February 18, 2014
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Too many boy bands! Time for girls!
You know, I noticed that it’s a bit difficult for us to talk about female acts the same way we do about male acts. With male acts, we can poke fun at some of the ridiculous things they do. When it comes to female acts, however, if we make fun of them, it’s difficult to do so without deeply offending someone. Girl groups predominantly do sexy videos, and any poking fun at their videos would then be interpreted as poking fun at their sexuality. The most we can say is that videos that only rely on sexy concepts and offer nothing apart from a peep-show are boring to us.
This video, on the other hand, is not a boring video. It depicts sexuality in a video far more realistically than most videos that just depict girls dancing sexily for the audience. More to the point, this video shows sexuality in a relationship, which is not a common topic at all in Kpop. The most you see in a relationship is a girl dating the entire band and making them boo-hoo-hoo about it. This video, however, takes it to yet another level, and graphically depicts an unhealthy sexy relationship, with the man forcing himself upon Ga-In.
Whoa! Sorry, but I didn’t expect that at all in Kpop. I don’t see that in videos ANYWHERE in the world, and to see it come out in a Kpop video, the genre of which is predominantly bubbly and fun, I’m really amazed. Really. Check out the video if you haven’t already. It’s got a lot more to it than what we could mention in a few minutes of a video, as opposed to the next video, which doesn’t even deserve a few sentences:
Lamest video we’ve seen in ages. Boring, uninspired, unimaginative, and lazy. Reeks of desperately trying to push the limits so that people will talk about it. Otherwise lacking in substance. Put that up against Ga-In’s video and it’s a shame this has anywhere close to as many views.
I think our test is fair: would the kpop video still be interesting if the band wore plain clothes?
Yes, I know “Music Video” isn’t in the title. We just have to point it out when Kpop companies do a bad job of titling their YouTube vids.
Ok, apart from that, we love this video! The song’s great as well! If it wasn’t for Ga-In’s video this would be on the top of this week’s list. It’s a fun doo-wop-py song, and the video is really well done as well. So well done! In fact, Soo Zee’s Sunbae directed this video! She told us today. They’re not close, but the video was directed by her upper classmate, and it’s a woman. A woman! From our experience, there aren’t many female Kpop video directors. Supposedly she also directed Rain’s “30Sexy” from what I overheard, too. Awesome! If that’s the case, that’s two great videos done by her in a short timespan. Question: how can Soo Zee talk to her and convince her to let us on a Music Video set as an extra? It must be done. Check out this video and let us know if you like it as well. Spica’s doing good stuff, and isn’t getting enough recognition for it yet.
We wanted to talk about this video in comparison to the GPBasic video and talk about our thoughts on rookie bands. Let’s be honest. You feel it. We feel it too. The amount of Kpop groups is too damned high. There are too many to keep up with. Too many bands with fans that say “oh my babies are working so hard they deserve all the awards!” Anyone here watch Mad Men? I love that show. One of my favourite lines from last season was “Not every little girl gets to do what she wants. The world cannot support that many ballerinas.” If everyone got to be in a successful Kpop band there’d be more bands than fans to listen to them.
The point I’m getting at isn’t that Kpop bands should stop emerging. Our point is more along the lines of, if you’re gonna be in a new Kpop band, do something to stand out. Be different. Show some innovation. Music should be creative, not re-created. We all can admit that there is a formula to some Kpop songs, videos, and concepts, and not everyone can use that formula to be successful. Come up with new formulas! Don’t ride on other people’s successes and try to get a piece of the pie by doing what they’re doing.
A lot of the new bands that we’ve seen have generic established style and tempos. We won’t follow them, and we don’t wan to talk about them. Kiss & Cry, though they aren’t the greatest thing out there, at least have convinced us more than other new bands, and we’ll definitely check out their next video, whenever it comes out.
