Message From Mina: Reaching Out to KPop Fans

I've bet you've noticed some developments in the content posted on this blog.  I've been expanding the content barriers to include other music facets in JPop like Super Cell.  We've also crossed some water to include South Korean media.  (Both of the new contributing writers are new fans to AKB48 as well so they are friendlies.)  But I got off topic like I always do.  Personally, I've been writing A LOT about K-Pop all of a sudden.  My perception of K-Pop fans on the internet is very poor, but this is based on my limited interaction with them.  It mostly comes down to two types: them bashing a Japanese group or them responding to any sort of criticism with a 'you're just jealous of how amazing they are' blah blah blah.  I know K-Pop fans in real life, that combined with Eat Your Kimchi is how I really started to take a serious interest.  I'm not going to assume that I'm the only one here who enjoys K-Pop.  I would like to here some recommendations for blogs to follow.  I might make a separate blogroll, or should I just combine the two?

Mina Is Back. . .again With MOAR PV Reviews!

HYUNA stop wipping your crotch while people are looking at you!  Oh, and rubbing your butt against his is not how you do sex.  I get you want to be sexy.  I think you can do it to.  You are trying way to 'effing hard!  Look at the dude.  Everything is covered and he is just being chill and he looks smokin'.  Why must girls be overtly sexual to be sexy, but guys can just be simmering under the surface!  You just need to be confident Hyuna and people will think you are sexy.  Hyuna ruined this video, well that and some of the clothes she wore were a bit how much leg can we show without showing her pussycat.  Wait a second. . . did he just touch her crotch?  The video is quite fashionable and I like how they play off of each other.  I like the choreography where he goes to kiss her but she turns away.      
☆☆☆☆



It might be because I love Takei Emi but for a ballad PV I was throughly entertained.  When it comes to ballads the trick is to just keep my attention.  The song is lovely.  The sets and costuming is stylish, which makes sense since she is a charisma model.  I was confused at first by the contrast between the spring and winter, which appeared disjointed.  My first guess was that Emi was thinking back to the beginning of a love-relationship.  In Japanese literature spring signifies the beginning of romance, the courtship period.  Summer is when things get hot and heavy.  The relationship becomes strained in the fall.  And everything is dead by winter.  However, it is revealed that the spring segment is in one of the crystal balls.  I do enjoy twists, but I guess I could of realized it earlier because we get a glimpse of the crystal ball towards the beginning.  Takei Emi does a wonderful job at singing a ballad in front of the camera without it appearing stiff.
☆☆☆☆



The beginning of this video reminds me of K-Pop teasers.  It is very cool and serious and then you see the PV and hear the song, and it is rarely the same in epicness.  Another super group?  Is that going to become a trend now?  Most of these groups irk me because a fair number of the members never sing.  I get it, they are dancers.  Still, this is a music group isn't it?  I want them to at least sing back up.  I wish Happiness' lead vocalist would just go solo.  The dancing is good, as expected.  I like how they approached the outfits.  While the set matches the costumes well, it looks romantic and a bit gothic which does not match the song in the least.  There is also a bit of the Super Junior trapped in a room thing going on too.
☆☆☆  



It seems the world is going through a fairytale phase (there are two snow white films coming out).  I love the childlike wonder or this video.  My issues are with the length of her dress.  Her dress looks like something I would wear as a child and the video itself seems innocent.  I just want it a little bit longer, or shorts would work too.  I want that duck by the way.  The song is spectacular and playful, like I'm listening to a fantasy book.  I find it odd that she is bubbly in the storyline shots, but dead-pan in the dance shot.  It weirded me out.  I guess she is suppose to be doll-like like the figures that pop out of clocks.  My last critique was that the dance shot left something to be desired.  Since she had a traditional style dance shot I would of preferred a bit more movement and dancing on her part.  Either that, or more creativity in the angles and pans during the dance shot.
☆☆☆☆




