MV of the Month: Infinite's 'Bad'

July has been jam-packed with big-name Kpop releases. But, of course, there can only be one music video of the month! With the stakes higher than ever, Zander Stachniak and Tim Moore sit down to discuss why INFINITE's "Bad" deserves the title of MV of the Month for July of 2015.

INFINITE - "Bad" (360 VR version)

Zander: To me, "Bad" was an obvious choice for MV of the Month. It's all about ambition. So many groups use summer as an excuse to release sub-par music or concepts that lack any ingenuity. But INFINITE went the opposite direction, releasing what, I think, is maybe the most ambitious project I've seen all year.

Tim: In total agreement here, Zander! I actually would have been satisfied with "Bad" with the more traditional video, as it's a killer song in a very middling, relatively safe (boring) summer. But the VR version really puts this release on another level, which is really what you should be going for with your music video anyway, right? The 360 movement really adds an interactive layer here that makes it endlessly re-watchable. One time I just focused on inanimate objects, like that random deer in the hallway, and those mirrors! Every time you watch this video, if you're skilled enough on your mouse, could be a different experience. Talk about inventive, right?!

Zander: The interactive nature of the 360 VR version is such a big deal! Cinema (and any kind of film media) is often discussed as being defined by an absence. As viewers, we watch, we witness, but we are unable to change anything. We're there, but we're also absent. Virtual reality changes our relationship with viewable media. Suddenly we can move the camera around, zoom in on one expression, or even ignore the main spectacle. It's not true interactivity, not yet, but it's close! The 360 VR version allows each viewer to have his or her own experience!

Tim: What's great about this "viewer experience" is that this music video has a life of its own as well. 'L' wrote about the music video earlier this month and a lot of the symbolism with duality and mirrors that the "original" music video conveys. A lot of that bleeds into the 360 VR version and how we can essentially see what's on the other side of this "mirror" reality, or, as it may be, "realities." That's some quantum-level physics up in here! L actually goes into more detail about the craziness better than I ever could, so why don't I link her article right here?

INFINITE - "Bad" (standard version)

Zander: Absolutely. "Bad" is not just a video with virtual reality frills, it has real purpose behind it. Speaking of quantum-level physics though, I think the best view I've found is to look directly down when the guys are in the hallway. You can see all their reflections at the same time, going in four different directions. It's worth the trip. So check out INFINITE's "Bad," our vote for MV of the Month, and let us know what your favorite moments of the video are!

Toward a Transnational Kpop: A Look at the Past and Future of the Global Genre

On July 22, 2015, GFRIEND released “Me Gustas Tu,” a curious title for a Korean song featuring no other Spanish lyrics. Though the title of the song may have raised a few eyebrows, the truth is that there is a burgeoning market for Kpop in Spanish-speaking countries. Yes, it’s official: Kpop is a global phenomenon. But how did this happen? How did a small regional genre of music explode into a transnational movement, and what can we expect for its future?

GFRIEND - "Me Gustas Tu"

The Rise of Kpop

Fifteen years ago, Korea was not a cultural power in any sense of the word. No Asian country was. Culture flowed from West to East, almost exclusively. This had nothing to do with any lack in the cultures of the East, but with the manner in which urban growth played out on a global scale. Rapid urban growth began first in Europe and America with the industrial revolution, and that transition accelerated the use of new media (such as film and TV) to reach a more urban citizenship. As John Ellis notes in Seeing Things, “Europe and America led the way simply because the rapid expansion of population took place earlier there.”

BoA's first Japanese single, "ID; Peace B"

Many recognize BoA as the first Korean artist to ignite the possibility of a truly global Kpop. And her success was a direct result of “SM Entertainment’s identification of Japan as an enormously lucrative market, twenty times the size of the Korean market” (source). Size is important here, as the monetary success of Kpop was necessarily limited in the early years by Korea’s relatively small population. Much as most Western businesses are currently salivating over the prospect of a new middle class in China, Korean executives have viewed the outside world as their target for years. But first they had to figure out how to reach those 7 billion potential fans, most of whom did not speak Korean.

By the time Kpop entered the scene, Western record labels controlled the global market. It was near impossible to enter a new market without the assistance of one of the big three Western labels. But Kpop entertainment companies soon found a way to bypass the the cultural dominance of the West. They released their music on the internet, specifically on YouTube, for zero cost and without need of any of the major music labels. By cutting out Western labels, in this distribution model the Kpop labels (along with Google) take the largest cut while the artists take the smallest (source).

GD & TOP's "Baby Good Night," which features lyrics in French

Even though revenue stayed with the entertainment companies, using YouTube was by far a more democratized process. The biggest draw of the site was that anyone could upload, and anyone could watch. This new distribution model had the effect of creating a global music industry that “destroyed the thick line between ‘high’ and ‘low’ culture on the one hand, and ‘developed’ and ‘developing’ country cultures on the other” (source). This would become important, as with the exception of growing promotions in Japan and a scattering of English and Chinese attempts, Kpop entertainment companies largely promoted on native soil. YouTube became the default medium of the Hallyu Wave.

But there’s another factor which has been every bit as influential as YouTube in the rise of Kpop. After all, what is YouTube without its viewers? The rise of Kpop, which came in spite of geographic, cultural, and linguistic barriers, is due to a new form of marketing which few critics have heretofore addressed: the fans themselves.

EXID's viral fancam for "Up and Down" with over 15 million views

In non-Asian countries, “fans not only consume imported music and the fashions associated with it but also serve as marketers, mediators, translators, and localizers of globalized culture” (source). In other words, the rise of Kpop in America and English-speaking countries, in Europe, South America, and even in Israel and Palestine, is not the result of Kpop groups promoting directly to those audiences, but of dedicated fans acting as “cultural missionaries” (source). In a study of Kpop culture in Austria, researchers found that many people who attended a Kpop dance festival in Vienna “were participating not only as a hobby, but because they wanted to help bring K-pop to Europe” (source).

