TS Entertainment’s latest girl group, Sonamoo, debuted at the end of 2014, with the song Deja Vu. There was some controversy around TS debuting a new group amidst contract issues with TS popular idol group, B.A.P, and also concerns that Sonamoo’s official color is too similar to that of SM Entertainment’s SHINee. Despite the issues have with how TS Entertainment handled Sonamoo’s debut, it’s hard to deny that Deja Vu is a stellar debut song.
Song
The song is catchy and the members appear to be able to sing well (although some of their debut stages leaves room for argument). The song has powerful beats and EDM elements that wouldn’t be out of place in a club, but Déjà Vu just isn’t really memorable. It’s just another dance track with a powerful beat. Sonamoo tries really hard, but the debut song seems like just another dance song with some interesting beats dropped every once in a while in an attempt to make the song give off a more powerful vibe.
Credit: TS Entertainment
One of the major problems is that the seven girls have voices that don’t really match up with the hip-hop elements. Some higher pitched voices simply don’t seem to fit amidst deeper, rougher voices like those of the rappers. The two rappers, D.ana and New Sun, dominate the entire performance with their stage presence and stellar attempts at rapping. But transitioning from rap to a sweet sound comes off as sudden and I personally feel that it ruins the momentum.
Credit: TS Entertainment
Another problem I have with the song is that I really wish that they had gone with more meaningful lyrics rather than just singing about how love is like fate that has happened over and over again. If I didn’t know what Sonamoo was singing about, but heard the song and saw the performance, I’d honestly probably think that the seven were singing a song about female empowerment. The music video looks like it would be more about the awesomeness of girl power along the lines of Beyonce’s Run The World, but Déjà Vu doesn’t deliver that.
Music Video
The video’s sets were really cool, even though some of it reminded me a lot of B.A.P’s debut music video for Warrior. Nothing wrong with reusing sets, though, especially when the set is remade to look like the inside of an industrial factory with a chandelier. The dance stage, where the seven members of Sonamoo danced amidst scaffolding, looked really cool and futuristic, but differed a bit from the rest of the video’s style (the outfits that I take problem with also made their appearances during that part).
Credit: TS Entertainment
Moreover, the plot is a bit nonexistent. With a title like Déjà Vu it would seem that the music video would be about Sonamoo seeing things over and over again. Instead, it’s about the members looking for something and turning on the power, literally, and seeing a stream of energy flit about the place without any clear interpretation.
Style
The video started out really strong conceptually, rocking the hip-hop styled sporty outfits. Sports bras, loose harem pants, athletic jerseys, leather jackets… They all made appearances. But then the black and white tight fitting outfits appeared and I was less impressed that TS Entertainment chose to put the fiercer outfits aside for traditionally sexy, skin-fitting clothes. The individual style for each girl, with unique hairstyles and personalized outfits, were a nice touch.
Credit: TS Entertainment
Dance
Sonamoo’s strength is definitely its dance. The body popping and locking that several of the dancers use is rare to see in K-pop girl group’s songs, although the twerking, now a commonly seen dance move in K-pop, isn’t super exciting and kind of diminishes the powerful dance moves. Even so, Sonamoo’s dancers are really good performers, performing splits and never seeming out of synchrony. The random hand-game that the rappers perform seems kind of silly and doesn’t really add to the song, though, so I can’t really say the dance is flawless.
Credit: TS Entertainment
Rating
It’s a really good attempt at a style of girl group that’s rare– tough rather than cute or sexy, but the song, while catchy, doesn’t really seem so memorable. The vocals are good but have a long way to go, and Sonamoo’s saving grace is really the dancing.
Sunny Hill’s latest single Here I Am is underratedly one of the best Korean songs released in November. Even when it looks like Sunny Hill is just singing a seemingly banal song about grief and neglect following a break up, the talented group doesn’t disappoint and instead presents a well-rounded, musical experience.
Here I Am is Sunny Hill’s 7th anniversary commemorative song, and it doesn’t let Hillers (Sunny Hill’s fans) down. The quartet’s come a long way, beginning as a co-ed vocal group and then gaining a lot of attention for powerful, meaningful songs and music videos. Even though they’ve seen some lineup changes (Seungah and Jubi are the only original two left in the group) and are no longer co-ed, Sunny Hill continually releases great songs. Here I Am shows the maturity of the group, taking the styles that the group has explored over the years while still keeping some of Sunny Hill’s original elements. The singing is phenomenal, and the plot, visuals, and acting in the music video are near perfection. Member Misung wrote the lyrics for the song, adding a personal touch and raw emotion to the track.
via Tumblr
Song
Many K-Pop songs make use of multiple genres, but Sunny Hill is one of the few groups that could pull off a song like Here I Am and express the full meaning solely through the emotional range of their voices. Even though the song is beautiful in its own right, the music video for Here I Am adds further depth and expresses Sunny Hill’s growth as artists.
With ballad, acoustic, and electronic influences, Here I Am is both soft and strong in the face of heartbreak. Even though a slow soft ballad would seemingly be perfect for the depressing lyrics, Here I Am crescendos multiple times as the narrator tries to figure out how to get over heartbreak and move forward like her ex.
via Tumblr
Even though the singing is a bit unevenly distributed, with Jubi and Kota singing a majority of the lyrics, the four voices are impeccably juxtaposed with one another and come together to perfectly depict the rawness of the song’s emotions. Jubi’s belting voice and Kota’s rough lines interplay with Misung and Seungah’s sweeter and rawer voices.
Can you hear me? Here I am Tonight I think of your scent I lean on time, saying that pain will be gone eventually
Here I Am starts slow, with acoustic music and rapidly gains a faster beat, before reaching the zenith of the song, with Sunny Hill declaring that heartbreak will eventually end.
When you are in love, being broken up with is extremely difficult, and Jubi was absolutely devastated by her lover’s actions. Everybody who has ever had his or her heart broken probably has wished that they could just wipe their mind clean, and Here I Am hints to the fact that even if you forget, some small part of you will always remember love.
via Tumblr
Here I Am ends when the narrator/singer is still in pain over the breakup, it is implied that this pain will eventually pass. The music video recognizes this, but also recognizes how painful breaking up is, and has Jubi erase her own memory to get over the heartbreak.
Music Video
The video exhibited how good Sunny Hill has become at creating complex, unique storylines for their songs, to add further depth to their already meaningful songs. The music video has winter-inspired elements and an intriguing plot, which seems like something out of the film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
via Tumblr
Sunny Hill’s acting in the video was great; Jubi’s emotion is always clear through her actions and expressions, the other three members shine as the fairy godmothers of memory loss. HISTORY’s Sihyung has a cameo as the man who breaks Jubi’s heart, and his various expressions of love in the flashbacks and disdain in the present are simply heartbreaking.
During the scene at the end, when Jubi returns to the café, Sunny Hill’s expertise at portraying emotions visually really shows. Seungah’s protests against showing Jubi the picture and telling her about what she wants to forget, Misung’s acceptance of erasing heartbreak, and Kota’s empathy towards Jubi’s desire to forget, reveals how not only do Sunny Hill’s members know how to express emotion clearly through their voices but also through their actions.
The settings are beautiful, with a soft glow of sunset pervading through most of the scenes as if to hint to the fading emotions and end of a relationship. Even though it’s not obviously winter, there is a chilly factor to the overall video that hints to both the coldness of the weather and the coldness of the man’s (Sihyung’s) feelings towards his ex.
Instead of going for daring outfits, like Sunny Hill’s done in past songs such as The Grasshopper Song or Is The White Horse Coming?, the girls wear everyday, fashionable outfits that can be seen around every street corner in Korea. Yet outfits have meaning in the video.
via Tumblr
Here I Am is a song for everybody, and the member’s elegant yet simple black and white outfits seem to emphasize the message, “this is a black-and-white story about heartbreak and loss that we all have to deal with sometime.”
