Welcome to the July 2024 K-Pop edition of 'Pop Off'! In this episode, we bring you an epic showdown between three K-Pop acts: KISS OF LIFE, NCT WISH and (G)I-DLE. We give all of our unfiltered opinions in this ultimate showdown with special guest host, David, from Right Back At Ya! The 2000s Pop Music Podcast!
Check out David on Right Back At Ya! The 2000s Pop Music Podcast here: https://linktr.ee/rightbackpod
Join us on Patreon!: https://www.patreon.com/CCTVPOPSFollow us on social media: https://linktr.ee/cctvpops
References:
- KISS OF LIFE - “Sticky” MV https://youtu.be/IajeQM00yfE?si=LOvsD-s8K2R4yr_f
- KISS OF LIFE - “Sticky” Dance Practice https://youtu.be/4LJgnaTmROk?si=JT6TgI_-2DpOk2Dc
- Mingyu (SEVENTEEN) - “Sticky” https://youtu.be/P87p6QNPgLU?si=cfm_HKajWTRieMJw
- NCT WISH - “Songbird” (Japanese Version) MV https://youtu.be/C_qALZPuK8I?si=omKNEzValqMpoCu6
- NCT WISH - “Songbird” (Korean Version) MV https://youtu.be/2XqVNFBtVo4?si=XJUyt63fXysqJPZS
- NCT WISH - “Songbird” Dance Practice https://youtu.be/Gsafas5vpV8?si=-JDDbig941_WiGND
- (G)I-DLE - “Klaxon” MV https://youtu.be/rTKqSmX9XhQ?si=RzlZwfZbe1630AJf
- (G)I-DLE - “Klaxon” Dance Practice https://youtu.be/hLntT4a_O58?si=iOV84cUmYFgPWHRE
00:00:00 --> 00:00:21 We got some hot, sweaty, sticky girls, some boys singing about Songbird and something called a klaxon. But what is it? It is time for a July 2024 K-pop pop off. And this month, we are joined by David Lim of Right Back At Ya podcast. Yes, welcome, David, to CCTV.
00:00:21 --> 00:00:45 Oh, wow. Thanks guys for having me. This is like such a big deal. Well, first of all, I don't get to talk about K-pop on our podcast. So this is like my solo project that I didn't tell Joel about. And he's just going to find out when it drops. Okay, we're doing a Jerry Halliwell. I'm kidding. I'm kidding. I told him yesterday we had drinks. He was like, what was an I asked? I was like, next time.
00:00:46 --> 00:01:16 Well, you have actually shown a lot of interest in K-pop. And I think professionally, you've also worked with some K-pop artists as well. So I just knew you had some interest in it. Does Joel listen to K-pop? Because we'll have him on next. Yeah, yeah, yeah. We both actually love K-pop. I think we kind of came in at different generations. Okay. Perspectives, okay. It is. It's different. And he likes different girl groups to me. I was raised on 21 and Wonder Girls. Come on.
00:01:16 --> 00:01:44 You know, that's where my beginnings were. And it kind of just went from there. And I've always loved the girl group, so I'm really happy that, yeah, we've got something to talk about today. Oh, yes. All right, Joel. We got you. You'll be on next. Next time, okay? Yeah. He's gonna watch this, and he'll be like, Sell it. No, it's okay. If you haven't done a Jessica Simpson episode, he's ready. Oh. Oh. I know you guys did one.
00:01:44 --> 00:02:05 We just did a public affair on our 2000s pop music podcast. So we're keeping it focused on that decade for sure. Yeah. Oh my gosh, this is going to be such an exciting episode. So everyone, if you are new to CCTV and our pop-up episodes, every month we put up polls on our Patreon and Twitter at CCTV Pops on all the social medias.
00:02:05 --> 00:02:32 And you get to vote for three of K-pop's biggest releases of the month to battle it out in our song, video, and performance rounds. And Patreon members get priority choice, so make sure to join us at patreon.com slash CCTV Pops. And by the way, we do have a free tour, a free tier, excuse me. So definitely come hang out with us, okay? And we want to say thank you to our producers, Emily, George, Lily, Louis, and Juliette.
00:02:33 --> 00:02:54 Yes. All right. So let's get into it. Reminder, this is meant for pure fun. Please don't take it too seriously. Join in. Let us know your honest opinions of these songs, because this month you voted for Kiss of Life's Sticky, NCT Wish, Songbird and G-Idol's Klaxon. So let's get ready to rumble. Round one.
00:02:56 --> 00:03:21 First, we have Player One, Kiss of Life with Sticky. And this was done by Kim Jin Sol, Strawberry Banana Club, IU Shy, Joe, Mia, and Gemma. That's right. All right. David, why don't you kick us off? Let's talk about the song first. So that's the production, the vocals, the hooks. What do you think of Sticky? Do you know what? I have a question. What do you think Sticky is about? Because...
00:03:21 --> 00:03:48 I'm like... Honey. I needed to watch the choreo. I needed to get the gist of it because I was like, what is sticky? I mean, are we talking about fruit? Are we talking about dessert? Ooh. I think, though, what I really love about this is how immediate that chorus is. Like, it lets you know how long before we fall in love. Like, it sets the tone straight away. Yeah. I love it when songs do that because you're like, okay, now I know which playlist this needs to go on.
00:03:48 --> 00:03:58 And when am I listening to this? Like, let me know up front so I know how to mentally prepare in case you're not going in with a video. Oh, yeah. Do you like the song?
00:03:59 --> 00:04:24 I like it, but it's not the kind of kiss of life that I was maybe expecting. Listen, guys, I'm new to kiss of life. You know, I'm very basic. I love Midas Touch. I like the Matty solo. So I like a bit of R&B. And this is giving featherlight, tropical hop of love.
00:04:25 --> 00:04:39 about seven or eight years ago and sometimes that's okay yeah sometimes that's okay oh nice okay i'm so glad you're here that's it gonna come for me
00:04:39 --> 00:05:00 No, definitely. Yes, definitely more chill, tropical summer vibes here. I agree with you. It does give like a Sistar track maybe from like 10 years ago or maybe even like Little Mix, like from five years ago, maybe. I do love both those groups, though. So I'm not mad at the song. Right.
00:05:00 --> 00:05:30 So, yeah, I think production-wise, though, I think it's nice. The percussion is very light. You know, it's a good pool song. Would I really listen to it otherwise, though? Maybe not. But vocal production is great. They sound very warm. There's a softness. There's a roundness. There's some nice backing vocals. And it's still sexy, so still has that kiss of life, like, kind of area that they've kind of taken at this point. So, yeah, nice pool song. I'll give it that.
00:05:30 --> 00:05:50 I use pool songs. You guys are hilarious. Oh, I agree. I get pool, rooftop, all that. And I really, I have sister in my notes as well. I think for this song, David, what you were saying about what's the stickiness, I think it's encompassing all of the stickiness of summer. So you, the question was right. What? Grah.
00:05:50 --> 00:06:11 What is getting sticky? Is it us? Is it the fruit? Is it just because they're hot? And so I think your question was perfect. Like, what exactly are we talking about? And I think that cheekiness is kind of what attracted me to the song. Because I was like, what y'all know about stickiness? So when I heard the song, so when I heard the song, I was like, ooh, Tyler has a chokehold on the pop girl. He's like...
