Blackpink!
October 4, 2021 9:13 AM Subscribe
The four members of Korean pop group BLACKPINK have released some of the hottest videos in history, by viewership standards.
JENNIE released SOLO 2018. JISOO had HABITS (Stay High). Other videos include ROSÉ's On the Ground 2021, and LISA's LALISA hit 242M in 3 weeks.
Oh dear, I have opinions about Blackpink! There is no denying they are a powerhouse group and have attracted a ton of international attention, especially Western attention (they're a reason a lot of people in the past few years got into kpop) -- but they're just okay. They have the visuals but the music is just... not as great as it could be. They really need to find better producers.
Unlike 2NE1, who were the best, and from the bottom of my Blackjack heart, I will never forgive YG for the horrible way 2NE1 was treated in order to make way for Blackpink. (Like I said, opinions!)
Anyway, I may be biased, but I also know that Blackpink destroys when it comes to views on Youtube, so obviously the music isn't that bad. I just wish it could be better. Because it could! Or maybe I wish that super talented groups with great producers could get a fraction of the fame Blackpink does. (OPINIONS!)
It's just weird to me that they debuted in 2016 to immediate success with a couple of singles... and then it took them four years to cobble together a full album. Which, okay, yeah, it's fine if you just want to release singles and the odd b-side or two. But for such an established group, it's bizarre to have them go on a huge world tour with only a dozen songs -- and no full album. I mean, they had a live album from the tour released before a full studio album!
What is also more strange (in terms of common sense, but not for YG and their supposed business sense) is that this group hasn't been doing much new stuff lately except for the solos, and there's a rumor going around that YG is working on debuting a new girl group by the end of the year. Which means Blackpink will get even less attention. I know the fandom has revolted at least once against YG for how ignored Blackpink was for a couple of years, and I can't blame them. They're not my favorite, but they are extremely popular, and deserve to do more than an electro-pop single once every couple of years.
Anyway, regarding the solos, a lot of people appreciated that Lisa got to show off some of her Thai heritage in LALISA -- although there was a little fandom kerfuffle when a Thai MC said that she was the first Thai global star when 2PM's Nichkhun is a major reason why Lisa became a kpop star in the first place.
posted by paisley sheep at 11:51 AM on October 4, 2021 [5 favorites]
Unlike 2NE1, who were the best, and from the bottom of my Blackjack heart, I will never forgive YG for the horrible way 2NE1 was treated in order to make way for Blackpink. (Like I said, opinions!)
Anyway, I may be biased, but I also know that Blackpink destroys when it comes to views on Youtube, so obviously the music isn't that bad. I just wish it could be better. Because it could! Or maybe I wish that super talented groups with great producers could get a fraction of the fame Blackpink does. (OPINIONS!)
It's just weird to me that they debuted in 2016 to immediate success with a couple of singles... and then it took them four years to cobble together a full album. Which, okay, yeah, it's fine if you just want to release singles and the odd b-side or two. But for such an established group, it's bizarre to have them go on a huge world tour with only a dozen songs -- and no full album. I mean, they had a live album from the tour released before a full studio album!
What is also more strange (in terms of common sense, but not for YG and their supposed business sense) is that this group hasn't been doing much new stuff lately except for the solos, and there's a rumor going around that YG is working on debuting a new girl group by the end of the year. Which means Blackpink will get even less attention. I know the fandom has revolted at least once against YG for how ignored Blackpink was for a couple of years, and I can't blame them. They're not my favorite, but they are extremely popular, and deserve to do more than an electro-pop single once every couple of years.
