Idols/Music

Is ‘Madonna’ Really Worse Than This?

Written by Ashley On February 22, 2011

I have not been silent in my love of Secret. Not too long ago, I was lamenting their lack of attention and praising their mini-album to the moon. Now it appears that the girls are getting some much deserved props which is great – but for the corniest song that ever ripped off 1950′s American culture.

The ‘Shy Boy’ isn’t really that bad and it’s catchy, but I have to admit that when I first saw the concept photos and preview and whatnot, I found it a bit eye-roll inducing. Where were the sassy ladies of yesteryear? Anyone remember this?

I know cuteness sells in kpop – it’s an argument not really worth reiterating. But it did make me think of other girl groups and their “break out” moments – for all their faults, Wonder Girls have always maintained a sense of fierceness even with JYP’s retro obsession; interestingly, KARA became super popular after they broke out of the ‘cutie’ phase; 2NE1 and 4Minute -well the cuteness pretty much cuts off at ‘Lollipop’ and ‘Hot Issue.’

It’s just a wandering thought that confounds me, as a fan of Secret for their vocals and fierce songs, that they wouldn’t become notable for the very things I think make them great. Of course, they wouldn’t be the first ones. And with that in mind, perhaps Secret (‘s company) knew more than all of us – all the sexy diva girl groups dominating the scene then, whew, here’s Secret with a breather!

Still I hope when they come back (a month or two from now) Korean music listeners will see more of what they are capable of.

TAGS: Op-Ed, Secret

http://mixtapesandlinernotesl.blogspot.com mellowyel

I actually think that the Wonder Girls got progressively less and less fierce since their “Irony” days. Plus, their biggest hit was “Tell Me” which was their cute track. It really spawned the whole cute phase in k-pop (damn you, JYP!!!) And KARA, funnily enough, were like Secret – fierce before they were cute. Won a Best Newcomer Award with their debut album, but only really blew up with the cute track, “Honey” which earned them an M! Countdown award and a Mutizen. I’m glad they went back to the fierce, though Japan is trying to cutesify them again. Hoping Secret will bring back their awesomeness as well.

hapacalgirl

I agree with you completely. In fact my favorite song from WG was in fact “Irony”, it was a good song and they all sounded a lot better vocally in that than anything they have release thus far. I may be in the minority but I hated “Tell Me.. Same thing with Kara, I Loved “Break It” but I hated “Honey” and “Rock You” that they released post Hara and Jiyoung. My major problem with cutesy being so popular is that many of these singers sound worse when they are singing cutesy songs. I really hope Secret comes out with a more RnB song now that they increased their fanbase with the cutesy because these girls vocals shine when they are singing mid-tempo RnB and jazz.

asianromance

so true that WG’s group-vocals were much better in Irony- even So Hee sounded good. SNSD too. Their first song, Into the New World, was their best in terms of vocals and dancing (strong and not gimmicky). Then came the lollipop waving *cringe*

I am a fan of cutesy, but dislike it when singers get stuck on the cutesy dial once it has made them famous. Once you got the fans hooked, why not change it up again and show off your vocals.

petal blossom

Really? I thought that the WG have always maintained that classy/sophisticated/mature vibe even when promoting ‘Tell Me’, in the sense that they didn’t resort to the lollipop carrying, winking, silly hand motions, and annoying facial expressions that other girl groups have been using to appear child-like and cute. Even when Sohee was doing her famous “Omona!” expression, it was never overdone. “So Hot” was also quite sexy and fierce. Wonder Girls don’t have to try to be fierce, they are naturally like that.

I also don’t agree that they’ve gotten less fierce. Every been to any of their concerts here in North America? I have, and I’ll tell you right now: those girls have grown up a lot and when they performed, all of them were so confident and really quite sexy, even the youngest member Lim.

They didn’t have to resort to flirty/cutesy interactions with the fans, but their performances reflected how much they have grown and learned to ‘embody’ the song. Ye Eun singing “Mercy”? Wow. She exuded the most flair and ‘attitude’ out of the 5.

petal blossom

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxdyReF-UI0

This is what I meant when I said So Hot promotions were fierce and sexy…this was before Korea’s crackdown on anything too sexy or directly provocative…but wearing short shorts and midriffs while performing is okay as long as the idols sing songs with cute lyrics and ‘aegyo’ or ripping their shirts off.

http://mixtapesandlinernotesl.blogspot.com mellowyel

I suppose classy/sophisticated/mature is one way to put it, in comparison to other “fierce” groups, but I still feel that their performances have so much less energy than the early days, even with “So Hot”. They’re definitely still fun to watch, but not nearly as engaging as back then to me. I think the choreo became simpler and the performances became more style than substance. I think they CAN pull off great performances – they just haven’t done one recently that I’ve seen *shrug.

Odin

The secret to Shy Boy’s success is Secret’s natural delivery of the song’s playfulness or “girliness” (were they trained how to act before?), and it also fits their looks. Cute, yet seductive at the same time, with no pretentiousness or subliminal meanings.
Alixana

You’re 2 months late with this article.
And Shy Boy is awesome.
jyyjc

I think Shy boy’s a good song and concept, in a sense that it really catches the whole dandy 50s musical song&dance type thing. and the girls are still delivering good vocals, although they do have to make their voices a sound cuter just a tiny bit, but not to the point of how wonder girls is suppose to sing tell me or so hot.
meeeh

ill take secret’s shy boy than have snsd’s.lol
tid

I also prefer Madonna and Magic over Shy Boy. I guess cuteness does sell but they are also actively promoting when there isn’t much competition. Hope they comeback with something stronger
jlub

WG fierce?! When was that?!
Anyway, I took notice of Secret last with their awesome song and dance “madonna,” but after I saw “shy boy” I ignored them once again.