Welcome to the February 2025 K-Pop (and adjacent) edition of Pop Off! This month, weβre diving into an intense showdown between three acts and their latest releases: IVE, ZEROBASEONE and Hearts2Hearts. Expect unfiltered opinions, deep dives into the music, performances, and visuals, and maybe a little bit of chaos. Joining us for this episode is Jasmine Stephen, producer on The Kelly Clarkson Show, to help us break it all down. Who delivered the best comeback (or debut, in Hearts2Hearts' case!) of the month? Tune in to find out!
Follow Jasmine Stephen, producer of The Kelly Clarkson Show here: https://www.instagram.com/j_yvonnes/
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References:
- IVE μμ΄λΈ - βATTITUDEβ MV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38xYeot-ciM
- IVE μμ΄λΈ - βATTITUDEβ Dance Practice https://youtu.be/m87Xif9yZb4?si=0hdheIH4HEHcy44a
- ZEROBASEONE (μ λ‘λ² μ΄μ€μ) - βBLUEβ MV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hwiRN8t8Ok
- ZEROBASEONE (μ λ‘λ² μ΄μ€μ) - βBLUEβ Dance Practice https://youtu.be/WtSL2rkEc5g?si=wBpMQ0B_edQHUAZO
- Hearts2Hearts νμΈ ν¬νμΈ βThe Chaseβ MV https://youtu.be/kxUA2wwYiME?si=ANqBljDSI0uFTEFs
- Hearts2Hearts νμΈ ν¬νμΈ βThe Chaseβ Performance Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtPPT-qSXj8
0:00 - Intro2:40 - Round 1 - Song14:39 - Round 2 - Video25:23 - Round 3 - Performance40:13 - Final Winner
00:00:00 --> 00:00:28 It is time for the February 2025 K-pop and adjacent pop off. Let's go. As you can see, Chantel is not here. She's not feeling too well. I promise you this is not a Jerry Hallowell situation. She has not quit. She will be back. But I'm very lucky because I'm not alone. And I'm joined yet again by one of our absolute favorites. We have Jasmine Steven. Hello.
00:00:29 --> 00:00:53 Thank you guys so much for having me back. I just, January, February, like, should we do March? Honestly, we might just keep having you on. Yeah. I'll come back every time. This is my favorite thing to do. And Lily is the highlight of my month to be able to come on and talk to you and Shan. She's not here. Don't worry, Shan, baby. I'm not taking your job. You can have it. Don't worry. Yes, we're not renaming this to CJTV. We're not. No, no.
00:00:55 --> 00:01:11 Oh, man. Okay, so before we get started... Wait, that's why it's called that? I thought it was called CCTV. Because, like, you know... Well, so it is, but also Kristen Shan TV. Yeah. Multiple meanings here. But yes, we also investigate like we're CCTV as well.
00:01:13 --> 00:01:34 Okay, so before we get started, anything exciting you want to mention to our listeners? I know Baby Monster was just on your show. Yes, you just had Baby Monster. They were so much fun. They were so good. Their performance was like, everybody in the office was like, Jasmine, aren't you excited? Okay, so let's get into our pop off. So if you're new here...
00:01:34 --> 00:01:54 to CCTV every month. We put up polls on our Patreon, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube community pages at CCTV Pops and you get to vote for three of K-pop or K-pop adjacent biggest releases of the month to battle it out in our song, video, and performance rounds. And of course, Patreon members do get priority choice. Their votes count 20x.
00:01:54 --> 00:02:06 So you should also be a crew member like Emily, George, Lily, Louis, Julianne, Janelle, Shaquille, Jonathan, Jasmine, Darius, and Ren. Because their votes made a big difference here.
00:02:07 --> 00:02:32 So you voted for Ives Attitude, Zero Base One's Blue, and Hearts to Hearts The Chase. And as a reminder, this is meant for pure fun. Please don't take it too seriously. Join in. Let us know what wins for you in the categories in the comments. And as we like to say, though, viewer discretion is advised. Your fave will be criticized. So real and honest opinions here.
00:02:32 --> 00:02:38 Okay, so let's get ready to rumble. Round one.
00:02:41 --> 00:03:10 So first in the ring for the song round, which is about the production, the hooks, the vocals, the melodies, we have I've Attitude, and this was done by Soji Um, Noich, Jung Won Young, James Lewis, Ryan June, Suzanne Vega, Roland Spreckley, Olga Sundin, and Lott Morkvid. And the reason there are so many writers is because there is a big sample of Suzanne Vega's Tom's Diner. So Jasmine, what do you think of Attitude?