Which brings us back to the recent release by GFRIEND of “Me Gustas Tu.” Rather than viewing this as simple fan service or a dedicated attempt to market to Spanish-speaking fans, this music video is a good indication of what to expect in Kpop over the next few years. Here are a few rules that the entertainment companies will follow through 2020.

1. Provide Bonus Content

Possibly the most important aspect to reaching international Kpop fans is to provide plenty of content for consumption. A large portion of fans report being introduced to the genre through K-dramas, anime, or other internet video which features Kpop music. But once fans are hooked, they need plenty of their favorite bias to keep them busy. Like, for example, this live version of "Me Gustas Tu." Or GFRIEND’s pet-themed reality TV show! Ostensibly, this show has nothing to do with the music, but watching your bias cuddle an adorable puppy builds a bond that is hard to get in the quick-cuts of a music video.

A fan-translated episode of GFRIEND! Take Care of My Puppy!

As a corollary to this, expect YouTube to continue to be a main source of material, not only of official content, but fan-made and fan-translated content as well. As a medium, YouTube is ubiquitous, easily accessible, and free to use, but more importantly, it provides a way for fans to upload their own content. Although distributing more Kpop music on services like Spotify and iTunes is nice, these sites have none of the small clips and ephemera that fans have lovingly discovered or created. YouTube offers “affordable and unlimited access to visual content that [goes] beyond the promotional materials available to fans from the company website” (source). Furthermore, YouTube provides a path for international fans to act as cultural missionaries through translations, captioning, reaction videos, and more. And that’s not changing any time soon.

2. Refrain from Direct Promotion

Outside of Asia, direct promotion has historically failed. BoA, Rain, Wonder Girls, Girls’ Generation, Spica. These are just some of the big name acts that have tried, and failed, to make it in America.

Girls' Generation Performing "The Boys" on David Letterman

There are many reasons for this. We can blame the poor state of Asian representation in the West, or poor promotion by entertainment companies, or a dozen other things. But we would be ignoring the most important thing, which is that international fans are not asking for Kpop to invade the music scene of their native country. Kpop fans frequently point out that they enjoy being unique in their musical tastes. One study found that many listeners of the genre accumulated social capital through that uniqueness (source). Though it may seem counterintuitive, Kpop fans are not asking their bias to promote in a new country and learn a new language. American fans are not asking Girls’ Generation to sing in English on David Letterman. Part of Kpop’s appeal is its uniqueness and its inaccessibility. Which is exactly why PSY’s meteoric rise to fame irked so many Kpop fans (this writer included). Suddenly, a piece of our private world had gone more mainstream than anything else on the internet ever had before.

Over 2 Billion Views and Counting: PSY - "Gangnam Style"

We should not confuse uniqueness with exclusivity, snobbishness, or even hermitage. Do we want to see our bias in concert? Yes, of course. Do we appreciate the occasional fan service video? Absolutely. But fans of Kpop did not get into the genre so as to convert Korean stars into speakers of other languages. If we want pop music in our native language, that already exists, and is much more easily accessible. In other words, no market exists for Kpop that is stripped of its Korean roots.

It won’t necessarily stay this way forever. Slowly, over time, as fans evangelize and grow their own communities, Kpop may become acceptably mainstream. Direct promotion might make sense in the future, but right now, that kind of promotion would turn away the very audience it seeks to attain.

3. Keep it Weird

International fans of Kpop support a genre of music that is wholly different from what is on offer in their native country. We are, by definition, lovers of the weird. We have flocked to a culture that is different from our own and spend time building communities in this realm. For Kpop to continue to succeed in the global market, it must continue to surprise us.

Orange Caramel's "Catallena," which borrows lyrics from Punjabi

Take Orange Caramel, for example. Their incredible success is not solely a result of their good looks. It wasn’t just their music, either. Orange Caramel won fans over with fun and quirky concepts. Or take a look at BIGBANG. Yes, they’ve reached a point in their careers where they can experiment with new ideas, but the very reason that BIGBANG is still so popular is because they’ve never played it safe. International fans don’t want generic pop. We can get that at home. We want Kpop in all its glorious weirdness.

These three rules (provide bonus content, refrain from direct promotion, and keep it weird) are sure to carry us at least into 2020. But Kpop moves fast, and there’s no telling where the genre will find itself in the years after that. One thing that is for certain is that Kpop, as a transnational genre, is here to stay.

Have any thoughts of your own on where the Kpop genre is headed? Let us know in the comments!


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: July 19-25, 2015

This Week in Kpop is brought to you by AOA's Choa. Is there anything she can't do? She leads a variety of releases that spell out POTENTIAL for the future of Kpop. This week also had many stellar (get it?) comebacks, so let's stop stalling and get started already!

Primary's "Don't Be Shy" (featuring Choa and Iron)

Did anyone know about this release and just didn't tell us beforehand? Why didn't you tell us?? This release came out of nowhere for us, but is just what we needed in the throws of summer. Quite frankly, we can always use more Choa in our lives. Primary is a popular producer in Korea and he assembled the creepiest sleepover ever, starring Choa (with Iron making a prerequisite appearance). When the song begins it almost sounds like it's gearing up to be something chill with its reggae-inspired beat, which makes the horror elements and the song's build even more surprising. Extra points to the old school "found-footage" that's planted throughout. Halloween in July never looked so sweet!

But let's talk a little about Choa here. It's not a surprise that she thrives in a solo arena, as she already holds AOA together with her iconic vocals. Seolhyun may be the most popular member, but she can miss a performance here and there because of scheduling conflicts, and AOA is fine. Can you even imagine AOA without Choa though? Absolutely not. Choa is the most essential member of the group and it's hard to picture another group that depends on one member more (this is not a slur against AOA, just an observation on Choa's importance). They probably depend too much on her, as she looked beat towards the end of promotions for "Heart Attack."

Here she deftly proves that she could make it as a solo star, and it's great to see a more sultry, mature side to her with this song. And Primary? How many amazing songs has he produced? We're hardly experts on his work (we've actually missed most of his recent releases like idiots), but you should check out some of his music videos here, here, here, and here. He's actually having an amazing 2015 and it's criminal how we haven't covered him more. Extra points for having beautiful videos for these releases too (are you keeping score?). Pictures this, if you can: What Primary could do with breathing new life into some of these stagnant girl groups. We're talking Sistar, Kara, even Apink, and etc. How cool would that be? Answer: Very.