Jubi outfit is clean cut and refreshing blue and white, expressing how her mind is free of excessive pain (following the cleansing.) In the flashback of Jubi crying, she’s seen wearing a confining white shirt, symbolizing the grasping, restriction of her feelings. At the end of the video, when Jubi seeks Kota, Misung, and Seungah out for help, and instead of their earlier white and gray (clean and fresh) outfits, they’re wearing complex, dark, black and red witch-like outfits to show their power over memories.
Overall Thoughts
I really thought that Here I Am is a beautifully made song, musically, lyrically, and visually expressing its message perfectly. I started to like Sunny Hill because of their unique style in Midnight Circus and following intriguing concepts, but even when doing a seemingly simple song like Here I Am, the group brings in complexity and mystery. I think that the different sounds in Here I Am could make a great dance, but Sunny Hill has yet to perform the songon any music shows so I’m still looking forward to a live performance.
Sunny Hill's 'Here I Am'
5
What did you think of Here I Am? Share your thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Screen-shot-2014-12-07-at-2.55.22-PM.png5651252Tamar Hermanhttp://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngTamar Herman2014-12-07 15:47:062014-12-07 15:49:02Sunny Hill’s ‘Here I Am’ Music Video & Song Review
[Disclaimer: This review contains adult content and uses profane language.]
Talk about a comeback. Epik High‘s Born Hater easily reached over 1 million views within its first 24 hours of being released on YouTube. Beenzino, Verbal Jint, Mino, Bobby, and B.I are all featured on the track and all appear in the video. Each rapper has his own verse, where he addresses the haters in themed bathroom stalls (more about that below). In short, the song and the video are brilliant.
Setting
The setting of the music video is a male public bathroom with numerous stalls. The video starts with a stall door holding all of the information for the song and DJ Tukutz’s gear is seen beneath the stall door. He starts out the video in one of these stalls as he mixes his beats.
Why bathroom stalls, one may ask? Well, I’m not quite sure but I can speculate. The song is titled Born Hater, which instantly tells the listener that the song will address the haters out there. Maybe the bathroom was chosen for the link to shit. Because haters talk shit, Epik High and guests are basically telling them to eat shit because they don’t know what they’re talking about.
Or maybe it’s to show that even though Epik High is well-known in the industry and have been around for over 10 years, they want to show that they are still human who still use the same porcelain toilets as the rest of us. Again, these are speculations, but make sense given the facts in the video.
There are times throughout the video that the scene changes from the original stall of each rapper to a stark, white, non-furnished bathroom. This bathroom is much deeper than the original stalls and has no color, except for the few props that are scattered toward to front of the stall. To me, this bathroom represents the person’s attitude toward the haters right now: nothingness. It’s like their own little asylum where no one can bother them. They are void of all the hate and clutter while in that room. It is their safe haven where they can release all their anger and emotions.
Videography
The music video, right from the beginning, is a vertical screen. This could be for many reasons. The music video takes place in bathroom stalls, which are narrow and private. The screen helps to portray that feeling. It also could be an ode to Epik High’s album title, Shoebox, in that the screen imitates the shape and depth of the inside of a shoebox.
The transitions throughout the video solidify the fact that this takes place in a public bathroom with many stalls. The camera quickly slides over to the next stall for the next verse. There are moments of a pan to the left/right in correspondence with the lyrics, which again add to the feeling of being in a bathroom.
The zoom never goes in extremely close to each person. However, there is the initial view of the overall stall, and then the zoom in to focus more on the person of interest at that time in the video. The zoom is not abrupt or rough, it flows smoothly and works well with the transitions and the style of the video.
Each member of Epik High, as well as the featured rappers, has his own bathroom stall that is decorated to correlate to their verses. Each stall and person within it is also a representation of the Seven Deadly Sins:
via scontent-b @instagram
Meaning
DJ Tukutz’s stall is filled with DJ equipment as he mixes the beat to start the song and throughout it. His bathroom stall is quite literal in that he always makes the beats for Epik High, and this song is no different. Tukutz sits quietly in his stall, minding his own business producing his beats. No one else is in the stall with him and he rarely, if ever, looks at the camera. His hunched position as he sits and his sunglasses imply that he doesn’t want to be seen or that no one ever really notices him. Tukutz represents Envy in that he’s always in the background of Epik High and never really in the spotlight.
via namhyun @tumblr
Tablo is surrounded by paintings of well-known artists (Dali, Van, Picasso- also a reference to Beenzino’s single) with huge red X’s over most of them, which alludes to Tablo’s Pride that he’s the best. To add to the painter motif he wears a beret. Along with the paintings, there are cockroaches scurrying all over the floor, walls, and Tablo. Throughout his verse, he’s constantly stepping on them, squishing them, and spraying them with pesticide. The cockroaches are all of the haters that keep coming at Tablo even when he continues to shut them down.
namhyun @tumblr
Beenzino is said to be Sloth. Sloth can be described as not utilizing one’s gifts and talents. This makes sense in that his haters think he gained his success through other means, like his looks, rather than his talent.
I can’t believe they say my success comes from my looks.
The Nike shoe boxes pose a bit of confusion to me. Maybe it’s a sign of his success and wealth. Let’s be honest, a lot of hip hop moguls show off their new kicks on SNS and the amount of Jordans one has in their closet seems to correlate to the amount of wealth one has, which also goes along with Beenzino’s lyrics that he is everywhere (meaning his music).
[Writer’s Edit: One of my fellow kultscene writers mentioned that the Nike shoeboxes represent Beezino’s song Nike Shoes and the girls that appear correspond to a line from that song:
Nikes on her feet make my love complete.
Hence the piles of Nike shoeboxes and the three girls who appear sitting among the boxes.]
namhyun @tumblr
B.I first appears during Beenzino’s scene as he’s trying to sweep the stall dressed in all white. He is the uncontaminated one trying to clear the mess in each stall. The all white implies purity, and since B.I has yet to debut, he is fresh and doesn’t have the amount of haters that his predecessors do. He isn’t tarnished by criticisms or harsh critiques.
Verbal Jint’s stall at a quick, first glance is full of books and posters. But as the video progresses, it’s clear that he’s looking at porn due to the blurred out magazine covers and the photos of bikini-clad women on the walls behind him. The fact that he’s looking at pornographic content similar to porn-hd.xxx and not hiding it connects with his lyrics:
Some of y’all are born haters Male, female, old, young, distributed across all levels of society Whatever I do, they respond with their innate shallowness
Even if Verbal Jint does something that everyone else is also doing, he still receives hate because he’s in the spotlight. People respond to his actions without knowing the full story.
namhyun @tumblr
Verbal Jint represents Lust, hence all of the porn magazines and posters on the walls. B.I also appears in Verbal Jint’s stall and becomes distracted from his cleaning by the erotic books in front of him. He would likely become distracted if an escort hamburg has about would be in front of him whilst cleaning too, so it seems fair. Although B.I is the uncontaminated one throughout the music video, he’s still human and has some vices of his own.
tabloworld @tumblr
Speaking of B.I, he is in charge of vocals throughout the song. He sings about being a rookie in the business and how one has to have the drive and ambition to succeed in the entertainment world. The closing words of his verse explain it all:
it’s motherfuckin do or die.
