[Misc] The Late Report: October 2020

Mamamoo - Dingga

It's fucking infuriating how this new Blogger won't let me make my normal alignments without fucking up the spacing between sections. I don't understand why it's this bad, I really don't. Anyway, happy Halloween I guess? Ain't nobody should be out and about given the pandemic but hey people are stupid (just like Blogger). No candy from me, just some videos and songs to go over as October draws to a close.

Starting us off is Mamamoo's "Dingga," which is...something. It's not their greatest work vocals-wise, and it's also not their most fun release. It's essentially "Hip" but with a more bright splash of paint over it, topped off with an overall less impressive choreography to boot. The most disturbing thing about this track is Hwasa's apparent lack of eyebrows. Not a good look. With Red Velvet's controversy and Mamamoo stumbling a bit here, is it once again time for Twice to take the crown?

[Review] Block B - Jackpot (Revisited)

It has become so difficult to attach videos in this new Blogger, I fucking hate it. I don't understand why this shit has to be so damn difficult. Everything keeps shifting around whenever I try to add a video, or the alignment gets all fucked up ughhh. Anyway, just in time for the spooky holiday is a revisit of an old Block B classic. "Jackpot" has plenty of Halloween imagery from the masks to the carnival, and general creepiness of their actions in the music video. What did I think of it then, versus now?

• If there was ever a song without Taeil as the main leading vocal, I’d be surprised to see (or hear) it. Taeil’s vocal prowess is present in the chorus, which I believe is the highlight of the song, with the high energy, general sassy and fun vibe.

Block B would of course go on to have a variety of songs that mix things up regarding the chorus, but 2014 me didn't have the benefit of future sight. But what I was correct about was the absolutely powerful chorus that drives the entirety of "Jackpot." It's fun and energetic, and makes it almost disappointing when followed up on by the lackluster "lalala" chants.

[Misc] Thought Corner: Goodnight Irene

Oh Irene, you fool. There's been quite the commotion surrounding her over the last couple of days. I'll spare you the details because I'm lazy and also not fully informed but man. Irene's been putting in work in the wrong departments. To sum things up in one sentence? Irene harasses people verbally and people are bring it to light. There hasn't been released evidence or anything like that sure, but the fact that Irene had to post an apology and meet with the accuser personally says everything. You truly wonder what was said on that recording...

[Review] CLC - Pepe (Throwback)

As is tradition, a lottery was ran to select the throwback review candidate and CLC takes home that honor for the month of October. They debuted with "Pepe" a little over five and a half years ago, which is kinda crazy to think about. For one they've been relatively underrated for most of their career, but part of that is in no small part thanks to Cube's management of this group. But for now let's take it back to a simpler time and see what CLC brought to the table.

[Review] Weki Meki - Cool

As the temperature starts to lower, my despair once again rises. Seriously though this new Blogger is awful and I don't know when I'll get used to it. This is Weki Meki's third appearance in song reviews. Outside of Doyeon, they have yet to wow me in any specific trait or category - and even then, Doyeon stands out due to her looks and not anything related to their music. Now I'm not saying they're bad, just pedestrian and not outstanding. Perhaps "Cool" can live up to its name and buck the trend.

[Review] EXID - Hot Pink (Revisited)

Doing a revisited piece for a disbanded group is like sadness and nostalgia rolled up into a burrito. Even though EXID technically are not defunct, in terms of mainstream media they pretty much are. Anyway, if not for the linked video I'd have forgotten this song existed. In 2020, I don't think it holds up well. Let's see how right my prediction is.

• For starters, "Hot Pink" has deviated itself far from the "Up & Down" formula that gave EXID their chance at glory. The only instance of similarity was at 1:12 right before Solji's part. You could probably insert the latter half of the "Up & Down" chorus from there and that'd be a seamless transition but outside of that the comparisons are lacking. This is good, since we want EXID to find success on their own without the need to piggyback of their "ultimate" song.

Yeah as far as "Up & Down" goes, EXID and their various producers milked that shit for everything possible when it came to future comebacks. In some cases it worked out quite nicely ("Ah Yeah") and in others, not as much ("Hot Pink"). It's different from a group like Dreamcatcher because at least DC has much more variation in song structure and style while staying within their signature sound.

[Misc] Happy Younha Day

There's still time to finish out the rest of the standard protocol for October. So on my birthday, I will merely post a video of Younha and nothing else. She remains my #1 Korean music darling and has been so for the last 12 years. Almost half of my entire life has been gifted with her voice (I'm 27 now). One of my dreams is to attend a concert of hers. Of course with the apocalypse that is 2020, who knows when the next opportunity for that would be. Hope everyone has a good long weekend. I know my unemployed ass sure will.

[Misc] Which Blogger Would...

Which version of Blogger would make me want to vomit? This one. This new one, that has been ungracefully forced upon my poor soul. I hate everything about it. As of writing I can't switch back, even though I managed to revert previous attempts. It's so...ugly. Everything looks very awkward and I'm simply not standing for it. Enjoy this video of Black Pink (Jisoo MVP) while I rage.

[Misc] EXO - Mama Superpower Power Rankings

Careless, careless. Shoot anonymous, anonymous. Heartless, mindless, no one who care about me. Today we will be ranking all of the superpowers EXO showcase in their track "Mama." Why? Because I wanted to. Shitposters be shitposting.

#12. Baekhyun - Light
Now obviously having superpowers of any kind would be pretty sweet, but it's clear that one member got the real short end of the stick. Baekhyun's ability to control light is useful at best and hella lame at worst. Congrats, he can see in the dark whenever he wants. It simply pales in comparison to all the other effects.

#11. Xiumin - Frost
There's a handful of members with the classic elemental powers, and Xiumin brings up the rear with frost. Even though I despise the cold, I am justified in the placing near the bottom. Out of all the elemental abilities, Xiumin's is the most limited since he requires the proper environmental setting to be most effective. Even if it could work in a hostile atmosphere, frost would be less powerful overall.