Help! AOA Fanservice Is Making Us Uncomfortable!

FANSERVICE. Does any group give fanservice out as willingly and as masterfully as AOA? Over the years, the girl group has perfected the term. Must we remind you that they INVENTED the now common "Eye Contact Versions" of dance practices with "Confused?" Must we also remind you of "Short Hair" which not only was accompanied with the patented "Eye Contact Version" (which no group has done better since, ever) and the traditional "Dance Practice," but also, wait for it: "The Eye Mirror Version" whatttt?

Talk about fanservice, this "Eye Mirror Version" (whatttt) gave you two AOA's for the price of one!! You get to watch AOA watching themselves! That's almost too much fanservice! But we shouldn't have been surprised. This is brought to you by the same FNC who had their gorgeous idols in cosplay for their early hit, "Get Out."

Tomb Raider? How much more fanservice can you get? Apparently, a lot more. Like giving Jimin a whip in "Like a Cat!"

As if she were some mother f##king top madam or something. Or how about Seolhyun dressing as a cheerleader (twice now), because FNC seems to hold a wishlist that taps into the mind of every pervy netizen, and they're checking that list off, one pervy item at a time.

Which is to say, AOA is run by evil geniuses (Don't even get us started with their fetishization, complicit in Korea's infatuation, with BUTT).

But it's not until their latest release, "Heart Attack" where we finally feel uncomfortable. But it's too late. AOA has gone FULL FRONTAL FANSERVICE. Enter, the "Solo Eye Contact Version."

You can find them all here (we'll link to the official YouTube versions when they post them). But the question that these videos pose is: Should you find them? Can you take Yura staring at you for the entire song? Staring into your soul?

Because that's what it feels like. She's watching you watch her. Not just the abstract "you" as audience, it's as if she's watching you the person. The individual. You, on the other side of that screen. Which, we suppose, is the intent of these videos (besides cutting them to form the "Choreography Version," of course). They're here to provide intimacy between you and these (Ace of) Angels. Intimacy that breeds devotion.

Are you not devoted?

Are you not proverbially slayed?

We've had eye contact versions before, but rarely on this scale, and only once with AOA, with their "Short Hair" promotions. They harken back to the fancams that have become a part of Kpop consciousness ever since EXID ascended to vertical glory. Usually these videos will focus on a specific idol (this is not unique to female idols) and sometimes, inevitably, on certain parts of the anatomy. And sometimes, just sometimes, the idol will notice the fancam, their eyes hitting the lens directly. And the crowd (YouTube comments) go wild. Extra points if the idol gives a modest smile.

Now idols and the agencies are beginning to see the value of the fancam and are trying to find ways to exploit and control the intimacy that they bring to the viewer. Observe: Fiestar compiled and mashed together a smorgasbord of fancam videos for "You're Pitiful."

What AOA is doing here is taking that a step further, by not simply endorsing fancam videos, but making their own. These agency developed "fancam" videos benefit from their inevitable awareness, which allows them to give us the intense eye contact, the intimacy, that netizens crave. Connection at the spiritual/wireless level. A connection that feels so real it's unnerving.

After watching Choa's video, I had to text my girlfriend that I love her. Watching this almost felt like cheating. I'm still feeling guilt. Fellow Critical Kpopper Zander couldn't even watch any of these at work, because even though these videos are tame in comparison to some of AOA's other videos, they certainly felt like they belonged in the category of NSFW.

Which, we must also assume, is all part of the devious plot. With AOA, FNC plans on ruling over Kpop. Maybe the world. They're currently knocking on SNSD's door. And it's not even some secret. We know exactly what they're doing with fanservice and how it makes us uncomfortable the more intimate the fanservice becomes. But it's too late for us. You've been warned:

DON'T CLICK ON THIS LINK AND WATCH THESE AMAZING VIDEOS.

Timothy Moore writes from Chicago. He blogs at Read My Blog Please, and edits at Ghost Ocean Magazine. His biases are T-ara, Block B, Nine Muses, Brown Eyed Girls, and Girl's Day.

MV of the Month: Big Bang’s ‘Bang Bang Bang’

It was inevitable, really. With BIGBANG releasing music videos at the astounding rate of two per month, they just had to make our list at some point. But make no mistake: this isn’t a numbers game. With “Bang Bang Bang,” BIGBANG has proven that you don’t have to choose between quality and quantity. Let’s review why their third release from the MADE project is our Music Video of the Month for June of 2015!

'L' referred to “Bang Bang Bang” as a “visual onslaught” in episode 3 of the Critical Kpop Podcast. And the video starts out by immediately disorienting the viewer. As we zoom down a traffic tunnel the camera spins on axis. What was right-side up is now upside down. Visual onslaught seems to be the intention throughout the video. Forget what you think you know. You’re in BIGBANG’s world now!

And where else could a cowboy yell at a spaceman? T.O.P’s part in the MV involves some gloriously fun cosplay. In his first scene, he dresses as both a southern NASCAR fan and an astronaut. But this is more than just for kicks; this is all part of T.O.P’s oeuvre, a developing body of work where he references meaningful films. Here, we see an homage to Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, an homage which first began with the apes in “DOOM DADA.” It’s artistic references like this that make T.O.P more than just one of the best recognized rappers in Kpop; he’s also a connoisseur of culture. How many people do you know who can wear a steampunk leather trenchcoat with a bearskin cap? Not many.

Just after T.O.P’s rap battle with himself, we’re treated to a gritty scene of Seungri rising from the dead, bringing with him a legion of zombies. But Seungri also brings the controversy when he sports a Native American headdress while tooling around on his motorcycle. Accusations of cultural insensitivity were once again on the lips of viewers, and this time, there isn’t any excuse. We thought Kpop had learned its lesson with T-ara’s “Yayaya,” but no such luck. And maybe there’s a simple explanation here. Maybe Seungri was jealous: T.O.P has his bearskin cap, Taeyang and G-Dragon have their red and pink hair, and even Daesung has a churlish new mop affixed to his skull. Maybe Seungri was feeling overshadowed. Maybe this was his way of acting out, of seeking attention like a petulant child. Well, it worked.