His scene shows him in Tukutz’s stall cleaning around his equipment and in his own stall that is sparkling clean with nothing on the walls or floors. Because he hasn’t officially debuted, his stall is clean and clear from all the haters’ comments.
captivatinglia @tumblr
captivatinglia @tumblr
Mithra embodies Gluttony with a loose fitting shorts-jumpsuit and boxes of pizza, containers of french fries, bags of chips, etc. in his stall. Gluttony can also be connected to selfishness. Mithra, at this point in his career, doesn’t care about anyone else in the game. He’s heard it all and only does what he wants to do.
namhyun @tumblr
Mino’s rap is a different beat than the others. Up until this point in the song, everyone’s rhymes and verses are on beat with the music. But Mino adds a little bit of asymmetry, which makes the listener tune in even more because the flow is slightly interrupted, in a good way.
He represents Wrath in many ways. The baseball bat he uses to smash the camera lense, the wine bottles behind him in the stall, which allude to self-destruction, and his overall destructive behavior. Mino’s lyrics for his verse are basically proving that he got to this position with his own talent, not because of his company. And he basically says if you don’t like him, then don’t pay attention to him, as simple as that.
namhyun @tumblr
Bobby is clearly the personification of Greed, with the gold chains, gold mirror, the money strewn all over the floor, the gold theater ropes, and the gold champions belt hanging on the wall. Also, the stacks of cash he nonchalantly throws around the room and gives to B.I. His lyrics state how people have noticed that he’s changed and he agrees. He wants the fame and fortune, but obviously has the talent and drive for it.
iamhunchul @tumblr
B.I closes out Born Hater with the chorus as he continues to clean the stalls. He also adds his own rap. In his rap, he explains that he’s different from the cookie-cutter singers and rappers you see on TV. And the fact that he’s on TV while his haters sit at home and watch and complain about him, proves that he’s doing something right. During his scene, he’s in a stall with Tukutz, Mithra, Tablo, and a few girls. Meanwhile, B.I is in the middle of the stall and everyone else is bobbing their head to the beat and looking at him as if in agreeance with what he raps.
dohdoro @tumblr
At the end of B.I’s verse, Tukutz starts DJing and B.I tries to get in on it, but Tukutz pushes his hand away and continues to look at him as if to say, even though you are talented, you’re still young and have to respect your hyungs. After that interaction, B.I has a look of obedience on his face.
The video overall has a lot of symbolism within each stall and each rapper’s verse (which is impossible to touch on in a basic review). Some comments on the video stated that they wish Epik High was in the video more, but I like this song and video. Yes, it is an Epik High song, which implies that they are the main attraction of the song and video. But the fact that they have veteran, new, and upcoming rappers on the track shows their inclusion and understanding of where hip hop was when they started and how it’s evolved over the years and will continue to do so.
The song has an amazing beat, great rapping, and is definitely one of my favorites of 2014. The colors, style of the music video, and the beat —especially the beat– of Born Hater remind me of a Beastie Boys song and music video, which, to me, is a really good thing.
Epik High's 'Born Hater'
5
What are your thoughts on Epik High’s Born Hater and the use of the Seven Deadly Sins? Share your thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Epik-High-Born-Hater.png7681024Tarahttp://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngTara2014-10-23 22:19:532020-11-30 08:14:08Epik High’s ‘Born Hater’ Music Video & Song Review
KARA made its latest comeback with Mamma Mia in the middle of August. The girl group saw a member line-up changed, with Nicole and Jiyoung departing the group to pursue solo careers, and the addition of Youngji. I honestly doubted this move, and wondered why the three remaining members didn’t just continue as KARA, but that all changed when Mamma Mia made me think, “Oh, KARA’s back.”
Music Video
Concepts
The music video is, for one thing, very busy. The sets were great –a beautiful lobby, lovely bedrooms that I wish I could call my own, and a party with fireworks that I wanted to be a part of. But every few seconds, the camera changed to a different set, and I honestly felt a bit dizzy when I first watched Mamma Mia.
There’s really no point for the multiple sets, except to show off different outfits and moods. This seems a bit silly for a song about going out and partying. The concept didn’t really match the lyrics, but it did get to show off KARA’s members at their best, in multiple settings.
Fashion
Do I love the dance outfits? They’re really sleek and sexy, but they kind of look like something Catwoman would wear. KARA’s fierce one moment, and then wears beautiful, lace, and tulle dresses that are completely different, which are supposed to make the members seem… more innocent or something? Again, the busy-ness is apparent.
Mamma Mia has a lot of really nice sets and clothing, but there’s no plot and it doesn’t seem to really make sense –especially fashion wise. One minute, the four are in leggings, tanks, and combat boots with heels and the next they’re in haute couture dresses.
However, my favorite concept is the one from the party, which, even if it’s a bit cheesy with the palm-tree patterns, looks very modern and reminds me a bit of what 4Minute wore in Whatcha Doin’ Today. I particularly like the streaks of hair dye, primarily because it helps me differentiate the members (throughout the entire video, I was confused between Youngji and Seungyeon, despite being a fan of KARA for several years now). For some reason, I felt that Youngji and Seungyeon’s features are too similar.
Choreography
If the visual aspects weren’t enough, the dance for Mamma Mia is captivating, and a very “KARA” dance. The group that became famous because of it’s “butt dance” continues it’s addictive dances in Mamma Mia. The dance has several notable dance moves, but two are the most prominent- the brushing-off move and the rowing-the-boat move. The arm dance at the beginning reminded me of Hindu deities (and also EXO’s tree of life, for that matter).
A dance song with a slightly techno feel to it, Mamma Mia’s introcould almost be out of an 80’s aerobic video. As the song progresses, it keeps the original old-school feel, but KARA makes it their own with the catchy, repetitive line “mamma mia,” as well as the member’s powerful vocals. Many lines seem to be given to Hara rather than the other three, which I thought was a bit disappointing.
I think the song is really powerful, and the idea behind it, of going out into the world (or party) and showing everyone who you truly are inside is great. However, It would have been more interesting if the video portrayed the meaning in some way, such as having the members appear acting certain ways before going to the party and showing up with completely different personas.
“No one can predict it
I’ll surprise everyone with my hidden image
To captivate you on this hot night, burn it up!
Hit the lights let’s go
Everyone’s party, party, party, mamma mia”
Even though the line distribution was a bit uneven, I think that Youngji was able to hold her own when performing alongside such experienced idols.
Overall ratings
– MV: 6/10, pretty but too busy
– Song: 8.5/10
– Both: 7/10
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Screen-shot-2014-09-02-at-2.41.51-PM.png490957Tamar Hermanhttp://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngTamar Herman2014-09-04 19:29:082014-09-12 02:42:20KARA’s ‘Mamma Mia’ Music Video & Song Review
You may remember our past article on BEAST‘s music video fashion in Good Luck, but I think it’s imperative to go back in time and take a look at their overall comeback. Once you really look into the music video, you’ll get caught off-guard at how symbolic it is!
Music Video
This may not be the most amazing video in the world, but it’s near the top of my favorites list. You see, it combines intense choreography with a meaningful plot that really ties into the song; watching this music video was quite the pleasant experience.
The video wastes no time on dropping the mood on you; right from the beginning, the dark, cool colors and scenes of cheating and dischord. At some parts, the coloring is almost completely unsaturated, which does partners well with the atmosphere. Other scenes focus on a blue and orange color scheme, with pops of green and red now and then. Implementing complementary shades definitely works well for the conflicted feeling you get from the idols, acting as the foundation for this well-executed video.
The introduction, with an orchestra playing a Gothic sequence, also serves as the warning seriousness and reflects the dark emotions experienced by the members. Add the repetition of the “make you mine” and “good luck to you” wording during their street sequence to the camerawork that ebbs and weaves through their expressions, and you realize how hard it is for them to accept this reality of a break-up.
