Welcome to the June 2023 K-Pop edition of 'Pop Off'! In this episode, we bring you an epic showdown between three powerhouse artists: Stray Kids, ATEEZ, and TAEYONG. June 2023 witnessed their highly anticipated comebacks, and we're here to compare and contrast their latest songs, mesmerizing music videos, and electrifying performances. Join us as we dissect the catchy beats, stunning visuals, and captivating stage presence of Stray Kids' 'S-Class,' ATEEZ's 'BOUNCY (K-HOT CHILI PEPPERS)' and TAEYONG's 'SHALALA.' We'll analyze each category and choose our winners, but we want to hear from you too! Which song made you groove the most? Which music video left you in awe? And who delivered the standout performance?
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References:
- Stray Kids "ํน(S-Class)" MV https://youtu.be/JsOOis4bBFg
- Stray Kids "ํน(S-Class) (SKZOO ver.)" MV https://youtu.be/6hdaC0rlt9A
- Stray Kids "ํน(S-Class)" Live @ Music Bank https://youtu.be/9GrOY-h3vCg
- ATEEZ (์์ดํฐ์ฆ) - โBOUNCY (K-HOT CHILLI PEPPERS)โ MV https://youtu.be/U0G5OA6ZH5w
- ATEEZ (์์ดํฐ์ฆ) - โBOUNCY (K-HOT CHILLI PEPPERS)โ Live @ M! Countdown https://youtu.be/-q7zJXR3KMY
- TAEYONG ํ์ฉ โ์ค๋๋ผ (SHALALA)โ MV https://youtu.be/aO5DPf0vebc
- TAEYONG ํ์ฉ โ์ค๋๋ผ (SHALALA)โ Live Stage https://youtu.be/sctubMJjr0g
00:00:00 --> 00:00:26 These guys are not afraid of being loud and noisy, okay? They are like... Yeah, this song is definitely a roller coaster, for sure, in a great way. He does have a tone that is discernible. You know it's him. He is the king of the vocal fry. My winner is... Viewer discretion is advised. Your fave will be criticized. That's Shan. That's Chris. And we are CCTV, the nonstop pop show.
00:00:26 --> 00:00:32 And join us for a pop-up battle showdown of three of K-pop's biggest releases in June 2023.
00:00:35 --> 00:01:05 Looking for an awesome global pop music podcast? Well, Shan and I have the inside scoop with extensive experience performing on stage and working at record labels. We review and deep dive into your favorite artists, songs, and careers, analyzing all the creative and business decisions along the way. So come join us on Patreon at patreon.com slash cctvpops and become a part of our amazing crew, including Lissette, Lily, Emily, Curia, and Juliet. Subscribe now and let's explore the world of pop music together.
00:01:05 --> 00:01:32 We have hit 1 subscribers. On YouTube. On YouTube, yes. We haven't locked it in. We were waiting for it to lock in. I was like, I don't want to say anything until it's locked. It is locked in. We are at 1K. Thank you so much to the CCTV crew and even the casual watchers. Thank you for leaving the comments and letting us know how you feel. And a special thank you to everyone who voted on the polls on Patreon and across our socials. Your input helped us decide the songs for this episode.
00:01:32 --> 00:01:44 because last episode we had 500 votes, okay? It was real out in them streets, okay? And this month, you guys voted for Stray Kids S-Class, Ateez's Bouncy, and Taeyong with Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la.
00:01:45 --> 00:02:13 And if you're new to the show, Pop Off is where we will take some tracks and compare the songs themselves, the music videos and performances and choreography. Pick our favorites in each category and then pick the ultimate winner. And as a reminder, this is pure fun, so please don't take it too seriously and you can actually join in with us also in the comments. Tell us what wins in each category for you. So let's get ready to rumble! Round one.
00:02:15 --> 00:02:37 First in the ring is Stray Kids with S-Class. Player one. Done by Three Racha, AKA Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han of Stray Kids, Chae Kanghee, and Restart. This is the title track from Stray Kids' album, Five Star. All right, so the first round is about the song itself, the production, the melody, the vocals. What do you think?
00:02:39 --> 00:03:07 Dang it, dang it. I want to hear what you have to say. Okay, you know what I will say about Stray Kids? These guys are not afraid of being loud and noisy, okay? They are like... I mean, this is not like something that they're new to. They're not new to this. They're true to this. I think, like, lyrically speaking, the song is really interesting because it just falls right back in line. It's almost like a sequel to God's Menu. So it's just about saying how awesome they are, but not in a very, like...
00:03:07 --> 00:03:36 weird kind of braggadocious way it's almost just very confident very self-assured um and i appreciate that because they have come such a long way and sonically speaking their their songs were very like intense in the beginning where it's like my mental is not right like i'm trying to get myself together and now they're in this transitional period not even transition they transition into this period where they're very confident very bold and willing to say that we have come into this uh
00:03:36 --> 00:03:58 No one's really touching us. And it's true. They have a sound that is very much uniquely their own. And I do believe that is in part two, three yacha. Having people in your group that knows the voices, that cares about the sound, and are willing to experiment with the sounds. And it's more than just like one or two people. It's like literally three of those guys is really good. Because 2PM didn't have that. Yeah.
00:03:58 --> 00:04:23 GOT7 didn't get that until like the latter half of their career. And now we have this awesome sonic culmination of JYP producers, some outside producers, and then trainees who have grown up listening to all of that and listening to current music from the West as well. I like that there is a lyric about Serpent Road because it sounds like a DBZ reference.
00:04:23 --> 00:04:40 People are like, oh my God, like the serpent road in the anime where he goes to King Kai's house. But there are others on Reddit that are theorizing that the serpent, like a serpentine road is full of twists and turns. And like the guys have overcome those kind of things. And I love that S-class is their standard. Okay. Like, oh, that's like.
