Review: Davichi and T-ara–“We Were In Love”

Who needs storylines anyway?


Did you like the song?
T-ara is a seven-member group of whom four are represented (Soyeon, Hyomin, Jiyeon, and Hwayoung), and Daivichi is a powerhouse duo with members Minkyung and Haeri. I remember them well from their stint with double kidnapping in “Don’t Say Goodbye.”

Both this song and the music video style remind me of the ballad version of T-ara’s “Cry Cry.” Basically a sad, sweeping ballad in a minor key with lots of piano/other stringed instruments and good distinction between the louder sections and the softer sections. The difference is that this one has rap! Two sections of it! And Davichi’s Minkyung is actually one of the rappers!

Davichi’s Minkyung and Haeri with T-ara’s Soyeon, Hyomin, Jiyeon, and Hwayoung.
What was your favorite part of the song?
Honestly, I really enjoyed both the raps. They gave the ballad a renewed energy at its midpoint and helped sustain it until the end. I guess my main complaint is that the lines were spread so unevenly to the point where Hyomin (my favorite) was pointlessly sandwiched between Minkyung rapping and Haeri belting it out. If the best thing you can do with Hyomin’s lovely voice is shoving her into a bridge-rapping spot, she may as well not even be in the music video. And Hwayoung! At least she’s a designated rapper, but it must have been so awkward for her waiting for her part.

Hwayoung’s inner thoughts?
Does the English make you want to rip your eardrums out?
I think we can all be grateful that Hwayoung didn’t have a chance to rap in English here. (Oh, yes, “Why Are You Being Like This,” I remember well Hwayoung’s disastrous line “Welcome to your wonderland.” *cringe*)

Did you like the video?
As a tool for learning names, this is the best kind of video. (See, for instance, Woman Power’s “Hate You Hate You.”) But unfortunately, it’s rather boring, and no amount of editing to make the scene changes match the music can really change that.

Was there a storyline? If so, did it make sense?
What on earth is everyone looking at? Sometimes they’re looking off to the side, sometimes straight at the camera, and more often than not they look at the camera and then away as if they’re embarrassed. At one point Hwayoung stares into the rafters because she’s so bored waiting for her turn to contribute to the song. I found the technique rather unsettling.

Was the dance cool and distinctive?
Hahahaha, I wish.

Do the members look good?
Of course. But it kind of looks like they’ve been heavily made-up to appear to be fresh and natural. I suppose that’s what all makeup is intended to do—you wear makeup in order to look like you’re not wearing makeup! But they could have at least picked different lipsticks so I could have played “guess the lipstick color” to have something to do instead of watching the camera focus endlessly change.

Hyomin, Soyeon, Jiyeon, Minkyung, Hwayoung, and Haeri.
No one knows why they misspelled Davichi’s name. *facepalm*

Which member stood out the most?
Although I believe Soyeon and Haeri had the most screentime, I really have to give this—yet again—to the gorgeous Jiyeon. Unlike the others, she consistently had the guts to stare down the audience by looking directly at the camera, which made me feel more of a connection to her.

Jiyeon, now with 50% less eyeliner than we’re used to!
Do you like it enough to buy the song?
No, sorry. I’m still working to overcome my aversion to ballads.

Any ending thoughts?
Is this Soyeon’s first music video as T-ara’s new leader? Yay! Although, still, poor Boram (T-ara’s eldest member). She really does get so little attention. Maybe she’ll be able to participate in a collaborative tango project soon.

Boyfriend’s one-liner:
“Are they at Kim Jong Il’s funeral or something?” (Ooh, poor taste.)

Sorry, guys, updates will continue to be sporadic for the time being while I try to work out a schedule. Thanks for reading! :)