those caught in Hurricane Sandy, please stay safe!Kiss Kiss Kpop Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306258347914732719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580318150521172230.post-24425484036340852382012-10-27T20:44:00.000-05:002012-10-27T20:47:34.287-05:00Review: K.Will–“Please Don’t”<center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/PdUiCJnRptk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />
Wow, they…actually went there.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
<b>Did you like the song?</b><br />
I did. It’s a very pleasant ballad with a memorable chorus, but K.Will’s voice has undercurrents of such sadness that it really tugs at the heartstrings.<br />
<br />
<b>What was your favorite part of the song?</b><br />
I really like the beginning of the chorus leading into the first “don’t know why” part: “niga hal mal ara geu malmaneun mara” (“I know what you’re going to say; please don’t say it”). So memorable.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c2V88KqWa8M/UIws2alLkAI/AAAAAAAAD-I/Ve9LlSWCN78/s1600/K.Will%2Balbum%2Bcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="336" width="332" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c2V88KqWa8M/UIws2alLkAI/AAAAAAAAD-I/Ve9LlSWCN78/s400/K.Will%2Balbum%2Bcover.jpg" alt="K.Will Please Don’t album cover" title="Yay, K.Will!"/></a></div><center>K.Will’s album cover</center><br />
<b>Does the English make you want to rip your eardrums out?</b><br />
Nope, it’s good. “Don’t know why, don’t know why~”<br />
<br />
<b>Did you like the video?</b><br />
Okay, so this is a review of this music video, and it will be very spoilery! Please go ahead and take the time to watch the video fully before I ruin it for you. Go ahead; I’ll wait!<br />
<br />
…<br />
<br />
Okay, spoilery discussion commences here:<br />
<br />
Well, damn. They actually went there and featured a sympathetic gay storyline. Lots of videos have done this before (recently, for example, in Carly Rae Jepsen’s <a href="http://youtu.be/fWNaR-rxAic">“Call Me Maybe”</a>), playing around with an idea that challenges many viewers’ expectations and pre-conceived notions of whom the romantic relationship is between. But this is the first time I’ve seen it in a Kpop music video, so this video is very unusual and groundbreaking and brave in that respect—at least to me. Please let me know if this idea has been done before in other videos (I understand there was a similar situation in the drama <i>Answer Me 1997</i>; see below).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qw3FCxN2SiA/UIw1TqlFpaI/AAAAAAAAEBo/-BvUBcw0tbI/s1600/Threesome%2Bcast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="272" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qw3FCxN2SiA/UIw1TqlFpaI/AAAAAAAAEBo/-BvUBcw0tbI/s400/Threesome%2Bcast.jpg" alt="K.Will Please Don't Cast members" title="In an unguarded moment behind-the-scenes."/></a></div><center>Our cast: SISTAR's Dasom, Seo In-guk, and Ahn Jaehyun.</center><br />
But did anybody else have a moment of…soul-searching when Seo In-guk grabbed Ahn Jaehyun’s arm and it became obvious that it wasn’t Dasom he was pining over after all? Because I sure did. I had this minor freak-out and worried that I was somehow homophobic for not seeing this development coming sooner. Sure, very early in the video it crossed my mind that this might be a gay storyline, but I quickly abandoned that idea because (1) <i>that doesn’t happen in Kpop MVs</i>—or so I thought—and (2) the way the video is filmed is deliberately misleading. It deliberately leads viewers to think that Seo In-Guk’s character is pining over his female friend, Dasom’s character, when in fact it seems he is actually attracted to his male friend, played by Ahn Jaehyun.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-26imXkJPsHM/UIwuTbamWKI/AAAAAAAAD-g/SbPg6dFgTu0/s1600/grabs%2Bhis%2Barm.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="219" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-26imXkJPsHM/UIwuTbamWKI/AAAAAAAAD-g/SbPg6dFgTu0/s400/grabs%2Bhis%2Barm.PNG" alt="K.Will Please Don't review" title="The moment I started to get it."/></a></div><br />
Allow me to illustrate with a brief comparison of the filming techniques in Carly Rae Jepsen’s <a href="http://youtu.be/fWNaR-rxAic">“Call Me Maybe”</a> vs. K.Will’s “Please Don’t.” In “Call Me Maybe,” the plotline is that Jepsen’s character is lusting after a hot guy. She really embarrasses herself trying to get his attention, and in the end, he turns out to be more interested in her male bandmate than in her. <br />
<br />
The tone is kind of awkwardly humorous because it’s all from her point of view. This guy pays her absolutely no attention, but her fantasies just run wild. On the first viewing, you think that the guy is just oblivious not to notice such an attractive person throwing herself at him; maybe he’s distracted. On re-watching the video, though, it’s obvious that he doesn’t show any interest in her because <i>he’s just not interested</i>—he doesn’t want what she’s offering, maybe because he’s gay or not interested in her as a person or just more interested in her bandmate. But everything is from Jepsen’s perspective, and it makes sense that the camera should focus where she does. In this case, her gaze is usually focusing on the guy’s hot body. There’s even a fantasy sequence from her perspective.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVdLl3XLe4M/UIwuBdtk6nI/AAAAAAAAD-U/KzlNuxoria8/s1600/Call%2BMe%2BMaybe%2Bfantasy%2Bsequence.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="203" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVdLl3XLe4M/UIwuBdtk6nI/AAAAAAAAD-U/KzlNuxoria8/s400/Call%2BMe%2BMaybe%2Bfantasy%2Bsequence.PNG" alt="Carly Rae Jepsen Call Me Maybe funny review" title="Mmm, romance novels..."/></a></div><br />
K.Will’s “Please Don’t,” however, is theoretically filmed from Seo In-guk’s character’s perspective…and yet the focus is very unequally on Dasom. In his fantasy car ride, for the majority of the video, it’s Dasom sitting there with him acting all depressed. There are all these lingering shots of Dasom. Don’t get me wrong: she’s gorgeous! But if the camera is supposed to represent In-guk’s gaze, it’s unclear why he’s focusing so much on Dasom instead of Ahn Jaehyun. For the first minute of the video or so, for example, we hardly even see Jaehyun’s face in <i>focus</i>, much less as the center of attention.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O-42WLNxaa4/UIw2ihr9awI/AAAAAAAAEB0/DwExr2jW_Uc/s1600/Dasom%2Bin%2Bpink.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="225" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O-42WLNxaa4/UIw2ihr9awI/AAAAAAAAEB0/DwExr2jW_Uc/s400/Dasom%2Bin%2Bpink.PNG" alt="K.Will Please Don't Dasom Jaehyun" title="Cuddling~"/></a></div><br />
Then hints that it’s not quite as simple as it seems start creeping in. The first moment is at <a href="http://youtu.be/PdUiCJnRptk#t=01m45s">1:45</a>, when Jaehyun is greeting the wedding guests and In-Guk is at the end of the hallway shooting him these sidelong glances.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4MKsJI1cQK4/UIwu182eZpI/AAAAAAAAD-s/0kWWb5-JUhM/s1600/Jaehyun%2Bgreets%2Bguests.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="221" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4MKsJI1cQK4/UIwu182eZpI/AAAAAAAAD-s/0kWWb5-JUhM/s400/Jaehyun%2Bgreets%2Bguests.PNG" alt="K.Will Ahn Jaehyun Seo In-Guk Please Don't gay" title="Another little aha! moment."/></a></div><br />
But then that’s immediately undermined by a radiant Dasom coming down the stairs in her lovely wedding dress. There’s a relatively long shot of Dasom’s legs in her high heels coming down the stairs…<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UM797PhA_hI/UIwviqa43KI/AAAAAAAAD-4/xQ_Y9K4esyY/s1600/Dasom%2527s%2Blegs.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="221" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UM797PhA_hI/UIwviqa43KI/AAAAAAAAD-4/xQ_Y9K4esyY/s400/Dasom%2527s%2Blegs.PNG" alt="K.Will Please Don’t Dasom wedding pretty legs" title="Dasom’s really attractive in this, by the way. I’m just saying that the filming is misleading."/></a></div><br />
And then a bunch of frankly gorgeous shots of Dasom in her wedding veil:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uoy9RFn7aAI/UIwvw_xD-HI/AAAAAAAAD_E/Q64C7_6s3oQ/s1600/wedding%2Bveil.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="221" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uoy9RFn7aAI/UIwvw_xD-HI/AAAAAAAAD_E/Q64C7_6s3oQ/s400/wedding%2Bveil.PNG" alt="K.Will Please Don’t Dasom wedding pretty" title="So gorgeous."/></a></div><br />
I mean, Dasom is totally gorgeous, but is that really what In-guk’s character would be focusing on at the time?<br />
<br />
Finally, at the actual wedding, it becomes much more clear that In-guk’s focus is Jaehyun, not Dasom. Notice that in this shot, Jaehyun is in focus, while Dasom is now blurry:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OQg1005U1Bc/UIwv7pcFbqI/AAAAAAAAD_Q/2w_nj6HbtqE/s1600/Jaehyun%2Blooks%2Bat%2Bcamera.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="220" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OQg1005U1Bc/UIwv7pcFbqI/AAAAAAAAD_Q/2w_nj6HbtqE/s400/Jaehyun%2Blooks%2Bat%2Bcamera.PNG" alt="K.Will Please Don’t Jaehyun wedding pretty" title="See how Jaehyun is quite literally in focus and Dasom isn’t."/></a></div><br />
This is underscored by the car fantasy scenes, when Seo In-guk reaches for Dasom, then she disappears and becomes Jaehyun.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uml0G1VQZAA/UIwwJoVkSlI/AAAAAAAAD_c/DHeF9AVm-S4/s1600/Seo%2BIn-guk%2Breaches%2Bfor%2BDasom%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bcar.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uml0G1VQZAA/UIwwJoVkSlI/AAAAAAAAD_c/DHeF9AVm-S4/s400/Seo%2BIn-guk%2Breaches%2Bfor%2BDasom%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bcar.PNG" alt="K.Will Please Don’t Seo In-guk Dasom car" title="Seo In-guk reaches for fantasy!Dasom in the car."/></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0FaOo4r83Xo/UIwwRy7C7nI/AAAAAAAAD_o/0SmqBgPBh-o/s1600/Jaehyun%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bcar.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="217" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0FaOo4r83Xo/UIwwRy7C7nI/AAAAAAAAD_o/0SmqBgPBh-o/s400/Jaehyun%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bcar.PNG" alt="K.Will Please Don’t Seo In-guk Jaehyun car" title="Seo In-guk with Jaehyun in the car."/></a></div><br />
So, then, I see at least three main ways to interpret what’s happening here:<br />
<ol><li>In-guk’s character loves his friend Dasom’s fiancé, Jaehyun. After the wedding, In-guk drives in his car and fantasizes, imagining himself explaining to Dasom how he feels and finally attaining his goal of being with Jaehyun, but he’s still unhappy.</li>
<li>Jaehyun is secretly in love with his friend In-guk but afraid of his feelings. He betrays In-guk and marries his fiancée, Dasom. But he immediately realizes what a bad idea the wedding was and instead runs off with In-guk. In-guk tortures himself by thinking about how Dasom would react to her new husband leaving her for a man.</li>
<li>In-guk is in serious denial about having feelings for his friend Dasom’s fiancé, Jaehyun. In-guk feels intense jealousy about their upcoming wedding and desperately tries to convince himself that he is in love with Dasom. As he drives by himself after the wedding and imagines each of them in the passenger’s seat, though, he realizes his feelings are actually for Jaehyun and that the man he loves has just married someone else.</li>
</ol>I think (1) is the basic reading and (2) is a more subversive reading that makes me feel devastated for Dasom’s character, but (3) is the most creative one by the filmmakers, and also the one that fits the video best. However, it does tend to underscore the idea that being gay is somehow a bad or unnatural thing, and that In-guk’s character currently has no chance at happiness, which is…unfortunate, to say the least. Predictable, but unfortunate.<br />
<br />
<b>Was there a storyline? If so, did it make sense?</b><br />
Seo In-guk’s character is in love with his male friend, Ahn Jaehyun, who is getting married to his female friend, Dasom. In-guk is understandably rather depressed about this.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QG4eSXpX8pk/UIwwmHOvwxI/AAAAAAAAD_0/7Yh2zQWJtGE/s1600/fantasy%2Bwedding%2Bcouple.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="217" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QG4eSXpX8pk/UIwwmHOvwxI/AAAAAAAAD_0/7Yh2zQWJtGE/s400/fantasy%2Bwedding%2Bcouple.PNG" alt="K.Will Please Don’t Seo In-guk Ahn Jaehyun gay wedding photo" title="They certainly look very attractive together."/></a></div><center>Seo In-guk’s character’s fantasy wedding.</center><br />
As an actor-trivia sidenote, apparently in the recently-aired drama <a href="http://wiki.d-addicts.com/Answer_Me_1997"><i>Answer Me 1997</i></a>, which Seo In-guk stars in, there is a similar storyline (a love triangle in which one character is gay) between A Pink’s Eunji, Infinite’s Hoya, and Seo In-guk himself. I haven’t personally seen the drama, but <a href="http://vegan8korean.wordpress.com/2012/10/13/wwatd-answer-me-1997/">here is a review</a> if you’d like more details. :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J6HpvwdRyKA/UIww092g7PI/AAAAAAAAEAA/3dASXrBm1Ds/s1600/Answer%2BMe%2B1997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J6HpvwdRyKA/UIww092g7PI/AAAAAAAAEAA/3dASXrBm1Ds/s400/Answer%2BMe%2B1997.jpg" alt="Answer Me 1997" title="Poster from Answer Me 1997. It can also be translated as Reply 1997."/></a></div><br />
The point is, it’s good that more gay characters are being featured in media, but it would be nice if more of their storylines ended happily instead of in sadness. This is something that both Korean and American media still seem to be struggling with. It’s easy to just say “it gets better,” but I think it would be more convincing if our media backed that up with more examples of happy gay couples.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z14e1JItxP8/UIwxTCT0NZI/AAAAAAAAEAM/Vca6rCKHHAU/s1600/wedding%2Bphoto%2Bthreesome.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="221" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z14e1JItxP8/UIwxTCT0NZI/AAAAAAAAEAM/Vca6rCKHHAU/s400/wedding%2Bphoto%2Bthreesome.PNG" alt="K.Will Please Don’t Dasom Jaehyun Seo In-guk wedding photo threesome" title="Poor Seo In-guk. But seriously, can’t we get a gay storyline that ends happily now and then? What kind of message is that consistently sending to kids?"/></a></div><br />
<b>Was the dance cool and distinctive?</b><br />
There was nothing! Not even a traditional couple’s dance at the wedding.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JPh93pq6Oz4/UIwxjvJdjGI/AAAAAAAAEAY/_wSkwTSWg0M/s1600/happy%2Bif%2Boblivious%2Bcouple.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="258" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JPh93pq6Oz4/UIwxjvJdjGI/AAAAAAAAEAY/_wSkwTSWg0M/s400/happy%2Bif%2Boblivious%2Bcouple.PNG" alt="K.Will Please Don’t Dasom Jaehyun couple photo" title="I’m just assuming they’re happy and that Jaehyun isn’t secretly in the closet of denial."/></a></div><center>The happy, if oblivious, couple.</center><br />
