I'm in a bit of a tight schedule here, because I'm trying to push out two more reviews before I leave. Still I'm a huge fan of U Kiss and I want to do this song justice. Once again, I realize that this song is about three months out of date. However thankfully this is my blog which otherwise translates to I'm allowed to write whatever the hell I want.
Music Video
Yes yes, U Kiss are officially indoors, huzzah! So they released two music videos for this song: A black-and-white version and a colored version, and I'm going to cut straight to the point and say that I prefer the black-and-white version. The truth is, the reason for that was actually because of Eli. Now don't get me wrong, I love his hair and I love his suit. Separately. But put them together and, well, blonde hair and a navy suit just doesn't go well with each other, I'm sorry. Eli, you still rock though.
Okay, okay, that wasn't the only reason. I also thought the black and white theme gave the music video a really classy and suave feel to it, while the colored version was more ordinary for me. There is not a lot to go on about the music video to be honest, except that some of the props really fit the members and how we tend to perceive them. For example, you see dependable big brother Soohyun working over time in what looks like the office, complete with coffee table and study lamp. Stylish ulzzang Kiseop has a funky retro-styled chair in his stylish room and Kevin has a......chess piece? I...don't really know what to make of that.
Song and Lyrics
This song is not a typical U Kiss styled song. In fact it isn't really a Kpop styled song in general, which is great. U Kiss are constantly changing their concepts and they have rocked every one so far. They never play it safe, and I really like that about them. That being said, I still have some reservations about this song. I mean, it is a great song, and if it wasn't for the chorus I would probably love it. Its just that the chorus kind of sounds to me like a line that a guy in a bar would use to pick up girls.
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| istockphoto.com |
Stop girl and in the name of love, can I buy you a drink~
U Kiss produced two versions of this song, one Korean version and one English version. Okay, first things first. I love U Kiss, but I am first and foremost a critic and the one thing I promised to be is brutally honest. Guys, you are still not at the level where you can start producing English songs. U Kiss currently has only two fluent English speakers now that AJ is still studying and they are great. But for the other members, much as it kills me to say this, their pronunciations still needs a lot of work. And producing English songs before you get the pronunciation down pat is just going to become fodder for haters, so this is not something you should take lightly. But guys, if you ever need someone to teach you English, I'd only be too happy to volunteer. =D
And yet, I still prefer the English version over the Korean one. I know, weird right? Both songs basically talk about a couple going through rough times. The girl hurts the guy, and he can't stand it anymore so he's like, you know what, lets stop pretending and just end the relationship. Even though the contents are the same, both songs express different emotions. In the Korean version, the guy is still in love with the girl so he's in a dilemma on whether or not he should end it, and he feels sorry for his girlfriend for what she's going through as well. But in the English version, the guy is more like, enough is enough, I'm done. So even though the girl is making an effort to patch things up, he's more firm about breaking up and refuses to pick up her calls and such.
The lyrical arrangement for the English version still needs some fine-tuning, but overall I felt it spoke to me more and the ability to relate to songs has always been something that I value very much. On an unrelated matter, why is it that all of U Kiss's hit songs always seem to be about a guy breaking up with his mean, manipulative, cheating girlfriend? Lets look at the list: Man Man Hani, Shut Up and now Stop Girl. I mean, yeah, its different from the usual Kpop genre of cotton candy and fluff and Kpop boys singing about being the perfect boyfriend but when your fanbase consists of 99.99% girls, you might not want to sing songs about how much you hate your girl and how she should just get up and get out of your way. That being said, for reasons I can't understand, Kiss Mes everywhere still love them, including myself. =D
Dance
I always enjoy the dances done by U Kiss, so this time was no exception. Their live performances was a little different from the dance in the music video though. I'm not sure if they changed it to make it easier, or if they thought it would look better. Whatever the reason, I liked the improved version a lot better than in the music video. What with the body rolling and hip thrusting, the dance for this song was hot, I can tell you. Tell me the truth guys, you did it for fan service, didn't you? Its okay, you can tell me.
Hmmm....So female dancers are being added for the first time in a U Kiss music video. Scandalous indeed. Okay seriously though, I love the female back-ups. They are a great addition, and I'm also glad that they dance with the members rather than on the members, as I've seen back-ups do. However I noticed something really funny during the dance though. Other Kpop groups do this too, but I'll take this opportunity to bring it up.
During the dance, you see Kevin and Soohyun doing a solo with the dancers, and there is a point where both of them need get pretty intimate. So Kevin did a brilliant job, holding her waist and gazing at her almost lovingly. But when its Soohyun's turn, even though he performed admirably with the skinship, none of that manners hands nonsense, hilariously enough his expression couldn't be less enthusiastic. He doesn't even seem to notice that there is a girl in his arms and caressing his face.
"Sigh, I'm so freaking hungry."
I noticed this first when I watched 2PM's Back to You. Each of them had a pretty steamy scene with the female back-up dancers. The performance was sexy and the chemistry was believable. But when the cameras focused on Taecyeon, he looked almost bored, despite the scantily clad dancer pressed up against him. I think that fans worldwide would be rejoicing over the obvious lack of interest their biases are showing in the female dancers, but I'm kind of tickled by it. I mean, you have a hot girl on your arm and for once you are actually expected to get up close and personal, how can you possibly be bored??!! I got to hand it to them, Kpop idols are real professionals.
Fashion
Everyone have been positively gushing over Eli's awesome hair for this album. While I do agree that it is indeed awesome, I would have to say Kiseop's mohawk gets my vote. There is just something about pretty boys/girls shaving off their hair that makes them really attractive. Like Dara of 2ne1. She looked incredible throughout the I Love You promotions. So imagine my disappointment when Kiseop reverted back to his Neverland hair for their promotions. Sigh~
Dongho, I actually have no problems with your hat. However, I agree with Martina regarding the seaweed. That and the sleeveless shirt has to go.
Anyone ever took the time to watch U Kiss's live performances? You guys ever noticed Kevin's suit? Even though he didn't wear it in the music video, for the entire length of their promotions he donned the same suit that had this great huge rip at the shoulder and the side. It kind of looks like Kevin got attacked by zombies. I mean, look at him. He looks like he barely got out alive- Omg, I just had an epiphany.
Next time use the double tap, Kevin.
Rather than being homeless, I think U Kiss looks more like a group of survivors from a zombie attack. Why do you think they keep changing locations? Because they need to keep moving on before the zombies discover their hiding place. Need more proof? In Neverland, they were actually kidnapped by said zombies and stuffed inside a meat locker. But then they got out and escaped into the wilderness. And then they did a dance number together in the snow. But that's not the point! This time the zombies managed to take a swipe at Dongho. I mean, why else would he be missing a sleeve? Its not like someone would rip one sleeve of a perfectly good suit because they thought it would look good, right?
So for the time being they managed to squat in a reasonably swanky place, but allow me to make a bold prediction for U Kiss. By the next music video, U Kiss will homeless again. They have to be on the move, if they want to stay ahead of the zombies~
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