Anyway, regarding the solos, a lot of people appreciated that Lisa got to show off some of her Thai heritage in LALISA -- although there was a little fandom kerfuffle when a Thai MC said that she was the first Thai global star when 2PM's Nichkhun is a major reason why Lisa became a kpop star in the first place.
posted by paisley sheep at 11:51 AM on October 4, 2021 [5 favorites]
paisley: I posted this partly because BLACKPINK hasn't been getting the same attn as the boys (BTS, EXO..). BLACKPINK are currently on a hot streak.
posted by kfholy at 11:59 AM on October 4, 2021
posted by kfholy at 11:59 AM on October 4, 2021
No offence to JISOO, but that version of “Habits (stay high)” (both song and video) can’t compete with the Tove Lo original, one of the greatest pop songs of the last decade or more.
posted by gkhan at 12:11 PM on October 4, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by gkhan at 12:11 PM on October 4, 2021 [1 favorite]
I have a "BLINK" dad-hat and know all the songs. Perhaps I should be internet friends with Mr. Supreme Empress Dork, as we clearly have some things in common. I have three things to add to this conversation:
1. Over the course of the last year of marinading my ears in BLΛƆKPIИK, I think that the secret sauce is really Teddy Park. My very favorite KPOP songs are Teddy Park joints (or are songs he contributed to). Just look at that discography, he was involved in some of the biggest kpop hits ever (Bang Bang Bang? Fantastic Baby?!). I have no idea how much the members of BP contribute to the crafting of the music. Sure, they are singing and dancing, but do they contribute lyrics? Creative direction? I have watched lots of behind the scenes footage and it is honestly very difficult to tell how much of a hand in the writing of the music the singers have.
It is, I think, totally clear that every recorded iota of those songs went through the creative filter of Teddy Park. Somi's recent song Dumb Dumb could totally have been a BP song. Are the singers artists or instruments (maybe both)?
2. Whistle was the first song that hooked me, but Pretty Savage is my favorite (the drop and "Teddy Park turnaround" at 2:50 melts my brain).
3. The videos squick me out. I don't know exactly why, but it feels real weird for me (a mid-forties cishet dude) to watch these videos. It feels sort of pervy and icky. I recognize that the dancing, production values, and sheer craft are top-tier, but I still get this weird... I dunno, I think "squick" is the best word for it. My guess is that it is a combination of the hyper-sexy male-gazey cinematography along with the reality of kpop starhood. I have read about how little agency kpop stars have. The bizarre contractual obligation to not being a full adult are at best weird AF. And at worst, it's exploitative AF. Like my consuming this media is probably perpetuating something deeply wrong, in the worst kind of post-capitalist owned-by-the-megacorp way. How much informed consent is actually going on here? When your whole life is owned by YG? I don't know. Is any of this OK? I love it, but it feels dirty.
posted by pol at 1:59 PM on October 4, 2021 [5 favorites]
1. Over the course of the last year of marinading my ears in BLΛƆKPIИK, I think that the secret sauce is really Teddy Park. My very favorite KPOP songs are Teddy Park joints (or are songs he contributed to). Just look at that discography, he was involved in some of the biggest kpop hits ever (Bang Bang Bang? Fantastic Baby?!). I have no idea how much the members of BP contribute to the crafting of the music. Sure, they are singing and dancing, but do they contribute lyrics? Creative direction? I have watched lots of behind the scenes footage and it is honestly very difficult to tell how much of a hand in the writing of the music the singers have.
It is, I think, totally clear that every recorded iota of those songs went through the creative filter of Teddy Park. Somi's recent song Dumb Dumb could totally have been a BP song. Are the singers artists or instruments (maybe both)?
2. Whistle was the first song that hooked me, but Pretty Savage is my favorite (the drop and "Teddy Park turnaround" at 2:50 melts my brain).
