Style in the Now

This week we went sexier than usual with Troublemaker's Now. The video featured a Hollywood-film-inspired, American theme that had just enough hipster to make us happy. If you haven't seen it yet, check out Hyuna and Hyunseung here:

It came out on October 27th, 2013, and currently has 8,271,786 views.

Em: This was actually a GREAT set of outfits, from the dramatic black dance costume to the various creative pieces of lingerie. As much as we don’t usually think Hyuna’s clothing is particularly…appropriate to context, in this it really fit with the scenario they set up and really carried the theme through the MV. Hyunseung’s clothing complemented Hyuna’s rather well (and we also got similarly revealing shots of him shirtless… yay!). It was very American-inspired, and a very different setting than what we usually see in kpop, but nonetheless Troublemaker looked right at home in a fashion-forward trailer. The video had a messy, careless sense to it, which is really quite rare in MVs, shown with loose, nearly mismatched clothing and artfully tousled hair.

Interesting and beautiful, especially with the weird hair colors

Ruby:  So I know that normally we’re quite harsh on this type of clothing, but in this case we both really liked this video. The difference here I think, is that it fits the concept and it is not overdone. Each of these outifts was simple and featured one or two focal points. For instance, Hyuna wears a bralette at one point. It’s super cool and totally on trend, but if rhinestones and feathers surrounded it, I don't think I would have noticed it. There were elements though, that really brought it out of normal clothing and into the fashion world, from colored wigs to impractical sweaters and leather bondage features. It was really nice to see the sexy concept done in a very real and very fashionable way.

 

Sure there's a lot of skin, but in this case she just looks AWESOME

What a Tease

So we don’t always talk about teaser photos (though nearly every band has them), but when we do it’s because they were fantastic. The teasers for Now were gritty and sexy and fashionable and just wonderful. They managed to capture the spirit of the MV completely without repeating what actually happened. I’m not even sure I [Em] could pick a favorite. The outfit with the black skirt and blue wig is pretty high on the list though. They matched well as a couple too, with the loose white paired with leather and baseball caps. Interesting combinations that worked well.

Simple, sexy outfits

Capturing the spirit of the MV

This. This is good.

You know, in the past I’ve always overlooked these two, but especially Hyuna. I mean with their last video I was so focused on how bad they were at spying and if she was going to stay upright in her shoes, to even notice their acting skills! But this time, they seem so much more mature and sophisticated! I mean, when Hyunseung is wandering around shirtless, in those low-slung jeans, suddenly, it hits me! He would make a super awesome, super sexy villain. I CAN SEE THE HEADLINES NOW! HYESUNG TAKES SHIRT OFF TO TAKE ON VILLIAN ROLE. And Hyuna! Wannabe-homewrecker no more! I mean in Icecream, it was funny and all, she was so sexual in such a cute video… I mean at one point her pants laced up over her lady parts… Not really the image we’re looking to promote. But this time, in her big jean shirt and little black dress she looked every bit the part of a daring young actress, willing to take on the controversial roles but while keeping it classy and fun…. Check and check, adding two people to my future casting list, oh yes I am!

Ready for casting

#inmyboyfriendspants

#howmanycolorsdocowscomein

#everygirlneedsalbd

#inmyboyfriendspants and the shirt too probably, considering the trend of women wearing their boyfriend’s garments. Wearing a baggy button down while singing angstily about your boyfriend (or exboyfriend) is more common than you’d think. We saw it in Sistar19’s Gone Not Around Any Longer, which was quite nice. In Now, Hyuna wears her significant other’s flannel shirt in the MV and his suit jacket in the teaser. Such a clothing thief. No wonder they’re having relationship issues.

Sexy plaid vampire

Getting a little daring now aren't you.

Sistar19 in Gone Not Around Any Longer

#howmanycolorsdocowscomein…? Quite a few I guess! Recently we’ve seen a ton of leather jackets, especially fun or bright colors. Leather is always in; it keeps it classy and cool and totally chic. In this video they sport black leather jackets, but Hyunseung also sports a light blue jacket, at one point. Earlier this year in Why So Serious SHINee also donned brightly colored leather. Leather jackets come in a bunch of different variations, even cropped, like in CL’s Baddest Female. Keep ‘em coming kpop, leather is a nice contrast in texture to other fabrics and looks badass.

Hyunseung's blue jacket

SHINee in leather jackets of varying colors

CL in Baddest Female

#everygirlneedsalbd, or little black dress, since they're so useful! Hyuna wears a daring one in Now, and she looks stunning in it while dancing. One recent example of the lbd is from Sistar's Alone, where the band all had sleek black dresses. An older example is from After School's Flashback, where the concept for the whole MV was little black dresses. Its really a classic piece that just keeps showing up...probably because its so snazzy. Finally, none other than Madam Heehee (Heechul for those of you who aren't that deep into the ELF fandom) wore his own black dress. Not that I would really call this menswear.

Sexy dance costume CHECK

Sistar in Alone, with even the backup dancers in lbds

After School's Flashback

And then there's Heechul

Em: With a well-put-together plot and a fitting concept, Troublemaker’s fashion impressed me quite a bit. Far from the cliché spies in Troublemaker, they created characters for themselves using clothes. From the long black cloak Hyunseung wore in the dance scene to the leather extravaganzas in the car scene, it was great. There was nothing cutesy either, which was refreshing—both Ruby and I have issues when adult kpop stars dress much younger than they are, but this was quite age appropriate (and edging on racy). I’m not saying I loved every piece (the leopard print was a little questionable) but I must say, well done.

YESSSSSSSS

nooooooooooo

Ruby: For the Korean music scene, I think a lot of this fashion was still super racy and exposed, but even so, there was a modern, current feel for the fashion in this video. It managed to be just beyond the boundary of wearable, making it feel like a production, but still with identifiable trends and fashion statements. Personally, I’m always a sucker for hipster fashion, like their car blanket covers, Hyunseung’s flannel and Hyuna’s exposed thigh tights. I still don't approve of plaid. Seriously. But the rest of the video is innovative and really spot on, trends wise, I think. If someone wanted a reference guide in how to do raunchy and sexy and amazing, this is it. Even with exposed underwear, leopard print coats and blue wigs, it had balance, impact and held my attention.

The hipster fashion that makes us happy

Pretty shot...but WHY THE PLAID TREND

Joker makeup.

SO THAT WAS A REAL KISS. DDDDAAAAAYYYYUUUUMMMMM. ;)

So what did you think of Hyuna and Hyunseung? Have you always been a fan of her? Or do you still not like her? And the biggest question...how much plaid have you been wearing? Let us know in the comments!

-Ruby & Em <3