shutdown deserves waaay more recognition bc we literally have people reaching for gay storylines in their favs songs when this explicitly sapphic, beautifully written song exists. thank you so much for making this.💚

@issaphae9659

2 жыл бұрын

it was my pleasure. thanks for watching!

Yes to the entire video. I would add, I feel like Seori doesn't get enough credit for agreeing to feature in this content. I think it's notable that Seori doesn't have as much social capital etc. as Moonbyul and yet put herself out there with this concept, in addition to including inclusive representation in her own projects regularly. I think she's brave af to do that as an independent artist.

@issaphae9659

2 жыл бұрын

she really is, any artist willing to push that boundary in a homophobic country is doing profoundly brave work.

@honeybeemoo

2 жыл бұрын

I agree about Seori

Now THIS is a perfect analysis of Shutdown. Very well done. Thank you for appreciating Moonbyul and her art

Great analysis! As someone who grew up in a culture that’s also fairly conservative, I cannot overstate just how brave moonbyul was for writing and releasing this song.

@issaphae9659

Жыл бұрын

thank you! you are brave as well for believing in the cause!

Bruh shout out to normal lesbian romance and no "this is wrong(directed by men)" vibes. Just a track about two women liking each other openly

@issaphae9659

2 жыл бұрын

exactly!

Man I felt that last part :/ It's crazy how much this song and Moonbyul in general flies under the radar in the international kpop fandom. Kpop fans love to hail the most commercial heteronormative corporate made songs as queer bops, as music "for the gays", they proclaim the most het looking girls, that never really did anything remotely sus enough to make my gay spidey sense tingle, as tomboys and lesbian icons while Moonbyul is over there as out as you can be in this industry, presenting in a gender non-conforming way (for korean standards), writing songs about sapphic love and no one pays attention. It drives me crazy honestly. Moonbyul deserves so much more credit and this song deserves so much more attention in the international kpop community. Excellent video! It's my first time coming across your channel but I'm subscribing and would love to listen to more takes on kpop and the queer community :)

@issaphae9659

10 ай бұрын

thank you for the support! i’ve been pretty busy with work and school this past year but if i ever feel impassioned to speak on something again i definitely will get back to it!

Thank you for making this video. I really wish that shutdown got more attention because this song is such an incredible depiction of passion between two women and it's done so beautifully and respectfully. The song is beautiful in itself but when you actually look for the meaning and see the work byul put you realize how brave she was for making a song like this especially with the political situation in sk. Mamamoo as a whole has always been upfront and sincere in their support of the lgbt community and i know that with the rainbow moo organisation fundraising money for pride in sk every year in their name their support doesn't go unnoticed in their home country. I wish more outsiders and international kpop fans appreciated the song and the girls more but we know how performative and biased a lot of kpop stans are so i am not even that surprised of the dismissal. This was a really nice analysis and a really nice way to end pride month with. Thank you for putting all that work in making it. I hope it can reach even one new person and spread the word about this masterpiece even a little.

You did the song justice with this video. Thank you. I agree with pretty much everything you said. Also "She needs to be be the one in control"

@issaphae9659

2 жыл бұрын

it was really was a fun era! loved hearing y’all actually think that seori was a ghost 💀. about byul’s orientation, i don’t have a problem with people just having fun on twitter on their own, but people trying to bring the topic to byul herself when they know they could get her into some trouble. recently a twitter translation account was having a fan meet with byul and pretty much tricked her into promoting a foreign lesbian show. i think trying to coerce her into dropping hints about her sexuality is, in a way, saying that what she’s already doing isn’t enough. i think it’s pretty disrespectful, she’s already doing so much. she doesn’t need to make a martyr of herself to be an asset to the community.

@moonbyulschair9533

2 жыл бұрын

@@issaphae9659 hahahaha even Seori thought she was a ghost so you can't blame us 😆. On Byul's sexuality I agree with what you said about the coercing but about talking about it on twitter I do think it gets out of hand. It's believed Moonbyul has a twitter account and a lot of the time depending on the day if you search her name on twitter it's mostly tweets about her gayness. Putting myself in her shoe, if I was an artist I would prefer that the most discussed topic under my search be about my music or my other work (SMN, soccer, etc). Sometimes all you have to do is just type Moonbyul and it's the first word that pops up. Note this rarely happens with any of the other members so in that sense I find it disrespectful.

