PENTAGON (펜타곤) – Humph! (접근금지): MV Review

This article will be the last review for July releases. MV reviews for August will be published soon. Stay tuned.

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This will be the first time reviewing PENTAGON in their another work, called Humph!

Their song Shine, which they planned so well from music to dance, convinced me to be part of their fandom. This we also dealt with in our various misheard lyrics published by author.

Being a Universe also, my expectations on this comeback are simple: Improvement on previous performance, and maintain/surpass excitement brought about by Shine. Let’s review now:

(Side Notes: With success of Pentagon, CUBE Entertainment might consider also creating boy groups like Triangle and Prism. Just joking. 😀

Also, I will not review their latest track Happiness, as the track is performed in Japanese.)

The storyline tells of series of struggles between two persons, starting with two kids who grew up, bringing struggle against each other. Time come that they confront each other, but not that long. The video ends with members rejoicing the friendship between the two. The school campus theme is consistently featured in the video.

PENTAGON clearly stated the moral lesson, and that’s on resolution of fights. This is highly needed, considering that fights occur everywhere. It might also tell every fandom to stop bashing each other. Another lesson is on drawing the line. If this involves serious matters, we should not go beyond that, and we should respect that.

Viewers will find some things beneficial for them, like on featuring baseball at 3:00 – 3:09, and what’s happening inside the school.

Funny scenes that can be seen here is on throwing papers (2:56 – 2:59), reminding us of their song Shine, upon knowing that the two are in good terms.

Another is on Hui at 1:13 telling the members to “Stop!” Look at his reaction:

I find also the height standard funny (2:14 – 2:25), especially on how the taller members reacted. Their act reminds me of TWICE’s inside joke on Chaeyoung, and even on GFRIEND’s members teasing Eunha over it. (If included in MV, the two would definitely pass through that door.)

Review by others

TheBiasList was somewhat dismayed by the group replicating factors that made Shine shine, but lacked luster. It described sadly the state of various song parts: intro as “autotuned,” mid-tempo beat as ‘like any other”, lack of momentum, and “skittery” instrumentals that makes the song pointless.

On a positive note, potentials are on pre-chorus where the boys give their best vocals.

KPopReviewed noted that Pentagon is leaning towards vibrant theme after Shine, albeit showcasing different tunes. It described whole video as very cool one. The melodic song is smooth, flowing, warm, and bright, making it perfect for the season. He/she desires to listen it more, as it is addictive.

He/she illustrated the storyline very well. On performance, it was very good, especially on their hand gestures.

Review as whole

On music, their instrumentals are very simple, but enough to engage listeners. I liked also the flutey tune, especially at the beginning and end of music. This lightens up the mood of listeners like me.

As compared to Shine, the music and dance was less exciting, but sustainable enough to keep the energy in the song going till the end. Conversely, the storyline and moral lesson here is clearer than the hit track.

I enjoyed how the members played their roles well. They also made a great move telling the story, in such a way this looks like a mini-musical. This can be noticed on the group singing while acting.

PENTAGON explained well the line drawn at the table. When one crosses the line, expect fights. The tension seen in the MV was rendered in a way not too provocative, but still entertains us and maintains the lighter, carefree vibe.

Universes would tell of absences by some members, but the members’ reasons are justifiable. It just saddens also to see another member not present in the MV (again). It’s Yanan, who is on a hiatus now due to hand injuries. To Yanan, be well and take a rest!

TweetNewscaster’s Overall Rating: 92.38%

Scoreboard

Aspect		Criterion	Points
Storyline	1	Storyline	5
Storyline	2	Consistent theme	5
Appearance	3	Colorful	5
Appearance	4	Good taste	5
Appearance	5	No Halloween, Easter, etc.	5
Appearance	6	No astrology featured	5
Appearance	7	Less horror featured	5
Appearance	8	Not too revealing outfits	5
Music	9	Exciting	5
Music	10	Not too deafening	5
Dance	11	Learned easily even by beginners	5
Dance	12	Not too sensual	5
Lessons	13	Moral lesson clearly stated	5
Lessons	14	Impart something beneficial for viewers	5
Other Matters	15	Sense of humor	10
Other Matters	16	Make it to mainstream media	3
Other Matters	17	Review by other sites	4
Other Matters	18	Review of MV as a whole	5
Other Matters	19	Uploads video to 1theK	5
		Features 1theK logo	0

Honey Popcorn (허니팝콘) – De-aeseohsta (디에세오스타): MV Review

For the first time, we will feature another underrated K-Pop group called Honey Popcorn, with their song De–aeseohsta.

For those who hear the group’s name for the first time, one might think that they are tasty. Would it be the case on their performance? We’ll see in this review:

Storyline tells of the girls who are slouching, finding their place as boring. As one member peeks outside the window, they look upon reflection of themselves. There they get things that make them happy. They posed as Midas where everything they touched becomes colorful. The girls from outside the window throw balls at the other side of room. The play theme is consistently featured in the video.

