The first celebrity couple of the New Year has been revealed.
Comedian Jang Dong Min and singer Navi appeared on tvN's 'Selling Broadcast Company's Time' on December 31st . During the show, Jang Dong Min made a surprise announcement that he and Navi are currently dating eachter. Apparently, their agencies didn't know about their relationship either.
His confession indeed shocked the other MCs that they kept asking him if it was real, to which Jang Dong Min said,"I'm not joking. It's true that we are dating each other. I was unable to tell her beforehand". Yoo Se Yoon, who is know as Jang Dong Min's bestfriend, also confirmed and said the two are being careful with their relationship.
A new celebrity couple has been borned into the K-Pop world.
On January 1st, Dispatch released an exclusive article announcing that JYJ's Junsu and EXID's Hani are currently in a relationship. According to the report, the two has been dating each other for 6 months and it was Junsu who fell for Hani first.
The media outlet also released proof pictures of Junsu and Hani during their dates. It was revealed that the two mostly date in Junsu's home, where he lives temporarily with his manager. They're always careful because of their celebrity status.
C-Jes Entertainment later confirmed the news with an official statement,"The two previously supported each other as a sunbae and hoobae but they started developing romantics feelings for each other recently. Please look fondly on them so that they can continue to promote actively in their respected fields. Since this is their private matter, we cannot reveal anymore information".
Happy New Year, everyone! Much like last year, we want to give our writers and editors the opportunity to make their Kpop predictions! Will 2016 be as bright as 2015? Or will we return to the dark ages of...2014? Let's consult our respective oracles and get started already!
2015 was a blast for sure. We saw the unexpected rise of the old powerhouse groups like Girls Generation and Big Bang. For me, 2016 is going to be the make or break for a lot of mid-tier groups. This is when they’re either going to rocket to success or just burn out. This is the year when quality will replace quantity. Although there has been a barrage of group debuts, a lot of them have hovered below the radar for a long time. If Hallyu is going to continue to be a cultural export, it will have to become relevant and polished. I think that the trend of “viral” Kpop is going to go away, since it’s pretty common place now and appeals to a very limit audience. 2016 will see Kpop potentially become a more legitimate music genre, instead of one that is only for little girls or hipsters and therefore, the music quality will have to improve substantially. With more groups having a bigger hand in the production of their own music, I think it will have a positive reflection on the themes, lyrics, concepts and composition of more music, and elevate its quality.
Overall my prediction is positive! I have a good feeling about 2016 and although I can’t pinpoint anything specific, I can tell it’s going to be a year when we are more proud to be fans.
From the perspective of a girl group fan, 2015 was explosive — but in a good way. While 2014 saw chaotic member leaves (Girls’ Generation), group-shattering scandals (2NE1) and failed comebacks (f(x)), 2015 saw groups reforming after years of hiatus (Wonder Girls), carrying on after losing a member or two (9MUSES, Girls’ Generation, f(x)), and hitting #1 for the first time in 5 years (Miss A). 2015 was a recovery from a destructive 2014, and I see that theme permeating into 2016 as well. Some artists still have a lot to prove — can EXID excite the public with a new sound, and will BESTie ever see a similar rise? will CL be successful in the States, and can 2NE1 recover with all its 4 members? can SISTAR revamp its tired summer-sexy concept, and will KARA’s contracts pull them apart?
Even the rookies — TWICE, GFriend, Lovelyz, Oh My Girl, and more — will have to battle it out next year for a place among the greats. With groups like MAMAMOO, Red Velvet and FIESTAR hitting new popularity, bigger and better comebacks will be necessary to cement a place in the Kpop world. While 2015 represented redemption, 2016 will be a fight for relevance, a battleground of variety appearances, acting opportunities, music show wins and chart rankings to epitomize the girl group’s struggle for fame.
As I mentioned on the podcast, I expect a lot from 2016. In my mind, this is the year that Kpop starts going mainstream, transforming from a weird, unheard of niche hobby into a transnational pop music. Don't get me wrong, it won't happen all at once. It will be a process. But 2016 is the year that we start recognizing it. Each one of us will start gathering stories of times we met another Kpop fan in an unexpected place, times we heard Kpop from an unexpected source. And before we know it, those stories will stop feeling like outliers and will start becoming the norm. That's dependent, of course, on a year full of big releases and great music (but let's be real, that's almost a given).
What my prediction really boils down to is a recognition that Western interest in Kpop has so far been witnessed as an exponential growth, and 2016 will be the year that each of us starts noticing. Get ready to start sharing your love of Kpop with the people you'd least expect!
I think 2016 is going to continue some positive momentum for Kpop, although I think we'll see a shift here. I predicted last year, CORRECTLY MIND YOU, that the big hitters - the SNSDs and EXOs of the world would rebound from their scandal-fueled '14. Zander, INCORRECTLY MIND YOU, predicted that it would be a year defined by the B-list groups. As I pointed this out in the podcast, he was wrong, but only with his timing. We probably won't be seeing Big Bang for a long time, friends, and SNSD is focusing on subgroups and solo releases. Other big groups are either dealing with the draft or inevitable idol fatigue. I agree with a lot of Sarah and Kushal's points here. This will be the perfect time for these B-list groups to strike!
Expect big years from groups like Fiestar, Boyfriend, Rainbow (one can dream, right?), and groups that are already near the top tier like AOA and GOT7. I even foresee groups like Sistar and Beast, who, let's face it, are mired in a creative funk, really breaking loose and surprising people here.
They better. The competition is getting tougher and the popular groups are staying relevant longer - and guess what, the rookies, groups like Twice, Mamamoo, and Seventeen are set to dominate for the next five years. It's time to put up or shut up. If a lot of these middling groups don't find success, they're done, son.
Hafsa: Right. Predictions for 2016 in Kpop. Seriously? I have a hard time predicting one group’s style from one album to the next and I need to guess what's gonna happen over a year? Tall order that. But ok, let’s see.
Am I delusional or is there actually a wee shift towards the pursuit of self-expression in Kpop? Mostly spearheaded by groups like BTS and EXID. As opposed to the usual theme of “look at my pretty booty”.
Gayathri: Yass totally. Also Seventeen. Did you know those guys produced their entire album and self-choreographed it? Also girl groups. I'm seeing a lot of potential for girl groups to do more than just “oppa love me” and actually chart well. Like Mamamoo and obviously The Ark - who NEED a comeback :""""
Also female artists in general are finally beginning to show more variety, which finally tg. Like Taeyeon's I and that IU album, and even the more retro throwbacks by SNSD. Honestly, If I have to see another rehash of SNSD’s cringe-worthy old stuff by new girl groups I will cry.
H: I have noticed that! Groups are increasingly taking a bigger part in production and the music has been developing a lot more personality and flavour. Am I the only one feeling like everything is turning more towards hip hop? The year felt a little like every debut group seemed to lean more towards variations of that style. 2015 had a lot of solo releases and return of all the big hitters – Shinee, Big Bang, Exo, BTS, SNSD- but I felt like rookie groups were kinda the highlight. But that being said I think 2016 is gonna be a huge mash of experimental sounds as each of these groups tries to find their unique sound and expressive niche. That should be interesting to watch.
G: Oh yea I totally agree...interesting that when I look back on it a lot of the standout groups this year were from small companies I think? I mean JYP, SM and YG did a lot and slayed, but a lot more attention was for groups from small time companies as opposed to last year.
Yeah, I feel like the shift to the hip hop thing could be the sudden popularity of hip hop-based reality shows? You know ones like “Show me the money” + “Unpretty Rapstar”. Gotta capitalize on the trends and all that. Plus BTS was big this year and it worked for them.
To sum it up, I feel like any group that tries something more experimental could potentially see a lot of popularity next year.
H: So 2016 is all about exploration in search of either a new sound or a personal unique sound. Anything else? No more butt please. That's too much to ask isn't it? XD
G: 2016: the year of experimental sounds, self-expression and badass females
H: I can get behind that. Pun not intended ;)
And that's it for us at Critical Kpop. Thanks for the wonderful 2015! We really hope you've had an exciting New Years. In 2016, stay tuned for more news, reviews, and analysis of the crazy world of Kpop!
This episode is all about the one and only miss A! Join Tim and Zander as they chart the rise of one of their favorite groups by taking a close look at every single they ever released! Yes. Prepare yourselves to be slayed.
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 is iKONic, In fact, iKON really laid waste to the week and did so alone, while you were snug tightly in your new Christmas blanket. We can't be more excited that the holiday season is over and Kpop has been released from the stranglehold of Christmas, so let's get started already!
iKON rules December
How appropriate is it that iKON's coming back to town, taking names, checking them Twice, etc? For months, we've debated iKON's debut and seven big releases in now, there's no mistaking it: iKON will be a dominant group. They're also one of the busiest - with a full album out and more videos in 2015 this side of Jay Park, they've entrenched themselves in the Kpop sphere. Releasing "What's Wrong?" and "Dumb and Dumber" in a notoriously vacant holiday season is a smart move, and what's even better is that both of these songs are lively jams.
They're also both showing more hyper energy and mucho personality that we think will define iKON far more than they're mellow and, if we're going to be honest, forgettable "My Type." We say that in the face of that song being an indisputable hit and their future already secured.
"What's Wrong?" is a strange beast and we're loving it as a party anthem, as the video degenerates from a confrontation with masked women, to dodge ball, and then, of course, to dancing. But the real gem may just be "Dumb and Dumber." Some are calling it iKON's "Fantastic Baby," and maybe it does have similarities, but we think "Dumb and Dumber" stands on it's own. It's fun, it's ecstatic, and iKON seems to be really letting loose and showing the urgency of jamming out that was missing in their earlier releases. We're not saying that all of iKON's songs need to be energetic and caustic, but to stand out in the crowded boy band field, it certainly helps to make a scene.
Check this videos out, friends. iKON has saved December!
Christmas is Over. OR IS IT?
Our long musical nightmare is just about over. We think. We hope. Christmas is over and with the coming of the new year, we're pumped for, we're sure, a slew of new releases. We'll never understand why Christmas is so big and Kpop and how nearly every idol needs to have their own swing at the holiday, usually in the cheesiest way possible. It's over. But for some of us, the threat of Christmas is alive all year long, forever.
We liked "Hide and Seek" though by Turbo. KJK is always great to see and hear, friends.