3. The videos squick me out. I don't know exactly why, but it feels real weird for me (a mid-forties cishet dude) to watch these videos. It feels sort of pervy and icky. I recognize that the dancing, production values, and sheer craft are top-tier, but I still get this weird... I dunno, I think "squick" is the best word for it. My guess is that it is a combination of the hyper-sexy male-gazey cinematography along with the reality of kpop starhood. I have read about how little agency kpop stars have. The bizarre contractual obligation to not being a full adult are at best weird AF. And at worst, it's exploitative AF. Like my consuming this media is probably perpetuating something deeply wrong, in the worst kind of post-capitalist owned-by-the-megacorp way. How much informed consent is actually going on here? When your whole life is owned by YG? I don't know. Is any of this OK? I love it, but it feels dirty.
posted by pol at 1:59 PM on October 4, 2021 [5 favorites]
kfholy, I agree that girl groups deserve more love and attention, but I don't think any group compares to the BTS phenomenon (plus they keep pumping out contact, which is critical -- singles and albums and concerts, not to mention their own variety show). EXO is... still a thing? Mostly solos and small-group efforts, I think. It helps when you start out with a bajillion members, so when they get old and have lives and become parents (or criminals), you can yeet out the ones that no longer make money or reflect well on the group, but still have enough left over to keep chugging, albeit at a slower pace.
(I'm trying to think of the non-BTS popular boy groups, but I am an Old so most of the groups I know no longer exist. Seventeen? NCT-127? Ateez? Idk, I don't listen to a lot of boy groups any more, but I'm sure the fandoms are just as passionate as ever.)
And it is awesome that girl groups are generally getting more recognition! It was impossibly rare back in the days for a girl group to do a solo tour to the US (2NE1 was the first, I think -- before that, you'd only really see a girl group at music festivals or label concerts, like SM Town), and now even the smaller groups (Itzy, Everglow, Oh My Girl, Red Velvet, Dreamcatcher) are doing tours and fan meets. Or were doing tours and fan meets, before covid shut things down.
But I still wish Blackpink's discography matched their level of fame. Twice debuted a year before Blackpink and they have eleventy-kajillon songs. Okay, just 90ish Korean songs, not counting Japanese or English versions. Compared to Blackpink's... 30ish? And that's me being generous. (Then again, you can argue that JYP is overworking his cash cow while YG is relying on the "cool factor" to make money, which would be fair, and open a discussion how much these artists are forced to perform and create a sexy or cute -- or both! -- persona that sells money.)
Anyway, I remain skeptical that a group could be considered on a hot streak when there is little new content being regularly produced. The girls were fundamental in getting a lot of eyes and ears on kpop, but I'm not sure they've lived up to the responsibility of being the biggest girl group at the moment.
posted by paisley sheep at 2:12 PM on October 4, 2021 [3 favorites]
(I'm trying to think of the non-BTS popular boy groups, but I am an Old so most of the groups I know no longer exist. Seventeen? NCT-127? Ateez? Idk, I don't listen to a lot of boy groups any more, but I'm sure the fandoms are just as passionate as ever.)
And it is awesome that girl groups are generally getting more recognition! It was impossibly rare back in the days for a girl group to do a solo tour to the US (2NE1 was the first, I think -- before that, you'd only really see a girl group at music festivals or label concerts, like SM Town), and now even the smaller groups (Itzy, Everglow, Oh My Girl, Red Velvet, Dreamcatcher) are doing tours and fan meets. Or were doing tours and fan meets, before covid shut things down.
But I still wish Blackpink's discography matched their level of fame. Twice debuted a year before Blackpink and they have eleventy-kajillon songs. Okay, just 90ish Korean songs, not counting Japanese or English versions. Compared to Blackpink's... 30ish? And that's me being generous. (Then again, you can argue that JYP is overworking his cash cow while YG is relying on the "cool factor" to make money, which would be fair, and open a discussion how much these artists are forced to perform and create a sexy or cute -- or both! -- persona that sells money.)
Anyway, I remain skeptical that a group could be considered on a hot streak when there is little new content being regularly produced. The girls were fundamental in getting a lot of eyes and ears on kpop, but I'm not sure they've lived up to the responsibility of being the biggest girl group at the moment.
posted by paisley sheep at 2:12 PM on October 4, 2021 [3 favorites]
I'm not really convinced Blackpink's product is music, their product is luxury brand endorsements. All K-pop groups strive for this, but it's the only real explanation for massive success off one single release every sixth blue moon. Otherwise, to stay afloat, you're constantly cranking out new songs like Twice does.
