You Are What You Eat

This week we decided to review a strange but fun video with lots of VERY interesting outfits...Orange Caramel's Catallena! It was posted on March 11, 2014 and had 1,376,885 views by the 23rd. Let's get to it!

Em:
If you're looking for an imaginative video about anthropomorphic food, this is your video. Orange Caramel starts out dressed as mermaids, with shiny and slightly scaly floor-length dresses that turn into tails at the end. Why not. Then the video takes an unexpected turn--the mermaids end up flopping around in the kind of styrofoam and plastic packaging usually used to package fish in a grocery store. Meanwhile, the dancing parts of the video were performed in eye-catching polka dot ensembles. The whole video used vivid colors and bold details to really make an impression.

Sure we're totally at a beach

THEM EYELASHES

CUTE

Ruby: This video is completely crazy, and as per usual when that's the case, there's some really good crazy and some really bad crazy. Personally I love the concept of the sushi costumes. I thought they were super original, identifiable and really fun. The dance outfits were a little on the weirder side with too much going on most of the time. But even so it seemed to add to the playful chaos concept they were going for so all in all it worked out pretty well. As someone who eats quite a bit of sushi, I thought the anthropomorphized sushi were absolutely hilarious.

Another version of the adorable polka dots

At least the colors are well composed

R: Holy Headwear, Batman!
B: What is it, Robin?
R: Those girls over there...what's on their heads?
B: Robin, do not look at them. Keep very, very quiet and try not to attract attention.
R: *whispers* Who are they?
B: Those are the Sushi Sisters, also known as Orange Caramel. Villains, the lot of them.
R: What did they do?
B: They've murdered sushi chefs across the nation. Their fourth sister, Floe, was killed by bad sushi at an unknown restaurant, so they've made it their mission to avenge her death.
R: That's horrible! So...the headgear?
B: Trophies from past murders.
R: Are...are you going to try to stop them?
B: That, Robin, is why we're here this evening.

THE VICTIM

Blast from the past:
Orange Caramel is a subunit of After School, brining out the quirky, odd side of the band. After School is known for classy, sexy concepts, so this subunit has always been an out of the box group for them. When they debuted in 2010, they called this whacky style Candy Culture. So lets take a walk back through candy land, shall we?

They debuted in 2010with a video called Magic Girl, the originator of this candy style. This video features cute, fluffy dresses in pastel colors, polka dots and teeny tiny accessories. It was ultra feminine and played up their charm and cuteness.

Later in 2010, they moved onto Aing which took a turn for the weird. It's this dream like, fairy tail fantasy concept, complete with costumes like little red riding hood, alice in wonderland, snow white.... all made out of latex.

They came back with two mv's in 2011, Bangkok City and Shanghai Romance. These mvs continued to explore the ways in which things could get weird fashion wise in kpop videos. Bangkok City featured, voluminous blonde wigs and a roller disco theme. It was a lot sexier in concept than some other videos they've done. Among the truly odd, there were a few great moments.

Shanghai Romance was actually the first video I ever saw from Orange Caramel and it definitely left an impression. Shanghai Romance has pieces that really feel more mainstream kpop and some really cool pieces but all that is counterbalanced by some of the weirdest clothing/accessories I have ever seen in a kpop mv to date.

In 2012 they released Lipstick, the pingpong battle royale video. This moved back towards the candy culture look in some ways, but I think this is really when they took off towards Candy Couture. The styling was sexy and flirty while being crazy and weird. It felt like it was less cliche and really defined what I love about Orange Caramel; its pop colors, weird dances and an undeniable charm.

This mv really continues down that path of exploring a weird concept in an innovative and fashionable way. I'd definitely go back for seconds.

#lacemeup
#shinyasSHINee
#hat-titude

#lacemeup because once again, lace makes an appearance! We talked about it in Ladies Code's So Wonderful, and we'll keep talking about it, since it just keeps showing up! Lacy details seem to fit into any outfit set, adding a dash of femininity and elegance to anything. We also saw it in quite a bit in Rumble Fish's Virulent Song--for some reason that video keeps coming back.

Pretty lace gloves on Orange Caramel

Ladies Code

Lace absolutely EVERYWHERE is The Virulent Song

#shinyasSHINee for the blindingly reflective outfits we've been seeing a lot of this year. From the mermaids in this MV to the extras in Royal Pirate's Drawing the Line, metallics are definitely in. While it sometimes works in a kpop mv, be careful with this one in real life...its hard to have a conversation with someone who has been blinded by your outfit.

