Review: BAP - Stop It

So...
I was supposed to review BAP's Rain Sound this week. I downloaded the video, watched it a gazillion times, got a good momentum going......Until I realized that most of what I wrote was actually a mindless rant about their last video Stop It. And because my rant was just too good to go to waste, I'm taking a rain check for Rain Sound (That was a pun, lol) and doing Stop It instead.

 

Music Video

Let me start off by saying how much I love BAP. They are the only rookie group that has caught my eye so far and I am such a huge fan. That is why when I watched the music video for Stop It, I think a part of me just died then and there.

And now I need a hug.

Oh, you thought I meant that in a good way? Well, sorry to disappoint. I think that was one of the dark moments in my long standing relationship with Kpop, the day I watched BAP do aegyo. Shudder~

How on earth...? I mean, when I saw the teaser photos with the rugby helmet and the boxing gloves and the smouldering looks, even when I knew that the title song was called Stop It, I fully expected it to be another aggressive, in-your-face, foot-stomping album. Instead, I got fluff-bombed by this number. It totally caught me off guard. In fact, the first time I watched it I think I spent the entire length of the video staring at it in complete disbelief.

Not a single sexy boxer scene. I've been had.

Alright, I know I'm being harsh. BAP once mentioned in a program that the reason they were testing out the aegyo concept was to please their fans who wanted to see a cuter side to them. I have to give you guys props for going through that traumatizing experience just for your fans. You guys are awesome. Babys, please don't ask BAP to do aegyo anymore. I don't understand why you people insist on making them do stuff they are clearly not comfortable with. I mean, take Bang Yongguk for instance. Every time I look at him, I'm reminded of a rather grumpy bear, in a good way of course. And although bears generally are supposed to be cute, I would like to point out that the emphasis in the term is grumpy, and not bear.

 

Pictured: Not cute.

  BAP are not cutie boys. They didn't debut as cutie boys, and they can easily coast through their entire idol career without ever touching that. And don't think I'm being prejudiced because of my anti-aegyo stand. For those who don't know or are simply choosing to ignore that fact, Yongguk is turning 23 this year. Most idols by that age have already put their aegyo days behind them because that is......just so wrong.

So about the video: Yongguk was the main star, and his role as a naughty cute prankster had more than a few cringe-worthy parts for me. Thankfully he focused more on the prankster role as opposed to the aegyo role which made it more bearable. One thing I will say about the video though, that scene where Yongguk got hit by Daehyun's car? His expression was priceless. I swear, I have only ever seen someone this happy to get run over in Tom and Jerry shows.

Except he didn't die, he just got turned into a demon (Or devil, whichever works). *Gasp* What a plot twister. Well, not really. By the way, I would like to know which supernatural programs the directors have been referring to, because I'm a regular supernatural junkie and turning into a devil after getting hit by a car still doesn't make any sense to me. Not to mention there was this tiny little detail they kind of never explained. How is it that Daehyun could see Yongguk, even though he was invisible for the rest of the video? Aha, bet you didn't expect anyone to notice that, did you TS? Unless...Daehyun is secretly an angel too!! 

But wait, if he was an angel, why the heck would he be driving a car? I pretty sure Cas never drove the Impala. Unless...Holy crap, unless Daehyun is a fallen angel, reduced to live out his life as a mortal on Earth! I mean, remember that look on his face? He literally just killed a guy, and yet he barely batted an eyelid. Looking at his expression, it's obvious his thoughts are less "Oh sh*t oh sh*it, did I just @#$%! kill that %$&* guy!!!!" and more along the lines of "Aw man, not again." 

 

This expression is inappropriate. He should be screaming in horror.

 That means it wouldn't be the first time he wiped out a human being. In fact, I bet he fell because he killed a human! Gasp! Huh, that would explain the presence of Ms Angel actually. You think she's here for Yongguk but she is in fact keeping an eye on Daehyun to prevent him from killing more people. But instead, she not only lets Yongguk kick the bucket, she even falls for him when he turns into a demon. In the end, she paid the price for it. Remember the feathers she shed at the end of the video? I think she just got demoted. Or maybe even fired! Well then again, she could just be having a bad wing day.