00:03:11 --> 00:03:37 First of all, using that as a sample, freaking brilliant. Because immediately you have that catchy hook that the Westerners, we know that so well. Like immediately. So it was so brilliant to be able to make sure they got that hook. The song itself too, I really enjoyed it. I really liked it. When old girl hit that high note every time, I was like,
00:03:37 --> 00:03:49 Okay. I was like, but can you do it live? I said, but can you do it live? We find out she can. She was, it was really great. I really loved it.
00:03:50 --> 00:04:09 I hated the bridge. I was like, this is such a good song. I like it, I like it. That bridge just came and it just finally, it kind of felt like it took all the air out of the room for me personally, because it just, it felt like we need to do something musically different, sonically different at this bridge. And then they were just like, it just like was like, not a fan of the bridge.
00:04:09 --> 00:04:27 But overall, I thought this was really catchy. It definitely made me want to look further into Ives' discography because I don't really know much about them. You'll find, as a K-pop fan, when it comes to the girl groups, I say this every time, I know nothing. Yes, but they're very popular. So as you keep doing our show, you'll be exposed to quite a lot.
00:04:27 --> 00:04:55 Yes. Yeah. So I actually am very aware of Ives' discography. I was a huge fan of the first couple singles, like Eleven and Love Dive and I Am. And so they set their standards so high at the start of their career. And I'm going to be honest, for me, it's kind of dipped down a little bit since then. And this song has picked up a little bit for me, but it's still not even close.
00:04:55 --> 00:05:23 Close to the first couple singles that they've released. I love the sample, but it's very clearly the best part of the song. And without that, this song would be mediocre. Unfortunately. I do think it's interesting, though, because I don't know if you ever heard Britney's cover of Tom's Diner that was released like, like five years ago, maybe like relatively recently. She and Giorgio Moroder, who is like a big disco kind of dance producer.
00:05:23 --> 00:05:48 They did like a dance version of Tom's Diner. And so this version is actually almost more like Britney's version, which I thought was an interesting reference. But yeah, for what it's worth, I think the production of the song is good. You know, it has like the classic disco pop tropes in there. It does sound very full. I agree. That high note in that pre-chorus and post-chorus is very impressive.
00:05:48 --> 00:06:10 And it's a choice. It definitely is a bit shrill, but they made it kind of like it was, like kind of an alarm almost. Yeah. So, I mean, it's memorable at least. But my one thing with IVE, and I've said this kind of since the beginning, is all their voices kind of sound the same. And they execute very cleanly.
00:06:10 --> 00:06:31 Like, there's just no grit at all. And so the song that they released before Attitude as their, like, teaser track was this song that was, like, an Olivia Rodrigo-type kind of, like, you know, like, more rock-oriented thing. But they were singing it so cleanly that there was just no actual attitude in it. And that's another issue with this is that...
00:06:31 --> 00:06:50 Like, do you really feel like you're that girl? Like, do you, are you that attitude? Because that confidence doesn't really read vocally. I would say that Chanty Bridge that you hate, that's where you get a little bit more kind of confidence, I guess. But the rest of the song is just too pretty, I think. It doesn't have that like sass.
00:06:50 --> 00:07:03 Yeah. That goes along with these lyrics. And maybe that's why the bridge to me feels so out of place because it is so beautiful. It's so pretty and whatever. And then it's just like, and I'm just like, oh, no, if you're going to be pretty, baby, just stay pretty. Yeah.
00:07:04 --> 00:07:30 Yeah, yeah. All right, well, let's move on to player two. We have Zero Base One with Blue, and this was done by Kenzie, Andrew Choi, Noisy Cat, and Jason. Or Jason. Sorry, I don't know how you say this. Hello? But Kenzie, we have Kenzie here. I mean, look, I'm a huge Kenzie fan because they did a lot of the XO, all the SM stuff for a long time. So what do you think of Blue?
00:07:31 --> 00:07:50 I thought it was cute. It was a nice little bright poppy K-pop song. Yeah. It's true. And I was like, okay. Yep. It was just, I literally like worked out like meh, meh. Cause it's just, it's bright. It's K-pop. It's like, there's nothing about it that, that is,
00:07:51 --> 00:08:21 about it that makes me like want to like oh let me go back to listen to it or something that's even that catchy about it that i want i like hold on to it i'm just like okay it's a it's a cute song it feels like someone had to turn an assignment in and they forgot that the assignment was due and they were like here you go something that is just like it just it was it wasn't anything that i i'm gonna write home about like if this is my first time listening to a zero bass one song nothing about that song wouldn't make me want to go yes i like this group i want to come back
00:08:21 --> 00:08:47 I agree. I agree. So when I was watching all the Gaio Daejuns at the end of 2024, Zero Base One was actually one of the standouts to me because, you know, so many performances happen in that. And I tend to watch the first like three or minutes and then if I'm not captured by it, I'll skip. But pretty much for every single Zero Base One performance, I kept it on. You know, I finished it. And I only recently found out that there are 10
00:08:47 --> 00:08:54 temporary boy band. They're like one of the, you know, they're from one of those shows and they're only have, they're only here for another year, I believe.