Super reflective dress...luckily the design is kept fairly simple otherwise

a classy addition from Drawing the Line

#hat-titude you gotta have it these days. There have been a lot of head covering's recently in kpop, although most have been more traditional hats. Although hats are more commonly found in boybands fashion choices, we're seeing them more and more for women too. There was a beret in SPICA's You Don't Love Me and Girls Generation all wore fedoras in their dance scene in Mr. Mr..

is it a magic mushroom? will we ever know?

Spica looking sassy

Fedora Generation?

Em: I think I speak for both of us when I say AWESOME. They really tried to do something different here, and the effort paid off, with an eye catching set of outfits that played an integral part in the story of the MV. Talk about making the outfits the focus! Very clever, and I'm glad they went all the way with it. I love polka dots too, so seeing them as a theme made me happy, and it also brought the outfit sets together. The dance outfits made a lot more sense with the repeated pattern. Orange Caramel has done it again!

ALL the polka dots

Yum yum?

Ruby: I thought this video rode the line between crazy and fashion in a really unique way. We see a lot of girl groups these days who use the same concepts over and over again but with Orange Caramel you know that you're gonna get something really unique. The best part about it is that other than one poor choice of dance outfits, everything is flattering and sexy. These three women look amazing while breaking all the traditional guidelines for how kpop girl groups are dressed in mvs. They're also a great example of how to do the cutesy, candy girl style without looking like they were dressed like little kids, which can get creepy.

This is INDEED unique

 minnie mouse!

The set--a table as a stage? Yes please!

Swimming in my soy sauce. nbd.

Sweater by Sweater with ZE:A

So at least where I live, it is now very much winter. Like. 

NOT AMUSED.

As I said, winter has begun. At any rate, I'm sitting here feeling all warm and fuzzy because of one very fluffy music video:

Step by Step ZE:A (WARNINGS: EXTREME HAPPY AND FLUFFY CLOTHES) 

click here or watch below

The fashion forecast:

Ruby: So as we mentioned it’s winter. I live in the hinterlands, so in the past week it has snowed, hailed and frosted. Seriously though. I feel a deep affinity for this music video as it is all warm and fluffy and currently I spend much of my time cold. As I’ve said before, I love seasonal videos. As I don't think I have said before, I love men in sweaters. They just look warm and dapper and oh-so-cuddleable. The music video was simple, but friendly and inviting. And although we’re very confused about who is dating who in this instance, it’s nice to know that everyone is staying warm and making friends. Happy start of winter fashion everybody!

CUDDLES FOR EVERYONE. 

Men in fluffy clothes are happy men.

Em: I simply must agree about the men in sweaters. They’re so cute and cuddly! And while it has not yet snowed where I am, it is ridiculously windy and definitely time to wear fashionable winter things. I have seen more infinity scarves than I ever thought existed here, and they showed up in the video too. It’s nice to occasionally see a video that’s very wearable while still being fashionable. I especially liked the combination of regular jeans with more dapper suit coats over cuddly sweaters…it struck a nice balance between formal and casual. Date clothes? I think so. 

A giant heather gray scarf with a red sweater? How could you make this better?
That coat. That's how.

Different style of date clothes, but still winter-ready and fashion-forward.

And now for...

Today's Question from our secret Bachelorette is: 

Hello ZE:A! It's almost christmas, which means it's almost time for presents! What would you get me for Christmas?

Bachelor 1: Well, at first I thought that these awesome retro shades would look awesome on you, 

But then, I realized, it's winter! My tweed trench would look totally cute next to you in this houndstooth blazer. Couple coats are always in fashion...

And while I'm out, this teal sweater would match your eyes so nicely. So I'd buy that too!

Bachelorette: Ooooh big spender! Well then! Bachelor 2, how will you compete?

Bachelor 2: What is more in fashion right now than a pretty pink purse? It's vintage and feminine and all your friends will want one.

And then I'd throw in a dash of personality and invest in some silly hats. Gifts should be fun right?

Bachelorette: So cute! Oh dear me! Bachelor 3, can you top these two?

Bachelor 3: What else? If I like it, I'm gonna put a ring on it. 

Bachelorette: Wow Bachelor 3, you move fast.... and I'm not sure how I feel about men who wear ascots, with purple cable knit sweaters, to be honest. Bachelor 4, are you dressed to impress?

Bachelor 4: Of course. My super trendy wool military style jacket can go anywhere. And I bought you flowers. Classy and classic, thats totally my style. 

