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T-ara and Supernova have conveniently combined forces (they are labelmates under Mnet Media) to unleash their single “T.T.L.” (Time To Love).

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Forming part of this power(pop) group are Soyeon, EunJung, Hyomin and JiYeon from the newly debuted, fresh-faced and squeaky-clean girl-group T-ara, and Jihyuk, Kwangsoo and Geonil from the RAP/R&B/POP one-hit-wonder-of-yesteryear, Supernova, who debuted in 2007 and have had a hit with “Super Star”, but who haven’t been really heard from since.

In order to successfully pull off this collaboration, the girls of T-ara have had to undergo a massive transformation from pretty-in-pink, penguin-dance dancing girls to pretty-freaking-fierce, breakin’ it down, rapper chicks. Do you think they are able to pull off this new look and ‘tude? The boys on the other hand, don’t seem to have had to change at all.

The new look:

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The old sound:

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The new (and improved?) sound:

So what do you think?

I think everyone looks great; T-ara’s new wardrobe, makeup, and hair look FANTABULOUS. I could barely recognize them!! Although they went for a more sophisticated and sleeker look, they didn’t go overboard and thus don’t look like they are trying too hard to be some imitation of another group or like little girls dressing up in their Mommies’ clothes. The boys look good too-they’ve finally lost those somewhat gilttery, tacky, and super matchy outfits circa ’07, and although they’ve cleaned up, their style still looks a little rough around the edges-which I am totally digging.

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I think the song is ok; it sounds perfect for a melodramatic Kdrama-especially those super emotional, cliffhanger scenes right before they end the episode, but the song is nothing close to stellar for me. Everyone sounds really good, but for some reason, it just doesn’t have that ability to give me goosebumps when I play it. I am, however, actually really impressed by the rapping-especially from Supernova. Those boys can really spit it out. (And I’ll admit that I have totally had “Super Star” on my “workout” playlist for 2 years.)

And as for T-ara’s new dance style, I will say that it is definitely a bit more aggressive and maybe even a tad *gasp* sexier, but I don’t think they’re “Korea’s Best Dance Crew” or anything.

Overall, I find the co-ed collab pretty interesting, and I can’t wait to see them perform live and see what the cosmos have in store for them and for us.

Video credits: diademsubs, urasiansourceKpop, lakartiae