ChoCoat, SPICA, and Ladies' Code?!

There are definitely a whole bunch of underrated K-Pop groups and artists wandering the K-Pop scene. While some rookies and unknown singers don't offer anything new or striking, resulting in their current lukewarm state, there are still artists that show a lot of promise! The music industry is very competitive, and you either make it or break it.

Part of me wonders if those lesser known artists ever feel sad they never receive awards on music shows such as Inkigayo, Music Bank, M Countdown, and so on. But as long as they're content with living out their dreams as a singer-- that's that bottom line of it all. It's not about the fortune or fame. They have the passion to continue doing what they love.

This weeks Ramble is about girl groups: ChoColat, SPICA, and Ladies' Code!

1.) "Black Tinkerbell" by ChoColat

ChoColat is a five-turned-four member girl group that debuted in 2012. What's unique about this girl group is that they boast having not one, not two, but THREE members of mixed race! Melanie, Juiliane, and Tia are all of Korean, German, and Italian decent.

Unfortunately, ChoColat has been inactive since after the release of their third single "Black Tinkerbell". They have lots of potential, and as much as I want them to come back, it doesn't seem likely. For now, let's just enjoy the music that they've been able to give us during their brief K-Pop career.

Song

I wasn't impressed with their debut song. Their second single was a big improvement compared to their electronic sounds with their previous release, but I wasn't entirely sold. But THIS song is what made me get on board the ChoColat fandom train. It's unlike anything I've ever heard from rookie Korean girl groups. It's catchy, and the lines are equally divided among the members, allowing us to hear their vocal skills even more.

The song is about a one-sided love. The girls are Tinkerbell, and the boy is Peter Pan. We all know that Tinkerbell is known for her jealousy towards Wendy. In the music video, the ChoColat members sing "I can't leave you, I can't leave you" despite the pain they feel seeing "Peter" and "Wendy" together.

Music Video

The water affects are nice; it gives the video a more mature, dramatic appeal. The barn room where the ChoColat members are lounging is a little random, though. Did the company not have enough money to give them a more convincing set?

Costumes

The sparkly dresses are pretty, almost fairy-like! The Cat Woman-like outfits show that the girls have evolved from their colorful concept and are going for a more mature vibe. Other than that, the rest of their outfits are pretty simple!

Choreography

I've actually tried learning this dance before. Haha! The dance move at the "I can't leave you, I can't leave you" part is so powerful. It's like, BAM! BAM! BAM! with their hips. The dance isn't too complicated, but it suits the song, especially the part where the members line up behind each other and use their arms to make it look like wings.

Song: 4/5
Music Video: 4/5
Costumes: 5/5
Choreography: 5/5
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Final Score: 18/20
Gee Rating: Contained feelings


2.) "I'll  Be There" by SPICA

SPICA is a five member girl group that debuted in 2012. They're one of the lesser known girl groups of K-Pop and fall into the UNDERRATED category. They've released quite a few solid singles and albums, but are still unable to get past the fence that has unfortunately separated them from immense stardom.

It was actually by chance that I came across SPICA. I had heard their song "Painkiller" playing in the background of another YouTube video, and I was immediately charmed by their husky, belting voices-- which is as rare as a shiny Mew (Pokemon reference) in the K-Pop world, where girls with higher pitch voices are sought after due to the "cute concept".

I just found out during my research for this post that "spica" means the brightest star in the constellation Virgo, and is the 15th brightest star in the night sky. Very clever! Great name for a girl group. I always thought SPICA was an acronym like U-KISS, but I don't think anything beats the absurdity of MBLAQ: Music Boys Live in Absolute Quality.

Song

"I'll Be There" is a cheerful, upbeat song that encourages you to keep pressing forward despite the hardships you face. Instead of singing about blooming love or past love, SPICA's "I'll Be There" delivers a very positive message.

