I feel like I’m being a traitor to my people by writing this post. So first, let me make a disclaimer:
- I am PROUD to be an Asian girl. PROUDER still to be a Korean woman.
- I love and respect JYP and his incredible contributions to music in South Korea. I look at him as the Diddy of Korea. Incredibly talented singer, producer and dancer. Mad respect.
- Asians are under-represented in mainstream media. We are LONG overdue for non-stereotypical roles in movies, music and TV.
As you know from my many rants & raves on Twitter, I am FIERCELY proud to be an Asian girl. Whenever there’s a reality show, I always want the Asian to win. (sorry, I just can’t help it!)
HOWEVER, this doesn’t mean I’m a blind supporter. It’s not like I’m PRO-Anything-Asian-That-Moves.
The Wonder Girls is one such instance.
They’ve been opening up for the Jonas Brothers Tour, and I recently saw them perform on Wendy Williams. My feelings are really torn about them.
On one hand: Yes, they are an Asian music group that have gained visibility in mainstream American media. As I said before, it’s long overdue.
On the other hand: Is it the RIGHT kind of visibility?
- Image: They look like Asian Barbies. When we are constantly in a struggle to break stereotypes and break boundaries, is this the right kind of image we want to be projecting?
- Talent: Do they have it? Jury is still out. Granted, I’m not a connoisseur of their entire discography, but they don’t come across much as talented vocalists.
- Styling: I understand they are essentially a girl group, so I get the need to dress alike. But they may as well be wearing identical school girl uniforms and knee socks – they are overly done.
- Say What?: I have this thing about people singing in their native tongue – I PREFER it. For example: Shakira singing in Spanish = heavenly. Shakira singing in English = she sounds like a muppet. I personally get very distracted by their accents during this song. Whenever someone “crosses over” to another language, I can’t help but feel like it’s forced & disingenuous, and ultimately just a money-making scheme.
We (Asians) need to break through, but we need to break AWAY from the stereotypes, not perpetuate them. I can’t wait for the day when I can see some of my fellow Asian artists making it big – and being THEMSELVES – in the mainstream.
Heather I agree that the Wonder Girls are portraying an image far from their Korean roots. They certainly do look like Korean Barbies, which in mainstream media is a “safe” image. They may be opening for some known names in music, but are they gaining the breakthrough that recognizes who they truly are? I don’t think so. Since I personally am not unsure of their talent as well, it only confirms they are gaining recognition for their “gimmicky barbie look”. It would be nice if their path to stardom included a deeper look into who they really are. Maybe perform as the Wonder Girls for one song, and be themselves in another… mix it up maybe and show the world their real selves.
they don’t come across much as talented vocalists.
You’re goddamn right about that! At least Danity Kane would lip sync their background vocals (and NOT lip sync their group members’ solos).
But they’re an insanely catchy package! I think the identical look works well to make them distinctive in the US market to give them a throwback feel, but I can definitely see what you’re saying about the stereotype look.
And I think anyone reading this blog could have come up with better syllabic placement on that translation. The English version definitely had to grow on me.
And you were worried about what again
?
When I was looking up the Wonder Girls on iTunes, I noticed that their Nobody single was rewritten in English completely. Let me quote on of the reviews:
“Have the lyrics been put though Babel Fish?”
Listening to it made me cringe much more so than listening to BoA sing in English, and I love BoA [despite her VERY lack-luster, BLATANTLY processed American debut].
Really, that Shakira point you made really makes sense. Unless you have excellent command of the language [like Utada Hikaru, heck even Tablo of Epik High for example], stick to your native tongue. It doesn’t sound like you are trying so damn hard to push sales that don’t exist to begin with.
Again, very good points. I hope people are listening.
However, I will say this about the Wonder Girls: I don’t sense they are shallow and, well, putting themselves on pedestals. I get the sense they are thankful to be where they are and aren’t overtly taking their fame for granted.
.
Again, just an observation [based on limited fan interaction I've seen]
Don’t think you’re hating at all. I was surprised and proud that they are reaching a wider audience, but I honestly don’t see a difference between them and another Korean girl group, even looking back 10 years. Their music lacks originality and creativity. Like you, i wish they were dope, so I could really be proud that they ‘made’ it over here. Btw, on the styling note, they already did the identical school uniform look.
*Strictly personal opinion, but it seems……
….the music industry is not the same as it once was. That can be said for everywhere including Korea and the US. Back in the day groups/artists like DJ Doc, Seo Taiji, & Roo’Ra were big because they were unique, but at the same time were still talented. Same can be said for such artists as Kim Gun Mo and Lim Chang Jung as well as other older artists. Their star status was based on their ability to sing and their overall talent level among other things. Same can be said about the US. The kinds of music that is being put out now a days is garbage compared to what was once considered music. Luther Vandross, Earth, Wind, & Fire, Beres Hammond, Marvin Gaye, Nat King Cole, Etta James and many more are true musicians.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying these artists of today can’t sing, its just that people tend to be more focused other things than their real talent, such as outward appearance.
I an not even asian, but you are so right, I come from the Dominican Republic, where girls have curly hair, and do everything they can, with a every chemical possible to have straight “caucasian” hair. Why can´t we just love what we have, in our case, it is even society that pushes girls to look more “caucasian”, because going to work with a head full of curls is not serious enough for the office. I live in Germany and everybody here just wants to be brown, laying on the sun for hours (thank God I was born brown
but I see that my asian friends just want to be white, avoid the sun at ALL times and situations to the point of using umbrellas when it is not raining, they cover themselves with whitening creams, but why? Asians are not white and they are not supposed to be white, the same for the african americans and latinos….I say Barbie is guilty for all that…. burn Barbie…burn!
I agree with your points – I really admire JYP and all the work he’s done in Korean entertainment but I’m not sure if his approach with the Wonder Girls is spot on.
I’ve gone to prefer YG Family’s 2NE1 and Big Bang a little more with their overall style. I still wish BoA would get some more mainstream attention in the States though!!
Thanks for your comment!
I agree – I hope Asian Americans will soon gain some presence in the American Mainstream!!
hey cutie souldiva i am a tall handsome white guy, you wanna go for a piggy back ride?
I love the wonder girls!