00:04:40 --> 00:05:00 You know, like it's like a car, you know, since we're like in that season of Grand Prix and such, it just fits so perfectly, you know. But yeah, I like that. It's like they're like a luxury vehicle. Best of the best at this point. They're just going forward and going upwards. Yeah. But I do have comments about that chorus, but I'm gonna let you take us where you need to take us.
00:05:00 --> 00:05:18 Yeah, I also have thoughts on the chorus. But yes, let me first give props also to the three Racha members. They've grown a lot as songwriters, as producers through the years. And I think I've said in the past, like Stray Kids isn't really for me. I'm not the right audience for it, I think.
00:05:18 --> 00:05:47 But I appreciate how much they take performance into account because I feel like a lot of Stray Kids discography, you can tell that it's made for concerts and it's made to be performed really well. And so I appreciate that. I do love the whistle and wind sounds kind of in the beginning. It's very intense in the beginning and there's a lot of tension all throughout. There's a lot of like sudden noises and stuff and there's like a really nice buildup in that chorus.
00:05:47 --> 00:06:07 But moving to that chorus, for me, a tad annoying. A tad annoying. I think it's fun to chant along to again. Perfect for a concert. I can't wait to see them do it in concert and watch the performances, which we'll get to. Has been really, really fun. But this is just not a song I would choose to really listen to, honestly.
00:06:07 --> 00:06:22 I do like the way the beat and vibe kind of changes throughout, especially that second rap verse, like with Changbit and Han. Like, that's a really cool switch up. The bridge is really nice. So I enjoy moments of it. Yeah. But it's just a little chaotic, personally, for me.
00:06:22 --> 00:06:49 I agree. And I think the phrasing of it was not great because bjรถr means star. So if I was trying to start, it doesn't sound good even in English or in Korean. I think it's just very like, it's not a great melody. And coming from like case 143 and then the song prior to that, Maniac, it's just like those choruses were so strong. So for you guys to kind of go back to this is a little bit like a step forward.
00:06:49 --> 00:07:19 backwards a little bit but then at least the the the the the the post hook is a little bit more like fun it's melodic it doesn't feel as like you know like a woodpecker um and that's a good that's a good reference actually because it's quite harsh like it's very like staccato and like yeah yeah that makes sense that makes sense yes and i think highlights highlights are like you said like that second verse that boom bap kind of
00:07:19 --> 00:07:45 cool b-boy moment um the outro from that singing bridge into the like that tandem rapping with changmin han felix and oh my god so satisfying and then we get like this interesting thing in the tail end of the music the outro excuse me not for nothing i gotta say i might get drag for this but this song implements the methods and musicality that you know that checks mix things i keep talking about within mix
00:07:45 --> 00:07:57 They kind of did it really well. I was a little bit like, what's going on when it switched? But it didn't take me out of the song where I was like, what's going on? So I'm hoping that InMix, whatever they decide to do going forward...
00:07:57 --> 00:08:22 You know, kind of follow this example, but it's just so funny that they jacked their little sister's style a little bit. Well, with Roller Coaster, I already heard Roller Coaster, but it is not an exchange mix, mix up, whatever they call it. I feel like they maybe have abandoned it, but we haven't heard the title track yet. So we'll see. So if you would like to hear us talk about Enmix when they come back, because it is in July, I believe, right? So let us know. You can vote for it. I mean...
00:08:22 --> 00:08:39 It's possible everyone's just going to vote for new jeans as well. But I think there's a lot of comebacks happening in July. So stay tuned to our socials for the polls. But OK, so moving on to player two, we have Ateez with bouncy parentheses K hot chili peppers.
00:08:39 --> 00:08:56 Player 2. And this one was done by Eden, Olunder, Buddy, Maddox, Pepperoni, Olive, Alexander Carlson, and Hongjoong and Mingi of ATEEZ. And this is the title track from The World EP2. Or EP2? Episode 2?
00:08:56 --> 00:09:22 Episode two, yeah. Outlaw. The world. It's like a movie. Listen, ATEEZ, they give me such Monsta X energy. Like, I remember when I was younger, like, the loudness, the bravado, the rap-focusedness of them. Just remind me so much of Monsta X. And if you take that as an offense, because sometimes somebody took an offense to my last comment about Comparisons last episode. Yeah. Yeah.
00:09:22 --> 00:09:46 But no, I mean, if someone takes offense to that, then I guess you don't like Masa X. But I love Masa X. They're one of my favorite groups. And I could totally hear ATEEZ at a festival. This song, okay. I think it's interesting, like the title and the way the song kind of flows. We've seen these names, these production names all throughout our bopping. So it kind of doesn't surprise me that it does sound like this. And it does sound good. Or...
00:09:46 --> 00:10:06 decent depending on how you look at it. I think the intro with all that chatter is hilarious. Okay. Sit back and relax. You want a bet? No time for you. Who are you talking to? It's so funny. They're just talking. They're a mess. I got time for you. I got time, but it's not for you, bro. You know what I'm saying? They were just going off. I was like...
00:10:06 --> 00:10:27 Did y'all like take turns and we're all in the studio just running him out? It is great. I'm obviously joking, but already the tone has been set with this confident, confrontational approach. Like they know whatever fight they're getting into, they're going to win. And I love that. It's so confident. Very similar to S-Class, but this one is very much like,
00:10:28 --> 00:10:48 Yeah, no, no, no. We are that-ish. We are hot. Get with it or don't, whatever. It's still going to be what it is. I can show you how to get like this, actually. And I think that is so fun. The song is similar in the energy to real, but I like that it's pulled back in that chorus because I wasn't expecting that because it's just it's revving up. You know, you have all this loud singing, this yelling, come on, everybody.
00:10:48 --> 00:11:09 And then slow it down. When I heard that, the way my body was like, oh my God, what is this? Because at first I thought that the music, it almost sounds like a wrecking ball getting slammed into like a building. It's very bombastic. It's cacophonic. Yeah, I was right. Cacophonic. It's loud.