00:06:11 --> 00:06:28 Years ago, when the Girl Crush concept came around, Ariana Grande had her foot on everyone's necks with Seven Drinks. And then WADA came out last summer, and it's still kind of making its way through K-pop, because now they're in their summer festivals and getting into their whole thing. I know Kiss the Fly performed at Waterbombs,
00:06:28 --> 00:06:50 So it was just kind of going into that whole shake your body, move your body. Let's be a little smexy. I think my favorite parts are like Julie's whispery rap because Bora would have like kind of attacked it a little bit more cutesy and not been so seductive with it. The chorus is really romantic and sweet. And like, it makes me, of course, the bridge, I think is one of my favorite parts because like,
00:06:50 --> 00:07:17 You know, you think of a hot day and like you meet someone, like maybe you see someone and you're kind of like looking at you like, ooh, boo, yeah. You get to that evening lull where it gets a little bit cooler. That's what that bridge felt like. And I think that's like one of my favorite sections. And then that gang chorus at the end just feels even more full. So for it to be a really simple kind of chorus, I appreciate that there is some type of energy to kind of leave us off with. Because, you know, at the end of the night, the fireworks are going and like maybe a little tipsy.
00:07:17 --> 00:07:32 I definitely appreciate everything that comes into the concept of the song. I wouldn't say it's our strongest song, but it's a stronger song for the summer that has come out. Because I haven't, I don't have a K-pop summer anthem yet. And this one was kind of like giving me
00:07:32 --> 00:07:52 a little bit of energy i was like thank you we need something because sistar for a minute was like really claiming it twice he's kind of flirting with it red velvet gets played left and right if sticky is just a kind of an example of what's what's to come i'm excited but i'm not like oh yeah new summer queens not yet i wouldn't say that
00:07:52 --> 00:08:18 Yes. Nice. All right, moving on to player two. We have NCT Wish with Songbird, and this was done by Honey Noise and Brown Panda. So we've done NCT Wish already on the show. I do want to note, yes, the Japanese version actually came out at the end of June, but the Korean one came out the 1st of July. So it was included in the polls here. Before anyone called us for me for that. But anyway.
00:08:18 --> 00:08:36 This is a fun one. It's giving kind of Max Martin at times because you have that very 90s distorted guitar riff strum, that very kind of strong thing there. And so I appreciate that.
00:08:36 --> 00:08:55 Then you get to the bridge and it goes into this really warm and melodic kind of moment with all the harmonies. And then I think the chorus might actually be my least favorite part of the song. Like, it just doesn't really do anything for me melodically. It's not very memorable. Like, I can't even really sing it back to you right now, but I remember the verses and the bridge. Yeah.
00:08:55 --> 00:09:13 So I don't love that. There is a crazy run at the end of the first chorus, which I would like. Oh my God. Okay, let's go. That SM signature R&B vocal training. I needed to know who was that because when you're watching the performances, you're like, which one of you did that? And they're all sort of doing it in unison. I'm like,
00:09:13 --> 00:09:43 Oh, yeah. Raise your hand. We need to. We want to give credit where credit is due. Yes. That's right. So yeah, I enjoy it. You know, it's traditional pop structure, but has a very SM NCT feel with the kind of Frankensteining of it. I'm still not fully convinced with NCT Wishes or whether they're really necessary in the world of NCT, especially now that we have Rise outside of that as well, who I love. So I like it.
00:09:43 --> 00:10:06 But I don't know. What do you think, Chantal? Dude, you're so real for that because I was thinking that I literally have in my notes. Like, I just feel so bad that they aren't able to get a full spotlight because the market is so saturated. You know, and now Rise, you had NCTLs focusing, well, the original NCT units focusing so much on rap that now Rise is just singing with an occasional rap. Wish is doing that as well.
00:10:06 --> 00:10:26 But it's just like, oh, no, they beat you to a punch. I liked this song. I had not heard it. Sorry, y'all. I had not heard it until we were getting ready for the episode. And just like with their first song, Wish, I was like, hang on. This is actually a good song. And unfortunately, because they are newer, because they are younger, they're
00:10:27 --> 00:10:45 I don't think anyone really was like giving it, they were paying it dust a little bit cause I didn't even know. The little run, the melisma at the end, like you said, David, like who, where? I wanna be able to listen to this song and enjoy it without having to watch a video. And this is the song throughout these, I was like, oh yeah.
00:10:45 --> 00:11:13 There's so much to really look for and listen to. The production on this is so full. I love that spaceship into the beginning with the guitars. It was a really fun switch up. Whatever goes on with these SM cams, these writers are so creative because I wouldn't think like, spaceship, okay, give us guitars. Okay, harmonies in the prehook that are so beautifully crafted. I would say with this song, because it is an SM baby, an SM camp baby, the complexity of the music almost...
00:11:13 --> 00:11:39 I don't want to say outshines, but it's just, it's bigger than what NCT Wish is because they're so young. But they have all these complex and nuanced sounds in this song that I wouldn't say they're not ready for, but I don't think was appreciated because it is so full. It is so like, who did that and what was that? And oh my gosh, I want more of it. But they're not able to give more because they just started. No one's checking for them. Like, ugh.
00:11:39 --> 00:11:58 Honestly, the chorus for me, although like you said, like melodically wasn't much, I agree. But I think the mixing of it, I feel like was like, oh, yeah, classic SM. Thank you. So it gives me hope for this group. I think they promoted more in Japan for sure. I think they'll probably get a lot of love the same way with Wavy in China.
00:11:58 --> 00:12:27 But yeah, with K-pop right now, with Wish, I don't know. And I feel so bad for them because of that. But yeah, I think the bridge is also my favorite part. That chanting section was a little like, eh. But then that halftime breakdown, I love songs that do what a band would do live. Thank you. Thank you for doing this. So yeah, I think this song has more like tension and catharsis throughout our selection. But unfortunately, I'm not sure if it's like...
00:12:27 --> 00:12:33 strong enough to like win yet but we'll see we'll see we'll see but yeah that's why it was interesting
00:12:34 --> 00:12:57 I think what really hit me with this one was the harmonies. Like I had no idea, which is so interesting that you were saying before you're like, okay, maybe sometimes the production is overshadowing or it's a little too overwhelming for maybe their potential. But I actually thought the parts that are meant to be highlighted, the harmonies, the kind of synergy,
00:12:57 --> 00:13:14 They lived up to it. You know, they filled these boots for this song. I mean, I'm not saying it's like compared to, say, Rises. I don't know. I love so many of Rises' songs. I love Impossible. I love Honestly. Yes. Yeah.
00:13:14 --> 00:13:41 Is it One Kiss? The really big, like, fan song that they have. Fan song? Yeah, fan song. It's a fan song, isn't it? Yeah. With a really big chorus. Yes. Yeah. I think I would have preferred something like that with like a big chorus. But like you said, you know, I think the chorus is actually the weakest part. Yeah. The opening verse, that kind of Justin Timberlake-style guitars, it was giving me throwback to Pharrell production, 2000, 2001.
00:13:42 --> 00:14:06 I love those elements all coming together. And I want to know, and this hasn't been like credited properly, but I want to know how and where Boa comes into this. Because she is the producer, right? So I'm like, is she in the studio? Is she like co-writing? Is she co-producing under a different name? Who the hell is Brown Panda? Yeah.
00:14:09 --> 00:14:25 Who is funny noise? I did a little Google before. I was like, oh, that's not Boa. Can the real Boa show up? Valid point. Maybe she's doing it as a pseudonym. Yeah. Maybe. She's also involved with Rise as well, isn't she?
00:14:26 --> 00:14:52 No, I feel like she's involved with NCT Wish. Yeah. Which I think is perfect because she debuted as a teenager and straight away went to Japan. That's true. So who else is going to understand that better than her? And I don't know, I just kept... Every time I look at the choreography and the presentation and I'm just like, okay, I want to know how involved she is. Like, I would love a documentary with her and the boys and just to kind of see that relationship.