And then there was Daesung. Beautiful, never-insulting Daesung. How can we forget about Daesung? Oh, maybe it has something to do with the fact that he is apparently now trying to hide his face entirely. There’s a great moment on Yoo Hee Yeul’s Sketchbook where Daesung admits that until covering his face, he’s never before been called handsome so many times! It’s this self-deprecating humor that makes us love him! On the other hand, if there’s one forgettable scene in this music video, it’s the scene with Daesung. Is he supposed to be a pimp? We’re not sure, but there’s so much else going on in this video that it’s hardly worth thinking about.

Like G-Dragon putting women on a leash! Seriously, this was a major controversy for BIGBANG, as everyone’s favorite boundary-pusher was at it again. Critics cited the incident as a terrible model for gender equality, and pointed out that the woman was also black, a group with an even worse history of representation in Kpop (see: blackface). While gender inequality and cultural insensitivity are real issues, and ones we would like to see addressed, it is difficult to fault G-Dragon when the black woman on the leash was the choreographer herself. That’s right, choreographer Parris Goebel was the creator of this stunt. Although we’re not going to raise the alarm over this, we can’t really support it either. BIGBANG is an immensely popular group, and any way you want to justify it, they now have a music video in which black women are put on a leash.

But enough of the controversy! Let’s get back to the good stuff, the juicy stuff, the...sexy stuff. Because even in BIGBANG’s world, one thing remains the same - sex still sells! And Taeyang peddles it like few others. Not only does he ride a badass armored personnel carrier (or APC) like it’s his broken stallion, flamethrowers spurting fire behind him, but he also has the guts to dance in front of no less than eight men with no less than forty-eight chocolate abs between them. Ignoring the insane amount of eye-candy here for a moment (we know, it’s hard), this takes a lot of confidence. It’s not like Taeyang is in danger of being overshadowed, but few male idols have such courage!

And all of that was just our description of the solo parts of the music video! When the five guys get together, they dance with a bevy of beautiful women, bounce on low-riders with hydraulics, ride motorcycles into the sunset, and shoot pistols and grenade launchers and flamethrowers! BIGBANG’s “Bang Bang Bang” is June’s Music Video of the Month because it is the quintessential Kpop MV. It’s visually stunning, bombastic, full of controversy, and, most importantly, loads of fun.

Critical Kpop Podcast - Episode 4.5: Fight of the Valkyries

In this week's episode, we talk about all the new releases: 2PM, BTS, Teen Top, AOA, Mamamoo, Sistar, and more! Whew! We also welcome a new contributor to the show: Claire! Tune in to see which new releases are duds, and which ones have us excited for more!

Critical Kpop Podcast - Episode 4 by Critical Kpop on Mixcloud

You can subscribe to the Critical Kpop Podcast on iTunes, or check this and future episodes out at www.mixcloud.com/CriticalKpop. You can expect a healthy serving of news, reviews, and critical analysis in every episode. The Critical Kpop Podcast is the only podcast that invites you to LISTEN HARDER.

This Week in Kpop: June 21-27, 2015

This Week in Kpop girl groups came back with a vengeance! But what captured our attention wasn't the releases and comebacks, but the leaks and the rumors surrounding some of our favorite idols. We're thinking about Sulli. We're talking about Jessica. But let's stop stalling and get started already!

Goodbye, Sulli?

Say it isn't so, Sulli! Oh, never mind, it has probably been so for a while now. Rumors have circulated that Sulli will leave f(x) but remain with SM and focus on her acting. While normally we wouldn't give much credence to Kpop's whirlwind rumors, SM's stock reply feigning ignorance (instead of giving a firm denial) makes us believe this could very well be true or will be true soon, at least. There are shades of Jessica here and everyone that has left Exo. We're ready for the firestorm unleashed by angry netizens, and have already seen a lot of "good riddance" and "Sulli ruined f(x)'s last comeback." And you know what? f(x)'s comeback really was a missed opportunity and we will be eternally bummed that they didn't continue promotions. Did you hear "Rainbow?" Or: "Milk?"

But if this does happen to be true, we hope that we'll be seeing some grace from our fellow Kpop lovers. f(x) has been around since 2009. That's six years, friends. You add in four-five years of training, and that's at least a decade in this grueling industry, and that's not even considering how your life is placed under a microscope and a single cup of coffee with a friend could land you in Dispatch or some other "news" entity. That has to age someone, and quick. Would it be so hard to believe that an idol could be burnt out? Isn't six years long enough to entertain you? And when it comes down to it, f(x) will be fine without Sulli (we still think they can be SM's future). When it comes down to it, with six years under her belt, Sulli doesn't owe fans anything.

BTS' "Dope"

In a week of massive girl group overload, it may just be BTS that gets the nod for release of the week. Not that we have a chart system in place or anything (Wait: should we have a chart system in place???!). "Dope" is just dope, and is the energetic song we need after our hearts were ripped out after "I Need U." There's some amazing choreography and costumes here, and these boys have developed, or maybe have always had, their own unique charisma. They've become one of the more multi-faceted Kpop groups, and we're impressed by the fact that they can transition from a more serious concept to this without missing a beat or losing their core ethos. Hopefully, they won't release some type of "Original Version" for "Dope" that ends up with the group getting electrocuted in a lake of fire! Our hearts can't take it!

Teen Top's "ah-ah"

Teen Top may have released the song of the summer here, and the great thing with this summer release is that its charms don't hinge on this being (simply) a summer song - it's so much more! The boys get a chance to let loose here, and although we're a bit worn down by the boys-harassing/flirting-with-girls affectation (because really, this isn't real life), their talents and collective energy bursts through the tired setup. "ah-ah" has a Motown flavor that grooves and keeps on grooving, and the choreography is just gold. If anything, this release is probably better than BTS' new release, and certainly a more rounded summer song than we've seen in a while. But what do you think, friends? BTS vs. Teen Top? Who wins this round? Or maybe we all win here?