GFriend's "Me gustas tu"

GFriend is doing some interesting things here with "Me gustas tu," showing us, once again, why they're probably one of the best rookie groups of 2015 (the competition hasn't exactly been fierce this year, unfortunately). For one, the song itself is epic, even though it's not really in the sub-genre of Kpop we're into. We notice a strong release when we see/hear one though, and these girls are on point with their vocals and choreography, shaking off any rookie doubts with their confidence and irresistible energy. And having Spanish in the title and the chorus? Brilliant. Because really, why not? English is used all the time in Kpop. Why not Spanish? It sounds more natural anyway. And do you know how many Kpop fans occupy Latin America? Devoted ones at that? We don't have the numbers, but giving a wink and a hug to them is something more Kpop groups should be doing already! Come on!

Kisum's "You and Me" (with Jooyoung)

How wonderful has Unpretty Rapstar been for female rappers, especially the ones who participated on the show? We had our doubts and found some elements problematic, but, overall, the show seems to have done more good than harm. Here's Kisum now with her first major solo release after the show (and really ever, right?), and the song, accompanied by vocals from Jooyoung, quite simply slays. It's also a surprisingly beautiful video with some striking images. Ultimately, it's a sweet release, but not one that makes us gag, which can be the tendency in Kpop.

Z.Hara's "XOX" (featuring Gaeun)

Speaking of potential, Z.Hara really shines here with this energetic release - but we're also loving Gaeun (from Dal Shabet) appearing here and impressing with her rap skillage (tm). We're seeing a shift here, probably brought on, again, by the popularity of Unpretty Rapstar, of hearing more talented female rappers taking larger roles in Kpop. They're not just here for indie cred or awkward interludes in popular pop songs, friends. We've turned a corner here and it's wonderful.

From Slay to Shred: Anticipating the Wonder Girls Idol Band

Notice we haven't been writing a lot about Wonder Girls' upcoming comeback and transition to idol band? We've been holding back until we've gotten more of the facts, Jack! And now that JYP has released numerous teasers, we have a better idea what an idol band really means for the Wonder Girls. Or do we? Zander Stachniak takes a look at what we can expect, and what we should fear, right here!

Exploring Realities in Infinite's "Bad"

Infinite has had an incredible week and has been winning big on the charts and music shows. The intrepid 'L' gives a detailed look at their amazing 360 VR version of "Bad," which you can read, in its entirety, right here.

Clash of the Girl Groups: GO BIG OR GO HOME

Notice how we haven't written anything about Stellar's amazing/insane "Vibrato" yet, or Apink's latest release, or even GUHARA? It's because we already have, you dummy! Clash of the Girl Groups, a new semi-regular column by Timothy Moore, dissects the latest girl group releases, which you can read right here!

July 19-25, 2015

And that was This Week in Kpop! We focused a lot on emerging groups, rappers, and producers here, but if you click on our various links, you'll see us tackling these major releases too. We're all over the place. We're here for you, friends. And we'll be here next week and it looks like Beast is just around the corner. Until then, as always, have fun and be safe!

From Slay to Shred: Anticipating the Wonder Girls Idol Band

Ever since JYP let it slip that Wonder Girls would be returning as a band (a real live band with instruments and everything!), we’ve been anticipating their comeback. On August 3rd, 12pm KST, Wonder Girls will return with Hyelim on guitar, Sunmi on bass, Yeeun on keyboard, and Yubin on drums (Sunye and Sohee have withdrawn from the group). That’s right, after two years on hiatus, Wonder Girls will return as a band! Which is crazy. It’s exciting, astounding, perplexing. It’s worrying! I’ve been racing through the whole gamut of emotions, and I just can’t seem to settle on one. Because while there have been so many ups and downs in Kpop over the last few months, Wonder Girls’ return is, for me, the most surprising thing that has happened all summer. And it’s going to completely change everything for one of the most well-known Kpop groups out there!

Paradigm Shift

Forming an idol band is a big deal, and there’s honestly no successful model out there for female idol groups (indie groups are not the same). AOA would probably be the closest thing with their early releases of “Elvis” and “Get Out,” and AOA Black’s “Moya.” But since then AOA’s band concept has been unceremoniously dumped in favor of an instrument-free, booty-focused approach. (FNC Entertainment has locked up the erstwhile drummer, Yookyoung, and thrown away the key, presumably to ensure she is unable to lead a revolution with her flaming drumsticks.) As much as some fans will persist that they want a return to the band concept, AOA is not a good role model.

There are healthier models in male groups CNBLUE and F.T. Island, but there’s an enormous difference: both CNBLUE and F.T. Island debuted as bands. Not as idols, but rock bands. Yes, these men have successfully navigated the thin line between idol and rock band, but they started with a guitar strapped to their chest and one foot on the kick drum and the overwhelming cultural acceptance of men in rock bands. Gender is important here! Their narrative, from start to present, has been as men that play instruments. Wonder Girls, until this point, have also had a consistent narrative: as female idols.

Now, that doesn’t mean they can’t change. Look at AOA, who changed from a band to an idol group at the flip of a switch. But here’s where gender is going to rear its ugly head. AOA’s change in narrative proceeded from a concept that was less commonly accepted for women to one that is more commonly accepted, i.e. from rockers to sexy idols. They moved in the direction that would attract the least vitriol. Going in reverse, for Wonder Girls, is going to draw a lot of attention. And that attention is most likely to take the form of netizens questioning their abilities as musicians. No matter what Wonder Girls does, no matter how much they shred, this conversation will take place in a different arena than it would for male musicians.

JYP is anticipating this conversation. There’s a reason for the reassuring notes at the end of each teaser that states that the music was recorded by the Wonder Girls members. Dismissal and disbelief are expected. So why do it at all? Why invite all the noise and nonsense? Well, because noise and nonsense gets heard! After a two-year hiatus, and a career that never fully reached the heights it was hyped to attain, Wonder Girls needs something to kickstart their return. Coming back as a band and ruffling a few feathers might be just what they need.