00:14:53 --> 00:15:20 That's what I'm here for. Ballad. What song was it with Esper that she worked on? Because I think she was there just doing like vocal production maybe? Oh, no. Oh, my God. I forgot what song it was, but they filmed it. So maybe we'll get something like that or maybe it's already come out. But yeah, you're right. She's kind of been doing this little like, I'm watching. I got you. Sing it like this or do it like this. This is great. Like, I don't know how maybe like a Robin Anton kind of feel where it's like, I'm watching everything. Creative director.
00:15:21 --> 00:15:47 Okay, so player three, we have G-IDL with Klaxon, and this was done by Jeon Soyeon of G-IDL. Pop Time, Daily, and Likey. Yay! Yay, the same four or five people that we've seen on these singles. And at this point, I'm not sure if I'm really feeling it. Now, I've seen IDL twice now this year. Once in the wintertime and then another time at Head in the Clouds Festival.
00:15:47 --> 00:16:01 And I think the girls are getting to this point where it's like, I'm not saying they're tired because they're tired of music, but there's just overall this exhaustion going on. Something about this felt a little anemic for me in terms of...
00:16:02 --> 00:16:23 I guess I don't say vocal production, but I think maybe it's that. First of all, just to kind of just jump backwards a little bit. The title Klaxon is interesting because, yeah, when I was learning how to songwrite better than I did how many years ago when I was learning, the whole thing was come up with a title that's really good, like something that's really good for SEO, something that no one else had. No one's going to have Klaxon.
00:16:24 --> 00:16:42 It is not the prettiest word. No, Miss Claxton, if you're nasty. It's just not, it's not my favorite word, but it is eye-catching. And it is like an old-timey horn for automobiles. So like, yeah, sure. Which kind of fits in with that honk, honk, honk, honk, honk, honk section of the chorus.
00:16:42 --> 00:17:10 um it's like it's interesting because it had some potential to me because I listened to it I was like this is light and bright it's not super intense where they're telling someone to f off as they have in the past like three singles um you know what I'm saying or like I'm the best girl ever um but yeah I mean I like the baseline of the verse and the uh the oh oh call and response the pre-hook the pre-chorus is full of that doo-wop inspired piano so I was like thinking that the song was building till more and I was like give me something
00:17:10 --> 00:17:15 And then, I love you, baby. And I was like, dang it.
00:17:15 --> 00:17:43 At this point, I need something more than just the, here's your part, here's your part, here's your part. I need harmonies from this group at this point because they all can sing. Soyeon proved it with Super Lady. She can hit notes. So why not get her on the top harmony? Why not get Soyeon in the melody? Why not get Yuki at the bottom? At least give me three part. I'm not asking for four part harmony. I'm like, just give me something because they all can sing. Start somewhere. Yeah, start somewhere.
00:17:43 --> 00:18:10 Like, this is your note. Just give me something like that. But yeah, I mean, the chorus is where it falls super flat for me. The song just overall is not terrible. The bridge is okay. I don't love it. I don't hate it. It's something about it just reminds me of a Disney, like a DC original movie, musical, like high school musical, like a Sharpay song or like a...
00:18:10 --> 00:18:30 far listen I'm also neverland so don't come for me y'all or do whatever drop in the comments though um but yeah I just felt like oh my gosh this could have been something they're at this level now where it's like they could expand upon their sound and this is a little too safe a little too simple um and it's just missing something special other than the strange title
00:18:30 --> 00:18:54 I find it so interesting that you mentioned doo-wop and also that bass line because that's the first thing that came to me. And as soon as the first verse was going, it was giving me, do you remember that song by Lehigh? One, two, three, four. Oh, yes. Oh, yes. I was like, one and two and three and four. I was like, you know, it's giving that similar hop.
00:18:54 --> 00:19:18 I was like, okay, I love that this is super playful. I love a summery, funky production. You know, that is the brief. But you think about the tradition they've had with great summery tunes. La-ta-ta, you know, that tropical house vibe, which still, by the way, sounds really good to this day. I think that production has stood the test of time.
00:19:19 --> 00:19:44 And Señorita, the Latin pop flavor again. Yeah. There was always a little bit of spiciness. And this one, you said anemic. I was like, when we got to the chorus, I was like, potentially a little reductive, maybe. But you got to take it in with a choreo. Yeah. And the joyfulness of the performance, because that's where you're like, okay, I get what you're trying to do. Yeah. Yeah.
00:19:45 --> 00:20:12 Yeah, that's valid. I just, I feel like they have a very defined sound, which is great because, again, you mentioned the saturation earlier, so it's good, you know, to have a defined sound. But I agree with you in the sense that there just hasn't been any artistic growth either. So each time they come out with a single, like, I'm not excited about it. Like, I kind of already know what it's going to sound like a lot of the time. I don't know. I'm just like...
00:20:12 --> 00:20:38 not that interested in them anymore, unfortunately. I guess this one's like a little less fierce than the last few singles. So it allows them to be a little cuter, even though there's still like a sassiness to it. And so, yeah, I agree with you guys. Like there's a, I get what they're going for. I appreciate the kind of Motown-y influence there. I will say the honk, honk, honk, that word is also not pretty.
00:20:38 --> 00:20:58 And they're also singing it in this like nasally belt. And I'm just like, this is not a nice sound. You know what? Yeah. Yeah. I wonder if it would have been better if they would have used like, you know, something or like something like a Korean otomotica. Yeah.
00:20:58 --> 00:21:22 I mean, there were there are some car honks, you know, in the instrumental. So at least those are there. I will. I do appreciate the Spice Girls wannabe shout out as well. Yes. So there's that. Yes. So, yeah, just I kind of feel the same way about this one that I do with the other two. I won't really be putting these on any playlists. Oh, yeah.
00:21:23 --> 00:21:39 I mean, I have to say the same as well. And the thing about the Klaxon song and Kiss of Life song is that I don't think the production has been updated from when it was written. And I don't think they were written recently.
00:21:41 --> 00:22:07 That's the thing, you know, you're saying before Tyler being the reference for Summer. And I'm getting that in the choreography and performance. But I was like, where is that sound of the Summer then in 2024? Because these sound like they've been sitting in GarageBand for a bit. It might not be the current hard drive. It might have been one from the bottom drawer that got brought up and reconnected.
00:22:08 --> 00:22:36 But it's still lots of fun. It's still so much fun. But I was just thinking like, what year are we in? Oh my god. Yeah. Yes. And that leads us perfectly, David, because we're at the end of round one, the song. So what wins for you out of these three? Oh gosh, I'm going first. Yeah, see, that's why I hate doing it. Okay, song. We're talking song. Yes, the song only. Yeah.
00:22:37 --> 00:22:55 Sorry, it's not NCT Wish. Is it sticky? Do I want to... Am I giving it to sticky? Because that's not what I wrote down. I'm going to give it to sticky. I'm going to give it to sticky. Okay. I enjoyed the vocals. I think the vocals sold it. Yeah.
00:22:57 --> 00:23:21 Okay, so I will agree with you. Sticky is my choice as well. Even though it does sound mildly derivative, I think the vocals, like we discussed, is just quality. So yeah. I am on the same page. I just think melodically it's the best of the three. Yeah. Yeah. All right. Stick you in. Yes. Round two. Round two.
00:23:23 --> 00:23:39 Moving on to round two, which is about the music video. So going back now to Kiss of Lice, Sticky. So I will go first this time. First off, what city was this? I didn't have time to look it up. Oh, shoot. Me either, but yeah. I...
00:23:39 --> 00:23:57 loved this video. I'm a fan of these kind of one-shot situations. And I think we mentioned in the last one, because we saw another one that was like that. We were like, no, there's Janet. It's Rock with you. That's kind of a one that I point to. Yes. And then, of course, Wannabe by the Spice Girls. So I just have
00:23:57 --> 00:24:26 a connection to these one-take situations. Obviously, this was not actually one-take, but they did a great job with the edit. But they've been killing it with their visuals. Like, the four of them are such good performers, even in kind of the hecticness of all these dancers coming in and out. I was watching the four of them pretty much the whole time. And they really used each location well. Also, they had their foot on the fountain, you know. They got in the fountain. Yeah.