Playback's "Playback"

We're still waiting for that stellar girl group debut for 2015. Some have come close, most have turned out to be pretty generic and cutesy thus far. Where's this year's Mamamoo? Maybe 2014 just spoiled us too much. Playback's "Playback" isn't the sleeper hit we are looking for, but it is a solid, fun song that has a catchy hook (which may or may not include Playback in the lyrics). The girls seem charismatic, and talented, and while the video is mostly forgettable, there are some strange images and cute choreography to keep you coming back.

JuB and Ji Dam Yuk's "My Sympathy"

Hey, it's JuB from Sunny Hill and a rapper from Unpretty Rapstar (Ji Dam Yuk)! And it's a good song and it probably won't get a lot of attention, but you never know! We're a little meh on this overall, but maybe on further listen we'll be slayed. A lot of new releases means a lot of opportunities for a release like this to get lost in the shuffle, which is a shame. We'll give it another listen. Right now.

Chaeyeon's "Obvious"

After, what? Four years? Five years? Chaeyeon is back with a fun, ridiculous video! It seems to be the flavor for female idols! What do you think, friends? Worth the wait?

AOA vs. Alternate Universe SNSD vs. Mamamoo vs. Sistar

There were so many girl group releases this week that we decided to bring them together in one climactic face-off! In this corner, we have the spectacular AOA, in this other corner, the slapstick Mamamoo, in yet another corner there's Sistar and they're just shaking it over there! And what's this? We have one more corner, and it features surprise entrants: Alternate Universe SNSD! FACE-OFF BEGINS NOW. Which of these girl groups slay with their new releases? Find out here!

S.O.S. - Save Our Sister!

"Save our Sistar?" you may ask yourself. But they seem so happy! Why would they need saving?! Well, first of all, calm down already. They're not in peril, really. Some of you are even okay with them being trapped in perpetual summer. But there's more to Sistar's problems, and we'll tell you about them right here.

June 21-27, 2015

And that was This Week in Kpop! The girl groups came roaring back, but somehow, we feel that they've been a bit overshadowed by releases from the likes of BTS and Teen Top. Maybe we're way off-base here! Next week may be just as spectacular as this week, but hopefully with far less drama! Until then, have fun and be safe!

AOA vs. Alternate Universe SNSD vs. Mamamoo vs. Sistar

To slay or not to slay? That should not even be a question! But lately, with girl group releases, it seems to be a legitimate question to pose. We've been trapped in a wave of mediocrity since maybe 4Minute's "Crazy" but hope is on the horizon, Hope that came in this weekend's major releases. But did any of our favorite girl groups make a deep impression? Did any of them actually Slay ? Let's take a look!

Heir Apparent?

This is what we tweeted after watching AOA's "Heart Attack" for the first time:

It's finally here. We're dying, we're dead. Slayed on 6/21/15. https://t.co/pWLE7gLQad

- Critical Kpop (CriticalKpop) June 21, 2015

And we stand by this tweet. We were really that excited to see AOA back with a fun summer song and a (cute) bad-80's-teen-comedy concept. But does it slay? Well...the music here is a bit overpowering over AOA's lovely vocals, although AOA is not exactly known for their singing anyway (beyond maybe Choa and Jimin's trademark voice).

But what still excites us is AOA reminding us of early SNSD - the SNSD / 2PM "Caribbean Bay" CF comes to mind especially - with the lovesick characters and extensive training for a goal wherein the stakes are beyond the viewer's understanding (but we root for them anyway!), sprinkling a strange wholesomeness ontop a bevy of fan service. The girls use their feminine wiles to win the game, which seems about twenty years outdated, at least, but Kpop. And, again, AOA is more SNSD than 4Minute or 2NE1, in sound and in gender dynamics.

Does it Slay? We've always considered AOA the true successors of SNSD, and they've taken a large step to fulfilling that destiny with this release. But this song does not slay, it just misses the mark.

Love U I Swear Touch My Body  I Swear I Love U, so Touch My Body and then Shake It!

Shake it, already! We've already detailed some of Sistar's problems right here, friends, and how they are trapped in summer: they're hitting peak summer saturation! So let's talk about something else, shall we? Let's talk about how, despite our reservations, for what it is, and despite its similarities to summer song's past, this is a fun song that will probably do well enough to keep Sistar in summer for a few more years (God help us all) . And visually, the video is stunning - and we're not just talking about these gorgeous women - the colors onscreen just jump out at you, with a metallic edge that leaps into your eyeballs.

There's enough cheesecake and curves here to make Wa$$up blush, and though the video has a similar school setting as AOA, the goals of our dear Sistar are a little less ambitious, with their devotion only to "shaking it" and tormenting their poor teacher and a perv who happens to be the quintessential perv in Kpop now (though there happens to be a lot of pervs in Kpop this year). There's a lot of gawking in this video, as there was in AOA's. Which is odd - it's almost as if all these agencies are not confident that we'll find these idols breathtakingly attractive, they feel as though they have to teach the audience to feel this way. But they really don't.

Does it Slay? Summer is great and all, but it's time for Sistar to find another season. They're getting a bit too comfortable shaking it instead of slaying it .

THE WILD CARD

We LOVE Mamamoo. After AKMU, they may have been the best rookies of 2014 . Their raw talent is unparalleled, Their charisma electric, and their music videos are usually nothing short of spectacular. Except with this video and this release. Yes, we've been seeing Mamamoo embrace their inner-zaniness in behind-the-scenes footage and clips, so this release isn't exactly a surprise. And, to Mamamoo's credit, this is easily the best song out of the new girl group releases, and a song that has gotten more attention out of the gate then any of their previous releases.