00:11:09 --> 00:11:26 And then even the vocals are almost a little too processed. There's a lot of throaty singing that. They love that. Yeah, that's definitely their style. But because it's so processed over this already like very involved instrumentation, it almost like took me out for a second. But then that slowed down, make it bouncy came around.
00:11:26 --> 00:11:54 And I was like, oh, hang on. And it just it helps to have that ebb and flow. So when you finally hit that end and you shift into another gear, you start speeding down the road, headbanging. So I appreciate that there's a lot of electronic elements. And I'm happy that the production team had an idea to just cool off, get it hot again, cool off again. And just, you know, allow for the ears of the listener to kind of breathe in a sense.
00:11:54 --> 00:12:15 So I appreciate that because the reel did not let you breathe at all. Yeah, this song is definitely a roller coaster for sure in a great way. I mean, I think same as what you're saying with Stray Kids, like Hongjoong also, you know, he's a big creative force behind ATEEZ. And he's also really refined the sound. Like when you listen to their earlier stuff, they have grown so much.
00:12:15 --> 00:12:31 And I think very much like Stray Kids, they also make songs kind of made for concerts and performance as well. So the dynamic is kind of built in for that. And they were also kind of known to be a noisy group, quote unquote noisy. And you could say noisy.
00:12:31 --> 00:12:53 either in a negative way or a positive way. I think personally it works for some songs. It doesn't work as much for other songs, but I think for this one, it totally works. I think it's really, really cool. The wiry synths are quite intense and definitely harsh on the ears, but the way they layered it in, it's not too harsh. Like it didn't make me want to turn it off. You know what I mean? Like I was like intrigued by it.
00:12:53 --> 00:13:18 I also agree. Love the chorus. I love how it pulls back. It's cool. I think the chipmunk effect for the second round is fun. Yeah. And even more fun as we kind of get into the visuals of it as well. You mentioned the processing. I'm not a big fan of the overuse of autotune in rap verses, because I do think they use it a little too much kind of across their discography. But I do appreciate that...
00:13:18 --> 00:13:38 they do do a good job of having all their rappers stand out. Like all the cadence is completely different. All the flow is completely different. So that keeps it interesting across the song. I love the bridge as well. It's made to be chanted with. It's a really cool build that where it kind of gets higher and higher and higher. And then it pulls back again for that final chorus until that...
00:13:38 --> 00:13:55 crazy outro climax which is very satisfying it totally goes where i wanted it to go oh yeah and there are these beautiful harmonized like oh's in the back as well um which is very nice um and also did you hear about like about how people were talking about what k hot chili peppers
00:13:55 --> 00:14:10 You know what? You know what? I thought it was like the red hot chili peppers. Because even Hongjoong was like, yeah, you know, the band, we're rock stars. But I do know that gochoo in Korean is like a pinga. It's slang for a certain part.
00:14:10 --> 00:14:38 of a man's body. Yeah. Which I find so funny. That's hilarious. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So it's interesting comparing Stray Kids and Ateez because I feel like they do kind of have a similar lane. I think they have done a good job of separating their sounds, but I feel like if you're a fan of one of them, you're likely a fan of the other because it is quite sonically similar in that way. And they kind of are going for that same vibe. So it's interesting we're comparing them directly. But there is a player three.
00:14:38 --> 00:15:06 Oh, yes, there is. And this player is Taeyong with a sha-la-la-la-la-la-la-la. Player three. So this one was done by Taeyong, Omega Sapien, Cha-main, Divine Channel, Park Yong-kwang, and Denzel World Peace. It reminds me of Metta World Peace. If y'all don't know who Metta World Peace is, he's a basketball player. Either way, this is a title track from Taeyong's debut EP, Sha-la-la. I'm not going to add any more a-la-la-las. Yeah, absolutely.
00:15:06 --> 00:15:29 So he's finally made his proper solo debut. I've always said Taehyung is such a clear star, kind of in every way, except for maybe musically. I wasn't really sure where he was going to go as a solo artist, because I'm going to be honest, I don't personally think his vocal ability is that strong, either as a rapper or as a vocalist.
00:15:29 --> 00:15:54 a singer or anything but i feel like it's kind of the whole package kind of thing so i was curious how he was gonna do but this is kind of what i expected from him you know it's like a cool kind of laid-back sexy hip-hop based track um so i do think in that way it's kind of safe but then it also that makes sense i guess as a solo debut you know kind of give the fans what they would want from you
00:15:54 --> 00:16:15 So yeah, I think the production is interesting. It is quite bare. So then when there are kind of interesting elements to it, it does let those elements shine. And I think especially after listening to the last two where it was just like a lot, it's kind of nice to hear something a little more laid back here. It does have a nice bounce to it. You know, he says the word bounce a lot in there as well. So that makes sense.
00:16:15 --> 00:16:42 But yeah, there's some cool little percussion moments in it. I like the whomping bass in it. And it is catchy. The chorus is memorable. You know, I think it's one of those where, you know, even before the song is over, you can sing along to it for sure. And, you know, I did just kind of diss his vocals a little bit, but I actually have to say he actually sounds quite good on it. Yeah. You know, I think he I like how low the whole thing is for the most part. He uses some nice dynamics throughout it. You get a little bit.
00:16:42 --> 00:16:52 of singing as well in the second pre-chorus, which does break it up nicely as well. So I think for a solo debut, it's good.
00:16:52 --> 00:17:15 Yeah, you know, just in your defense, Molly, before someone tries to come at us, I don't think you're being like dissing. It's kind of like a little bit of like a, it's an opinion, but it's not like completely wrong either. His tone is not like, you're not expecting him to be like a Doe Young, right? Like you were right. Yeah, yeah. No, he's not a vocalist. That's not his role, you know? Yes, exactly. That's what I'm saying. So don't come for crazy.