Bachelorette: You do look snazzy in that coat, and flowers are sweet I guess.... Bachelor 5? What would you do?

Bachelor 5: Well, clothing doesn't win a girl's heart, though my pristine white sweater makes me look sweet, my baking skills are even sweeter. Handmade cake? Check. 

Bachelorette: Oh goodness! How do I make such a tough choice! I choose.... ALL OF YOU!

AND NOW...

Brrrrr it’s getting chilly out! Don’t forget to bundle up when you go outside, hon! I’ll put the tea kettle on too. It’s nice to know that some things haven’t changed, and one of those things is the snazziness of winter fashion. I just LOVE to see a well-dressed, dapper man on a cold winter’s day, strolling along to a coffee shop or a clothing store. There’s nothing like a man who takes the time to dress himself sensibly in the morning, and if he’s cute on top of that…WELL you should just jump on that sweetie. I was a TAD bit confused about who was dating who in this video…are they all in date clothes for just one girl? Is this the bachelorette? Whatever is going on, they all look ready for anything and so adorable I could just pinch their cheeks and call them cupcakes.

Don't be nervous sweetie, just ask her out already!

Hugs and kisses,

Granny Kimchi

BRRRR EDITION!

#sweaterweather

#allwrappedup(inyourscarf)

#lovenotecoat

#sweaterweather, no not the hit song, but rather in this case, the fashion trend of warm fuzzy winter wear that has been populating the kpop world. Just in the last few weeks we’ve seen two videos that make use of sweaters! Troublemaker, in last week’s review and even Miss A’s Hush used similar cropped white sweaters. Even K. Will likes to get in on that action. They’re such a lovely option for cold days. 

 

Chanyeol and K Will on the set of You Don't Know Love.
I do know that I love those cardigans though.

I appreciate that you are wearing a sweater, but pants might be smarter.

#allwrappedup(inyourscarf) Another great option for beating the cold weather is fluffy scarves to keep your neck and face warm. The thicker knit the better for cuddling runny noses and chapped lips. Scarves feature in many videos, but I got totally stuck on a very seasonal video indeed. SMTown's Santa U Are the One from last christmas. Oh boy. It's fascinating. 

 

Onew of SHINee in the SM Town Christmas video

Oh for the love of god Sungmin (of Super Junior).

#lovenotecoat is your third option for lovely winter wear. A warm coat can protect you no matter how cold it is where you are, and kpop has given us lots of option for snuggly ones. There was a cute coat on the girl in Jin’s Gone as another example. G-Dragon also wore a coat, but rather than being cute and cuddly it had a more threatening vibe to it…maybe not what I want for cute winter wear. 

 

Jin in Gone

GD in Crooked

A step away from the end...

Ruby: Normally we’re swept up into massive amounts of aegyo or sex appeal, leaving us pretty tired of the sort of normally overwhelming, over-worked kpop videos. But this video was refreshing and simply kind of cute. It featured all the lovely warm things we get to pull out of the closet this time of year and it left me with an equally warm and fuzzy feeling in my heart. I mean, yeah the concept was slightly creepy but hey, it’s not the first time kpop has pulled an eight guys one girl scenario on us. All in all, it was seasonally appropriate and as fluffy as a cable knit sweater your grandma made for you.

 

We're all waiting for different girls... right... right.... AGAIN GUYS.

Your corduroy jacket looks both warm and soft. I genuinely want this jacket.

Em: The video was subtly well-crafted and communicated the feeling of cuddly, cute romance without being too over-the-top with the aegyo. Even their hairstyles were cute and fluffy and not too extreme with the hair dye. It’s not that we don’t love a good neon pink, it just wouldn’t have fit here, and the stylists stayed consistent with their vision. It also helps that THEY’RE ALL SO FREAKING ADORABLE IN THEIR SWEATERS. Okay you probably get the point.

 

Between your beanie, scarf and those glasses, you're just a fluffy human being.

You have a bowtie sir. I like it.

We hand picked out posters for their romantic qualities:

- "Some people will believe anything if you whisper it to them."

 - "Looking into the sky is looking into the past."

- Our quite informative "Why I love you" sign along with a sign for the band Crooked Fingers. 

*You can even check em out on youtube: *

THE MARVELS OF ELECTRICITY! AREN’T THEY INCREDIBLE? 

Thanks so much for reading!

What are you guys looking forward to in your winter wardrobe????

Let us know and leave us some love pretty please. 

Talk soon, 

Ruby and Em <3