We prefer the Live Performances though, where Mamamoo really Shines. The video involves gender-swapping that could, with more thought, be used to say something  beyond the gropiness of the characters. But it's all done for laughs and slapstick, which only goes so far in our book. By the end, with a handful of flat jokes and a "surprise twist" that, again, feels about twenty years outdated, the video does more harm than good in Mamamoo's ability to slay. 

Does it Slay? Sorry Mamamoo, we'll take slick and cool over slapstick any day. We still love you though, promise.

Alternate Universe SNSD Invades from Earth 2, Internet is Destroyed Forever 

All jokes aside, watching the leaked "Catch Me If You Can" video with Jessica in the group is tantamount to stepping into an alternate universe. A kinder, safer universe, where "OT8" is not a part of the SNSD vernacular. We'd post the video here, but by the time this goes up, it'd get taken down again. You can surely go on Reddit to find it, friends, the very same Kpop subreddit that, for a time, had this video and the discussion surrounding it ranking above all of these new releases. Do we have an unlikely winner here?

While the rest of these girl group releases fall away from memory, this leak is the stuff of legend. It was legend even before anyone knew about it.

Just having Jessica sing the song absentmindedly on a variety show (we were going to post the video here but even that was taken down) made SONES imagine what could have been. Then came some leaked pictures. Then some audio. Then ... the fabled video came into existence and fans realized that their hearts were still broken, still reeling. Slaying does not always have to be a positive thing.

Does it Slay? Seeing Jessica as part of SNSD again has slayed us all.

This leak getting this much buzz is saying something, surely, about this open, festering wound but also these new girl group releases. If there's one unifying factor that ties all of them together, it may just be how unremarkable they ultimately are. They get our attention but do not keep it for long. It's summer but it's also troubling. Seeing a glimpse of Alternate Universe SNSD is the only "release" here that elicits any genuine emotion. Our heartbreak.

Timothy Moore writes from Chicago. He blogs at Read My Blog Please, and edits at Ghost Ocean Magazine. His biases are T-ara, Block B, Nine Muses, Brown Eyed Girls, and Girl's Day.

S.O.S. - Save Our Sistar!

Mayday, Mayday. This is an emergency broadcast. Sistar is in danger. We repeat, Sistar is in danger. This is not a drill. S.O.S. Save Our Sistar, because they are sinking!

Sinking? Wait, how can Sistar be in trouble? They’re one of the biggest names in Kpop! Sistar won the MNET Best Female Group award and a Digital Bonsang for “Touch My Body” just last year! Which is funny, actually, because those awards cover up the disturbing truth: Sistar’s sales in recent years have been all ebb and no flow.

Take a look at Sistar’s sales from their last six albums, and the digital downloads from their lead singles. Sure, their singles peak at number one (for the week, which isn’t that impressive), and they win awards. But the steady decline in sales does not lie. Neither does that fact that in 2014, the year in which Sistar was supposedly the Best Female Group in Kpop, their album came in at number 100 on the yearly Gaon chart. That’s right; they barely made it on the chart at all. Unfortunately, and at the risk of overusing our nautical puns, Sistar is a sinking ship.

How did this happen? Let’s rewind a few years to the early days of Sistar, when their potential seemed unlimited. The group’s breakout album So Cool, had put them on the charts, and Alone, the follow-up EP, solidified their place as superstars. But it was after that, in 2012, that Sistar attempted their first true summer-fun release with the single, “Loving U” (to call it an album would be over-generous; Loving U contained two new songs and five remixes of older material). There’s little doubt that this was a money-making strategy; most summer singles are designed to increase the bottom line and give the artist extra exposure without overly taxing the group. And “Loving U” was no different. It was their first time working with Duble Sidekick, and it was a hit! The album (sic) sold over twenty thousand copies and the single was downloaded over three million times. These numbers were similar to Sistar’s full-length album, So Cool. Such success from a release that was clearly surplus to requirements was unfathomable. The management at Starship must not have known what to do with themselves.

For Sistar’s next album, the full-length Give It to Me, they went back to Duble Sidekick (prior to “Loving U,” Sistar worked mostly with Brave Brothers), hoping for more of that amazing success. But the magic was gone. What had been an upward trend was reversed. The album sold hardly more than their two-song summer album, and digital downloads dropped by more than half. Clearly it wasn’t Duble Sidekick alone that was responsible for the success of “Loving U.” As it turns out, what Sistar had managed to sell in the summer of 2012 was not music, but the very idea of summer itself.

It was at that moment that Sistar and their management team made a very important decision. They could either try to restore Sistar to the group’s former glory (which would mean experimenting with new music and concepts, and a long road filled with a lot of hard work), or they could throw the towel down, find a nice spot on the beach, and work on their tans. Sistar chose the latter, and they’ve been stuck in an everlasting summer ever since.

In 2014, Sistar released two EP albums, Touch N Move and Sweet & Sour (with a total of eight new songs between them). And they timed their releases for July and August, the middle of Summer. This wasn’t a fluke. Sistar was actively trying to recreate their success with “Loving U.” Times two! The format was simple: 1) find a light-hearted and fun song by Duble Sidekick or similar; 2) find a gorgeous summer location for a music video, like Hawaii or Saipan, or just a really nice pool; and 3) show a little summer skin and do a summer butt-shake. It was a great idea, in theory. But in practice, Kpop fans quickly grew tired of the routine. Summer should be fresh and fun, never formulaic.

Sistar, it seems, hasn’t gotten the memo yet. By all counts, “Shake It,” their latest release, is following the same dull format. The song sounds like all their others (a light-hearted and fun song by Duble Sidekick). Just listen to this medley performed on Yoo Hee Yuel's Sketchbook to see what we mean! The women of Sistar show some skin and do a rather unenthusiastic butt wiggle. The biggest difference between “Shake It” and previous summer releases is that there’s no beach or pool in the entire video! A pink, leopard-print fire truck, however, still screams summer. Actually, the art direction is the only positive thing going for “Shake It.” We love the colors, especially in the comic styling when Sistar dances in the box (and unfortunately, that’s the only reference we get to the early teasers of comic book villains). If Sistar had produced a song with anywhere near as much creativity as they got from their music video director, we’d be having a much different conversation right now.