Ah! So much potential! This could have been a great video! A commentary on women in the Kpop industry! The unhealthy ultra-strict diets they need to go on! The focus on measurements of women in the industry as opposed to just talent! The male gaze and voyeurism! The sweet-go-in-money-come-out imagery! It had so much potential! If only those shots lasted longer than the 10 seconds they have in the video, and focused less on Rainbow Blaxx sexy dancing. Our guess is that the video producers actually made a really good cut of the video, but the company thought more like “no! we need moar sexi!” and then told the directors to cut it differently. It’s happened before, even to some of your favourite videos. It could have happened here, too.
Anyhow, let us know what you think. We talked about a lot this time around. Some of it you might agree with (or none of it). We’d like to hear it! If you’re in a less than serious mood: here are this week’s Bloopers!
Oh! And make sure you click on this pretty button here. It’s important!
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Just so you guys know, GP Basic is NOT a rookie group. They started years ago (and by years ago I mean 2010) when their average age was 13.5. I don’t know much about them, but their youngest member, Janey, actually joined D.Unit as a guest member for a while and she was great. I’ve seen a lot about her being praised for her rapping ability.
She’s in Face to Face (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9QuCrpsUFs) which is seriously catchy and was produced by Zico from Block B. :)
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their maknae is not Dani, it’s Janey :p (Dani is the young girl who was in T-ara’s mv Day by Day i think)
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XD I fixed it as soon as I posted it. I must not have changed for you…
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Two members left the group though since then ㅠㅠ
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I feel like Rainbow Blaxxx really was supposed to be a commentary. The girls almost seem like they own their sexuality (they aren’t ashamed) but I feel like there’s a kind of robot-ness to this. Like the girls eat the light, fluffy sweets (K-Pop music videos, etc.) which are really bad for you when you eat too many and are completely contradictory to their tiny thin bodies (and you can see one of the girls worrying about what she ate when the old woman measures her arm) and they regurgitate jewels/money. Not only that, but this whole process is seen as desirable (the maid who finds a jewel/sweet and puts it in her mouth). So the girls believe they are on top of the system and are powerful because they’re the ones selected to make the jewels. They’re the best of the best in terms of machinery and output, so they think they’re really awesome. They can’t see how they’re just pawns to the people around them.
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What I got from Rainbow Blaxx video was the girls are hired to be stars/show girls and are free to eat as many sweets as they want. But the woman, who is measuring their stomachs, thighs, and arms, is greedy and want anything but riches. This is where the jewels coming out of their mouths come in. The sweets are used to take away bits and pieces of jewels, which represents their souls. And the people watching them are making sure they’re eating the sweets, so the woman can obtain the jewels and become rich. That’s what I got from the MV. :P
P.S.
I actually like GP Basic’s new song! O:
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I am very curious to hear your opinions on other GP Basic’s songs especially when Janey is 12 in relation to pikaburnjack which I think is one of the best out of that group. Not the best song but still better than some of their songs except for Jelly Pop
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I meant when they first debuted back in 2010. I apologize for the confusion
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As a k-pop fanboy, I really really appreciate that you devoted a KMM to girl groups (my bias group wasn’t in there but still I appreciate it)!
I do agree that Stella’s concept was way overboard with the sexiness. This is coming from a guy that normally likes sexy concepts (as long as they are done with taste). Not only me, but most other fanboys that like sexy concepts think that this concept is done very poorly and quite desperately, which is too bad, because the poor execution of the MV completely overshadows the fact that the song is actually fairly good. There is a line between making a MV sexy and making it look desperate.
(Are there any other fanboys here?)
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I so agree that rookies shouldn’t be so generic and just do the popular thing! And that goes for longer standing groups too. Like last year there was this hip hop trend and everyone made songs and debuts like that, and I liked it too at first but then there started to be too many songs like that…
I think it’s great that Ga In is addressing a topic like that but unfortunately I don’t like the song.