But Can They Melt Our Faces?

According to JYP, the women of Wonder Girls have spent one year preparing for their comeback. That’s one year spent learning guitar, bass, keyboard, and drums. It sounds like an impossible dream. Perhaps even a recipe for disaster.

To be fair, though, the one year quoted by JYP is a bit misleading. Yeeun previously knew how to play both guitar and piano. Sunmi supposedly started learning bass in her 20s (she’s 23). And doubtless, Hyelim and Yubin are not as green as JYP makes them out to be either. Some of this is an exaggeration to make us even more excited to see what these women can do. It also lowers expectations, which is a double-edged sword.

Regardless, we’re not going to see much on music shows. It’s almost unheard of for an artist to get a live band setup, even for the big groups like CNBLUE and F.T. Island. We’re almost certain to hear a pre-recorded version of the song, which won’t make it easy for Wonder Girls to impress us with their skills when they’re slapping a muted bass. On the other hand, it will allow them to focus on giving us a more dynamic performance. Because there’s a big difference in the stage of a band and an idol group. For a band, all movement becomes more static. You are physically hooked in to a piece of equipment. The thing to watch for early on will be how the members of Wonder Girls are able to connect with their instruments. For them to rock, guitar, bass, keyboard, and drums need to be more than casual props, they need to be identities that the women inhabit. The dynamic cameras in the music shows will help, but Wonder Girls will need to figure out how to go from using movement to impress and engage their audience to using a more static form of showmanship. If their teasers are any indication, they're well on their way.

Aside from typical promotions on music shows, it will be interesting to see how fully Wonder Girls embraces the band concept. Because there’s actually one other important thing we know about this comeback. And it’s actually something that we don’t know. Or, rather, it’s something we know we don’t know. Have I lost you yet? Here it is: We don’t know if this change to Wonder Girls is a permanent one or a one-time gig. JYP has confirmed several times that Wonder Girls is returning as a band, yes, but that doesn’t mean “in perpetuity.” This is Kpop after all, where things change faster than you can swing a dead cat at them.

Embracing the band concept fully will require developing a large repertoire of songs they can perform as a band, something they don’t currently have. If they’re serious about becoming a band, this would have to be a long-term play, not a one-year project. Even then, the concept would necessarily limit their range. There’s an incredible variety of sound in Kpop right now, but a somewhat limited number of sounds that can be created with a four-piece band (though a keyboard helps). That limitation, coupled with the increased training required to master their instruments, means that Wonder Girls is actually probably better off adopting a hybrid model. I can easily see this as something that the group can strategically return to from time to time. In future concerts, they might start as a band, then two songs in, throw down their instruments and light up the stage with a killer dance performance, only to return to their instruments later on.

And that’s how I can imagine Wonder Girls truly being successful with the band concept. Not as a full-on rock band, but as an idol band. So long as the netizens don’t attack, don’t make gendered and unfair assessments of perceived musical talent, so long as Wonder Girls gets comfortable in their new skin, so long as they avoid the early exit a la AOA, then they can absolutely start melting our faces off. I'll see you on August 3rd. I'll be the guy without a face!


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

Clash of the Girl Groups: Go Big Or Go Home

After weeks of girl group releases, did you really think that things were going to slow down? Well, did you, punk? All I know is that the second and third tiers of Kpop may have the most compelling releases of the summer. But does it matter when groups like Apink and Girl's Generation dominate the charts no matter what they release? The Clash of the Girl Groups keeps on going, so let's get started! 

Stellar vs. The Internet

It's been called, by many, the vagina video. And, yes, there's so much vagina imagery that Georgia O'Keeffe would be like, This is a bit much. But in this day and age, with the competition as fierce and unforgiving as this Kpop summer has been, too much is just enough. I've said many times that if you want to have a killer release, you have to Go Big Or Go Home. And Stellar must have heard me because no group has done that more than them. They've decided, probably after no one cared about the more lighthearted, generic "Fool," that if they're not going to be famous, they're going to infamous.

It helps that this song just kills. It's an epic release and by the time you've been assaulted by half-a-dozen vaginas, the song blasts to the climax and you're loving it (Georgia O'Keeffe would be like, This is my jam). This is the sequel to "Marionette" no one knew they wanted. All the way down to the leotards.

But a funny thing happened on the way to the internet. Remember how controversial and polarizing netizens found "Marionette?" It made half of Kpop sound like grandparents, bemoaning the decay of society.

The hellfire brought upon "Vibrato" isn't even close to that. In fact, if you look at the YouTube video, most comments are fans giving their full support. While there are plenty of dislikes, the likes finally dwarf them. So what's changed since oh 2014? Have netizens somehow turned the corner? Have we all grown up a little? Maybe just desensitized? Or is it the timing - Stellar's hyper-sexuality instills something close to relief whilst grouped in with the summer sweetness of most girl group releases. Whatever the reason, we're glad that Stellar has transcended the tired slut-shaming conversation of Kpop's recent past. They've gone big, ridiculous even, and have an iconic release that will be remembered for years.

Stellar vs. The Internet: GO BIG OR GO HOME

Apink vs. THE FUTURE

We've got to hand it to Apink, they are unabashedly devoted to their brand of sweet, pre-millennium Kpop. Did I say brand? Because really, it's a sub-genre within Kpop that Apink has spearheaded, and without their success we'd probably not see the likes of Lovelyz or GFriend, who are apparently releasing a song with a Spanish title?

Which, considering the marketing potential with the devoted South American Kpop fanbase, feels pretty ingenious. But, I digress.

Forever now, we've been wondering when Apink would change up their concept, but, the more we think about it, why on Earth would they do that? If they went sexy, they'd get lost in the shuffle of sexy concepts. If they even went mature, they'd lose that idyllic innocence that seems to be so appealing to their fans (we honestly don't get it, here at Critical Kpop, but we can't deny that it's there).

But the future, it's coming. Sonamoo and Hello Venus are jumping into the fray!

Sonamoo with "Cushion."

And Hello Venus with "I'm Ill."

Now, of course, Apink will wipe the floor (what does that saying even mean??) with the both of them. It's not even a question. Apink may be the sole girl group this summer that can challenge SNSD at music shows (if Infinite doesn't win everything first). So where's the fight here? As Georgia O'Keeffe would say, Where's the clash? 

The clash is in evolution, Georgia. Some groups, like Hello Venus, will change their concepts dramatically with every release, just to see what will stick(y). "Wiggle Wiggle" may have been the most cynical release of the year, signaling what we'd like to refer to as the Post-Kpopalypse, where these second and third-tier groups sense weakness (after a tumultuous year of scandal for the top-tier groups), and will go unflinchingly overboard in trying to elevate their standing. With "I'm Ill," Hello Venus is going for something T-ara-lite with the EDM and strobe lighting quick cuts. It's a decent song, although the music is a bit overpowering so you can't really differentiate the vocals (and Lime seems completely underused here, which is sad).

Sonamoo's a rookie group so we should expect some change here. The strange lyrics aside ("He's like a cushion??"), it's a solid if not spectacular song. I'm surprised and more than a little disappointed that they didn't go further with being B.A.P's sister group, and went instead with something softer and middling here. Maybe it's because of the hate they were getting from irate B.A.P fans? Whatever happened to B.A.P's contract dispute anyway? Kpop is a strange world, folks.

But anyway, you look at what these groups are changing, almost haphazardly, and then you have Apink, resilient, steadfast, fighting the future one release at a time. And they keep getting more popular. Who wins here? Who do you think?

Apink vs. The Future: Apink

Choco Chip Cookie vs. How About Me? 

As Georgia O'Keeffe would say, What's this - a solo release in the Clash of the Girl Groups? Well, first of all, calm down, O'Keeffe. Goo Hara is a member of Kara, in case you forgot, so what she does as a solo artist resonates in the Girl Group arena.

The only point I need to make here is that DSP just released a dance practice video for "How About Me?" proving that life isn't fair.

I complained a bit about this in the last This Week in Kpop, but "How About Me?" is a thousand times more memorable than the pretty pictorial we got from "Choco Chip Cookie." I know, I know, KBS banned the song. But you run with that, DSP, and go with the song with some attitude and edge. This is the solo release we deserved after years of flat Kara releases. This is the evolution Kara should be taking, and having Youngji there too shows what we're missing because DSP is afraid to take risks. As Georgia O'Keeffe would say, GO BIG OR GO HOME. Wait, I said that. I'm sure a lot of people have said that though, at least once.

Choco Chip Cookie vs. How About Me?: We've All Lost, All Is Lost

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.

Exploring Realities in Infinite's 'Bad'

Amongst the onslaught of girl group releases this summer, there is still a shimmering hope that 2015 will regain its title as “Year of the Boyband.” With only the smallest hint of bias, I would like to turn your attention the newly released Infinite music video, “Bad.” In an increasingly popular Kpop-marketing strategy, Woollim released two versions of the MV. I know what you're thinking, “so a dance version and a story version?” Not quite. Instead, what Woollim has done is introduce the world to the first ever Kpop music video filmed with 360 degree Virtual Reality technology.

Standard Version

But before we wow you with that, let's take a look at the boring, regular, non-360 VR music video for “Bad” so that you can truly appreciate just how deep into the wormhole the VR version goes.

The first sequence of the video sees Sunggyu running from a figure dressed identical to himself, which we can assume is his duplicate since the rest of the video is full of mirrors and reflections. This leads us into the great symbolism of “duplicity,” rather than “duality.”

Duality is the concept of “doubleness,” or two contrasts between one subject, i.e two sides of one coin where neither has a value greater or less than the other. Duplicity is inherently deceitful, and the lyrics (and title itself) heavily reflect this, as the members sing into a broken mirror, again, illustrating that the “perfect reflection” is shattered, and broken:

“Your eyes have grown cold again/Your sharp tongue digs/into me, please stop/I can’t take it anymore.”

The video then cuts to Woohyun, singing into the camera, which pans out to reveal he is actually singing into a mirror, which draws the question of which reality is the “real” one. Is the real Woohyun the one inside the mirror, or outside of it? But there are so many other mirrors, too, so where are the Woohyuns inside the other mirrors? Why is only one of them reflecting back?

This symbolism continues throughout, especially when the viewer sees only the arms or the reflection of whoever is in the mirror, leading to the question of what, exactly is on the other side or whether or not we are on the side of the real world. This trope of the world behind the mirror is a popular one, as it creates a feeling of discomfort and curiosity. Mirrors are often used as portals for entirely different dimensions, where the other side may look completely the same, totally different except for only the reflection, or eerily similar with slight differences. This is especially evident when Sunggyu finally catches up to himself and watches his reflection turn away. Given the theme of duplicity, it’s not a stretch to believe that only one of the reflections is the “true” and “good” one, and the other must be evil or “wrong.” But these differences are subjective, depending on which side of the mirror we look through.

This concept is what makes the VR version of “Bad” so riveting. The whole point of this type of video is to click and drag (or use the ASWD and +, - keys) in order to see the entire 360 degrees of the scene that you're watching, putting yourself inside of the video. Its this immersion that brings you, as the casual observer into the role of the active participant. Initially, the effect can be dizzying as the scenes cut very quickly, and it's hard to focus on what to watch, but eventually the use of this technology adds another complex layer of symbolism into the media itself, which in this case, is the music video.

360 VR Version

There are some scenes missing from the VR version, simply because they would not fit the filming style, and because the message possibly wouldn't translate accurately. Because the concept of the video is rather commonplace, the introduction of the 360 degree perspective allows us to actually see what is on the other side of the mirror and symbolically travel into that “different” reality. Every cut will lead to a different frame depending on where you stop while watching the previous frame. Each viewing will be completely unique, perhaps in the same way that each view through a mirror will be. If you watch the entire video from the perspective facing downwards, you will notice that the two scenes on either side of the mirror are, in fact, different. Mind-blowing, right? You can watch the trailer as well, which illustrates this a little bit more clearly. Of course, you'll have to watch the MV multiple times to really notice all the minute differences in scenery and choreography.

