Hi everyone!
So, the Kpop Girlgroup "Honey Popcorn" released their debut MV today. The song is called "Bibidi Babidi Boo" and has the cutesy-innocent concept that is typical for girl group debuts in Kpop. But they inspired me to write an article about Sex and Kpop... how come?
Well, what makes this group different is the background of its members. All three of them are japanese AV (adult video) actresses. Yup. But not in the "it's in the past, let's not talk about it" kind of way. They are all currently active in that field, releasing movies around the time of the girl group's debut. Now THAT'S something different!
In all honesty, I didn't have very high expectations for this group. Debuting foreign porn actresses in Kpop seemed so random to me that I didn't think they would have talent whatsoever, let alone a management company that would be financially capable of making a decent quality song and MV.
But I was pleasantly surprised! These girls can actually sing and dance (as I found out after watching, they've actually been Jpop idols before entering the adult video industry). The song and video aren't of bad quality at all, and the member's korean pronounciation is alright as well. I've heard other japanese members of Kpop groups have a much worse accent upon debut.
I expected their song and concept to be something overly sexualised (by korean standards) like Stellar's "Marionette" or Hello Venus' "Wiggle Wiggle". But here are Honey Popcorn, pulling off the cutesy concept like they own it. Hadn't I known in advance, I wouldn't have guessed the members' career choices whatsoever.
They do receive a lot of backlash, though. Comments like "They're an insult for the Kpop industry" don't really come unexpected. Prostitution is illegal in South Korea (eventhough it's everywhere), and many international fans like to think of Kpop as a kind of magical, glamorous world where nobody ever grows up and dates, let alone has sex. This is why dating news of korean celebrities are always scandals, and sexually provocative songs and dances are very often banned on national broadcasting stations.
But there's a change happening - just earlier this year, Holland, the first ever openly gay Kpop idol, made his debut. So it'll be very interesting to see where this goes. Both the careers of Honey Popcorn and Holland, as well as the Kpop industry as a whole.
What do you think about the topic? Sound off in the comments!
~~~
Music videos mentioned above:
Honey Popcorn - Bibidi Babidi Boo
Stellar - Marionette
Hello Venus - Wiggle Wiggle
Holland - Neverland