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‘Too many boy bands’ just makes me think of this…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpzmjeCOJdY
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Not sure if this is what was intended but it seemed like the Rainbow ladies were being photo-copied when they were laying on the ground (like on a xerox machine pad). Perhaps that is a message of newer kpop groups just being less vibrant copies of previous groups? Also, I agree with Martina regarding the sizing up of the girls and the voyeurism. It may be a negative political message on kpop but is Rainbow trying to say they are above that? Or a product of it?
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Wow! Love the Spica video. I had them on my radar for groups to check out eventually. I am thinking now that I need to bump them up to the front of the line. Amazing sound!
I also agree with your Kiss and Cry comments. If you had not mentioned that they are a rookie group, I would never have guessed that. I would probably have spent hours digging through the iTunes store trying to figure out why I can’t find 5 or more albums for them.
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It’s a Leotard :P or a bodysuit hehehehe
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I completely agree with what you said about Rainbow Blaxx: SO MUCH POTENTIAL!!!
But then the cuts and the lyrics (unoriginal and unrelated) just mess it up. :(
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I think the “Cha Cha” by RainbowBlaxx, like you mentioned as well, represents the companies that force their idols to lose weight while idols actually want to enjoy the “sweets” (i.o.w. simply eat food). And at some point I thought the jewels were the girls purging, but then there was a maid that picked up a jewel and ate it. So my next assumption is the girls are spitting up the “beauty” and “perfect” concept. Jewels are considered to have no imperfections. The girls reject this “gift”/concept the company has gives them. So the “maid” (which I think could be symbolism for a trainee) wants this “beauty”, opportunity for herself.
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Interesting thoughts. The first time through I was just thinking about how much it reminded me of the Madonna’s old “Open your heart” video, but you bring up some really good points here. Now I need to go back and watch it again to really dig down deeper.
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This is by far my favorite shot of the whole SPICA-Video. I don’t know why but I seriously adore it. The paint on the toilet, the color temperature, her pose <3 And it's only a split second long…just perfect
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This is also my favorite image. I rewatch the video over and over, always looking forward to this one bit.
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Toilet explosions. Heh.
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i knew i recognised one of those girls!! yeah she was from vnt!!
i watched their video for Minho…..hahaha!!
but their song was alright!
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Martina, I think the word you’re looking for is “growl” for that shaky voice/Adele sound. This is pretty rough on your vocal folds, as one might imagine.
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I thought she meant “vibrato” ? Is “growl” something too?
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Vibrato is the slight oscillation of pitch that occurs when healthy vocal production is occurring (namely, no excess tension on the larynx by tongue/throat muscles). What Martina was doing when she was imitating the song around 5:10/5:11 is what is typically referred to as growling.
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Ah~~ I see. Thanks for the explanation! :)
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I liked this. Although I usually prefer the regular musicmondays over this, I think this was one of my faves… Maybe it’s just me, but I think this kind of segment deserve an own name. I listen to so many BoyBands that I feel sorry for my library of Girlgroups, sometimes, but this really points out that “Damn, I do know some good GG’s too and not just BB’s c: ” Yay ~
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I think a leotard would better describe what Stella’s wearing. A unitard usually has legs/pants attached.
Also, I absolutely love SPICA. I first listened to them when they came out with Painkiller and I thought it was kinda catchy, but I never thought anything of them as a group. But after Tonight, I see them in a whole new light. I LOVE Tonight. And I love their vocals. They’re so powerful and really it puts them up there with 2NE1 for me. In fact I was listening to Tonight one day and my friend asked if it was 2NE1, haha.
I was a bit confused about the “booty skirts” in their latest video, though. xD
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Thanks guis for reminding me i had a writing assignment to do! Dx -grumblesaboutoneinchmarginsandtwelvepointfont-
ANYWAYS~~
I have said it before and i;; say it again, Stellar’s mv left a very bad taste in my mouth. For various reasons, but mainly the over sexuality of the whole video. I shouldn’t have to be uncomfortable watching a music video.
Moving on…
I like seeing this style everyone in a while, because I like seeing you guys talk about videos I doubt you would get a chance to talk about.