<b>Do the members look good?</b><br />
Of course! They’re dressed for a wedding!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xC1VCA-rLIY/UIwxySznguI/AAAAAAAAEAk/HCBmQS6bugU/s1600/Full%2BCast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="283" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xC1VCA-rLIY/UIwxySznguI/AAAAAAAAEAk/HCBmQS6bugU/s400/Full%2BCast.jpg" alt="K.Will Please Don’t Dasom Ahn Jaehyun Seo In-guk full cast" title="I really appreciate this photo, actually: it makes it much easier to tell who’s who when there’s a group photo."/></a></div><center>Our full cast: Seo In-guk, K.Will, SISTAR’s Dasom, and Ahn Jaehyun.</center><br />
<b>Which member stood out the most?</b><br />
Seo In-guk’s acting was so convincing, but in the end I have to give this to Dasom. Man, she was impressive. Her reactions were spot-on: deliriously happy for her upcoming nuptials…<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rKN9ACPvsR4/UIwyAQEEtYI/AAAAAAAAEAw/PGKwYSlZTDA/s1600/Dasom%2Bwedding%2Bgorgeous.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="219" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rKN9ACPvsR4/UIwyAQEEtYI/AAAAAAAAEAw/PGKwYSlZTDA/s400/Dasom%2Bwedding%2Bgorgeous.PNG" alt="K.Will Please Don’t Dasom wedding veil gorgeous" title="So gorgeous."/></a></div><center>Just have a look at this! Doesn’t she look like she’s on the cover of a bridal magazine?</center><br />
…Then almost sadly accusative in the car scenes, which were my favorite for her acting. Look at this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wErl_dG7r9U/UIwyOfw2KDI/AAAAAAAAEA8/L7D8tSDqrzs/s1600/Dasom%2Bsad%2Bin%2Bcar.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="326" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wErl_dG7r9U/UIwyOfw2KDI/AAAAAAAAEA8/L7D8tSDqrzs/s400/Dasom%2Bsad%2Bin%2Bcar.PNG" alt="K.Will Please Don’t Dasom in car" title="Dasom in the car."/></a></div><br />
I really get her sadness and pain here: she’s even starting to tear up, but it’s not over-the-top. I imagine this would be her reaction if Seo In-guk’s character told her how he wasn’t actually as supportive of her marriage as he had originally appeared.<br />
<br />
<b>Do you like it enough to buy the song?</b><br />
Eh, not really. I like it, and it’s more distinctive than I’m used to for ballads, but not enough that I would want to purchase it and listen to it all the time.<br />
<br />
<b>Any ending thoughts?</b><br />
Check out the amusing <a href="http://youtu.be/sYT829yhSrg">parody of this song</a> where K.Will pleads with drivers to be more careful. :)<br />
<br />
Also, right now this file name is “Please Don’t Review,” but filename, I am disregarding your plea!! Take that!<br />
<br />
<b>Boyfriend’s one-liner:</b><br />
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a guy with an engagement ring in a heterosexual relationship before—weird.” My note—it’s not weird! They are becoming more popular, and it just depends on the guy. *glares at boyfriend*<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KxqWz5fvlk0/UIwybkyNm2I/AAAAAAAAEBI/Q8_ZFMOWkI8/s1600/wedding%2Brings.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="215" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KxqWz5fvlk0/UIwybkyNm2I/AAAAAAAAEBI/Q8_ZFMOWkI8/s400/wedding%2Brings.PNG" alt="K.Will Please Don’t Dasom Jaehyun engagement rings" title="Jaehyun’s character is fully within his rights to have an engagement ring. I think it’s kind of cute and open-minded of guys to have engagement rings."/></a></div><center>BAM! Non-traditional engagement rings!</center><br />
Thanks for reading! Please share your comments below. :)Kiss Kiss Kpop Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306258347914732719noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580318150521172230.post-37116493424698175082012-10-15T13:51:00.001-05:002012-10-15T18:56:35.696-05:00Review: Seo In-Young–“Anymore”<center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LCQdcqAZXPE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />
Seo In-Young has the weirdest house ever.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<b>Did you like the song?</b><br />
Former Jewelry member Seo In-Young (also known as Elly) is back with her solo song “Anymore.”<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QHy_D3padOI/UHxKfTQvO7I/AAAAAAAAD5U/EEY0FN-EmBg/s1600/Seo%2BIn%2BYoung%2Bcloseup.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="242" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QHy_D3padOI/UHxKfTQvO7I/AAAAAAAAD5U/EEY0FN-EmBg/s400/Seo%2BIn%2BYoung%2Bcloseup.PNG" alt="Seo In Young review Anymore" title="A closeup!"/></a></div><center>Seo In-Young</center><br />
The original Jewelry (with its four original members) is a bit before my time in Kpop (I only know their insanely catchy song <a href="http://youtu.be/ryF0SgbXwPk">“One More Time”</a>), but I remember Jewelry-S’s <a href="http://youtu.be/DZpBgm0FbQU">“Forget It”</a> and Seo In-Young’s <a href="http://youtu.be/SysvPcqMMqc">“Oh My Gosh”</a> from last year.<br />
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However, for your interest, here are the members, past and present, from “One More Time.”<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1MIolhdsOvs/UHxNIPC5dmI/AAAAAAAAD5s/M27ht_mTZ2k/s1600/Former%2BJewelry%2Bmembers%2Bpanorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="270" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1MIolhdsOvs/UHxNIPC5dmI/AAAAAAAAD5s/M27ht_mTZ2k/s400/Former%2BJewelry%2Bmembers%2Bpanorama.jpg" alt="Jewelry members names" title="Jewelry with former members"/></a></div><center>(Top:) Former members Park Jung-Ah and Seo In-Young, (bottom:) current members Baby J and Eunjung.</center><br />
And to round it out, here are the two newest members, comprising Jewelry-S:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OCKcBAJ-o98/UHxMlj12TRI/AAAAAAAAD5g/G83gSckcDWU/s1600/Yewon%2Band%2BSemi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="207" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OCKcBAJ-o98/UHxMlj12TRI/AAAAAAAAD5g/G83gSckcDWU/s400/Yewon%2Band%2BSemi.jpg" alt="Jewelry S Yewon Semi members" title="Yewon is on the left; Semi is on the right."/></a></div><center>Yewon and Semi</center><br />
Moving on…Seo In-Young’s <a href="http://youtu.be/SysvPcqMMqc">“Oh My Gosh”</a> was a bit too electronic and repetitive and a little grating for me; it didn’t allow her to show off her voice enough—though it was a great shoulder workout! I prefer <a href="http://youtu.be/47QadFU0gtQ">“Into the Rhythm,”</a> which is another electronica-heavy song but more melodic. This year, though, Seo In-Young is no longer under contract with Star Entertainment, instead moving to her own company, IY Entertainment, so perhaps she will have more artistic freedom now.<br />
<br />
“Anymore” definitely seems different from her other songs and music videos. It’s very listenable: there’s something intriguing about it that isn’t really apparent until the chorus. It gives me the impression of shifting moods: a sad, wistful feeling coupled with the relief and beginnings of happiness the singer feels after making the decision to move on.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LNbmduU_HC8/UHxOossGajI/AAAAAAAAD54/6HOsfxs_iOE/s1600/Seo%2BIn%2BYoung%2Bcloseup%2Bblond.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="247" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LNbmduU_HC8/UHxOossGajI/AAAAAAAAD54/6HOsfxs_iOE/s400/Seo%2BIn%2BYoung%2Bcloseup%2Bblond.PNG" alt="Seo In Young Anymore" title="A close-up of blond Seo In-Young"/></a></div><br />
<b>What was your favorite part of the song?</b><br />
The best part for these conflicting moods is most apparent for me at the end of the chorus with the <a href="http://youtu.be/LCQdcqAZXPE#t=01m19s">“oh oh oh” part</a>. The way she lingers on that third “oh” is so pretty.<br />
<br />
<b>Does the English make you want to rip your eardrums out?</b><br />
No, it’s very good. Aside from little phrases like “you know,” “it’s too late,” and “’cause I know that…” the main English is in the chorus: “and I feel like we can’t go on anymore” and “I don’t want to cry anymore.” Moving and meaningful.<br />
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Plus there was a French joke! I love French jokes:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MtYT23F3n3c/UHxO8jxWjHI/AAAAAAAAD6E/5uXEI9NsIcM/s1600/French%2Bjoke.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="225" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MtYT23F3n3c/UHxO8jxWjHI/AAAAAAAAD6E/5uXEI9NsIcM/s400/French%2Bjoke.PNG" alt="Seo In Young Anymore French sign joke" title="Here’s an explanation in case you didn’t understand: “Oui” in French means “yes” but is pronounced “we,” so it’s like “You + Me = We.” Which is of course exactly what you + me DOES mean. I think it’s funny. Shut up, I'm a language nerd."/></a></div><center>You. Me. Oui. :DDD</center><br />
<b>Did you like the video?</b><br />
I did—like the song, it was creative and intriguing. I’m not necessarily sure what it all means, but I like it. There are also allusions to other bands/artists and cultural icons:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-84jeEpdFSK4/UHxPwNVszwI/AAAAAAAAD6Q/6h7-3v-ag7M/s1600/Nirvana%2Bpanorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="160" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-84jeEpdFSK4/UHxPwNVszwI/AAAAAAAAD6Q/6h7-3v-ag7M/s400/Nirvana%2Bpanorama.jpg" alt="Seo In Young Anymore Nirvana poster" title="With the craaazy eyes..."/></a></div><center>A Nirvana poster (on the far right)…</center><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ugIcHcNBfRo/UHxP609rxlI/AAAAAAAAD6c/po_5kR_jy64/s1600/KISS%2Bpanorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="175" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ugIcHcNBfRo/UHxP609rxlI/AAAAAAAAD6c/po_5kR_jy64/s400/KISS%2Bpanorama.jpg" alt="Seo In Young Anymore KISS jacket" title="I couldn’t find the poster in purple, though. Maybe she had it custom-made."/></a></div><center>…a jacket with the KISS logo…</center><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fqqxBs3Z0x4/UHxQHrQvpCI/AAAAAAAAD6o/Hs35ey8GkIk/s1600/Rolling%2BStones%2Bpanorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="276" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fqqxBs3Z0x4/UHxQHrQvpCI/AAAAAAAAD6o/Hs35ey8GkIk/s400/Rolling%2BStones%2Bpanorama.jpg" alt="Seo In Young Anymore Rolling Stones poster t-shirt" title="Seo In-Young paints it black…she just can’t get no satisfaction…she’s like a rainbow…she can’t always get what she wants, but if she tries sometimes, she gets what she needs…oh man, I could keep going..."/></a></div><center>…the Rolling Stones on both a poster and a t-shirt…</center><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2weRVlKeE5c/UHxQbdS5XUI/AAAAAAAAD60/e57J5lP_hmo/s1600/CL%2Bpanorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="159" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2weRVlKeE5c/UHxQbdS5XUI/AAAAAAAAD60/e57J5lP_hmo/s400/CL%2Bpanorama.jpg" alt="Seo In Young Anymore 2NE1 CL hat" title="Isn’t CL pretty in this picture, though?"/></a></div><center>…and my personal favorite, the “CL” beanie (which I’m hoping is a nod to 2NE1’s CL).</center><br />
There are probably some others I’m missing. Like the t-shirt of Genie from <i>Aladdin</i> in there somewhere…not sure what’s up with that one. *shrug*<br />
<br />
The only thing that kind of irked me was the way the video tried to flash with the music beats in the buildups to the chorus like a strobe light (i.e. starting at <a href="http://youtu.be/LCQdcqAZXPE#t=00m56s">56 seconds in</a> and again at <a href="http://youtu.be/LCQdcqAZXPE#t=02m11s">2-ish minutes in</a>). Ugh, talk about seizure-inducing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Kd191roYII/UHxWnvUROVI/AAAAAAAAD8o/mpGoZ2Aigm8/s1600/layers.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="218" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Kd191roYII/UHxWnvUROVI/AAAAAAAAD8o/mpGoZ2Aigm8/s400/layers.PNG" alt="Seo In Young Anymore review meaning layers" title="@.@"/></a></div><center>Speaking of seizures, this is just mesmerizing...</center><br />
<b>Was there a storyline? If so, did it make sense?</b><br />
I had to watch this video several times (and get my bf’s opinion, as well), but eventually I came up with a theory as to what it all means.<br />
<br />
We see Seo In-Young in this hallway of locked doors, pounding on them, trying to open them, and we see her with different hairstyles inside of the locked rooms. And then there are the ever-present blue feathers. My theory is that each of the rooms represents a relationship with a different guy, and the feathers represent the memories of that person.<br />
<br />
The Seo In-Youngs in the rooms are kind of trapped, listless—their relationships are stale and unhappy, but for whatever reason they’re not ending the relationships (leaving the rooms).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eJkLQbkHQW8/UHxTxrwl5oI/AAAAAAAAD7U/k2RR4xBCJNk/s1600/can%2527t%2Bget%2Boff%2Bfloor.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="218" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eJkLQbkHQW8/UHxTxrwl5oI/AAAAAAAAD7U/k2RR4xBCJNk/s400/can%2527t%2Bget%2Boff%2Bfloor.PNG" alt="Seo In Young Anymore review video meaning" title="Not sure what it means that she’s actually lying on the door, though."/></a></div><center>This version, for example, can’t even get off the floor.</center><br />
Another thing is that each of the rooms is colorful, yes, but very cluttered with all sorts of random things that Seo In-Young doesn’t seem to want or enjoy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DT64lzE8yPo/UHxT_ea94XI/AAAAAAAAD7g/sJgkXhzSb_s/s1600/polar%2Bbear.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="218" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DT64lzE8yPo/UHxT_ea94XI/AAAAAAAAD7g/sJgkXhzSb_s/s400/polar%2Bbear.PNG" alt="Seo In Young Anymore review video meaning polar bear" title="A polar bear? WTF?"/></a></div><center>Yeah, I wasn’t kidding. Who keeps this in their <i>house</i>?</center><br />
The hallway, though—completely bare and pristine. Totally white, a literal blank slate. And the Seo In-Youngs in the rooms keep looking out the peepholes as if they’re considering leaving and moving on with their lives but can’t quite do it yet.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JCf-eX5GAIw/UHxUSs9ew2I/AAAAAAAAD7s/wTPgFqL60mM/s1600/peephole.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="218" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JCf-eX5GAIw/UHxUSs9ew2I/AAAAAAAAD7s/wTPgFqL60mM/s400/peephole.PNG" alt="Seo In Young Anymore review video meaning peephole" title="A very compelling image."/></a></div><br />
The version of Seo In-Young in the hallway knows that she needs to help open the doors, to kick the guys out so that she can begin to move on and think back fondly of the times she had with them (the blue feathers). She needs to unload all this old clutter and baggage and move on to begin painting her own new life.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qr_fK26GKmo/UHxVkT1uyMI/AAAAAAAAD74/gJzxkZGeP3A/s1600/hallway.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="223" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qr_fK26GKmo/UHxVkT1uyMI/AAAAAAAAD74/gJzxkZGeP3A/s400/hallway.PNG" alt="Seo In Young Anymore review video meaning" title="She’s also dressed as more of a badass in the hallway."/></a></div><br />