00:08:55 --> 00:09:21 So I think that's why they're just churning out. I feel like they release a song every month. And so, yeah, definitely the quality control, maybe it's not fully there. I will say there is something kind of XOE about them for sure. And it's not just Kenzie's contribution, but it's also like vocally, they're really good. Lots of different textures. You get some harmonies. We get a lot of some backing vocals. There's actually a bass bass.
00:09:21 --> 00:09:45 in there too so we actually get some octaves which is kind of rare in k-pop for some reason and they can execute like emotionally as well like there is a warmth uh in their execution for this song so i appreciate that yeah it's catchy like i was saying along to the chorus after like the first or second time i heard it but yeah definitely not something i will probably ever listen to again after doing this review
00:09:45 --> 00:09:57 Yeah. Sorry, Zill Bass ones. Yeah. I like the other songs. Some of the other ones. Yeah. I think that they're, like, fantastic and really interesting to get this out of me, but just, it wasn't this. It just, it's like,
00:09:58 --> 00:10:19 Unfortunately, in this era of K-pop, when you have groups after groups coming out with songs that there's songs coming out with who have are partnering up with Pharrell and you're partnering up with all these like like American producers who are doing the thing, you just can't be K-pop anymore. It has to be something special. That's all I'm saying.
00:10:19 --> 00:10:46 Yes, yes. Okay, well, moving on to Player 3. We'll find out if you think they're special. We have Hearts to Hearts with The Chase. This was done by some similar names, actually, from the last song. We have Kenzie and Noisy Cat yet again. We have Lauren Faith, Hannah Yadi, and most importantly, well, maybe not most importantly, but most excitingly, we have the three members of Flow. We have Georgia, Renee, and Stella. That's right. Did you know that?
00:10:46 --> 00:11:07 No, but that's like, that makes so much sense because I f***ing like this song. Let's go. I like this song. I was like, when you first heard the bass of it, you're like, okay, okay, what you about to give me? And then they come in with these really pretty vocals on top of that bass. I was like, yes, give me something different. Give me something special. Surprise me.
00:11:07 --> 00:11:33 I thought that their vocals were really good. I really loved their sound. Now that you said flow, that makes so much sense because it was like, it gave me nineties, but it gave me nineties, like upgraded. Like it was so good. I was so proud. This is their debut song, right? It is. And that is what you do. This is going to be your debut song. You come out the box swinging. And I felt like this was,
00:11:34 --> 00:11:58 light. Like, it was like, let us try something that is in the wheelhouse of what's K-pop, but let us be a little bit different. And that's all I'm asking for. It's a little difference. I thoroughly enjoyed this song. Heart to heart. Thank you, The Chase. Thank you, The Chase. Let's go. Yes. I will say, I am an SM stan. Even with all this turmoil that they're going through, I feel like
00:11:58 --> 00:12:24 like sonically they're still very good as a company uh and i was excited the second i saw that flow was involved i was already like oh my gosh what is this gonna be um i did go through i was curious if they said anything about it and stella did say that their version was different in terms of just the lyrics it was about sexy time you know these girls are very young and it's k-pop so they're not gonna do that here haha
00:12:24 --> 00:12:47 But yeah, I'm going to be honest, it is very New Jeans coated because it has that kind of chill and cool kind of dreaminess to it that New Jeans has really popularized. But it is the flow-ness of it that makes it stand out because you have all the ahs and stuff in the back. You have the harmonies. It's very lush. Mm-hmm.
00:12:47 --> 00:13:17 And the way it builds is really beautiful as well. I really hope we get like an unplugged version or something sometime where they do those ahs live. Because that is, I feel like what is missing from K-pop is the vocal, like the group vocal aspect. You have some of these individual great singers, but they never sing like properly together with like real harmonies and vocal arrangement. And I need that to happen. It feels like we're taking a step there if they went for a flow track, you know?
00:13:19 --> 00:13:45 We're going to get there. I also wrote New Jeans Coded on mine, too. So, like... Yeah. Which, like, makes sense. Like, there's a hole in the market right now. Like, go for it. Like, it's a smart thing to do. It's true. Although, NJZ, as they're now called, are actually supposedly releasing a new song in the next couple weeks. Which, having read so many record deals, I'm very confused how they're doing this. But...
00:13:46 --> 00:14:15 The whole Inflasy of It All is a whole different podcast. Clearly we'll take like hours to talk about. But all I want to say is that I wish them luck. This is going to be an uphill battle. That's right. I agree. Okay. Well, this ends round one, the song. So what wins for you? I think I can guess. The chase. Heart to heart. What is this? Heart to heart. Hey, me too. Oh, can I just say though, the hearts to hearts logo I hate. Yeah.
00:14:15 --> 00:14:43 Because they use the end of the first... They use the S and the 2 as to make the heart. So if you read it, it does not read hearts to hearts. That's not good. That's all I need to do. That's right. That's right. Anyway. Okay, let's move on to round two, which is about the music video. Round two. So let's go back to I've attitude. So I assume this is supposed to be...
00:14:44 --> 00:14:51 Social commentary. Like, your face, I cannot...
00:14:52 --> 00:15:15 It's only because you're like, I assume that both of these listen dramas are... I assume so. So I watched it a few times to try and pull some themes out. I mean, there's definitely oppression of emotion, and maybe just oppression of self-expression and stuff. Or just being yourself and having your little quirks and stuff.
00:15:15 --> 00:15:37 I don't know if I love the execution of it, but I was entertained throughout and it was consistent. I do complain sometimes that it feels like some of the locations in these music videos are so random. But in this case, they're in the same location the whole time. The colors are all very similar. I like how the dancers are all wearing that really boring gray.
00:15:37 --> 00:15:52 And performance-wise, I said earlier that vocally, these girls weren't really giving me attitude, but visually, they do a lot better, I would say. My biggest complaint with this, though, and I always say this about IVE.
00:15:52 --> 00:16:22 They always add so many random visual effects. Like at the end of this one, they're like the floors on fire and there's like sparks and stuff and it doesn't match the song or the video or anything. And they do this literally in every single video. It's like they hired a like fireworks expert, visual effects expert. And he's just, I don't know. Like they have to like have that budget for some reason in this video. He said, I need to get my money worth. You paid for me. So I'm going to put it in the...
00:16:22 --> 00:16:44 Any thoughts? One, why were the donkeys in the courthouse? Oh. I, like, literally, like, I'm over here, like, okay, okay, yeah, you guys are that bitch, everybody's boring, you guys are those bitches, like, uh-huh, get it, attitude. Like, that's why everybody's so boring, because they can't handle you, I get it.
00:16:46 --> 00:17:07 Then we're in the courthouse and I was like, okay, a little odd location to be in. And then I was like, donkeys. Like, donkeys. Okay, so I thought it was like a school, like a college or something. You think it was a courthouse? I thought it felt like, it felt like European, like back in the day. Because like with the. I was thinking like, yeah, college. Yeah.
00:17:07 --> 00:17:29 Oh, it might have been college. I was thinking like, one of them was like office workers and stuff like that. So that's when I was just like, okay, I guess a courthouse kind of fit into that. I guess college does too. Rami was a college. I don't know. Why was there donkey in the election? I don't know. Someone tell us. What does a donkey mean? Sorry, we're missing Shan today. She's good at these theories. Sorry.
00:17:29 --> 00:17:56 I know. I'm going to ask questions in every single one of these. Okay. I will probably not have answers here, but I'll try. I can't even assume anything with a donkey, though. Maybe it has... Wait, don't donkeys have some sort of meaning, like, politically? Yeah, that's in the state. Oh. Okay. Sorry. I was trying here. No, I like it. Um...
00:17:57 --> 00:18:19 the video was cool like it was entertaining it wasn't the greatest thing i've ever seen i was gonna like all right um i will say i really want them to give cat's eye lessons our placement of dancers they have six members in a group i've does so does cat's eye and i can always see every single member of i've which i was so grateful and appreciative of um
00:18:19 --> 00:18:37 I was like, the whole time I was like, Katzai, please start watching these videos so you can figure out how to place people so my girl can't be in the back hidden by somebody else. But other than that, the music video-wise, great, yay, fire. Okay.
00:18:38 --> 00:19:03 Moving on to Zero Base One with Blue. Okay, so I really don't know much about this group other than those Gyo Daejun performances and the couple of songs that I've saved onto my playlists. I assume that some of this imagery in this video relates to previous videos or some larger lore because there's a lot of scenes, especially in the beginning, that don't ever...
00:19:03 --> 00:19:18 come up again or even link to anything else in the video. Like, for example, one of them is standing on a table with angel wings for, like, one second. And then there's, like, police that are coming for them, but then the police never actually get there. So...
00:19:18 --> 00:19:48 Yeah, someone let us know. Is there, like, a whole lore going on here? Like, is the Matrix, like, their thing? Or is that just this video? I don't know. I thought some of the scenes with, like, the Frozen extras and stuff were interesting. The whole, I don't, again, I just don't really get where the mansion and the city kind of come together. And are they entering the, like, why are they entering the Matrix? And then they're randomly dressed like park rangers as well, which I don't love.
