Padd Solutions

Fangirl:

When I saw the teaser for "Before U Go", I let loose a fangirl squeal like you would not believe. (I think this tumblr post describes it better than I could express in words here.)

However the music video didn't thrill me as much as I hoped it would. I was hoping for something on the scale of Zhangliyin's "Timeless" or the TRAX's "초우"- music videos so huge and epic, they come in parts. Instead, SM delivered a five minute long (or should I say short?) mini movie. In order to pack it all in, they made the cuts very quick, and a lot of emotional impact is lost. For instance at 2:50, Yunho - hobbled on crutches - realizes that it was his friend Choi Jong Yoon who shot him. Emotional impact? Zip. You hardly have time to even realize what has happened.

SM could have drawn this out, releasing part 1 and driving fans into a frenzy as they anticipated part 2. The question is, why didn't they? They clearly had the footage to pull it off. And what about Go Ara's character? The romance that was hinted at in the teaser (Ara setting a table for two) isn't even touched on in the MV.

On the plus side, Yunho and Changmin look absolutely fantastic. I'm loving the suits and leather jackets. Yunho looks like such a BAMF taking out those evil cronies, it's almost enough to send me into peals of fangirl squeals again. (Did you all catch the flow-mo shot at 4:07?). Here's hoping we get to see more of that when Poseidon finally airs.

I think I ought to mention the cinematography too. How about that gorgeous shot of Jong Yoon in his assassin gear reflected in the urban pane of windows? Or that damp rooftop with a foggy cityscape in the background? Pretty gorgeous stuff.

Alrighty, Fanboy, what was your take on the music video?

Fanboy:

Like Fangirl, I had my own my sort of squeal when I saw the teaser, but for different reasons. I was mainly excited at the fact that SM was going to release a story-based music video. Do you know how rare that is for them?! I was like, "Oh my god, now they're going to start competing with YG on epic story MVs!" Hmm... well... sadly, that wasn't really the case.

For some reason, I feel like this video got a lot cut from it on the editing floor and was rushed to premiere just so Cassies could get their TVXQ fix. Actually, I personally believe that SM will release an extended version of this MV later on so we can get understand the full story. So much seemed to be cut that it was sort of difficult to grasp, and then boom, it was over. They should have had a longer intro to help set the background story, and then have a break in the song to further the story with another cut scene, etc.

Other than that, I did actually like the MV. But for me to love it, I need to also love the song. Unfortunately, the song just does not excite me. Sigh. This was all very "Hot Times" reminiscent, and I didn't like that song either (or the MV). Side note: it seems that Apple is doing product placement in K-Pop now too. Notice the in-your-face promotion of the iPhone? *rolls eyes*

I'm no fashion expert here, but I found Changmin's feather-collared outfit to be so out of place. This MV was all serious and has the boys working in crime. Why on earth would Max be running around in ethereal attire like that?! And, I'm just not feeling Yunho's bowl cut. Spike it or something. He looks so plain. But then again, it is sort of appropriate for the business.

Now on to my favorite parts! Oh man, the action! I about fell out of my chair when I saw HoMin showcase their action star skills. If you guys like to know, there are two things I'm a sucker for: Hardcore action and hardcore dancing. So yeah, this was a total win. In the end, I have decided that Yunho and Changmin need to be cast for Ninja Assassin 2: Rain, U-Know, and Max Kick Ass. I smell a summer blockbuster smash!

What did you think of the music video?

Fanboy:

It pretty much goes without saying that Cassies all across the world want TVXQ to return as the 5-member boy band that they have known to grow and love. Unfortunately, fans are feeling the pressure to choose sides while each side is quick to point to fingers at who's at fault here. "JYJ are traitors for leaving the company that made them who they are." "HoMin are traitors for not joining their fellow members in suing SM." Blah blah blah...

Fast forward to now, and we have witnessed JYJ suffer setback after setback of not being able to make it post-SM. It seems that these guys just can't seem to catch a break. JYJ can't perform on Korean television. JYJ are ineligible to be on various charts such as Oricon. JYJ's reality show gets cancelled before it even airs. It is literally issue after issue that seems to prevent the trio from even succeeding.