Finally, the doors are slammed open, and the guys are very literally thrown out in a cloud of blue feathers. I’d have liked to see her actually make the decision to throw them out onscreen, but I guess you can’t have everything. Maybe that would have been too obvious or wouldn’t fit with her image.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HnUc0tdKfMU/UHxV3gMfCmI/AAAAAAAAD8E/ujtiIibf6FY/s1600/cloud%2Bof%2Bblue%2Bfeathers.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="218" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HnUc0tdKfMU/UHxV3gMfCmI/AAAAAAAAD8E/ujtiIibf6FY/s400/cloud%2Bof%2Bblue%2Bfeathers.PNG" alt="Seo In Young Anymore review video meaning" title="Whee!"/></a></div><br />
All the guys (who turn into a guitar-smashing band) and Seo In-Young in the hallway have a party, and the last image we see is that she has finally left at least one of the rooms.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tSZ0wYEhfn4/UHxWGVDP-BI/AAAAAAAAD8Q/z_rRTJJ47eo/s1600/empty%2Broom.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="221" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tSZ0wYEhfn4/UHxWGVDP-BI/AAAAAAAAD8Q/z_rRTJJ47eo/s400/empty%2Broom.PNG" alt="Seo In Young Anymore review video meaning" title="The empty room."/></a></div><br />
So clearly the message is that it’s better for everyone that they end the unhappy relationships: everyone is happier after getting out of the locked rooms. I think this jives nicely with the lyrics, as well.<br />
<br />
This is just my theory, though—let me know if you have a better one. :)<br />
<br />
<b>Was the dance cool and distinctive?</b><br />
I don’t think there wasn’t a choreographed dance, per se, just Seo In-Young messing around. And also the tattooed guy covered in lights:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_WtckaqO6V8/UHxWUGC_xtI/AAAAAAAAD8c/vKhyuB8kvCM/s1600/dancing%2Bguy.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="218" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_WtckaqO6V8/UHxWUGC_xtI/AAAAAAAAD8c/vKhyuB8kvCM/s400/dancing%2Bguy.PNG" alt="Seo In Young Anymore review video meaning" title="The real question is: who is he?! We don’t ever see his face. But more importantly: what are his tattoos of?"/></a></div><center>He was interesting, though I’m not sure where he fits into my theory.</center><br />
<b>Do the members look good?</b><br />
Yeah, though it seems like it’s just different versions of Seo In-Young and a bunch of guys whose faces we hardly see.<br />
<br />
<b>Which member stood out the most?</b><br />
Hmm, I think Seo In-Young looks best with her style here, when she’s on the couch:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CE5hX-68brs/UHxYtswlrGI/AAAAAAAAD80/d3hWbJ7eK3o/s1600/on%2Bthe%2Bcouch.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="218" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CE5hX-68brs/UHxYtswlrGI/AAAAAAAAD80/d3hWbJ7eK3o/s400/on%2Bthe%2Bcouch.PNG" alt="Seo In Young Anymore review" title="Her hair looks more natural, less wig-like here."/></a></div><br />
But she looks most like…<i>herself</i>, I guess, when she’s here wearing the baseball cap:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wvhmG0pMNrs/UHxY5mXCbKI/AAAAAAAAD9A/XHG1BqVOrQo/s1600/most%2Blike%2Bherself.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="270" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wvhmG0pMNrs/UHxY5mXCbKI/AAAAAAAAD9A/XHG1BqVOrQo/s400/most%2Blike%2Bherself.PNG" alt="Seo In Young Anymore review" title="I could see her being all dubious and unimpressed like she was in the “Oh My Gosh” video."/></a></div><br />
She looks kind of sassy, and that’s how I picture her.<br />
<br />
<b>Do you like it enough to buy the song?</b><br />
It took me a while, and I think I might eventually get sick of it, but yeah, I do. I like the different musical elements.<br />
<br />
<b>Any ending thoughts?</b><br />
Has anybody noticed Seo In-Young’s…what is it, a brand logo? I think it’s pretty cool and meaningful. At the beginning we see a pretty diamond:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-smqC0KgcKQc/UHxZIMELHUI/AAAAAAAAD9M/dywZRgBi-g0/s1600/diamond.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="215" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-smqC0KgcKQc/UHxZIMELHUI/AAAAAAAAD9M/dywZRgBi-g0/s400/diamond.PNG" alt="Seo In Young Jewelry diamond" title="Kind of reminds me of Top Girl by G.NA."/></a></div><br />
But then the diamond goes supernova and explodes. Her logo emerges, a lightning bolt splitting the diamond in two with a funky new style:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5wGpT7bQd1E/UHxZSZv_L0I/AAAAAAAAD9Y/rNZVJFJoYlM/s1600/Seo%2BIn-Young%2Blogo.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="260" width="333" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5wGpT7bQd1E/UHxZSZv_L0I/AAAAAAAAD9Y/rNZVJFJoYlM/s400/Seo%2BIn-Young%2Blogo.PNG" alt="Seo In Young Jewelry logo" title="Like something you might buy at Hot Topic."/></a></div><center>Kind of cutesy punk-rock.</center><br />
I take this to mean Seo-In Young is acknowledging her roots as a member of Jewelry, but she now feels free to break out of that mold and transform into her own new thing. Maybe not particularly <i>subtle</i>, but pretty snazzy.<br />
<br />
<b>Boyfriend’s one-liner:</b><br />
“Poor drummers. They get no love. That’s like how you treat an ugly piece of furniture—just drape a cloth over it so nobody can see it.”<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2fRnZo2B45s/UHxZbsziyZI/AAAAAAAAD9k/GhklW--tyxI/s1600/drummer%2Bsheet.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="224" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2fRnZo2B45s/UHxZbsziyZI/AAAAAAAAD9k/GhklW--tyxI/s400/drummer%2Bsheet.PNG" alt="Seo In Young Anymore drummer" title="Sad face."/></a></div><center>And put a feather headdress on it?</center><br />
Thanks for reading! Please share your comments below! :)Kiss Kiss Kpop Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306258347914732719noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580318150521172230.post-49632356135508413112012-09-20T11:37:00.000-05:002012-12-27T15:24:34.490-06:00Review: Psy–“Gangnam Style”<center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9bZkp7q19f0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />
My <i>local radio station</i> called this song a “phenomenon.” *screaming*<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<b>Did you like the song?</b><br />
HOLY CRAP, MY LOCAL RADIO STATION PLAYED THIS SONG ON THE RADIO TODAY. I just…I just…no, you don’t understand. This is my local radio station in America that (with the exception of the occasional Enrique Iglesias or Pitbull or Shakira song that’s in English with Spanish highlights) never, <i>never</i> plays anything that’s not strictly in English. And they played this song completely in Korean (except for the handful of delightful English phrases). Guys, I can’t stress this enough: this never happens. I didn’t believe it when I heard it, and about halfway through listening, I started making this high-pitched whining noise that I’m pretty sure is the physical embodiment of squee.<br />
<br />
Psy, congratulations: you’ve made it to America.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kC0AmdTVPzQ/UFqbFNSmB5I/AAAAAAAAD1M/S9m5KUYSosg/s1600/PSY%2Bletters.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="212" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kC0AmdTVPzQ/UFqbFNSmB5I/AAAAAAAAD1M/S9m5KUYSosg/s400/PSY%2Bletters.PNG" alt="PSY Gangnam Style Review English" title="PSY's name in lights, literally"/></a></div><br />
So a Kpop artist has finally achieved an unprecedented amount of international attention, breaking out of Asia and hitting the usually deaf shores of music in America, so much so that my little backwater town’s radio station is playing the song and having jolly good fun mispronouncing “Gangnam” all over the place. But since this very literally never happens, I think it’s worth examining why in this particular case, it finally did.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G-IAGkBPCmY/UFqcp1tPCZI/AAAAAAAAD1k/QNXHJFvq3ZA/s1600/Psy%2Band%2BHyuna%2Bcloseup%2B2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="232" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G-IAGkBPCmY/UFqcp1tPCZI/AAAAAAAAD1k/QNXHJFvq3ZA/s400/Psy%2Band%2BHyuna%2Bcloseup%2B2.PNG" alt="Gangnam Style Psy and Hyuna" title="Psy and Hyuna"/></a></div><br />
I’m recognizing, of course, that it’s hard/impossible to determine before the fact what will be popular, while hindsight is 20/20, and all that. Some people are just in the right place at the right time with the right product. (And this is not to imply that Kpop stars have never had success in American markets before; obviously they have—just not, in my limited experience, quite to this degree.) But here are some circumstances that happily conflated to Psy’s benefit in this case:<br />
<br />
Psy’s a solo artist known for comedy. Solo artists tend to do better than groups in America, and Americans love comedy. The song is cute, amusing, and <i>fun</i>, as well as catchy and memorable, with easy parts for everyone to sing along to. But moreover, it doesn’t take itself seriously, and Psy’s not afraid to make himself look ridiculous in the name of comedy and entertainment. This is a rare quality in a Kpop idol, but one that I think will become more and more valuable.<br />
<br />
Musically, “Gangnam Style” has a strong resemblance to the song it’s parodying (either intentionally or unintentionally; I’m not sure, and I don’t think it matters): LMFAO’s <a href="http://youtu.be/wyx6JDQCslE">“I’m Sexy and I Know It.”</a> The most memorable part in both songs is the chorus hook: the title line spoken after a brief break of dead space (“…I’m sexy, and I know it,” “…Oppan Gangnam style”). I personally think “Gangnam Style” is <i>much</i> better, but regardless, that part makes both songs catchy and distinctive.<br />
<br />
<b>What was your favorite part of the song?</b><br />
I looove the <a href="http://youtu.be/9bZkp7q19f0#t=00m47s">buildup to the hook</a>, the part that showcases Psy’s voice and really makes this song different.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K6p_OCvWsdc/UFqdaslbIfI/AAAAAAAAD1w/HHQBqdJ1hXw/s1600/horses%2B1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="220" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K6p_OCvWsdc/UFqdaslbIfI/AAAAAAAAD1w/HHQBqdJ1hXw/s400/horses%2B1.PNG" alt="Psy Gangnam Style horses equestrian" title="Horsies, yay!"/></a></div><br />
<b>Does the English make you want to rip your eardrums out?</b><br />
Honestly, it makes me happy. Rarely does English in a Kpop song make me this overjoyed. Perhaps it’s a symptom of my general mood. “Heyyyyy, sexy lady!” Psy attended college in America, though, and as you’ll see from his interviews, his English is pretty good.<br />
<br />
<b>Did you like the video?</b><br />
It’s goofy, it’s silly, it’s fun. But since I’m all about the gender issues nowadays, what I like most is how the video seeks to be an affectionate parody of the assumed male gaze in other music videos. Hyuna’s deliberately overt sexualisation, the extreme close-ups of the yoga lady’s rear end and Psy silently screaming at it as if in the throes of sexual frustration, how silly and over-the-top Psy and Noh Hongcheol (the guy pelvic-thrusting in the elevator) and the other men look when acting flirtatious or doing the female dance parts (as compared to females in music videos, for whom dancing in this sort of way is par for the course)—all of these add up to highlight how unnecessarily demeaning many music videos have been to female dancers.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x-KLUxjFfcI/UFqd7UMRIlI/AAAAAAAAD18/xqrHHZtS3wE/s1600/dat%2Bass.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="219" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x-KLUxjFfcI/UFqd7UMRIlI/AAAAAAAAD18/xqrHHZtS3wE/s400/dat%2Bass.PNG" alt="Psy Gangnam Style yoga ladies dat ass" title="Why, yes, in the midst of talking about gender issues I DID just label this photo DAT ASS. Problem?"/></a></div><center>DAT ASS. Ahem, what?</center><br />
I think it’s especially interesting that 4minute’s Hyuna is there, as this is something she’s been accused of in the past, so I see this video as a way for her to subtly strike back against being treated as a sex object in her dancing routines. Mind you, I’m not necessarily expecting this to change right away, but anything that draws awareness to the problem of inherent sexism in the industry is good. Particularly if it’s as appealing as this video. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dAYWzTqe8Ss/UFqedSGLVBI/AAAAAAAAD2I/cs4yw8ZeQkc/s1600/Psy%2Band%2BHyuna.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="221" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dAYWzTqe8Ss/UFqedSGLVBI/AAAAAAAAD2I/cs4yw8ZeQkc/s400/Psy%2Band%2BHyuna.PNG" alt="Gangnam Style Psy and Hyuna" title="Psy and Hyuna Strike Back"/></a></div><br />
By the way, Hyuna fans should check out the response video <a href="http://youtu.be/wcLNteez3c4">“Oppa is Just My Style.”</a> Unfortunately, though, it is guilty of the stereotypical hyper-sexualization of females that “Gangnam Style” successfully challenges. I guess you can’t win them all. On the plus side, the ending, in which Psy gives Hyuna a piggy back ride, is super-cute.<br />
<br />
<b>Was there a storyline? If so, did it make sense?</b><br />
Just as the portrayal of women in “Gangnam Style” is subtly subversive, so is the video’s plotline, which is an understated critique of the lifestyle in Gangnam, an affluent area in Korea.<br />
<br />
In each situation (except those with the cameos), it seems that Psy is a very important person in a luxurious setting, but when the camera pans out, the locations (and thus Psy’s position) are shown to be much less lavish than they had first appeared.<br />
<br />
His sandy resort turns out to be an ordinary park…<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V2CrejtQung/UFqe-CL9pyI/AAAAAAAAD2U/ET0pDUgbOcI/s1600/beach%2B1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="248" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V2CrejtQung/UFqe-CL9pyI/AAAAAAAAD2U/ET0pDUgbOcI/s400/beach%2B1.PNG" alt="Psy Gangnam Style beach" title="Reminds me of the song Fabulous from High School Musical 2. I mean, noooo, I haven't seen that, what?! *shifty eyes*"/></a></div><br />
His fancy upper-class sauna turns out to be a meeting area for what looks like yakuza…<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KMlmsaHHvsc/UFqfV9LyVUI/AAAAAAAAD2g/1zkFedAGnl4/s1600/yakuza.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="237" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KMlmsaHHvsc/UFqfV9LyVUI/AAAAAAAAD2g/1zkFedAGnl4/s400/yakuza.PNG" alt="Psy Gangnam Style mob gangsters yakuza" title="Yakuza who like to dance, apparently."/></a></div><br />