The cityscapes and the desaturation/ use of cool (as in the temperature) colors.  The problem here is that box!  You can't introduce it as a major character if no one has any idea why it is there.  You need to give at least a hint.  I hate the close-up and solo, box-room shots.  With all the outdoor shots, including the dance shot, using the typical room thing looks out of place.  They needed to have a dance shot in a room complimentary to the outdoor dance shot.  They then could of used the outdoor shots at the climax of the song to give it some extra umph.  They should of introduced more variety towards the beginning because I started to get board.
☆☆☆


☆☆☆



In the dark room shot the introduction of different shirt colors was very interesting.  I love when they try something that I've never seen.  See!  There is nothing wrong with a room music video, but you need to add some a little bit of spice to it.  The shots, like of their feet, the consistent movement it all adds a bit.  Notice how they never let there be no movement, either the camera or the members, for too long.  This had an amazing dance shot!  I could of been perfectly satisfied with just that.
☆☆☆☆☆



☆☆



Oh my word, I am loving every second.  What I love about it is that it doesn't try to do anything that different.  It is all in the details.  The variety in cinematography combined with the basic style of a music video is brilliant.  It is simple but still unique at the same time.  Stylish.
☆☆☆☆☆

☆☆☆☆

☆☆



This is adorable.  They are doing cute right, not the annoying aegyo thing.  If you have fun and act natural you don't have to go over the top to look cute.  This is my favorite winter wonderland of the year so far.  
☆☆☆☆



Let's see, three dance shots in rooms with close ups.  This doesn't sell it to me.  There is nothing horrendous about any individual shot, bur I can see these three dance shots in completely different videos.  Like the plain room could go with a gritty and or retro theme.  The lightning room is kind of hipster.  Then there is the bee-hive which makes me think of 4Minute.     
☆



☆☆☆



Here is my deal with this video.  I feel like their crotch is in my face!  Those short, shorts combined with the camera looking slightly up at them tends to put their junk right near the center of the shot.  Plus the forward pan at that low level doesn't help.  I think 4Minute has a butt fetish.  They keep on popping and touching their tush.  I guess I'll give them a pass and assume that I just randomly noticed that area and started obsessing over it.  (They get an extra star.)
☆☆☆☆



☆☆☆



☆☆☆



Same old, same old.  Momoclo are idols on crack.  They have a ton of great shots and they look like they are actually enjoying themselves.  Wait!  Where did the coconuts come from!
☆☆☆☆☆



☆☆☆☆



The brilliant thing about this video is that it appears to be just a typical idol video, but then all hell breaks loose.  (I've tested it on my friends on Facebook, it is true.)  I think they are hilarious and I love to join in.  I don't love all their humor, but I understand why they do it.
☆☆☆☆☆



I like the styling of the video, it works well with the tone of the track.  HOWEVER, I find the song and the video offensive.  Women= a commodity on the same level of alcohol and cash.  Plus, the concept of the song, and how it is incorporated into the video, is completely unoriginal.  The majority of hip-hop songs in the US are all about men having a lot of all three.  I hate that the song is catchy and video looks amazing, but the context is horrible.  (Um, did you mean anything by taping girls' mouths shut. . .)  They lost a star for the look how much hot ladies, money, and fame I got shots.  Just a different cliche.
☆☆☆

TVXQ's Balloon and Furry Madness

This video freaks me out like no other.  I get that they are trying to be cute, but it is so wrong, so very wrong.  Guys can be cute and adorable.  This is, however, not the way you go about it.  First off, Micky and Junsu have grown out of wearing fluffy animal costumes.  They both look way to adult and manly.  The only time I do approve of cute animal costumes is when the one wearing it looks young or is a child.  An adult just looks silly.  Like AKB48's stage unit.  The younger girls look adorable, but some of them fit the part.  It just looks ridiculous.  Plus, the one that actually really pulls it off looks furious the whole time.  Like when my mom puts reindeer antlers on my dog and he is just get these stupid things off of me.  I just don't think they are enjoying themselves.  B1A4 relished every second of Beautiful Target.  

I do like the song.  Although, it seems kind of consistent and I would prefer something with a bit more progression in the song.  It reminded me of MINT's second song.  (Yep, Eat Your Kimchi is right. . . it sounds just like J-Pop.)  Actually the PV is kind of a better version of TVXQ's Balloons.  It has the absurd costumes and the cracky fun.  It just skips the cheesy furry suits.

