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Everglow’s “Dun Dun” is Catchy but Underwhelming

Everglow has been gaining a lot of attention in Kpop world for their “girl-crush” style and superb performances. While I think they deserve it, I can’t help but think that their newest release, though catchy, is something we’ve already heard before. 

Positives first: the lyrics are nothing to turn your nose up at. They paint the girls as predators coming for the one they love. It’s tantalizing right up to the chorus, which is stripped back to the haunting “done”, as if the girls are finally beginning the chase, with the horns signaling the capture in progress. The members sufficiently carry the power and seduction behind the lyrics - nothing to complain about there. 

The final post-chorus verse is also interesting. By the end of the last chorus, we’ve assumed that the predator has caught her prey and is ready to have her way with them. Instead, the lyrics “Baby you won’t be able to move” are repeated, implying that she’s still searching for him. It plays out as a tantalizing game of the hunter letting her prey go - simply because the chase is so much fun. 

However, while the sonic structure fits the song, it’s also nothing new. The use of onomatopoeia right from the start of the song becomes almost annoyingly repetitive by the time the chorus hits. And who isn’t familiar with the use of the rap verse right after the first chorus? 

More importantly, I caught one too many borrowed moves in the choreography. Around the 35 second mark of their showcase performance, you can see EXO’s “Overdose” drumming. The chorus ends with Chungha’s low snap move from “Snapping”. There are so many more moves that ring familiar that I can’t place. I understand taking inspiration from other artists - and no one owns certain moves - but I can’t help but feel some of these moves are too alike to their inspiration sources. 

Everglow is full of potential, particularly for their performance and general delivery. Their producers and choreographers could definitely step it up, however, if they’re truly going to be a top-tier group. 

Listen to it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoYKBAajoyo

[luxkpoprants]

“Loved You Better” is a Triumph for Holland

While its sonic structure is fairly simple, the lyrics for “Loved You Better” are anything but. In this letter to his past self, Holland weaves together images of light and falling to create a masterpiece of self-love and acceptance. 

The song begins with a frustrating hopelessness as he bemoans, “I’m losing the light inside of me/I feel like something’s gone wrong/ I don’t know why, no”. As it continues, it’s easy to feel like the world is against him, threatening to bring him further into darkness. The lyrics “People try to step on me”, for instance, are accompanied by a familiar, haunting image of Holland clearing up his desk and supplies after they were damaged by bullies. 

Yet he persists. The notes of the pre-chorus rise as he notes, “The sky is strewn with countless falling stars”. Rather than a portrait of a dying light, Holland interprets it as a light which is deadset on a path of its own, a path no one can interrupt. He’s not a mere flame, but an entire star, brightly burning and determined to illuminate the widest darkness. 

Thrilled by this new determination, he tells himself “Ignore their stares, just look ahead”. He swears to treat himself “like a queen”, be seen, and give himself all that he wanted. From this new high point of confidence, he has only one wish for the man he was. “I wish I loved you better”. 

The accompanying video does incredible justice to the song’s brilliant lyrics. One image is especially moving.. The second pre-chorus includes Holland staring into the mirror contemplating suicide. As he brings his finger gun to his mouth and pulls the trigger, a burst of glitter shoots from the back of his head. While near graphic, it suggests that living through the darkness has a blessing of light to follow and indeed, “Loved You Better” is exactly that.

Listen to it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0V38cJ8t8cY

[luxkpoprants]

2 out of 10 things on this list done isn’t so bad tbh. 

10 Things SM could do instead of creating the super boy group

Just to make it clear: I don’t hate any of the idols involved in this. The group honestly looks like my bias list. However, based on their styles and abilities, I don’t think it’s going to be something amazing. So here’s what SM could do instead. 

Get all of NCT, WayV included, for another NCT 2019. Remember how great NCT 2018 was? All the amazing songs? Baby Don’t Stop is one of the best songs NCT ever did. You don’t need to put the members in an entirely different group when there are so many amazing collaborations waiting to happen under the NCT umbrella. Again, there’s no reason to form an entirely new group when amazing collaborations are right under your nose. Give us Ten and Taeyong again. Give us some combination of the 2000 line idols. Give us another Without You. Give us anything. But don’t ignore the potential.  

Let Taemin do literally anything else. The man sings, dances, acts, is great on variety shows. Let him go to a masters class for dance. Let him star on a variety show where he teaches new trainees. Let him promote his damn solo in Japan and get some rest this year. Hell, if you really want him to work with any of the members listed, just do that! Let him do some kind of Station duet with Ten or Kai or Taeyong. Literally anything but this. 

Baekhyun should enjoy his solo. I admit I wasn’t the biggest fan of Baekhyun’s solo debut. However, it was still solid for a first time solo EP, and it seems like all promotions for it vanished into thin air. He did like what, a few music shows and Sketchbook? Come on, I get the timing’s kind of awful, but he could, I don’t know, continue working on solo music through Station at the very least? (I don’t think a full comeback would work given how tight the schedule for the year already seems). 