I never really got into Blackpink's music formula, as a matter of personal preference. But I always leaned towards the brighter, cuter concepts.
now even the smaller groups (Itzy, Everglow, Oh My Girl, Red Velvet, Dreamcatcher) are doing tours and fan meets.
please everyone get your COVID-19 shots or else LOONA will disband before I get to see them
posted by Hollywood Upstairs Medical College at 2:47 PM on October 4, 2021 [6 favorites]
I never really got into Blackpink's music formula, as a matter of personal preference. But I always leaned towards the brighter, cuter concepts.
now even the smaller groups (Itzy, Everglow, Oh My Girl, Red Velvet, Dreamcatcher) are doing tours and fan meets.
please everyone get your COVID-19 shots or else LOONA will disband before I get to see them
posted by Hollywood Upstairs Medical College at 2:47 PM on October 4, 2021 [6 favorites]
pol, Teddy Park is basically the YG sound. He (and G-Dragon) pretty much made YG what it is... er, or rather, what it was, before all the grossness about the company was revealed. (Here's a link to the Burning Sun scandal wikipedia. It's... a lot.)
Teddy also made some of the best 2NE1 songs! He's like the YG version of Big Hit and Pdogg (BTS fans will understand that reference.) He's got a knack for catchy songs! It's what he does! Even for non-YG artists (helloooo, Sunmi's "Gashina").
But some fans think he could use a break. Or maybe for Blackpink to dial back working with Bekuh Boom, who fans believe to be the one responsible for the egregious English lyrics*. But appropriating AAVE and other Black culture is a giant kettle of fish that has yet to be resolved in kpop-land.
*To be fair, most kpop -- especially early kpop, before the international boom -- has bizarre English, but that's usually coming from non-fluent composers who like the sound of the words -- such as "Fantastic! FANTASTIC! Elastic! ELASTIC!" courtesy of SHINee's "Ring Ding Dong" MV, or "Loverholic! Robotronic!" from their "Lucifer" MV. I'm not responsible for earworms that these MVs may create -- click at your own risk.
Anyway, I am derailing a post celebrating kpop women by talking about the dudes.
So if anyone wants a new-to-them girl group to stan, I will forever recommend Dreamcatcher**. "BEcause" was their summer special release, but they've recently had a trilogy of releases: "Scream," "Boca," and "Odd Eye." Their b-sides are quality, too, so feel free to get lost in the youtube bunny trail.
**Yes, there is debate about the name. Like I said, kpop and cultural appropriation -- it deserves a whole seminar in its own right.
posted by paisley sheep at 3:02 PM on October 4, 2021 [6 favorites]
Teddy also made some of the best 2NE1 songs! He's like the YG version of Big Hit and Pdogg (BTS fans will understand that reference.) He's got a knack for catchy songs! It's what he does! Even for non-YG artists (helloooo, Sunmi's "Gashina").
But some fans think he could use a break. Or maybe for Blackpink to dial back working with Bekuh Boom, who fans believe to be the one responsible for the egregious English lyrics*. But appropriating AAVE and other Black culture is a giant kettle of fish that has yet to be resolved in kpop-land.
*To be fair, most kpop -- especially early kpop, before the international boom -- has bizarre English, but that's usually coming from non-fluent composers who like the sound of the words -- such as "Fantastic! FANTASTIC! Elastic! ELASTIC!" courtesy of SHINee's "Ring Ding Dong" MV, or "Loverholic! Robotronic!" from their "Lucifer" MV. I'm not responsible for earworms that these MVs may create -- click at your own risk.
Anyway, I am derailing a post celebrating kpop women by talking about the dudes.
So if anyone wants a new-to-them girl group to stan, I will forever recommend Dreamcatcher**. "BEcause" was their summer special release, but they've recently had a trilogy of releases: "Scream," "Boca," and "Odd Eye." Their b-sides are quality, too, so feel free to get lost in the youtube bunny trail.
