MBLAQ: Y... uh, why?

*this is not a light-hearted post


I saw MBLAQ's "Y" music video on TV a couple days ago, and by the end, "wtf" was scrolling across my brain. It starts out with a guy being emo and heartbroken over an apparently failed relationship. Eventually after a lot of crying and warm-fuzzy-glowy memories, he finds her in a club and shoots her. Then he cries on a bridge about what he just did. How romantic. I don't know, you can tell me to get over it because it's fiction, and just meant to entertain for 4 minutes. You could argue that domestic violence is in movies and TV, so if I don't like it in MBLAQ's new music video, I should also be ranting that it shouldn't exist in entertainment at all. You can tell me that you think it's freaking awesome. Yeah, whatever, tell me whatever you want. It's your opinion, so I can respect that.

I can't exactly verbalize why I don't think it belongs in a music video, it just feels wrong. And with the help of a translated version, you can see that the video takes a very literal interpretation of the lyrics. The music itself is about wanting revenge over a bad romance (Gaga, I hope this isn't the kind that you were rah-rahing about), and so now the message undoubtedly says: "Well, if you hurt my feelings, I'm going to kill you." 


Korean censorship has kicked in, and apparently, it's been requested that an edited version of the video be released (sans gun). However, Korea being prudish also has problems with the sex-related content (kissing and 2 people in a bed under the blanket). Brief article here.


For what I say next, I apologize if I trigger negative feelings in anyone. Click the link if you want to finish reading and/or see the music video.

there is no love with Gummy

Seriously. There's a female Kpop artist who goes by the name Gummy, although her given name is Park Ji-Yeon (박지연). I guess she'd be considered older for a woman music celebrity, as she's about 29 right now in comparison to a lot of the girls in the Kpop groups not even being in their 20's yet. I think she has a beautiful voice, and her label has been working on a comeback for her with the following song. Apparently, when she first debuted back in 2003, she was overshadowed by other groups on her same label. So 7 years later, with 2NE1, Big Bang, and Se7en (thanks wikipedia), the label they're all signed under is bringing her back to the spotlight. Click the link to see Gummy's comeback single, There Is No Love and some other current Kpop music!

Kpop mashups

I blame it on a couple of friends who sometimes live and breathe Kpop, but these days I find I like it more than I used to, and I'm even looking for a way to get some onto my hard drive... oh dear. Anyway, here are some Kpop youtube mashups. They're fun! As is now usual, click the "read more" link to get behind the cut. 
List
1. Beast/B2ST and HyunA: Shock/ Change
2. SNSD and Ke$ha: Run Devil Run
- being the same song, it's not so thrilling, but the combination of english and korean lyrics is fun.
3. BoA and Britney Spears: Touched/ Circus
4. One Republic and G-Dragon: Apologize/ Heart Breaker

Gil Hak Mi: Super Soul

When I stay at John apartment, I get to watch some TV since I decided not to subscribe to cable at my own place. There's a channel called Arirang that features programs in English, and today I caught one that talked about some new Kpop music. This song, I found I really enjoyed! It's got a little bit of a different tone from the general Kpop songs. I think moving away from common pop sounds and bleeding into other music genres is an upcoming trend. Gil Hak-mi made a comment in her interview that she thinks she's chubby, and to expect her to look skinnier in the future. I mean seriously... she's teeny tiny! 
Click the link to see the video. 

Kpop sampling 2, Ke$ha interrupting

Just trying to eat up the last 10 minutes of work. 

I saw this on someone's Facebook page: Run Devil Run, performed by Ke$ha. I honestly don't know anything about this artist, is she popular right now? According to wikipedia, she recorded a "guide version" back in 2008, with SNSD(Girls Generation) recently releasing is officially. 

The rest of the post is cut because these videos take up too much space, and it's ugly. So, click the link below if you want to explore some Kpop!

music sampling: female Kpop groups

Kpop is basically the only music genre here that gets a lot of radio play. The underground music scene is where you can find the metal, the rock, the punk. Some other friends who write online regularly post videos, so I'm late in doing this but I'm assuming those in the states who are reading haven't yet looked up any Kpop videos. And even if you have, here's a highlight of what's popular. And when you're popular, you're played on repeat. Everywhere. Okay, the first 2 are really old (as in 6 months or a little older since they were already on the airwaves when we arrived), but since they're the first songs I heard, they will always be a fond reminder of the amazement in arriving to Korea. 



Brown Eyed Girls- Abracadabra
I read about them a little quite a while ago. From what I remember, they became widely popular with this song and video. The video was kind of their makeover into a sexier/darker version of themselves; something that has inspired many other female Kpop bands to follow suit. The group got some criticism for the video content, so they released a stage version- but I mean seriously? Who's gonna watch that? I'll say it, I think this video is hot. 

2NE1- I Don't Care

This group gears more for innocent cute, as the youngest was about 16, the oldest close to my age (24). Notice, though a trend which I think is coming from Brown Eyed Girls: the long haired pretty girl, short haired modern stylish/daring one, the sporty/ "hard core" rapper girl, and another that's just kind of there. This one was awesome to us... until we discovered Abracadabra. 

Girls Generation- Gee 

This group is ridiculously huge and slightly overwhelming. This group is also primarily a cute band. 

Girls Generation- Run Devil Run

This is GG's take at the sexy look. A friend thinks it's a failure, I could care less. The sound of the song is more unique from the rest of what's around right now. A hint of jazz in the chorus works as a good hook to get stuck on your brain. If only they could step away from the cutesy dance moves.

Park Bom- You and I

I think she's from 2NE1. It's pretty common for group members to do solo projects on the side. This is a song I personally really enjoy. It's been around for a few months, so you don't hear it as much in the bars or malls these days.

T-ara- Bo Peep

The first time I heard this song, it was New Year's, I was in a club in Seoul, and a friend and I were convinced they were saying "F*!@# me F*!@# me". Then we saw the video- this version-  and I still don't know what to think. The butt shaking is just so weird, there's no way it can be sexy, but the story line is provocative- extremely so in this country. It's rated 19+. Not to mention the whole cat thing is entirely bizarre and slightly disturbing. Here's a link to the general audience friendly version. Bo Peep

HyunA- Change

I'll leave you with this video. My guy friends are easily excited by it. Whatever. It's daring I guess for Korea. I mean, she's channeling western female pop stars. See the Rihanna and Beyonce?

Okay, so in the end a lot of these songs have been around for a while. I don't stay on top of the current hits (as in week to week). Next time I'll get some of the male groups in. Someone else who's really popular here: Lady Gaga. I love it. 

Actually, I'd rather leave you with this video.