Plotline
I generally see the same story in these break-up videos with male groups: there’s a girl whom everyone loves, but she’s cheating on all of them. So yeah, the plot is a tad typical. However, that doesn’t mean that this is a typical video. There’s a complex mix of emotions that are heartbreaking when you figure out what’s going on, especially with Jonghyun’s scene at the dinner table.
But first, let’s observe the numbers, 2046 and 2047. They’re most likely used as time markers, but I like to do a little research just in case there’s a hidden meaning. I managed to find some interesting tidbits: 2046 was a Hong Kong-Chinese film that dealt with an affair, while, in 2013, researchers predicted that a climate departure would occur in the year 2047, in which the average temperatures around the globe will be significantly higher than those in the past.
At 2046, Doojoon puts back the woman’s heel as she lies motionless on a bed; this appears to indicate the aftermath of an affair. At 2047, Kikwang finds out about the promiscuity of his beloved, and that’s when the heat begins to rise, and the action picks up.
If you go by American time, 2046 translates to 8:46, which was the approximate time that 9/11 occurred and the first airplane crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Even extending from time alone is 8:47, corresponding to John 8:47, which states, Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.
When you look at the music video through those perspectives, the amount of shock and horror resonates as the BEAST members find out the truth. After catching onto the affair, Kikwang most likely doesn’t see his sweetheart in the same light, as she is no longer with him.
Of course, these is merely me being extremely analytical and pulling out a tad too much meaning. However, I’m not going to ignore the obvious Biblical allusion that comes at the 3:30 mark of the video:
At first, you think it’s just representing the feeling of betrayal that Jonghyun feels from the girl. However, it’s not a shallow feeling; the dinner table alludes to the Last Supper, after Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty silver coins, and before Jesus was ultimately arrested in Gethsemane.
That’s a pretty awful sense of betrayal, and the video makes it worse by showing you how the girl stabs Jonghyun in the heart, with no fighting back from him. This resonates with Jesus accepting his fate and still forgiving Judas while awaiting his demise at the cross: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.
That pretty much ties everything together with this song; the members know what their love has done to them, and, while they hate the act, they still love the girl and wish her good luck.
It’s been a while since I’ve watched such a heavy-laden video!
Makeup
As uber fashionista and fellow writer Alejandro already went into detail about the fashion, I’ll just talk about their makeup. This darker concept made good use of the pale skin, black eyeliner, slightly smoky eyes, and finely groomed, straight brows that reflect the emotions of each member. A matte, light BB cream was most likely used for their faces, although the color editing probably affected our perception of their looks. Nude and light pink lips showcase the rawness of the video, and that’s basically their makeup for the video. Simple but effective!
Choreography
This video was roughly about 60 percent plot and 40 percent dancing sequence, which means that we got a pretty good glimpse at the choreography. I definitely liked what I saw, from the high energy to the sharp movements. There were moments of restraint, especially at the chorus when they say good luck:
They pause when they give the victory sign, as if they’re still unsure about letting go. The focus on the legs and arms represent their chase of of this love and the eventual release of such love:
I think watching their live performance is a better example of the choreography (plus they’re great at singing live):
Song
I really like this song, from its flow to the way it picks up the tempo to the fluid transition to and from the raps. You don’t just feel sad from listening; you feel regretful, betrayed, and angry, and that amount of depth is always wonderful.
Instrumental
Although I was pulled into the video because of the orchestra, the instrumental is still beautiful. They may rely on electronic sounds, but the moments when they use the piano and guitar are played very well. I’m also adoring the tempo, especially when there’s the pause right at the chorus. It’s addicting, and, even though that moment doesn’t have instrumentals, you still get pumped up because it’s a build-up factor.
Lyrics
The lyrics may have more of a bitter aftertaste, but you can still understand how much they loved and how much they lost. Here’s the English translation from pop!gasa:
Why why you leave me alone baby I’m still still loving you You’re leaving me right now but I hope you’ll be happy You always had a habit of telling me our looming farewell (the last) I always had a habit of telling you I’ll do anything to protect you
(I wanna) Hold you tight Make you mine Never leave me alone I only want you, that’s all I need Eventually everything fell apart Why are you leaving me like this
Good luck baby Good luck to you You better be happy if you’re leaving me, the one who only knew and looked at you. Good luck baby Good luck to you No matter who you meet you better be as happy as the amount of pain you’ve left me with.
I hate you love you Several times a day Up and down Feels like an elevator Heal me I’m heartsick There ain’t no cure for my disease I’m worn, because of you I can’t uphold the immense pain you’ve left me with In this situation I find myself putting my hands together for you. I pray for ya, Good luck to ya
(I wanna) Hold you tight Make you mine Never leave me alone I only want you, that’s all I need Eventually everything fell apart Why are you leaving me like this
Good luck baby Good luck to you You better be happy if you’re leaving me, the one who only knew and looked at you. Good luck baby Good luck to you No matter who you meet you better be as happy as the amount of pain you’ve left me with.
You have to be happier, just remember this no one will love you more than I did I might be just one of your many farewells but you will be my first and last.
Good luck baby Good luck to you You better be happy if you’re leaving me, the one who only knew and looked at you. Good luck baby Good luck to you No matter who you meet you better be as happy as the amount of pain you’ve left me with.
Ouch! Even if this ex doesn’t know the amount of pain, you can feel it from the lyrics alone. What’s even more heartbreaking is that they wish her happiness; a lot of people want their exes to suffer for their betrayal and break-up, but it’s so depressing when you see how they’re the ones accepting the pain.
Style & Vocals
Yoseob is known for being a great vocal, but the wonderful part about this comeback is that everyone gets to shine! Each member gets a decent amount of lines, and they’re not the easiest notes to hit when you’re dancing as hard as they are. This style is something that BEAST has done before, with Fiction, but there’s more energy this time around, with more layers to the song. It combines ballad, pop, and rap well; this ranks just as high as Fiction on my favorites list.
Overall Ratings
Do you really need me to explain my ratings?
MV: 9/10 Song: 9/10 Both: 10/10
Did you notice all the allusions in this video? How did you feel about BEAST’s release? Be sure to share your thoughts and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and Bloglovin’ so you can keep up with all our posts.
I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t a fan of HyunA; her charisma and variety show personality are just too interesting to ignore, and her songs are quite catchy. While I wasn’t a huge fan of Ice Cream, Red is a completely different matter. When I saw the first teaser, I was a little bit weirded out –what exactly was her theme? Needless to say, my question was pretty much answered when the music video came out.
Music Video
Let’s just get this over with: yes, the big props and white backgrounds do remind me of Miley Cyrus‘s We Can’t Stop. However, that doesn’t mean that HyunA is copying Miley’s “style.” If you haven’t already noticed, We Can’t Stop is basically an upgraded version of Lady Gaga‘s Just Dance, so let’s stop the copycat-name-calling and actually pay attention to HyunA’s style development.
At first glance, all I got from watching this video was the following: HyunA is a queen who’s holding a pretty rad party that involves a little booty. Actually, a lot of booty. But when you look past the bums, you can really tell that this is just a really fun music video. In addition to the light-hearted feel, you also get to appreciate HyunA’s cool side as she raps. I prefer this side to her rather than an overly cutesy, cringe-inducing baby voice and aegyo overload.
The setting switches around, from a jungle to a room to what appears to be an Egyptian-style arrangement. All in all, it brings together the whole “HyunA is back, she rules” feeling.
Plotline
So… Plot… Yeah, I can’t say too much about whatever storyline this video has, but I can guess. There’s obviously a lot of emphasis on red (duh) and monkeys; the song takes inspiration from a popular children’s song involving monkey butts, although I’m a little wary of how this song will affect the children.
It opens up with a baboon butt and someone stabbing a poor apple with a sharp heel (I’m assuming HyunA), and the obliterated apple imagery continues throughout the video.
The apple, in my opinion, could very well reflect HyunA moving on to a new style; it could also be her response to any anti-fans who don’t approve of her sexy image. She does take a bite of the fruit later on, so that might just be her way of saying “I don’t care.” The lady knows she’s sexy, and she’s killing it, so why not a sexy comeback?
The majority of this video is just the idol showing off both her sexy and cute side, with some really funny scenes involving butt-slapping and an intense party with big props.
Even in all this seemingly nonsense silliness, there are moments of seriousness in the bridge. She pauses the fun to contemplate something, but, unless you understand the lyrics, you’re not really sure what she’s thinking about.
Fashion & Makeup
I’ve always loved HyunA’s makeup, and this was no exception. She went with the big, dolly eyes route with colored lenses and an extended eye crease makeup look. Add that with a combination of nude and bright red lips, and you’ve got a winning number!
Let’s also not forget about this beauty mark that brings out an extra umph factor:
Her eyes really draw you in with some spaced out, natural looking lashes (I’m pretty sure they’re falsies, but she could be using fiber mascara), and pulling out her natural eye shape with some dark eyeshadow and tightlining with black eyeliner. Her smoky eyes and contacts compliment each other; I really commend her makeup artists!
As for her hair, she’s keeping with a more natural, dark brown-black, layered cut and side bangs. This really fits her face shape very well, and I envy her hairstylist as well.
For her fashion, there’s a lot of things that she wears, from fur coats, turtlenecks, and animal (and banana) print to a leather outfit, a sheer nude maxi dress, and, my personal favorite, a Playboy bunny-esque gold minidress with a matching mask that includes bunny ears:
She also uses long earrings that slim down her face and brings attention to her lips.
Choreography
If anyone has ever told you that dancing in a sexy manner is easy, then you should point them to the choreography for this song. Believe me, you might think it’s just a bunch of wiggling your butt around, but it’s WAY much more than that.
In fact, I’m so mesmerized by how intense this choreo is that I’m gonna share the live performance:
You notice anything? It’s a dance that puts fluid body rolls together of hard-hitting pops and drops; throw in some six inch heels and you might just end up in a hospital if you’re not conditioned like HyunA.
There’s a lot of leg power going into this, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she has rocking quads and a firm butt because of this dance.
Song
I love the song, but not all of its parts. As a whole, the vocals and the instrumentals work well together, but when you break it down to three parts, including the lyrics, there are some issues.
Instrumental
The instrumental is a fault, albeit not a big one, for me. It’s very upbeat at some points, but it honestly feels cluttered at other points. I could do without every single electronic effect put into the song; when you put in the vocals, then it works well. However, when the instrumental is by itself, then it’s a little too busy for me.
Lyrics
With complete honesty, I have to say that I did not understand the lyrics when I first read them. Do I understand them now?
Not really. I do know that they’re inspired by a children’s rhyme, but, other than that, it mainly feels like an anthem for HyunA’s return. Like a “Hey, I’m back!” sort of deal, with an addicting chorus. Here’s the translation from pop!gasa:
Make it so cool, make it more hot Red lipstick, make it more red (red) Make it so cool, make it more hot Red lipstick, make it more red (red) I put on red lipstick, I’m red (red) My cuteness that makes you wanna bite me is like art Every night, you think of me like spicy ramen Come in first if you like me
Hyuna’s back A better body than anyone else is a full option for me I’m gonna warm up and run Because that red thing, that’s me Now I’m gonna go up on stage
Don’t leave me, I’m so lonely right now At least you don’t leave me, I’m the only one here I might change right now
A monkey’s butt is red, what Red is Hyuna, Hyuna is yeah A monkey’s butt is red, what Red is Hyuna, Hyuna is ah
(Oh~ Eh Oh Eh Oh) Uh, uh red is Hyuna (Oh~ Eh Oh Eh Oh) Uh, uh red is Hyuna
Make it so cool, make it more hot Red lipstick, make it more red (red) Make it so cool, make it more hot Red lipstick, make it more red (red)
Everyone stop, I’ll punish you so stick out your butt You won’t be able to handle me every night Say H Y U N and A A killer dance, I’ll kill on stage, My confidence reaches the sky I won’t say much more
Don’t leave me, I’m so lonely right now At least you don’t leave me, I’m the only one here I might change right now
A monkey’s butt is red, what Red is Hyuna, Hyuna is yeah A monkey’s butt is red, what Red is Hyuna, Hyuna is ah
(Oh~ Eh Oh Eh Oh) Uh, uh red is Hyuna (Oh~ Eh Oh Eh Oh) Uh, uh red is Hyuna
Red is Hyuna
Hyuna is red, Hyuna is red Hyuna is red, red is Hyuna
Hyuna is red
Don’t leave me, I’m so lonely right now At least you don’t leave me, I’m the only one here I might change right now
A monkey’s butt is red, what Red is Hyuna, Hyuna is yeah A monkey’s butt is red, what Red is Hyuna, Hyuna is ah
(Oh~ Eh Oh Eh Oh) Uh, uh red is Hyuna (Oh~ Eh Oh Eh Oh) Uh, uh red is Hyuna
However, I’m not going to overlook the spicy ramen, nor the “I’ll punish you so stick out your butt,” because those are just golden. I laughed more than anything!
Is this a piece of compositional genius? No, not even close. It’s just really fun. And funny.
Style & Vocals
Red brought me back to HyunA’s Change era, with improved rapping and charisma. Her style is definitely moving along with what’s popular with a Western feel. She retains her own personality, with more development, and I’m pretty proud of her improvement!
For her vocals, I think they’ve remained stable from her past comebacks and collaborations, and that’s still good. While there are a lack of power vocals, it’s understandable, given the intensity of the choreography.
Overall Ratings
I did honestly like this comeback. It’s something that isn’t really common in K-Pop, and I think that’s interesting. I did have difficulties understanding the lyrics and video, but that didn’t prevent me from enjoying Red. Here’s my rating:
MV: 6/10 Song: 8/10 Both: 7/10
How do you feel about HyunA’s new sexy video? Was it funny, cute, or strange? Be sure to share your thoughts and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and Bloglovin’ so you can keep up with all our posts.
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/HyunA-Red.jpg720960Thucydideshttp://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngThucydides2014-07-30 21:45:162014-07-30 22:03:25HyunA’s “Red” Music Video & Song Review
I have to admit that I was quite surprised when I heard about Block B‘s comeback with HER; looking at the teaser, I thought that it would be a cheesy, typical “safe” phase that idols go through every now and then. Boy, was I proven wrong! This was a pleasant discovery of how this group managed to maintain their goofy and playful style while not succumbing to the cutesy, “I’m in love” trope.
Music Video
While I did in fact enjoy watching this video, I must say that it was all over the place. Of course, Block B is known for their interesting and crazy music videos, but it took a while for me to understand what was going on. That’s not such a bad thing, though; they get more views on the video as people rewatch and try to make sense of it!
Atmosphere
This was a huge mixture of bright, super-saturated colors, and exaggerated expressions, which combined with the attention-grabbing, deep rendition of the chorus in the beginning, makes you want to get up and dance along. HER may be upbeat and cute, but it’s silly and full of personality! I mean, come on, just look at all their cheesy grins:
To be completely honest, I can’t help but laugh at their antics, and that’s what I feel is the winning point of this music video. It doesn’t contain a hundred cringe-inducing winks (although it’s guilty of a couple), nor does it make me facepalm at how fake the acting is. It’s so over the top that you know that it’s all intentional and meant to be funny. If anything, the way the guys act in here actually fit their image.