 

The Internet Censorship Law in the United States Congress

I try to keep politics out of things, but I believe this case is relevant to this very blog.  If this law passes I will probably shut Wota(in training) down.  Mostly because I know I've linked or posted copyrighted content and not only could I be fined but I could also go to jail.  Even doing a cover song of something on YouTube could send someone to jail.  Major internet providers and websites like Tumblr and Google are trying to stop it but they are up against the film industry and record companies.  If the link is too much of a pain let me know by email or in the comments and I will remove it.  I just want to get the word out.  I am still completely serious about shutting this blog down if it passes because I do not have the money to pay the fine.  

I'm Sorry Wonder Girls

Let me start off with stating that my first thought while watching this video is WTF is JYP?  Does that stand for Japan?  Why would their Korean single do that.  It was thanks to Eat Your Kimchi I found out that it was the music producer's identification marker.  Like he is some serial killer who has to leave something behind in order for people to know that he did it.  Do you know why they do that?  Because someone has a bit of an ego and can't be satisfied by just producing good work.

This is a fun song to listen to, but I am not a huge fan of dancing to it.  It is a breeze of fresh air from the majority of girl groups who are overtly sexy or aegyo (or both at the same time), but I still prefer to jam out to the powerhouses like 2NE1 or BEG.  Trust me, I've tried jamming out in my dorm room to this but I can't get into it.  The English lines in the chorus is what kills it for me.  It is a bit to cliche.

Everything seemed like it was going along just fine, until nine seconds into the video.  When a whirlwind of YOU ARE NOT SERIOUSLY TRYING TO COPY BEYONCE? passed by.  While they do follow my golden rule about remakes (be different, or significantly better) [wondering which one . . . do you actually think this is better than Single Ladies], let me insert a note to that rule; IT IS TOO SOON.  If you want to bring something back that looks almost identical it better be from a different time like the 80s or farther back.  No one cares that the spectacular Emma Stone is starring in the movie because it was only like ten years ago since they made the first spider man movie.  And before you even suggest that it isn't that similar let's go through the basics ascetics:
 - plain white room, check
 - tight black outfits that show off their legs, check
 - center girl with a big hair bump, check
 - it is a dance shot
 - the lights slowly fade in and out of darkness

I don't care about the pops of colors, or the moving floors, or the fact that there are various types of shots.  It doesn't stop me from seeing it and it won't go away.  If they just didn't have that one shot!  If they had only cut that all out for the circle stage room!  The steps and the circle room would of been fine!  You can't possible try to outshine Sasha Fierce.
  
Besides that I liked it.  I can't review this video well because I can't stop seeing Single Ladies.  (Which is said to be the best video of all time . . . hehehehe.)

The other song they've been promoting with it is GNO.

It isn't until 1:19 in this video that I like the song.  The whole style of that section reeks of songs released from women in the states who have no business releasing music.  So basically I hate half the song.  Yep.  You can see what I mean after the jump.  (The Wonder Girls are much more talented, but the song made me think of this:)  

Takei Emi, Will You Marry Me?

To be honest, I am not a huge fan of her debut single.  However, I am a huge fan of her as an actress and a model.  I adore the only copy of Seventeen magazine I was able to pick up while I was in Japan.  My favorite from Seventeen is of course Takei Emi, but I am also quite fond of Kiritani Mirei.  Both are set to appear in live action films that I'm excited for.  I am rewatching her appearance on VS Arashi, and oh jeez is she an adorable firecracker!

BiS are BAMFs

First off I want to apologize for how glitchy Blogger/ Blogspot is.  I've heard that people have had difficulty posting comments.  If it makes you feel any better I have to suffer glitches as well: videos I embed disappear at random.  I've decided that the BAMF awards will no longer be a weekly series.  The idol scene lacks risk takers, or at least to a point where it is difficult to find something exemplary on a weekly basis.  Now onto the topic at hand.