00:24:26 --> 00:24:49 They went against the wall. They got on the tables. They got on the chairs. Like, they did a really good job blocking the whole thing, and it felt very natural. Like, it wasn't just like, oh, there's a chair here, so I guess we need to use that. Like, it felt very planned. Yeah. And there is a lot going on, but not too much, which has been an issue with a lot of K-pop stuff, I think. So, yeah, I think it has a great story. I enjoyed it.
00:24:49 --> 00:25:10 I mentioned also about how I like the one take-esque-ness of it. It's almost seamless. I will say I feel so bad for the rap section because one of the dancers got stuck in her shirt. I was like, girl, hurry. Take it off. Take it off. Take it off. And she ripped the chest in time. But I'm like, why did y'all, I know y'all have so many takes. Why was that the take you used?
00:25:10 --> 00:25:40 I've been so annoyed. It's like that was like her first booking or something. Like I was so upset. I'm pretty sure it wasn't. But that was the only thing I saw that was like, oh, snap. That could have been like not fun. The way they filmed this reminds me of like those dance movies from the early 2000s. Like I like the overall feel. It didn't feel like an Old Navy commercial, thankfully, because sometimes with these outdoor, you know what I'm talking about. You know what I'm saying? When you're outside and you're dancing, you're like, oh, my God, please. Oh, gosh.
00:25:41 --> 00:25:57 it didn't look like they were trying to sell me clothes. I mean, in fact, they were taking the clothes off. So I appreciate that. The girls, like you said, worked the camera really well. I think my favorite was the indoor theater scene. That was so good. The way the guys carried Nathie and she was like almost looking like a wave. I was like,
00:25:57 --> 00:26:18 bone apple teeth gorgeousness um i have i also mentioned that the girls are being overwhelmed by the dancers is so key because we just talked about nayan and our last pop-off and she was getting swallowed swallowed by her dancers so i was just like oh my god girl no because i love nayan but these girls
00:26:19 --> 00:26:34 They stand out and everyone was dressed really similarly. So it's very tough for them not to get lost. This reminds me of Super Shy, but not in like a super copy copy way. It's just one of those things where it's like you're outside. You use the space really well. And I enjoyed it. I think I really...
00:26:35 --> 00:26:58 like the ending the most because they have a lore that is not mystical. They just have a lore where it's like, remember who you were in the past, remember where you came from. Because there's a sugarcoat Nazi at the end that all the girls are looking at. And I'm like, ooh, what does that mean? So it keeps me curious for sure. So I think overall, it's not too deep, but it's also not super shallow where you're like, this is a forgettable video. So shout out to the director for sure.
00:26:58 --> 00:27:18 All right. Thank you for explaining that because I was going to be like, who's that girl? So that makes sense just to kind of create that connectivity with that narrative. I mean, just like you guys, I love the kind of fluid one take style video. Shout out to whoever it was that was in charge of getting permits.
00:27:18 --> 00:27:46 Because you've got to film in a fountain, health and safety, people slipping. What kind of shoes are you wearing in there? Yeah. You've got to make full use of the theatre. I love the theatre scene as well, because I'm watching this full glare of sunlight outside. I'm thinking, thank God there's a break for you to go inside, enjoy the air conditioning. Yeah. Lice up against the wall, do that thing. I love that move of them like sliding up against the wall.
00:27:46 --> 00:27:57 I was like, okay, it's giving, you know, beautiful Liar, like that kind of throwback move. I loved it. I was like, if I were one of the girls, I'd be like, can I, can I just stay in here for two more minutes?
00:27:59 --> 00:28:28 Before we had to go back outside. Yeah. That opening shot with them going to the fountain and them not giving us the fountain shot, I thought was really clever because that's the obvious thing, right? Because I'm watching it. They skip past it. I'm like, that's a missed opportunity. Why are you not dancing in there? And then we get to the climax at the end. You're like, oh, okay, this is it. And I love the candidness of them just splashing water at the camera lens and it just being a little gritty and a little...
00:28:28 --> 00:28:57 You know, we're not over rehearsing this. We're not giving you overly polished. Unlike another video that we'll talk about in this episode. But I love the charm of that. We don't see that kind of on location, spontaneity enough these days, I don't think. Tea. Yes. Good point. Also, I just looked it up. This was filmed in Warsaw, Poland. Okay, we're going to Poland. I couldn't make out what the writing was on the back in the lobby of the cinema.
00:28:58 --> 00:29:17 oh my gosh good spot whoever picked that spot out shout out to you too shout out to the whole team who figured this out y'all did that shout out to poland okay that's right okay yes next we're back to nct wish with songbird uh all right so i'll kick us all um with this one so the video for this one was
00:29:17 --> 00:29:33 So cute. I think whoever is picking and choosing what they're going to do for this group is doing a good job. Because I watched NCT Dream kind of go through the motions of them being in like a military and then doing their little hover cycle bull crap. And I was like, okay, they're kids. That makes sense.
00:29:33 --> 00:30:01 With this one, it's pretty much really simple. It's like a cute little delivery candy situation. You know, it's very mystical with them flying through the clouds. It's simple in terms of like there's no crazy lore. What's like this one piece of candy is going to give someone a power. I'm talking about EXO with their flying. There's nothing crazy about this. It's just kids delivering candy.
00:30:01 --> 00:30:26 You had your store workers, your back office, a Hanson and Gretel house kind of gingerbread moment, your fulfillment. You know, it was cute. I think the dance portion, the way it was filmed, is probably one of my favorites for this group. And I like the outdoor dance portion where they're in the field because it just felt really refreshing because you have them inside the box on a green screen. You have them everywhere except a real world because they're talking about songbirds.
00:30:26 --> 00:30:43 which we didn't really talk about the lyrics, but it was all like this, I'll come to you, I'll fly to you, our dreams come true. And they watch this video, it's like, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but like Amazon-ified. And then they finally go outside, I'm like, there's the songbird moment. We're flying through the colors of the wind. That was really pretty and refreshing.
00:30:43 --> 00:31:01 Um, and like I said, conceptually, I think the video is adorable and I would say age appropriate because it wasn't too childish, but they are still pretty young. So it's like, let's just use those cute little faces. The guys didn't like overplay the faces. They kind of just had like, you know, simple, oh wow. And oh my gosh, and we're flying. Not like...
00:31:02 --> 00:31:19 Oh my God. So I appreciate the, I guess the balance of like super cutesy and then just normal boys just being like, we're in front of a green screen. They told us to act like this. So we're going to do the best we can. So overall, I liked the video. I'm not sure if I like it as much as sticky.
00:31:19 --> 00:31:38 But I think production quality, it didn't look super cheap because SM can't afford good CGI. And we always complain about crappy CGI on the show. I watched it and I was like, OK, the lights match the green screen editing. So it's really important. The props that they're holding doesn't look like, you know, it's, you know.
00:31:38 --> 00:32:05 coming onto their arms because someone didn't color something properly. Like little things like that really matter. And it helps me stay immersed in the whole concept. And I think that's what's important. Even if we don't like thematically align with what's being told in the story, is the story good? And I think, yeah, I would say. Hey, David, what do you think? First of all, guys, I watched the Japanese version after the Korean version.
00:32:06 --> 00:32:25 And that was when I was like, okay, I really appreciate what's going on. Because the Japanese version is more narrative driven. You know, it's got that long intro. The boys are like playing a board game and it kind of sets up what's going on. Right? Yeah. I watched that first would have been like, great. Love it. Get it. So I'm trying to do it backwards in my research. And then I was like.
00:32:25 --> 00:32:55 Genius. Love it that the Korean version is giving you just the moves and it's giving you basically an alternate take of the same scenes. You know, it's just it's not trying to overly explain the narrative to you. So if you've not watched it, start with the Japanese version, then go to Korean version. Also, the Japanese version is the one that you see the kid at the end pick up the candy that fell from the sky and put it in his mouth.
00:32:55 --> 00:33:19 That is not the message we want to be sending kids. It's not safe. Do not do that. Do not put things you don't know that may or may not be food in your mouth. Especially if it's fallen out of the sky delivered by some pop stars. Especially that. Some underage pop stars. Word at that. Yeah, exactly.
00:33:19 --> 00:33:32 But, you know, that scene that you were saying about them dancing outside is also my favorite, because while I love the gray uniform of them in, like, the delivery loading bay of their candy factory,
00:33:32 --> 00:34:01 When I first saw that, I was like, oh my God, come on girls allowed. We're back in the garage. Let's go. And then I realized, oh no, they're delivery boys. You know, they're loading up boxes, doing all that. But I love the outdoor dance scene, you know. Yeah. That one bloke with the bit of the tulle. Shout out to the stylist. Oh yeah. He gave him that little bit of like, it's like a white choo-choo tulle. It's just swishing. I was like, okay. Okay. I was like, great use of fabric. All right.
00:34:01 --> 00:34:16 I really enjoyed that. But once you kind of get this narrative of them fulfilling wishes, I assume that's what it is, the candy of wishes, then I'm like, oh, that's really sweet and wholesome. Them flying through the sky.
00:34:16 --> 00:34:37 in that lovely truck. I mean, which one of you is old enough to drive? That's the other question. We need to check ID. But I love the concept of it. And it's interesting because I don't think the word songbird appears early in the song, right? So you're kind of reminded of it around the bridge.
00:34:37 --> 00:34:57 And then you're like, oh, yes, that's what we're doing. And the bird, the paper cranes all kind of become a little bit more pronounced. But they're doing things for the choreography, which I'm sure we'll talk about the performance later. But that's what really sells Songbird. So, I think I do love this video. But once you watch those two side by side, you're like, oh.
00:34:58 --> 00:35:16 I love that. You're not just giving us dubbed versions. Like, come on, give us different edits, you know? Yeah, yeah. Yes. Yes, I will say that's actually maybe my favorite part of NCT Wish that they've been doing. So hopefully they continue this for sure. Because I was actually the same with you because my first notes were just on the Korean one.
00:35:16 --> 00:35:40 And I also didn't fully understand what was going on because I also was like, oh, they're in a service center for cars. And then now they're working in an office. And then now they're, you know, I didn't like fully connect it yet. Right. I was just kind of like, I don't really understand what's going on. And so it took a few watches. And then, yes, when I went down a Reddit hole also about what this was about. And then I was like, oh, okay.
00:35:40 --> 00:36:09 I get it. It's cute. That's cute. And yes, you were right. SM has, you know, great production value. So this was very much up there. And their training, and I think we've said this before with other SM Knacks, they're so good on camera. They're so good on camera. Like, it doesn't feel too forced. It feels very charismatic. I already am starting to recognize some of these boys, which is good. That's also rare in such a saturated market as well.
00:36:09 --> 00:36:31 So yeah, I really enjoy it. I will say it. I kind of love in some ways that you kind of have to watch both videos and kind of watch them a few times to fully get it. But at the same time, in this world that we are in right now where attention span is so low, I think if you were a newer person just watching this...
00:36:31 --> 00:37:00 I don't know. The impact doesn't fully hit the first time. And so if you're trying to get new fans, I just don't know if that's the right way to go. But yeah, I appreciate it as someone who did watch it multiple times. All right. Moving on to our final playoff for this round, Deanna with Klaxon. All right. David, what did you think of this video? Oh, my God. Is this...
00:37:00 --> 00:37:06 The best traffic stopping performance we've seen since Kylie's Red-Blooded Woman.
00:37:06 --> 00:37:32 Oh. I was thinking, I was like, oh, well, it's giving. Okay, so know when I grow up then. Know when I grow up? I thought that too. I did think about when I grew up too, but I was like, you know, the girls are like going, interacting with other drivers and doing all that. So I was like, okay, maybe it's more. And also I have to say Kylie. 2000s Aussie legend. I have to give it to Kylie. That opening shot of Soyeon in the driving seat
00:37:33 --> 00:37:58 One thought. Booster seat. So rude. Did you not think it? I don't know. I mean, I'm not an automobile expert. So I know where my arms would come up to in a car of that built and stature. And I know I would need a booster seat as well. So I looked at that. I was like, okay.
00:37:59 --> 00:38:26 We know what you're doing. You want to look good for the shot. But it just took me out for a minute. I was like, yeah, she's got a little elevation going on there, which is fine. We all need it. We all need support in this world and in this life. I love the car chase in the desert with the guys. Yeah. And then do they drive off and the girls are just left there? Yeah. And they're just like, what's going on? Yeah. Yes.
00:38:27 --> 00:38:37 Do you know what I would have loved in that moment? If their new BFF, Jennifer Lopez, turns up in a car. Hey, girls, want a ride?
00:38:38 --> 00:39:08 Wouldn't that be the best cameo just to be like, you know, we're on your song, J-Lo. Return the favor. Come give us a lift. She needs the help. She needs it. It would have been great for her. Great PR. I would accept any help from Jennifer Lopez at any time. No, she needs the help right now. Gen Z can't stand her. I love her. But yeah, that would have been great for both of them. Actually, that's you're so funny. Give her a call, guys. I mean, I think she's around. Yeah.
00:39:08 --> 00:39:33 Yeah, the tour is canceled, so there you go. No, no JLo slander. No JLo slander. No, I love JLo. I was ready to go to that tour. Me too, dude. Oh, God. Bummer. Bummer. Yeah. Okay, well, I guess this was great. This made me like the song more, for sure. Because, again, we've been saying this with the past few G Idol songs that we've reviewed here.
00:39:33 --> 00:39:48 Their performance ability has grown so much. Like all five of them, like David, I don't know how much you got into them right at the start, but it was a slight struggle in the beginning on camera for them. Okay. But now...
00:39:48 --> 00:40:18 they're feeling themselves and they're able to just have fun with it like all the stuff on the beach you know with the random guys you know that they would walk right past or even they were just staring at them like from the background as well yeah i thought the gas station had some fun moments and i also agree that little storyline with the car chase was really really fun as well so i just appreciated how light it was they weren't trying too hard they were just having fun with the concept so yeah no notes here really i think it matched the song perfectly
00:40:18 --> 00:40:42 Ah, yes. I think with this video, whoever came with the concept was definitely thinking of all the girls, girl groups and girl, like, females pop singers of yesteryear. Because that car chase, I immediately thought Janet Jackson's You Want This? Because I'm like, oh my gosh. That or even Dream with He Loves Me. Loves You Not, excuse me. Like, just having the Jeep...
00:40:42 --> 00:40:58 in the desert, you're dancing in the desert. I was like, wow, you have the when I grow up moment. It kind of reminds me a little bit of a step up movie, but it's fine. I was like, whatever. Yeah. Yeah. When the few, we have like five seconds of them in rain. Yeah. As well. I was just like, I was like, is the rest of it coming?
00:40:58 --> 00:41:13 Right. Exactly. Is moose going to come out? Like a knee? It's like you've wasted all that hair and makeup. I hope it was at the end of the day. And they thought, okay, maybe we'll do an alternate video where you're just dancing in the rain. And then it just maybe looked terrible on everyone. And they were like, nah.
00:41:13 --> 00:41:38 No, because that's literally like a quick thing. Rain is usually the crescendo of the video. Why throw that in in the middle of where did all that rain go? It's like two seconds and we're back. So literally this whole video, it also reminds me of Hot Summer when the girls were dancing in front of the fence, calling us sweaty foreigners, like things like that. I was like, oh, my gosh, these are all of the imagery that I can remember from that.
00:41:38 --> 00:42:07 way back when, and I appreciate that for sure. The beach one, the beach scene again, just reminds me of, just reminds me a little bit of High School Musical. It's not a bad thing. I love High School Musical. Or Teen Beach movie. I'm a fan of those movies. But yeah, I think overall their influences were there, but it just had like a refreshing take on the Vixen concept instead of being like, we're so hot, we're so amazing. Look at us, hoo hoo, yeah. It was like, oh, we just got played, didn't we? We got played.
00:42:07 --> 00:42:31 Like, I was like, even when they did like their, um, their social media adverts, if you will, they were dancing in front of the guys and those guys could not be bothered. I was like, honey, good bark, wrong tree. But that was the whole thing. I was like, it's giving, but they're not taking. And I love that because like you said, they're at this level where they don't have to do that or, you know, they just are having fun. I appreciate that. Yeah.
00:42:31 --> 00:42:57 It's for the girls, for sure. It's for the girls, yeah. For sure. It may look like they're trying to pick up guys, but it's really, it's a girl's day out. Yes. And it just kind of went mildly wrong with them trying to be flirting. It's like, why did we do that in the first place? You know, like... But yeah, I think it was really fun. I appreciate the whole concept, for sure. And I love that they ended their frontier at Mount Hottie. So let's go, girls. Let's go.
00:42:57 --> 00:43:22 Okay, that wraps up round two. Okay. So out of these, yeah. I mean, as we've said, I love actually all three of these videos. But if I had to watch one now, I would watch Sticky again. So that one wins for me. Ooh. Okay, what about you, David? I'm not going second. Are you changing the order? Let's go. I want to go.
00:43:22 --> 00:43:38 I actually would watch, um, I actually would watch NCT Wish's video again. Either of them. Because I feel like there were just so many details in the props and the special effects that I'm just like, okay, let me see what else is going on here.
00:43:39 --> 00:44:06 Ooh, look at you choosing the boy group. I know. Got to give the boys some love. Yeah, that's what Todd. Two videos. Two videos. Shout out to the editors. Oh, man, you know, this is difficult because mine is actually leaning toward the two girl groups for sure. And I had to change my mind a little bit. That's why I told David to go second. Confession. So I think for me, shoot.
00:44:08 --> 00:44:32 Klaxon, I think overall has the most fun, but I think cohesively speaking and just using what they had to make magic, Sticky takes it from. Okay. Wow, we were so close to having all three of them get chosen. I know. Yeah. Klaxon almost took it for me, but I was just like, wait, hang on. Maybe we're all here. Round three.
00:44:35 --> 00:45:04 Okay, well, we're on our third round now, which is about the performance and choreography. So, Chantel, kick us off, right? Yes. Yes, Chantel, kick us off with Kiss of Life. Sticky, what do you think? I'm going to tell you why I'm laughing in a second. I hate this dance. Oh. I hate it so much. Okay, so here's the thing. A lot of people are like, oh, you know, because they're copying Tyler. People are like, oh, Tyler didn't make up twerking. It's not that they're twerking just to shake their butts. There's a certain style of dance called Bacardi dancing.
00:45:04 --> 00:45:24 And Bacardi requires a lot of hip motion and the way they are moving their butts on the rhythm fits that silhouette of Bacardi dance. It's a lot more involved, obviously, but Tyler made the whole arm out, leg lean, you know, weight on the one leg, twerk, twerk, twerk thing, a thing. And unfortunately, with this song, it's very tropical. It's leaning more toward...
00:45:24 --> 00:45:46 Caribbean not Afrobeats choreography so I think in this sense they could have had more grooves into it um just as someone who has grown up doing all this stuff it just feels a little bit more like trying to catch on a dance trend in the choruses as opposed to actually making a choreography that is good musicality um just that's my opinion about it because it's just like twerk twerk twerk
00:45:46 --> 00:46:07 Stop, stop, stop. Shake, shake, twerk, twerk again. And I'm like, that is so awkward. It just feels like a very sharp period in the middle of a sentence that deserves a comma and then be punctuated with an exclamation point somewhere. Verse-wise, I think they did a good job of transitioning the music video choreography and then not throwing it away, but being like, hey, listen, we have to perform on stage. So I appreciate that.
00:46:07 --> 00:46:24 The dance as a whole isn't terrible, but when you get to that chorus, it just gets very cheesy to me where it's like instead of actually doing something that looks fluid, it just looks very stiff because the girls are not wearing loose clothing. So it just looks like they're popping their backs and like pop. They can dance, but it just doesn't look...
00:46:25 --> 00:46:40 you know, cute. Even when they touched my body, when they did a little twerk thing, it was choreographed twerking. It looked stiff. And that's what's still cute, still memorable. But for me, not the right reasons. The girls can dance better than what they were given at certain points.
00:46:41 --> 00:46:59 But overall, I would say like, I'd give it like a B minus in terms of performance. They definitely dance to crap out what they're giving though. I will say that like, not a single member was like, oh, I'm not gonna hit this step. They look like they're synchronized. They're giving the same amount of energy. Like, of course, you'll have Julie kind of giving eyes a little bit more like Nati kind of, you know.
00:46:59 --> 00:47:27 smizing up the camera but for the most part their personalities are definitely seen throughout the choreography they all get a moment to shine um but yeah like i said i think my the weak points are the i'm gonna throw a bacardi tyla dance because it's k-pop and we kind of copy trends you know i'm saying so aside from that not bad sorry i sound so mean but hey it's the truth that's how i feel all right david what do you think
00:47:27 --> 00:47:51 Do you know what? I think out of the two girl group performances that we have on this episode, this is my preferred. It's playful, it's sprightly, and I just feel their spirit just coming through. Like all the girls are shining in this. And I, you know, I know there's lots of bits and pieces and I completely agree with what you're saying with the Tyler bits.
00:47:51 --> 00:48:10 The bit with them lifting the top and then just, you know, actually taking the top off and then just throwing it. I was like, yes, yes, yes, yes. It worked in a video, saw them do it on stage. We definitely needed that. That bit of them kind of wiping the sweat across and then flicking it.
00:48:11 --> 00:48:31 That to me was like the signature move that was like, okay, now I know what you're talking about. Yeah. It's a sticky summer. Yeah. And I don't know if this is in all the performances, but there was one that the male dancers were doing like a limbo bar where they're joining arms and the girls like do a limbo under. Yeah. And how was that?
00:48:32 --> 00:48:50 Just going to throw in a party trick like that? Midway through a performance, you want to save your back, but you've got to do all that Tyler Bacardi moves later again, so you don't want to arch it too much, health and safety. So silly.
00:48:50 --> 00:49:07 But I saw them do that. I was like, oh, okay. So I appreciate a maximalist effort. And it feels like, I don't know, it was the right combination of showing off and showing out. Oh, yeah. Aside from the chorus, I agree. Like, they just, oh, so good.
00:49:07 --> 00:49:26 Okay, I think I'm kind of in between the two of you. First, I need to shout out Mingyu of 17, because the first time I actually saw the choreo was him doing it, and he looked really great. So I just need to shout that out, because that got my attention for sure. Anyway. Yeah. Okay, I think...
00:49:26 --> 00:49:49 I say this a lot about K-pop choreo. The musicality just isn't there. Like, this is a chill summer bop, and the choreo is crazy. Like, they're doing 1E and a 2E and a 3E and a 4E. They're hitting all these beats that don't even exist in the song, you know? So, like, I think the whole thing just needs to be dialed down, like, to 75%, maybe 60%.