His trendy disco nightclub is instead a bus of vacationing older ladies…<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Om5gV3bRrtM/UFqflxiASjI/AAAAAAAAD2s/eg9Tcraj9CE/s1600/bus%2B1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="223" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Om5gV3bRrtM/UFqflxiASjI/AAAAAAAAD2s/eg9Tcraj9CE/s400/bus%2B1.PNG" alt="Psy Gangnam Style bus with disco balls" title="Hey, I'm always a fan of bringing disco back."/></a></div><br />
His attempt at tennis (a stereotypical pastime of the rich) seems to end poorly for him…<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DNMOm9sGmI8/UFqf4Na6yKI/AAAAAAAAD24/dmFd4h0OzW0/s1600/tennis.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="219" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DNMOm9sGmI8/UFqf4Na6yKI/AAAAAAAAD24/dmFd4h0OzW0/s400/tennis.PNG" alt="Psy Gangnam Style tennis" title="...somehow ending in molestation? Not sure. Molestation or just being defeated so badly his clothes rip."/></a></div><br />
He goes boating but can’t make it look suave (it’s hard in a bulky life-jacket)…<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UID-dGxLoxA/UFqgPR5LEOI/AAAAAAAAD3E/Qt_QfL2RwpM/s1600/speedboat.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="216" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UID-dGxLoxA/UFqgPR5LEOI/AAAAAAAAD3E/Qt_QfL2RwpM/s400/speedboat.PNG" alt="Psy Gangnam Style boat speedboat" title="At least he's in no imminent danger of drowning."/></a></div><br />
He hangs out in construction sites under highways...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cAZErCl-A9w/UFqgh_E0kwI/AAAAAAAAD3Q/rOw2kUr1jpo/s1600/explosion.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="220" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cAZErCl-A9w/UFqgh_E0kwI/AAAAAAAAD3Q/rOw2kUr1jpo/s400/explosion.PNG" alt="Psy Gangnam Style highway underpass explosion" title="Highway underpasses are apparently really dangerous places to visit."/></a></div><br />
...and in subways, where Hyuna is pole-dancing for some reason…<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TYTGEONjInk/UFqg4UGpyQI/AAAAAAAAD3c/DG9gT-pRs18/s1600/Hyuna%2Bsubway.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="254" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TYTGEONjInk/UFqg4UGpyQI/AAAAAAAAD3c/DG9gT-pRs18/s400/Hyuna%2Bsubway.PNG" alt="Psy Gangnam Style girl Hyuna subway poledancing" title="Hyuna pole-dancing. In a subway."/></a></div><br />
He spends time in equestrian centers (horse-riding being a very expensive sport) but never seems to actually ride a real one; instead, he rides the merry-go-round or just pretends he has an invisible horse…<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZaguRFn4Jjk/UFqhOBAFUKI/AAAAAAAAD3o/EEq0nnhdnts/s1600/merry-go-round.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="219" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZaguRFn4Jjk/UFqhOBAFUKI/AAAAAAAAD3o/EEq0nnhdnts/s400/merry-go-round.PNG" alt="Psy Gangnam Style merry go round horses" title="Merry-go-rounds!"/></a></div><br />
His sexy pimp-like catwalk with a model on each arm is interrupted by exorbitant amounts of trash and industrial packing materials…<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ArB88OmVtRQ/UFqhdHuOQAI/AAAAAAAAD30/0kg1eFxhSvg/s1600/pimp%2Bwalk.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="220" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ArB88OmVtRQ/UFqhdHuOQAI/AAAAAAAAD30/0kg1eFxhSvg/s400/pimp%2Bwalk.PNG" alt="Psy Gangnam Style models trash funny" title="Or fake snow? Not sure."/></a></div><br />
And finally, an extreme close-up reveals Psy to be on the most dignified of ivory thrones…<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z-WoyJqA_2U/UFqhqu8dNpI/AAAAAAAAD4A/up9SiZWEvXA/s1600/toilet.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="237" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z-WoyJqA_2U/UFqhqu8dNpI/AAAAAAAAD4A/up9SiZWEvXA/s400/toilet.PNG" alt="Psy Gangnam Style toilet" title="He's sexy, and he knows it!"/></a></div><br />
By ridiculing the ideals of this neighborhood, Psy suggests that its residents have become too shallow, too vain, too obsessed with showing off pointless material wealth and status, instead of living more fulfilling lives. And I believe that the message is intended to encompass humanity as a whole.<br />
<br />
It’s no surprise to me that, despite the language barrier, this message should resonate so strongly in America, where for many people, becoming rich and famous (or at least preserving the illusion of being rich and famous) has long been considered the end goal. After seeing the economic devastation that such a self-centered lifestyle can cause, however, perhaps we are now beginning to move more toward ideals of humility and bettering our communities.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yg161RZWuw8/UFqiZzTn2oI/AAAAAAAAD4M/tth3n1doz_8/s1600/strobe%2Blights%2B2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="215" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yg161RZWuw8/UFqiZzTn2oI/AAAAAAAAD4M/tth3n1doz_8/s400/strobe%2Blights%2B2.PNG" alt="Psy Gangnam Style crowd dance strobe lights" title="Just another example of how good Psy is with coordinating big crowds in his music videos."/></a></div><br />
With this in mind, note how the backup dancers in the end are all having fun cooperating together while wearing work uniforms, a contrast to the leisurely vacationing lifestyle he had shown previously: honest, hard work triumphing over empty, meaningless excess.<br />
<br />
<b>Was the dance cool and distinctive?</b><br />
I don’t think this dance can realistically be called “cool,” but considering the way it’s taking everywhere by storm, I’d say it’s certainly “distinctive.” Psy even attempted to teach it to Britney Spears! As Psy <a href="http://youtu.be/QZmkU5Pg1sw">explained</a> to her and to Ellen DeGeneres, for one of the dance moves, you’re supposed to “bounce like you’re riding an invisible horse.” (And you’re supposed to “dress classy and dance cheesy,” hee hee.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HF-g8b-xgEQ/UFqjMznd4aI/AAAAAAAAD4Y/KA5XQbbdAQE/s1600/equestrian%2Bcenter.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="218" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HF-g8b-xgEQ/UFqjMznd4aI/AAAAAAAAD4Y/KA5XQbbdAQE/s400/equestrian%2Bcenter.PNG" alt="Psy Gangnam Style horse dance" title="Those horses are like, WTF?!"/></a></div><br />
The whole invisible-horse thing reminds me of Monty Python’s <a href="http://youtu.be/zqtS9xyl0f4">coconut shells</a> from <i>Monty Python and the Holy Grail</i>, actually. :)<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://s1091.beta.photobucket.com/user/kisskisskpopreviews/media/MontyPython_zps41337800.gif.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i388/kisskisskpopreviews/MontyPython_zps41337800.gif" border="0" alt="Psy Gangnam Style Monty Python gif" title="Gif from mregifs.tumblr.com"/></a></center><br />
<b>Do the members look good?</b><br />
Either good or deliberately silly (or both!). I like the brightly colored clothing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3gxispby7ek/UFqjgjBwwgI/AAAAAAAAD4k/ap_LdL31vPw/s1600/Yoo%2BJaesuk.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="230" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3gxispby7ek/UFqjgjBwwgI/AAAAAAAAD4k/ap_LdL31vPw/s400/Yoo%2BJaesuk.PNG" alt="Psy Gangnam Style Yoo Jaesuk" title="Yoo Jaesuk, a comedian"/></a></div><br />
<b>Which member stood out the most?</b><br />
Psy, you’re cool and all…Hyuna looks like she’s having fun…Yoo Jaesuk (the guy above in yellow, a comedian) was, well, <i>out there</i> if nothing else…Noh Hongcheol (the guy in the elevator, another comedian) was pretty funny strutting his stuff…but no, no. I have to give it to this little guy, Hwang Minwoo, a five-year-old who caught Psy’s eye when he was on <i>Korea’s Got Talent</i>:<br />
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<center><a href="http://s1091.photobucket.com/albums/i388/kisskisskpopreviews/?action=view&current=Littleguygif.gif" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i388/kisskisskpopreviews/Littleguygif.gif" border="0" alt="Gangnam style cute little guy" title="Awwwwww."></a></center><br />
This dude is, like, the <i>definition</i> of an adorable badass. I just—ugh, I love everything about him! Full marks, sir.<br />
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<b>Do you like it enough to buy the song?</b><br />
Guilty as charged. :)<br />
<br />
<b>Any ending thoughts?</b><br />
Hyuna seems to be on a role for viral videos after her <a href="http://youtu.be/bw9CALKOvAI">“Bubble Pop”</a> was popular. I’m a fan, so this pleases me.<br />
<br />
Since the release of “Gangnam Style” in July (ugh, I’m sorry I’m so slow to review things these days), the video has gone viral and led to success for Psy in America. For example, as of today, the song is currently #1 on the U.S. iTunes chart. Psy has been interviewed on American shows such as <i>CNN</i>, <i>The Ellen DeGeneres Show</i>, <i>Today</i>, <i>MTV</i>, and <i>VH1</i>, and he was even part of <a href="http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/lids/1417085/">a sketch</a> on <i>Saturday Night Live</i>.<br />
<br />
Predictably, it’s been parodied about a million times (a list of some amusing parodies is <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/yourcommunity/2012/09/the-top-10-gangnam-style-parodies.html">here</a>). The song has <a href="http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/gangnam-style">its own meme page</a>. Even <i>Hitler</i>’s <a href="http://youtu.be/_tILqds7-jg">getting in on the action</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6ABowj0gAf8/UFqj04RsgMI/AAAAAAAAD4w/-yx3Fhh8ozw/s1600/Noh%2BHongcheol%2Bin%2Belevator.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="274" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6ABowj0gAf8/UFqj04RsgMI/AAAAAAAAD4w/-yx3Fhh8ozw/s400/Noh%2BHongcheol%2Bin%2Belevator.PNG" alt="Psy Gangnam Style Noh Hongcheol" title="Psy and comedian Noh Hongcheol"/></a></div><center>Who <i>wouldn’t</i> want a piece of this? ;)</center><br />
In response to every news outlet I’ve read suggesting that Psy’s success in America is a one-time thing: I absolutely, emphatically disagree. I’ve <a href="http://kisskisskpopreviews.blogspot.com/2012/06/what-makes-kpop-special.html">been saying</a> for a while that Kpop is providing something that Americans, at least, aren’t getting from their pop music at home. I think the success of this song/video is indicative of that, and I believe it is a trend that will continue.<br />
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<b>Boyfriend’s one-liner:</b><br />
“I like horses.”<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t85gHIIufkE/UFqbpova2hI/AAAAAAAAD1Y/0CxOnVfFP6E/s1600/Cartoon%2Bhorses.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="220" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t85gHIIufkE/UFqbpova2hI/AAAAAAAAD1Y/0CxOnVfFP6E/s400/Cartoon%2Bhorses.PNG" alt="Psy Gangnam Style cartoon horses" title="Neighhhh?"/></a></div><br />
Thanks for reading! Please share your comments below! :)Kiss Kiss Kpop Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306258347914732719noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580318150521172230.post-70245892071162566102012-08-08T19:40:00.000-05:002012-08-08T19:40:47.433-05:00Review: Psy–“Korea”<center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rpYq1lSce1U" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />
Psy gets patriotic for the Olympics.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
<b>Did you like the song?</b><br />
Bwahahaha, the Olympics are almost over; therefore, time for an Olympics post! Go me! \o/<br />
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Psy really is on a roll: a year ago there was the cracktastic and catchy <a href="http://youtu.be/UmHdefsaL6I">“Right Now,”</a> which is <i>still in my head</i>, then there was the cracktastic and catchy <a href="http://youtu.be/9bZkp7q19f0">“Gangnam Style”</a> (don’t even lie, you can’t get it out of your head either), and now we have a badass (and catchy) patriotic cheer song for South Korea in the 2012 London Olympics that still retains Psy’s trademark humor.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A8gmDpc-oZI/UCLwQfe8IoI/AAAAAAAADwg/wNScaZwir0Y/s1600/Psy%2Bwith%2Bcartoon%2Bself.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="328" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A8gmDpc-oZI/UCLwQfe8IoI/AAAAAAAADwg/wNScaZwir0Y/s400/Psy%2Bwith%2Bcartoon%2Bself.jpg" alt="Psy Korea review with animated self" title="Psy with his animated self"/></a></div><br />
<center>Psy with his cartoon self.</center><br />
I loved the song. I can’t remember ever enjoying a cheer song as much since Super Junior’s fantastic <a href=http://youtu.be/jCdYAYPjZ4M>“Victory Korea,”</a> but even then I prefer Psy’s cheer song. (If you need more idols in your cheer songs, you could, of course, watch <a href="http://youtu.be/cCw_FVKNH_Q">“Win the Day,”</a> a corporate song by Samsung with a ton of idols in it, but that’s only recommended if you can take the rather extreme emphasis on the sponsor’s logo.)<br />
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But this song is so full of rock and exuberance that you really can’t help but get carried away: it leaves you kind of breathless and feeling pumped up.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A61_Q4WTnNs/UCMApTQ41fI/AAAAAAAADyE/axyGMrDa7M4/s1600/Psy%2Barms%2Bspread.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="216" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A61_Q4WTnNs/UCMApTQ41fI/AAAAAAAADyE/axyGMrDa7M4/s400/Psy%2Barms%2Bspread.PNG" alt="Psy Korea arms spread" title="KOR-EEE-AH!"/></a></div><br />
<center>Yup, just like this.</center><br />
<b>What was your favorite part of the song?</b><br />
Literally every time I heard the “Korea” part.<br />
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<b>Does the English make you want to rip your eardrums out?</b><br />
How can I possibly nit-pick about grammatical details when the video makers have gone through all the trouble of hard-subbing an English translation of the lyrics into the video? I absolutely cannot complain at all; it would be wildly ungrateful. Thank you, editors. (I guess I can whine that they clutter up my screencaps, though! Oh well.)<br />
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<b>Did you like the video?</b><br />
I have a particular fondness for elaborate productions done in just a few shots. The work that must have gone into choreographing these…wow. At this point it just really needs to be said: Psy knows how to work a huge crowd for his music videos, man. It seems like all of them are big group efforts where everybody is having fun and respects the mood of the piece, whether it’s just gently humorous or humor with an edge or humorous while also being patriotic, as “Korea” is. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RWQjiHJZCSo/UCMBIb819RI/AAAAAAAADyU/odxMos3Q2l0/s1600/Psy%2Bsmile.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="212" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RWQjiHJZCSo/UCMBIb819RI/AAAAAAAADyU/odxMos3Q2l0/s400/Psy%2Bsmile.PNG" alt="Psy Korea smiling crowd" title="Sweet smile, too."/></a></div><br />
