MVOTD: Psy ft. vs G-Dragon (Day 262)

It's a YG competition and the competition is hot. Or at least it should be. Psy's Gangnam Style featuring MC Hammer competes against G-Dragon's One of a Kind.

Psy was a major hit this year, first in South Korea, and then around the world while G-Dragon has a constant and consistent popularity. Psy is really active for a guy in his mid 30's (watch recent concerts of New Kids on the Block or Backstreet Boys if you want a comparison), with sweet dance moves and an expressive face. Plus he hangs out with MC Hammer and does the sweet MC Hammer moves too. G-Dragon has interesting fashion, an ability to be both innocent and nefarious, and an art style that is unexpected but intriguing. They both have that special something that keeps singers popular beyond the honeymoon period of five years or so.

Both Psy's Gangnam Style and G-Dragon's One of a Kind are well made music videos which accent the song and make it better. The question is, which song is easier to listen to without the music video?

Gangnam Style is still catchy without the music video. In fact, it's almost better without the visuals of this particular performance because in the video you can tell the audience is more excited about MC Hammer than they are about Psy, and that's kind of insulting to Psy.

One of a Kind is also still catchy, but less so since it sometimes feels disjointed. I think that's where the music video pulls it together and makes it better. It feels really catchy and well done with the music video, and kind of awkward without. However, since both are awkward at times, as Psy does a mash-up and that generally has awkward transitions, and G-Dragon's video is an actual music video, G-Dragon wins for best product.

MVOTD: Junsu vs TVXQ (Day 262)

Junsu versus TVXQ. That's right. It's essentially Junsu versus himself...and four other guys. The music videos being compared this time are two very different animals. Tarantallegra is, let's face it, seductive in its beat, costuming, and dance, while Purple Line  is a cheese fest with terrible English, funny dancing, transforming stereo buildings, and Yunho's cartoon voice. If they were dresses, Tarantallegra would be a sleek sexy  gown and Purple Line would be a fun funky rocker chick ensemble complete with crinolin (sic) skirted dress and leather bollero.

 I guess I should clarify that I am talking about the first half of Tarantallegra though, because really 80% of the good parts are before the 2 minute mark, and there is quite a lot of smut in it which is more noticeable after the 2 minute mark. Now that I have realized that the reason for watching and liking Tarantallegra is in the beginning (I hadn't noticed so much before), the win has to go to TVXQ because Purple Line has consistent quality. It's all cheesy bad which is so good. Better cinematography (sic) and costuming don't matter when a music video lets you down halfway through so TVXQ's Purple Line advances to the next round.

 Some comments.

Micky's English is bad from the very start.

"Now, I see this way. It's looks like, Purple Line. Gotta introduce myself. Eh. Eh. Eh. Eh." and then, "Really wanna touch myself."

....

That's, "Really want to get in touch with myself," Micky.

This is followed by the chorus which sounds like, maybe, "Purple Line. Resetting my world.", and "This way!". Later we get, "Gotta pop it like that. My time is still goin' on." While actually this is very good English for SM Entertainment, I am not sure it is the only English. After JYJ's Ayy Girl I can't be positive of what language they are singing in, since I originally thought that Ayy Girl was in Korean...and it's an English song. Therefore maybe there is more English.

If you know of any other English in the song, maybe let me know. I'll be glad to decifer it.

Other than the bad English, the best parts of this song are Yunho and Max. Max, my favourite TVXQ member, dances either goofily or angrily and Yunho, super manly Yunho, does some really feminine stuff while using his cartoon voice. It's really enjoyable. TVXQ does a good job of being entertaining, even as the world turns into giant stereos. They have a solid, and consistent, music video with Purple Line.

MVOTD: Costume Comparison - Jo Kwon and Xia Junsu (Day 261)

Before the competition continues and Junsu's Tarantallegra goes up against TVXQ's Purple Line, it is time to discuss costuming. Particularly, how Jo Kwon's outfit from his debut of Animal compares to Junsu's wardrobe in Tarantallegra. Rarely are such solid outfits to be seen, and rarely do they compare so closely. Let's take a look.

Picture credits to Youtube

Both outfits are kind of feminine (20 cm heels anyone?). They are both made of good fabrics (and oh the variety!). Both Jo Kwon and Xia Junsu have dancing and powerful behaviour, mixed with feminine 'sexy' moves, which let you know how well the costumes wear and are made. Both have good looking footwear. Junsu has outfits that accent his dancing very well, with well a balanced main outfit and flowy secondary outfits. Jo Kwon has an outfit that makes him look taller and leaner than normal, while still giving him wide shoulders. Thus he can better play on being feminine while still being masculine.
Both costumes, and sets of costumes, play up what compliments the song best. They are well made, with good quality materials. They are coherent, cohesive pieces, and are applied artfully to their purpose. They make me very happy.
That's about all I wanted to say other than, if someone had to win it would be Jo Kwon because his one outfit does what three do for Junsu...and I wish costuming would be this good all the time.

MVOTD: Super Junior-M vs ZE:A (Day 260)

Today's All Stars have a clear winner. It's ZE:A. ZE:A with Mazeltov.

Now why is it so clear? Why would ZE:A demolish Super Junior-M (with 'Hotness Hangeng') so easily?

It's because Super Junior-M's Blue Tomorrow is a serious song with only a medium artsy music video. Mazeltov is a wonderful (and not serious) video with fun dance moves, funny facial expressions, entertaining lyrics, and decent costuming. Plus I didn't have to cheat my own system to make Mazeltov win its month. Just saying.

My favourite line is,"Hey Ladies! I'm 21!!!!" I'm pretty sure that's not what they are saying, but it is definitely what I am hearing.

Unlike Blue Tomorrow, where I'm not mishearing any English lyrics.

ZE:A's Mazeltov moves onto the second round.

MVOTD: Donghae & Eunhyuk vs New Kids on the Block (Day 259)

It's a good day when two such strong and ridiculous music videos go against each other.

Donghae and Eunhyuk's original video for their song Oppa Oppa was surprisingly good once the shock and amazement wears off.

Opposite-wise, New Kids on the Block's Step by Step lost some amazingness when compared to other ridiculousness.

Both songs are catchy with fun dance moves. Both have the seriousness of a ball of cotton candy. However, because Donghae and Eunhyuk have a second chance AND New Kids on the Block are amazing, Step by Step wins. May the best stair dance win.