**Yes, there is debate about the name. Like I said, kpop and cultural appropriation -- it deserves a whole seminar in its own right.
posted by paisley sheep at 3:02 PM on October 4, 2021 [6 favorites]
Are the singers artists or instruments (maybe both)?
It's both. Speaking of Dreamcatcher, they're a good example. They might be the closest thing K-pop has to metal now, but 5 of the members originally debuted as an entirely different group.
Part of being an idol is convincingly selling whatever role they stick you on, similar to how you can have a saxophone in a symphony orchestra or a jazz ensemble. These leather-clad demon summoners also skateboard and go to the beach with you. It's art and science.
posted by Hollywood Upstairs Medical College at 3:25 PM on October 4, 2021 [1 favorite]
It's both. Speaking of Dreamcatcher, they're a good example. They might be the closest thing K-pop has to metal now, but 5 of the members originally debuted as an entirely different group.
Part of being an idol is convincingly selling whatever role they stick you on, similar to how you can have a saxophone in a symphony orchestra or a jazz ensemble. These leather-clad demon summoners also skateboard and go to the beach with you. It's art and science.
posted by Hollywood Upstairs Medical College at 3:25 PM on October 4, 2021 [1 favorite]
Hey, in this household, we respect Minx!
Kinda. It's funny to watch them cringe when someone brings up their old songs. I'm probably a delusional fan, but I like to think they prefer the heavier stuff with lyrics that aren't stereotypical love songs. I think Jiu is the only one who really misses the cutesy days.
But it does say something about how kpop is an industry, and the agencies aren't there for the artistry of making music, but making money. If a style isn't working, they will figure out which one is and go with that. Generally, though, it's by retiring a group and starting a new one -- not reconfiguring a current group as a whole new concept with a new name, ala Minx to Dreamcatcher.
Which is why I think we're getting overrun with the girl crush concept these days (this is not necessarily a complaint, and is likely why I'm currently out-of-touch with the boy groups). That's what currently sells, as more groups gain bigger fandoms of mixed genders that aren't just the "uncles" of yore. There will always be room for the "stereotypical" kpop sound, but for new groups clamoring to make a name for themselves -- and money for their agency -- it's about jumping on the hip new trend.
posted by paisley sheep at 3:40 PM on October 4, 2021 [1 favorite]
Kinda. It's funny to watch them cringe when someone brings up their old songs. I'm probably a delusional fan, but I like to think they prefer the heavier stuff with lyrics that aren't stereotypical love songs. I think Jiu is the only one who really misses the cutesy days.
But it does say something about how kpop is an industry, and the agencies aren't there for the artistry of making music, but making money. If a style isn't working, they will figure out which one is and go with that. Generally, though, it's by retiring a group and starting a new one -- not reconfiguring a current group as a whole new concept with a new name, ala Minx to Dreamcatcher.
Which is why I think we're getting overrun with the girl crush concept these days (this is not necessarily a complaint, and is likely why I'm currently out-of-touch with the boy groups). That's what currently sells, as more groups gain bigger fandoms of mixed genders that aren't just the "uncles" of yore. There will always be room for the "stereotypical" kpop sound, but for new groups clamoring to make a name for themselves -- and money for their agency -- it's about jumping on the hip new trend.
posted by paisley sheep at 3:40 PM on October 4, 2021 [1 favorite]
I am unfamiliar with their oeuvre, but on first dabble am wondering were Jennie keeps the soap. I'm just not convinced she gets how launderettes work.
posted by biffa at 4:04 PM on October 4, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by biffa at 4:04 PM on October 4, 2021 [1 favorite]
No love for Brave Girls?
They were THE kpop girl group story of the year.
posted by needled at 6:47 PM on October 4, 2021 [1 favorite]
They were THE kpop girl group story of the year.
posted by needled at 6:47 PM on October 4, 2021 [1 favorite]
Brave Girls are definitely what I'd consider a group on a hot streak!
