MAMAMOO denies dating abuse controversy over new song

[waves-of-light.livejournal.com]

Girl group MAMAMOO said on Monday that the controversial elevator kiss scene in the music video of its new song "Decalcomanie" was intended to show another variation of the video concept and not dating abuse.

The music video of "Decalcomanie," the lead song of the band's fourth and latest EP "Memory," played more into the seductress theme, at the expense of the group's trademark lampoon of male-dominant social biases, best shown in "Um Oh Ah Yeh" and "1cm Taller than You."


The bone of contention, however, blasted from a part that MAMAMOO and its company did not expect. Fiery controversy blasted on YouTube about the picturesque kiss scene in the music video of "Decalcomanie," in which a handsome man pushes Solar against the elevator wall and kisses her into submission. Many viewers related the scene to dating abuse and other gender-related violence.

"We thank our fans for reviewing our music videos, and at the same time, we'd like to explain a little (about the elevator scene,)" said Solar during a media showcase for "Memory."

"Among the four of us, three played the girls who lead on and push men. The remaining member, which happened to be me, played a contrasting role, to offer more diversity," she continued.

The singer said she felt proud of the completed version of the music video -- and the first-ever kiss scene of the MAMAMOO members -- but "failed to take into account that different angles may lead to different interpretations."

The original video of "Decalcomanie" on YouTube was deleted shortly after the media showcase kicked off in eastern Seoul in the afternoon. A modified version, with Solar's kissing part deleted, was re-uploaded and shown to media at the end of the showcase.

In addition to addressing the music video controversy, MAMAMOO opened up about going with a "sexy" image for the new EP.

The K-pop group have been known to be "funky and witty" or boyish at times, but with "Memory," it decided to go with the seductive "femme fatale" concept.

About the extreme change, Wheein said, "We felt awkward at first, but soon we came to recognize the new potential of (our sexy vibe)."

Wheein said the company did not want to restrict the group's image in a single, fixed concept.

All members were nervous about the new look, but crossed their fingers for it to be well-received.

"It'd be a lie to say that I didn't have butterflies in my stomach, but I guess it is something my company and I have to overcome," said Hwasa.

"We spent a lot of time on the album and that's how we came to believe that many people will like this one," she added.

Indeed, MAMAMOO's new EP, loaded with eight songs, was closer to an LP both in length and quality.

The EP was produced by MAMAMOO's signature producer Kim Do-hoon. Tony Maserati, who produced songs for world-class artists Beyonce, Alicia Keys and Robin Thicke, was in charge of mixing in the new album.

The songs went through some changes as well. "Decalcomanie," for example, incorporated a rock-like, medium-tempo drum cadence, though not faring too far from its familiar funky retro sound.

MAMAMOO members hoped to win the No. 1 spot on television music shows this week. In the long run, the group wants to win honors in the year-end entertainment awards.

"We will keep ourselves humble and keep up the good work with better performances," said rapper Moonbyul.



Ugh at the description of "picturesque kiss scene" and "a handsome man pushes Solar against the elevator wall and kisses her into submission". benihime99 posted the edited version of the MV earlier today here


Yonhap

Comments

[by-venoms-sting.livejournal.com]

"Among the four of us, three played the girls who lead on and push men. The remaining member, which happened to be me, played a contrasting role, to offer more diversity," she continued.

If they wanted something different then why not have had Solar and the guy lean in for a kiss at the same time?

[jeliza]

Beyonce, Alicia Keys and Robin Thicke
One of these things is not like the other.

I'm glad they edited the video.

[redgreendress.livejournal.com]

lol one of these is so much NOT like the others just reading his name makes me want to vomit

[demeulemeester.livejournal.com]

solar's was definitely the worst scene but wheein's and hwasa's also had bad elements.

[funga-fufu.livejournal.com]

i agree 100%.

"diversity"

[seulgibear.livejournal.com]

Re: "diversity"

[sodapab.livejournal.com]

MTE

[msgrottesca.livejournal.com]

lmao male dominance is not the kind of ~diversity~ needed in a male dominant society tbh. Scenes like that are one of many reasons I can't get into k-dramas at all - don't need them in my kpop too.