To keep proving that we are the biggest Scrooges of Kpop, we took a look at some of our least favorite parts of Kpop, and the picture above may just give all the hints you need here. Tim and Zander take a look at a host of Kpop issues, which you can listen to right here.
December 20-26, 2015
And that was This Week in Kpop! The holidays are over and we're ready to get 2016 started already! We're super excited for the new year and what our favorite idols will bring. Aren't you ready? Well, get ready, already. Until next time, have fun and be safe!
Everyone has that one thing that drives them crazy about Kpop. Well, actually Tim and Zander have several! In this very merry holiday edition, Tim and Zander do nothing but complain! About what? You'll just have to listen to find out, won't you?
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 is all about the special releases and side projects, as the year crawls to a close! But even the side projects can be major - when some of our favorite divas take the reins. Who are we talking about? Like you didn't know already. Let's get started!
Hyolyn, Bumkey, and Jooyoung are all about the Loveline
Hyolyn has had a strange year, in most respects. Although she found success (and redemption) in her appearance in Unpretty Rapstar 2, she didn't really steal the show in the same way that Jimin did in the show's first iteration (Who did? YEZI). We're still scratching our head at her inclusion, as it felt like a slap in the face to Bora. But no harm, no foul, right?
What's hurt Hyolyn this year is undoubtedly the stagnation of quality Sistar's releases. "Shake It" certainly found success, but not acclaim, and we can't imagine that Hyolyn has much more love for these fun, bubbly releases and the limbo state of endless summer. If there's any hint of her discontent (which, to be fair, we're only imagining here), it would have to be in her variety of solo projects, like this year's collaboration with Zico and Paloalto, "Dark Panda" and now, "Loveline" with Bumkey and Jooyoung. There's a stark difference in her solo projects, which are darker, more adult, and embrace, fully, a hip-hop sensibility, which seems to be her raison d'etre this year, if you include her inclusion in Unpretty Rapstar.
"Loveline" is a welcome release in the throws of holiday songs. It's sexy, smooth, and Hyolin, Bumkey, and Jooyoung are just a dream together. The hook of the song is killer. We're glad that Bumkey's recent legal problems seems to be in the past, seemingly forgotten, as his absence would have been sorely missed. But we're most excited for the prospect of Hyolyn's recent solo moves bleeding into Sistar's music next year. How cool would that be? After seeing her rendition of Adele's "Hello," we'd almost be happy with a ballad! At least a ballad from Sistar would be a change.
ChoA's "Flame"
ChoA is one of our favorite idols, so when we heard rumors that she was set to make a solo debut, we were ecstatic. Well, it turns out that this isn't quite the case here, and that "Flame" is a part of a project for remaking songs initiated by, we believe, 1theK. Which makes sense, come to think of it - why give ChoA a solo release in the midst of the holiday season?
Still, "Flame," much like this year's "Don't be Shy," gives a tantalizing hint at ChoA's viability as a solo star - viability but also range. "Don't be Shy" is like a sexy Reggae thriller, dark and moody. While "Flame" is more of a traditional ballad, which, apparently, is the project: turning popular rap songs into old-school ballads. It's like reverse engineering here.
The video embraces the melodrama the ballad brings out - with a young vampire dreaming of sunlight - with ChoA making the requisite faces of an idol entrapped by her misery. In that way, the release is serviceable, although we're still hoping to see a solo debut that really lets ChoA break out. She already carries AOA vocally and is a fireball of charisma. Her potential for super-stardom is undeniable.
You've read hundreds of theories, we know. But how about you let our biggest BTS fan right here in Kpop take a crack at the connections between BTS' recent releases? You may be surprised at her conclusions. Or maybe, just maybe, you'll be in awe. You can check that out here!
2015 has been an amazing year for Kpop and Critical Kpop in general. Our latest podcast examines our past predictions from last year, as well as our favorite releases. We also look inward at Critical Kpop and our hopes for the coming year! We're also a bit drunk, so bare with us. You can listen to all that right here!
December 13-19, 2015
And that was This Week in Kpop! We're inching towards the end of the year, and we're getting more and more excited for the beginning of the Kpop cycle to being early next year. What are your hopes for the new year? Think we're in for some big surprises? Let us know in the comments! Until then, have fun and be safe!
There is no doubt that Bangtan Boys, also known as BTS, are one of my favorite Kpop groups to emerge from the industry in recent years. The talent of the seven-member boy group has been recognized both at home in South Korea, with awards such as the MelOn and Golden Disk “New Artist of the Year” awards, and abroad, with their third EP, The Most Beautiful Moment in Life Part 1, appearing on Fuse's english-dominated “Best Albums of 2015 (So Far)” alongside musical heavyweights Kendrick Lamar, Ciara, Drake, and Calvin Harris.
With the release of the group's newest MV, “Run” and accompanying album, The Most Beautiful Moment in Life Part 2, fan theories have been circulating as to the hidden meaning behind the BTS “Trilogy,” composed of “I Need U,” the prologue from their solo concert, and “Run.” The theories are lush and range from one member being dead, to all the members being dead, to hallucinations and the Butterfly Effect, to an Inception-type dreamscape, to an illustration of the stages of depression and mental illness, to suicide and simple bullying between friends.
