HyunA’s “Red” Music Video & Song Review
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.
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Atmosphere
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 meHyuna’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 stageDon’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 nowA 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 HyunaMake 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 moreDon’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 nowA 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 HyunaRed is Hyuna
Hyuna is red, Hyuna is red
Hyuna is red, red is HyunaHyuna 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 nowA 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.
