#sm be on that next level (aespa reference

[mf-rockstar]

K-netz and company's (ESPECIALLY any of the big 4's) need to realize, that if it didn't happen while they were an idol, it shouldn't be criticized while they are.

[kwangyadetective]

🐍 Girls: The End of Black Mamba

A theory post about aespa’s Girls MV and the conclusion of the first season of the lore. This MV possibly marks the end of Black Mamba’s presence.

First of all, I’d like to point out that I really like the aesthetic of the MV. All of the conflicts are taken place in this building in Kwangya; I assume somewhere in the area where there are many city buildings. After all, the snake was last spotted there from the last episode.

The building is corrupted by the snake. Black Mamba is somewhere inside it, monitoring every move of the girls through the cameras.

The person that represents the snake has the same accessories as the model that did a photoshoot with Karina back in Black Mamba era.

I do have something to say about this, but I’m saving it for later.

The girls went inside the elevator to go up the building. The snake has a lot of security guards inside, these are the people wearing helmets. I believe the green color is meant to represent the snake’s side. Although I think all of the girls were fighting the guards, the fighting scenes are mostly on Giselle, Winter and Karina. But while they were fighting, Ningning sneaked to one of the rooms in the building to hack the security.

Although the location of the snake is unknown (probably in one of the top floors, but inside this room), the core or an essential part of the snake is located in the vault. She then unlocked the doors to the vault.

After unlocking them, Winter found the fault and destroyed the core of the snake or that green glowing object. In the end, the girls beat the monster!

Now onto my thoughts,

Just like what everyone else mentioned, the aesthetic of the MV does look like NCT127′s Kick it. It has the traditional oriental look and the biker security guards. Not just Kick It, also Yunho’s Thank U in a way. This similarity of aesthetic may not necessarily show how their lores are connected (after all, each artists have their own story). But they use this aesthetic to showcase a villain’s lair that is probably inspired by the depictions of East Asian criminal groups in films. Black Mamba is portrayed to be a big villain that has many underlings (like an organization or a group). Something like Kill Bill too, Winter uses a sword and many speculated that it is a reference to the film ever since her debut introduction clip.

The similarity of the aesthetic from cross groups/artists could also be intended to strengthen the SMCU/SM family agenda. The plot and the story of each artist are not necessarily connected but they coexist in the same universe, SMCU.

Another comment I havet, it seems to be confirmed that the true form of the Black Mamba is the model in Karina’s BM photoshoot. However, we haven’t seen more of this person.

In my last post (🚄 aespa Ep. 2: Next Level Thoughts), I theorized that this person is Naevis. That is because towards the end of the episode, her hand was seen to be “corrupted”.

They are the only characters that are animated (of course aside from the girls’ aes), their appearances are even somewhat similar. In Episode 2: Next Level, Naevis in the end was shown to be concerned of the girls and wanted to help while her hand was like that. Meanwhile in this MV, the girls successfully killed BM and Naevis was just there watching them for a few seconds. Perhaps the MV is just a cut down of the actual story and is focused more on the visual aesthetics. So we’ll see more of this character and Naevis’ hand in their next comeback.

I do also remember about the possibility of having a new villain. But this was just mentioned briefly and nothing else. Some people think its a spider, but at this point we don’t know if we will get a continuation of this or immediately to a new villain. We’ll have to see about that in their next comeback.

[dojae-huh]

Favorite: lore

- I love the song. I used to ask for a “drama” song like Infinite did in the past, now 127 has produced one. The voices are mixed in a complicated satifying way.

I dig the underlying “siren” sound. It doesn’t follow a siren’s pattern, so isn’t alarming (irritating), but the tone is similar, which is enough for an association (attention! warning!). I like it. Genius.

- Both the song and the MV are very 2nd gen. It seems to be the intention, the nostalgic throw back to the past. 

- The MV is nice, but nothing to write home about. It has the ingridients, but the pacing isn’t very good. Some scenes/shots are stretched out, some are cut too early, this downplays the video. I like the transition effects though. There are also no super captivating memorable scenes. An opportunity missed. Again, it’s the way the scenes were shot (boring angles, not enough of the magic of cinematography). The only exception is the sleeping scene.

- I don’t like the dance (sans a few moves). I’ve read that several famous people worked on it. And it is the result? 127 used to be famous for its choreos, SM...

- I like the bit where neos drum, but Mark and Jaehyun shouldn’t fix their jackets, it breaks the pathos, the movement is immature. And I’m tired of seeing it everywhere from Jae.

- DOYOUNG’S PARTS!!!

Now, to the lore.

- Mark was the only one to drastically change his sleeping posture (intro/outro). There is a proposition that 9 neos make a pattern of Moon phases. If it’s so, Mark shows his “far side of the Moon” (the side that can’t be seen from Earth, the hidden side)? 

- Only Mark and Tae showed fangs.

- I wonder if the colourful clothes are a tie to fakirs and luring out a snake. 