00:17:15 --> 00:17:36 but yeah no he doesn't have a tone that is um well he does have a tone excuse me he does have a tone that is discernible you know it's him he is the king of the vocal fry okay every time i've heard him on a track it's like oh it's great and it's nice because all of his songs have been relegated to like sm station fodder so yeah
00:17:36 --> 00:18:00 They were like, we'll give you something. You want to have this track? They're not bad, but they weren't this. We got a nice little T-Y track. T-Y track. And the NCT fans know where that's from. I do like the drum sample or the drum pattern. It does remind me of a music library sample. I'm not sure if it's Splice or Arcade, but that isn't a bad thing because there's a song by Say, S-A-A-Y,
00:18:00 --> 00:18:25 And it's called Zigga Zoo. So it's like ZGZG. And it had like this drum pattern that I found on Splice a little while back. It's not a bad thing. It's just very minimal, very just purposefully patterned, kind of just layered throughout the song. So it's a good kind of like foundational beat because that clinky clankiness is fun to hear. You can kind of develop and add to it because it was so simple. And it gave...
00:18:25 --> 00:18:43 I think the ending is where it shines a little bit even more because once you've had all this minimal kind of production, you get like this little bridge moment and outro that adds more little flares here and there. I think the the bridge section is great with a slow whoa, whoa, and actually get slow instead of like this abrupt switch.
00:18:43 --> 00:19:03 Sometimes a little corny moment of like telling people, hey, this is a breakdown or like, hey, we're about to slow it down is welcome. And this still kind of had a little bit of musicality where you can still feel some movement in his vocals and you can imagine kind of melting down and being slow because there's like a little flute toward the end, like a flute sound. Yeah.
00:19:03 --> 00:19:29 And yeah, I think Taehyung's voice also adds a certain melodic element to the song. I think it's interesting that he's able to kind of jump in and out of rapping pretty normally and then adding a little bit of quirky sounds and effects because it sounds like him. He doesn't sound like any other rapper that I can really think of right now, which is good, especially from SM because SM isn't known for their raps at all, right? Right.
00:19:29 --> 00:19:52 And I think lyrically, the song is also another confidence. The boys are back in their bag this month. They are in their big bag. He's like, I won the game of life at birth. It doesn't get any better than that. And he's like, I can do it all. I was like, go off. I mean, if you're going to be the leader of NCT, you better. Like one of the biggest SM hottest, like the hottest SM group. You better talk your ish. It's not a bad song. I will definitely say that for sure. Yeah.
00:19:52 --> 00:20:19 For sure. All right, so it's time to pick a winner of round one, the song. So my winner is Ateez with Bouncy. It's good. How about you? Oh, it feels kind of hard. I'm going to match you. I think Ateez won it for me, too. Sorry, guys. But will they win the next round, which is about the video? Round two.
00:20:21 --> 00:20:31 Hopping right into our first video. It's with Stray Kids S-Class. Mm-hmm. Hmm. This one was interesting. It kind of made me put on my thinking cap a bit. Yeah.
00:20:32 --> 00:20:54 My little tin hat. I didn't put it on too much for this one. I think the video is definitely a combination of like the guys' concepts thus far and their personality and brand identity as a group. Like there are some extras in the back. One's, I think it's Hyunjin. He breaks this mirror almost like from Inception. Like he breaks this mirror and then behind it is like this...
00:20:54 --> 00:21:17 world full of all the characters and people they've encountered, like in God's Menu and Thunderous and things like that. So I think that's really fun to kind of tie that all back in. I'm not sure if this group has a lore because they release so much music and it's hard to keep up. But if you are a stay, please let us know if they do have a lore that we should be paying attention to. If it adds to the music, the music video, excuse me. And I do...
00:21:17 --> 00:21:42 I think it's interesting that they are in all these mundane places. They're on a rooftop. They're in the street. They're at home. Very mundane things. But once they step onto the scene or start to do something, fireworks are going. They're breaking the walls of reality. There's an octopi. There's a lot of weird things like that. The video's almost a little campy at points. You sit there dancing, living your best life, and this octopus is like...
00:21:42 --> 00:21:59 He's back there killing people. Excuse me. I mean, like deleting people. Excuse me. The behaviors throughout the videos, the video is like really unserious. There are moments of like sincerity, like, oh, we're working really hard. But like, no, it's not meant to be like, oh, my gosh.
00:21:59 --> 00:22:22 This is saying something meaningful. I will say the underground clone thing was a little random. I don't know what that meant all the way, but maybe they were looking down at their former selves or perhaps looking on, you know, like groups that might come after, you know, successors that might come after, like learning and following in their footsteps. I don't know. Like a little colony of ants. One thing I will say, though, I don't know how I feel about that cult scene with the flames.
00:22:22 --> 00:22:37 I didn't understand what that was saying either. Dude, I'm trying to think that maybe it was Stay, the fandom, because, like, they said that they feel like Stay was a SWAT team. So all the black in the dark-clothed figures were possibly Stay, like, perfecting them or, like, saying...
00:22:37 --> 00:23:06 Yes, world domination for Stray Kids. I don't know. I'm trying to figure it out. But that's all I could figure out. That's my theory. Okay, yeah. I enjoyed the video for sure. It did take me a few watches to really process a lot of the scenes. Because a lot of it was just a bit random. But it was enjoyable. I will say I do love the construction site on the water at night in Seoul. That whole scene was really beautiful. So yeah, I thought that was cool.
00:23:06 --> 00:23:31 I also really enjoyed, I mentioned the second verse earlier, I think the way they did the transition for the video too was also really, really cool. And the way it zooms out and then now you're looking at the set replica as well, like in the middle of the room. That was the coolest part for me. The whole octopus fight was interesting. After watching it a few times, I noticed though that the boy, or the members, members were not actually participating in the battle. They kind of just happened to be there, right?
00:23:31 --> 00:23:49 So that made it even more interesting. You're just kind of there. So I kind of like that because I think that could have very easily turned into some like weird like superhero kind of thing where they like help fight off this octopus. But they're just kind of there. Just kind of fun. Yeah. So, yeah, I enjoyed that.
