Posted by : KimAngie August 08, 2013

Oh...shirtless men.


Phew.
Although it may be a bit late, there's some things about this comeback that I need to get off my chest. I, being a big fan of VIXX (Ok, maybe a huge fan of  VIXX), panicked when I heard that they were going for a summer concept because that usually includes...aegyo...*shivers*. Now, I have nothing against cutesy-concepts-- for all I care they can go all out-- it's just they almost never win me over. But VIXX, oh VIXX, somewhat managed to?


These six handsome boys, along with JellyFish Ent., decided to spice things a bit and go opposite from the mainstream by using a backwards masking technique for their video. What's that, you ask? "Backmasking is a recording technique in which a sound or message is recorded backward on to a track that is meant to be played forward", thanks Wikipedia. If you haven't checked it out, today's your lucky day because here you go:




The video - Do you see how their lip-syncing matches the song even though the video is being played backwards? Wonder how? It's not some out-of-this-world video editing, no, it's that while recording these boys sung the song backwards (yeah, backwards)- meaning they memorized the lyrics backwards- and once they re-winded the recording, boom!(shakalaka) the magic happens. Their lips matches the song, and they're doing all sorts of chaotic things...backwards.

Now, you may be thinking that the reason why they decided to go with such an unusual technique only seen twice by Seo Taiji and Epik high is because they're hipsters-- but that's not the case. In their previous release (which you can check out here, if you already haven't), they played these vicious and savage vampires who just couldn't control (ha! Get it?) their love for a girl that brought out their inner monster. It may seem random, but trust me-- it's not. You may or may not have heard the idiom 'Jekyll and Hyde,' but it means a person with a good and evil side-- a split personality. What they're doing is portraying Hyde (the title actually makes sense!), their evil side, which then transitions into Jekyll, their good side, in G.R.8.U. This is no careless doing though, we all know that the video is being played backwards and they're all having a jolly-good time while making a ruckus(who doesn't love destroying rooms), but there's a reason for this.



As what was aforementioned, the video is being played backwards but it's because it's a flashback of when they were Jekyll(good), explaining why they looked so happy. Notice how towards the end their outfits are checkered and the lyric says 'I think I'm losing control,' portraying that their transition into Hyde(evil) is commencing. Then in Hyde they wear complete black outfits and the lyrics change into 'Just can't control' meaning that the shift is complete. Can I just...can I just squish JellyFish Ent. for this glorious and mind-blowing concept? It's one thing putting it together, but it's another thing pulling it off in such a majestic manner.



So much love for you JellyFish.


The Song - The song on the other hand, while the lyrics managed to send me to k-pop landia where I once more regained hope for the Hallyu Wave (man I sound delusional), the tune...not so much. Yes, it's catchy-- yes, there's not too much sugar that will make my cup of tea way to sweet for it to be acceptable, but...it just didn't manage to captivate me like Hyde did. I felt like for me it was a 9.5/10. Just that one .5 that seemed a bit lacking before they could completely have me jamming my jar out and repeating it until I've gotten enough. And also, my Starlight feels didn't allow me to dislike it any less than that.

N, the respectable and impressive(ha! Another pun) leader of the group, choreographed the dance. He had mentioned before that he was interested in choreography, so they allowed him to. The dance itself wasn't as...well...eye-catching as Hyde, but since it's his first time-- I'll let that slide. But if he disappoints me again, I won't let him off so easily.



I'm sorry, N.


So what did you think about the concept?

Let us know down below~



Like our stuff? Follow us on Twitter and Facebook!

{ 21 comments... read them below or Comment }

  1. I don't care that you reviewed this kind of late. I'm so glad you did, though! When the song first came out, I strongly considered writing a review for it but I couldn't quite capture the theme as well as you did. I love VIXX, On and On and Hyde were absolutely amazing. I was unimpressed by the song but the video alone was breathtaking. To think of how much thought and effort that was put into this... Just wow.

    ReplyDelete
  2. whyaminotmarriedtoraviAugust 8, 2013 at 4:11 PM

    Totally agree~! The song could have used a bit more work, but the music video was mesmerizing-- I'd say it's even worth nominating for video of the year!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Go Angie!
    Lol at the puns. They sound so... familiar :'D

    ReplyDelete
  4. I approve of this review =w=

    ReplyDelete
  5. whyaminotmarriedtoraviAugust 8, 2013 at 9:17 PM

    Thanks love~!! <3

    ReplyDelete
  6. whyaminotmarriedtoraviAugust 8, 2013 at 9:17 PM

    This means so much to me ;v;

    ReplyDelete
  7. whyaminotmarriedtoraviAugust 8, 2013 at 9:17 PM

    Ohhh the memories~! <3

    ReplyDelete
  8. The fan is strong with this review.

    In all due seriousness though, I agree with almost all(?) of your points. The concept is wonderful; from the pre-release teasers and ambiguous tweets by VIXX members it's obvious that the links are indeed intentional and not just some delusional confirmational bias at work by fans.

    For the mv I'm much much much less impressed than the greater part of the starlight fandom lol. I knew the backwards lipsynching was coming; the moment I heard the rewinded teaser I had the music video for Coldplay's The Scientist playing in my head. Doesn't detract from the prettiness of the video and its entertainment value though.

    The song itself is good, but at the same time if one takes away the amazing concept and the awesome that is VIXX and look at it purely as a song, it doesn't stand out. It's a good summer track, that's it. For me that's fine actually, given how this is a follow-up promotion. All in all it's a well-executed afterthought.

    P.S. Nice review; good catch with the checkered outfits part, didn't notice till you pointed it out ^^

    ReplyDelete
  9. whyaminotmarriedtoraviAugust 8, 2013 at 11:45 PM

    Did it really? I'm sorry if it was off-putting, I tried my best to not be as biased as possible OTL

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hahaa well as a starlight myself I didn't find it off-putting ^^ just that I could feel the love emitting from my screen while reading your review xD


    Plus I wouldn't say that your review was biased too, you did well in pointing out the negatives as well as the positives of GR8U. Please don't be disheartened by my comment D:

    ReplyDelete
  11. You brought all your VIXX minions to read this ಠ_ಠ
    Anyway, great review XD

    ReplyDelete
  12. It's an army of Starlights lmao

    ReplyDelete
  13. EYK COMMENT SECTION GET BAAAACK T_T
    Wait until they have another big release. We blow up the whole site then x'D

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh gosh... it's so bright.
    Get it? They're starli--
    .
    .
    .
    I'll stop talking.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I totally saw that coming lol

    ReplyDelete
  16. whyaminotmarriedtoraviAugust 9, 2013 at 9:34 AM

    Ahahaha I had to xD I was so excited for my first article ;v;

    ReplyDelete
  17. whyaminotmarriedtoraviAugust 9, 2013 at 9:35 AM

    D'aww nooo never ;v; I appreciate all types of opinions~! :D <3

    ReplyDelete
  18. whyaminotmarriedtoraviAugust 9, 2013 at 11:47 AM

    And we must do it before they take it away xDD

    ReplyDelete

- Copyright © K-Pop Ranter - K-Pop Ranter - About - Contact Us! -

Google Analytics Alternative