00:49:49 --> 00:50:12 of how chaotic the whole thing is. Because even the formations, they're changing formations every two or four counts. And it's just a little crazy. I think it was much more effective in the music video because you had the different locations and the different props you were working with and the dancers coming in and out worked with the chaos of it. But on stage, especially watching the dance practice,
00:50:13 --> 00:50:32 It's just crazy. Like, me just imagining myself doing it, I was like, this block, even the blocking itself is already a lot. And so, I don't know. I think it's fun overall. I agree with your comments about, you know, the actual style and stuff. Maybe not actually even matching the song at all. But even just, like...
00:50:32 --> 00:50:54 Matt just hitting what's in the song I feel like it's not really like it it's just more than it needs to be like they can do some simple grooves and stuff like even the stuff at the end when they are just all like doing body rolls and stuff that's very effective yeah so it's just more difficult than it needs to be I just it's chaotic but they perform the crap out of it but I'm just yeah
00:50:54 --> 00:51:24 It's so hard because like you want to like it because they are so good. But then you're getting choreography where like with EZ, it was not easy. It was like demo choreography that was just like, oh, let's keep it. So with them, it's like we know they can dance. But y'all, Nati ain't got to throw herself on the ground during her part. Like she can just nicely place. So yeah, well, that's that. Okay. Yeah. Moving on to NCT Wishes Songbird. Okay, David, what'd you think?
00:51:25 --> 00:51:54 I could watch these guys dance forever. Like, I had no idea that they were actually this good already. Oh, my God. And I watched the first single performance, like, when it came out, and I was like, okay. And then this one, because I was so, like, taken aback by the candy rush of this video, I wasn't really thinking about the choreo. Yeah. Apart from the dude with the tool, you know, shout out. But when you watch the performance, you're like, oh, my God. That opening shot where they all parted and that one boy gets lifted up.
00:51:54 --> 00:52:17 I was like, come on, Jesus, come on, Lazarus. Like, you know, it was incredible. That blew my mind. And all the kind of arms laying out horizontally like a bird spreading its wings. Yeah. Oh, they really sold it. When I saw that, I was like, okay, this is what this song and this choreo is all about.
00:52:17 --> 00:52:38 And even when you're like watching the arm movements, the more fluid arm, it's kind of like replicating a bird's wings. Yeah. That is so clever because you've got all these sharp angular movements. Sorry, this is where we really need Joel, my co-host here, because he's the trained dancer. And I'm here like talking about bird wings.
00:52:38 --> 00:53:03 Sorry to NCT Wishes choreographer and boa, sorry. I agree. I agree. I'm just loving the way that ties together the arm movements. To me, that is the most satisfying part of seeing it all come together. Ooh. Yes. Yeah. I mentioned the musicality not being great for the last song, but the musicality for this one is so good. I mean, again, SM.
00:53:03 --> 00:53:20 I know SM's going through some business issues at the moment, but creatively, I think they're on a roll right now. Like this year, SM has been killing it with everything. Yeah, watching them perform this made me like the song way more. And I would love to learn this. I don't know if I have time to, but...
00:53:20 --> 00:53:44 but I would love to learn it. Like, this is very much my style. You feel kind of the 90s boy band kind of slickness of it and how they're hitting the guitar strums and things. But then it gets like, there's some softer, kind of more contemporary moments too. And there are also some cuter moments, which is great because, you know, they are younger. And so the little like chest, like the little heart, the chest,
00:53:44 --> 00:53:59 chest pops and stuff. Like it's all very cute and it matches them and it matches the song well. And just some really cool staging as well. Like a ton of different ripples. They use a lot of levels. Just really, yeah, just good stage choreo.
00:53:59 --> 00:54:27 I agree. I'm David. Don't don't feel bad about the bird wing thing because the chorus does include flapping, flapping and swimming. And then I love freaking love this because you used your hand to do a bird. Some people use hands. So whoever did that bone apple teeth, bone apple teeth. OK, I love corneography like that because you can figure out how to make it.
00:54:28 --> 00:54:45 It's so intelligent. So, yeah, I agree with both of you, what you're saying. There's a moment in the second verse where the guys slide and one of the members moves his fingers and the guys are still... They're still ticking as they're moving. I'm like, what the heck? So simple. But the texture of that was just...
00:54:45 --> 00:55:05 Again, Bon Appetit. I'm going to just kind of just big up what y'all said. Loved it. I agree. I agree. I agree. I agree. I agree. Because this dance is so good. So good. And it's intricate to the point where it's like where it needs to be. Like the chorus, I would say I was like, OK, wait, hang on. Give me a second. I need time to like digest.
00:55:05 --> 00:55:35 But the verses, I sat there and I was like, okay, this is actually boy group choreography. It's someone's turn to sing and he's just standing there and just moving his hand. Wow. Oh, okay, it's this person's turn to sing and he's getting lifted up or this person is just standing there and backing up, not doing a backflip or some other crazy hippity hop-hop-ness. Super, super happy to watch his choreography. I appreciated the thought process between performance to dance and having to sing.
00:55:35 --> 00:55:57 because one day they will have to sing this live you know what i'm saying if they need but if they needed to they could it wouldn't be like we have to alter this whole choreography because someone tried to murder us in the practice room you know so yeah shout out to your bird wings and your flappy bird comment because it's it's true um yes that's the choreographer i wish i looked it up at first but um so good so i like this one
00:55:57 --> 00:56:13 Okay, so G-Idle clacks in. This is very different from Kiss of Life, which was giving, you know, advanced class. This was, G-Idle was giving, like, maybe advanced beginner class?
00:56:13 --> 00:56:31 Yeah. Which I don't hate. It was like refreshing after kind of the last two because G-IDL, they do actually sing live most of their performances. And having something a little easier does just give them an opportunity to just kind of perform and have fun with it, which again, matches the song.
00:56:31 --> 00:56:55 Even though the actual choreography is much simpler, there's still a lot going on, like, formation-wise and stuff. So it's still very entertaining. I think it's very effective. My favorite part's actually near the beginning when they all get on the floor. I think just, like, picture-wise, just very, very effective. I don't know if I love the, like, hula dance for the... I mean, I guess it's memorable.
00:56:55 --> 00:57:23 Um, but I just, I don't know. I, I don't, and the honk, honk, honk. I mean, again, just like not the most creative, but sure. With those chest pops. Um, so yeah, I think it's fine. Uh, nothing about it makes me want to watch them perform it all the time. But, but I think it, yeah, I don't know. It's fine. He's like, I'm man, a few words. Um, it's in my turn. Yes, yes.
00:57:23 --> 00:57:45 Okay. Yes, Chris is a man of few words with this one. I don't blame you. I think with this choreography, like I said, I've seen them a couple of times now and the girls can really perform, so I will definitely give them that. I feel like with this song and the choreography they were given as a whole,
00:57:45 --> 00:58:12 it started out pretty good, like them getting on the floor, like straight out the gate. I was like, honey, give me a lay down on the beach. Give me a fan. Was cute. You can sing to this. You can move your hands. Give me handography. I loved that. Even like when they kind of bopped their hip and they got through the pre-chorus, I was like, okay, we're still singing. We're still kind of just being really cutesy girl, like second gen girl group kind of movements. But then we get to this chorus
00:58:12 --> 00:58:34 Oh my goodness. I will say because the moves are almost so easy, I love you one and two and three and four in hand. I saw some sloppiness, which is like, how do you see that? But because it's so simple, if they don't articulate it and make it super sharp, give like exact energy in the wrist and in the fingertips, it can come across as almost like
00:58:34 --> 00:58:44 This is my A count. You know, and then you get to the Hong Hong part. There's like Hong Hong, it's awkward. And they're stepping backwards. And it's that Shu Wah's part too also. So she's kind of just like,
00:58:47 --> 00:59:15 You know, so things like that when I'm watching, I'm like, you guys are so beautiful. You're so talented. You just came from Superlady, which was this epic moment of badassery. And now you're laid back. I totally get it. I totally get it. But it almost feels like they don't believe the chorus choreography themselves. Everything else I can see them doing because it's a little bit more full out in terms of bend over, reach over, hands be a little bit more smixier. But when it comes to the chorus and them being cutesy,
00:59:15 --> 00:59:43 They are just, it's giving like, we feel too old for this. I guess this is cute. It's simple enough. Let me just do it. It doesn't feel like they're really like, I love this. Like, this is so cheesy. I'm going for it, you know? And that's what bothers me a little bit about it. Aside from that, I do appreciate the effort, I guess, that some of the members are trying to give. Like Minnie and Yuki, I can definitely see being like, okay, cute, cute, kind of cute, kind of sexy. Yeah.