I don’t know what the plot is supposed to be, but I do know that the HER Power Detergent ad is hilarious! Let’s not forget this lovely ostrich:
This appears to be a tribute to whomever HER refers to, and a tribute it definitely is. From what appears to be a news segment about HER to multiple references to this mystery person in their props, you have to admit that the group is dedicated.
Prior to the bridge of the song, you get a little clip of an interview as the guys are introduced as the music industry brats. They end up talking about their comeback after nine months and their change in style from intense to “win your heart” types of homies. The stage on which they perform on this “interview” reminds me of Looney Tunes, and, whether it’s intentional or not, it’s a witty play on the group’s looney behavior in the video.
If you were ever confused about why they’re coming back with this particular song, then all you really need to do is to watch the video! Personally, I think that’s a great way to introduce the fans to a new side to Block B.
Fashion & Makeup
Oh boy; when it comes to the guys’ fashion, it’s just as mixed up as the plotline. From summer attire to winter clothing, you’re not really sure what they’re aiming for in fashion. That’s when you get the idea that maybe they’re trying really hard to get the attention of HER, going to great lengths and ending up looking like hype-beasts!
They do match the feeling of the song and the colors of the video, from the bright energy to the extremely colorful sets and backgrounds.
Who could also forget their hairstyles and makeup? From spiky hot pink to a silver combover, it seems like their hair knows no boundaries. It brings me back to what appears to be their efforts to appeal to their person of interest, and their makeup doesn’t shy from this goal, either. Bright eyebrows and dark eyeliner on some of the members bring out their characters, and colored contacts add to their quirkiness.
Choreography
There’s a lot of switching scenes around, so I can’t say too much on the choreography. However, from what I do see, they dance in a stupidly cute way. The moves they make during the chorus remind me of their gorilla dance, only it incorporates the typical, “look at me I’m shy” two fists to the face that make everything seems more comedic.
Block B’s dances are always incorporating their playfulness, and, while you don’t see too much of the choreo, you still get to see them jumping around and pretending to fall over in all of their silliness.
Song
I actually liked listening to HER the first time around; it gives off a mixture of ’80s and ’90s vibe that is just weird enough to make you keep listening. Even if you don’t watch the video, you can still feel just how playful the group is in the song, and I think that’s very important in any composition.
Instrumental
The electronic presence doesn’t appeal to me as much as the drum beat and electric guitar does; the guitar just adds the right kind of feeling that adds a special groove and gives off a “let’s go to the beach” mood. The beat keeps everything together in a fast tempo and brings up the energy, which I feel was done very well in this song.
Lyrics
There is a little controversy in the lyrics, as some fans think it’s shaming other girls who aren’t as pretty or unique as HER, as well as adding some possessiveness. To me, I personally don’t care, because many girls themselves put down others to bring up their friends’ self esteems, and jealousy is generally prominent when you like someone. Sure, calling everyone else plain in comparison to HER might seem a bit mean, but seriously, when you’re this infatuated with someone, I doubt you could notice anyone else.
I’m liking how they added “Jesus” to the chorus, because it just shows how much they’re enthralled by this lady. References to Olivia Hussey also piqued my interest, as it sounds like they like her beauty and her maturity, which is a bonus. Read the rest of the English translation I got from POPGASA:
Jesus, what words are needed? Everyone calls you a masterpiece Just a little bit of you, I’ll seriously value baby ye ye
Ooh wow, it’s amazing There’s nothing more to add to her beautiful body Normal girls can’t even compete They’ll probably gather together and talk badly about you
Listen carefully
Be careful of the wolves around you Bastards only care about outer appearance It feels like I’ve been hit on my head with a hammer I feel light-headed and dizzy
Jesus, what words are needed? Everyone calls you a masterpiece Just a little bit of you, I’ll seriously value baby ye ye Every bit of you is so pretty
Her! Uh Uh! Her! Uh Uh! Her! Uh Uh! Uh I can’t talk Her! Uh Uh! Her! Uh Uh! Her! Uh Uh! Except for you, everyone is so plain
Your breathtaking curves Makes me faint right away, I need suction Among all the fools who just make you feel uncomfortable You’re a flawless boxer My Olivia Hussey You have skills but you’re not pretentious Your personality and your just good enough volume I wanna hug and kisses
Be careful of the wolves around you Bastards only care about outer appearance It feels like I’ve been hit on my head with a hammer I feel light-headed and dizzy
Jesus, what words are needed? Everyone calls you a masterpiece Just a little bit of you, I’ll seriously value baby ye ye Every bit of you is so pretty
Her! Uh Uh! Her! Uh Uh! Her! Uh Uh! Uh I can’t talk Her! Uh Uh! Her! Uh Uh! Her! Uh Uh! Except for you, everyone is so plain
I used to be emotionless like a rock But now I’m a fool once again When I snapped out of it, I realized I was in front of you Oh could you be my we love
You’re so pretty, if someone comes up to you And starts talking to you, just smile, don’t give him your number Wipe your drool first and go away, stop your talk Her uh her uh baby I’m all yours
Jesus, what words are needed? Everyone calls you a masterpiece Just a little bit of you, I’ll seriously value baby ye ye Every bit of you is so pretty
Her! Uh Uh! Her! Uh Uh! Her! Uh Uh! Uh I can’t talk Her! Uh Uh! Her! Uh Uh! Her! Uh Uh! Except for you, everyone is so plain
Style & Vocals
So their style went through a bit of a change, but it doesn’t mean that they’re no longer the Block B that we knew. If anything, they’ve just added another category of music that they’re good at! I did have mixed feelings about this song before I watched the video and listened to it, but I am glad that everything turned out well.
As for the vocals? The rapping is interestingly at a minimum, so the rest of the members actually have a better chance to showcase their voices. I think it’s great that they’ve gotten more comfortable with singing; this means that they’re growing as a group vocally, and that’s good news. While there aren’t a lot of outstanding moments vocally, their voices work well together.
Overall ratings
By now, you should probably have noticed that I don’t like cheesiness. However, this was a slight exception. Were there moments that made me roll my eyes at how obviously cheesy they were? Definitely. But I managed to look past this fault, and I can honestly say I enjoyed the experience. Here’s what I rate this:
MV: 8/10 Song: 8/10 Both: 9/10
Were you as surprised as I was about this comeback? What do you think about this song? Be sure to share your thoughts and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and Bloglovin’ so you can keep up with all our posts.
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Block-B-her.jpg720960Thucydideshttp://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngThucydides2014-07-23 20:24:482014-07-23 20:34:42Block B’s “HER” Music Video & Song Review
It was quite a surprise when SM Entertainment dropped a teaser for Henry‘s second solo album, Fantastic. With much anticipation, fans looked forward to the Fantastic music video; I personally hoped that it would be as eventful as f(x)‘s Red Light. Was it a fantastic comeback?
Music Video
To be completely honest, I’m not a fan of the cheesy opening. However, I still managed to stay focused for the actual song and video, which was pretty cool. While the box dancing sequences returned, I have to admit that the violin theme is awesome! I also have to mention that I’m in love with how SM is showing off Henry’s musical talents outside of just singing for each of his solo releases.
Atmosphere
The grayscale introduction to the video gives off this mysterious, albeit overplayed, feeling in which you’re not sure what’s going to happen. The fog gives way to color as Henry walks up to an electric violin, and the soundtrack sounds like it’s coming straight from a blockbuster movie. I’m serious. It reminds me of when Superman finally puts on the suit and flies into the sky, which isn’t very different than what actually happens.
You see, Henry takes ahold of his destined instrument and plays this badass intro that really made me think that this music video was going to turn into an action film. There’s a tension that breaks once the beat drops, which transitions quite nicely. Basically, you feel apprehensive, but the familiar tempo of pop brings out new energy that gets you back on track.