My own theory around the BTS Trilogy is rather simple, but symbolically dense: this is a complicated metaphor for growing up.
When BTS released The Most Beautiful Moment in Life Pt 1, leader and rapper Kim Namjoon described it as an album about adolescence, which is the most joyful part of life, but also wrought with “anxiety and insecurity.” Since the members of BTS range in age from approximately 18-23, they are in the stage between youth and adulthood where things get awkward and confusing. To me, the BTS Trilogy is about the death of helpless childhood innocence and the inevitable transition to adulthood.
In a lot of ways, the BTS Trilogy of videos reminds me of the 1986 film, Stand By Me, wherein a group of 4 childhood friends set out to discover the body of a dead boy from their town with the hopes of becoming local heroes. However, in the process, the boys confide in each other and shed their childhood and innocence. By the end of the film, the boys are separated and are no longer friends, but still hold onto their memories of that time.
All three videos are rich with symbolism, and although the lyrics of the music play an important part, they aren't absolutely essential to understanding the story. There is quite a lot of shifting timelines and perspectives between characters, which means that this story belongs to all the characters in their own ways. Unpacking this story is easier if we follow the same non-linear timeline.
“I Need U” represents a helpless descent as the chorus repeats “fall, fall.” The characters are seemingly not in control of their own behaviors and feelings, reacting to what happens around them in youthful innocence and ignorance. In this MV, we see the characters reacting to their environments and situations. The focus shifts from scenes of the group together, acting jovial and friendly, to scenes of each member alone, where they turn to despair and sadness in its many forms. When together, the seven characters are carefree and wild. For example, Hoseok, who is seen taking handfuls of medication, dumps the entire bottle into the fire when joined by his friends, preferring to feel emotions with his friends, rather than the numbness of loneliness.
But each character is ultimately a product of the world around them, unable to control their decisions, as they are “children.” The climax of the MV occurs when Taeyhun, driven to anger, witnesses his father hitting his mother and stabs him to death. Each character also “dies” when alone: Hoseok collapses onto a busy road after overdosing on the same prescription medication, Jungkook is hit by a car after being beaten by thugs, Yoongi and Namjoon are presumed to self-immolate and Jimin drowns. Jin doesn’t necessarily and explicitly die, but he does appear in an empty room, isolated and restless and obviously in pain.
The Prologue continues this sense of losing control as it opens with Taehyun, bloodied and visibly shaken after stabbing his father. But it soon shifts to a bright open space where he is calm and clean. He holds a photo of his father and crumples it in his hands. This is more symbolic than literal: in “killing” his father, Taehyun has severed ties with an important figure in his life, no longer needing his presence. Here we also see Jin recording everything from an outsider’s perspective, showing us viewers only the beauty of youth, maybe even making us long for it. When looking back on youth, it is often remembered as the most beautiful moment in life, but with it comes fear, anxiety, loneliness and all manner of mixed emotions
Namjoon is also seen writing “you need to survive” in Korean onto a foggy window before joining his friends fireside. While this may seem literal, it feels more like a pep talk, encouraging his friends (and the viewer) that survival is most important and that living in childish ignorance will result in the brain-dead, lifeless state that we see Namjoon in, working at the gas station. We can tie this back to “I Need U” where it’s revealed that Namjoon’s lollipop is actually a cigarette and by dropping it onto the money thrown at him from a car, he is giving up his childish state, knowing that it is time to move forward instead of being stagnant.
In the second half of the video, the group is together at the beach, and Taehyun climbs up scaffolding while the others look on and beg him to come down. Jin is again, recording this through his video camera and does not pressure Taehyun to climb down. After “killing” his father, Taehyun has to take a leap from being a child to becoming an adult, leaving the responsibility of his life in his own hands, rather than anyone from the outside. Taehyun offers his friends a smile and then confidently jumps off the scaffolding while the music in the background swells and repeats “butterfly”. Now Taehyun is literally flying instead of falling, emerging from his cocoon and is free to make his own decisions.
In the third MV, “Run”, there is a marked difference in the actions of the characters.
They no longer appear to be passive, but rather acting based on the world around them. They are literally more “alive” than they were in “I Need U,” running throughout most of the video, acting out without regrets. Jin, our observer, builds a house of cards which is destroyed as Yoongi breaks a mirror after playfighting with Jungkook becomes violent. The camera then pans towards Jungook sitting on the ground where we can see the rest of the group around him, but when the camera pans out it’s obvious he is alone. Now we know that the party is over. The way Jungkook sees himself, as a fragile house of cards is now over. He glances back to the mirror for a split second, as though he is seeing the reality of himself for the first time. And as Namjoon wrote earlier, he must also “survive.”
There is also heavy use of the symbolism of water and fire throughout the MVs. We see Taehyun falling backwards into water at the start of “Run” and struggling to swim throughout, but at the end he emerges from the water unharmed. Jimin also drowns in a bathtub, and is also seen being pushed into a bathtub and playfully being forced under. On the other hand, we also have Yoongi (and Namjoon) “die” by fire in “I Need U.”