Once again, JYJ fans are pointing fingers at SM. Yes, SM has interfered in several of these incidents, but it has not been proven that they have been involved in every setback for JYJ. While at the same time, some JYJ fans are turning their backs against HoMin, because they are associated with the company that is "set out to destroy JYJ".

I don't consider myself a Cassie (mostly because it sounds too feminine...) so I'm not as emotionally invested in this issue as other fans. But let me just say that I feel terrible for these guys. A part of me is kind of hoping that it would make JYJ just simply surrender and go back to SM to return at the 5-member TVXQ. I strongly believe that if TVXQ were to make a comeback this year as the quintet, their success would far exceed HoMin's and JYJ's success combined.

On another note, I absolutely hate that fans are against SM's artists. Feel free to hate the company, but there is no need to bash the artists of the company (including HoMin). Honestly, fans really shouldn't be getting involved at all. This is really JYJ's, SM's, and HoMin's matter to deal with. We, as fans, do NOT know the whole story. We only know what has been stated as "he said, she said."

I just hope that this unfortunate firestorm of controversy gets resolved soon. Don't we all want closure now?

I'm still going to support both HoMin and JYJ. I love both artists. I'll continue hoping that they return as 5 one day, because after all, I'm still waiting to see them perform "Break Out" live. Just once, please! Until then, I shall continue making old TVXQ compilations and relive the memory of the quintet that commanded the stage as 5!


Fangirl:

Our readers can now see one of the fundamental differences of opinion between Fanboy and myself: Fanboy likes SM and I despise SM.

As a passionate Cassie, it was some time before I was able to form any sort of reply to this post beyond "KEYBOARDSMASH!@&#$!!!!!" After taking some time to compose myself, here is the most coherent response I could come up with:

KEYBOARDSMASH!@&#$!!!!!

Nah, just kidding. But it really did take me a long time to corral my emotions into any kind of coherent thought.

Fanboy believes that fans should not interfere and should allow SM, HoMin, and JYJ to work out the issue on their own. I disagree. I think SM is a big bully and JYJ could use all the help they can get.

I further disagree with Fanboy's statement that "we have witnessed JYJ suffer setback after setback of not being able to make it post-SM." I would like to remind him that despite opposition, the JYJ boys have been fantastically successful in their individual activities, toured Asia and the US, sold a respectable number of "The Beginning" albums and released another successful album that was completely self-composed. And they remain among the highest paid celebrities in Korea. Imagine what they might have been able to do if they had been able promote their activities as well?

However, I agree with Fanboy that while fans may feel free to hate SM the company, fans should not be hating on SM's artists. While I personally like to envision the CEO of SM Entertainment as a bitter old man (who snacks on puppies for lunch and polishes his devil horns in his free time), I believe the artists of SM are honestly charming and talented people. If anything, they are also vicitims of the situation.

I too look forward to that day when all five members may stand on one stage again. Until then, I'll do what all Cassie do - always keep the faith!

What do you think of the JYJ controversy?

Fanboy:

When I first started listening to K-Pop, the first thing I noticed was the random sprinkling in of English. Personally, I like it, because it gives me something to sing along to. It's less effort for me to go out of my way to learn the Korean. However, there are always songs that have English lyrics that are awful or just plain hilarious.

Here's my list:

• DBSK - "Purple Line" - "Really wanna touch myself" -- Ok, this one is the standout English to me in all of K-Pop. I like this song, but every single time I listen to this song, this line catches me off guard every time! "What did he say?!"
• Super Junior - "Boom Boom" - "Twinkle twinkle little star" -- I like this song, but I hate this English. Mainly because I hate the song.
• Xiah Junsu - "Intoxication" - "Stroke you like a arpeggio" -- Haha, best pick-up line ever!
• BoA - "Be the One" - "Shake your heart!" -- Actually, this is my favorite BoA song, but this line is very strange. I try to think she's saying, "Shake it hard!" ... See? Makes so much more sense!
• JYJ - "I.D.S." - "I want you in my plans" -- Ok, so this does make sense, but I try to think that they're saying, "I want you in my pants," because I think that is so much funnier.
• SNSD - "Hoot" - Self-Explanatory...
• Rain - "Rainism" - "I’m gonna be a bad boy" -- This song easily has the best beat ever. Sadly, I cringe every time Rain's opens his mouth to start singing the English. It's so off-putting. :'(
• BEAST - "Shock" - "Every day I shock (shock) Every night I shock (shock)" -- Umm... what? This makes no sense to me. Not to mention, it sounds like they're saying, "Shuck." Sigh.
• Shinhwa - "Wild Eyes" - "if you wanna man like a Stronger" -- I think they're trying to say, "Stranger," so yeah, this is a total fail.

I consider myself a huge SHINee fan (hence why my Fanboy color is light blue. Mainly because I couldn't do yellow for BoA...). However, as much as I love their music, they seriously have the worst track record in English lyrics. Here we go...
- "Ring Ding Dong" - "Fantastic Elastic"
- "Lucifer" - "Loverholic Robotronic" & "Her whisper is the Lucifer"
- "Stand By Me" - "Together make it love." - I seriously thought they were saying, "Together, making love". Half of these boys are underage! (At the time of the song's release)
- "SHINee World" - "SHINee makes love right now!" - Hold up, what did these underage boys say?
- "A.Mi.Go." - "Cold heart, baby! Cold eyes, baby!" - I actually thought they were saying, "Cold hot, baby! Cold ice, baby!" Either way, it's still somewhat random even though the boys are "frozen in place" by her.
- "Romantic" - "Still I have romantic in my heart"

Ok, do I need to keep going with them? I think you get the picture by now. English lyrics in K-Pop can both be appalling and comical.


Fangirl:

Yes, the "Purple Line" quote really is infamous! It's thought that they meant to say, "I really want to get in touch with myself" but kinda failed. EPICALLY.

Pretty much every rap by Yoochun fits into this category too, as they are often penned by the man himself (Cassies affectionately refer to it as "Chungrish"). I think the best of the bunch comes from either "Shelter" or "My Girlfriend". Allow me to give you a sample: "My dear baby listen to the whistle/ little missile whisper of fiscal/ A theory of porno, oh no?" and "Maybe my love is bigger than Ginger bread man's vitality". HAHAHA.

The best comment I ever read about BEAST's "Every day I shock!" line is this: My theory is that Yoseob thinks he's pikachu so he can use thundershock attack. Hahahaha, thank you MelB for this gem!

I actually don't mind Rain's "I'm gonna be a bad boy" in "Rainism". I think it's the "magic stick" part that kills me!

More songs:

• Rainbow - Gossip Girl - "I wanna gushup gurr, I wanna gushup gurr, I wanna gushup, the sekshi and pretty"
• BEAST - Beautiful - The issues I have with this one are covered thoroughly (and hilariously) by Eat Your Kimchi. Make a lub baby!
• Kara - Pretty Girl - This whole song makes me cringe but the "If you wanna pretty, everyone a pretty" just tops it.

I think the prize for funniest and worst English (and... Yiddish) in K-pop simply has to go to ZE:A for "Mazeltov". It's one of those "must be seen to be believed" so I urge you to see the English subtitled music video. The English is so embarrassingly bad and so hilarious. The intro always makes me laugh - "It shut it down, love. It shut it down, blind. It shut it down, passion!". Then there's the inane list of the days of the week, the fact that they clearly have no idea what "Mochul tob" means, the "Latin girl, Mexican girl, Korean girl, Japan girl" line - it's too much! Hahahaha~! XD

What are some of your favorite 'Engrish' lyrics in K-pop?

Fanboy:

I thought we could talk about our favorite music videos! I love watching MVs. I'll start...