@issaphae9659

2 жыл бұрын

@@moonbyulschair9533 I guess that’s where we differ, but agree to disagree.

@honeybeemoo

2 жыл бұрын

@@issaphae9659 I've heard that she actually refused to say it(and didn't in the end) though? Her reasoning was that, she doesn't know anything about the show or the actress, so she's not comfortable talking about/promoting a topic that she has no idea about. I don't see why that person had to reach this much though, Moonbyul has said in SMN that she likes the famous wlw couple SolJiwan from the k-drama 'Nevertheless'

Shutdown it's what i define art, in Pop music it's difficult to produce art it's almost not any more about what to express and how, it becomes more entertainment in a video or song with random lyrics three form of art that gets lost, but i believe when an artist express themselves with these three media it's different and you can notice it like for Maria or lmm and hip for the most part, giving meaning to sexualization without actually showing it in a gentle way like also discussed form of therapy with a different gaze from the same type of media it's something that glorified the act of gay love like it wasn't done in kpop and that's already an incredible achievement, i just believe everything was perfect the actual song felt like it was made for the lyrics and the video was made to accents them even Seori voice sounded perfect for the song, you probably know her but only another artist made gay music that felt like this for me Hayley Kiyoko i raccomend feelings

i didn't know i needed a video essay about shutdown but i absolutely did!!!

This was so professional and well made. A whole video essay that's not 18 hours long. Good job, dude

This is the shutdown video I needed. Thank you. Everything you said about shutdown is what’s been in My head since it came out.

Your video was so well edited, a beautiful essay! 6equence as a whole is truly a masterpiece and in fact the most artistic album I've ever seen. She created a story so sentimental and deep within the songs, had at least one simple video and a written scenario for everyone to truly understand what it's all about... Just amazing and really deserved more recognition.

@issaphae9659

2 жыл бұрын

thank you!!!

THAT WAS YOUR REDDIT POST??? I loved that reddit post, and I love this video. I'm so excited that this song is getting at least a part of the attention I believe it's deserved from the start through this video-I was losing my MIND the day it came out, and I'm not very entrenched in fandom, so I pretty much just had me and my friends who celebrated the representation, but didn't seem *as* enthusiastic. I've been obsessed with this song since. You have a beautiful way of turning a phrase, it's almost lyrical in and of itself-I loved how in-depth you got, with all of the personal, political and sociological implications and the many multitudes of ways they overlap. And the shoutout to the history-the Don't Forget cover, the (in every way very intentional) gender-neutrality and gender expression, and of course-the extremely explicit, but delicate representation of love between women it portrayed (the The Handmaiden reference!!!!!). I really, really appreciate how well thought out this was. Thank you thank you thank you!!🙏🏻💞

@issaphae9659

2 жыл бұрын

ah yes it was my post! i sure get around on the internet lol. thank you so much for the kind words, i’m so happy you loved the post and the video 💛

@sarahgrace3488

2 жыл бұрын

@@issaphae9659 I remember being so relieved seeing that post after so many days of radio silence on there (having not mustered up the courage of braving it myself yet), and I'm glad it got the attention it deserved ♡

im soooooo glad this video exists, thank you for taking the time to make it, truly!! there are so many things to discuss and develop, visually as well as textually, and even in the instrumental choices. one thing moonbyul understood very well i feel, is that to walk the fine line between explicitness and subtlety, you need to enrich your artistry as much as possible, which proves (though we knew already) how much she cares about the subject at hand. and you explained her artistic choices extremely well

Thank you for this in depth discussion. My understanding is that during the period she is not "seeing" Seori she is thinking about her and anticipating their first night together. The last section she is finally there. I take the lit window to be street lights rather than the sun. I think this is a beautiful MV and the fact that it cleared the censor's with no problem is a tribute to Moonbyul's genius with making the lyrics and the visuals so artistic. Mamamoo's support for LGBTQ+ goes back before they had any leverage with the company so I think RBW gets some credit too. I'm not sure how much Mamamoo and how much the producers were responsible for Um Oh Ah Yeah. Also both Seori and Mirani deserve credit for being willing to participate in this.