00:19:48 --> 00:20:09 I just didn't really get it. That's the conclusion. I thought the whole music video was them inside of a video game. So, like, that's why the beginning of, like, the giant mansion. Like, I just assumed this was very, like, Fortnite coded. I just, I don't know, though. I don't know any lore about this group, aside of it being a boy band. But, like...
00:20:10 --> 00:20:26 Because that's literally the first thing I wrote down is like, okay, Gatsby. Because I see the big mansion. I thought we're going to be like a 1920s type vibe. And then the police were there. And then other things happened. The wings and all. And I was like, oh, it's a video game. Because at one point, it looked like there was something green above somebody's head, I think. Yeah.
00:20:26 --> 00:20:56 which makes me think of the sims and then the people that work in the background like npcs and all the different locations that don't necessarily make sense is all very video game coded to me so it felt like maybe they were in a video game and that's where they had to find the blue that's the quest that they're on right now inside said video game listen don't know if this is accurate so i mean you have more it's more
00:20:56 --> 00:21:25 It was a cute video, I thought, with the whole, like, you know... Video. But then, like, the part that, like, kind of threw me off was, like, the last third, like, that section where there was, like, all the pictures in the boxes and it felt very 90s, and they were, like, going through different images and videos with writing on it, and I was like, where did this come from? That part confused me, because if we're staying in this video game motif, or even Matrix motif, where is this suddenly, like, 90s, like...
00:21:26 --> 00:21:50 Yay. Like, I don't, I didn't get that. I've heard the locations were cool. Good job staying within the blue color scheme. You really killed it. Sure. But the music video to me itself was, it was, it was like, it was fun because it was weird, but it wasn't fun because I wanted to watch it again. That's fair.
00:21:50 --> 00:22:08 Yes. Okay. Well, Hearts to Hearts, The Chase, Player 3, very SM, for sure. Like, it felt like, you know, like when XO debuted and you had all like the kind of randomness of it all.
00:22:08 --> 00:22:32 And the kind of creepiness of it all. SM always does like a little creepier kind of moment. It is no longer the Lee Soo Man Kwangya, like superhero situation though. So that's refreshing, I guess. I think they're like the first groups to debut without that. Yeah, I think it was cool. It was a little chaotic, I think, with all the switching and all the glitching and the overlays and stuff. But...
00:22:33 --> 00:22:49 I kind of liked that. Like, it was weird because you had the scenes of them, like, all laughing and stuff and just having fun, I guess, with each other. But then they look so cool when they're doing all the dance scenes and stuff. So I kind of appreciated the juxtaposition of that. So, yeah, I was entertained. It was very artsy.
00:22:51 --> 00:23:13 It felt like a new gene music video to me. Yeah. I could get into new genes. But I thought the budget was really good. I thought the dancing was really good. They looked cool. It was a nice introduction to them as a group because I liked it. I got a lot of solos on them so I could start to identify who is who, which is really nice. Yeah.
00:23:14 --> 00:23:39 But to me, again, it's a music video that's pretty forgettable because it's just scene after scene and then it's over. Which is like the song speaks louder than the music video, which in K-pop, a rare moment. Usually the music video is speaking for the song, but that song speaks for the music video. So I thought it was an okay music video. It was fine.
00:23:40 --> 00:24:10 Yeah. But yeah, you're right. They do. Yeah. Even stylistically, very new jeans coated. It's all black hair or at least darker hair. They look more accessible. Fresh face. Yes. It's not the SM like plastic surgery look, I guess. So that's refreshing, I guess. But I feel like that's every girl group's kind of doing that right now. So yeah. So yeah, kind of an underwhelming round two. What wins for you for the video?
00:24:11 --> 00:24:39 I don't really want to give it to any of them, to be honest. I'm going to give it to Zero Base One for Blue. Because at least there was some type of storyline. Even if I can't... Now... Something was there. So. Okay. I think I'll give it to Hearts to Hearts. Just because... I think because there was all the glitching and switching and stuff...
00:24:40 --> 00:25:04 I think it had more replay value. I think with zero base one, I was just... I was kind of over it by the end. Yeah. Yeah. Like I said, this is like... They're all gunning for third at this point, you know? Yeah. And you're asking me to pick somebody in third, and I don't want to put anybody on the podium for this round, so...
00:25:05 --> 00:25:30 Okay. All right. Well, hopefully we are more interested in their performance and choreography, which is round three. So back to Attitude, Ive. What did you think of their performances? The mic was on, honey. That's right. The mic was on. I was like...