00:23:49 --> 00:24:13 So yeah, I think they're great on camera overall. I do like that they don't take themselves too seriously because I think with a song like this, you could go that route and they haven't really done that in a while. So yeah, I think they're good performers. I enjoyed it. Yeah. Oh my gosh. Quick thing, quick thing. Have you seen the Skazoo? Skate? SK Zoo? Like the little characters? Yeah, I saw the little characters. Yeah.
00:24:13 --> 00:24:36 He looks so cute. Oh my God, I loved it. That's all I want to say. Han as a hamster. I didn't know. I mean, he looks like one, but he has a hamster character. That's all I'll say about that. That was so cute. And I'm doing the little, you know, it was so cute. I'm over it. I'm done. Okay. All right. Moving on to player two. We have ATEEZ with Bouncy. What'd you think of this cowboy Western concept?
00:24:36 --> 00:24:52 You know, watching them feels like watching Monsta X. I mean, I'm just going to keep saying, because I love Monsta X. I'm starting to like ATEEZ a lot. I think when we were hosting the A-Land dance competition a couple months back, be sure to watch our vlog on that, you were like, you saw me like singing the song. You were like, oh, you know that song? I was like, yeah, yeah.
00:24:52 --> 00:25:14 Yeah. I was back there like singing all the songs. They're a group that I do like singles wise. And I think eventually I'll probably go back and listen to more B-side things. But yeah, their energy is very infectious in terms of like, it's not just like, oh, wow, they're loud and stuff like that. You can see they meet you where they are.
00:25:14 --> 00:25:41 They meet you where they bring you to where they are, excuse me, and meet you kind of like in the middle where it's like you're like you're watching the video. Are you enjoying this? Like, it just feels like you're really immersed in that world. And I think they've done a really good job of world building for sure. All throughout their career, whoever is like conceptualizing all of this have taken a lot of meticulous like work into this. And I do appreciate the effort because I feel like I should know this. I feel like and sometimes even if you don't know it, it kind of.
00:25:41 --> 00:26:07 it kind of piques your curiosity, like, oh, why is this happening? Why is that happening? But this video, even if it does kind of go into the lore, there's so much going on that you don't even really need to know what's happening for the most part to enjoy the video. The camera work, I think, is what adds to the video itself. Because if it was just a static shot of a lot of these action scenes or even the dancing scene, the video probably wouldn't have been as awesome or, like, not awesome, but...
00:26:07 --> 00:26:24 uh, dynamic as it came across, especially with Mingi's scene, with the shooting scene. It felt like a Tarantino film, but it was mixed with like neon noir, Western influences. So it felt like drive, but then looked like wild, wild west. It was really interesting. So it was very futuristic. Um,
00:26:24 --> 00:26:44 And some of these scenes, although it didn't like make all of the sense, like with Yo-sung and Jung-hwa being like carriers of sorts. I don't know what that meant, but them on the motorcycles were just great. I don't know how to feel about it, but it was random. The motorcycles was giving me girls allowed, wake me up, for sure.
00:26:44 --> 00:27:07 You know, the looking over the shoulder. Yes. Absolutely. Oh, man. So first off, I had mentioned the chipmunk part of the chorus. I loved the parrot scene this time. I think, was it Yuno that's with him? Yeah. With the parrot. Oh, my gosh. That's so awesome. I thought it was so hilarious. Yeah. Just have to shout that part out because it's very memorable. And that's all I think of now when I hear the song. But...
00:27:07 --> 00:27:32 um i love atez's visuals like ever since the beginning i love how they just fully commit to the concept yeah in every way and they do a really good job every single member as well is fully fully committed and i really really appreciate that um so i love watching all of their music videos and this one definitely did not disappoint um yeah i think all the set design
00:27:32 --> 00:27:58 Was really, really well done. I thought the bar was really cool. I thought the building rooftop was really cool. The whole fight scene with San was really, really cool. I liked the color changes as well. Parts of it were like black and white and it all kind of felt really grungy and dirty and everything. Yeah, dirty. Yeah, just really, really cool. I also loved, I forgot who was doing it, but the chili pepper being cut open to then be a bullet. Oh, oh. And then that whole like bullet graphic, like that whole part. Oh, yeah.
00:27:58 --> 00:28:25 Oh yeah, it was Hongju. Yeah, yeah, yeah. That whole part was also really, really cool. I think the only scene that didn't really make sense was the mansion. Yeah, the white mansion moment. Because it was also only for like five seconds, maybe. Like, I guess the bullet goes through that window. But that was like the only connection to the rest of the video. And it just, they never went back to it after that. I was just, it just didn't make sense in the whole thing. So let us know if there's...
00:28:25 --> 00:28:40 more lore to that or if there's a reason for that or maybe, you know, they do this whole kind of concept and story throughout their songs, right? So maybe that leads into the next song. I don't know. That was the only scene that I was very confused about. But they're such good performers and they're
00:28:40 --> 00:29:02 They're so good. I've said it before. ATEEZ, I went to their concert not knowing really any of their songs well. And I came out like so impressed, like still one of the best K-pop concerts I think I've ever been to. And so they just kept improving too. And like, they're so, so good. Like, you can just tell that they all love doing this.
00:29:02 --> 00:29:28 Yeah. Even those motorcycle scenes, they're fully committed. Yeah, absolutely. You know, so, yeah, I have to give them props. They always kill it with the visuals. They never disappoint, really. No, no, I agree. I agree. And, you know, we're going to get into the lemonade stand in the performance section, since you brought this up in the performance section. But I'm going to hold off for now because the thirst is real. So let's just hop right into...
00:29:28 --> 00:29:49 Taeyong with I had so many laws but the song the video it's it's interesting what did you get from this video I could probably just go on and say but I'm just I'm curious to know what you thought because sometimes I just like how does Chris process this well it was like him hacking the multiverse right
00:29:50 --> 00:30:15 Yeah, I mean, pretty much. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Great. Okay. Yeah. No, I loved it. I think I've said already, Taeyong is such a star. I knew he would not disappoint visually. And there is a quirkiness to him as well. So I was expecting and wanting something weird. And he totally delivered on that. I agree. Love the neon green hair as well, I have to say. I'm sad he didn't keep it for the performances, but I'm sure that's awful to maintain. So...