Is “Shake It” going to buck the downward trend and re-establish Sistar’s dominance? Absolutely not. This is yet another disappointing release from a group that has been coasting (another nautical pun!) on their success since day two.

And that’s why we’re ringing the bell. Sistar is a ship in distress. Once a brilliant and talented Kpop group, it would be a real shame for Sistar to fade away now. But if they don’t make some big changes, and soon, we’ll be waving goodbye to Sistar as they slowly sink into irrelevance.

This Week in Kpop: June 14-20, 2015

This Week in Kpop is brought to you by Solar, the stunning leader of Mamamoo. Just look at her! We're happy to see her and the rest of Mamamoo back just in time to kick of a slew of major summer releases. But they're not alone out here - with Sistar and AOA on the horizon, and 2PM continuing boy band dominance, slaying the world while inviting everyone over to their house. Things are about to get interesting, so let's get started already!

Mamamoo's "Um Oh Ah Yeh"

Mamamoo is back, and they're sillier than ever! They had maybe one of the best rookie debuts we've seen last year, and we're so excited to see them making their comeback with this energetic, quirky crowd-pleaser. It's a shift away from their more snazzy, jazzy, big band roots, into something a little more generic, but if there's one thing that will always remain it's Mamamoo's killer energy and them massive vocals.

We have mixed feelings with the gender switches in the video, especially since their transformations and use of prosthetic jawlines are borderline grotesque (Solar is the sole member who gets to avoid the horrid transformation, and pretty much looks stunning throughout the video, though Moon Byul does get to be boyish with dignity). It almost feels like Mamamoo thought this switch would be funnier than it ultimately is, and the gender reversals don't say as much as they could beyond the pervy nature of their characters. The "twist" at the end is another slapstick turn that seems a bit outdated, but perhaps right at home in a Korean culture still catching up to more progressive norms.

But when the girls jump into the chorus, "Oh yeah!" you just about forget all moral reservations, and the raw talent takes you away in a song that really grooves with a kinetic energy that other girl groups should take note of. This turn to the slapstick may have been inevitable with Mamamoo's behind-the-scenes videos really showing the wacky (and unbelievably charismatic) nature of these girls. While we'll miss the more old-school vibe the group was sporting in 2014, change was inevitable here too. Hopefully, Mamamoo will continue to evolve and show their wide-range of talents and musical stylings. Their popularity is growing, as is their fanbase, so maybe a more generic release is just what they needed right now.

2PM's "My House"

"It's alright. Let's go to my house." How can one say no to that request? What starts as sexy plea from 2PM slowly becomes a surrealist fairy tale dreamscape, and we're all invited. It's a bit weird to see our main heroine essentially in love with, and pursued by, all of 2PM, but, in Kpop logic, this type of scenario works just fine. We're nitpicking here. This is a fun, silky smooth release that seems to perfectly compliment the more energetic but just as strong, "Go Crazy" of last year. 2014 was all about going out all night and getting trashed. 2015 is about staying in, hunkering down, and making some sweet, sweet (secret) love! We're loving this release, quirks and all (did you SEE the singing bunny rabbit?!) and the boy groups seem to keep capturing our hearts this year. Will their dominance ever end? Speaking of which...

Sistar vs. AOA

It's happening. It's finally happening. We feel like we've been tortured for weeks. We can only take so much teasing here! Every time we turn around there are new pics or videos or, yes, teasers, of either AOA or Sistar (and now we're seeing more from Nine Muses, but let's stay focused here). So much so that it seems as though these two major girl groups are about to square off in a no-holds barred death match. Which probably isn't fair, since these two girl groups are very different when it comes down to it.

Here's what we're hoping for. We're hoping that AOA keeps the momentum going and provides a killer comeback on the heels of Jimin's Unpretty Rapstar surge. We think they're just about ready to be considered an elite group here. And Sistar, which is already an elite group, we're hoping (but skeptical) that they'll get out of these summer releases and slay, as they say, with something more in line with "So Cool," or "Give it to Me," or heck, just anything that takes them out of summer and beaches and cheesecake. But...it's summer. And the song is called "Shake It," so...

Five Reasons Why Seventeen's Ecstatic "Adore U" is Irresistible and Refreshing

It took us a while, but better late than never, right? Inexplicably, Seventeen's "Adore U" has captured our attention, and, also. Our hearts. You can check out five reasons right here.

CL Forces Us to Make a Difficult Choice by Promoting in America

Difficult choice? But what could that mean? you may ask. We love CL and we're excited for her American debut, but that may put some Kpop fans in a difficult position. Want to know what we mean? Find out right here.

June 14-20, 2015

And that was This Week in Kpop! We feel like this week, much like last week, has everything on standby while a bunch of major releases tease - but we still got Mamamoo and 2PM with comebacks, so we're happy! This summer is going to be a battle between some major Kpop idols, the likes of which we may have never seen before. And when that happens, everyone will win! Until next week, have fun and be safe!

Five Reasons Why Seventeen's Ecstatic 'Adore U' is Irresistible and Refreshing

It has taken me over a month to finally admit it. I have a confession to make. I'm completely and incomprehensibly addicted to Seventeen's "Adore U." And this is coming from a Kpop fan that gravitates to girl groups, and likes his biases to be placed comfortably in small and manageable groups. But then...Seventeen. Here's five reasons why I think Seventeen's "Adore U" is so irresistible. Because confessing is healing. 

5. Pop in the Time of BTS

Which is to say, hip hop, spearheaded by our favorite boy groups, is a major part of Kpop for the foreseeable future, and the major success of shows like Unpretty Rapstar will only make future Kpop releases more in that hip hop vein (we imagine). And the thing is, I love that. Groups like BTS and Block B are my biases - Monsta X is one of my favorite debuts of the year. But Kpop is massive and ultimately indefinable (though we've tried), making it open to a wide range of music. There's plenty of room for BTS to be at one end of the spectrum and Seventeen may just be staring back at the other end.