You don’t need to act tough

I already know you’re soft at heart (yes, I know)

You waited and you tried – tell it to my heart

When you’re struggling, just tell me

I’ll Be There

I’ll be there, right by your side oh

I’ll be a strength to you more than anyone else

I’ll Be There

I’ll be with you till always

Just like now, forever

I’ll Be There

It's a great song to send to a friend or loved one that's having a tough day. 

In terms of the song's sound, I am definitely digging the old school vibe. It almost reminds me of the Spice Girls. The beat and synthesizers are appealing. Over all, this song would put anyone in a good mood.

Music Video

I'm gonna be totally honest here. Seeing the little girl with the umbrella in a dark, wet alley, I half-expected a darker theme for the video, which is odd since the phrase "I'll be there" sounds very optimistic. Unless... something else is gonna be there, if you get my drift.... Anyways! The sets are very bright. The dark alley looks so much more "friendly" now that it's illuminated with sparkles. Although the sets are quite simple, it lets me focus more on the song and the members instead of flashy props and setups.

Costumes

My favorite outfits are probably the white crop tops and blue jeans, though they vaguely remind me of keys on a laptop. It also reminds me of what a professional painter would wear in terms of interior design, but that's just me.

Choreography

Simple and fun! Reminds me of old school bands.

Song: 4/5
Music Video: 4/5
Costumes: 3/5
Choreography: 4/5
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Final Score: 15/20
Gee Rating: Contained feelings


3.) "Bad Girl" by Ladies' Code

Ladies' Code is a five member girl group that debuted in 2013.They are the only rookie girl group from a non-mainstream Korean music company that I follow as much as Girls' Generation and Red Velvet. Ladies' Code had so much promise. They're not just pretty faces but are incredibly talented, as well!

I supported Ladies' Code from the very beginning, and I still do even after the accident. I don't know when they'll be back, but I hope and pray that the members recover well.

Song
One of the strongest debut songs ever! I love the James Bond-ish feeling it has. I didn't think I would love it as much as I did when it was released. Sojung (the girl with blonde and pink hair) has one of the most unique voices in K-Pop. It sort of reminds me of Lee Hi's voice.

"Bad Girl" is about the girls wishing their lover or pursuer to go away, because they're "bad girls". Based on the music video, I didn't exactly get the impression that the girls were bad.

Music Video
The submarine and ocean sequence was great! It almost felt like I was watching a secret agent movie. However, it took a very disappointing turn once I saw the barber shop scene. What is going on? Okay, so the customers aren't very nice but hey, that's what you have to deal with in the customer service world! The blue room was quite random, as well. Is it connected to the barber shop? And there's a secret stash of weapons somewhere?! If I knew my stylists were potential killers, I would never go there for a haircut no matter how good-looking the employees were.

A firing sequence ensues. I'm guessing the producers were going for the cool-ness factor, but the girls look silly firing at nothing. It almost looks like: "Ooh! Look at me and my shiny toy! I'm so tough! I'm so bad!" In the end, I really wish they had gone with the secret agent thing they showed at the beginning of the video.

The girls seem less like "bad girls" and more like immature teens. Drugging the men to fall asleep while giving them the ugliest, corniest sleepover makeover ever that can probably be washed off afterwards? Reaaaaally bad, girls.... You're grounded.

On a more light-hearted note, the actors are handsome. Har har har.

Costumes
The only costumes I like are the ones in the blue room. The barber shop ones are just plain ugly, in my opinion. The actors' costumes are okay, too (?).

Choreography
I love the dance up until the very end where their arms are raised and they kick their legs out three times. It reminds me of a dog drying after its done peeing. Doesn't feel classy or powerful. (I'm sorry! I LOVE Ladies' Code, but that's just my impression!)

Song: 5/5
Music Video: 3/5
Costumes: 3/5
Choreography: 4/5
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Final Score: 15/20
Gee Rating: Contained feelings

Next Ramble: A Rambling Special!