00:25:31 --> 00:25:46 when I heard those high notes in the song, I was like, oh baby, why would you do that when you know you have to perform this song live? Why would you do that? And then, she said, because I can. And I was impressed. Like, even though it is shrill, it's high, they do the, oh, thing. It's like,
00:25:47 --> 00:26:10 are going for it and they didn't sound bad either live they sounded consistent they were tight their choreography was very soft and gentle i get it because we're singing live so i don't mind you giving me soft gentle arm choreography and step touch step touch if you're going to sing live yeah but if you're not going to sing live i need to see sweat on the floor mm-hmm
00:26:11 --> 00:26:24 But I was very impressed with their performances. Like, the dancing was, it was cute. It was okay. None of the choreography except for this move. Oh, yeah, yeah. At the end. It's never going to stick in here. But it was cool.
00:26:25 --> 00:26:48 Yeah, I agree with you. Vocals, killing it. I did start with the dance practice first, so I did see them go a little bit more full out first, just to kind of judge the choreography on its own. I will say, again, in a song that's just about confidence, it's just very cute. It's lacking a fierceness that...
00:26:49 --> 00:27:13 that I feel like matches the song. Like, I want to go like, yes! You know, like, during it, and I never wanted to do that, you know, during any of this choreography. But yeah, I agree with you. Vocally, very, very strong live, yeah, live vocals. And yeah, I'm also not mad at the, like, go 50% if you're all going to...
00:27:13 --> 00:27:19 sing live i will say though because i've been i've been watching like older groups a lot recently
00:27:20 --> 00:27:48 I do miss the, if you're singing your line, you can just step out and not dance and just sing your face off and the rest of the members can dance behind you. But now it's switched to, when it's time for you to sing, it's also your moment. So you also have to be the one that's almost doing more than the other members. Like now it's switched to, you're doing a solo in the middle while the others are like frozen or like giving you a picture to like go against. And that just goes against
00:27:49 --> 00:28:15 live vocals because like like in my mind it's like you can just have the girl who's singing do her thing and the rest of them can dance more full out behind her you know so i don't love that instead they're like okay we're singing live so the entire time everyone goes at 50 because then you just lack energy the entire time and because there are no group vocals either then you just look like you're kind of half-assing it in the back is when you're waiting to sing and
00:28:15 --> 00:28:44 So yeah, I don't know. I just don't love that in current K-pop. Yeah, look, that high note is wild. So just for that, I will give my props. But nothing about watching these performances made me go, or made me want to see them live. Like I said, they're all mine for third place. I don't want to play anybody on a podium. Oh, for this round too? Okay. Well...
00:28:45 --> 00:29:11 Well, let's talk about Zero, Base One, Blue, the temporary boy band. So they're all, I forget how this works again. So in this case, I think it's like one of the boys planet. Someone tell us what show this was. I get really confused now with all these shows. But I think it is one of those where they're all from different labels. And so after this ends, they all split up and they all go back to their respective labels to start new groups. I can see how that would work well in Korea.
00:29:13 --> 00:29:39 Because now you're creating, is there like eight or nine members in that group? And now you're creating eight or nine superstars that already have a fan base. And now they're going to go off. And so they have a dedicated group of people that are already going to follow them and try to fight. And see, that makes sense to me for Korea. You tried that shit in America, we would be like, they're already in a group. What do you mean? What do you mean you're going to go split them up and then we have to follow other groups? Chai, I don't have time for all that. Mm-hmm.
00:29:40 --> 00:30:06 More power to Korea. And I shouldn't have flying here. Okay. More power. Okay, so what did you think of their performance? Literally, the first thing I wrote was, I thought they were over, to be honest. Like, I thought that the group was, like, didn't exist anymore. So, the performance, I was like, why am I, like, why are we excited about this? They're not a group group.
00:30:09 --> 00:30:33 Like, but that affects the way I'm going to enjoy this performance. Like, if I know you're not going to put out anything more, I'm going to be like, okay, well, this was, you're just doing this to do it at this point. The choreography was tight. I was kind of bored, to be honest. The confetti was my favorite part of their performance.
00:30:36 --> 00:30:43 So not them. Yes. Okay. Got it. Okay. So I guess going back to the fact that they are a temporary boy band,
00:30:44 --> 00:31:08 What I don't love about that is, because normally with these competitions, right, like you become a group and then you're like really a group. So you have to kind of build that chemistry and you need to learn to work together. I think in this case, you don't really need to do that. Like you can do that a little bit, but you don't need to take it as far. And you can kind of tell there's not really any chemistry between most of these boys and the way that it's choreographed as well.
00:31:08 --> 00:31:33 I think they are really trying to make sure that every member kind of gets their moment. Like, it's almost probably a deal between these record labels. Like, you need to make sure, like, each member gets their 10% or whatever. Mm-hmm. Because, I don't know, just the way it's choreographed, it feels almost too planned in a way. It's like, okay, he gets a solo here, and then even though they're a triple here, like, this person makes sure they're in the front. And then, like, I don't know, it just felt very...
