No-bummer Monday: An Ode to SHINee's Juice, an Instant Classic

did I devote this whole issue to this song? I sure did.

Okay, let’s talk about my new addiction, “Juice” by SHINee. 

Watch it and I’ll be here when you get back. 

Is it the song of the year?! SHINee is always nice to watch because if you are a BTS fan, they represent a future.

A big question in the air is always the question of what BTS will be like after enlistment. What can we expect? 

For SHINee, it’s a love letter to a genre. 

SHINee is the pure k-pop that first got me into this genre of music. My first ever k-pop music video was “Kick It” from NCT 127. 

I was overwhelmed by the aesthetics, the angles, the energy. K-pop is at its best when it’s transformative and feels energetic.  It’s extra. It’s camp. It’s over-the-top. The hooks are addictive. The outfits are slightly ridiculous. 

And you’d think that after leaving the military you’d get something slightly different, but they’ve doubled down on all fronts. The music goes harder, the outfits borderline offensive, and they are dancing harder than ever. 

It’s a beautiful thing. Shinee isn’t trying to conquer the west and I’m grateful for it. 

You know when you hear INCOMING! It’s banger time, right? And Juice is a banger. The beat is art. Energetic and non-stop. An ass shaker, a twerk anthem. 

The styling is giving you steampunk apocalypse vibes. Shinee has one of the best stylists in the industry. Do they go a little too far sometimes? Yes, but it’s the commitment that makes it so fun. If you aren’t slightly confused if you are should be offended or not, what’s the point?

They are so great at elevating high-end clothes so that they are still interesting but maintain their fun. It’s an art that gets lost when stylists try to appeal to western aesthetics. This is unrelated, but “Don’t Call Me” styling was incredible: 

Mostly I’m impressed with the video. It’s a performance video so there isn’t a plot. The choreography looks challenging and the members make it look easy. I’m especially impressed with how Key and Minho keep up with Taemin, who is the best dancer in k-pop. 

You’d think Minho would be out of place since he gives more jock than idol. He’s a masculine dancer, never really losing his identity when he dances. People get on his case for it but it works great here. He dances hard and I like it, especially when he’s given the more powerful moves. 

Key is just.a perfect idol, able to navigate the harder aspects of the song while also bringing this delicate energy to the softer moves. 

I don’t know — I just like my k-pop to be k-pop sometimes and this video and song gave me that. I also enjoy the smallness of it, the focus. It’s just simple and I needed that.

The picks for this week are all SHINee, sorry not sorry. 

This fan cam of “Don’t Call Me” is ART I TELL YOU ART. Fresh out the military! Insane.

Taemin has great solo music, “Idea” is my favorite: 

Minho’s solo music is so underrated and “Heartbreak” is also so so good. I was legit proud when this came out and it’s such a good song.

Look at this dance practice!!!!!

A hood classic: