a.k.a. "When bad things happen to good songs"
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Tiny-G's "Ice Baby" sparks a special rage in me. I enjoyed the group's previous song, "Miss You," and was looking forward to this latest release. Sure, they lost a member in the interim, but that's kpop. It happens.
Overall, "Ice Baby" is a sweet R&B song about a relationship experiencing a sudden chill.
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I like the chorus. I like the verses. I can even forgive the song's non-ironic use of the phrase "Ice, ice baby." Then the rapping starts.
Why, why did someone think it was a good idea to include an unnecessary rap not once, but twice in this otherwise pleasant song? I've said it before, and I know I'll say it again, but 95 percent of kpop raps are superfluous and do nothing but bring the song down. Their inclusion usually stems from at least one of two reasons: 1. A mistaken notion that since raps have been present in a majority of kpop releases in the past few years, people must like them, and 2. Because not all group members can sing well, so they've got to have something to do, right?
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Both of those reasons seem to factor in with this song. I realize they've got to give Mint something to do to keep her place in the group. But forced, terrible rapping can't be the only option.
If a member can't sing, have him or her dance. If he or she can neither dance or sing or just dancing ain't gonna cut it, honestly, that's fine — just as long as you don't label them a rapper solely because of that. Teach the member a skill. I'd much rather watch a video where one of the members was just painting a portrait in the background than listen to another painfully forced kpop rap.
There are plenty of options: miming, shooting baskets, target practice (an option I'd love Sistar's company to explore. Just have Bora shoot arrows in the background the entire MV. No raps, just arrows.). The possibilities are limitless.
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The video's concept gives me a headache, too. It's like someone heard "kpop" and translated that to stand for "Kindergarten pop."
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The dances and most of the outfits seem like they were intended to make the group look 5 years old. The MV's dominated by giant bows, lace, and skip dances with little respite.
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The only way the group could be more infantilized would be to put them in actual cribs. I guess we'll have to wait for their next release for that.
The "Ice Baby" video had nothing going for it. Even the song's signature "brrr, it's cold in here" dance was laughable.
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Don't even get me started on these pillow+rug eggs. They're the most interesting part of this video, and I still hate them.
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BOTTOM LINE: Obnoxious concept and superfluous raps ruin an otherwise strong release.
* His sudden coldness surely has nothing to do with the fact that he's dating all three of them at once.
WARNING: Big photos, gifs, and bitterness ahead
Tiny-G's "Ice Baby" sparks a special rage in me. I enjoyed the group's previous song, "Miss You," and was looking forward to this latest release. Sure, they lost a member in the interim, but that's kpop. It happens.
Overall, "Ice Baby" is a sweet R&B song about a relationship experiencing a sudden chill.
Why you gotta be so cold, Boy?*
I like the chorus. I like the verses. I can even forgive the song's non-ironic use of the phrase "Ice, ice baby." Then the rapping starts.
Why, why did someone think it was a good idea to include an unnecessary rap not once, but twice in this otherwise pleasant song? I've said it before, and I know I'll say it again, but 95 percent of kpop raps are superfluous and do nothing but bring the song down. Their inclusion usually stems from at least one of two reasons: 1. A mistaken notion that since raps have been present in a majority of kpop releases in the past few years, people must like them, and 2. Because not all group members can sing well, so they've got to have something to do, right?
Sure, your dancing's great, Mint. But with only three members now,
we can't just rely on your dancing to fill up all that screen time.
we can't just rely on your dancing to fill up all that screen time.
Both of those reasons seem to factor in with this song. I realize they've got to give Mint something to do to keep her place in the group. But forced, terrible rapping can't be the only option.
If a member can't sing, have him or her dance. If he or she can neither dance or sing or just dancing ain't gonna cut it, honestly, that's fine — just as long as you don't label them a rapper solely because of that. Teach the member a skill. I'd much rather watch a video where one of the members was just painting a portrait in the background than listen to another painfully forced kpop rap.
There are plenty of options: miming, shooting baskets, target practice (an option I'd love Sistar's company to explore. Just have Bora shoot arrows in the background the entire MV. No raps, just arrows.). The possibilities are limitless.
Now wouldn't you prefer the next Sistar video have Bora do this
instead of another terrible rap? I would.
instead of another terrible rap? I would.
The video's concept gives me a headache, too. It's like someone heard "kpop" and translated that to stand for "Kindergarten pop."
The members play on the patio with all their favorite summertime toys,
like their bike — with training wheels.
The dances and most of the outfits seem like they were intended to make the group look 5 years old. The MV's dominated by giant bows, lace, and skip dances with little respite.
I'm against high-waisted jean shorts like any sane person, but these looks are still 100% better than the jammie bottoms and white lace numbers they've got on the rest of this video.
The only way the group could be more infantilized would be to put them in actual cribs. I guess we'll have to wait for their next release for that.
The "Ice Baby" video had nothing going for it. Even the song's signature "brrr, it's cold in here" dance was laughable.
Don't even get me started on these pillow+rug eggs. They're the most interesting part of this video, and I still hate them.
Oh no, and now they're dancing with the yolks.
BOTTOM LINE: Obnoxious concept and superfluous raps ruin an otherwise strong release.
* His sudden coldness surely has nothing to do with the fact that he's dating all three of them at once.