00:31:33 --> 00:31:59 I don't know. A little stoic. I don't know. I don't know what the right word is. Just felt a little not authentic. Yeah. Yeah. It didn't feel like there was any room to breathe. It didn't feel like when they had fun, when they were learning the choreography, it didn't feel like they even enjoyed performing, even though there's a smile on their face. Yes. There's just no joy in the movement. It's just hit, hit, move body. Like, there's just nothing there. Yeah.
00:31:59 --> 00:32:29 Yeah, and it was a lot of arms, I will say, just kind of hitting in every direction. So yeah, nothing about this choreography. Like, what is the point choreo in this? I don't know. The bandanas that come out towards the end, what was the point of that? Like, other than the one that gets to come through them, the two of them, they're just holding them for, like, the rest of the chorus and they throw them away. Like, what was the point? Those scarves, I was like...
00:32:29 --> 00:32:56 Okay. Yeah. They were the most underwhelming prop use I've seen in a very long time. It's like the cryotrophers like, we need something, y'all. This is boring. Scarb. What? And it's just like, it doesn't even fit. Like, if it was blue, like, if it had been, like, fans or something that gives, like, a fan automatically gives it motion. Because if you fan yourself, their hair is going to move. It's going to give something. A scarf is just a limp noodle. Like. Yep.
00:32:56 --> 00:33:24 There's nothing exciting about it. They literally did nothing with it. They just put it around their neck at one point, and then I think they're just holding it. They're literally holding it for the rest of the time. And they just do... I think they do one of these moves with their... Yeah, just an up and down. Just a guess. Okay, let's go. I will say, though, there was one member that stood out to me in the 10 performances or whatever that I watched. Sung Ha Bin, I believe is his name. Very strong dancer. Definitely has the X factor. I will pay attention to him.
00:33:25 --> 00:33:42 You hear that record label for whoever you just said? There's a fan right here. Let's go. Let's go. Okay, well, moving on to Hearts to Hearts, The Chase. What did you think? I thought they were cute. It was fresh faces. It was...
00:33:43 --> 00:34:00 our first time doing this on TV or, or first time doing this as a group live. And, you know, it was, it was cute. Do I wish that they had sang live? Absolutely. Like, I think that that would have, it was needed for this song because, you know,
00:34:00 --> 00:34:22 Other than that, you're just kind of, you're mouthing the words to this beautiful, amazing song. But the choreography just doesn't, it didn't feel the same. Like, I wouldn't even, I wouldn't even have been mad if their singing wasn't that good, if they were at least attempting it to do it live. Yeah. Like, I just thought it was, okay. I did love the sparkle, sparkle hand motion, whatever that was. I was like, okay, sparkle, sparkle. Love that.
00:34:22 --> 00:34:44 um the other thing that i do not that this group is ever going to listen to me and the inky guy guy i watched other came a couple days ago the outfits again this whole like school girl cute innocent look they're all wearing a lot of grays and blacks and whites except for two members who one has red socks on and one has a bright red jacket on and it made her look like especially when she was in the center which it happened often
00:34:44 --> 00:35:14 like she was the lead of the group and they were kind of her background singers and backup dancers. And so I'm always so curious why they would make... Like, I get why people use it, but then why not everyone have a little bit of red? Or no red at all. Give that girl a gray jacket. I know you can find one. So it just felt... That one really threw me off and it made me enjoy the performance less because I was focusing so much on why she was wearing a red jacket. I also have ADHD, so...
00:35:14 --> 00:35:41 hey i mean maybe she is the visual and they wanted her to stand out maybe but like you're a new group i you can't afford to have someone like this in the front of the game you cannot have any you cannot afford to have the focus be on one member this quickly yeah it's just it's just not gonna work it's not a solo group it's a group group
00:35:42 --> 00:35:58 Yeah, I think this one's interesting because I actually really like the choreo to it, but it doesn't actually really match the song, right? Like you said, it's kind of a chill song and their vocals are so pretty, but then they are hitting these moves so hard.
00:35:58 --> 00:36:27 So hard, especially after watching Ive, right? Who we were saying they kind of just kind of went at 50% most of these performances. These girls, yo, they were like the way they were like retracting their arms and stuff. Like it was very, very fast. It was very impressive. I have seen a lot of viral clips going around talking about how clean they are and how together they are. So, yeah, very, very impressive. Yeah, I just don't think it really matches the song.
00:36:27 --> 00:36:46 But unlike the other two that we're talking about, I do see some point dance moments. Like there's that tutting in the pre-chorus. There's like all the hip hits and stuff. And like that lean back with the hip hit. Very memorable. Like now I know where those are in the song too. And watching the full kind of...
00:36:46 --> 00:37:15 like fan cams or whatever they're called. It is very impressive. They're really together. Like it's one of those where like every arm is the exact angle. No one is like early or late. Like it is very, very impressive. And there is a good balance of like the cuter movements and kind of more feminine movements and also just more hard hitting stuff too. So just as a dancer, I find it quite impressive. Yeah, it's kind of impossible to sing this live doing this choreo.