Seventeen is essentially a throwback, hankering to a more innocent, wholesome, and sweet Kpop world. Pre-2014, before the Kpopalypse. Early Boyfriend. Not quite flower boys, they're not exactly reintroducing a new sound, with GOT7 and 2PM (among others) having similar popular releases in the recent past. Seventeen is not starting a revolution here.

But what makes Seventeen's "Adore U" so unique is the fact that this release doesn't even feel like they're doing a cute, ridiculously fun concept. This lightheartedness is an essential part of the group. They radiate fun. They encompass fun. Where's my evidence? I'm glad you asked.

4. The Music Video

The music video for "Adore U" is RIDICULOUS in the best possible ways.

Those little ovals that popped up on the bottom left of your screen, featuring members singing, a group shot of them singing in the background, essentially having a duet with themselves? This is a touch of brilliance, truly.

Or how about this?

Or maybe angels is what the video needs?

You are my angeeeelll. Or how about being a rock star?

Okay, okay, enough pictures. But "Adore U" is a mosaic of Kpop ridiculousness. And the best part is that this mosaic is bereft of irony, holds not a hint of cynicism. It's wacky. It's fun - hell, it's refreshing.

3. The Numbers

Seventeen is a group of thirteen young men (four members didn't debut with the group but some of them might later?). With uncertainty being the nature of the beast (not B2ST, beast), it seems like more trouble than it's worth to name a group based on the number of members it holds. Look how much trouble Nine Muses has had filling up their quota! The fact that Pledis stuck with the name Seventeen even with the departures (most likely to keep the branding established by their popular reality show), is a uniquely Kpop quirk that is absurdly wonderful.

Even the thought of thirteen members, for those not initiated, can be daunting. But the numbers somehow add up in "Adore U," giving every member a moment to shine and splitting them up for various vignettes.

The amount of members really aren't as daunting when you think about it. It's a challenge to learn their names. But not impossible. There's Vernon, Jun, Seungkwan, DK, Dino, Junhan, Woozi, Mingyu, S.Coups, Hoshi, Wonwoo, Joshua, and The8 (????). And yes, I had to look this up. Yes, I have a long way to go.

2. The Performances

You gotta see them live, friends. Their choreography is killer. Pure energy. They're loving this. And then, seeing them, so will you.

1. The Stakes

And now to get serious for a minute. The stakes for Seventeen's success, you must realize, couldn't be higher. Make no mistake: Seventeen is here to save Pledis. Besides Orange Caramel, Pledis hasn't had a lot of good news lately and they're bleeding money fast. We want Pledis to succeed (shouldn't everyone?), so the fact that they rolled out a killer release with Seventeen and "Adore U," right when they desperately needed the hit, could be the feel-good story of the year. It looks like it might just be. Our fingers are collectively crossed.

Timothy Moore writes from Chicago. He blogs at Read My Blog Please, and edits at Ghost Ocean Magazine. His biases are T-ara, Block B, Nine Muses, Brown Eyed Girls, and Girl's Day.

CL Forces Us to Make a Difficult Choice by Promoting in America

Everyone is anxiously awaiting CL's debut in America, when the star of 2NE1, one of the biggest Kpop groups worldwide, is expected to take the West by storm. The question is, should we care?

[Take a breath. Keep reading before you react. I want to ask this question from a specific perspective. I have no intention of telling anyone what he or she should listen to or love. Leave your identity politics at the door.]

I’m bringing up CL right now because there’s a certain inevitability to this argument. CL will debut in America, and when she does, her music is going to leave a lot of Kpop fans confused. Is this our music? Should we tell all our non-Kpop friends to listen for CL? Can we even describe the music that CL releases in America as Kpop?



So far we have only one song to judge by: "Dr. Pepper." I think it's fairly clear that this song is not typical of the Kpop genre. Looking at the comments on Reddit’s r/Kpop (anecdotal, yes, but I'm interested in the general perspective of Kpop fans), there are many variations of “this isn’t for me” or “I didn’t like it.” And for the die-hard CL fans upset by that honest feedback, it’s not an indictment of the music. It’s a recognition that “Dr. Pepper” does not fit within the traditional bounds of Kpop music.

And though this is only one song, It’s extremely unlikely that the rest of CL’s album will sound anything like the Kpop we are used to. She’s working exclusively with Western artists, DJs, and producers. She is promoting in America and targeting a Western audience. Make no mistake, this album will not be "Kpop" as we know it. So how do we respond?

Well, for the Blackjack or the die-hard CL fan, I doubt support will wane. Whether CL releases Kpop or some other form of music, whether she promotes in Korea, Japan, or America, these fans are likely to continue following her career (even if some would prefer a more Kpop centered focus).

For the very casual Kpop fan (i.e. the fan who passively enjoys Kpop, but does not seek it out), this questions probably doesn’t apply. Either this fan might not ever hear about CL releasing in America, or this fan might hear the new music on the radio without realizing CL has any connection to Kpop. After all, it’s unlikely that CL’s American marketing team will highlight her roots (unless we’re talking about her hair). And the marketing team would be, sadly, justified in distancing CL from her Asianness. If past attempts by Asian artists to break into the American scene have taught us anything it’s that the state of Asian representation in America is such that being Asian is more likely to be a liability than anything else. This is the same country, after all, where Emma Stone gets cast for an Asian role in a movie. But I digress.

The hardcore (but non-Blackjack) Kpop fan is harder to predict. These fans are likely to consider CL as a Kpop artist (out of habit, if nothing else), and so will be inclined to at least give her new releases a chance. But these same fans very well might be turned away if CL’s sound doesn’t match their expectations of what Kpop is.