Is there really a plot? I’m not really sure. Besides the beginning and random parts in which Henry pursues and holds the mystery girl, there doesn’t seem to be a point in the video. Of course, there’s the “music gives Henry life” metaphor with tubes connecting the violin to his body that piques my interest.
When the tubes disappear into the girl, I’m led into thinking that perhaps his pursuit of the lady in white is actually his attempt at finding his passion and truly accepting it. When he finds her, he holds onto her shoulders, as if he’s getting ready to keep her in his life. Also, I think it’s important to notice how he closes his eyes in both scenes with the violin and his co-star; this goes to show how he puts all his effort and trust into both his abilities and the violin itself.
She then reciprocates his actions, so it’s as if she, as the violin, accepts him after he accepts her, further establishing their relationship.
The TV screens? They could be representing his struggle with coming to terms with himself, seeing himself as someone who really can go far with his instrumental talents.
Or I could be totally off, and there really is no story to the video. All I know is that this guy’s dancing inside a violin, and it’s kind of really creative.
Fashion & Makeup
Henry sports similar attire from his previous releases, with a contrast between suits and urban, street-style clothing. The color scheme for his outfits depend on which scene he’s in; his dancing sequences focus on black and white, while his scenes with the violin and the metaphoric girl involve him with the primary color of red.
As for makeup? He’s just going for the simple, clean-cut look with (most likely) just light foundation with a slight, dewy finish and groomed brows.
Choreography
Since he’s pretty well-known for his gliding moonwalk and violin playing combination, I wasn’t surprised to see it in this video.
Accompanied by back-up dancers, he implements a lot of body isolation and smooth transitions in his choreography. Even when the chorus comes in and he starts hitting the moves harder, Henry still retains the fluid control in his dancing.
The majority of the choreography seems to be influenced by popping and locking, which appear to be his specialties.
Song
Much like Red Light, I wasn’t immediately liking this song when I first heard it. I did grow fond of Fantastic as time passed, but I still felt as if there could have been more variety.
Instrumental
Make no mistake about it: I am in LOVE with the violin presence in this song. If Henry had went through with less pop and more power ballad (or even rock), it would have still worked. Not only is the violin instrumentals a great beginning to the song, but it remains a strong force throughout the composition.
It’s not a one-time deal, which I’m extremely grateful for. The violin just adds an extra dash of spicy and epicness that the song would have otherwise missed!
Lyrics
Okay, I really have to confess that I cringed when I heard the opening lines. Really? “Girl, you’re fantastic” is probably fine to many fans, but it’s just so cheesy… Looking past that one fault, let’s examine this translation I got from kpoplyrics:
Yo girl you’re fantastic (you know that) You make me fly
I was so immature A child, who didn’t know what love is I always won in this strange game of love I was never even serious I was always too proud
But you make me wanna be a better man You make me reborn into a real man You, who called my name The fantastic you The reason I chose you Is because you’re the biggest gift in my life Because you lift me up high It’s gonna be fantastic
It’s gonna be really great, be excited It’s gonna be fantastic I’ll give you the world and more It’s gonna be fantastic
I was like a swirling hurricane Not even knowing myself I only ran forward But the very precious you came into my arms Like a hot and small comet You melted my frozen heart
You make me wanna be a better man You make me reborn into a real man You, who called my name The fantastic you The reason I chose you Is because you’re the biggest gift in my life Because you lift me up high It’s gonna be fantastic
It’s gonna be really great, be excited It’s gonna be fantastic I’ll give you the world and more It’s gonna be fantastic
You move me, you’re special You make me be able to start everything I found the answer to a fantastic dream I hope your end is me as well
You make me wanna be a better man You make me reborn into a real man You, who called my name The fantastic you The reason I chose you Is because you’re the biggest gift in my life Because you lift me up high It’s gonna be fantastic
It’s gonna be really great, be excited It’s gonna be fantastic I’ll give you the world and more It’s gonna be fantastic
I didn’t know this was a love song, but it sounds like it is! The dude is admitting that he was pretty much too vain to even comprehend what love was, thinking that he kept winning the game. When this girl runs into him, he gets hit with the realization that the best thing in the world isn’t him, but her.
Half of the lyrics scream “BALLAD,” but the repetition and finalizing touch of “fantastic” tie everything together to make it fit into a pop song.
Style & Vocals
I feel like Henry decided to play it safe and go with his usual style of pop, and that’s perfectly fine! He’s good at this genre, so I’m not complaining. Did the genre and lyrics complement one another? They do, to a point, but I do believe that perhaps a ballad may have been just as great.
Henry’s known for his higher-range voice and good vocals, and he definitely showcased them. The ad-libbing hits strong notes, and there are moments of really nice harmony; while I don’t think he necessarily improved tenfold, he certainly has matured since his last comeback.
Overall ratings
My opinions regarding this video and song are more balanced than the last review, but I’m still not totally enraptured by this comeback. It’s pretty good, but it’s not the most amazing thing that Henry has done. Nevertheless, here’s my final verdict:
MV: 7/10 Song: 7/10 Both: 7/10
How did you feel about Fantastic? What genre do you think Henry should venture into next? Be sure to share your thoughts and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and Bloglovin’ so you can keep up with all our posts.
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/henry-fantastic-review.png9401688Thucydideshttp://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngThucydides2014-07-18 20:10:222014-07-30 18:28:28Henry’s “Fantastic” Music Video & Song Review
When SM Entertainment dropped a teaser for f(x)‘s comeback, it hinted at a change in the group’s style and image for Red Light. With such captivating stares and haunting makeup, the ladies kept their fans on edge in anticipation for the release of the music video. When it was released, swarms of people rushed over to the YouTube channel. It appeared to follow the same theme and feeling, but… Did it live up to their expectations?
Music Video
I’m definitely in love with this video for many reasons. For one thing, I’m happy that the entertainment company hasn’t done another “dance in a box” video that has garnered much criticism. For a while, I thought that they were focusing too much on special effects for groups like EXO instead of giving some attention towards f(x). Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised.
Right from the beginning of the teasers, I was looking forward to a darker, intense, and brooding f(x). The concept of having two faces, but only letting people see one, lends itself to a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde sort of situation, and I couldn’t wait to see how they would represent it in the music video.
Did I get what I was looking for? Definitely! The ringing telephone, the burning book, and the black cat with heterochromatic eyes pulled me in from the get-go. There was a forbidden, eery feeling in this intro, and it was further emphasized by the powerful contrasts in color.
Red lights are definitely prominent, but it’s impossible to overlook the pops of blue that showcase how people have two different sides to themselves.
Set in an abandoned warehouse in an urban dysphobia, this gave off a rebellious, “we’re going to create an uprising” atmosphere. The incorporation of marked mannequins watching a broadcast of a commanding presence and explosions also contribute to this atmosphere. They’re in a war setting, but are they also fighting with themselves?
Fashion and Makeup
Looking at their outfits, captivating eye makeup, and strong hair colors, you could say that they might just be facing more than one battle. Their camo shorts and ammo-accessorized military-style shirts are a stark contrast from their business attire, symbolizing their struggle with society’s molds.
Their smoky eye makeup only focus on one of a pair, with their hair covering the bare eye at multiple points in the video. Even eye-patches are used, but, given some of the after-war imagery, I’d like to think it represents some of their losses after battle. Think of it this way: both eyes represent the complexity of each person.
The less adorned eye symbolizes their innocence, a state in which they didn’t yet realize that they could fight back. The other eye is shown more often as they begin to retaliate and try to escape from their imprisonment.