00:30:15 --> 00:30:37 Wigs, y'all, wigs. Come on. Oh, man. But yes, I thought the whole thing was really cool. Like for the very first shot where you see God in quotes at his, you know, security camera station thing, his CCTV station, if you will. But also being like gross and messy at the same time. I loved that already. Like from the start.
00:30:37 --> 00:30:56 And of course, you know, I'm a 90s kid. Love all the 90s influences with the Game Boy and the old school computers and the way the graphics were done as well, where it looked like a 90s video game. Yeah. So, yeah, I feel like it was one of those. They set it up well, where right from the start, you know, you're going to get something odd.
00:30:56 --> 00:31:13 And so as things happen, like the Yeti bowling and the knight working in the office and stuff, like it's at that point, you're already like accepting of it. Like you're not even questioning it because it's kind of like, OK, like he's like in this weird universe and he's like messing the whole thing up for this like.
00:31:14 --> 00:31:44 God. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So I thought the whole thing was super entertaining. I really enjoyed watching it the multiple times that I did. And there's kind of always something new to look at too. But there's also, I'm glad that he, they kept it to only a few different scenes. It wasn't like every five seconds he was in some new world. Like they kept it very much. It was kind of like the Yeti had a few different moments, like with the bowling and then the video game playing and stuff. Then the night had a few different moments, but that's kind of like enough, you know? Yeah. Yeah. Cause it would have turned into like everything everywhere at once. Yeah. Yeah.
00:31:44 --> 00:32:11 So I think they did just enough. I really, really enjoyed it. He killed it. Yeah. No, I think I agree as well. I think for some reason, the keep it low key in the beginning, it sounds like low key to me, like from Marvel Universe. Oh, yeah. So I was getting like variants in the metaverse. I appreciate that too. So I'm just going to just throw it at you and throw it right into what you were saying as well. I think the video was fun. The dance scenes and like the security, the CCTV office is cute. Yes.
00:32:11 --> 00:32:27 I like the use of the neon. That was fun. So it's like things like that just kind of make me really appreciate SM's budget. But also makes me kind of just like, dang, I wish they would get a little bit more like quirkier with SM.
00:32:27 --> 00:32:47 You know, their artists and stop like playing it safe. But I guess another conversation for our NCT Ultimate episodes. If you have not watched those episodes, definitely watch it. We talk about NCT a lot on this. And the last one was so much fun. And yeah, NCT is a big fat mess right now. No fault of the members their own. You know, no fault of their own. But yeah, that'd be a fun conversation next year. We'll see what happens.
00:32:47 --> 00:33:08 But yes, all that being said, which one is your favorite video out of all three? You have S-Class and Bouncy. That's hard. That's really hard. I would say the most memorable one, like the one that I can watch like over and over again, is actually probably Taeyong. Yeah, so I'll give it to him. Yeah.
00:33:08 --> 00:33:33 Oh, interesting. Okay, dang. Because of just what they did in it and how I feel watching it, I think it's bouncy for me. So they kind of took the second round for me. All right, so our final round is about the performance and the choreography, which all three of these artists are very, very good at. So this will be a tough decision. Round three.
00:33:34 --> 00:33:48 But we'll start with player one, which was Stray Kids. So what did you think of the S-Class choreography and performance? Oh, boy. This crap is hard. I'm trying to learn God's Menu, and that was difficult. But this is like...
00:33:48 --> 00:34:05 This is difficult, not just because it's like fast, but there's so many different genres. And to sit there and go in between like B-boy, you know, kind of top rocking a little bit to like the new hit. I forgot what this dance movie was called, that post-chorus. Dun-dun-dun-dun-dun-dun-dun-dun.
00:34:05 --> 00:34:26 I forgot what that movement's called. I cannot think of it right now. But that in itself is hard because there's a lot of footwork that they do in the chorus. And then they switch it up to do that part. Even in the beginning, the first verse with Hyunjin singing, they're doing like this little move hip sway. Get out of here. Get out of here. I enjoyed that. Yeah. The popping, the Bjรถrn handography. I will not lie. That crap was so misleading because I know Bjรถrn is star. Yeah.
00:34:26 --> 00:34:53 But this does not indicate star in me. It just looks like stab, stab, stabby, stabby, stab, stab. You know what I'm saying? That was more a musicality thing, I think. Exactly. Yeah. Which I appreciate because it wasn't like they were like, or whatever, or like doing something with their hands with stars. But I do, I would appreciate a little tut moment with a star hand. That would have been cute. Oh my God, that'd be crazy. They can, they would. I know, yeah, sure. Hyunjin could do it. But yeah, no, I think all together as like a group,
00:34:53 --> 00:35:13 It is super interesting to watch them, especially, again, toward that bridge section with the little tandem or like the baton passing of rappers. That section was fire. Like one section, we have one rapper going. Everyone drops or does something different. Like it just carries on like this wave and then they get together. And then all of a sudden you get to this ending and there's a slight guitar sound. There's a moving on that. I'm like, yo.
00:35:13 --> 00:35:38 No one's touching them in terms of, like, tightness. And Hyunjin's in the middle of all that. So, of course, it kind of just trickles down where it's, like, Hyunjin and everyone else, like, who's good behind him. And he's kind of just, there's no, like, black hole in this group. I will say that. Like, no one's, like, absolutely terrible. But you can see, like, they're having their best hit is in the front. And it shows. It absolutely shows. The Kwayo is bananas. But it's solid. And I do appreciate it.