Speaking of Ms Angel, is it just me or did that last scene where she revealed that she could see Yongguk all along seem a little rated R? I mean, you see her caressing his face and grabbing his tail and squeezing it. You're an angel, surely you have better ways of knocking a demon out. Press two fingers against his forehead while wearing a contemplative look on your face. Snap your fingers. Hell, whack him with a baseball bat. The video is already so far removed from the restrictions of reality that practically anything works. Why are you groping him? And the fact that she wearing nothing but an oversized white shirt does not help matters either.

Oh yeah, this is...totally platonic.

The rest of the members didn't really play any significant role in the video besides vying for Ms Angel's affection and riling up Yongguk enough to play nasty pranks on them. Jongup and Zelo's classroom scene where they break down on the desks behind Ms Angel's back was very High School Musical. Why can't my class bust a move like that during lectures? So unfair. Also Himchan's role was kind of a jerk. I don't know how many people could look away from his boyish handsomeness long enough to notice that what he did with his hand against her face was technically considered a slap. That was a scumbag move, Himchan. You don't hit girls. Ever. 

Anyway, I know I kind of laid it on Daehyun for his acting, but actually he was my favorite. His part didn't call for any aegyo, but he still pulled off looking cute without over exaggerating it. So it was good. 

Song and Lyrics

The song itself didn't blow my mind to be honest. I've never heard Crash, but I listened to Warrior, Power, and No Mercy and compared to these songs, Stop It didn't exactly stand out. It was a fun beat, but it didn't shove itself in your face and force you to stop in your tracks and pay attention to it like the other songs did. It was just very, average. If there is anything I can say about the song, it's that the rapping was great as usual. Zelo is still keeping it up with his LTD rap and it seems like Yongguk can pull it off pretty well himself, although maybe not quite as LTD. I constantly marvel at how they never seem to have to breathe when they're rapping. Also, Daehyun did a mean adlib for this song. He may have been equally badass in previous songs, but I never really noticed it until now. So...Yeah, I think I'll be able to do a better review on their next comeback. Just please, no more aegyo (Shudder~). Alright, we good? Peace out.

Dance 

Since there was barely any dancing in the music video, I have been obliged to extensively study their live performances on stage. And even though I thought that the music video didn't fit their style, I thought the dance was right up their alley. The only significant dance move I saw was the hand waving gesture during the chorus, which was pretty literal given the song is called Stop It. But since it is a fun song, the dance doesn't have to be as refined as the dances for more serious songs. It was fun, infectious and showed the members just being boys and having a good time on stage. Its one of those performances which makes you want to jump up and dance along with them. Also I loved the snippets of break dancing by Jongup and Zelo scattered throughout the performance. This is definitely one of those songs where I enjoyed the live performances better than the music video.

Fashion

Where do I even begin? (=D) First off, I'm glad to see them back to being blondes again. Kpop groups almost never coordinate hairstyles, so doing so actually makes them stand out more. Nice. But Yongguk, please refrain from slicking your hair back like that. Back where I come from, we call that the "currypuff" and it is usually only seen on portly graying men on their way to work. Nah, just kidding. But seriously.

Overall, Daehyun's outfits throughout the video scored a ten out of ten for me. His suit in the beginning with the funky paint-splotched pants was cool, but that sparkly silver hoodie completely blew my mind with its awesomeness. It combines my love for both bling and hoodies, and Daehyun wears it like a boss. In fact I love it so much, I don't even have the sufficient vocabulary to describe my obsession. So we'll just leave it at that. (I want it. I WANT IT).

And not even your three-fingered ninjutsu is going to stop me.

 

I have some doubts about Himchan's flowery pants, but the real fashion terrorists here are Youngjae and Zelo. Lets start with Youngjae. First of all, round-framed glasses haven't been trendy since Harry Potter, and that nerdy blue cardigan doesn't help improve that image. Also, a safety pin headband? Really, Youngjae? I know that as a rookie group you guys are probably still short on cash, but I'm sure you don't have to resort to DIY clothes just yet.

Next. Zelo, your hats need to be destroyed. What is with BAP and their atrocious headwear? Anyway, his green double-pointed knit-cap kind of reminds me of that little green anime frog. What was it, kerokeropi? Yeah, that one. And don't get me started on his orange checkered fireman helmet. Sorry guys, I loved your outfits in the previous music videos but this time, it doesn't do it for me.