• TVXQ - The "Rising Sun" (Japanese) is easily one of my favorite videos ever. The choreography blew me away, and it was nice to see DBSK in a different light. You know, "grinding on bitches". (I like the Korean one for its theatrical effect it gives too) Plus, I love Jaejoong's t-shirt "Fuckin' My Way". So simple and hilarious. :) I also love the "Break Out" and "Wrong Number" music videos. I like videos that have neat stories to them or have something interesting with them. They're really memorable to me.
• BoA - I personally love her dance music videos for their amazing choreography. These include: "Sweet Impact" (I love her homage to Michael Jackson, and the first minute of the video makes me think of Tron, haha), "Eat You Up", "Energetic" (I love the colors in this video. They're very striking. And it's such a shame she didn't make it here in America. I love this music. Tragedy), and "Eien".
• SHINee - "Lucifer" - Well, I already told you that this is one of my favorite songs of 2010. I've watched this video like a hundred times. It makes no sense whatsoever, but I always thought it was neat-looking video. Really wished they released a dance edit or 3D version of this.
• Big Bang - "Haru Haru" - Like I mentioned earlier, I like videos that have neat stories, and this video really intrigued me.
• 2NE1 - "Go Away" - I thought the story this video was neat, and the car blowing up in the background was very cliché, but it made me laugh.
• 2AM - "I Did Wrong" - When I first watched this video, it was some sort of extended drama that I found much more interesting. I can't seem to find it anymore, so this will do, haha. This is my favorite 2AM song, and again, I like MVs that have stories too. (Don't get me wrong, I'm a sucker for the dancing ones too)
• Super Junior - "It's You". I thought the whole drama and one-take concept was really neat. Shame that SM seems to lack in better quality music videos in terms of storyline and/or content. But this one (and "Wrong Number") are standouts for me from SM.

I'm pretty open-minded. What are your favorites?


Fangirl:


I liked SuJu's "It's You", except for the costumes. I know they're just supposed to look like normal, every-day guys, but they just ended up looking... frumpy. Totally with you on BoA's 'Eat You Up' - dynamic and badass. Only one moment in the MV annoys me and that is when that dude's glasses explode. It's such a silly moment, it almost kills the atmosphere for me. You're right that the Lucifer MV doesn't make much sense, but it looks damn good doing it (and there really should be a dance version! Phooey).

Here are some of my favorites:

• Taeyang - Wedding Dress - Pretty much everything about this MV is dynamite: the story line, the color tone, the choreography, the sets. I can't even complain about the costumes. And it helps that the song is amazing.
• BEAST - Shock - I feel like this was the song where BEAST really hit it off, and for good reason. The visuals and the editing are right on target. There's nothing especially unique about it (except maybe those slithering wires), but it takes the usual and does it WELL.
• Epik High - Fan - Epik High have some amazing music videos, but I dare say this one is the best. So damn creepy.
• Narsha - Bbir-Ri-Bo-Pa - Sexy, slightly weird and completely engaging. I love the fairytale imagery.
• TVXQ - Wrong Number - I think everyone agrees this is one of their best. It was also the first MV where I was there the moment it was released. The fan frenzy was incredible!

Fanboy:

Glad we agree on some of the MVs. "Shock" is a neat one, but I just can't get past the "Everyday I shuck!" I've never really sampled Epik High's catalog yet, but I've always liked Tablo when he was featured with other artists. "Fan" was nuts. I liked it though. "Wedding Dress" is really great. I agree. I forgot about that one. That Narsha video was ridiculous. I remember when it premiered, but I never watched it. It made me think of Twilight and The Ring.

What are you favorite music videos?

Fangirl:

So to start off, let's choose songs we think are underrated! Here's mine:

• Super Junior - Why I Like You - One of the reasons I think the Sorry Sorry album is so good. There are some stinkers on there too, but this song really elevates the quality.
• TVXQ - All in Vain - Many huge TVXQ fans have never even heard of this song, which is a great pity. It showcases some of Micky's best vocal work. I love the darkness and the jazziness, very usual for K-pop. It was part of soundtrack years ago~
• BoA - Bump Bump - Why didn't this song get more attention than it did? This is a great song! Dare I say... better than her American songs?
• Infinite - Come Back Again - I think this was one of the best songs of 2010, and from a rookie group no less. Seriously underrated.
• TVXQ - Love After Love - The harmony in this song just blows my mind, it's so lovely. The rapping... not so much. But still an underrated song.
• Taeyang - After You Sleep - Subject matter aside, I think this is just a really gorgeous song. I love how the beat kicks in around the 50 second mark.