<center>Look at this crowd!</center><br />
I don’t know a ton about South Korean history, just things I’ve seen in <strike>Sungkyunkwan Scandal</strike> dramas, so I can’t comment too much on the content, but the temple (that is where they are, right?) is lovely, the performers look like they’re having fun, and you really get an idea of the grand scale of history mixing with modernity and how everyone is coming together to support their athletes. This kind of thing is what makes me love Korean culture and Kpop.<br />
<br />
The only thing that bothered me a little was that the different groups seemed very gendered: females here, males here, and rarely shall the two groups overlap. I understand it’s historical and even the Olympic events separate men and women (except for in equestrian), but whenever I notice this stuff it tends to irk me.<br />
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<b>Was there a storyline? If so, did it make sense?</b><br />
Carrying an Olympic torch and wearing traditional dress, Psy travels through a journey of South Korea’s history and people representing Olympics hopefuls. We have jogging, boxing, fencing, taekwondo, badminton, gymnasts, and then it all gets rather confused with the people in hanbok and traditional dress. Then Psy does a sprint... <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w3OyQykX1io/UCMDSBcTVjI/AAAAAAAADzA/ggTlI71hW-c/s1600/Sprint.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w3OyQykX1io/UCMDSBcTVjI/AAAAAAAADzA/ggTlI71hW-c/s400/Sprint.PNG" alt="Psy Korea sprint runners" title="He kind of gives up after about three seconds. But then he does walk the entire temple's length in a relatively short amount of time, so that's impressive."/></a></div><br />
<center>...kind of...</center><br />
...and beats a drum to call everyone to the center to assemble into the Korean flag.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-au99uzvmxfM/UCMDFqG3stI/AAAAAAAADy0/azR-zWamrvo/s1600/Psy%2Bwith%2Bdrum.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="229" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-au99uzvmxfM/UCMDFqG3stI/AAAAAAAADy0/azR-zWamrvo/s400/Psy%2Bwith%2Bdrum.PNG" alt="Psy Korea drum" title="Psy with the drum."/></a></div><br />
<b>Was the dance cool and distinctive?</b><br />
Spastic Psy flailing around! I think the camerawork is a dance unto itself, really, starting outside and moving forward in just a handful of long shots. Impressive.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SNLtm5clu8A/UCMC4596NEI/AAAAAAAADyo/xdowUvGBcGk/s1600/Lady%2Bin%2Btraditional%2Bdress.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="216" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SNLtm5clu8A/UCMC4596NEI/AAAAAAAADyo/xdowUvGBcGk/s400/Lady%2Bin%2Btraditional%2Bdress.PNG" alt="Psy Korea crowd hanbok" title="Psy with a lady in a hanbok"/></a></div><br />
<b>Do the members look good?</b><br />
Look at these lovely ladies in hanbok with their fans on the lefthand side of the screen here:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F63_xA9CGn4/UCLxdnqWQxI/AAAAAAAADws/w09sFxYJSkc/s1600/Ladies%2Bwith%2Bfans.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="218" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F63_xA9CGn4/UCLxdnqWQxI/AAAAAAAADws/w09sFxYJSkc/s400/Ladies%2Bwith%2Bfans.PNG" alt="Psy Korea women hanbok fans" title="They look like flowers. There were actually two groups of these women rotating around with their fans, but they never seemed fully in a shot together."/></a></div><br />
<center>So pretty!</center><br />
And dude—they all assemble into a freakin’ South Korean flag at the end. I was on the verge of tearing up.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K7hy8qcNYBA/UCLxshLsBtI/AAAAAAAADw4/CYpeMy11RCo/s1600/South%2BKorean%2Bflag%2Bwith%2Bpeople.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="216" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K7hy8qcNYBA/UCLxshLsBtI/AAAAAAAADw4/CYpeMy11RCo/s400/South%2BKorean%2Bflag%2Bwith%2Bpeople.PNG" alt="Psy Korea South Korean flag" title="Psy, what are you doing to my emotions?!"/></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iWTUPW8aR_8/UCLx2FdaQDI/AAAAAAAADxE/EIiErxMk1YQ/s1600/South%2BKorean%2Bflag.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="261" width="392" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iWTUPW8aR_8/UCLx2FdaQDI/AAAAAAAADxE/EIiErxMk1YQ/s400/South%2BKorean%2Bflag.png" alt="South Korean flag Taegukgi" title="The official South Korean flag."/></a></div><br />
<center>The South Korean flag, or Taegukgi (like the movie!).</center><br />
<b>Which member stood out the most?</b><br />
Psy himself! The sprinters! The little dancing kids! The ladies in hanbok! The, er, <strike>Domo-kun?</strike> brown dragon things! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_uRytxMKcQg/UCMFBjNSSHI/AAAAAAAADzY/s_Ljru38vbc/s1600/Dragon-Domo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="151" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_uRytxMKcQg/UCMFBjNSSHI/AAAAAAAADzY/s_Ljru38vbc/s400/Dragon-Domo.jpg" alt="Psy brown dragons Domo-kun Japan" title="Every time you masturbate, God kills a dragon?"/></a></div><br />
<center>These dudes are awesome.</center><br />
Or—no, sorry, Psy: we’re going to have to give this to North Korea’s <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-18993917">newly wed</a> ruler, Kim Jong-Un. My boyfriend pointed out how much Psy’s cartoon logo looked like him, and since then I <i>cannot unsee it</i>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zSpGGb93zno/UCLyGDy_bUI/AAAAAAAADxQ/-XJwmBZJVkA/s1600/Kim%2BJong%2BUn%2Bprettified%2Bpanorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="392" width="264" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zSpGGb93zno/UCLyGDy_bUI/AAAAAAAADxQ/-XJwmBZJVkA/s400/Kim%2BJong%2BUn%2Bprettified%2Bpanorama.jpg" alt="Kim Jong-Un joke Psy" title="Tell me you don’t see it."/></a></div><br />
<center>My photoshopping skills are clearly <i>beyond compare</i>.</center><br />
<b>Do you like it enough to buy the song?</b><br />
Yes, I would love to! I don’t see it on iTunes yet, though. “Gangnam Style” is there, however.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8dqB-fy7_UI/UCMB2072p8I/AAAAAAAADyc/Oi0Sj9ui98Y/s1600/Psy%2Btraditional%2Bdress.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="292" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8dqB-fy7_UI/UCMB2072p8I/AAAAAAAADyc/Oi0Sj9ui98Y/s400/Psy%2Btraditional%2Bdress.PNG" alt="Psy Korea archway" title="Psy in the archway."/></a></div><br />
<b>Any ending thoughts?</b><br />
I love the Olympics, so I wanted to mention them in some way on this blog. I’m an American, but in addition to Team USA, I like rooting for Canada (for the boyfriend), Great Britain (for my dad), and (of course) South Korea in the Olympics. When they’re in competition against one another, I cheer for the country with the least amount of medals. Also: men’s gymnastics is awesome. *salivates* Go, teams!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QgqWNT3QwLM/UCLyU47YVXI/AAAAAAAADxc/PnORFEzEn20/s1600/Yang%2BHak-seon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="389" width="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QgqWNT3QwLM/UCLyU47YVXI/AAAAAAAADxc/PnORFEzEn20/s400/Yang%2BHak-seon.jpg" alt="Yang Hak-seon South Korean men’s gymnast Olympics 2012 gold medal" title="Yang Hak-seon for gold! He’s so cute."/></a></div><br />
<center>Here is Yang Hak-seon, South Korea’s first gymnast to win an Olympic gold (which he earned on two lovely vaults).</center><br />
<b>Boyfriend’s one-liner:</b><br />
“Canada tried to do <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7v0o27BPIIk">a video</a> like this once. It sucked. But when Koreans try it, it’s awesome!”<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WICH6c17YGA/UCLygy5EzYI/AAAAAAAADxo/_T4FvXOxtc8/s1600/Korea%2Bfighting%2521.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="235" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WICH6c17YGA/UCLygy5EzYI/AAAAAAAADxo/_T4FvXOxtc8/s400/Korea%2Bfighting%2521.PNG" alt="Psy Korea fighting" title="Korea fighting!"/></a></div><br />
Know of any other cool Kpop Olympic cheer songs? Please let me know in the comments. :)Kiss Kiss Kpop Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306258347914732719noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580318150521172230.post-6607122109302629782012-07-11T15:20:00.000-05:002012-07-11T15:20:09.555-05:00Review: Verbal Jint (featuring Phantom’s Sanchez)–“You Deserve Better”<center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/QanDgMV-O-k" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />
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Dogs are literally woman’s best friend in this music video.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
<b>Did you like the song?</b><br />
I like this video, but to be honest I’m a bit “meh” on this song. Part of that is, it’s just not my style. I prefer fast, catchy, dramatic songs, so obviously this is too slow for me. But having listened to it many times while writing this review, I don’t find it that distinctive, either. Still, I was very convinced by the performers and the emotions they convey with their rapping/singing. Verbal Jint’s raps were intense and have an air of frustrated bewilderment (“Why is my friend sticking around her horrible boyfriend?”).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yr3ORlvWu4o/T_3aD74SYPI/AAAAAAAADvU/t_RbKMMxwj0/s1600/Verbal%2BJint%2BAlbum%2BCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yr3ORlvWu4o/T_3aD74SYPI/AAAAAAAADvU/t_RbKMMxwj0/s400/Verbal%2BJint%2BAlbum%2BCover.jpg" alt="Verbal Jint You Deserve Better rapper" title="They should have shown his hair in this picture, methinks."/></a></div><br />
<center>Verbal Jint in the album cover.</center><br />
The stand-out for me musically, though, was singer Sanchez from the rookie group Phantom.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WFqHGTlJ65k/T_3c8f3hFAI/AAAAAAAADwE/i-XDv_vXX-0/s1600/Sanchez%2Bcloseup.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="226" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WFqHGTlJ65k/T_3c8f3hFAI/AAAAAAAADwE/i-XDv_vXX-0/s400/Sanchez%2Bcloseup.PNG" alt="Phantom Sanchez Verbal Jint You Deserve Better" title="Handsome man, pretty voice."/></a></div><br />
<center>Sanchez</center><br />
It’s impossible to forget <a href="http://youtu.be/2CIOXlh-yYc">his superb imitation</a> of Queen’s Freddie Mercury singing (oddly) part of SNSD’s <a href="http://youtu.be/6pA_Tou-DPI">“The Boys,”</a> (complete with Mercury’s characteristic vocal riffs). For that project, he was joined with fellow members Kiggen (who is a producer and composed “You Deserve Better” with Sanchez in mind!) and rookie singer Hanhae.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zZjgpQGmP1A/T_3SZVJqqcI/AAAAAAAADtE/0q0gpWyR3Ho/s1600/Phantom%2Bmembers.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="224" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zZjgpQGmP1A/T_3SZVJqqcI/AAAAAAAADtE/0q0gpWyR3Ho/s400/Phantom%2Bmembers.PNG" alt="Phantom members names The Boys Freddie Mercury" title="Phantom members singing The Boys by…Freddie Mercury. LOL."/></a></div><br />
<center>I’d love for <i>this</i> show to go on!</center><br />
And here Sanchez’s voice is again very lovely, especially in the falsetto parts.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-skc7aK-vNHc/T_3dXgv2fxI/AAAAAAAADwQ/KQFVNT3vNyY/s1600/Sanchez.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="270" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-skc7aK-vNHc/T_3dXgv2fxI/AAAAAAAADwQ/KQFVNT3vNyY/s400/Sanchez.PNG" alt="Phantom Sanchez Verbal Jint You Deserve Better review" title="Phantom's Sanchez"/></a></div><br />
<b>What was your favorite part of the song?</b><br />
Yeah, Sanchez’s voice, particularly with the high notes at the beginning of the chorus.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tA-ZvDUn9ss/T_3TeTLzHHI/AAAAAAAADtQ/ToNzTaEZEyQ/s1600/Phanom%2Bmembers%2Bblue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="252" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tA-ZvDUn9ss/T_3TeTLzHHI/AAAAAAAADtQ/ToNzTaEZEyQ/s400/Phanom%2Bmembers%2Bblue.jpg" alt="Phantom members Kiggen Sanchez Hanhae" title="Phantom members"/></a></div><br />
<center>Phantom members Kiggen, Sanchez, and Hanhae.</center><br />
<b>Does the English make you want to rip your eardrums out?</b><br />
The line “Girl, you know you deserve better,” is perfect. The line “You deserve better love, girl,” however, is a tad awkward, but I like the feeling behind it.<br />
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<b>Did you like the video?</b><br />
Have you ever noticed how it seems like pets have an instinctive way of knowing when you’re unhappy or upset? I have a dog and a cat at the moment (the dog is with my parents; the cat is with my boyfriend), and in my opinion if there are any health benefits associated with pets, this would be one of the main ones: when you really need a friend and have no one else, your pet will have a way of being there for you and providing the comfort of having a friend who will always listen.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YnZiGgn0Dn8/T_3beEFBmvI/AAAAAAAADvs/m3oF3Cmzznk/s1600/Verbal%2BJint%2Bwatches%2Byou%2Beat.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="218" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YnZiGgn0Dn8/T_3beEFBmvI/AAAAAAAADvs/m3oF3Cmzznk/s400/Verbal%2BJint%2Bwatches%2Byou%2Beat.PNG" alt="Verbal Jint You Deserve Better dog" title="Of course, to be more realistic, Verbal Jint would be trying to steal food off your plate, but I digress."/></a></div><br />
<center>“Feed me!”</center><br />
This music video illustrates the concept quite creatively by showing us what it might be like inside the head of a woman’s pet golden retriever, played here by Verbal Jint. He is quite a good friend, snuggling with the woman and asking her to play with him. When he witnesses that her relationship is going sour, he does his best to comfort her with no ulterior motives. And it works: she goes from being a depressed victim of abuse to a happier woman who feels ready to move on from her past. He brings color back into her life—notice how his ball is the most colorful item in the room in many of the shots.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CySOkj8dwPg/T_3bHCpI4LI/AAAAAAAADvg/jMz8a9Q0iso/s1600/Play%2Bwith%2Bme.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="219" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CySOkj8dwPg/T_3bHCpI4LI/AAAAAAAADvg/jMz8a9Q0iso/s400/Play%2Bwith%2Bme.PNG" alt="Verbal Jint You Deserve Better actress ball dog" title="This was a sweet scene."/></a></div><br />
<center>“Play with me!”</center><br />
I feel that people could use more (human) friends like this: people who are willing to listen, no strings attached. Particularly with guy friends of girls who are dating other people.<br />
<br />