In the 360 VR version of “Bad”, the viewer is now the mirror that was heavily featured in the non-VR version into which the group was singing, both the literal broken mirror, and then again as a figurative mirror in the hallway shots. In this way, the viewer becomes the subject and maintains control of all these “realities.” Now we can decide which reality we want to watch, and in a way, can also decide which one is good, and which is bad.

My favourite scenes are the pink hallway ones, where different members are in 4 different hallways, and by the action initiated, there are hidden images and thus a greater sense of depth. Another is the split second scene where a hand appears on all the mirrors and frames inside the blue room, except for the mirror on the floor, which reflects empty mirrors. Could this be a technical limitation? Most likely, but it completely works within the context.

Aside from being symbolically dense, the VR video also gives fans a unique experience each time they watch the video, meaning viewers will return time and time again to see what other hidden nuances are visible from different angles. Of course this is great for companies, as it increases viewership and therefore, popularity. There's also the potential to focus solely on a single member, during group scenes, providing a new type of fan service that is less intimidating (and sexually aggressive) than the “eye contact” video.

Hopefully more groups will adopt the concept of a VR MV, letting fans feel like they belong to the world of Kpop, rather than just ingesting its media. It would even be exciting to see this type of video done for concerts (Beck already proved this was possible with "Sound and Vision"), especially when international fans have difficulty getting to them. Could this open up an entirely new market and revenue stream? Potentially yes! Girl group Bambino also used the 360 VR technology in several of their dance practice videos, but the intent in those videos is, obviously, much different and perhaps saved for a different conversation. I can only hope that companies embrace the new potentials of storytelling that this technology provides and release more concepts that fully embrace 360 VR technology. In other words: this is so dang cool!


'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.

This Week in Kpop: July 12-18, 2015

What a week! The last seven days have been packed full of great new releases and a hefty amount of scandal too. Take a minute, catch your breath, and we'll take you through the biggest events that happened This Week in Kpop!

Super Junior's "Devil"

Super Junior came back this week with a 19+ music video! We're jazzed because last year's Mamacita, despite the silly music video for the title release, was easily one of the best albums of the year. But it's 2015 now, friends, and Kpop, as we know, is a fickle lover. So how does "Devil" fare? 

First of all, the music video is ridiculous, but at least it's not completely silly like we found "Mamacita." Super Junior falls from one movie trailer (Poster? Scene?) to another, and usually guns and illegal activities are involved with a girl who's nothing but trouble causing mayhem, or so it would seem. The excessive amount of guns in the video feel like play acting, like the guys just wanted to have fun as cops and robbers, and that's a bit ridiculous, as are those unnecessary (and cheesy) explosions at the end of the video, but Kpop.

We're hoping there's a dance version that follows, because have you seen the live version?

When Super Junior performs, their true personalities seem to shine. They're stylish, sexy, all class, and they're adults, the men of the Kpop world, and we wish that SM would focus on bringing that side to the forefront instead of these goofball concepts and boyhood cops and robbers and cowboy gimmicks. It certainly would save SM a lot of money!

It's also a bit troubling, we feel, that SM is releasing this so close to SNSD's summer comeback. Having both of their megagroups out at the same time seems counterproductive. We know that this is a 10th year anniversary release, but wouldn't you want Super Junior to have its own time to shine on their own? "Devil" is a fun, slick release, and we're hoping that they won't be overshadowed by their sister group.

Infinite Releases "Bad" MV and a 360 VR Version

We predicted the video gamification of Kpop almost exactly one year ago, and now Infinite is proving us right! The guys released a standard MV for "Bad," which just slayed (and the mirror stuff creeped us out in the best way!).

They followed this with a 360 Virtual Reality version that lets the viewer control the camera! We're just loving this release and this song is killer, the true cure from weeks of summer releases. Check back in tomorrow, when we'll have a in-depth review of "Bad," including the exciting 360 VR Version!

GOT7 Reminds Us All that We're "Just Right"

The more we listen to GOT7's "Just Right," the more we fall in the love with the fun and quirky song. But aside from being a great song, "Just Right" is getting a lot of attention for promoting a positive self-image for women and girls! True, it's not perfect, but when was the last time you saw a Kpop group eschew sexy dance moves for a positive message? Scroll down below and we talk more about this release! We know you can do it! 

Apink's "Remember"

We have to admit, Apink just confounds us. They're undoubtedly a top tier group now, and had an amazing 2014 with hits like "LUV," and "Mr. Chu," but, really, Apink has been doing this for years. But what is it that they're actually doing here? Do we call it Bubble Pop? Pretty Pop? Pre-2000 pop? The reason we don't really get Apink is because groups like Apink, cute and flowery, aren't why we love Kpop, but there's no doubt that they're successful. If anyone is going to dethrone Girl's Generation, who seems to just be on a dominating tear this week, it's going to be Apink.

For what it is, in a subsection of Kpop that we're just not invested in (we're trying), "Remember" is a solid release, though there are legitimate complaints that the song doesn't have a compelling hook and is too disjointed. And true, the "remember remember remember" part lands awkwardly, much like Girl's Day's "ring my bell" part of their chorus, where the song just loses all momentum. But, still, this release will do well, because Apink has built a massive following. Can they beat Girl's Generation? If any girl group can, it's them.

GUHARA's "Choco Chip Cookies"

Why oh why did "Choco Chip Cookies" have to be the promotional release for Hara's solo release? Why not "How About Me?" Have you heard this song, DSP? Have you listened to how it simply slayed? While "Choco Chip Cookies" gets lost in the summer crowd, "How About Me?" shows us a new side of Goo Hara with a hip hop vibe that we find exhilarating. It would have at least stood out. Did you even listen to the rest of the album, DSP? Do we have to do everything for you?