00:37:15 --> 00:37:45 yeah yeah which also sm always lip syncs or at least they tend to lip sync more than the other labels as well so i get it but like surprise us like try like i would much rather you try and fail than you like yay i'm glad that everyone's angle is at a 45 degree list everyone's arm was at a 45 angle right yeah but you know how more impressive would have been if you had hit them harmony's just as hard as they hit them them dance moves i know we would have been on the floor right now
00:37:45 --> 00:38:07 And right now we're like, dancers, they're tight. Yeah, I really wonder, because I say this a lot, right? Because I really do value vocals the most. Because when I go back and watch like the Spice Girls and NSYNC, all my favorite members are the ones that can sing their ass off. And my favorite parts of watching them is like the five part harmonies.
00:38:08 --> 00:38:29 You know? And that was such a big part of what K-pop's influence was. Like, you go back to Motown, you go back to kind of, yeah, like the 90s, 2000s groups. For some reason, that was like lost in translation. And I would love to learn from a Korean fan if like why vocals don't seem to be like valued very much.
00:38:29 --> 00:38:58 Yes. Because that is a big cultural difference. And I've actually told someone who's been putting together a new K-pop group. I told them that I personally think vocals are very important, at least in the Western culture. And that's part of the reason why I know a lot of people don't pay attention to K-pop because they think it's just these robots dancing. And if you're not a dancer, if you don't appreciate dance, it's not that impressive. But vocals impress pretty much everyone. Yeah.
00:38:58 --> 00:39:26 So yeah, it is interesting Vocals is what brings people to the room Like if you hear, if you're listening to something And you're like, oh my god, that sounds so great And then you go and like Want to see them live and they can't match that That takes away from 90% Of the experience for you because it's like I want my singers to sing better than me I want them to out sing me But if I'm out singing you And you're the one with the record deal That's crazy to you That's insane Yeah
00:39:27 --> 00:39:38 But it happened for everywhere, including in America. All right. So who wins the performance round for you? Only because the mic was on. I'm going to give it to Ike.
00:39:38 --> 00:40:05 Oh, yeah. Interesting. If your mic is on, I'm already going to give you a lot more points. That's fair. That's fair. It's hard. It's hard to sing live. And especially that high note that she did. She did it and she hit those notes. And it wasn't like flat, sharp or anything. She was on it. For at least the performances I ever watched. Okay. That's a fair point. I think for me as a dancer, I appreciate Hearts to Hearts the most. I realize I tend to go...
00:40:05 --> 00:40:16 Just kind of which dance do I want to learn out of the three when it comes to this round? And it would be that one. So, yes. Okay, so overall thoughts. Who wins for you?
00:40:17 --> 00:40:38 To me, overall, I am going to give it to Heart to Heart. The Chase. They're a new group that came out the box. Like I said earlier, I really love the song. I'm putting the song on my playlist. I want to hear it again. I really enjoy the song. I'm also very excited to see where they go from here because they are a new group. Are they going to keep meeting this high bar that they've now set for themselves sonically?
00:40:38 --> 00:40:49 I can't wait for their music videos to hit higher and their performances to come up too. Because those things can grow. For them to come out the box with such a good song and written by Flo. Mm-hmm.
00:40:50 --> 00:41:19 I'm going to take it from them because they feel like something new and spicy and something for me to watch. And I'm excited about that. Nice. Okay, yes, I will agree with you. Hearts to Hearts does win this one. It's the only song of the three that I actually saved. I will say also their B-side is quite good as well. So you should check that one out too. It's got kind of like an R&B thing going for it. So yes. All right. And Chantel, I believe she also would have chosen Hearts to Hearts. So...
00:41:19 --> 00:41:30 Unlike last month, all three of us are on the same page here. Chaos. Yeah. Okay, well, thank you, Jasmine, for joining us. Would you like to plug yourself one more time for our listeners?
00:41:31 --> 00:41:52 You guys can find me on Instagram at J underscore Y V O N N E S. You can find me at the Kelly Clarkson show. Watch every day. Please make sure you watch the broadcast version. Thank you. Thank you. And you know, if you ever want to argue with me and my comments about whatever I say, come at me, bro. I'm right here. Ain't nobody scared.
00:41:52 --> 00:42:21 That's right. Yes, we want to hear all your thoughts, good or bad. When were we wrong? What did we miss in the lore of these music videos? Definitely let us know. And you can follow us at CCTV Pops on all social platforms. If you're on YouTube, please hit those follow and subscribe buttons. We have some really fun episodes coming up. More guests. We're almost at 4 subscribers. Yes. And, of course, on Spotify and any podcast platform as well.
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