- Tae swallowed the butterfly in his sleep (being unconcious, not realising what he is doing). The butterfly entered a tunnel filled with water. It’s not like getting to a stomack is usually depicted in media. Water is the main medium for passing through. So looks like a reference to Naevis and her opening portals for ai-s and aespa girls. 

- The red lit room is a ball room. The windows and statues in niches. The walls are silver, futuristic. I like that. Makes me think about the virtual reality, a simulation.

- The forest Mark and Tae are at. Korean fans already pointed out how it is filled with symbols of Christianity: trees of knowledge with apples, the Immaculate heart of Mary, the reed (Moses). Tae’s outifit resemble’s Mary’s outfit, his necklace resembles a rosary. Mark and Tae our “tempted”. So is it about sins and being tested?

-  Where is Doyoung? Kwangya? The Korean word is translated as “wilderness”. An open space.

- Doyoung is just chilling on a high place, as usual, heh. I like consistency. But other than that, he plays his “observer/I look up at the sky” role. He is the first to see the real place, was he even affected by the illusion? He always sees the matrix of dreams.

- Before Mark lands in the forest, there is the “Punch/Next level” wavy effect (later used with Woo). He has his arm covering his eyes. So he is being attacked. 

- I wonder about this rip/lightning. It was in the trailer as well. Is it just to symbolise a quick attack? To fit “you come like a storm” lyrics?

- Now Mark looks dazed.

- Jungwoo teleported. His powers or just to show he is a vampire? I think the second. A blood bath is also vampire lore. 

- This is pretty.

- Taeyong and Mark are the only two to bite (show fangs in an attack). 

The thing about Christianity, Taemin is the one who uses this symbolism to the fullest. Perhaps it’s to tie TaeMark to him. Or maybe not.

- Haechan is the second one to land at Kwangya after Doyoung.

- Why the ruins (the Greek columns)? 

- Did Jungwoo save the butterfly in his heart? By the way, love the heart. It’s anatomically accurate, but rendered in the way that it doesn’t look off putting. Naevis will be reincarnated. So Tae tried to kill it (swallow), but it got into a portal (water) instead of his stomack, and ended up being saved/harboured by Woo? Remember, it’s dreams, surrealism is accepted.

- Neos appear in Kwangya (the dancing platform) one by one. Each time we see the setting, new neos are added.

- Doyoung stands in a heroic pose. He is the one who is responsible for security. Did Woo join Do and release Naevis (memories of/information about her, she is like ai, a being from digital world)?

- I don’t think the butterflies transformed into rose petals. The petals fall, not dance in a circle, plus DoWoo weren’t shown with the petals. Plus Hyuk lated disintegrates into petals. I think the shots are paired for transition.

- The arena neos dance at is surrounded by these rose petals and rose bushes. It’s another attack by the dream-illusion. The music turns into a march, a soldier song. Neos are prepared to fight.

- The red ball room, the red background behind Doyoung during his solo. Again, the red is for the Dream. I see some colour theories stating otherwise, I totally disagree.

- Haechan is a vampire and turns to dust under the Sun.

- Did Haechan release the butterfly? So, 3 people were involved in Naevis’ saving? Haechan is the one who records information, and Naevis is information. 

- Neos are back to old school clothes, but now they are not torn apart. 

- What is Johnny’s role here?

- Both Haechan and Doyoung changed poses the same way. 

[ecl1pse]

honestly the most tragic thing about the next level fiasco is that everything is up to par with sm standards. the visuals in the mv, the performance the girls give, the styling. but the song is so fucking lackluster.

next level sounds more like a preview medley for an upcoming album than an actual song. resonance, despite the butchering they did to raise the roof, make a wish, 90s love & work it worked so much better because it IS a medley. it’s supposed to present four songs in one. four ALREADY EXISTING SONGS!!

one worked because they took the stronger parts from infinity & monster & mixed them together

zimzalabim worked because it’s supposed to resemble a roller coaster structurally & leaves you wanting more

i got a boy is so genius it has been dubbed the bohemian rhapsody of kpop because of the perfect blend of genres & the great transitions

next level has none of these. it sounds half-baked, & maybe if it had been presented with a mini album featuring the songs this was frankensteined from it would’ve worked better & it wouldn’t be as jarring because we would still be able to refer to their original sources. but it wasn’t because sm is more interested in testing their wack theories with aespa instead of letting them work like the well-trained musical group they are. aespa deserve better, they’re way too talented for this

[popmusicu]

Why AESPA and LOONA is for the LGBTQ+ community

Something that’s been shown in recent times is the gain in popularity of hyperpop thanks to the LGBTQ + community, where artists such as Charli XCX, Dorian Electra, Kim Petras and others have become famous thanks to and from the hand of this genre. from synthpop, artpop, dreampop, and others.

In kpop there has always been a great use of different musical genres, but for some reason the use of hyperpop has been occupied or referenced very subtly in the songs, until a few years ago when a group began to venture into this.