Although these are opposite elements, it's interesting to note that fire can represent not only death, but also represents enlightenment and resurrection. Water, likewise, can symbolically refer to the cycle of life and rebirth, as well as higher or philosophical reasoning.Taehyun and Jin die and reawake in water, Yoongi and Namjoon, who are first seen as passive, are engulfed by fire and symbolically reborn. Hoseok casts aside his medication and embraces his emotions instead of running from them. Jungkook, who was helplessly beaten by thugs is able to see himself clearly and Jin is no longer on the outside looking in. In this way, each character reaches the end of their journey and emerges into adulthood.
Despite the chorus of “I Need U” ringing out for a girl, there is no instance of the members of BTS fighting over the affections of a woman, or lamenting about a lost crush. Nor are they parading their ego and confidence to draw the attention to themselves. This trilogy is purely about friendship, growth, and ultimately, the loss of innocence. Of course, this is only one theory of many, and there are symbols and metaphors that I have not accounted for. This chronicle stretches across two albums, photobooks, several music videos, and even a concert. As such, this theory is by no means exhaustive, nor even complete. Writing an entire analysis of every scene and symbol in this trilogy would ruin its appeal and story. One thing is absolutely certain, however: this is a mature and grown-up attempt at using music as storytelling.
Pinning down one explanation would take away the mystery and ultimately, the fun of unravelling this tale. By utilizing visual storytelling, strong metaphors and music cues, BTS has taken every available tool at their disposal to weave a complicated and lengthy concept without having to rely on the tired Kpop cliches of dancing in a box, or flashing their bodies. But isn’t that what we look for when we embrace a “concept”? Depth, relevance and relation to our own lives. BTS has checked off every box and made sure to not hold our hands throughout it. Here is an entire world, like our own but minutely different, and open to any and all interpretations. If this isn’t proof of a group growing up, I’m not sure what is. '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.
2015 is (almost) over - what will the new year bring? On today's episode, we share our predictions and revisit some highlights from the last 365 days. Which of the big three agencies had the best year? What songs will Sarah, Tim, and Zander choose to represent 2015? Take a listen, friend!
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 is upon us, friends, and even when the week is quiet, we're here to be of service - to you. Granted, the week wasn't completely at a loss. Three female artists in particular brought us some cheer. And Zico? Zico was just being Zico, so let's get started already!
Younha, Lim Kim, and Solar Save the Season!
Just when we were about to call quits to 2015, three of our favorite female Kpop artists delayed our hibernation, friends. We're talking Younha, we're talking Lim Kim, we're talking Solar from Mamamoo. Listen! Watch!
We have a special soft spot for Younha who isn't incredibly splashy but always surprising, poignant, with songs that tip just beyond the traditional ballad. It's as if she was born with a voice for ballads but was also equipped with an aura of self-awareness and a distaste for overwrought melodrama. Goodness - have you even watched "The Real Reason Why We Broke Up," friends? It's spectacular! It's a ballad slayer (imagine that)!
No matter how popular Younha gets, she should be even more popular, so it's just great to hear her voice as the year comes to a close. Fortunately, "Hashtag" turns out to be an excellent release, produced by Tablo. The video is understated, and Younha's voice (as we've written) is beautiful. Listen! Watch!
We were thrilled to get this release from Lim Kim, whose voice couldn't be more different than Younha, but is no less iconic. If anything, Lim Kim's breathy vocals are some of the most iconic in all of Kpop. We have really never heard of a Lim Kim song we didn't like, so we were not surprised when "Stay Ever" starts like a slow melodious Christmas song, but then erupts into a mellow winter jam. Verbal Jint makes an appearance here, and he once again fits perfectly in a duet, even though Lim Kim may be the antithesis of Taeyeon, as terms of vocal mastery. We were surprised by this unexpected release - but not by the song's quality. Listen! Watch!
And then there was Mamamoo. Solar, specifically. This isn't a major release - just a cover called, "Only Longing Grows" (according to comments on YouTube). It has that overwrought drama that we're always apprehensive with ballads, but it's Solar, people - and how cool is it to hear her get her diva on? Mamamoo are the masters of staying active and in the public's consciousness with releases like this sprinkled all year, The strategy seems to be working as Mamamoo keeps getting more popular! So: Listen! Watch!
Also: Zico tho
How fun is this release? Zico's been killing it this year and is starting to rival Jay Park with the amount of music videos he's producing. "Eureka" Teamed with Zion.T, the video is as you would expect - A long litany of gorgeous women paraded in period costumes for Zico to pursue or be in stunned awe of.
The song itself has a jazzy old-school vibe to match the period clothing, and holds a goofy sexiness that maybe only Zico can really pull off. In any case, we're really digging Zico's recent releases, and "Eureka" may be one of our favorites.
Gayathri Ravindran and Hafsa Tameez are back, Jack, and they've taken one too many Philosophy classes! Here they find connections between two of SHINee's most recent releases and what they may say about their celebrity. Don't know what we mean? They'll break it down for you right here!
December letting you down? Us too! But there's good things happening too! Our first of two podcasts this week follows Sarah, Zander, and Tim, who detail some of the big releases of the last few weeks. Find out what the "ooh" is all about by listening here!
The 2015 MAMAs recently brought up a plethora of conversation - from controversial winners to... controversial performers?! Hear Zander and Tim duke it out! The mind vs. the heart! Only one can survive! Listen here!