Alright, Fanboy! What do you think of that?


Fanboy:

I love "Why I Like You". It is underrated. They only performed it like 2 times, and it's actually on my iPod in my car. So yeah, you're right, I've never heard "All in Vain". I like Micky in that genre more. He did well in "My Girlfriend". It had that nice throwback style that made it refreshing to listen to in this current age of pop music. My ELF friend is in love with Infinite. She wants me to do a video of them. Have you seen their recent dance battle? I was surprised at the Far East Movement and Justin Bieber dance. They really pulled it off. Very impressive. As a group, not just the song, they are very underrated. I get a lot of subscribers who are like, "I haven't checked out anyone after SHINee." BEAST is good too. There's some good rookie talent.

I didn't mind "Love After Love". It was a different sound and vocal approach for them that I once again found refreshing. Ok, BoA-bias Alert: One of things I always appreciated about BoA was the fact that she has experimented with SO MANY different styles of music. She has so many sounds, it's crazy. "Romance" - jazz ballad, "Rock With You" - rock, "Do the Motion" - some strange French sound, "Valenti" - sounds Latin to me, "Quincy" - sounds disco to me, haha. There's so many more to list. Now you mention "Bump Bump!", I'll be honest, I was never a fan of that song, but I appreciated the new sound she played with for that song. The trumpets and stuff. I preferred "Possibility" off of that album.

Here's my list of underrated songs:

• BoA - "Be the One". This is hands down my favorite song by her. This was her 4th single off of her "Love and Honesty" album in 2004, so it never achieved the same success as her previous ones. It's like that with all the albums in America (Unless you're Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation - 7 top 5 singles off of one album. Most for any album in America. There's some "A-Pop" facts for you, haha). The album had run its course, so the song never really got the recognition it deserved. But yeah, my favorite BoA song. :)
• SHINee - "Forever or Never". There's an English version of this song too by Cinema Bizarre. This is one of my top favorite SHINee songs ever. It's overshadowed by their popular hits and the popular tracks off the first album such as "SHINee World" or "Romantic".
• TVXQ - "Phantom". I wish they performed this song more. I like the choreography for it too. Again, it's overlooked by "O" and "Balloons" or even "Get Me Some" (I liked this song just by the title alone, haha). This song was one of the standouts to me off the album.
• f(x) - "Mr. Boogie". This was one of their promotional songs in 2010, but never got the recognition or popularity it deserved because fans were so angry that Amber wasn't there. *rolls eyes* It was always so annoying reading comments like, "I won't listen to f(x) until Amber comes back!" Personally, my favorite member is Luna. She's beyond talented. Her vocal ability is easily one of the best in the industry. The girl stole the show on SHINee's "Lucifer" remix at the SBS Gayo. And then the next night, she outdanced Taemin and Key (and Krystal) in the "Lucifer"/"Nu ABO" remix dance intro. A lot of people say she's the "next BoA," and she should have gone solo. She, as an artist, is highly underrated, sadly. She's overshadowed by Amber's androgyny, Victoria's beauty, and/or Krystal. Shame.

Fangirl:

I guess I gotta study up on my BoA. I don't know any of the songs you listed there >.< I really only know her most recent stuff. But I loved SHINee's Forever or Never! Something about that song just immediately hit all the right places. How have I not heard that song before? I guess I gotta study up on my SHINee too~ I agree with you on "Phantom" too. It's a really catchy song and I dunno why more people don't like it. Maybe it's just too old and new fans haven't heard it before?

Can't say I'm really feeling "Mr. Boogie", though. I generally don't like girl groups that much and f(x) is no exception. They haven't really caught my attention with anything. Luna seems talented, but she really needs to stop crying every time she's not the best singer in the room.


What do you think are underrated songs in K-pop?