Oh, was it because the lyrics to "How About Me?" were banned on certain music programs (as some rumors state)? THEN CHANGE THE LYRICS FOR THOSE DUMB MUSIC SHOWS. The controversy would have garnered even more attention! That's what you want, right, DSP? Sorry, we're being unprofessional. But this may be the missed opportunity of the year, and it kills us. "Choco Chip Cookies" is a serviceable summer song, and it looks as though Goo Hara, from her interviews, wants to just have a solid release and doesn't expect to dominate this summer.

Which is fine. We just have to live with it.

JooHeun x Mad Clown's "Get Low"

Shut up Shut up Shut up! We're just leaving this special clip here for you. You're welcome *get low tho*.

“Fan” of BTS Makes Death Threat

Honestly, this news is hard to report. We should not have to write this. We're upset. We're furious, actually, that a supposed fan of BTS would make a death threat over the recent comments of Rap Monster, which some took to be racist. Regardless of your beliefs, the threat of violence is a despicable act. Come on, people!

Feminism in Kpop Takes Three Steps Forward

In completely unexpected news, there were three separate events this week that heralded a major step forward for feminism and gender equality in the male-dominated world of Kpop. Read our take on why Clara, GOT7 (we told you we'd get back to them), and Jonghyun have all pushed us in the right direction! You can check that out right here!

New Rumors of Disbandment Surface

The rumor everyone is talking about this week is of the supposed disbandment of an unnamed girl group, due to jealousy of the most popular member. Take this rumor, like all rumors, with a grain of salt. Though we will say, the increasing amount of solo promotions in modern Kpop was always bound to cause internal strife.

Critical Kpop Podcast - Sexuality in Kpop

And finally, we searched our archives and found --THE LOST FILES-- a whole podcast about S-E-X. 'L,' Tim, and Zander talk about their “first times,” as well as the prevalence and inequality of sexuality in Kpop. Listen here!

July 12-18, 2015

That's all for This Week in Kpop! It's been a busy summer, and there are a lot more big-name releases on the horizon! Stay tuned for more next time, and until then, have fun and be safe!

Critical Kpop Podcast (The Lost Files) - Sexuality in Kpop

This time on the Critical Kpop Podcast, we're talking all about S-E-X and our "first times." That's right, sex and sexuality is everywhere in Kpop. But does it affect men and women equally? Join the discussion with 'L,' Zander Stachniak, and...Tim Moore? What is this, an alternate universe where Tim still exists? Not quite! We found this gem hidden away in our archives, and now is a perfect time to share! What are your thoughts about sexuality in Kpop? Let us know in the comments!

Critical Kpop Podcast (The Lost Files) - Sexuality in Kpop 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.

Feminism in Kpop Takes Three Steps Forward!

This is a fascinating time for women in Kpop. Because even while girl groups are vying for the award for sexiest beach-dance; even while Goo Hara is admitting that her style concept for her new album is to “pick outfits that guys would want their girlfriends to wear”; even while Stellar is doing their very best to tease us with their metaphorical vaginas (presumably their actual ones will be banned from broadcast); even through all of this, there are some real positives for women in Kpop this week. Don’t believe me? Let’s take a look!

Clara Cleared of Blackmail Charges

In the ongoing saga between Clara and the CEO of Polaris Entertainment, Lee Kyu Tae, Clara has been cleared of all blackmail charges. And, in an incredible reversal, the prosecution is now charging Lee Kyu Tae for threatening Clara! Whatever your opinion of Clara, this is huge. Charging Clara with blackmail would have worsened an already bad culture of victim-blaming. It would have set a dangerous precedent for all women in Kpop (possibly all women in Korea) that feel sexually threatened, harassed, or humiliated. Unable to safely expose their attackers, women all over Korea would have been left with no recourse of police or legal action. Happily, that is not what happened here! Hopefully this message is heard loud and clear by all parties. Sexual harassment is not okay, and there are legal systems in place to protect us. That’s a big deal!

GOT7 Promotes Positive Self-Image for Women

It’s easy to be cynical about the image-obsessed world of Kpop. How many music videos have we seen that objectify both men and women, that treat humans as sex symbols, and that promote image as the most important quality a person can have? But here’s GOT7 giving us a release that goes against everything we are used to. “Stay just the way you are…don’t you change a thing,” they croon in “Just Right.” Wait. Really?

And note that this concept has nothing to do with romance. These aren’t creepy miniature men perving on some woman. This is a young girl playing with her dolls, and finding a reason for self-confidence and self-worth in doing so. That distinction is so important here. It’s one thing for a romantic interest to tell someone they look beautiful. That kind of affirmation is cheap. But it’s something completely different to instill a positive self-image in children from a young age. The video isn’t perfect: Jr. steals a Barbie (could there be any worse symbol for positive self-image?), and Jackson licks his lips suggestively. And no, GOT7 isn’t going to fix image issues in Kpop all by themselves. But we have sit up and take notice of a group that is attempting to do something positive rather than sticking to the status quo!

Jonghyun Hosts a Honest Dialog about Misogyny

This one requires a bit of background. Only July 11, Jonghyun of SHINee began addressing accusations of him being a misogynist. The hubbub started after a conversation on Jonghyun’s radio show, Blue Night Radio, with Nine of Dear Cloud. It’s very difficult to give an accurate picture of what was said without reading the whole transcript (head over to Omona They Didn’t for a great recap). But here’s a small piece of it.

Jonghyun: That, how should I say, um.. they’re a blessed existence, women.

Nine: Gasp! Do you think so?

Jonghyun: I think that way.

Nine: How come?

Jonghyun: What I mean is, the existence that gives the greatest inspiration to all artists..

Nine: Ah, muses!

Jonghyun: I think that existence is women.

Nine: Ooh.. that’s interesting.

Jonghyun: To artists, considerably.. they make all poets write poetry, and all artists paint pictures,—

Nine: Wow that’s cool, to hear it that way.

Jonghyun: —and make all singers sing songs.


These statements were taken by many to represent a misogynistic view of women as nothing more than muses, or objects, rather than as equal creators of art. Netizens being netizens, a story like this would usually turn into a black mark on Jonghyun’s name. Not so from our perspective.