00:59:43 --> 01:00:05 but everyone else is kind of like okay so he's always going to do the most because she's her but when you have you know uh what's my name mion and shu hua kind of in the middle of these very important parts the chorus is it falls flat um but yeah it's okay it's okay it's okay
01:00:06 --> 01:00:27 I'm echoing what you guys are saying. And also like, because I haven't watched their stage performances for the last few singles. So I'm just like processing what you guys are saying. So this is really helpful context for me because when I heard this song and I saw the choreo and I thought, okay, they want to sum a bop that all the kids can do on TikTok.
01:00:27 --> 01:00:52 Yeah. All the baby shark audience is going to get on board. I really thought, and it's not, you know, it's not a condemnation. I thought it was a deliberate way of prioritizing accessibility. It's meant to be copied by people of all ages, all abilities, and it's not meant to be a big showcase of what they can do. It's more like we want to do stuff that everyone can follow.
01:00:52 --> 01:01:17 So it's kind of giving me like early steps choreography, you know, when they would release the CD singles with like the dance steps in there. I feel like if we're in a CD single age, this would have the booklet rolling out. You got the girls doing one, two, da, da, da, da, da. And I, you know, I, you know, and that's not my favorite part either. The Hulk Hulk.
01:01:18 --> 01:01:36 You got to do it. What else are you going to do, Chris? Yeah, yeah. I guess. And you can pop it. Clonk, clonk, clonk, clonk, clonk. You know, that's just me. I choreograph. Yeah, that's me on a Friday night. Yes. Yes. Ooh, good perspective. Wow.
01:01:36 --> 01:02:02 Huh. Oh, now that you've mentioned that, I'm not gonna change my decision, but it's definitely given me a little bit more to think about like, okay, you know what? There's probably some validity to that. Like they probably were just like, let's just pop this out. Everyone could do it. Yeah. Did you enjoy the performance though? Yeah. It's not like what you said. It's not something I'll rush and look up a live performance of. I've seen it now.
01:02:02 --> 01:02:23 yeah yeah i can move on yes it's lovely and i'm not a dancer so i'm not going to learn it so i'm not going to put it on to learn i can do the hong kong bits so yeah both versions yeah i'm on friday night and sunday morning let's get it all right so
01:02:24 --> 01:02:39 Do I go first? Oh, shoot. Okay, so the winner for me will be NCT Wishes Songbird Chorography and Performance. It's the most cohesive. It's the most musicality. I also would like to learn it. And I love the freaking bird call hands. I'm sold. I was sold.
01:02:39 --> 01:03:01 I mean, I have to give it to NCT Wish because of all the complexities that we talked about. I was actually leaning more towards Kiss of Life. But now that you guys have contextualized it, it really wasn't off service to the song. It felt like more of a we're trying to prove a point, which is great. We love a performance, but it has to work with a song. So that's why I'm leaning to NCT Wish.
01:03:02 --> 01:03:27 Okay, yes, I will agree with both of you. I tend to lean towards the boy bands anyway, like dance-wise, just because I tend, I don't know, that's just the choreography I tend to do, I guess. So yes, but this, I thought was perfect for the song. I thought it matched it amazingly. So yes, okay, we have finished all three rounds. So David, as our special guest, who is your ultimate winner?
01:03:30 --> 01:03:52 the stress we all go through it the stress is real man the ultimate winner sorry i'm just looking at my notes the olympics of uh k-pop july okay for me the winner has to be kiss of life sticky okay why
01:03:53 --> 01:04:17 Do you know what? That music video and just the one-take-ness of it, the use of locations, the playfulness and the choreo and their spirit and the vocals, even though I don't, I was like, what's sticky? I do appreciate the vocals. So it's just, it's all come together enough for me to be like, that's the one.
01:04:17 --> 01:04:34 Okay, I will actually agree with you. I almost chose NCT, actually, because I will say after that first, like, listening to it, I wasn't the most impressed, but after watching all the visuals and stuff, I like it a lot more now, actually. But...
01:04:34 --> 01:04:53 Kids of Life has just grown on me so much, kind of with every release, that I think I'm actually a little biased towards them a little bit. And this song, even though it's not their best, I think it has a place in their discography still. So yeah, I will also give it to Sticky.
01:04:53 --> 01:05:19 Okay. You know, I was going to give it to NCT Wish because I actually like the song a lot. If Sticky wasn't here, I think I would have given it to them because last time they were on our episode, I gave it to them because everything was just so freaking good. But yeah, so for me, though, overall, the video being good, the song, the lyricism, the melody, the vocals being good, choreography, albeit not my favorite, but...
01:05:20 --> 01:05:29 did what it needed to do. People are like obsessed with it. So, you know, I can understand the fanfare. So it did, it's accessible in some kind of way.
01:05:31 --> 01:05:51 And it's actually good. So I'm going to give it to Sticky. Sticky-stickity-stick-stick. Okay. Wins. Yeah. There you go. It's good. All right. So Sticky wins for all three of us. That wraps up this pop-off for July 2024. David, thank you so much for joining us. Hope you had fun. I had so much fun. Oh, my God. Like...
01:05:51 --> 01:06:09 what am I going to do next? I'm going to go back to my show and I'm going to miss you guys. We're going to miss you. We're going to have to do this again. We will. We're definitely going to need to have both you and Joel on as well. And maybe we should talk about the Spice Girls or something Western too.
01:06:09 --> 01:06:22 We should. We should. But yes, you mentioned Joel, who we will be inviting very shortly to the next one. But you have a podcast called Right Back At You. So tell us more about it and plug it for our listeners.
01:06:22 --> 01:06:42 Yes, so right back at you is the 2000s Pop Music Podcast is hosted by me and my friend Joel. We, every episode, celebrate a 2000s artist and their album. And, you know, it's often, you know, we do the divas like Mariah and, you know, Jessica Simpson. But sometimes it's the more under-celebrated album.
01:06:42 --> 01:07:12 British acts. Right. You know, we've done Rachel Stevens, Samantha Mumba, but we also love Girls Aloud and Sugar Babes and Steps. So there's plenty to dive into there. We always say we take pop music seriously, but it's like we have a laugh and, you know, we think critically, but at the same time, it's like we also want to give these artists their flowers. Mm-hmm. Yes. And it's one of my favorite shows. So definitely go check it out if you haven't. Thanks. Yes.
01:07:12 --> 01:07:41 Okay, so definitely go check them out. Available on all podcast platforms. And we are also available on all podcast platforms. Make sure to comment, DM us at CCTV Pops. Tell us what you think of this episode, what you want us to talk about next month. And you can join us on Patreon because we have some really fun episodes coming up and more guests coming up too. So until next time, that's Chantel and David. That's Chris. And we're signing off from CCTV, the nonstop pop show.