December 6-12, 2015
And that was This Week in Kpop! The year's almost over and we can't even believe it! Hopefully they'll be a few more surprises in store so we don't get completely bored already. Fingers crossed! Until we meet again, have fun and be safe!
What's more important than the MAMA Awards? The MAMA (Mo) Awards, dummy! Join Tim and Zander as they break down each category, compare winners and losers to past trends, and get into a heated debate! Zander uses the word "egregious." Tim calls Zander a heartless robot. Only the MAMA (Mo) Awards could be so controversial! Tune in!
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.
Hafsa Tameez is a Pakistani-born, nowhere-based interior designer/ professional procrastinator/ self-entertainer. Stumbling onto Kpop as a socially-awkward shy recluse, she was immediately hooked. After making the irrevocable mistake of taking a philosophy course in college, she now loves analyzing the world of Kpop with Gayathri. While she adores far too many Kpop groups, her favorites have always been SHINee, Vixx, Exo, Mamamoo and Spica (though BTS is swiftly reeling her in).
Gayathri Ravindran is an Indian-born, Dubai-based Multimedia Design student currently 4 months away from graduation. She discovered Kpop through the irresistible charms of the one who calls himself Nichkhun, after seeing him on Running Man one too many times. Last year something possessed her to take a philosophy class, then two more and now she spends her free time analyzing Kpop culture with Hafsa. Currently following way more groups than she has time for including 2PM, SHINee, Vixx, BTS and Exo. Not a big fan of girl groups, although she is very excited about Mamamoo and The Ark.
This is what happens when Kpop takes over your life and you decide to take a philosophy class... Hafsa: ‘View’ vs ‘Married To The Music’: The relation that may or may not exist as a result of my madness
Sounds like a title to me XD
Gayathri: So I haven’t actually looked up lyrics to either song. Do you think it’s significant or are we sticking mainly to the visual?
H: I don’t remember the lyrics for "View." But "Married To The Music"?
Very… uh…romantic?
G: Is that the word for it? LOL. yeah all I remember is “neomu areumdaumdaumdaumdaum view”. That’s literally it. I’m guessing they’re not talking about Minho's abs? XD
H: I don’t know, but did you notice that every time the chorus came up it was Minho right there on screen?
Not really minding that view right there. If you know what I mean :3
G: Haha I do ;)
H: I also remember “I won’t let you down”
Mostly cuz it’s always an Onew solo shot there and I want them contacts.
G: Ooh his grapefruit hair
H: And that
G: And that poor soul who tried and failed to get with that :””
Ok anyway Imma look at finding a video with English subs for View
H: if you find a good one, send me the link
G: IDK man, I'm not convinced "sweetly dip it in & eat the fondue of light" is an accurate translation.
:/
But then again, who even knows
H: Fairly certain that fondue ain’t no dessert
Is it just me being pervy or are both songs about getting down
G: Right? I was just about to say it got very explicit after the fondue bit. Omo. What if it’s like the Korean 'netflix and chill’?!
H: The what now?
G: Like Bieber's chillin’ by the fire eatin’ fondue?? XD
Netflix and chill is basically a new slang term for doing the do
You feel? *creepy eyebrow wiggling*
H: Oh God! Hahahahahahahaha
Then wait till you read the lyrics for Married To The Music
G: Whoa whoa whoa! What's this about the “moment you pass your sleeping senses”?
H: Dude. IDEK
You know I’m not great with pop culture references -.-
G: Of course that’s why I’m here.
So basically this areumdaum view is like all the 'normal' coming of age stuff they never got to experience since they’re idols and it would be scandalous?
H: That’s what I thought. Like when I watched the two MVs, the thing that caught my attention immediately was that both of them seemed to reference SHINee’s idol lives, a lot. View almost entirely. Married To The Music kinda more through the title and chorus I guess
G: Hold on I’m still on the lyrics for "View." I’ll look at "Married To The Music" now.
H: Dear Lord. Oh wait, better yet "On this hot groove, I'll take you"
XD. Like even I get that one, ok?
G: LOL
So what I'm getting from this is that the only way they can imagine falling in love with someone and pursuing an actual relationship is if they're also "Married To The Music" as much as SHINee are? IDK man.
Hmm, but what about the video when they keep getting parts cut off? :/
H: Maybe...
I didn’t see it that way actually. When I first saw "View," I’ll be pretty honest, I was confused. I didn’t really get what was happening. It took me a while to understand that the girls had taken them away. And only waaaaay later did it click that their personas in the MV are a reflection of themselves in real life. Essentially SHINee is SHINee; work, performances, blah blah. But then these girls come and "kidnap" them. Correct me if I’m wrong but this is what I thought the MV was about.
G: Yeah, but to me it seemed like SHINee knew they were going to be taken away and just let it happen
H: You raise an interesting point, and honestly I’m not so sure. Basically SHINee end up chilling with their kidnappers. They essentially have a really great time until the wee end when the police find them. That’s when you hear the sirens
G: If you mean ‘netflix and chilling’ *eyebrow wiggles* :3
H: Hahahahaha. Our mind is really in the gutter today isn’t it? XD
Rejected though, in Onew’s case
G: Haha for Onew, yes
IDK about Minho though, dat face
H: That did not feel like chilling. I mean she bonked him over the head with a bottle
G: it seems like such an odd thing to include in there
H: I thought so too at first, but I think it’s left in there on purpose
G: I mean until that point I was pretty sure SHINee wanted to be there.