It turns out that Jonghyun reached out to a fan privately via Twitter (through direct messages to @quilliticy) to ask for clarification on why his comments were being misconstrued. What followed was a long and honest conversation about the representation of women, the possibly gendered and misogynistic term “muse,” and whether or not consumption is equated with hatred.

So what does it all mean? Well, it means that one of the leading men in Kpop takes gender dynamics very seriously. So seriously, in fact, that he is willing to risk further outrage or even embarrassment by holding an honest dialog (the conversation with @quilliticy was published with his consent). Most artists would be warned away from talking to fans for fear of making matters worse. In fact, we’re positive that SM probably warned him against this. Although we think that Jonghyun took a somewhat defensive posture, it’s hard to fault him for this. The accusations are serious, and very public.

But it’s the honest dialog that has us so impressed. Kpop is known for it’s binary modes of response, reaction and over-reaction, not for subtlety and clear-headed conversation. Let’s get something straight. Jonghyun is still a part of Kpop. And Kpop is still a very gender-biased world. One conversation can’t change that. But this dialog is exactly the kind of thing that can begin to wake up fans, netizens, artists, and labels.


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: July 5-11, 2015

This Week in Kpop is brought to you by Kpop's iconic teasers. You may string us along, you may even lead us the wrong way, but we'll always come back for more! Here's looking at you, Goo Hara. Super Junior. This week also had its share of comebacks and controversies, so let's just get started already!

Goo Hara (Guhara) Goes Solo

We're excited for this. We're terrified. We've been fans of Goo Hara for more than half a decade now, and have been following her even closer ever since we reviewed her reality show, Hara On & Off. That show would have actually been a good jump to a solo debut, and we wish DSP Media would have been more strategic in their planning. And that's what really terrifies us about this release: DSP. 

Some "fans" have been saying that Goo Hara doesn't have the talent to be a solo star, or that she sings terribly. We don't think those fans (shockingly) are being fair. For one, Goo Hara is a spectacular dancer. 

If DSP plays this right, she can unleash her inner rock star. Her singing isn't terrible, it's serviceable, and if that's a huge issue for you, we question why you're even listening to Kpop. We're sure Hara's been giving her release a lot of practice on all fronts. If you watched Hara On & Off you would see that she may be the most dedicated pop idol in the world. So she does have the talent, the skills, the drive, and may just be one of Korea's most glamorous beauties. So why are we worried? Because of releases like this:

DSP released a solo Kara album a few years ago to exhibit their solo skills. While they were, again, serviceable, and Hara's release was probably one of the stronger of the five (five - sob!), where this could have slayed, DSP went with being cute, and, ultimately, generic. Safe. Which has been modus operandi for the last few Kara releases as well. We're hoping for something closer to HyunA's "Red" instead of, well, HyunA's "Bubble Pop," with a bit of slaying and some attitude (and a touch of strangeness). We want Hara to stand out, because she can. The first album teaser seems badass and surprised people with a hip hop vibe, the other teaser? 

Not so great. We've been hearing that she'll be releasing two MV's - but which song will be on the music shows? We're hoping to be surprised here. We're hoping that DSP takes a risk. (GO BIG OR GO HOME)

Super Junior's "Devil" Teasers

Speaking of GO BIG OR GO HOME, we're not quite ready for Super Junior's special album release, Devil. Mark your calendar for July 16th because that is the day you're being slayed. This album commemorates 10 years of Kpopping(!), so we're expecting big things, especially coming off of last year's Mamacita, which we will defend to the death as one of the best albums of 2014.

The teasers look especially badass and fun, and ridiculous in the way that only Kpop can get away with. We can't believe that SM is having Girl's Generation and Super Junior performing at the same time, and maybe part of it is to overcompensate for departures from their most popular groups (so long, Tao). But let's not be too cynical here. Super Junior is about to tear the house down.

Eluphant's "Sim Sim" (featuring Sistar's Soyou)

While we haven't been wowed with Sistar's releases for maybe two years, they've made some great collaborations, friends. Here we have Eluphant's "Sim Sim" which features Soyou's soothing voice. From what we've heard of Eluphant's Man on the Moon, we're really loving. We don't know much about Eluphant (it's been a busy week in Kpop, come on), but we think we'll be hearing a lot more about him soon.

Girl's Day Apologizes

No, they're not apologizing for their middling release (zing!), but for being aloof and, at times, seemingly rude, during a live broadcast on AfreecaTV. They were criticized so much by netizens that they had to come back to the program to apologize for their behavior. You can read more about this on Soompi, because we're sufficiently over it already, and you should be too. Whatever the reason for their behavior (and the MC, Choi Kun has blamed himself and said much of it was scripted?), fans should remember that idols have unbelievably stressful lives - performing, training, dieting, constantly having media appearances, constantly being judged, that if most people had to live like this their faces would melt off of their heads. There will be missteps. There will be small breakdowns. That's life.

What's especially alarming is the venom being unleashed on Girl's Day over this flap. Netizens have been chomping at the bit, just waiting for Girl's Day to mess up. This is the case for any group, and any group of netizens who, as it happens, are not fans of said group and see that said group as rivals to their own fandom. This is not WAR. They've apologized. Nothing more to see here.

Girl's Day, SNSD, and Nine Muses! The Clash of the Girl Groups Continues! 

Speaking of Girl's Day, We had so many girl group releases this past week, we had no choice but to examine them all together, pitting them against each other and themselves! Girl's Day, SNSD, and Nine Muses enters the fray! Check out our latest Clash of the Girl Groups right here!

Your Cure for the Kpop Summer Blues? K-R&B!

And maybe you're just sick of girl groups and summer songs already! Well, Zander Stachniak sure is. And he knows just what the cure for his summer blues are, and maybe this will help you too. Enter: K-R&B! Check out the best new releases right here!

July 5-11, 2015

And that was This Week in Kpop! We're hoping that Girl's Day controversy will just fall away, as Kpop is gearing to have an amazing summer and just about everyone is invited. Why harp on the bad when there's so much good? Really, netizens. Are you not entertained? We are. And we'll be looking at more of these upcoming releases next week. Until then, have fun and be safe!