00:35:38 --> 00:36:05 For sure. Yeah, for sure. I will say out of these three, the musicality for this one is probably the best. It's insane. And I think it helps, of course, that you do have three of the members that worked on the song and made the song. And I believe they also work on their choreography as well. And so that makes sense because then they can pick out those little elements like, oh, I put a guitar there. We should hit it. Like, oh, I put this like little beat here. Like we should hit that. Or like we produced this so that we would do a move like this.
00:36:05 --> 00:36:31 You know, you can kind of feel that because it matches the song so perfectly. Like, I cannot fault it in that at all. And they do a good job this time. And they've done it more kind of with all the latest songs. They do have like little chill moments like that little hips way that you mentioned with the super high intensity grooves. And of course, the dance break as well. Super intricate and sharp, which is what you'd want there. You mentioned the footwork.
00:36:31 --> 00:36:55 Yeah, the footwork, especially the pre-chorus as well. It is, it's good. It's hard. Yeah, I do think the chorus choreography, the eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, I can't even do it. The front back front back? It's very memorable, at least. Yeah. You know? So it makes you remember the song as well. So at the point choreography, you know, it makes sense for sure. And yeah, you mentioned all the rappers coming in and out for their lines in that final buildup. I love that.
00:36:55 --> 00:37:15 So dynamic, so dynamic. And then also I watched a bunch of performances as well. Any angle, it looks really good. It doesn't matter where they're coming from. Even the fan cam versions that are just wide and you kind of see the whole thing. It looks really, really cool. So yeah, can't fault them with this one. It's really good choreo. Made me like the song more as well.
00:37:16 --> 00:37:44 You know, yeah, yeah. Which I have to say is usually the case for Stray Kids. When I see them perform it, that's when I get it a lot more. But then I don't go back to then listen to the song. I just like watching them perform it. Perform it. Yeah, that's valid. That's valid. We have ATEEZ with Bouncy up next. And they're another one who... I mean, their choreography has always been so... From what I can remember, when they first started, they were getting queer from like...
00:37:45 --> 00:38:07 California, like, New York, like, American choreographers. They were like, you want some dance crew crap? We got you. So they've always moved, like, a dance crew. Yeah. And this one is, like, absolutely no exception. I just want to just give shout-outs and not give, like, a whole broad thing. Just Sangha's part, Sangha's part is from the underworld. The fact that he has to sit there and do that throaty singing and footwork, he's like, hehehe.
00:38:07 --> 00:38:37 And they sing live. Can I just say, I mean, Stray Kids too, but A-T's, they, like their mics are on, on. I feel like Stray Kids, they kind of like, they lip sync certain parts, you know, because certain parts, they're hard to sing live the way that they write some of their stuff. But A-T's, their mics are on, on. It's hard to sit there and try to sing that way with that cadence, with that footwork. And the fact that everyone else has stopped, they stopped dancing, so there's nothing to kind of like cover you. Everyone just stopped and he's in there.
00:38:37 --> 00:39:06 Yeah. Um, the point choreography is amazing with that line dance. Like, come on. At first, the whole bouncy part by itself is cute. We get that. We get that, right? You kind of just stand in place. When it comes back around for that second time, it's like, yo, I want friends. Follow me so we can do a conga line like ATEEZ. I need friends. I want six more people to come do this with me. It's great. Um, and I've got to say, I love the styling for these performances.
00:39:06 --> 00:39:21 So it's time to introduce Shands Lemonade. And once again, where your thirst is welcome, but it will not be quenched. Woo! I kept to say everyone in this group has stepped into their man puberty and Sean's arms are out.
00:39:21 --> 00:39:36 You know, Mingi's wearing these little crowns, you know what I'm saying? He's wearing glasses and stuff. Boy, everyone looks darn good. And Puyang, oh my God, he has like this mischievous cute thing about him. He's, wow. If you are a fan and you have biases in this group, you got them wrecked.
00:39:36 --> 00:40:04 in this whole performance. Like, everyone was giving it. And then who really surprised me? Yo-Sang. Yo-Sang has such a beautiful face, but then he's so buff. Like, I feel like he'd be perfect for a K-drama version of Sailor Moon's Wait Sight. It's just, like, he's so beautiful, but be a great villain. Like, I would love... He's so buff. He's like a buff princess. I love it. I'm not saying, like, I'm not, you know, making him a different gender, but he's just, like, visually appealing, and then suddenly you see these big old meaty arms. Like, they all look like...
00:40:05 --> 00:40:34 I look like men. But they look very manly. Like they're singing about, they look like what they're singing about. Like I don't doubt them at this point, you know? But yeah, I'm done. The ending of the song makes you headbang and I love that they do that. And yeah, their outfits always make me happy because the styling is cohesive. Yeah. It's neat. I just enjoy them. But I'm done. Lemonade stand has been closed. Yes, I won't go too hard. For now. For now. Let's see who comes back next month. But I believe it's a lot of girl groups next month. So I don't know.
00:40:36 --> 00:40:51 Anyway, love ATEEZ as performers. Like, I watched all the performances and kept looking for more. Like, it's so, so good. I don't even know what else to say. Like, the point dance...
00:40:51 --> 00:41:20 Like the body roll thing. Yeah. Oh, it's so good. I love the big circle clap thing. Like the whole thing is just so much fun. Like I would love to learn this. I don't have time to, but I would love to learn it. Because yeah, it just looks really, really fun. And again, going back to what I said earlier, every single member is fully, fully committed. And I love that the way they did the dynamic this time with the background dancers and stuff, they're used really well because they're clearly support.
00:41:20 --> 00:41:38 Yes. And they don't take any attention away from the members. And all the members, they each kind of get their own moment at least once or twice throughout the whole song. They all have a unique section. And I really, really appreciate that. So, yeah, the whole thing is just super, super fun. Again, going back to musicality.
00:41:40 --> 00:41:58 Also really, really great musicality as well, because like we mentioned earlier, this song's a full roller coaster and you feel that with the dance as well. It brings you in and out and you look forward to that chorus when they kind of do kind of slow it down a little bit. And yeah, the conga line is brilliant.