Regarding this, I will focus first on LOONA, but specifically on their sub-unit LOONA OEC (Odd Eye Circle) due to how they were the first group in which I began to notice these uses of synth, dream, art and hyperpop, especially in their song: “LOONATIC” (which I recommend listening to in their English ver. for those who have never heard them! it’s such an amazing song that gives a nostalgic vibe which is hard for me to describe in words, u should really listen to it), as well as in their songs: “Girl Front” and “Sweet Crazy Love”.

-LOONATIC Eng. Ver: 

https://open.spotify.com/track/7xkpUBffveGC99B2UYIuFy?si=5c958313102541c8

Now, regarding LOONA itself, there are multiple references to the acceptance of the queer community and its visibility, such as in the video and song "Heart Attack", which is the solo by Chuu (a member of this group) where she literally sings and acts about being in love with a woman (who in the video is represented by her groupmate, Yves).

-Heart Attack MV:

https://youtu.be/BVVfMFS3mgc

On the other hand, I want to talk about Aespa, SM Entertainment's latest girl group since Red Velvet, which debuted last year and has gained public attention due to its futuristic concept and its music, which has caused a lot of conflict to some public due to its “robotic” style. It is easy to recognize in their singles “Black Mamba”, “Next Level” and their last and most successful song: “Savage”, the presence of hyperpop. 

For many, "Next Level" was something strange to listen to at first, because it seems to be 3 songs in one, which to me on the contrary, it gave me nostalgia because it reminded me of the old days of kpop where SNSD's "I Got a Boy” surprised with this style of song in 2013.

Returning to the subject, with their latest single: "Savage" many listeners were surprised because it sounded too "robotic" for their taste, while for a lot of the kpoper and queer community it sounded like a BOP due to its genre that mixes dancepop, hyperpop and electropop and also because the song is catchy as hell (so y’all should definitely check it out if ur into this genre!).

-Savage MV:

https://youtu.be/WPdWvnAAurg

Anygays, with this post I just wanted to show how hyperpop has influenced current kpop and how it is closely related to the LGBTQ + community, I hope it makes sense for y’all too haha

 Posted by Vania Reyes

[kwangyadetective]

🔭 The Visions: Kick Back, Low Low, and Kosmo

“WayV found Kosmo in Kick Back.”

A short theory post about WayV’s Kick Back and how they are leading the whole group to the secret space ‘country’.

(!) This is a theory as it is not fully confirmed by SM entertainment nor the members or NCT.

I know this is VERY late to discuss about the song but when it was released when I wasn’t into the lore anyway. Took me time too to really understand WayV’s story line, like what I said multiple times, it just seems more complicated compared to the other units.

But currently (after Favorite), since there are no releases yet from NCT, this is the right time to talk about it? It could hint the Neos’ next destination.

WayV are the ‘Vision’ of the whole group, so I supposed they are ahead of the others.

The mandarin title of Kick Back is 秘境, which means ‘Mystery’ (I hope the translation is right). Now, I may not be able to tell you why is it ‘Kick Back’ in English :” but one thing for sure is that the lyrics keeps referring to this secret space realm. Probably why is it called ‘Mystery’ because that place is still a mystery to them.

I’m not sure about this one but its still a secret. Probably referring to the same thing.

At first, it was odd for me because why would they talk about this secret thing and nearly concluded that they found some sort of secret space cult. But after looking at other theories (and contemplating) and found out that they were actually talking about Kosmo.

Kosmo is possibly a place like Kwangya. In NCT’s universe, you can only access it if you dream. Similar to how Sungchan entered Kwangya by dreaming in Kangta’s ‘Free to Fly’ 2021 ver. There isn’t a visual illustration or representation YET in MVs of it but it was mentioned several times (90s Love and aespa’s Next Level). Seems like the whole SM ent are going in there. Kosmo is possibly like Kwangya but more advanced. Perhaps the environment and life over there is ‘better’ in some way (other than advanced technology, the place is just better in many aspects); which is why everyones going there. Ten and Yangyang presumably there already in Low Low.

Though I’m still not sure why is it written ‘Republic of Kosmo’. Its like they became citizens there(?) But for sure, they landed there before anyone.

This one room in the MV could possibly refer to Kosmo. Its not directly describing it, but it refers to it. The desert in MVs (like in Hot Sauce and Sticker (the cacti)) is supposed to represent the dreamscape just like how it was shown in The Origin video. It grew cacti over time.

BUT there is also a possibility its in Kwangya. Because I thought it looks similar in a way to the one in Kangta’s MV?

Putting those two possibilities^. Personally I think its just their dreamscape but who knows. Going back, the wall of the room is upside down so perhaps its telling us that Kosmo is beyond the dream world and Kwangya. Whether it is above their current realm or literally the upside down of it (??), its out there in the space.

The place is covered probably because it was still a mystery in the MV according to WayV. They are not there yet as of Kick Back.

I was thinking that maybe the Neos will use a wormhole to get there? But probably like in Lowlow, they used a plane.

I think thats it, thank you if you have reach here! but DO tell me if there are mistakes or wrong information.