Kai could join Chanyeol and Sehun and make the SKY unit we all dreamed of. Honestly, why wasn’t Kai added to the line up in the first place? I get that it’s more a rap unit than a dance one, but there’s no reason, literally no flipping reason, that Kai couldn’t develop his rapping or singing chops in a new unit. Maybe that was his choice to not join the unit. If so, why not let him act? Or work on his solo stuff through Station? Three are so many other things he could be doing. 

Renew SM the Ballad or SM the Performance. Look, the collaboration isn’t the problem. I love each of the idols scheduled for the line-up and think they have amazing potential to create something beautiful. My problem is the idea of creating an entirely new, regular group when there are already well-beloved groups established for SM idols to work together. Renew the old Performance or Ballad groups. Those were specialized units which allowed idols of a similar style and ability to work together and promote sparingly in a way that didn’t interfere with their regular schedules. Why not bring that back? Let them work through SM station or have special performances through the SM Town concerts. There are so many possibilities that it’s hard to understand why SM isn’t taking advantage of this instead of creating an entirely new group.

Let Hyoyeon release a full DJ HYO album. From a business standpoint, people argue that Hyoyeon isn’t popular enough to warrant full promotions. I call bull. She’s a member of the Nation’s Girl Group. SM has the power to let her promote, as per the DY HYO Seoul club tour. Let her do that again with a full album! Let her promote on music shows. Anything. And while we’re at it, give Yuri another comeback too, because The First Scene was one of the best releases of last year. 

Super Junior could use a comeback. I’m not a fan of some of the members for their behavior, but the group as a whole could probably promote a little bit. Otra Vez was awesome. Let them do more of that! Or - 

Let TVXQ and BoA become a new group.  Wanna talk about an entirely new group? SM, I’ve got you covered. Your two greatest veterans are just waiting in the wings for a chance to work their magic. We’ve all seen Yunho and BoA in her Only One performances. Do more of that! Hell, they don’t even have to promote in Korea! They can promote in Japan! But let them do something together. Style, talent, and experience are so well matched. Again, I don’t know why this hasn’t been a thing yet.

Give Taeyeon another album.  I know she’s focusing on her mental health, but it’s also obvious she loves making music. She doesn’t need to promote (clearly, given how successful her stuff is without it), just let her get in the studio with some good melodies and send it out into the world. It’s the time for it, since her new show is coming on air.

Finally, GIVE F(X) A DAMN ALBUM.  Look, I don’t care if they make millions. LET THEM RELEASE ANOTHER ALBUM. THEY PAVED THE WAY FOR OTHER GROUPS TO SHINE WITHOUT FITTING INTO THE CUTESY OR SEXY OR GIRL CRUSH. WE NEED THAT KIND OF POWER BACK IN 2019. LET THEM COME BACK, SM, LET THEM COME BACK. 

And that’s it! Ten brand spanking awesome ideas for SM to earn some cash and not create the shitstorm that is this new group. 

I love the members in the lineup, and I know they’re probably really excited to work together. I’d love to see Taemin work with Ten or Winwin, for instance. It just doesn’t seem logical for all these idols - with varying styles (contemporary/futuristic disco - in Taemin’s words - to R&B) to be thrown together when there is so much more potential lying around.  It really does seem like a quick ploy for cash and clout. I’m afraid if SM continues with this trend, they’ll lose the spark of genuine creativity and earnest desire to create good music which makes them so special. 

[luxkpoprants]

Luna: we’re about to die in the sewers Krystal! Do you really want your last words to be sarcastic!?

Krystal, sarcastically: NoOoOo!!

[luxkpoprants]

Get home safely Sulli, Choi Jin Ri.

You were a gift to this world and brought happiness to so, so many people.

You will always be remembered fondly and lovingly; your smile and music will stay with us.

Thank you for many years along your side.

Life must have been hard on you, please rest well.

[luxkpoprants]

I find it quite funny (not really) that all of you put the blame on SM lack of awareness on mental illness.

And I hate to be that person but I am bringing Jjong to this but really briefly. After his death, we were all in the mood to be aware, to bring light to this issue. His passing brought the topic to the table in a way that was not talked before.

And then Sulli did so beautifully with her album and MV. She talked about it. And SM giver her a chance to promote her album and talk about mental health and they tried so hard to demonstrate that they are aware of what happens with different people's minds.

Now, fans were like South Korea needs to wake up, SM needs to wake up... But guess who made her feel miserable although she expressed she wasn't in her best moment? Her fans. People were vomiting these words. Using Jjong every now and then to remind aaah the lack of awareness others have but not really reflecting that is not just on enterprises or an entire country. It starts from us. Words of hate can be more harmful than you think, and maybe some idols can stand those and ignore them and be strong, but others can't. Sulli couldn't. And not just idols. People.

So don't blame it on others. We always rush to put the blame on someone instead of reflect of our own actions. And I am not saying you did it either. But I hope it really get into people hearts that sometimes we, US, are the one who need to be more aware and thoughtful.

Treat your idols as people. As humans. Be kind with them, grateful for what they can do and the happiness they give you with their art. Respect their boundaries. Don't push them when they are close to you. Let them have lives and romance. Try to understand their ways of living and thinking before bashing them. Or just ignore them if you don't like them and don't spread hate.