H: True, so we think they weren’t consenting participants on the kidnapping.
G: You think that’s a reference to saesang fans?
H: I don’t know. Maybe.
G: Like the reason they can’t be completely carefree is because it could be dangerous for them in terms of saesangs?
H: That’s one interpretation certainly.
I thought it was more like a reference to themselves. From the way the scene played out, it felt like a down-to-earth realistic realisation on SHINee’s part regarding who they are. Am I reading too much into this? I thought it was all a big giant metaphor for freedom
G: You're supposed to bruh. It’s called critical analysis.
I also think it’s interesting how first there's Onew who's obviously all NO and then Minho who doesn’t seem like he's sure about what he wants… Wait, did we just acknowledge Minho’s acting skills? O_O
H: LOL!
True. I didn’t really get that before, until I saw the MV with the lyrics.
It felt like they were singing from inside a cage, and the view isn’t necessarily a girl per say, but rather it is the view of the world. In in their case, the world outside the world of being an idol
G: I thought it was mostly about the whole ‘things they could be doing but can’t’
H: That would certainly play into it, I mean sure there are all these things they want to do but can’t
G: Hmm #samesame
H: And the MV shows that they would have fun doing them, but I think they also realise that they don’t particularly know how to
G: I see what you mean. So the MV is also the realisation that the freedom they crave is also dangerous for them. Hence the Minho-bonked-over-the-head-with-a-bottle don’t-know-what-he-wants thing. Makes sense. There are also those moments where the girls try to take photos and Jonghyun’s like “Nah man”
H: Yeah totally. There are numerous mentions of their idol lives. It even flashes on the TV screen in the grocery store at 0:52. Not to mention that huge collage wall.
G: Basically every time they mention ‘you’ in the lyrics, we're saying they don’t mean you literally as a person.
H: I believe so. I think that’s why the lyrics are that vague.
G: #twinning
I’m with you so far, but there is one part I don’t really get. So you know the lyrics at the end?
“It’ll be the first time for anyone, like you (I feel a thousand senses) Smelling and tasting the star light (I’ll never leave you lonely) Feeling the weight of the scent (I won’t let you down) Seeing the colour and shape of sounds”
What if here the person saying 'It’ll be the first time for anyone, like you' is not SHINee but say like a personification of the non-idol life that they dream of? You follow?
H: Uh…no. Sorry
G: Like what if this is the whole thought process in SHINee's head. Like an internal monologue thingy
H: Right, I follow!
G: Good, because I think I just confused myself.
H: Hahaha!
No it makes sense, and it fits right in with what I was saying. Essentially, "View," the lyrics are a monologue inside Shinee's head.
So let’s see. The whole song and mv for "View" is this:
SHINee are idols and they are stuck in the idol life. Cuz the idol life, for all its glamour and glory comes with restrictions that sometimes makes it feel like a cage. They realize that "in the ocean, time is a bottle"
They are basically stuck in a bubble because they are "so used to being bored they have forgotten the feeling of it being special." And SHINee is standing at the window looking outside into the world trying to figure out what lies out there in the world of freedom
G: And they are asking this view, this freedom essentially, to show them what it is that they are missing out there. But according to the MV, they add a slight layer that isn’t in the lyrics. In the MV, these girls fulfill their wish; they take them out, show them a great time. But SHINee also realize that this freedom, this world they see, this view is also dangerous. Maybe the “kiss on the eyes,” is the symbolic way of wanting to be able to look past that danger, to ignore it per say. Does that make any sense?
H: yup J
It’s almost like they want one thing but the world wants something else, or the world IS something else entirely.
G: “View” makes sense!!! Nice. I’m gonna miss the idea that neomu araemdaum view is the Korean Netflix and chill.
Now with that being said, I think "Married To The Music" is a continuation of this concept. Like I feel like if "View" was the problem, the unspoken desires, the longing and all that, then "Married To The Music" is the reconciliation
H: Ooh, I follow you. If "View" is looking out the window through the bars, then "Married To The Music" is turning around and looking inside
G: You mean like introspection?
H: No, as in looking at the interior of the cage of idol life that they are in.
OK, yeah. I’m a bit lost when it comes to "Married To The Music." The first time I saw this I had no context in terms of lyrics. Who is that girl supposed to represent? Is she also a personification of something? Also, is that a wedding veil?
H: She is. She is in full wedding attire. Same here, I had to watch it like 19 hundred million times to make any sense of it. Mostly cuz I was too busy drooling to do much else. #FangirlLyfe
G: I also assumed she was trying to create like a perfect guy with all the SHINee parts they keep losing but I don’t see how that works. Like is it a commentary on how idols are supposed to be perfect? Or more about the dynamics of the group as a whole? Like how each member is supposed to have a specific image or role to play? i.e.: Key being the mom of the group but not really
H: My friend, you ask the relevant questions. Just going through them I think the whole song and MV are an answer to the "if you want freedom so much and THIS is the reality of the idol business, why don’t you just leave" question
G: Ahh! Cuz they're "Married To The Music." They’re “married” to the idol life as a whole, and according to the lyrics they love it, which is why they don’t leave.