[saemcrh.livejournal.com]

"one of many reasons I can't get into k-dramas at all"

This reminded me that I recently reconnected with an old friend of mine, and she brought up that she's really into k-dramas. I mentioned that I find it difficult to find ones that I like, because so many encourage and romanticise abusive and forceful behaviour from the men. She then proceeded to tell me that she likes it, and she wouldn't mind it. She also mentioned that the women in the shows eventually give in so obviously they like it too.

I just stared at her not being able to formulate a coherent thought in my mind. Sorry for the random-OT share, but that part of your post just made me think of that.

[haroobommi.livejournal.com]

someone tell me all this mess is just a nightmare please

[bubblyshades.livejournal.com]

"in which a handsome man" journalists just don't fact check anymore

lmao mte

[hebk.livejournal.com]

that sam smith doppelganger was far from handsome
and even if he was the scene is still gross

[tempestdance.livejournal.com]

disapproving woobin disapproves (and rightly so)

[mlmello.livejournal.com]

it's really sad to see them defending the original scene. not sure what's worst: if they really think like that and are just expressing their opinion about it or if they're just saying what their company wants them to say.

[redgreendress.livejournal.com]

this. ugh this whole cb is tainted now, even if they slay their live performances which I'm sure they will, this is what I'll remember...

[jaequeeragenda.livejournal.com]

yikessssssss

[typhlogirl.livejournal.com]

What a stupid scene to film, especially when there's so much debate over violent behaviour in kdramas rn

mess

[elisaorange.livejournal.com]

Just delete it without defending it, wyd.

(I didn't watch the video to be honest but I heard some people saying it had questionable moments).

[annayism.livejournal.com]

mamamoo peaked at um oh ah yeah

[mya13.livejournal.com]

mte. thats the only song i like from them, even tho i know int fans dont like it and think it's boring.

[boxcuttergirl.livejournal.com]

"kisses her into submission"

what kind of straight dude jerk-off material bullshit is this lol

[wintersjuly.livejournal.com]

I love Mamamoo but with Um Oh Ah Yeah and this i guess i'm just not going to watch their MVs at all

[lazmy.livejournal.com]

they sooo couldve kept this explanation to themselves. saying he "kisses her into submission" sounds so...rapey.

[mya13.livejournal.com]

just delete the scene and khrasu... srsly where is the logic? y'all clearly deleted it for a reason... cause people were uncomfortable... cause that scene was fking gross... they gotta fire their PR team seems like a bunch a monkeys wrote this

[unelixir.livejournal.com]

but um oh ah yeah was problematic too
hwasa!male was basically sexually assaulting solar in the entire video so....
i love mamamoo, just their music videos can be problematic to say the least

[boxcuttergirl.livejournal.com]

solar basically did the same thing to moonbyul towards the end too, i have no idea what the company was thinking

[goldenrosalie.livejournal.com]

ummmmm yeah no. and i don't believe that ~they "have" to defend it~ even works here. she could easily say just sorry (or whatever is the usual kpop mantra with we didn't see it this way, sorry you were offended &etc) since company already edited mv and posted new version so there was no reason to die on that hill.

[lizanka23.livejournal.com]

I feel like a lot of women watching these dramas take the scenes at face value, so I can believe that solar and the girls thinks these scenes are normal. I remember I used to think they were ok until I learned about feminism more. At least they didn't bother me as much. It would've just been better though that they admitted the scene was bad and just not do something like this in the future

[broadcities.livejournal.com]

yikes. their response is nagl.. also seductive =/= leading men on or 'pushing' men..

wierd that they revised the video but still stand behind solar's kissing scene anyway

[mlmello.livejournal.com]

I can only think that they don't see a problem at all and just edited the video to ""calm"" the critics. which is sad because the girls probably think that it's an ok behaviour for a man to act like this. it's """"manly"""", """"sexy"""", """"cool"""" or whatever bs people create to justify.

[dio-elaclaire.livejournal.com]

this is really upsetting

[ddeadmeat.livejournal.com]

this is so disappointing coming from solar. why does my fav gotta hurt me

[mjspice.livejournal.com]

Yeah I stopped @ "We'd like to explain" because I don't think an explanation was necessary for this. :/