That's it.

[luxkpoprants]

[luxkpoprants]

things to keep in mind today

[luxkpoprants]

MeUs... i love you...

[luxkpoprants]

𝓦𝓮 𝔀𝓲𝓵𝓵 𝓪𝓵𝔀𝓪𝔂𝓼 𝓻𝓮𝓶𝓮𝓶𝓫𝓮𝓻 29.03.1994-14.10.2019

[luxkpoprants]

My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends. With her former f(x) members and her SM family and friends. People close to her heart who must have watched her struggle against the current of hate and doubt and felt so terribly helpless. With all the people who got up this morning with a smile on their faces and excitement in their hearts, thinking it was going to be another beautiful day - shocked and hurt by this devastating news of having to say goodbye to their daughter, sister, friend, colleague, angel.  

Jonghyun-ah… Please take care of Sulli up in heaven. Please tell her that she has done well. That she has worked hard and tried her best. That she deserves to be happy. Please watch over us. 

[luxkpoprants]

rest well sulli, i'm so sorry the world didn't treat you well ㅠ ㅠ

[luxkpoprants]

if you ever feel like you’re unable to continue living, please talk to a friend or a family member, or please get in touch with a crisis team. 

above is a list of numbers i’ve found that you can talk to when you’re at your lowest. (please please please add any i have missed or any that i have gotten incorrect)

my inbox and dms are always open if you need somebody to speak to. 

you are not alone. 

we are stronger together.

thank you for everything, jinri. i hope you rest well. ♡ ♡ ♡

[luxkpoprants]

A strong and brave woman who had spent her life fighting the world to be herself, no matter what, and was a real role model. Rest in peace.

[luxkpoprants]

Its really heartbreaking, but you're together now. Rest in peace, Sulli.

Rest in peace, both of you beautiful souls.

[luxkpoprants]

Sulli…

A beautiful, bubbly, lively kid full of innocent passion who grew up too fast in the harsh lights of the Korean pop industry.

I still can recall her wide eyed, definitely nervous look during their debut stage. Her sweet live vocals coupled with powerful dancing and charming cheek whiskers whenever she smiles made her easily one of the most beloved maknae of her generation.

Others will say she messed up as a grown woman while others will argue that she showed the conservative SK audience that women can do whatever they want and sexism doesn’t have a place in society.

Others will accuse her of being an attention wh*re while others will say the admire her for her strength, confidence and candor.

However you feel about her, let’s remember her with respect and treat everyone who is mourning for her passing with care and civility.

May her soul rest in peace and may those who mourn for her find comfort with one another.

[luxkpoprants]

Howdy doo~

As you may or may not have heard, Victoria and Amber have left SM Entertainment. Luna’s is also expiring and I highly doubt Krystal will sign again after the way S.M. treated them. I’m bittersweetly going down memory lane and I just wanted to bring back some good memories. I actually want to try making gifs, but while I don’t have WiFi, please enjoy this list for now (:

Ot5 doing yaja time and everyone being utterly annoyed by Victoria when it should’ve been the other way around

NA EOTTEOKHAEYO UNNIE~

Khuntoria being the “reallest” couple back in 2010

Electric Shock just dominating everything

Victoria casually doing the splits on Star King and every other variety show lol

Also her doing cartwheels and shit onstage

JungLi moments during Red Light

Okay, just Red Light in general

That one behind the scenes where Victoria was explaining something to Amber in Chinese, Krystal explained the opposite thing in English, and Amber said she was confused in Korean

Anna Kendrick “auditioning” to be a part of f(x) AKA ultimate cringe content

Pink Tape (aka arguably the best album in their discography) being released

4 Walls coming out to clear us from a drought (only to put us back in another one)

If you think Lunber was the ulterior ship, y’all should’ve seen Luntoria in its prime.

f(SHINee) being a thing

Wasn’t a huge fan of f(SHINee) shipping (except maybe MinSul) but Victoria in Replay was a sight

Omg speaking of MinSul throwback to the cringe of To The Beautiful You (honestly, if you haven’t watched this, I’m shocked because everyone recommended this shit during the early 2010s)

That one time Krystal wanted meat on Weekly Idol and she had to shoot a ball in a basket. She lowkey cheated and her hand was literally a foot away from the basket BUT SHE STILL MISSED

That one variety show where they surprised high school kids by showing up in class and no one recognized them until they saw either Amber or Krystal

Doesnt fx have a time capsule to open in like New Zealand or Australia?

That one variety show where they’re in a bath house and Sulli kept getting sprayed for not gettin any of the right answers lol

4 Walls (and View) was ahead of its time

All Mine was a gift

The concept of f(x) being like a math equation and “effects” as well. Literally all the members are variables and every combination is different... I wish S.M. just rode on that more.

Okay but god bless actress Krystal

And god bless nomads Amber and Luna

And god bless Mother Victoria

We can’t forget Jinri who may have strayed away but is living her life

Thank you for a beautiful 10 years. You definitely taught us patience and understanding, but there are no regrets ever. I wish you luck on your future endeavors and will continue to support whatever you do!