Brand-New Idol Society's whole concept is to break out of the typical idol mold.  (I had hopes that SDN48 would be that group by throwing the shelf-life for idols out the window, which they did, but I couldn't respect some of their work.)  I've adored their music thus far, and some of their PVs.  I do respect them for trying something new (but some shots aren't that appealing).  I've posted their new PV for primal. after the jump.  There are a few shots I liked for being edgy and kind of documentary-like.  However, the majority of the PV I find too disturbing to watch because of how graphic it is.  My opinion is that it isn't a good PV.  This is due to the fact that instead of accentuating the music, it distracts.  After viewing it I couldn't remember a thing about the song.  Plus, the infra-red shot looked low budget.  I understand how it works with the concept of primality, but it isn't flattering for the girls who I sorely missed.  They aren't as active in the media so I don't get to see them frolic that often, besides they have a new member.  nerve is by far my favorite PV (My lxxx is a close second) they've released because it is different, but it features the members themselves.  It is also quite effective because it is also my favorite song.

AKB48 Upcoming Releases!

I LOVE YOU GUYS SOOO MUCH!  Thanks to those who used my links I was able to buy the Janken single, and it only cost me $4 and that includes shipping!  So, I am going to try to do more release posts.  You helped make my day.  So I ordered a copy of Type A.  I don't think you can go wrong with any version.  I've only heard previews for Team A and B's song.  Out of the subunits I like Watarirouka Hashiritai 7's new single the best.  

AKB48 - Ue kara Mariko [12/7] 
1600yen
Plus Two Photos (one if First Press + one from CDJapan)

Type A
[CD]
1. Ue kara Mariko
2. Noel no Yoru
3. Rinjin wa Kizutsukanai  (Team A)
[DVD]
1. Ue kara Mariko Music Video
2. Noel no Yoru Music Video
3. Rinjin wa Kizukanai Music Video
4. 24th Single Senbatsu Janken Taikai Documentary Video (part 1)

Type K
[CD]
1. Ue kara Mariko
2. Noel no Yoru
3. Zero-sum Taiyou  (Team K)
[DVD]
1. Ue kara Mariko Music Video
2. Noel no Yoru Music Video
3. Zero-sum Taiyou Music Video
4. 24th Single Senbatsu Janken Taikai Documentary Video (part 2)

Type B
[CD]
1. Ue kara Mariko
2. Noel no Yoru
3. Yobisute Fantasy  (Team B)
[DVD]
1. Ue kara Mariko Music Video
2. Noel no Yoru Music Video
3. Yobisute Fantasy Video
4. 24th Single Senbatsu Janken Taikai Documentary Video (part 3)


Not yet - Perapera Perao [11/16]
1600yen
It includes a photo and a connect card (whatever that is)

Type A
[CD]
1. Perapera Perao
2. Uminari yo
3. Moto Kare ga Kekkon Suru Toki
[DVD]
1. Perapera Perao Music Video

Type B
[CD]
1. Perapera Perao
2. Uminari yo
3. Fuusha ga Mieru Machi
[DVD]
1. Perapera Perao Music Video

Type C
[CD]
1. Perapera Perao
2. Uminari yo
3. Mikata
[DVD]
1. Perapera Perao Music Video

French Kiss - Saisho no Mail [11/22]

1600yen
The external bonus is a poster

Type A

[CD]
1. Saisho no Mail
2. Candle no Shin (Kashiwagi Yuki and Kuramochi Asuka)
[DVD]
1. Saisho no Mail Music Video
2. Candle no Shin Music Video

Type B

[CD]
1. Saisho no Mail
2. Last Train (Kashiwagi Yuki and Takajo Aki)
[DVD]
1. Saisho no Mail Music Video
2. French Kiss Off Shot Collection

Type C

[CD]
1. Saisho no Mail
2. Dragonfruits no Tabegoro
[DVD]
1. Saisho no Mail Music Video
2. Tour of Korea Shooting

Watarirouka Hashiritai 7 - Kibou Sanmyaku [11/30]
1600yen (except RE is 1000yen)
Plus it comes with one photo and a handshake ticket (Type A and B come with a trading card as well)