If I have any complaints, it’s that I do feel like the filmmakers were really hitting viewers over the head with the very last scene. I was feeling so clever for having understood what was going on once I saw the mirror reflection (that blink-and-you-miss-it “aha!” moment), but then the last scene made things far too clear, as if they were making sure that <i>everybody</i> could immediately understand it. Give your audience a little more credit, please; we don’t need to be patronized.<br />
<br />
<b>Was there a storyline? If so, did it make sense?</b><br />
I initially read this storyline as a classic portrayal of that term “friend-zoning,” in which a girl sees her guy friend as just a friend and not as a romantic interest, although he has romantic feelings for her. (Side note: the term itself can be considered sexist—see <a href="http://fozmeadows.wordpress.com/2012/04/09/lamenting-the-friend-zone-or-the-nice-guy-approach-to-perpetrating-sexist-bullshit/">this article</a> for more—but that’s rarely stopped Kpop videos before.)<br />
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We’re led to believe the girl is living with two guys, one of whom she’s friends with (Verbal Jint), the other of whom she’s dating (Sangchu). Verbal Jint is secretly in love with her and jealous of Sangchu. Sangchu’s character is cheating on her—and also abusive, to top it off (let’s not do anything without extremes!). I thought the whole bedroom scene was a bit metaphorical because I didn’t think Verbal Jint’s character was actually in there watching Sangchu cheat on her (that’s a bit creepy, but I supposed it was possible).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UtFlQo7RQSs/T_3UNa7qgOI/AAAAAAAADtc/kvsra7Vs-sA/s1600/Verbal%2BJint%2Bwatches%2Byou%2Bhave%2Bsex.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="221" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UtFlQo7RQSs/T_3UNa7qgOI/AAAAAAAADtc/kvsra7Vs-sA/s400/Verbal%2BJint%2Bwatches%2Byou%2Bhave%2Bsex.PNG" alt="Verbal Jint You Deserve Better" title="Verbal Jint watches you have sex."/></a></div><br />
<center>Hey, voyeurism is a valid kink.</center><br />
And then after their huge fight, guess who’s there to pick up the pieces and be a good friend to the girl? Note the title, “You deserve better.” Clearly, I thought, Verbal Jint means, “Leave this douchebag and come be with me instead” (and, sidenote, I do believe the lyrics, at least, lead us in this direction—the last line, “I’ll make you happy, baby girl, if you come to me,” implies that he doesn’t just want her to leave her lousy boyfriend, he wants her to leave that guy <i>and also</i> be his girlfriend instead).<br />
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UNTIL! Until Verbal Jint walked by a mirror (look at <a href="http://youtu.be/QanDgMV-O-k#t=02m55s">2:55</a>), and guess what—he’s actually her loyal dog (a golden retriever).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X_3F__8L8UA/T_3UeCPdwoI/AAAAAAAADto/gAD431YeYyc/s1600/Dog%2Bmirror.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="220" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X_3F__8L8UA/T_3UeCPdwoI/AAAAAAAADto/gAD431YeYyc/s400/Dog%2Bmirror.PNG" alt="Verbal Jint You Deserve Better music video meaning explanation dog" title="I did a double-take when I saw this."/></a></div><br />
<center>Best scene!</center><br />
So now that bedroom scene, which was previously creepy, makes more sense (come on, who <i>hasn’t</i> had sex while their pet watches?). And that’s why she keeps petting his head and he keeps bringing her balls to throw for him. In the end they go on a walk, and her dog gives her the power she needs to leave her abusive cheating asshole boyfriend.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jMEkQGtpgtk/T_3VU1cFYpI/AAAAAAAADt0/bxVi2jTVSSM/s1600/Lighting%2Bchange.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="218" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jMEkQGtpgtk/T_3VU1cFYpI/AAAAAAAADt0/bxVi2jTVSSM/s400/Lighting%2Bchange.PNG" alt="Verbal Jint You Deserve Better" title="Walking out into the warm sunshine."/></a></div><br />
To cement this idea, there’s even a lighting change—before, everything was tinged blue-grey, but in this scene, the light is brighter and happier.<br />
<br />
So it seems the video was more innocent than it had led us to believe. Unless Verbal Jint is an advocate of bestiality, but let’s just…not go there.<br />
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<b>Was the dance cool and distinctive?</b><br />
No dance in this one.<br />
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<b>Do the members look good?</b><br />
Sanchez looks very attractive, but here I’m loving Verbal Jint’s hair. Also, Sangchu of Mighty Mouth did a decent job as the abusive boyfriend.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JJsNOV0_YFo/T_3cFs6zY1I/AAAAAAAADv4/wM3OztcWFxo/s1600/Sangchu.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="220" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JJsNOV0_YFo/T_3cFs6zY1I/AAAAAAAADv4/wM3OztcWFxo/s400/Sangchu.PNG" alt="Mighty Mouth Sangchu boyfriend Verbal Jint You Deserve Better" title="Mighty Mouth's Sangchu."/></a></div><br />
<center>Sangchu</center><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DNe5P2N2Z1g/T_3WLHcZjHI/AAAAAAAADuA/53YVr6CXG1g/s1600/Mighty%2BMouth%2Bmembers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DNe5P2N2Z1g/T_3WLHcZjHI/AAAAAAAADuA/53YVr6CXG1g/s400/Mighty%2BMouth%2Bmembers.jpg" alt="Mighty Mouth members Shorry J and Sangchu" title="Mighty Mouth members for those interested."/></a></div><br />
<center>Mighty Mouth duo Shorry J and Sangchu.</center><br />
But the actress (whose name I don’t know) does a <i>great</i> job here, believably going through a wide range of emotions.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mwRs-oOn1a4/T_3Xu-lEUrI/AAAAAAAADuM/j3g3WizLHKE/s1600/Actress%2Bhappy.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="219" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mwRs-oOn1a4/T_3Xu-lEUrI/AAAAAAAADuM/j3g3WizLHKE/s400/Actress%2Bhappy.PNG" alt="Verbal Jint You Deserve Better actress" title="Nice earrings."/></a></div><br />
<center>Right now she’s happy/relieved.</center><br />
<b>Which member stood out the most?</b><br />
Can we just, um—<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wUEGdF0fuQk/T_3X7dGVokI/AAAAAAAADuY/xSzN4tocTbY/s1600/Sangchu%2Bwith%2Bball.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="273" width="322" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wUEGdF0fuQk/T_3X7dGVokI/AAAAAAAADuY/xSzN4tocTbY/s400/Sangchu%2Bwith%2Bball.png" alt="Sangchu shirtless Mighty Mouth" title="Mmmmmm."/></a></div><br />
<center>Mighty Mouth’s Sangchu.</center><br />
But in terms of standing out the most, it’s puppy dog!Verbal Jint for the win.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1WtyIXfTnR4/T_3YRV6RFlI/AAAAAAAADuk/3U-ULtCTlhI/s1600/Verbal%2BJint.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="218" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1WtyIXfTnR4/T_3YRV6RFlI/AAAAAAAADuk/3U-ULtCTlhI/s400/Verbal%2BJint.PNG" alt="Verbal Jint You Deserve Better hair" title="It’s the hair."/></a></div><br />
<center>Verbal Jint</center><br />
<b>Do you like it enough to buy the song?</b><br />
Not my style, sorry.<br />
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<b>Any ending thoughts?</b><br />
My filename for this is “You Deserve Better Review.” I think my laptop might be trying to pre-emptively apologize to readers for the quality of this review? In which case—sorry. :/<br />
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But look! A cross-fandom shout-out! One of the books bad-boyfriend-Sangchu throws on the floor is <i>Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix</i>, the fifth and longest book in the HP septet. So clearly Sangchu was just frustrated at its length…?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2N6L8Y2kO4E/T_3YgKYZmHI/AAAAAAAADuw/NnOu6Nu5f1M/s1600/Harry%2BPotter%2Bbook.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="230" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2N6L8Y2kO4E/T_3YgKYZmHI/AAAAAAAADuw/NnOu6Nu5f1M/s400/Harry%2BPotter%2Bbook.PNG" alt="Verbal Jint You Deserve Better Harry Potter" title="Septet means a collection of seven. Yay, new words! But now Harry Potter purists are going to get on my case for not counting the extra three offshoot projects J.K. Rowling has written…"/></a></div><br />
<center>Bottom lefthand corner here = my obsession for a decade and counting. :D</center><br />
But then I noticed that Sangchu doesn’t actually knock <i>Harry Potter</i> off the shelf. See this scene, where it’s still there—<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-065gXmEDBi4/T_3YxiwuE8I/AAAAAAAADu8/PKqlSei24zo/s1600/Harry%2BPotter%2Bbook%2Bon%2Bthe%2Bshelf.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-065gXmEDBi4/T_3YxiwuE8I/AAAAAAAADu8/PKqlSei24zo/s400/Harry%2BPotter%2Bbook%2Bon%2Bthe%2Bshelf.PNG" alt="Verbal Jint You Deserve Better Sangchu" title="The things my brain notices..."/></a></div><br />
<center>Even abusive boyfriends are afraid of messing with Harry Potter. And with good reason!</center><br />
—but then later, it <i>is</i> on the floor. So there’s a missing scene in there somewhere where the girlfriend is in need of a comfort/escapism read and drags good ol’ <i>HP</i> down to read on the floor. /fannish musings.<br />
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<b>Boyfriend’s one-liner:</b><br />
“...Was the dog on the kitchen counter?”<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bf4faYepi3c/T_3ZREl1TQI/AAAAAAAADvI/Zf04LUiqw0Q/s1600/Dog%2Bon%2Bthe%2Bcounter.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="217" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bf4faYepi3c/T_3ZREl1TQI/AAAAAAAADvI/Zf04LUiqw0Q/s400/Dog%2Bon%2Bthe%2Bcounter.PNG" alt="Verbal Jint You Deserve Better scene actress" title="That would be a yes."/></a></div><br />
<center>…Where food is prepared? While she’s preparing food?!</center><br />
Thanks to painless-j for bringing this music video to my attention and giving details on the performers. And thanks to you guys for reading! Let me know what you thought.Kiss Kiss Kpop Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306258347914732719noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580318150521172230.post-59482632867372813982012-06-07T02:03:00.000-05:002012-06-07T15:01:00.186-05:00What Makes Kpop Special<center><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-09-HPwOdxys/T9BRjux6A1I/AAAAAAAADs0/DmWd1GOjoTk/s1600/I%2BHeart%2BKpop%2BMine.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="250" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-09-HPwOdxys/T9BRjux6A1I/AAAAAAAADs0/DmWd1GOjoTk/s400/I%2BHeart%2BKpop%2BMine.png" alt="I Heart Kpop button" title="I Heart Kpop"/></a></center><br />
<br />
Today a friend in Korea asked, “What is it about Kpop, as opposed to American music, for example, that makes it special, and why do you like it?”<br />
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I felt that this was one of the easiest questions to answer, so I thought I’d post my response here.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
Okay, for me, it’s like 70% about the music. To start with, even though I know only a handful of Korean words, I find the language absolutely beautiful. It lends itself to singing and rapping very well. In addition, the music in Kpop is often catchy as hell and bears re-listening. I am very impatient with American pop music at the moment. It’s…well, in general I find it very boring. And I’m beginning to think that it’s because the standards are so low, the messages are so horrible, and the English language doesn’t lend itself to fast, poppy, catchy things as well as other languages; it takes rather a lot of words to convey one message. With Korean songs, it just seems like you can communicate several rather profound messages in so little time, and usually those messages are at least…wholesome, if not completely admirable. (I could do with less conservatism in talking about gender roles, for example, and I do recognize that the wholesome messages are in part the result of censorship, which I will never condone. But still, to me it seems that Kpop tends to be more meaningful than American pop.)<br />
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I’m sick of having tons, if not the actual majority, of American pop songs be about meaningless sex/dancing/money/casual infidelity/drinking, topics that are often handled in silly and ultimately pointless ways. More often than not, American pop songs seem almost emotionless, verging on sociopathic, with their fixation on material goods, instant gratification, or how hot some random girl at a club looks, over deep and meaningful relationships. It’s true that in Kpop we’re starting to get more of the soulless club songs (though even in this case, I tend to find the Kpop ones catchier than their American counterparts). But the lyrics are often quite romantic or sweet or just fun—and some of them have very empowering messages, especially with groups like 2NE1 or (occasionally) 4minute. Also, excellent female rappers seem kind of rare in American pop, but in Kpop, I feel that everybody gets a chance to rap, which means there is a staggering selection of some really great female rappers (along with some not-so-great ones, but at least there’s variety!).<br />
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In addition to this, I feel that although the Kpop industry has some major issues, one thing it does very well is picking out talent and training kids to do some mind-boggling stuff at really young ages. (The issues arise when they think of the kids as sub-human, money-dispensing machines or mannequins to surgically fix.) But for all that, it must be said that these companies do a great job at taking raw talent and honing it into something marketable and awe-inspiring.<br />
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The level of skill in the dancing alone is shocking. I look at American pop icons and think, “My God, the worst Kpop dancer is better than our best guys.” I watch shows like <i>American Idol</i> and wince because there is no way that even some of the “best” talents showcased there would cut it in Korea. Even when Americans are great singers, in general, American stars will not put in the hard work needed to improve, so eventually they can be surpassed by Kpop stars, who <i>will</i> put in that work.<br />
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And then for the other 30%. On an aesthetic level, Kpop is just fun. The videos are creative and gorgeous. The people are gorgeous, some mind-bogglingly so. For fangirling purposes, there is a wide variety of men to choose from, a spectrum ranging from the extremely pretty boys who can be mistaken for girls to very manly and muscled men. The dances are a blast to watch and really damn impressive and amusing to try to emulate.<br />