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Also, you should ask Soo Zee’s sunbae if she knows Mr. BroHoHo. :3
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Haha! On a serious note, I would actually like to see Simon and Martina interview the ‘behind the scenes’ people involved in music videos. Whenever I see ‘behind the scenes’ clips, they usually focus on the idols (understandably so). I’d like to hear what the directors think, though, and see how the whole operation works. Are there parts of the music video process that are unique to Korea? etc etc :)
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GIRLPOWER FINALLY!!!!
I pretty much agree with you guise… That Stellar video was….. ummmm…. HORRIBIBLE!!! (go Simon!)
I don’t know what’s going on in that Rainbow Blaxxxxxxxxxxxxxx video, but I did recognise that creepy lady from the Master’s Sun… CWEEPYYYY….
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I knew she looked familiar. Is she selecting one of the girls to be a ghost wife?
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This video is too confusing for me to tell what the heck she’s doing there, but her eyes are SOOOO creepy!
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Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to work in the EYK nasty studio….then I see things like this and realize I would be on the floor dying of laughing cramps…
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Only thing I disagree about here is GP Basic xD I loved their new song, I think it’s way better than their precious ones and after being away for so long from the scene I think this was a strong comeback!^^
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Honestly, I feel so bad for Stellar. The song is actually okay, but nobody would’ve noticed them if their company didn’t go for the extreme sexy (have you seen the promotion posters on Facebook?? It’s pretty bad). This is the thing with kpop, when one thing works for a group, everyone else follows. So now it’s sexy for girls and hip hop for guys.
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To me Rainbow Blaxx’s song is about fancy diet pills and the overseeing of managers and producers in terms of making the girls an ideal weight vs. cupcakes and macaroons.
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I was just discussing the Stellar’s video with a friend and this video come out.. I guess being the Fangurl of Fangurilla really does helping me in thinking the same thing as S&M.. I have to agree with you guise: what’s with all the oversexiness happening among girl groups? While some of the group did a great job (I like AOA & Girl’s Day, though the latter has a dance that I considered funny), the others sucks so much that instead of sexy, it becomes silly. I think I’m going to call Stellars’ dance as ‘butt-scratching’ dance since they are not simply rubbing their butt, they are scratching them.. Probably some ants in their clothes or something….
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match the lyric during butt scratching tho…they said ‘appa’… its makes sense coz its hurt n they scratch it… hehehehe
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Hmm… does this mean that EYK is no longer going to do Kpop Chart Updates? Now that you have the occasional “contain all” KMMs… but… I liked them…
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they said long ago they wouldn’t be doing Kpop chart updates anymore.
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Fxxk You, hmmm, I wasn’t too fond of it at first, now I’m starting to like it but You Don’t Love Me is my favorite song (and MV also) of the list. It would be great if that director invited you to a music video set! Speaking of which, didn’t you film some super secret BTS footage on a MV’s set in November or December? I think you mentioned something about it loooooong time ago, before the EYKAs…
But back to girl groups: woah, I totally didn’t expect you to talk about Stellar’s MV but I’m glad it happened because the ridiculousness of that dance move is too damn high. The song is not bad though, imo.
Agreed about the rookie groups. I haven’t watched GP Basic’s video but even the short bits you played were cringeworthy enough for me not to want to watch it.
As for Rainbow Blaxx aka Black Arch (good point, Simon!), I’ve only watched it once before and thought it was just another ultra sexy concept MV but I liked your interpretation.
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I would have liked a review of Lipservice’s Yum Yum Yum, Bebop’s I’m the best and Puer Kim’s Manyo Maash … all 3 of them have an interesting MV :)
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When I firs watched Rainbow Blaxx MV I thought of Hansel and Gretel – because of the way they were fed with the sweets by the old witch >_>
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http://youtu.be/V2sMLUyoNfY
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Yeeees! I was totally going to mention this song. The video is interesting to look at (even if the plot is a little hard to find), and the song!!!! Gosh, I love her vocals.