Which brings me to my final question, the real reason for this editorial: How should a website such as this one, dedicated to Kpop, react to CL’s American debut? Should we continue to cover her stateside releases, or should we ignore what is arguably better categorized as American pop music produced by a Korean pop star?

I have little doubt that the bigger sites will continue to cover CL. Sites like AllKpop and Koreaboo are hardly known for their self-awareness, and it is almost unfathomable that any of their editors would bother asking a question about the boundaries of their coverage. But what about the smaller, more self-aware sites? How far are we willing to stray from our subject, our ethos?

Or, to put a finer point on the question, should a website such as this one, dedicated to Kpop, continue reviewing and writing about CL's music? It may be a philosophical question right now, but very soon it will become a practical one. And when the time comes, it’s largely going to depend on the music. We at Critical Kpop are not going to abandon, or shun, or condemn CL. In fact, we love CL! But we’re also not going to direct our energies outward and away from Kpop. It’s important that we maintain a clear focus for the success of our website. CL shouldn’t have the generic restrictions that we do, and neither should you when you pick up an album. Sing what you feel, listen to what moves you, love what you love. And, of course, prepare for the netizen fallout.


Zander Stachniak is a southern-born, Chicago-based writer who first discovered Kpop through ShoutCast Radio. His biases are f(x) and Block B.

This Week in Kpop: June 7-13, 2015

A slow week in Kpop? Maybe compared to the ridiculous extravagance of last week’s double-BIGBANG and Exo releases. But this week’s no slouch. Let’s find out what hidden gems await!

MBLAQ - “Mirror”

MBLAQ is back! The three-member boy group released their 8th mini album this week, and the first since the departure of Thunder and Lee Joon. The titular single, “Mirror,” is an emotional rollercoaster, and seems to be inspired by the loss of two members. Fans were quick to point out the symbolism of two extra jackets in the backseat of the car, as well as the two closed doors at the end of the song. The lyrics fit this reading as well:

People say I look sad
Even when I pretend that nothing’s wrong
But I can’t hide my heart because of my sad eyes
I’ll forget you as the days go by
But my heart still hurts, what do I do?
I pretend to be okay without you

It’s a heartbreaking song, but the emotion, if anything, makes the music even better. It’s clear that the men of MBLAQ have something they need to work through, and maybe music is the perfect outlet. What do you think? Are you liking Mirror?

Jane Jong - “Eat”

Jane Jong (Jang Jae-in) returned this week with a new single “Eat” from her album Liquid. Didn’t know she was gone? For fans of the artist, it’s been three long years since her last release! Jane Jong made a name for herself on Superstar K2, finishing third, but winning plenty of fans along the way. With such gorgeous folk music and an artistic MV, it should come as no surprise that Jane Jong is signed to Mystic89. Liquid might just be the best folk album we’ve heard this year!

Rare Potato (feat. Hani of EXID) - “Fake Illness”

There’s another potato collaboration! When was the first one, you ask? Well, when Solji of EXID collaborated with Welldone Potato for “Shouldn’t Have Treated You Well.” Rare Potato is the brother group to Welldone Potato, and this time they’ve recruited Hani of EXID (for vocals) and Ray of C-Clown (for acting). Okay, the music video is just a lot of Ray sitting in a bathtub (fully clothed, I’m sorry, false alarm, please resume your normal activities). But the song is beautiful, and you won’t be disappointed you listened! Is there more potato on the way? All signs point to yes.

Krystal & Kisum - “Whitestyle”

Nope, not a true MV, but another clever (and enjoyable!) CF. The duo of Krystal and Kisum are teaming up in this playful and stylish romp to advertise White, a maker of feminine hygiene products.

Selling Acceptance: CFs as MVs

CFs like “Whitestyle” are a regular, inescapable part our lives, especially when we indulge in pop culture so readily. But what about when our dignity is at stake? 'L' explores!

Film Review: The Grim Reality of 'Nine Muses of Star Empire' is Essential Kpop Viewing

This week we sat down and watched the very good and very grim documentary, Nine Muses of Star Empire. Read our full review here to find out why this is essential viewing for all Kpop fans.

June 7-13, 2015

And that was this week in Kpop! True, it lacked the explosiveness of last week, but there was still a lot to love. Until next week, have fun and be safe!

Selling Acceptance: CFs as MVs

In 2014, a young woman by the name of Park Bo-Ram made her rookie debut with “Beautiful.” The title of the song certainly matches Park, who is young, fresh-face and beautiful. The song swept the top spots of many national digital singles charts, including the Gaon Chart. Here's what you may not know: before her official debut, Park lost a whopping 72lbs. This is an incredible accomplishment for anyone who has tried to slim down. But consider this: Park went from weighing 77kgs (169lbs) to her recorded weight of 44kgs (97lbs). This weight loss in itself does not raise any immediate concerns, but when placed into the context of the idol industry where already thin people are pushed to achieve even thinner bodies (often with the assistance of plastic surgery), it becomes clear that selling acceptance through the use of idols can be damaging.

Last month, Park released a new video and single by the name of “Super Body,” which is essentially a remix of her other hit, “Celepretty.” In the video, Park is seen confidently walking in a gym while everyone stares, and taking it upon herself to scout down the only person in the world to ever drink Coke while running on a treadmill. She then walks into a clothing store, and takes a pastry from a woman, gives her a magic elixir, and the woman emerges from a fitting room with a completely different body (and face). Everyone in the video is either beautiful and thin, or fat and shameful. Those that are thin are envied by others, while the only 2 non-thin people are ridiculed and receive unsolicited fitness advice, which basically consists of drinking this 1oz bottle, marching in place, and viola, becoming skinny and therefore adored—just like her!

It should be obvious by now that “Super Body” is a thinly veiled CF, or commercial film, for a “weight loss product” by CJ E&M by the name of Fat Down. This is also the same company that Park is signed to as a performer. And although this is a commercial, it does not forgive the video for it’s troubling treatment of larger bodies and its misguided message.