Type A
[CD]
1. Kibou Sanmyaku
2. TBA
3. TBA
[DVD]
1.Kibou Sanmyaku Music Video

Type B
[CD]
1. Kibou Sanmyaku
2. TBA
3. TBA
[DVD]
1. Kibou Sanmyaku Music Video
2. Kibou Sanmyaku Dance Shot Version

Type C
[CD]
1. Kibou Sanmyaku
2. TBA
3. TBA
[DVD]
1. Kibou Sanmyaku Music Video

Regular Edition
[CD]
1. Kibou Sanmyaku
2. TBA - Watanabe Mayu Solo

It's Gonna Happen!!!

Do you hear the sound of biting nails? Yep. It's time for Riyoku's Supercell fan-girl-freak-out.

Am I the only one sad enough to call herself a 'fan-girl' of a group that doesn't perform live? THAT ASIDE!

Supercell is releasing "My Dearest" on the 23rd of November. The musical composition is amazing as usual, but I'm really sad that Yanagi Nagi isn't singing it! I feel like Nagi would pull this song off better, but Koeda isn't bad... especially for a, what, 15-year-old? So jealous! She has a slightly more abrasive base for her voice but she gets a great deal of power and very smooth high notes. <3

Dearest is the opening for "Guilty Crown."

HOWEVER!!!! That is not why Riyoku is freaking out. (What?!)

Supercell also put forth another single to be released: "Departures" under the name of a fictional group in Guilty Crown, "Egoist." Naturally, their spotlight song is "Euterpe," used as the first insert song of Guilty Crown. Absolutely gorgeous voice, Chelly! Chelly's voice is also a lower timber than Nagi's, and not as 'sweet' though their articulation and breathing style is similar though Chelly has a slightly more prominent vibrato. They're both clearly skilled pop singers.

I want to say Nagi has a clearer voice, but I haven't heard enough of Chelly's stuff to judge on that. Nagi's vocal flexibility is amazing regardless, and I hope to hear more of her things wherever she goes after Supercell!

This comes out on November 30th. I can't wait until after Thanksgiving for these, what are you talking about?!

And as a bonus, a song from Yanagi Nagi~

This is one of her older works, and is a cover of Raxephon opening, "Hemisphere."

This cover shows the naturally sweet timbre of her voice and her great control over the difficult repetitive fifth-jumps in the chorus. Her head-voice is stunning!

The Meaning Behind BEG's Recent MVs

Let's begin with the recently released music video for Cleansing Cream.  This beautifully shot drama features no cameos from the actual members.  Due to the comments on YouTube over the confusion of the events that transpire, I will reveal my interpretation.

The tale follows the relationship between a married couple and the wife's younger sister who lives with them due to her disability(s).  I've considered other people's opinion that she is mentally impaired and faking her blindness, due to the fact that the sisters make eye contact towards the end.  But, after closing reviewing it I disagree.  It would seem odd, yes, that a blind girl would blindfold herself, however I believe it is because she is losing her sight.  I based this mostly on one particular sequence:

The sister seems to be thinking about something while staring at something, similar to how some people while pondering will look like they are staring cooly at something.

 This is followed by a cut to her eyes being covered, the transition.  She no longer has the ability to see.

The last segment of the sequence is her staring blankly, as if not looking at anything, like someone who is without the ability to see.  This assumption is reassured by the fact that while her sister and her husband are sleeping she still acts as if she is blind.  I would think that someone who can see would not be as careful or even put up this facade while no one is watching.  Plus, I think we unknowingly try to look at something as a natural safety measure.

But why is she behaving like this?  I assume that the odd behavior is either due to her losing her sight, which is an understandably difficult transition physically and mentally.  Or she may also have a slight mental handicap.  She loves and or looks up to her older sister.  This is clear due to her obsession of her older sister and her things.  She doesn't go to her sister husband first, but her sister.  She is euphoric near her older sister.  Her husband is an after thought, and only a curiosity due to her inability to see.  He just happens to be there; she never seeks him out.  Another scene is the younger sister in the closet.  She bypasses the husband's garments in order to caress her sister's.

