Asian Junkie Asian pop. Without discretion.
As you may remember, when CROSS GENE was initially announced I was extremely skeptical, basically declaring the entire concept DOA on the grounds of the idea itself.
A funny thing happened on the way to irrelevancy though, I saw their debut music video for “La-Di Da-Di” and loved what they did.
—–
If there was an actual concept to the music video, it was lost on me. However, in this current K-pop environment of try-hard ideas that try to make idols more important, deep, and mature than they actually are (THEY ARE IDOLS AND THIS IS POP MUSIC), I found the straightforwardness of the whole thing refreshing.
Besides, since this is their debut, I suppose the concept itself was just to introduce the potential fans to their members, which I think they did extremely effectively. While I still don’t know any of their names, I do recognize them after watching the music video, primarily because they put each member behind vastly different backgrounds to highlight their characters and roles.
Besides being a generally entertaining experience, it was a visually arresting show, with quality backdrops that gave the impression of a budget that was probably above their standing.
Perhaps most impressive though was their dancing, which struck me as both quality and original.
The synchronization is standard, but the elements of breakdancing truly piqued my interest, and I hope they incorporate more of that since it’s actually dynamic and masculine (MASCULINITY IN K-POP THAT DOESN’T INVOLVE HOMO EROTICA?!).
Plus, this one piece of choreography, one that I will dub the “Make It Rain Dance“, is the best thing so far this year.
Despite my initial apprehension, CROSS GENE came out with one of my favorite music videos by a rookie group. The dancing was impressive, the production was quality, and the direction helped it flow together.
While I still wouldn’t be surprised if they actually do struggle with popularity since they aren’t a part of the big three companies, they certainly deserve a following on the basis of this effort.
As of right now, I’ve got them second behind SPICA as far as new groups that I’ll definitely follow going forward.
This is the kind of visuals I like from a K-Pop boy band. Handsome–some even pretty but not overly so–and masculine. Some parts of the choreo makes me wonder what was going through the choreographer’s mind but I liked it.
So you like the MV. What about the song though? Or will that be a separate article? :o
Dunno, I don’t review music.
The intro was kinda cheesy and I wasn’t feeling the Ra di da di chorus part but.. the song was kinda catchy.. just… I… dunno who is know nor probably never will… ^^; Though for a rookie MV, I’m surprised they had different settings and not just one ^^
A better English accent would probably help a bit.
The members look sufficiently different from each other as well as other kpop male idols; the mv set is nice and simple, so that’s good. Their live stages are also quite engaging. But other than that what else is outstanding though? 0.o The song is below-average (one or two other songs on the album are better though), rapping was awful, choreo is lulzy, and they’ve got 2 decent singers judging from the lives, which is pretty standard.
But having said that the debut did turn out better than i had expected; at least it’s not a complete disappointment
And btw i don’t think non-homoerotic masculinity in kpop is that rare…the hip hop groups (excluding big bang) do tend to be more masculine…although they’re still in the minority
There was rapping…? Where?
LOL
I’m being dead serious >_> Where was the rapping? I almost forgot to praise it for not having it ^^;;;; (if talking about the intro.. that was NOT rapping.. it’s no different hearing Usher talking something cheesy in his songs)
yea, i was referring to the intro part, i tend to count those kind of intros in as faux rapping though
Oh.. I just call it talking because it wasn’t even an attempt at rapping lol. No different than those old school dude in R&B songs saying “Yeah baby.. I’ve been missing you. You like the sunshine after the storm.. and I just wanna make sweet sweet love to you… all night long.” but just younger dudes whose English isn’t the best so it’s not as sexy ^^;
problem is, I get really confused with kpop rapping; sometimes I can’t figure out if the guy is trying to rap but failed horribly, or if there wasn’t supposed to be a rap in the first place. Like there are ppl such as nickhun who can make his rapping sound exactly like he’s talking some cheesy engrish line..So i prefer to lump everything that seems like an attempt at rapping but sounds like talking as faux rapping. Clears up the grey area and makes my life easier lol
Thank you. I pretty much agree with everything you said. Especially the ‘make it rain dance’ I do that dance every time I hear the song even though I look completely ridiculous doing it.. oh well we can’t all be idols.
2:12 “meow” LOLOL reminds me of thriller
Anyways.. I’ve seen most of these choreography,synchros,poplocking,bboying from underground dance competitions so it doesn’t really surprises me as much, maybe something basic that crews in ABDC would do but I would still give them credit for still trying it in kpop. I don’t see how this is original unless you meant original as in the only boyband, Cross Gene, fusing bboying with kpop then I could see it in that sense. As far as original dance moves though.. no.
Seemed like a futuristic Buddhist/shaolin monk type of concept.
yeah i really like their dancing and the mv is actually good without trying too hard, but i don’t like the chorus. i like how they aren’t taking themselves too seriously and trying to prove they’re “tough” or whatever (BAP, exo, a-jax) or aren’t trying to be too young in a cheesy way (JJ project). this group is heading in the right direction, they have a good image, they just need better music.
their pretty…. I approve.
Love the dancing and the visuals in the video. I may actually pay attention this group.
The song is not that random and the mv has more quality than I expected.
http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc452/srnocivo2/gifs/tumblr_m0sjgdO2xJ1r8scr3.gif
They are built, tall, ugly and their coreo has wierd moves and acrobacies. 2Pm better watch out
They’re ugly?
Uhm I don’t think so, your standards are to high.
“your standards are to high” lol thanks what I normally get is: “your tastes are weird”
if you keep posting those Onew gifs i won’t be able to hold all this nnnnnnnnnnnnggg
Oh really? You want me to stop?
http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lj3zaeDAGi1qg3b27.gif
Brb, dying
Don’t die yet, I haven’t even started with the dubulge
Did someone say… Dubulge?
http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lr9lckEGJe1qafrh6.gif
You are pretty decent, when some say Dubulge I
http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxu8w0YYhM1qawdlv.gif
It was okay. Still nothing on BAP, and I think this was weaker than NU’EST and A-JAX even.
Meh.
I didn’t like nu’est, I thought their song was boring
A-jax tries to be hard, but it doesn’t suit them at all.
Warrior from BAP was okay, but power was awful, just awful. But everyone likes them for some reason.
I thought this was a good start, leaves room for improvement so their next song doesn’t suck compared to their debut.
yea, bap is actually a pretty solid group, but the main thing that made them stand out is really their aggressive concept…and nothing much else? Like if they were to go with the bang&zelo ‘never give up’ concept they wouldn’t be called a “power debut”. Their high-energy songs are generally messy and incohesive in terms of composition (with the exception of warrior); I prefer their mellow tracks more…
It was a nice, clean way to showcase these guys.
Some one said up there ^^^ that they weren’t trying to be all hard and gangster, which is really nice.
I’m over stuff like that from newbies.
I’m still unsure about the choreography; some of it looked impressive, and some of it looked a little ridiculous. I still have no idea who any of them are. I know three of their names, but I’m not sure who they belong to. I don’t think I’ll follow them, but I may check up on them if I feel like it.
Some parts of the video was impressive and the song isn’t so bad either specially for a debut but they don’t stand out for me.
Plus I would appreciate for groups to pronounce their song titles the right way…’Roly Poly = Loly Poly… La-Di Da-Di = Ra-Di Da-Di. Just saying.
Well, I already know I won’t be bothered to memorize their names, but I’ll definitely be downloading their album. x)
Make it rain dance. Lol.
Personally not a fan. I think their concept is more so based on their nationalities. And the music doesnt do it for me.