The whole reason for drinking “Fat Down” is in order to lose weight. But why do the people in “Super Body” want to lose weight? To be skinny and beautiful, of course. The only two larger people in this video are treated as a spectacle. They are pointed out and pointed at in order to make them feel inadequate and undesirable. Even the men that are not large watch Park with a lustful, almost creepy stare, reinforcing the idea that if you are not thin and beautiful, and do not want to lose weight, like Park, you are an outcast. But what the CF doesn’t show is the immense hard work and dedication it takes to actually achieve a healthy and fit body. It is dirty, sweaty, and sometimes even painful. The “Super Body” commercial bypasses the complete lifestyle change and commitment to healthy eating and regular exercise for a quick fix in the form of a drink because it is easy, quick, and doesn’t take effort. Idols are normally seen as virtually flawless, but the actual dedication and ugly side of keeping their thin shapes is rarely brought to light. And when they are, the miniscule portions they eat despite hectic schedules and physical training is often placed under scrutiny.

Given the popularity of plastic surgery, not just in South Korea but worldwide, it’s not surprising then that the desire to change your entire appearance to keep up with society’s ideals is this generation’s version of “Keeping Up with the Neighbours.” Advertisers have tapped into this ubiquitous lack of self-esteem and have used idols to make us wish we were them. In “Super Body,” fat-shaming is used to reiterate the image of the perfect, idealized body, and thus the perfect life. Commercials use idols as the ideal representation of who we should be to sell products for us to want to achieve these perfect lives.

Using celebrities, or in regards to Kpop, idols, to sell products is hardly revolutionary. This type of marketing, dubbed, “Lifestyle branding” arguably began after WW2 when new technology became accessible and achieving the middle-class lifestyle was all that mattered. Marketing was no longer about selling the products themselves, but about the way of life that accompanies these products. Using Park Boram, who lost a whopping 33kgs (72lbs) and became an idol, to endorse a product that is meant to speed up weight loss, not for the sake of health, but rather to fulfil the desire to be accepted, loved, and even lusted after is a natural fit.

In 2010, then super groups SNSD and 2PM collaborated on a full-length video about lifeguard training at Caribbean Bay, at the popular South Korean theme park, Everworld. The video, “CABI Song” promises a plethora of defined abs and short shorts if you visit Everworld. But “CABI” doesn’t have the same effect as “Super Body” simply because its purpose as a CF is far more hidden. Instead of selling an actual product, it promises to sell an ideal (again, with a heavy focus on physical appearance and arguably an oversexualization of lifeguard training) and has nothing to do with the actual theme park except for location.

In the year following “CABI,” in perhaps an incredibly clever marketing ploy, G-Dragon released “Gmarket Party,” a catchy song/commercial for the online marketplace Gmarket, where you can purchase the very same clothing that G-Dragon wears in the video. But the clear difference is that “Gmarket Party” is an obvious commercial, and thus feels just slightly less dirty. Like “Super Body,” there is a product being sold and there is nothing hidden about that. The list of idolized commercials continues: 2NE1, Big Bang, Amber of f(x), Beast and A Pink are just a small sampling of idol groups that have promoted everything from vespas to laptops to cell phones to clothing lines.

But there are even more music videos that are commercials, and I bet you had no idea:

Orange Caramel released “Abing abing,” an advertisement for Baskin Robbins, and Girl's Day has an entire song devoted to hair dye with “Hello Bubble.” Both these releases are well-produced songs with their own choreography and costumes. But if I hadn't been told they were commercials, I wouldn't have caught onto it. This type of advertising is much more subtle and hidden. It's more sneaky, and feels rather devious. I even doubt that SNSD's “Galaxy Supernova” is an ode to the Samsung Galaxy cellphone, but the idea is still in my head, and now with every listen, I immediately think of the popular phone brand. JYJ's immensely popular “Get Out” has been alleged to be an advertisement for yet another phone: the LG Optimus Q2. This goes far beyond logo and product dropping into music videos, into a whole other subconscious level.

Don't believe me? Here's some more examples

Dara of 2NE1's solo release, “Kiss,” is about selling beer.

f(x)'s “Chocolate Love” is for the LG Chocolate cell phone.

Even my secret guilty pleasure, Phantom, has a song about beer called “Ice.” But at least they're upfront about it.

What this all comes down to is that commercials and advertisements are a regular, inescapable part our lives, especially when we indulge in pop culture so readily. When celebrity endorsements are outright and obvious, they aren’t really so bad. Who hasn’t bought a certain brand because their favourite idol has worn it? But when commercials are so deeply ingrained into a music video that the lines between product placement and creativity are completely blurred, where does one end and the other begin? Videos like Red Velvet’s “Ice Cream Cake” are an example of this new generation of CF. It’s part music video, but the Baskin Robbin’s imagery and convenient placement of ice cream cones is downright sneaky, and frankly, ingenious. Even Baskin Robbins proudly announces that they carry red velvet-flavoured ice cream cake. This can leave the average fan feeling more like a demographic with disposable income to spend on emulating their idols, rather than an actual person who appreciates the time, energy, and creativity that goes into producing a group. Trying to live up to the standards of Park Boram’s “Super Body” by fat-shaming and internalizing the ideal of skinny being the only way to be beautiful, makes that commercial especially damaging. In this case, imitating the commercial interests of an idol is a dangerous idea and viewing should be accompanied by some sort of investigative thought.

I doubt that companies will ever stop using idols to sell products and images. This in itself is not necessarily a bad thing, nor is it restricted to Kpop. This practice is used literally world-wide, and using popular faces can introduce people to some products that they may genuinely enjoy. It becomes troubling, however, when selling idealized images comes at the expense of another person’s dignity, and promises of acceptance are always associated with unachievable standards. Hopefully the trend of using music videos as secret commercials does not last forever.


'L' lives in Ontario, Canada. She is a pop culture and media junkie and has helped organize kpop parties and events across Ontario. Her biases are BTS, Block B, M.I.B and Infinite.