@honeybeemoo

2 жыл бұрын

*Does* UOAY pass as gay though? Solar's character only followed around Yul because she thought she was a 'he'. Once she got to know Yul was actually a woman, she pushes her and even throws a pillow at her, showing she has no interest in the woman(at least that's what I took from it?). It's pretty much shown as a 'comedy or errors' sort of thing

At first moonbyul shuts down the "tv" but then seori comes and then turns it on again If you know what i mean👀

Thank you for bringing it back. Such a beautiful song written by Moonbyul who's as mainstream as her in such a very conservative Korean culture. This is the most progressive song in Kpop TBH and I hope it gets recognized more as well as Moonbyul the artist.

Shutdown (ENGLISH TRANSLATION) Set my cold heart on fire It’s fine even if you mess me up Hug me in this dark night Let me match your rhythm more Whisper to me when I close my eyes Melt me in your short breaths Will you untie my tight knot Give it to me This night is short Oh no worries She said “You can ruin me” She said “Tonight is um” From your head to your toes From your head to your toes Hold my waist and go up to there Touch down, Touch down From your head to your toes From your head to your toes On your lap till the next morning Shutdown, Shutdown Row a boat I’m a skilled boatman inside you When the waves get stronger Our touches get rougher Passing that mountain and crossing a bridge We build a picturesque house I’ll draw you like I’m Dali, Van, Picasso A masterpiece, a silhouette Our painting ripens and turns red She said “You can ruin me” She said “Tonight is um” From your head to your toes From your head to your toes Hold my waist and go up to there Touch down, Touch down From your head to your toes From your head to your toes On your lap till the next morning Shutdown, Shutdown Hug me Leaving no space in between Fill we The moment we meet, love it It’s getting heated between us Without a break Our tonight Tell me you’ll be the sea I’ll swim deeply every day, baby Baby, baby, slow down From my head to my toes From my head to my toes I hold your waist and go up to there Touch down, Touch down From my head to my toes From my head to my toes On my lap till the next morning Shutdown, Shutdown baby

Love ur analysis, very well explained and it shows how much u put into looking through the details of the lyrics and the MV. I really hope the song has more appreciation that it obtained, I still read some people saying how they didn't know about the song at all which makes me sad 'cause what Moonbyul and Seori did with the song is incredible, not only for what it represents but the song as it is its pretty good. Their vocals together are a collab made in heaven ❤️

k-pop songs need to get approved by i don't know who in case of inappropriate lyrics or videos and depending on that they are allowed to perform it everywhere or just certain times...at least that what i got from a conversation between Hwasa and Moonbyul about shutdown and I'm a B. Byulyi was surprised that she had no problems, shutdown was approved immediately while Hwasas I'm a B was in limbo for a bit. Moonbyul was allowed to perform shutdown and thats what she did. Her singing shutdown on a stage while dancing a little bit (mainly bodyroles) hits different.

shutdown is poetic and romantic in ways that mainstream kpop has not been in a while and on top of that it is fruity!!! the explicit yet metaphorical imagery is just brilliant and makes me feel giddy everytime i'm reminded what the lyrics are while streaming🥰

Better late than never in my case. I have been a big fan of Biylyi for a long time now. She is a true artist. Personally at 75 i can appreciate this song and what it references. She is a beautiful young lady inside and out and deserves to be happy no matter what her preferences are. And good for her for keeping her choices private and i wish her all of the love and happiness she deserves in life. THis was an exceptional video and i really enjoyed this. Great job young lady

I agree with what you said about this song being erotic but "not vulgar". I usually resent erotic songs because of the extremely vulgar ways they can be presented, it's just....not my style. But I'm in love with this poetic take ❤️ Plus the other components of the song are just so satisfying. I really love how the song neither goes round-about nor pushes the gayness in your face. It's just "Yep. This is gay. End of the conversation." Such simple, straightforward and yet bold, respectful and beautiful representation is necessary 28:29 This is exactly what I say about MoonSun in general now. If I'm feeling like pointing something out about them, I'll write that and then say this exact same thing. Whatever they are, whatever they do, whatever they share, I'm chill with it because it's ultimately their private life

