4Minute versus the Undead (But Fashion-forward)

Last week was a nice break from the insanity, but this week we're back where we started with

4Minute- What's Your Name?

If you haven't seen this thoroughly entertaining and vastly interesting music video, check it out here: GET YOUR ZOMBIE KILLIN GEAR ON

As of May 20th 2013 it had 6,019,986 views.

Overall impression:

Ruby: So I have mixed feelings about this MV. I am a big fan of the hipster-kawaii idea, but its so easy to take too far. For me the clothing was over accessorized and over sexualized. Which is super sad, because there are some really cool, awesome pieces mixed in there. I love the splatter paint/zombie blood idea, the old school references and the wedge sneakers. Super cool and on trend, but there were so overwhelmed by too many accessories, fake tattoos everywhere and revealing cuts. I watched the choreography video, and was surprised by how cute the dance was, since in the video its all about words on butts and exposed crotches. Not to mention they look so much more comfortable with the dance when they’re not worried about clothing staying in place.

temporary tattoos make for a badass concept, 4minute.....

you might want to retie those shoes.

splatter paint zombie blood.... cute >.<

Em: My first impression was that I liked a lot of individual details in this, and that there was a lot mixed in that was very cool. A lot of the pieces individually could be taken out and used, even as regular clothing. However, a step back made me find the same thing Ruby did…it was chaotic and too much. This seemed like another band trying to pull of the style that f(x) has so well—the concentrated craziness that doesn’t just overwhelm. Even in Electric Shock, which was weird in itself, they still managed to look artsy rather than confused. The comment about the dance was accurate too…still fairly sexualized, but much more interesting than the MV made it seem.

F(X), from Electric Shock teasers, with cutely mismatched shoes

Other promotional Materials:

Ruby: The teasers were odd and poorly connected to the video I thought, though they themselves were really really cool. Blacklights make everything better. Stages still felt over worked but because they don’t change clothes, it is easier to absorb. They certainly make for fun and lively stages with lots of bling bling.  I still feel like the costumes limit movement sometimes and make me worry about camera angles and catching lady parts on camera.

Blacklight Teasers (BECAUSE THAT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE AN ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE)

You might want to put some pants on before you leave the house next time.

Em: I didn’t think they were that poorly connected…I mean, the style seemed the same, it just wasn’t promoting the plot or anything, just the members themselves. They were fun. The comeback stages were fine, not too impressive…I feel like the could’ve used some unifying feature, like a color that everyone used, or shoes, or SOMETHING in common. It didn’t even feel like the stylists were going for individuality, just randomness.

Now that the salvation army meeting has commenced....

Continuity:

Ruby: Here’s the crux of the matter I think. I like a lot of the clothes but we see 3-4 different outfit sets within the first 10 seconds of the MV.  That's a lot of fast changes for a video laden with accessories and heavy handed detailing. There were so many colors and location changes props and lighting effects in this video that the constant changes in clothing and styling were disorienting.

Rings, necklaces, earrings, OH MY.

Em: Out of everything, continuity was definitely the main problem. I guess there was continuity in the level of craziness, but that doesn’t mean it looked clean and together at all. There were few consistencies, if any. I guess there were the weird fishnet shorts. Why would anyone want neon fishnet shorts? It defeats the point of both fishnets and shorts!

Neon shorts. Thanks Hyuna.

Band’s Overall Image:

Ruby: Oh 4minute.  They are known for their sexy, and its well deserved. The members have great bodies and dance well. For me, videos like Huh, Muzik and especially Volume Up really mastered the art of classy sexy. This video, for me smacked more of Hyuna, like Bubble Pop or Icecream. Fun videos, but definitely edging on overt and superfluous sexiness. I appreciate those videos and Hyuna’s solo work for very different reasons than 4Minute’s group work. I guess I would prefer them to stay separate, but only because I miss that presence in kpop of quiet, powerful and sexy.

4Minute's Volume Up outfits, still odd and mismatched, but coordinated and really cool.

Hyuna and her completely nonsexual music video Icecream.
Nothing here but sticky white goo and her boobs.

Em: Sometimes they’re successful, sometimes they aren’t. Though I don’t always agree with the fashion choices (see picture) they do usually have more continuity as a group. They need to simplify, and maybe make dance costumes a little bit more practical for dancing. They’ve done it before, they can do it again. Like the other picture has a similar idea of variety, but the colors are together so it isn’t like a neon unicorn threw up on you. And as much as I like unicorns…

4Minute looking insane

4minute looking less insane

NO UNICORNS HERE FOLKS.

Trends in K-POP:

Ruby: Kawaii-hipster. I swear it's a thing. There are a lot of bands that are playing with this idea of endless accessories, in the style of decora, harajuku etc. Sometimes it works, but I think its one of the harder styles for a band to pull off. It is super variable and it definitely doesn’t go sexy well. Then you have off trend, cute and sexy all in the same one. That's too much I think.

I wouldn't try to go through airport security like that.

I was so distracted by her clothes, that I completely missed
the super cool wall and set behind her. Really, look at it, it's super cool.

Em: Zombies are such a thing right now, like SHINee did stuff with zombies too in Why So Serious. In addition, with the kawaii-hipster thing (which in theory sounds fantastic), I think a lot of bands just go overboard with it. A little works, so a lot works better, right? Not really. It produces some really cool pieces though, like a lot of the t-shirts themselves were awesome. They just need more focus. Unless of course you want to hypnotize people, in which case go ahead have fun whatever floats your boat.

SHINee, Why So Serious Zombies. You should go read our review of that. 

Mickey Mouse T-shirts are super hipster. 

The Ramones. And gold pleather. And fishnets. Classy.

Conclusion:

Ruby: I think I would have been a really big fan if they had just simplified it a little bit. I was so overwhelmed I couldn’t help but be put off. I loved a lot of other promotions from 4minute but I think this was just not my style. That being said, cute choreography and a good concept, I think it just needed some more refinement.

Yes, what a cute dance.

This necklace feels very appropriate here.

Em: They had so many great styles that they brought together…I just want to see them divided up. If, say, the punk side was emphasized and they all wore leather jackets for the video, it would’ve been better. Same with the retro side of it. Just pick something! They just went for it though, and didn’t do too bad with pulling it off. Maybe they’ll simplify next time. Unless the whole being-zombies thing gets in the way, and they just end up eating brains instead of making music and dancing.

Yes, Hyuna, he really does want you for your brain.

Daily Dose of Daebak:

ZOMBIE SURVIVAL HINT FOR THE DAY:

YOUR WEAPON OF CHOICE SHOULD ALWAYS BE A HAIRDRYER. THAT ALWAYS WORKS AGAINST REANIMATED CORPSES. TRUST ME I KNOW THESE THINGS.

Skateboarding in high heels. Kids, you should try this at home. Though I must admit I like the shoes anyway in all their glorious impracticality…. 

Leave us a comment and tell us your favorite zombie fighting technique or weapon of choice!!!!

See ya soon!

Ruby & Em <3