00:41:58 --> 00:42:18 Yes. I cannot wait to see ILD or whatever dance whatever dance crews plan to cover this because we got a lot of ATs at the A-Land competition so I'm expecting more because this will be a fun one for sure. Oh yeah for sure. On that stage shoot I would love to see people trying to care about that. Great. Alright and lastly we have
00:42:18 --> 00:42:44 Taeyong with his shalalalala dance. All right, now. I was doing it the whole time. What do you think about these chest slapping and the clapping and the, yeah. The Macarena. The Macarena, yes. The Macarena. That's great. Yeah. I think, as I mentioned earlier with the video, Taeyong, he is such a good performer. He's one of those people that can kind of just stand on stage. And we've seen him live a few times as well with Super M, with NCT, and he always...
00:42:44 --> 00:43:14 has so much presence. So he's very, very lucky that he has that because then he doesn't... Have to do too much. Have to do too much, which is brilliant. A lot of performers can't say that. So that's a brilliant quality to have. Right. So yeah, I really enjoy that this choreography, they made it feel very loose. Like it is actually quite technical at times, but they made it feel like a freestyle. And because he's such a good dancer as well, it feels very relaxed. Yeah.
00:43:14 --> 00:43:34 the whole time. It's a ton of grooves. It's very, very complicated. There's some really, really quick moments, but it looks super easy the whole time, which I really appreciate. And that matches how kind of chill the song is and the way he's executing it as well. Like, bounce. The whole thing is just so loose.
00:43:34 --> 00:43:59 Yes. So again, going back to musicality, all three of these songs, really, really good musicality, like totally, totally matched. I thought the little Macarena reference, at first I was like, what's happening? But then when I saw the dance challenges, like on Instagram and stuff, like people were having so much fun with it. And it's all like little body rolls and stuff. Like everyone had a lot of fun. So I get it. I get it now. It took me a minute, but it does work. Yes.
00:44:00 --> 00:44:21 Your bounce was amazing. It was great. Oh, thank you. You hit it. You hit the notes. You know what? Just going back to what you were saying, he is like a pocket elf. He is a kangaroo that lives in his mother's pocket. Either way, he's in a pocket. And he lives in such a cool pocket within the music. And for those who aren't dancers, like a pocket means like that he...
00:44:21 --> 00:44:34 moves seamlessly through the music, connecting the movement from like count one to count two is not just like this awkward abrupt stop without being too early or too late. Like he really dances through the phrase. And I think that's why it looks so simple. Cause he's just like,
00:44:35 --> 00:44:51 And the shirt, everything has a reason. And, you know, I like that because his hands come back to his shoulder. He's pulling out the shirt. He's dipping down. And I think the choreo, like you said, is deceptively easy looking. Oh, my God.
00:44:51 --> 00:45:17 I was like, oh, let me see. I sit there and thought, oh, yeah, I can do this. And then I started like trying to F around. And I was like, oh, it F'd around and F'd me up. So I was like, wait, hang on. But the chorus is easier than the verses. And then the bridge into the outro is probably one of my favorite parts because it gets really fun. Like he's dancing with his crew, kind of doing their little thing. There's a little moment he lifts up his foot. It just gets a little more quirky.
00:45:18 --> 00:45:39 with the movements as opposed to just hip-hop stuff. And I think overall, again, if you're going to be the leader of a group and constantly keep putting it in the forefront, you definitely got to come correct, and he did. So, I'm going to say about that. The boy got it. The boy got it. Yes. So, yes, I thoroughly enjoyed watching all three performances, but we have to choose a winner. Do we?
00:45:40 --> 00:46:07 Have we ever had a draw on the show? No, you're not allowed. We can't do that in Street Fighter. Not at all. Actually, you can. You can have a tie in Street Fighter. You're right. I mean, we were scoring this. If you were, like, really scoring this, like, whose hand was it on up on the right spot? Whose dance do I want to learn the most? This is where my vote is coming from. Whose dance do I want to learn the most? It's A.T.'s for me. Sorry, Sha-la-la-la-la-la, man. Wow, they got a straight sweep for you this time. I know. They usually don't. That was crazy, but...
00:46:08 --> 00:46:32 Yeah, I'll agree with you. I'll actually use the same criteria because it is tough because I think all three groups are such good performers and the choreography is really well done for all three. So, yeah, I will never get bored of watching AT perform this, I think. So, yeah, AT is bouncy, wins the third round. Winner! So I think it's pretty clear what wins overall for you, right?
00:46:33 --> 00:46:52 Listen, okay, it's not my fault that my inner HBCU line there. I mean, A.T.'s killed it. It's like a sorority. Yeah, they feel like a fraternity. They look like a fraternity. They were like pledging or some crap. I'm with it. Yeah, they won for me. I have to give it to A.T.'s too, for sure. Oh, really? Yeah. Out of these three, I have to. I have to. Yeah. It's so good.
00:46:52 --> 00:47:22 This doesn't mean that we don't think these groups and the soloists are good. It's just a matter of our personal taste and all things like that. So, again, let us know how you all feel and keep it nice in the comments. But, yeah, that's all I have to say about that because last time people were all mean. Yes. And let us know what you think of this new format for Is It Boppin'? Because we felt that the pop-offs were a little more fun for us when we discuss it. So we thought we'd do this. So let us know what you think of this new format. We could always revert back if you prefer it. But, yeah. I like this one.
00:47:22 --> 00:47:49 Yes. So stay tuned to our socials because we will be putting up polls towards the end of July so that you can vote for all the comebacks that are happening because there are a lot in July. And you can also hang out with us and the crew on Patreon to help us choose our other next episode topics. And you can comment below as well with any suggestions if you'd like to hear us do some deep dives into albums or careers, etc, etc. So...
00:47:49 --> 00:48:04 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications on our YouTube channel. And if you're enjoying the show on a podcast platform, please give us a follow, rating, and review. Until next time, that's Shan. That's Chris. And we're signing off from CTV, the nonstop pop show.