@owl9704a

Жыл бұрын

Your addition of Moonsun was so perfect as was your comment. Whatever these young ladies do or are to each other is not now, and never will be our business. And i also agree that Seori and Mirani were also very brave with this also. Great comment on a wonderfdul topic and song

@honeybeemoo

Жыл бұрын

@@owl9704a Seori and Mirani definitely were very brave to do this. Thank you for thinking my comment is great, I don't always word my thoughts accurately, so that's good to hear

@owl9704a

Жыл бұрын

@@honeybeemoo You did a very good job. And I found it very easy to understand. Evean at my age LOL

ofc as a moo i already knew about the lyrics literal interpretation and byuls backstory, but i had no clue about the significance of how she uses the english language to make it clear she meant "she" bc it can be misinterpreted(?) in korean language. anyways, this was an excellent video essay which even discussed the significance in video direction/camera motion, (that i otherwise wouldn't have noticed), the forwardness of this release and why it's so important and admirable that shutdown exists.

@issaphae9659

2 жыл бұрын

thank you for appreciating the filmmaking commentary, i’m finishing up a minor in film studies so i’m passionate about investigating the meaning behind formal choices. and yes, if you look at true direct korean translations of sentences, you’ll only see they/them/their. most of the time, translators add a gender for the sake of it sounding more natural to english speakers.

This was a fantastic video! I basically have the same thoughts as you do when it comes to the song and it's impactfulslness, as well as Byul's sexuality, in that it's not our right to force her to confirm or deny something one way or the other. I think as many other queer moos and non-moos alike I was just incredibly happy and proud of Byul for having released this song, because it's helped so many people, and is beautiful to listen to, even when you don't consider the lyrics themselves. One thing I would like to say though is that the relationship portrayed in the MV is 'sapphic' not 'lesbian'. I know this may seem like a small deal to many people, or it might seem as if I'm overreacting, but as someone who is bisexual and who's seen bi-erasure all over the internet, it's one of those things that do make a difference to me. Again, this is in no way trying to discredit anything you said, I just wanted to mention that, like with Byul's sexuality, we don't know the sexuality of the characters in the music video either, and therefore it's just more inclusive to call them 'sapphic' rather than 'lesbian.

@issaphae9659

2 жыл бұрын

i intentionally use the words “lesbian” and “sapphic” interchangeably in the video. even if i am myself bisexual, i didn’t want to perpetuate the ongoing conversation about avoiding the word “lesbian”. of course, it’s hypothetically possible that the relationship depicted is between bi women or some combination involving a bi or pan woman. however, given that we only have this small window into the story where we are only seeing these women interested in one another, i don’t see anything wrong with calling it “lesbian” on a purely definitional basis.

Yessss. Thank you so much for talking about this. I’m happy there are some people who don’t stop talking about this masterpiece!

I’ve been waiting for this video for so long.

this is so beautifully made, thank u 💖

i think every point you touched on was spot on, and to add to the section about byul’s sexuality- i watched an unrelated video by another youtuber (pretty sure it was brennen beckwith?) where he said that celebrities who appear queer coded are often coding themselves that way intentionally, so as to communicate genuine queerness to their queer audience while keeping their identity ambiguous to the largely cishet masses. i think that applies really well to moonbyul- any queer person hearing those lyrics will know that it takes a queer person to write them, but for a het listener, it doesn’t seem so explicitly open and could pass as support or solidarity. ofc, it’s not exactly a “coming out” moment, but it’s not something a completely closeted person would do either. kpop stan culture buys really heavily into the “don’t assume” narrative that requires a very explicit coming out to break away from the label of heterosexuality, and imo, what we’re seeing with moonbyul shows that coming out and the queer celebrity experience is so much more nuanced than that. regardless, it’s important to be empathetic to the situation she’s in by respecting what she’s given us well as what she hasn’t. anyways, great video! was super thought-provoking and really funny :) just subbed!

@issaphae9659

Жыл бұрын

that’s a really great point! i’ll try to seek out that video because yes, while stans should not behave as if she’s “out” it’s very obvious that she is trying to communicate something. thanks for watching the vid and for the sub!