H: Exactly! Or if you really want some SM bashing in there, they are bound legally by a marriage-like contract. Whichever "View" floats your boat. See what I did there? ;)
G: Oh my God, yes I see what you did. That’s interesting since in "View" they were pretty vague. They never mentioned the word ‘girl’ specifically but they do here quite a few times.
H: I still think it’s not really a girl but rather their life personified as one
G: Yeah me too. So is the ‘you’ here a reference to the music or to idol life?
H: I think it’s the same thing. Their life IS their music. Hence "Married to the Music."
G: “All of me is you, Like it’ll explode, turn it up”,
Yea makes sense
H: I love that line. It adds a completely different layer of meaning. It’s not that they love the music idol life, but that IS them. How can they leave a part of themselves?
G: “Remember this unforgettable, hot highlight”. Man SHINee has some bomb pickup lines in these.
Still not sure about the parts getting cut off thing though. How does that fit in?
((((((((PIC)))))))))
H: I think I’m getting it. The lyrics here are their reasons for wanting and loving their idol lives and whatnot, and the MV gives all the reasons why they should probably leave. Basically, the MV shows their idol life metaphorically
G: OK...
H: Like watch it with the lenses of "SM does all this to its idols"
G: Ahh, I get it
H: For example, all the eating and drinking bits, I first thought that had to do with the strict idol diets and stuff
G: So like Key’s head getting cut off could be a reference to how he's not what they traditionally think is ‘good looking’. So cut off your face cuz no likey
H: I also thought it was because he is the sassy one. Spills secrets left and right without filter. Sort of like Taemin but less accidental
G: Haha. And Taemin's eyes? IDK, he's always been pretty observant and tactless about dropping truth bombs
H: True. So basically all these parts disappearing are representations of what they have to do as idols, turn their eyes away from issues like that
G: I guess. Jonghyun’s mouth makes sense. He is the main vocal so by default he gets the most lines and adlibs. Also he's pretty outspoken and politically aware. Remember how we were talking about him being funny and not being allowed on a lot of variety shows?
H: Ooh, I didn’t even think of that. In that case, even the throwing up makes sense. Especially since the chick who saw him tossed her cookies too. The throwing up could be their mistakes perhaps? Like people have a tendency to blow their mistakes waaaaay out of proportion or make big deals out of them. So in this case, Jonghyun makes a mistake and the lady follows right along.
LOL that scene though! Jong puking, chick puking, and Onew going "WEEEEE!! Confetti!!!"
G: True! I noticed that. And Minho's whole face. I guess his whole image is his face...like he’s just the pretty visual so no one cares about more than that
H: Right. And yet despite all this, they stay
G: But Onew’s nose? I can’t figure it out and it’s annoying me
H: That I have no explanation for. Ignore the way your band members smell on stage after a concert? I don’t know
G: Hahahahahaha!
H: Maybe it’s a reference to his looks too. Like how he is ranked last in the "Who’s handsomest" rankings. Or is it a reference to his smoking? We know him and Taemin do. But apparently he has this good boy image and fans didn’t like that he smoked. Also the smoking led to a lot of his vocal problems leading up to his surgery. That could be the nose thing…maybe
G: Yeah I remember when people caught him with an electronic cigarette and were disappointed. Maybe, since he is also the only one walking around with a soju bottle
H: Yeah and then we hit the scene where the "bridezilla" is sitting there making her collages. Which is mainly the reason why I think both songs/MVs are related. Cuz this wall collage came up in "View," where the chick gets the rejected by Onew
G: Ahh yea! And now here. Interesting. But if you look at them both, this one in "Married To The Music" is all fragments: this one’s eyes, that one’s mouth, this one’s eyebrow and etc. In "View," the collage is all their jacket shots and promo pics.
H: Huh. I’m getting this idea of deconstruction. "Married To The Music," aka the idol industry, picks and chooses what to promote and all. Hence the deconstruction. Literally with the noses and heads and mouths
G: Right, and the picture collages in "View," it's a whole image but still a false one. I mean those are promotional shots, hardly their real selves. I think this is where we as fans come in. Even the idea of sasaeng fans we touched on earlier. We see these images and think that’s what they are and presume to think we know them and what they want.
H: When it may not be really. In that case, it would actually make Onew's rejection of her right there more significant than just a massive burn. LOL
G: Right! So with "View" it is more to do with how idol culture affects them. And "Married To The Music" is how idol culture influences our perception of them.
H: But the conclusion is that they love it anyway and are willing to put up with it for their music.
G: Ok yeah. Makes sense. Choosing a horror concept then was a rather clever strategy wasn’t it?
H: Indeed it was. Subtle way of getting their point across.
H: So subtle we almost didn’t see it. But I think overall it was a clever way to tell their own story. It still does deal with the idea of identity and deconstruction, but I’m feeling like that might be a whole different topic then.
G: Ugh no stahp. I’d have to dig through my notes on Hume again. X.X
Wait…are we like done?
H: I think so....wow. And to think, first time I saw it all I thought was “ooh, pretty eyeshadow. Wonder if there’s a tutorial” XD