Also I fully approve of everyone linking their favorite girl groups!
posted by paisley sheep at 9:32 PM on October 4, 2021
Also I fully approve of everyone linking their favorite girl groups!
posted by paisley sheep at 9:32 PM on October 4, 2021
Thanks for the post and all the recs! I've dipped my toe back into kpop, but like there's a lot. But I'd rather have a lot of options than just like three girl groups (sobs in late 90s kpop).
Teddy Park
I am cursed whenever I see his name, I automatically start humming 1 TYM is 1 time for your mind (iykyk) and I'm done for the rest of the day.
posted by later, paladudes at 9:41 PM on October 4, 2021
Teddy Park
I am cursed whenever I see his name, I automatically start humming 1 TYM is 1 time for your mind (iykyk) and I'm done for the rest of the day.
posted by later, paladudes at 9:41 PM on October 4, 2021
Are we linking our favourite girl groups?
My favourite favourite is Mamamoo. The most talented all rounders: visuals, dancing, VOCALS, the works here. And I like that they're a bit more mature (even though the oldest is just 32 or something)
In terms of Boy Groups I only like Seventeen lol (I don't understand the appeal of BTS at all)
I also love AKMU (brother sister duo of amazingness)
Also if we're talking about BlackPink, I need to link this clip of Lee Hyori talking about how she doesn't understand modern girl group Kpop lyrics and she uses BP's DDD lyrics as an example.
I personally don't really like BP's sound, and I think they're pretty overrated. Lisa is crazy talented but the other 3 don't really stand out to me at all. (Jennie's voice in particular is kind of grating imo)
posted by vespertinism at 10:04 PM on October 4, 2021 [2 favorites]
My favourite favourite is Mamamoo. The most talented all rounders: visuals, dancing, VOCALS, the works here. And I like that they're a bit more mature (even though the oldest is just 32 or something)
In terms of Boy Groups I only like Seventeen lol (I don't understand the appeal of BTS at all)
I also love AKMU (brother sister duo of amazingness)
Also if we're talking about BlackPink, I need to link this clip of Lee Hyori talking about how she doesn't understand modern girl group Kpop lyrics and she uses BP's DDD lyrics as an example.
I personally don't really like BP's sound, and I think they're pretty overrated. Lisa is crazy talented but the other 3 don't really stand out to me at all. (Jennie's voice in particular is kind of grating imo)
posted by vespertinism at 10:04 PM on October 4, 2021 [2 favorites]
I want to be friends with everyone in this thread
pol, to your point #3, I'm a 30 year old cis bi dude and I feel the same way. I actually love kpop music videos, in that I think they are like...so perfectly realized. The synchronized dancing, in particular, is something I have always loved (and honestly it was what originally got me interested in kpop)...but also just, well, everything about the aesthetics. But then I sort of get bummed out about everything you are saying. The male-gazeiness of it. The exploitation. The pressures of surgery and eating disorders and everything. I don't really have a solution, but I'm def a kpop fan who struggles with what you mentioned!
posted by wooh at 11:17 PM on October 4, 2021 [1 favorite]
pol, to your point #3, I'm a 30 year old cis bi dude and I feel the same way. I actually love kpop music videos, in that I think they are like...so perfectly realized. The synchronized dancing, in particular, is something I have always loved (and honestly it was what originally got me interested in kpop)...but also just, well, everything about the aesthetics. But then I sort of get bummed out about everything you are saying. The male-gazeiness of it. The exploitation. The pressures of surgery and eating disorders and everything. I don't really have a solution, but I'm def a kpop fan who struggles with what you mentioned!
posted by wooh at 11:17 PM on October 4, 2021 [1 favorite]
I don't know much about K-pop beyond some random browsing and the occasional deeper interest that's out of step with the larger trends, but I've been pretty interested in where Lim Kim's been going since I first heard of her with Awoo, since it seems like she's really trying to break with the more standard K-pop mold of her early career. I mean this remix of her early hit All Right is pretty interesting and some of the other songs I've seen, like her appearance on 2.0, the song Yellow, Mong, and her recent acoustic set show a range of approach that keeps my attention. (But this may all be well known to y'all, so forgive the links if so.)
I guess my point is more in asking for suggestions on other Korean pop that might not fit the synchronized dance model, as fun as some of that might be. Stuff more like Luli Lee maybe? Or more unusual stuff would be cool too. I mostly just browse the 2.0 archives and fret the youtube algorithms to find music that'll be new to me.
posted by gusottertrout at 12:41 AM on October 5, 2021
I guess my point is more in asking for suggestions on other Korean pop that might not fit the synchronized dance model, as fun as some of that might be. Stuff more like Luli Lee maybe? Or more unusual stuff would be cool too. I mostly just browse the 2.0 archives and fret the youtube algorithms to find music that'll be new to me.
posted by gusottertrout at 12:41 AM on October 5, 2021
I like Boombayah, Whistle, As If It's Your Last. The rest of their music is really just average. YG has a phenomenal marketing team.
posted by subdee at 10:59 AM on October 5, 2021
posted by subdee at 10:59 AM on October 5, 2021
I haven't delved very far into KPop, so my exposure tends to be largely limited to songs that duet with US artists. I have really enjoyed getting both Sour Candy and Ice Cream stuck in my head, even if some of the English lyrics in the latter fall slightly below even my generally relaxed standards for catchy pop songs. ("Catch me in the fridge right where the ice be" mostly leaves me concerned about the problems they're apparently having with their freezer)
In terms of additional songs that I've stumbled upon purely by accident, I also really like Dreamcatcher's PIRI, and I'm looking forward to going through the links in this post!
posted by eponym at 12:43 PM on October 5, 2021
In terms of additional songs that I've stumbled upon purely by accident, I also really like Dreamcatcher's PIRI, and I'm looking forward to going through the links in this post!
posted by eponym at 12:43 PM on October 5, 2021
If you like Luli Lee, guttersnout, you should browse through the Poclanos channel. One I like there is Sleep by Night Off. Sogyumo Acacia Band is an older K-indie band that I like (Butterfly is beautiful). I don't think they have their own channel but a number of their songs are on Pastel TV, which tends toward more emo-K-pop.
Like vespertinism, my favorite is Mamamoo. They were my entry into K-pop and, except for a couple of releases early in their career they have mostly avoided the generic puppy love type songs. Their catalog is filled with an eclectic mix of songs in a variety of styles, many of which would big international hits if the lyrics were in English*.
A good intro to Mamamoo is the medley of their songs they did for Killing Voice. One of my favorites of theirs is the novelty song Aze Gag (official video and hilarious live performance) in which they turned dad jokes and puns into lyrics.
*I suspect part of Blackpink's success is because three of the four group members are native or fluent English speakers which helps immensely in dealing with the international press. In contrast the English of Mamamoo members is pretty choppy at best.
posted by plastic_animals at 9:11 PM on October 5, 2021 [2 favorites]
Like vespertinism, my favorite is Mamamoo. They were my entry into K-pop and, except for a couple of releases early in their career they have mostly avoided the generic puppy love type songs. Their catalog is filled with an eclectic mix of songs in a variety of styles, many of which would big international hits if the lyrics were in English*.
A good intro to Mamamoo is the medley of their songs they did for Killing Voice. One of my favorites of theirs is the novelty song Aze Gag (official video and hilarious live performance) in which they turned dad jokes and puns into lyrics.
*I suspect part of Blackpink's success is because three of the four group members are native or fluent English speakers which helps immensely in dealing with the international press. In contrast the English of Mamamoo members is pretty choppy at best.
posted by plastic_animals at 9:11 PM on October 5, 2021 [2 favorites]
If you like Luli Lee, guttersnout, you should browse through the Poclanos channel.