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how about Puer Kim’s “Manyo Maash”? You guise should check it out!
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Is it me, or are the SPICA girls totally wearing padded bums for the dance sequence in the black and white houndstooth outfits? No way that is the same anatomy on the blond girl that we saw whens she was doing yoga in a leotard a few seconds ago. Those are not their real booties.
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It’s meant to be super obvious (I mean, they’re HUGE. Really, really huge) and to add a comedic streak, like when they deliberately stick them out for the camera. When I saw it I just thought it was another goofy line of humor added into the video, but I think it slipped past some people and they probably thought it was an underhanded attempt to add sexiness.
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I didn’t have a problem with it. I thought it was a rather hilarious commitment to concept. But it is a bit jarring when the willowy kpop idols you are used to seeing turn around and suddenly they are all Joan from Mad Men in the back.
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Glad you guys did a girl review. I was afraid if ya’ll didn’t review Fxxk You this week, we wouldn’t see a girl group reviewed again till 2NE1 comes back at the end of this month, so it’s wonderful to see a review on multiple girl MV’s. I’m glad that Ga In is out there and pushing the envelope of typical MV’s and addressing issues that I’m sure many see as taboo but need to be addressed. Personally, I worry a lot about the girls in the music industry and what they must deal with. The recent sexy image trend, in my opinion, is pushing many of these girls into an image they probably do not want but many have no say about. I’ll stop my rant there.
SPICA! I love their sound, their imagery. They are my breath of fresh air amongst the barrage of girl groups out promoting right now. I’m finally seeing them get a bit more recognition in Korea, if not here on the charts. They are amazing talents and need to be heard!
There is a girl rookie group that has my attention and they have yet to officially debut. They are Mamamoo, I think you guys should check them out, you just might like them. To date they’ve released two videos that are collaborations with Bumbkey and another with K.Will. When they officially debut, I hope they will stay with this sound and image of elegancy, confidence and sexy without being sexual.
http://youtu.be/mMYDxR26970
http://youtu.be/Cdp9yV_8u9Y
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I’m calling that Stella move the “Hemorrhoid rub”.
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Asian Junkie called it boiled chicken. It’s about as appetizing as boiled chicken.
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“It burns, it burns.” If this passes for dancing, I fear how people will try to bring this up in the clubs.
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OMG a KMM thats out in MONDAY afternoon my time….WOW! Yaye for normal working hours!
Anywhos i agree with all u said….except GP Basic. I like them…i see what they were going for and i like it…the lyrics are definately cringe worthy but i like that they and many other girl groups are going for the strong female concept!!!
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Ahhhh please do one with Sunmi’s Full Moon, Girls’ Day’s Something, and AOA’s Miniskirt!
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I remember seeing stella’s leotard in my moms old 80s exercise videos…yeah I didn’t like them in either >_<
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that was the first time i ever watched a Stella video!! and it was freakin’ AWKWARD to watch!!
my reaction to seeing the GP basic video was exactly like Simon’s….so painful to watch!
Homework time!!- from what you guys included of the video, it reminded me of the drama ‘Miss Korea’ kinda (even if i’m only on episode 4….)the lady is using them for her benefit! DONE!!!
i know, i know….i don’t even qualify for an F!
i music video and song i really liked was ‘Peppermint Chocolate’ by K.Will and Mamamoo!! thing is though, i’m seriously confused about this cos i don’t know if it’s the girl groups’ song whcih features KWill and wheesung or if it’s a collab song or just what!….so confused! i’m only thinking it’s the groups song cos they were the only ones in the video (with 2 guys from vixx)
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There was something about the new KMM format. I kept thinking about it and then it hit me!!!! This is what I always hoped that the live chats would be like. Simon and Martina sharing their views about videos and K-pop trends, wow this is refreshing,…..but should it replace the old KMM format….I dunno!! LOL