Unfortunately, her older sister is plagued with doubt in her relationship with her husband.  When we first view the couple we see them facing away from each other, a strained marriage.  The older sister is surprised to see her sister touching him.  This causes her to be suspicious that they are having an affair.  While watching her sister and husband through the mirrors we see her face broken into pieces.

The final climatic scene is a collision between the two sisters.  The younger sister puts on make-up to emulate her idol.  The older sister is already on edge.  She is jealous of her younger sisters happiness while she is tormented.  Her pent up emotions boil over and she takes her little sister to the bathroom in order to wash off the make-up.  We can see the younger pleased by the attention unable to see her sister's frustration.  It is not until she is thrown into the tub that the younger realizes that something is wrong.  The older stops when they make eye contact, yanking out of her rage.  And that is where we are left in the story.

_____________________

Let me start with the disclaimer that my interpretation of this music video is not the 'official' meaning behind the imagery. According to the representatives from NegaNetwork, "Their title track is an expression of the limitations of experiencing music with only five senses, and it asks people to feel it instead with their sixth sense." This matches the lyrics well, but I find it does not come across naturally. Immediately after viewing it I believed it to be a metaphor for North Korea including their relationship with South Korea.

The imagery is reminiscent of North Korea.  The lights are focused on the soldiers, watched over by a hidden man seen through a video screen.  Soldiers stationed on the DMZ, on the Northern side, are watched by fellow soldiers to prevent them from crossing into South Korea.  The mask symbolizes Kim Jong Il and Kim Il Sung and how they are portrayed to their people is not a true portrayal.  (Example, North Koreans believe Sung could fly.)  The building is prison like with red flags.  The flags are symbolic of socialism and communism.  The building represents North Korea.  Across the gap is South Koreans with messages of resistance and encouragement to escape.

We see Ga-In, hands tied, beaten, in a dark room.  I thought this scene was an allusion to North Korean concentration camps.  Her hair is sleek, possibly from sweat.  Beatings are a common occurrence within the forced labor camps.  The darkness of the room suggests the lack of awareness about these conditions.  Products produced there are even exported to foreign countries like France, Russia, and Poland.  

Narsha's situation is equivalent to the famine and other poor conditions that humanitarians struggle with.  She is crawling around in sand, representing the barrenness of the land.  Her behavior becomes more desperate.  Animalistic instincts kick in when there is limited food like eating food off the mud.  Lights flash around her like how media attention to these issues flicker.

Jea's section symbolizes religion.  The branches reminiscent of the thorny crown that Jesus wore.  Pyongyang was once the heart of Christianity in Korea during the first half of the 20th century.  After the rise of the workers party it has been suppressed, however it is believed that there is a number of underground Christian groups.  Jea seems to be in pain or at least discomfort struggling in the water.  Rain continues to pore down on her, perhaps suggesting the persistent prosecution in North Korea of Christians.  (Possession of a bible is enough reason for arrest and deportation to a prison camp.)  

    

We see a soldier peak.  The conflict between desiring freedom and fear of the state.

The last BEG, Miryo, gains our attention.  I think the beautiful architecture and greenery symbolizes Pyongyang, the show capital.  Miryo is chained, forced to preach the state's ideology.  Koreans who receive the honor of living in the capital are only party loyalists.  

What some people say is inevitable is North Korea's collapse.  We see that possibility when the soldiers decide to revolt against the state.  

However, that is not the current situation.  Instead we see strained relationships between North and South, with aggression from the North.  Displayed as the soldiers charging at Brown Eyed Girls.

On a happy note: The dot above an i is called a tittle.  (happy face)  If you are interested about learning more about the situation in North Korea I happen to have a documentary series that I came up with.  Hey, it is better than reading a book.
1. National Geographic: Inside North Korea (An Overview)
2. A State of Mind (State Ideology)
3. Kimjongilia (Forced Labor Camps, the Lives of Soldiers, and tales from Other Escapees)
4. Seoul Train (The Underground Railroad)