Some moral lessons can be seen in this video. First is on bringing color to each other’s lives, and finally on seeking things that will make one happy and enjoy with. While I don’t see anything funny in the video, they made a good deal featuring the whole room as play station. Somehow, this will give viewers idea on things that they might play on.

Review as whole

They played the color well to describe their emotions. They also made great move having dual settings – playroom and hall-like – so as not to bore us. I find the whole MV very cute, from settings to their reactions. The sparkling and bubbling music present complements the rooms and color tone used. Outstanding member for me is Yua, as I find her very cute on the way she acts.

The only thing that’s bit awkward is on the title itself. Why? If “De-aeseohsta” has no definite meaning, they should have defined it as a spell or chant in their YouTube page. Or improvise a magic-like word, just like what Red Velvet’s Zimzalabim did.

Noticeable is on the girls throwing pink balls at the end of MV, sharing concept from SATURDAY in their song WiFi.

Review by others

TheBiasList lost words as it tries to discuss what the music is all about. Positive point was on the “refined energy” that combines the vibes of Apink and GFRIEND.

While this music was “stronger” than its previous track, it’s forgettable once it is stopped playing. Added to that was the lack of ability to elicit attention, and lack of sense of identity for it to stand out with the rest.

TweetNewscaster’s Overall Rating: 85.00%

Scoreboard

Aspect		Criterion	Points
Storyline	1	Storyline	5
Storyline	2	Consistent theme	5
Appearance	3	Colorful	5
Appearance	4	Good taste	5
Appearance	5	No Halloween, Easter, etc.	5
Appearance	6	No astrology featured	5
Appearance	7	Less horror featured	5
Appearance	8	Not too revealing outfits	5
Music	9	Exciting	4
Music	10	Not too deafening	4
Dance	11	Learned easily even by beginners	5
Dance	12	Not too sensual	5
Lessons	13	Moral lesson clearly stated	5
Lessons	14	Impart something beneficial for viewers	4
Other Matters	15	Sense of humor	1
Other Matters	16	Make it to mainstream media	3
Other Matters	17	Review by other sites	4
Other Matters	18	Review of MV as a whole	5
Other Matters	19	Shares concepts from other groups	5

 

MAMAMOO (마마무) – Gleam (다 빛이나): MV Review

Here we are again on reviewing MAMAMOO, with their song Gleam.

Technically, this is not a comeback. This they just do as endorser of an optics brand. However, even if this is their soft comeback, we will still touch on this, as reviewers are discussing it. Aside from that, I loved the group well. Let’s start!

Storyline as whole

The storyline revolves on the group searching for glass factory, trying to pick spectacles that will suit them best. This they need as they play bowling.

The only moral lesson that can be seen here is on friendships. Meanwhile, they make viewers aware of the need to stay fit and play other games, as seen in them featuring bowling balls (1:19). Bowling alley is being featured in the video, giving viewers a glimpse of recreation during 70s and 80s.

They toned down the rap and made less fierce upbeats. This sets the song apart from their previous tracks which defined their identity. It lacked a definite bang that will impress me. But that’s fine.

The scene at 2:24 where they meet and have a drink reminds us of similar gathering, in their previous song Wind Flower.

Review by others

Gleam has quite limited flavor, especially on music. TheBiasList pointed out that albeit given a retro style, it also delves down to tropical pop, which limits the full potential of the song. It fell to the same plague K-Pop is experiencing for several years.

Positive aspect was on strong vocals that defined Mamamoo for so long. This is noted on their chorus. The blogger added that given the guitar (existing in the song), vocals, and retro, it would have a major positive effect on the music.

Generally, commercialized K-Pop songs were not a focus for KPopReviewed, as it tends to be a cheaper version. Exceptions were on Pepsi commercials, and this time, Mamamoo.

Commenters agreed that this is a “well-polished” song suitable for the group.  The blogger described this as part of typical music, only to add up with Mamamoo’s vocals to make it stand out. Notable is on Moonbyul’s raps, which give an added twist to the song.

TweetNewscaster’s Overall Rating: 87.00%

Scoreboard

Aspect		Criterion	Points
Storyline	1	Storyline	5
Storyline	2	Consistent theme	5
Appearance	3	Colorful/Dark	5
Appearance	4	Good taste	5
Appearance	5	No Halloween, Easter, etc.	5
Appearance	6	No astrology featured	5
Appearance	7	Less horror featured	5
Appearance	8	Not too revealing outfits	5
Music	9	Exciting/Fits the setting	5
Music	10	Not too deafening	3
Dance	11	Learned easily even by beginners	5
Dance	12	Not too sensual	5
Lessons	13	Moral lesson clearly stated	4
Lessons	14	Impart something beneficial for viewers	5
Other Matters	15	Sense of humor	5
Other Matters	16	Make it to mainstream media	1
Other Matters	17	Review by other sites	4
Other Matters	18	Review of MV as a whole	5
Other Matters	19	Goes back to previous song	5