I’d like to like Misogyny Drop Dead by Planningtorock, but agree with a commenter that its more “experimental” and “obscure” than something you can actually dance to.
As for that “problem” though, the author definitely has a point. Just type “trance” into a Youtube search and see for yourself:
Thoughts? Any more quality K-pop (or covers or remixes) out there that should be much better known? Would you say the objectifying imagery is simply because — I assume — most of the DJs are male? Or some other reason?
*Update: Link is just about the regional Wellington competition sorry. Any sources on the national competition would be appreciated.
9 thoughts on “Music Break: Two K-pop Gems You’ve Been Missing”
Stephen gave me the link to this…thanks so much for the post!!! Not quite heading to Korea yet (need to get enough views and votes by September 16th to get in the top 15!) but I’m sure this will help ^^ 대박!!!
Oh, also to give you a run-down on how the comp works;
I think there will be about 100 contestants (national representatives) from around the world – The Twins and I are repping NZ . Top 15 (highest points) go to Korea to compete in the grand finale. You get points by 1. Youtube views 2. Voting on the official page (from 1-15th September only) 3. Judging panel.
The top 15 will be announced on 16th September!!
If I recall back when dance/trance was emerging heavily here in Australia, I recall seeing lots of advertising of girls dressed up in the fluffy boots, sparse clothing (usually a tank top + short skirt – cheerleader-ish), cheap plastic jewellery, and a dummy (aka. pacifier for those playing in the USA ;) ). Not to dissimilar to this example: http://kawaiikandi.tumblr.com/image/40825420093
Type in dance/trance/raver + girl into google images, and I think you’ll see why these images are synonymous with that type of music: Girls / women who attend (or at least one subsection) dress in a very particular style (‘dress’ used very loosely). Seems like the style is still very much followed. Given that people go to these parties either to ‘hook up’ or to dance/enjoy the music (either naturally, or with some additional substance), it could explain why these images are used in conjunction with this style of music.
Of course, this leads into the discourse of whether this is actually empowering women or objectifying them…
The DJ’s being male probably doesn’t help things :P
Thanks. Am just curious when you would say it emerged heavily in Australia though? I was in NZ when it did in the late-90s, and didn’t really see that style at all. Instead, that picture instantly reminded of this (0:58):
But just I like I remembered lots more cheap plastic jewelry in that clip than what’s actually there, I’m wondering if not seeing that is just because my memory is fuzzy, because I — nostalgic sigh for lost, wasted youth — didn’t actually go to that many events (I didn’t have the money), or because there were/are genuine differences between the dance cultures of NZ and Australia?
Thoughts? Any more quality K-pop (or covers or remixes) out there that should be much better known? Would you say the objectifying imagery is simply because — I assume — most of the DJs are male? Or some other reason?
The Grand Narrative 
Stephen gave me the link to this…thanks so much for the post!!! Not quite heading to Korea yet (need to get enough views and votes by September 16th to get in the top 15!) but I’m sure this will help ^^ 대박!!!
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Sorry to hear that. Do you mean votes and views on your video’s YouTube page?
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Oh, also to give you a run-down on how the comp works;
I think there will be about 100 contestants (national representatives) from around the world – The Twins and I are repping NZ . Top 15 (highest points) go to Korea to compete in the grand finale. You get points by 1. Youtube views 2. Voting on the official page (from 1-15th September only) 3. Judging panel.
The top 15 will be announced on 16th September!!
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Thanks. I’ll update the post soon.
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Not quite as soon as I expected sorry. But finally done!
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If I recall back when dance/trance was emerging heavily here in Australia, I recall seeing lots of advertising of girls dressed up in the fluffy boots, sparse clothing (usually a tank top + short skirt – cheerleader-ish), cheap plastic jewellery, and a dummy (aka. pacifier for those playing in the USA ;) ). Not to dissimilar to this example: http://kawaiikandi.tumblr.com/image/40825420093
Type in dance/trance/raver + girl into google images, and I think you’ll see why these images are synonymous with that type of music: Girls / women who attend (or at least one subsection) dress in a very particular style (‘dress’ used very loosely). Seems like the style is still very much followed. Given that people go to these parties either to ‘hook up’ or to dance/enjoy the music (either naturally, or with some additional substance), it could explain why these images are used in conjunction with this style of music.
Of course, this leads into the discourse of whether this is actually empowering women or objectifying them…
The DJ’s being male probably doesn’t help things :P
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Thanks. Am just curious when you would say it emerged heavily in Australia though? I was in NZ when it did in the late-90s, and didn’t really see that style at all. Instead, that picture instantly reminded of this (0:58):
But just I like I remembered lots more cheap plastic jewelry in that clip than what’s actually there, I’m wondering if not seeing that is just because my memory is fuzzy, because I — nostalgic sigh for lost, wasted youth — didn’t actually go to that many events (I didn’t have the money), or because there were/are genuine differences between the dance cultures of NZ and Australia?
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“Electronic dance music has a problem with objectifying women, and by “problem,” we mean, can’t fucking stop doing it.”
You’re not making sense.
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Yawn.
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