World of K-Pop: B.A.P. Comeback with "One Shot"

Image from allkpop.com. (From left: Jongup, Youngjae, Himchan, Yongguk, Daehyun, and Zelo).

The 'Super Rookie' idol group of 2012 is promising an even bigger splash for 2013 as B.A.P. returns with mini-album "One Shot" with a title song of the same name. B.A.P. (an acronym for Best Absolute Perfect) is a six-member group debuting in February of 2012 under TS Entertainment, which also houses artists like girl group Secret and hip-hop duo Untouchable. I never heard much about TS Entertainment, but this new six-member group is turning tables on the K-Pop scene.

For their comeback, B.A.P. released an R&B ballad called "Rain Sound" prior to their release of title track "One Shot." "Rain Sound" is a slower song about past memories with a lover, and the members perform the song coolly while casually sitting in some chairs. Usually, I would be against artists performing while sitting unless they're playing a musical instrument (or if you're Taylor Swift), but B.A.P. exudes charisma no matter how they're perched. With the release of "One Shot" and it's MV, the boys are setting out to scrap any competition. As of February 21st, they've reached the #1 spot on Billboard's 'World Albums' chart!

B.A.P. "Rain Sound" MV (Eng Sub)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MF5Ho3mXsYY

B.A.P. "One Shot" MV (Eng Sub)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G39ha_QXAVk

The MV for "One Shot" was revealed to cost around $990,000 USD, and that completely boggled my mind coming from any entertainment company other than SM, YG or JYP (and later, Starship Entertainment) for any rookie group, but it was a well thought out move. While most idol groups simply return with a change of song and concept, B.A.P. came back bigger, badder, and more explosive than ever. The MV acts like a short movie, the introduction music being a dynamic mix of clips from track "Punch," "One Shot," "Coma," and back to "One Shot" again. Member Youngjae is kidnapped by a rival gang for ransom, and the other members figure out how to rescue him. In the end, the members agree to the $10 million (!), but Youngjae is shot in foul-play by the kidnappers as he is released. This ensues in a free-for-all shooting, where each side literally bites the dust in a shower of bullets. Just when you think everyone is dead, the scene rewinds and the actions get played out again, with an alternate ending. This time, no one dies- but there's plenty of betrayal. The ending has the boys down and dirty- they either duel it out no holds bared, or grit their teeth and face the outcome. You really can't get much manlier than that in K-Pop (with the exception of having a family). My only issue with the MV was in the early acting, where all members are sitting on the yacht. Maknaes Yongjae, Jongup, and Zelo look very young and excited. For veteran gangsters that supposedly experience luxury often, their expressions should say, "This is nothing new." Understandably, these guys are only 16-19 years old, so I can't blame them for so eagerly sipping grape juice on a yacht.

Though Sistar19's "Gone Not Around Any Longer" is solidly winning the #1 spot for digital sales, B.A.P.'s popularity manifests in their successful record sales.

B.A.P. is truly a mix of talent, charisma and superb marketing strategy surprising coming from a smaller entertainment company. Their group image is as clear as day: six strong, masculine and tough young men that use eyeliner to showcase their seriousness, not their pretty. Their choreography is not only difficult, interesting and energetic, but it highlights a brusque roughness rarely seen with the latest pretty-boy bands. It's even more meaningful that their hip-hop style music with hardcore beats is inspired by their own interests and personal interpretation of hip-hop music through inspirations like Chris Brown, Kanye, and Will.i.am. Leader Yong Guk also actively participates in writing lyrics, which give credibility to their talent when tracks like "Warrior," "No Mercy" and "Voicemail" are well received. Ontop of all this, their stamina on stage is no joke. Despite complex choreography, members manage to aggressively emanate charisma with strong vocals. The only two male group stage performances that have engaged me this much (thus far) is Infinite's "Before the Dawn" and BtoB's "Wow," which subsequently turned me into their huge fan. If I have to describe B.A.P.'s live performances, I would use words like "absolute confidence" and "powerful." Offstage however, they're just normal, diligent boys working endless months of promotions. Their only weakness may be in acting and variety now, but the future is looking bright for them already.

"One Shot" MV Making (Eng Sub) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOnUXDNFiGE