#kpdftco

There’s just something about Korea

As his second album, “Coup d’Etat” was set to be received very well by fans and critics alike. Featuring a slew of well-known artists such as Missy Elliot, Sky Ferreira, and several popular Korean artists the fourteen songs on the album were expected to be above and beyond the norm. Before its release this album had over three hundred thousand pre-orders of the physical album on September 10th. The title track, “Coup d’Etat” was the crown jewel of the album with the music video gaining over five million views in the first month of release, which is a huge amount for a Korean based performer. The music video for “Coup d’Etat” has gained popularity for its crazy images and overall has become one of the most interesting music videos this year for the Korean music fan. Because it is the title track of G-Dragon’s new album, “Coup d’Etat” holds a lot of weight as the hook of the album, the song meant to start a buzz. A collection of synth, trap, and hip-hop, this music video goes beyond the norm to create a fantastical environment where G-Dragon creates his world.  While he does include previous singles in the album, the most weight is on this title track to carry the piece. “Coup d’Etat” is a creation of G-Dragon, Baauer, and Diplo. Baauer is known for his hit song, “Harlem Shake”, that song gained fame through the internet meme society that boosted its popularity by using the first 30 seconds of the song. Diplo, a former Temple University student, has been the producer of several hit tracks including the “Harlem Shake” and “Earthquake” both of which became internet hits on the app Vine, and YouTube. G-dragon’s latest video “Coup d’Etat” has been seen as a commentary on several different things. The most popular viewpoint is that the video is about the nature of politics. He used symbols like wearing a blindfold and standing in front of a firing squad, never flinching as if he is not afraid of the bullets. Many sources believe it is to symbolize how politicians are not afraid of what they cannot see. Another scene finds him in a kitchen boiling money, which can symbolize the way that politicians make money and spend it. The money is produced in large quantities to the point where the pot boils over, alluding to how politicians have so much money. Another good symbol is the juxtaposition of G-Dragon and a young boy, both saluting a tomb, showing their allegiance to the dead. We as a culture praise politicians and when they die people will show their allegiance even after death, this can be seen with the death of presidents and leaders. The most profound symbol however, was the frail version of himself as he threw a tiny rock at a stone wall, which on impact exploded. This is a very good example on how one small person can cause an explosion in society just by words or an action. There are so many instances of symbolism in the piece that there is no way to talk about it all.  Using references to the poem, “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” by Gil Scott-Heron at the beginning of the song, “Coup d’Etat” was expected to be a revolutionary piece. While catchy with its synth beats and clever Korean-English rhyme scheme, it still falls short in some aspects. When translated the song does not hold the same effect as it does when it’s just about sounds and how the language works together. The way that he uses American slang as well in this piece allows the American listener to build a relationship with the artist in such a way as to be a promotion tool.

G-Dragon uses visual and audio references to his previous videos that connect all of the parts of his strange world together. If one is an avid G-Dragon fan finding the commonalities is light work, he has so many references between videos. The most sharp and unexpected transition is the one of the persimmon tree in his “Crayon” video to the visual where the tree has died in the video “Coup d’Etat”. This was why the VIP community will see G-Dragon differently. While “Crayon” was a fun, upbeat music video about having fun and wondering the all-important question, “Why so serious?” from the Batman franchise, “Coup d’Etat” is much darker and has a more serious approach to it. 

You find that there is a much larger contrast between two videos made within a year ago. The history behind this piece can be disputed and the ideology behind it as well can be questioned, however, it remains the same, he uses his unique style to send a message, about politics, love and the change in himself to show people his view of the world. 

Rating

Overall, my rating is an eight out of ten. I would have given it a higher rating if the symbolism had not been as jumbled as it was. Symbolism as a whole is great to an extent however, it can be lost if there is not a good enough connection between the parts. As an artist, he has only to grow a bit more and he can conquer the American market, but right now, if someone is looking for the revolution to be here, they might just miss it. He packed so much symbolism that can be disputed in so many ways that it became hard to find the message. Therefore, the eight out of ten rating is bestowed upon him. That is really the only issues I have with it, other than one minor detail, the words, “Swag check/Mic check” are clearly in English and are a subtle grab for a more American audience, which I being a person who is more excited about an artist’s music that is good without reflecting the market they want to infiltrate. Therefore, G-Dragon had an album with a lot of hype, but not a huge amount of good reception from critics.

Rules: Rule 1: Post the rules. Rule 2: Answer all of the questions the tagger has asked, and then make 11 new ones. Rule 3: Tag 11 people and link them to your post. Rule 4: Let them know you’ve tagged them.

1) What is the biggest goal that you’re inspiring to do at the moment? 

Teach ESL in Korea for a year, but I'm wavering a lot.  It doesn't help my parents are both against it , and that means not seeing my boyfriend for another year T.T  And I know no Korean.  I'm worried I'll get really depressed if I go over there and no one is supportive of it.

2) If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be and why? 

My low self confidence/self estem.  It gets in the way of a lot of things.  I know I shouldn't worry that I'm not good enough but I will always worry, or so it seems.

3) If you could live a day in someone elses shoes, who would it be and why? 

Daesung.  It would be nice to know what they actually go through as idols.  I have a feeling if we knew what they actually had to go through every day we may appreciate them more.  Plus I'm shy and it'd be interesting to be the center of attention for once.

4) Go grab the closest book and write the first line on page 16. 

Haha I love doing this.  "Knell (this volume) analyzes the artifacts and production strategies present within his nodules to infer technological organization (raw material acquisition, tool production, and future planning) for his archaeological assemblage."...lol research paper.

5) Write one television show or movie that has inspired you.

Hello Conselor.  I just watched an episode of it lst night for the first time, and it really helped me.

6) Dog or cat?

Dog. But I'm allergic to both.

7) Tea or coffee?

Tea, 100%. I never liked coffee.

8) Where do you want to live?

NYC!

9) Apple or Samsung?

Samsung.

10) Food or Drinks?

Do I have to choose? XD  I'd say drinks. I don't enjoy eating too much.

11) Tell me your favourite item of clothing? 

Oh god I have so much clothing! I'd have to say this new little pink sparkley mini skirt thatI got a little while ago.  It's really short but it doesn't ride up!  Most of my skirts I have a never ending battle of them riing up and me constantly having to pull them back down. XD But it gets glitter EVERYWHERE I only wore it once so far about 2 months ago and it's just recently that I stopped finding glitter places.  It's still ALL over my purse though XD

Here be my questions!

1.What is your favorite color?

2.What is your favorite kdrama or television show?

3. Favorite variety show?

4.Which idol do you wish you looked like?

5.Do you have an idol you look up to? If so who, and why?

6.Do you have anything that you've been wanting to tell someone but haven't had the chance?  If so what?

7.What is your favorite food?

8. What are you supposed to be doing right now?

9.What is tumblr to you?

10.Pepsi or coke?

HARU HARU - BIGBANG