Did you also notice how, after leaving, they have less jewelry? This white, peaceful aftermath lends to the idea that they cast away some of the hindering distractions that prevented them from reaching their goal.
Also, I just have to mention that I am in LOVE with their hair:
Their fashion and makeup aren’t the only things that play an important role, however.
Choreography
The marching and strong poses reflect the mitilitarian theme, while the angular, crisp movements during the chorus give a mime stuck in a box sort of image. They aren’t always stuck in the confines of authority, because they incorporate feline paws and “challenging their oppressor” hand gestures while they break out of their prisons.
This choreography focuses on the upper body, and mainly the arms and hands, along with connecting the members in one movement at important intervals, especially at the climax of the video.
Song
Do I feel as strongly for the song as I do for the video? To be honest, no. It was mainly because it was very strange, as if SM tried another I Got A Boy, but with f(x) instead. But I’m not one to completely give up on songs after one listen, so I tried over and over again. Is this really electronic house music as SM describes it as? I’m not really feeling it.
Instrumental
Like I said before, this change in tempo was pretty strange for me. I did get used to it after repeatedly listening to the song, so it slowly stopped being weird. Instead of plain old electronic house music, it sounds like this composition combines electronic house with trap and dubstep in a very interesting soup of music.
Does this represent the feelings of someone fighting with an outside force while struggling with two different faces? Actually, it kind of does! It just takes a while to figure it out.
Lyrics
Even before I read kashigasa’s English translation of the lyrics, I knew that there was something very obvious going on between the contrasting cool and warm color scheme, along with the war imagery. The words fit with the video and the overall feeling of the song, so I really do like the following lyrics.
Hey wait a minute Under the rule of the jungle The weak get eaten
Just get pushed ahead, Yeah pushed ahead Oops, I get stepped on
Ay ay it’s a red light light I don’t even know what’s wrong With the current situation
Ay ay it’s a red light light Listen carefully to the whoever is trying to warn us Red light
Try to breathe for a moment Try breathing, try breathing Eh eh oh This isn’t a war
Open your eyes wide Stop the collision from happening (You’re going to be a witness to change) In front of that caterpillar that got pushed around (When everything sinks)
It’s turned on, red light The vivid, red light It gets bigger by itself That red light
Boy Your best excuse Is just filled with doubt to me
Maybe it’s love A very slow wave A very slow wave
Ay ay it’s a red light light Let’s find it for each other using light That special emergency exit
Ay ay think about it Why something made us stop Red light
Turn around again, eh oh Try to fnd what’s important
Open your eyes wide Stop the collision from happening (You’re going to be a witness to change) In front of that caterpillar that got pushed around (When everything sinks)
It’s turned on, red light The vivid, red light It gets bigger by itself That red light
It’s taken too long for this miracle to come But we wait for the blue light, we want it
Stop the flood (This is reality, listen to my voice) Open your eyes wide (Look at the world in front of you) The one who’s only been pushed (A bright light pushed you) Caterpillar That’s madness
It’s turned on, red light The vivid, red light It gets bigger by itself That red light
So there’s a mish-mosh of lyrics that can get kind of confusing, but there’s just enough clarity to see that this is a metamorphosis, both physical in fighting back and aiming for the blue light, and emotional, in dealing with their dual personalities. Once you get past the puzzling instrumentals and understand the lyrics, it makes a lot of sense!
Style & Vocals
There’s been a little bit of a conflict in the f(x) fandom (not very affectionate) in regards to the group not “fitting” with their usual style. Is this different than what they’ve been producing? Of course! But it doesn’t mean that it’s bad. These ladies have already established a standpoint on style, because, as their namesake goes, they’re able to grow and change, adapting any style.
I still do get an f(x) feel from the song in general, mainly because of the bridge, in which they all sing together in this hypnotizing harmony that strikes me as “hey, that’s f(x)!” However, there are other new horizons that they touched upon, and I think that’s pretty gutsy and cool.
In terms of vocals, I was surprised that there wasn’t a rapping sequence, and I was even more surprised that Amber actually had a couple of strong singing parts. It really sounds like they’ve grown in terms of vocals, as they hit high notes and maintain their control. I’m proud of them for that!
Overall Ratings
Did I enjoy this comeback? It didn’t agree with me at first, but I’m liking this new edge that f(x) is going with! Here’s my final ratings on this matter:
MV: 8/10 Song: 5/10 Both: 7/10
Did you agree with my verdict? Did you think I missed some important points? Be sure to share your thoughts and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and Bloglovin’ so you can keep up with all our posts.
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/fx-Red-Light.png5771057Thucydideshttp://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngThucydides2014-07-04 17:21:262014-07-04 21:14:19f(x)’s “Red Light” Music Video & Song Review
Summer is here and so is Got7 with their latest comeback song A. The song is upbeat and fun, making it perfect for the summer months. The music is reminiscent of the 1990’s boy bands, which is always welcomed by me. There is a part where the beat slows down and strings are added in, but it all fits well together and does not interfere with the overall tempo of the song.
The video starts with the boys entering a diner/eatery that reminds me of Johnny Rockets’ in the States based on the decor (jukebox, red and white checkered table clothes, waitress uniform, overall decorations, etc).
After dancing in the diner, the boys take it to the streets and show off their smooth choreography. During the nighttime street scene, the boys utilize the layout of the street to pose behind the girl and of course show off their signature acrobatics. Aside from a fire hydrant and some pillars, there are other civilians in the background and they’re of different ethnicities.
Next is the grocery store. If only I saw these goofs in my local supermarket. During the grocery store scenes all seven boys are practically drooling over the girl. They go as far as to buy the same exact products as her as they follow her throughout the store. There are also just group shots of the boys in their shopping carts wheeling down the isles singing to the camera.
The street/parking lot scenes are the dance scenes. Toward the end of the music video, Jackson raps in front of a trio of classic cars and Got7 as a whole dances in front of a Jeep and other classic cars in a parking lot during a sunny afternoon.
Outfits
The outfits match the boys’ ages perfectly, with t-shirts, jeans, shorts, and vests/coats. They’re all in similar color pallets of blues, whites, and different hues of khaki. As for the shoes, it’s either sneakers or Tims. They aren’t wearing those leggings with shorts or oversized t-shirts. They literally look like any regular guy their age hanging out with their friends.
In the night/grocery store scenes, the boys have an edgier look with black and white themed clothing and leather and more jewelry than before. The clothes are simple, yet noticeable, which is perfect for this video that has a lot of colors, textures, and objects in the background.
Choreography
As for the choreography the boys are always on point throughout the dance. It’s fun and fits the tempo and style of the song. It looks simple, but even the simple steps would probably take me hours to learn. Toward the end of the song, the choreography becomes more demanding and this is where we see some more of the acrobatics that helped put Got7 on the K-Pop map. The dance is catchy and suits the mood of the song.
Vocals/Rap
I personally think each member of Got7 can hold their own when it comes to singing. As I mentioned in the opening of this article, the song is a fun summer song and therefore does not stress amazing vocals. I’m not saying Got7 does not sing the song well, it’s that this style of song does not require outstanding vocals. The BamBam and Jackson’s raps fit well, in my opinion. They didn’t break up the flow of the song, but added to it.
Overall Thoughts
I enjoy A. It’s perfect to get the summer season started off right. Roll down those windows, crank the stereo and sing your heart out!
Do you guys like this comeback from Got7 or do you prefer their earlier songs? Don’t forget to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and Bloglovin’ so you can keep up with all our posts.
https://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Got7-A.png5001500Tarahttp://kultscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/KULTSCENE-LOGO-2018-TRANSPARENT-RED.pngTara2014-06-23 19:11:402014-08-03 07:45:51Got7’s “A” Music Video Review & Rundown
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