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I’m a huge, huge fan of watching group dynamics and seeing how everyone interacts, and Kpop lends itself beautifully to that, as opposed to American pop, in which solo acts dominate. These little pseudo-families in Kpop all work together on their goals of improving their skills and status in the world, or giving back to their fans (whom most idols seem genuinely pleased and flattered to have), and each member has his or her special defined role in the group. I miss the boy-band/girl-band crazes in the 90s very much, and when I look at Kpop now, the Kpop groups have similarities to those Western groups of old, but honestly Kpop is just so much better than those groups could ever have been. For me, Kpop is superior to current American pop in almost every way, and my life would be so much emptier without it.Kiss Kiss Kpop Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306258347914732719noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580318150521172230.post-78283301613055207022012-05-14T16:40:00.000-05:002012-06-07T15:05:19.300-05:00Vacation Adventures: Kpop America!I just returned home from a vacation in Chicago, and it seems that Kpop follows me wherever I go. (Previously on a trip to Canada, I found SNSD’s <a href="http://youtu.be/F4-SxcCO5d0">“Hoot”</a> playing on a TV in a furniture store, of all things.) But look what I found in Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--P3YLeLZ9sc/T7F590fWZPI/AAAAAAAADr0/az38OD5md3A/s1600/DSCN0187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--P3YLeLZ9sc/T7F590fWZPI/AAAAAAAADr0/az38OD5md3A/s400/DSCN0187.JPG" alt="Kpop America Woodfield Mall Chicago Schaumburg" title="Kpop America store!"/></a></div><br />
<center>!!!</center><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
It’s a <a href="http://www.kpopamerica.com/index.php?route=information/information&information_id=4">Kpop America</a> store. Probably seeing pictures of idols in malls is not that unusual if you live in Korea, but as an American, these things are crazy rare for me, so you can imagine my excitement (and the bf’s epic eye-rolling). <br />
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I had no idea it existed, and I was basically...overwhelmed by the awesome. I wanted to buy everything but just felt too pressured and ended up only getting a Super Junior keychain. I utterly fail, I know. But also the stuff was kind of pricey. Still, I enjoyed mostly browsing and seeing Kpop stuff in a public place!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EhyhvVczEkY/T7F6NoyNtaI/AAAAAAAADsA/VLWCeEjSDOk/s1600/DSCN0188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EhyhvVczEkY/T7F6NoyNtaI/AAAAAAAADsA/VLWCeEjSDOk/s400/DSCN0188.JPG" alt="Kpop America Woodfield Mall Chicago Schaumburg" title="TeenTop was one of the only rookie groups represented."/></a></div><br />
<center>Super Junior, Miss A, and TeenTop in the window.</center><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6gMyb6vXgjM/T7F6YQlkWEI/AAAAAAAADsM/J5LigOswqjk/s1600/DSCN0189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6gMyb6vXgjM/T7F6YQlkWEI/AAAAAAAADsM/J5LigOswqjk/s400/DSCN0189.JPG" alt="Kpop America Woodfield Mall Chicago Schaumburg" title="A tad outdated…"/></a></div><br />
<center>f(x) and SNSD in the other window with GD’s <a href="http://youtu.be/LOXEVd-Z7NE">“Heartbreaker”</a> and SHINee World shirts (sorry for the blurriness; I was pretty excited).</center><br />
Most of the store’s stuff was somewhat oudated Super Junior, TVXQ (i.e. just HoMin), and SNSD. Not much Big Bang or BEAST or SHINee (other than shirts), unfortunately. :( They had a JYJ poster, but I didn’t want to carry a poster around; I just wanted a JYJ keychain, so I ended up getting a SuJu one as a compromise, lol...(I am the world’s most hardcore keychain collector, I think.)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i342rcjwSNQ/T7F6jssG-zI/AAAAAAAADsY/P7uYHAJARes/s1600/DSCN0194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i342rcjwSNQ/T7F6jssG-zI/AAAAAAAADsY/P7uYHAJARes/s400/DSCN0194.JPG" alt="Super Junior keychain" title="Super Junior keychain 1"/></a></div><br />
<center>Horribly blurry, but: Ryeowook, Donghae, Leeteuk, Heechul, and Siwon from <a href="http://youtu.be/r6TwzSGYycM">“Mr. Simple.”</a></center><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MHom7R9Da94/T7F7Cj68QsI/AAAAAAAADsk/GWXjKraSeWU/s1600/DSCN0195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MHom7R9Da94/T7F7Cj68QsI/AAAAAAAADsk/GWXjKraSeWU/s400/DSCN0195.JPG" alt="Super Junior keychain" title="Super Junior keychain 2"/></a></div><br />
<center>Flipside! Shindong, Eunhyuk, Yesung, Sungmin, and Kyuhyun.</center><br />
The worker was a very nice middle-aged Asian man whom I suspect was the owner, maybe? They had a TV going with Kpop MVs on it! And my bf actually recognized BIGBANG’s <a href="http://youtu.be/2GRP1rkE4O0">“Blue,”</a> mwahahaha. So that's something. Slowly I will corrupt him into a Kpop-aholic.Kiss Kiss Kpop Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306258347914732719noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6580318150521172230.post-51052748524889855952012-04-23T01:02:00.000-05:002012-04-23T08:55:18.337-05:00Review: SHINee–“Sherlock (Clue + Note)”<center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8kyG5tTZ1iE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />
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SHINee should…probably not quit their day jobs to become detectives.<br />
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<b>Did you like the song?</b><br />
WELCOME TO THE NAKEDNESS APPRECIATION POST! Ahem. *wipes drool*<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v-M40wEhOFg/T5TfolBfSLI/AAAAAAAADl0/CQ4AaBOXLCM/s1600/Sherlock%2Bpromo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="112" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v-M40wEhOFg/T5TfolBfSLI/AAAAAAAADl0/CQ4AaBOXLCM/s400/Sherlock%2Bpromo.png" /></a></div><br />
<center>In age order: Onew, Jonghyun, Key, Minho, and Taemin. (Or, if you switched Minho and Key, it would be in my order of increasing hotness. Just my opinion/biases.)</center><br />
Okay, okay, hold up, because this is the first time I’ve written an entire post about SHINee, and I’m keen to <strike>gripe</strike> talk about them. At one point, around the time of the release of <a href="http://youtu.be/Dww9UjJ4Dt8">“Lucifer”</a> (so, late 2010), I would have said without hesitation that SHINee was my absolute favorite band, Kpop or otherwise. Man, those were the days when I literally pulled all-nighters just to obsessively devour all of “Hello Baby,” which is still my favorite idol program (surpassed only by those episodes of “Exploration of the Human Body” in which DBSK was featured on Super Junior’s show—because, well, there was just too much hotness in that room).<br />
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But then guess what happened—SHINee up and disappeared for a year and a half, basically. (Hence the “SHINee’s back” line at the beginning of this song.) Now, I know they didn’t vanish from the face of the earth; they just went to Japan. But in my opinion, SM’s decision to take them to Japan was one of the worst moves they could have made at that time, at what I saw was the height of their popularity in South Korea. Because—again, in my opinion—what I saw SHINee releasing from Japan were horrible covers of their own songs that I <i>cringed</i> while watching because it seemed to me that they were regressing in Japan. They weren’t getting better, they weren’t developing new skills and learning new techniques; they were poorly re-hashing old ones. My one-time overwhelming biases, and I literally had trouble getting through the entirety of the <a href="http://youtu.be/VEOKSpViv3s">Japanese version</a> of “Lucifer.”<br />
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Eventually I stopped obsessively checking for updates as to their whereabouts and moved on to other groups, letting SHINee fall off my radar and hoping that when they decided to reappear in Korea, they’d be better for their traveling. <strike>In actuality all that happened was that they became hippies.</strike><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U41FP5_YFWk/T5TfZxRiFqI/AAAAAAAADlo/z4FHefJloC4/s1600/Sherlock%2BPromo%2BHippies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="340" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U41FP5_YFWk/T5TfZxRiFqI/AAAAAAAADlo/z4FHefJloC4/s400/Sherlock%2BPromo%2BHippies.jpg" alt="SHINee Sherlock hippies members names" title="LOL, the hippies joke will NEVER get old."/></a></div><br />
<center>Jonghyun, Key, Onew, Minho, and Taemin.</center><br />
And, well, I guess this song is good, but just not enough to convince me that they’re better than they were (although that’s subjective, of course). It definitely has a “SHINee feel,” sounding to me like a mixture of <a href="http://youtu.be/7_pyar0I3Rc">“Love Like Oxygen,”</a> <a href="http://youtu.be/skZxb5sBoiU">“Hello,”</a> and <a href="http://youtu.be/-TgqhibSYkw">“Juliette,”</a> it’s just…not as good. (Correction: it is definitely better than “Hello.” But I legitimately hate that song.) I guess my main issue is that it seems to take a really long time to get going, and I get impatient for that gorgeous chorus. <br />
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<b>What was your favorite part of the song?</b><br />
Speaking of which, SHINee’s trademark is the lovely, <a href="http://youtu.be/8kyG5tTZ1iE#t=01m24s">sweeping transition</a> from the verses to the chorus, which usually makes the song, and “Sherlock” is no exception. The chorus with its <i>superb</i> <a href="http://youtu.be/8kyG5tTZ1iE#t=01m40s">“I’m so curious, yeah”</a> line is unquestionably the best part of this song. But I find that the verses are not particularly good.<br />
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<b>Does the English make you want to rip your eardrums out?</b><br />
…and I especially dislike all the unnecessary self-referential parts (specifically the “give it up [for SHINee]” part, which was repeated six times). I understand the point of name-dropping yourself once in a song, at the beginning, so people know who you are, but asking listeners repeatedly to “give it up,” which to me means “give us a standing ovation,” seemed supremely arrogant and then awkward because there was very little swagger in this music video. Self-referential lines + swagger = tolerable, if irritating. Self-referential lines <i>without</i> swagger = strange and unsettling.<br />
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I did, however, immensely enjoy the English in the prestigious <i>New York News</i> newspaper, renowned of all publications, paragon of journalistic professionalism. Even if I’d hesitate to call our amateur sleuths “GREAT DETECTIVE SHINEE” (yes, in the singular).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-amIgCE13mRU/T5Tgd621gQI/AAAAAAAADmA/Gbhq3ya5pQc/s1600/Great%2BDetective%2BSHINee.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="227" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-amIgCE13mRU/T5Tgd621gQI/AAAAAAAADmA/Gbhq3ya5pQc/s400/Great%2BDetective%2BSHINee.PNG" alt="SHINee Sherlock newspaper English" title="*slow handclap*"/></a></div><br />
<center>Superb work, Mr. Editor In Chief.</center><br />
<b>Did you like the video?</b><br />
Heh. Well. Let me preface this by saying I MOCK BECAUSE I CARE.<br />
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Guys, I have so many complaints about this music video that I feel really bad that it’s the first thing I’m posting after my unexpected hiatus. But what can I do? When something’s unsatisfactory, it’s not like falsely praising it will improve it.<br />
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So the boys are all living together in this dusty, washed out steampunk universe. (How else can you explain all the old-timey, Victorian stuff juxtaposed with…a laptop? Why does Key get a laptop while Onew has to peck away at a typewriter?) They have a loft (which looks…strangely familiar…almost reminiscent of that stupid brick room that has inexplicably featured in <a href="http://youtu.be/h1zOhQQpw6U">many</a> <a href="http://youtu.be/LxabwNWJ2rY">music videos</a> <a href="http://youtu.be/Z2ae5qRWPCg">lately</a>). Still, I guess they have to live somewhere. I just wish they didn’t have a <i>staircase to nowhere</i> in their actual apartment. It makes me very nervous.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yB5ib2sD9Fg/T5Tg7hgxb0I/AAAAAAAADmM/LilgukD6RyY/s1600/stairway%2Bto%2Bnowhere.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="216" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yB5ib2sD9Fg/T5Tg7hgxb0I/AAAAAAAADmM/LilgukD6RyY/s400/stairway%2Bto%2Bnowhere.PNG" alt="SHINee Sherlock set" title="SHINee, if you use this stairway you will literally die."/></a></div><br />
<center>The literal Stairway to Heaven.</center><br />
And I also don’t really see the point in a huge bookshelf…that has the top three shelves empty because nobody can reach it. But I’m unnecessarily focusing on the set and props.<br />
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Another thing is their costumes. At times, they look like they really fit into the scene of pseudo-Victorian era clothing. I was totally digging Key’s hipster glasses and the monochromatic suits and the hint of the boys rocking the tweed. And top hats! And suspenders! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dBaAXDnH2Ro/T5Tnc6oY1NI/AAAAAAAADoc/TpiwlfQV_2Y/s1600/Detectives%2BPromo%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dBaAXDnH2Ro/T5Tnc6oY1NI/AAAAAAAADoc/TpiwlfQV_2Y/s400/Detectives%2BPromo%2B2.jpg" alt="SHINee Sherlock promo teaser photo" title="Promo photo"/></a></div><br />
<center>Onew, Taemin, Jonghyun, Minho, and Key.</center><br />
But then suddenly—bam!—hippies. Shorts with stars on them, tennis shoes, and I swear to God Taemin is wearing a Native American poncho.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RiD1TBC_pMw/T5ThfjVBGrI/AAAAAAAADmY/b1OT0yTTsPA/s1600/some%2Bquestionable%2Bdesign%2Bdecisions.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="230" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RiD1TBC_pMw/T5ThfjVBGrI/AAAAAAAADmY/b1OT0yTTsPA/s400/some%2Bquestionable%2Bdesign%2Bdecisions.PNG" alt="SHINee Sherlock wardrobe clothes" title="Hmm."/></a></div><br />
<center>Some questionable design decisions. (Key, Taemin, Jonghyun, Onew, and Minho.)</center><br />
I don’t want to know where Onew’s weird fishnet vest thing came from. People refer to “fishnet stockings,” but what he’s wearing looks like it may actually be a net for catching fish in.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aAL3m4dlHrM/T5Th3nxvTGI/AAAAAAAADmk/JQ6_wCpbWnA/s1600/Onew%2Bfish%2Bnet.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="250" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aAL3m4dlHrM/T5Th3nxvTGI/AAAAAAAADmk/JQ6_wCpbWnA/s400/Onew%2Bfish%2Bnet.PNG" alt="SHINee Sherlock Onew vest" title="Not many fish, with those big holes, but maybe some fish."/></a></div><br />
The anachronisms start to give me a headache after a while, so let’s just move on.<br />
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<b>Was there a storyline? If so, did it make sense?</b><br />
Let me put it plainly: I don’t know why they named this song “Sherlock” because this case is too dumb for Sherlock Holmes to take on.<br />
