How K-Pop Saved My Summer

As we come closing in on Labour Day, I’m looking back over Summer 2020—where all of the things usually associated with summer got cancelled, postponed, closed, or otherwise removed as options and/or from existence—and I think, Thank God there was K-Pop.

My formerly-niche experience with K-Pop grew exponentially this summer, when the industry as a whole seemed to realize that had one duty: to continuously bring something positive, fresh, and entertaining to the people of the world who had been worn down by self-quarantining and whose summers had been effectively cancelled.  Something to power them through the COVID-tinged months ahead. And so that’s what they did.

And now, here is a brief timeline of the K-Pop releases that kept me going these past three months.

(But before I begin, a disclaimer: Even though they equally powered me through the summer, in the essence of space, I did not include any of the extensive back-catalog diving I did for K-Pop acts like Sistar, Super Junior, and Red Velvet or any of my many detours into the equally extensive and amusing world of K-Pop fan-made videos*, including numerous clip compilations of groups like Got7 and Twice).

*well, with one exception

TWICE – More & More 

My personal patron saints of K-Pop, the nine-members of Twice kicked things off on June 1, delivering a swaying, hypnotic release that could make you feel like you’ve been transported to the virtual paradise displayed in their accompanying music video. And then jolt you right back with an EDM breakdown before it got too surreal.

SEVENTEEN – Left & Right 

A propulsive, catchy offering from the 13 lads of Seventeen (fun fact, there were originally 17 members (!), hence their name), Left & Right seems to be tailor-made for people who like to nod their heads along to the beat.

NIZIU – Make You Happy 

A new girl group made up of all-Japanese trainees who were brought to Korea and immersed in the demanding K-Pop school of song-style and performance, NiziU’s “pre-debut” single is a certified bop. Over and over, the girls iterate “I just want to make you happy”. Well, mission accomplished.

SOMI – What You Waiting For 

Somi’s EDM-tinged comeback single showcased a more serious side of the performer, but it’s still a solid successor to her 2019 pop bop “Birthday”

TREASURE – Boy 

New boy band Treasure landed with strong, catchy debut single. But really, it’s all about that music change at 1:01.

ITZY – Not Shy 

The stylish quintet returned in mid-August, serving up their latest sonic slice of slick self-confidence (and capping off my timeline, as well).

BONUS

Speaking of Itzy, I would like to share one more thing before I go. The following isn’t a new single or music video, but it was probably THE most effective piece of K-Pop content powering me through the summer…by supplying me with a gaggle of giggles whenever I needed it. The title says it all. Enjoy.

ITZY Lia but she’s a strawberry

2019: The Women Who Made My Year

In looking back at the high points of entertainment for me in 2019, I quickly realized that it was all about the women. So, as 2019 quickly races to its end, here’s a little shout-out to a few of the fine females who helped keep me entertained through the ups and downs of the year.

The girls of K-Pop

I finally fell down the K-Pop rabbit hole late last year when I came across the video for Yes or Yes, the then-new single from the Korea-based pop power group Twice, and I’ve been happily in a K-Pop freefall ever since.

And the K-Pop girls of 2019 did not disappoint, with Twice, Red Velvet, and Somi all releasing catchy and infectious singles that had me involuntarily singing along in my own butchered version of the Korean laguage. But it was the debut single from a new K-Pop girl group released early in the year that eventually become one of my favourite singles of the year. Dalla Dalla by Itzy hit all of my pop music pleasure points – and topped it off by conveying a great message about embracing everything that makes you different from others.

 

Rachel Skarsten (as Alice in Batwoman)

While Batwoman is the latest CW series to showcase a DC Comics hero, it’s the villain who keeps stealing the spotlight. Rachel Skarsten is delivering it all as the deliciously unbalanced Alice, Batwoman’s arch-nemesis (and also SPOILER: her long-lost, presumed dead twin sister).

Skarsten’s Alice is less like her literary namesake, the girl who went through the looking glass and journeyed to Wonderland, and more like a very off-kilter Mad Hatter. And when she slips from her cold-blooded psycho Alice mode and we glimpse the shattered and abandoned young girl she still is on the inside, it hits harder than a metal batarang.

Jennifer Lopez (as Ramona in Hustlers)

Jennifer Lopez’s film career has been rather low-key as of late – seeming like almost more of an afterthought, at times. Which is understandable since being “J. Lo” is a 24/7 job unto itself. But our own Jenny From The Block stepped up to the pole in 2019 to remind us that when she wants to, she can own that big screen.

As Ramona, the queen bee of the New York stripper scene and Hustlers head hustler, La Lopez reminded us all what a boss she is, crackling with energy, spirit, determination and a proficiency with pole dancing that was just beyond.

Honourable Mentions

Jane Hawk (from Dean Koontz’s The Night Window)

Dean Koontz introduced Jane Hawk in the 2017 novel The Silent Corner, where the ex-FBI agent uncovers a conspiracy of epic proportions that’s linked to the death of many people, including her husband. Across four more novels, Hawk proceeded to wage a one-woman war to bring down the bad guys and protect humanity at all costs. Her arc wrapped up with 2019’s The Night Window, which saw the debut tale of one the best new heroines in years reach its satisfying conclusion.

Nancy Drew (The CW)

I mean, duh…obviously.

The Real Housewives (Bravo) 

Yes, these shows are mostly filled with garbage people (except you, Denise Richards!) but then again, I’m a garbage person too.

Have a Happy New Year everyone!