Thanks! That's a great link and the other suggestions were on point too. Butterfly and Sleep as well as the Mamamoo links. I'm always grateful for links to whatever people like, popular or otherwise, no matter the style, it's just harder to find the less popular stuff outside your own cultural frame sometimes.
posted by gusottertrout at 11:02 PM on October 5, 2021
Thanks! That's a great link and the other suggestions were on point too. Butterfly and Sleep as well as the Mamamoo links. I'm always grateful for links to whatever people like, popular or otherwise, no matter the style, it's just harder to find the less popular stuff outside your own cultural frame sometimes.
posted by gusottertrout at 11:02 PM on October 5, 2021
I really like the Blackpink hits also, and have had so many thoughts already posted above. Why aren't there more songs? Do they have control of their own music? I watched the Documentary movie about them on Netflix, and even then couldn't get those answered. Admitted they're still young, so maybe not so surprising that we don't see what direction they want to go, just that they seem to enjoy what they're doing.
Anyway, thanks to those in the thread who introduced me to Dreamcatcher!
posted by Metro Gnome at 1:35 AM on October 6, 2021
Anyway, thanks to those in the thread who introduced me to Dreamcatcher!
posted by Metro Gnome at 1:35 AM on October 6, 2021
Oh man! Blackpink really hooked me into K-pop last year - I had heard Girls' Generation's Galaxy Supernova when it first came out years ago and really liked it, but somehow didn't dig much further into the whole scene. A lot of the other K-pop songs I heard seemed pretty cutesy (from girl groups especially), and it was hard to wrap my head around groups with like 9 members. But last year, I got hooked on "Ddu Du Ddu Du" and "Boombayah" - I do think mostly because of Teddy Park's production - and I ended up watching a bunch of dance practices and music video behind the scenes clips and such, and began to enjoy the members just interacting with each other in ridiculous ways. (Which I think is maybe another aspect of Blackpink's appeal - with only 4 members their personalities seem to all stand out and play off each other.)
Anyway in the middle of all that, YouTube kept recommending me Mamamoo and I resisted for a long time - honestly mostly because the group name sounded weird to me! But at some point the dam broke- I can't remember if it was this bosgotnojams parody or maybe an ad-lib compilation but something made me listen to whole songs of theirs and HOLY CRAP they are great! The Killing Voice video plastic_animals mentioned is probably how I would try to get other people into them now, but their Immortal Songs performances are also amazing and their relay dance version of "Hip" is infectiously fun. Aside from that they've all got writing and composing credits on multiple songs, and they are all hilarious in a really extra sort of way, and I am madly indebted to the dedicated translators who subtitle their interviews and MMM TV episodes and whatnot so I can get past the language barrier.
posted by sigmagalator at 12:23 AM on October 9, 2021 [1 favorite]
Anyway in the middle of all that, YouTube kept recommending me Mamamoo and I resisted for a long time - honestly mostly because the group name sounded weird to me! But at some point the dam broke- I can't remember if it was this bosgotnojams parody or maybe an ad-lib compilation but something made me listen to whole songs of theirs and HOLY CRAP they are great! The Killing Voice video plastic_animals mentioned is probably how I would try to get other people into them now, but their Immortal Songs performances are also amazing and their relay dance version of "Hip" is infectiously fun. Aside from that they've all got writing and composing credits on multiple songs, and they are all hilarious in a really extra sort of way, and I am madly indebted to the dedicated translators who subtitle their interviews and MMM TV episodes and whatnot so I can get past the language barrier.
posted by sigmagalator at 12:23 AM on October 9, 2021 [1 favorite]
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I wasn't too interested in them, but they put out a movie over the summer he wanted to go see, so he had me watch a few of their videos and gave me a little background on the members. I enjoyed the movie a lot more than I expected to. The music is pretty catchy, the costumes and sets are amazing and the girls are talented.
I'm getting a little sick of the Lalisa song, to be honest. But the video is gorgeous.
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 9:22 AM on October 4, 2021 [1 favorite]