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So let me get this straight: there is missing jewelry in a museum, and the police are of course blind as well as utter morons, so they call in the SHINee consulting detective squad. SHINee helpfully points out the “clues” as to where the missing jewelry might be, which they discovered by the top-notch sleuthing means of picking stuff up off the damn floor. (Uh—how slow are they, exactly? And is this really a burglary? It seems more like a museum worker took the jewelry into a back room for cleaning or something.) Anyway, in the meantime a helpful ghost keeps appearing and giving clues to the guys separately (and then mysteriously disappearing), and <i>nobody ever mentions it</i>. Minho takes a picture with his huge old camera, at least, so it’s clear that friendly ghost!Jessica (from SNSD) can be photographed, but he never seems to show the picture to anyone (except at the end when it’s on the desk).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zPa_M-g-H4U/T5TirfroIHI/AAAAAAAADmw/hCQW6vzgJhc/s1600/Jessica.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="223" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zPa_M-g-H4U/T5TirfroIHI/AAAAAAAADmw/hCQW6vzgJhc/s400/Jessica.PNG" alt="SNSD Jessica in SHINee Sherlock music video" title="SNSD's Jessica"/></a></div><br />
Um, let me tell you, if I were working a case and an apparition kept turning up, the first thing I would do is freak the hell out and run away. Then I would probably do a little screaming and questioning of my sanity. I assume at this point, my four hot roommates would notice that something was A Little Off and would ask me what was wrong. Then I would point out that I’d seen something that I thought was a ghost, but obviously couldn’t be, because ghosts are not real.<br />
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Then guess what would happen?! All four of my hot roomies would say at the same time, “Oh, yeah! That happened to me, too!” Then we’d commiserate over our collective hallucination (and possibly sign up for group therapy). And then realize that if we’re collectively and separately hallucinating, probably Something Is Up, i.e. we’re dealing with a supremely confident, lunatic genius of a jewelry thief who is just <i>taunting</i> us with all the clues about her identity she’s dropping all over the place (which include the <i>actual location</i> of the stash of stolen crap).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EDMHRaPSFyU/T5Ti9FBe4OI/AAAAAAAADm8/wawcSBcl10U/s1600/Address.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="230" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EDMHRaPSFyU/T5Ti9FBe4OI/AAAAAAAADm8/wawcSBcl10U/s400/Address.PNG" alt="SHINee Sherlock 221 address review" title="Note the 221 reference to Sherlock Holmes (who lived at 221B Baker Street)"/></a></div><br />
<center>Yes, guys. It really is this easy. No, really.</center><br />
Possible scenarios for how this could be a brilliant crime in reality include fooling the detective force via: aerosol drugs, dummies, holograms, projectors, or a combination of all of that or something else. But you know what I would <i>not</i> do? Assume that the ghost is real, used to be a girl from 1910 whom a statue was made of, and then shrug and move on.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1jbw7w_v2E4/T5TsoP9ptRI/AAAAAAAADpM/ey9eMZuDOFo/s1600/Ghost%2BJessica.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="219" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1jbw7w_v2E4/T5TsoP9ptRI/AAAAAAAADpM/ey9eMZuDOFo/s400/Ghost%2BJessica.PNG" alt="SHINee Sherlock SNSD Jessica girl" title="SNSD's Jessica with the statue and jewelry."/></a></div><br />
<center>“Yup, seems plausible. Okay, case closed!” WHAT?!</center><br />
I do, however, appreciate the little Holmesian touches the props department has attempted to include, like Key’s iWatson laptop, Onew’s magnifying glass, Taemin’s violin, the foggy noir-esque streets and smoky streetlamps, and the 221 address to ghost!Jessica’s hidden room (though really, shouldn’t it be 221<i>B</i>? *picky fan is picky*).<br />
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<center><a href="http://s1091.photobucket.com/albums/i388/kisskisskpopreviews/?action=view&current=onew.gif" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i388/kisskisskpopreviews/onew.gif" border="0" alt="SHINee Sherlock Onew gif" title="Cool magnifying glass. Gif by theeconomicgamer.tumblr.com."></a></center><br />
<center>Onew striking a very Holmesian pose.</center><br />
But it has to be said: Sherlock Holmes would not consider a case closed when the only solution is that <i>there is actually a real ghost</i>. Holmes is a very scientific and logically-minded character, neither of which is consistent with believing in ghosts. I’m not sure whether he would laugh or weep at the ineptitude with which SHINee handled this case.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Oj2BJiU62AA/T5TtVRxEh4I/AAAAAAAADpY/jpomZyu8Q2k/s1600/Taemin%2Bviolin.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="261" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Oj2BJiU62AA/T5TtVRxEh4I/AAAAAAAADpY/jpomZyu8Q2k/s400/Taemin%2Bviolin.PNG" alt="SHINee Taemin violin Sherlock" title="So...pretty..."/></a></div><br />
<center>It’s okay; many ills can be solved via Taemin-with-a-violin.</center><br />
<b>Was the dance cool and distinctive?</b><br />
Cool? Of course. It’s SHINee. Distinctive? Eh, not really.<br />
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<center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/N8VRaGe3Cqs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />
This dance—the SHINee signature in music videos, if you will; the thing everyone looks forward to seeing—was something of a letdown for me. I mean, it was definitely the best part of the video, don’t get me wrong—this is a SHINee MV, after all! And of course it has a bunch of interesting moments…but they didn’t really coalesce for me. I didn’t get an overall feel for the dance or understand why they used particular moves. And I disliked the parts where the boys all cross their arms and take huge, loping, strutting steps forward. It looked rather unintentionally comical to me.<br />
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However, there are very compelling moments throughout, even if they are a bit disjointed. For example, I loved the various spinning and wave moves and <i>especially</i> the move where they go crisply into a squatting position. Very cool.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MXNdPoTjU6g/T5TjwWfZ7YI/AAAAAAAADnI/6BaoKLYmk1A/s1600/dance%2Bmove.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="264" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MXNdPoTjU6g/T5TjwWfZ7YI/AAAAAAAADnI/6BaoKLYmk1A/s400/dance%2Bmove.PNG" alt="SHINee Sherlock dance move cool" title="It's very quick and precise."/></a></div><br />
<center>Uh, this part, kind of? I couldn’t find a good gif. *cries*</center><br />
<b>Do the members look good?</b><br />
I know, I know, here is the point where people start asking why I can’t just shut up and appreciate that Taemin’s hair extensions are back. But down that road is a black hole from which only a few mortal humans emerge intact.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wagnyAU2F4M/T5TkE0AOJsI/AAAAAAAADnU/bvwZbpveprA/s1600/Taemin%2Bsparkly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="212" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wagnyAU2F4M/T5TkE0AOJsI/AAAAAAAADnU/bvwZbpveprA/s400/Taemin%2Bsparkly.jpg" alt="SHINee Taemin Sherlock sparkly pretty" title="Sparkly Taemin. This is one of the loveliest pictures I think I have ever seen."/></a></div><br />
<center>Still, I suppose we can spend some time being literally mesmerized.</center><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HD0vR3XWtH4/T5TpzDMjO5I/AAAAAAAADpA/mGtwu2fokrc/s1600/Taemin%2Bhair%2Bextensions.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="232" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HD0vR3XWtH4/T5TpzDMjO5I/AAAAAAAADpA/mGtwu2fokrc/s400/Taemin%2Bhair%2Bextensions.PNG" alt="SHINee Taemin hair extensions Sherlock" title="The hair extensions are back! Rejoice!"/></a></div><br />
<i>Hours later…</i>Was that puddle of drool there before?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RYFsZ_FK8cM/T5TkQN9vqGI/AAAAAAAADng/aSJE43ZgbQw/s1600/Taemin%2Bporn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="278" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RYFsZ_FK8cM/T5TkQN9vqGI/AAAAAAAADng/aSJE43ZgbQw/s400/Taemin%2Bporn.jpg" alt="SHINee Sherlock promo pictures teaser" title="I literally have to tag this photo as porn. Bad SHINee."/></a></div><br />
Taemin: turning otherwise normal people into pedophiles since 1993. (Though technically that makes him 18, so no more pedophilia? Yay…) For more sultry!SHINee, check out the other promo pictures <a href="http://www.allkpop.com/2012/03/final-set-of-shinee-teaser-photos-released-this-time-its-jonghyun">here</a>.<br />
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Taemin has solidly arrived as one of the most gorgeous people in Kpop right now. It’s true that I’m a hugely biased fan of his, but I’m certain that his gorgeousness isn’t just my subjective opinion; it’s an actual fact.<br />
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As for the other members, Jonghyun and Minho always look very hot and intense. But I have a bone to pick with SHINee’s stylists this time around re: Onew and Key. Onew needs careful handling <strike>with his Condition</strike>, and he didn’t seem to get it here. I mean, that one moment where he’s fingering the magnifying glass is sexy as hell, but his terrible parted-down-the-middle hair?—never again, please, stylists.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wKlMqvW6Bzs/T5Tk6RgNY-I/AAAAAAAADns/cCqPFLEmUFg/s1600/Onew%2Bhair.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="250" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wKlMqvW6Bzs/T5Tk6RgNY-I/AAAAAAAADns/cCqPFLEmUFg/s400/Onew%2Bhair.PNG" alt="SHINee Sherlock Onew hair" title="Oh God."/></a></div><br />
<center>Too weird for words.</center><br />
Key looks totally stunning…when you can actually see his eyes and when he’s not wearing, like, my grandmother’s pink shawl. But most of the time it’s this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qk3kTdXV-UU/T5TlLxwyTII/AAAAAAAADn4/yhOlXeNYqq0/s1600/Key%2Bhair%2Bin%2Beyes.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="242" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qk3kTdXV-UU/T5TlLxwyTII/AAAAAAAADn4/yhOlXeNYqq0/s400/Key%2Bhair%2Bin%2Beyes.PNG" alt="SHINee Sherlock Key hair" title="Where are your eyes, Key?"/></a></div><br />
<center>Hair in the eyes: a fangirl’s nightmare.</center><br />
Other than Jonghyun, Minho is the only one who really looked into the camera for any length of time (while simultaneously not having his hair falling in his eyes). But even he seems capable of only one expression here, looking strangely pained or angry in his close-ups.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7RfhIXwazdA/T5TlYQlwZUI/AAAAAAAADoE/JPCXNdPnYj8/s1600/Minho%2Baccusatory.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="270" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7RfhIXwazdA/T5TlYQlwZUI/AAAAAAAADoE/JPCXNdPnYj8/s400/Minho%2Baccusatory.PNG" alt="SHINee Sherlock Minho" title="I suppose pained is a nice way of saying he looks like a mix of irritated/constipated."/></a></div><br />
<center>Why so accusatory, Minho?</center><br />
<b>Which member stood out the most?</b><br />
Although for me personally, it was and will always be Taemin, I think in general either Jonghyun or Minho stood out the most, mainly because they seemed to have the most closeups.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-099akqXyyhM/T5Tlkn_Ek1I/AAAAAAAADoQ/Qu6l1cyT2pk/s1600/Jonghyun.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="251" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-099akqXyyhM/T5Tlkn_Ek1I/AAAAAAAADoQ/Qu6l1cyT2pk/s400/Jonghyun.PNG" alt="SHINee Sherlock Jonghyun" title="Hot as usual."/></a></div><br />
<center>Jonghyun.</center><br />
<b>Do you like it enough to buy the song?</b><br />
Yes, I do. Good Lord, I certainly complained a lot earlier about a song I know I’m dishing out money on pretty much no matter what because it reminds me of “Juliette.” Seriously, I’ve been listening to “Juliette” about twice a day for about two years now and am still not sick of it. I’m hoping the lovely, lovely chorus of “Sherlock” will be good enough to stand the test of time also and to overcome the slow start to the song.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nFP5vzP27ow/T5Tovga3JOI/AAAAAAAADo0/tQiQYdKezDM/s1600/Detectives%2BPromo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nFP5vzP27ow/T5Tovga3JOI/AAAAAAAADo0/tQiQYdKezDM/s400/Detectives%2BPromo.jpg" alt="SHINee Sherlock detectives promotional picture teaser photo" title="Another promo pic!"/></a></div><br />
<center>Onew, Taemin, Jonghyun, Minho, and Key.</center><br />
<b>Any ending thoughts?</b><br />
This MV has been very strange for me as a huge fan of both BBC’s <a href="http://youtu.be/Nj7ZSUkTTVI"><i>Sherlock</i></a> production and SHINee’s new album. (But seriously, if you haven’t seen <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b018ttws"><i>Sherlock</i></a>, please do. It’s quite short! And then come back and discuss it with me!) Here, have a picture:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3u_CCt7Hssc/T5TvwqR-pkI/AAAAAAAADpk/AF25Tw3PTq8/s1600/BBC%2BSherlock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="225" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3u_CCt7Hssc/T5TvwqR-pkI/AAAAAAAADpk/AF25Tw3PTq8/s400/BBC%2BSherlock.jpg" alt="BBC Sherlock Benedict Cumberbatch Martin Freeman" title="I promise it's very good."/></a></div><br />
<center>Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock Holmes) and Martin Freeman (John Watson).</center><br />
Anyway, mostly I’ve been scarfing down popcorn while laughing hysterically due to the <a href="http://www.journalfen.net/community/fandom_wank/1284996.html">wank</a> because both fandoms were fighting over the <a href="http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/sherlock">#sherlock</a> tag on tumblr. :)<br />
<br />
Also: why is there an ad embedded on the official release of the music video? I’m willing to put up with a lot from SM, but really? It’s for reasons like this that I’ve started automatically replacing <i>SM</i> with <i>sadomasochism</i> in my head whenever I read it.<br />
<br />
<b>Boyfriend’s one-liner:</b><br />
[After getting our obligatory “No, Taemin is not a woman” discussion out of the way.] “How do you have a video called ‘Sherlock’ without some homoerotic tension with Watson?” Which of course makes me wonder if I can argue for Key/laptop iWatson homoerotic tension? Probably a stretch.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VQoEaeVvzGo/T5ToCCrbuMI/AAAAAAAADoo/gQhchVddRF0/s1600/iWatson.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="234" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VQoEaeVvzGo/T5ToCCrbuMI/AAAAAAAADoo/gQhchVddRF0/s400/iWatson.PNG" alt="SHINee Sherlock iwatson laptop" title="Very droll."/></a></div><br />
<center>Elementary, my dear iWatson.</center><br />
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