Its south corea not even in america artist can talk openly about their sexuality, we should just let her be her(fruty)self and support her career, she's basically burned out in a need of a vacation she doesn't need a bunch of weirdos trying to figure out her sexuality.

your video was so interesting. good work really loved your analysis happy belated pride lol

@issaphae9659

2 жыл бұрын

thank you so much, happy belated pride!

thank you for making this video. i actually enjoyed the song even before knowing the lyrics. i love these kind of laidback r&b slow jams but it’s true that a lot of kpop fans prefer upbeat flashy stuff. i think that’s one of the reasons the song didn’t take off. also even though a lot of kpop fans enjoy fanservice and making jokes that their idol is fruity, they’ll also say in the same breath that they wouldn’t accept their idol if they actually came out as gay or bi. i think actual gay/lesbian/bi kpop fans appreciate this song’s lyrics and message even if they might not be a fan of it musically also thank you for addressing that the industry is still very homophobic, and it can affect your career and social standing to be outed. fans might see their idols hold up rainbow flags that fans threw on stage when they’re performing abroad but there’s a reason they don’t do that in korea. it reminds me of one time when moonbyul said in an interview that she would like to move to another country with her lover/partner and live there, and it makes me sad because she’s close to her family. this was a while ago, so hopefully she doesn’t feel like that anymore

thank you for talking about it, i felt at home while listening

To me Shutdown says very clearly that either Moonbyul is some variation of queer, she has had to do a lot of introspection about whether or not she is some variation of queer, or someone close to her whose experience she has taken a lot of time to understand is queer. Because of how Moonbyul presents herself - as a person who tends towards a much more gender-neutral presentation - even as a completely cishet woman she would likely be assumed to be queer, or at least nonconforming to femininity in a socially unnacceptable way. Assuming she's straight, that gives her a great starting point on working to understand a gay friend. Assuming she's cishet but has actually done a lot of thinking on her identity - figuring out whether or not she's queer in a way that let her be comfortable with queerness even if she herself isn't queer - that level of introspection and acceptance can have a huge effect on writing some actually decent representation. Regardless of how and why this song came to be, I fell in love with it and how unashamed it is of being what it is, while still taking care to not become something that uses queerness for shock value.

yep. i agree to all of this. thanks for putting it into words. i wonder if i can cover this... maybe someday i'll sit down and learn it! if my brain will let me settle down. so powerful to see another korean GNC woman singing about sapphic love. as a korean american lesbian, this one resonates deep.

I just found you, and LOVED this! This has to be the best break down of one of Byul's MVs (or any of the members MVs that I've ever seen) I will add it (with your permission) to my list of recommended videos to reactors. One thing I wasn't sure if you noticed in the lyrics. When Seori sings the line "On your lap till the next morning", it changes at the end of the song when Byul sings it to "On my lap till the next morning". I certainly hope you do more Mamamoo reactions, I subbed in hopes of it. :)

@issaphae9659

2 жыл бұрын

you could totally add me to that list. i don’t really expect to do proper reactions, i’m not a fan of how i react to things on the first watch lol. i’m more into reviews and commentary - which i totally want to do more for mmm in the future!

@kimberly_neville

2 жыл бұрын

@@issaphae9659 Sounds Great, consider it added! I don't know if you have seen the explanation videos for Hwa Sa's "Maria/LMM", and "TWIT"? (If not I will link them on your Hwa Sa reaction) MooMoo's love those type of videos, as well as Introduction videos, and I am sure they will love your type (commentary), since you put so much thoughtful work into it. Something new, and wonderful! :)

You speak so well! I loved the vídeo!

great video!

6equence as a whole deserves to be displayed in galleries for its artistry. And imo Shutdown really deserves a 'viewing' glass for being so poetic.

came from reddit, such a well made video! thank you for making this!

@issaphae9659

2 жыл бұрын

and thank you for watching!

omg the upgraded transitions 🔥🔥🔥

@issaphae9659

2 жыл бұрын

it took me like two weeks to edit this 😭

J’ai adoré ton analyse, tant sur le décor et la mise en scène que sur le sens poétique et érotique de la chanson, j’ai tout aimé dans l’album et shutdown est la musique qui me réveille tous les matins depuis sa sortie. J’ai trouvé que Moonbyul et RBW ont eu un immense courage d’assumer cette chanson dans le contexte coréen jusqu’à en faire une vidéo. Je ne vois pas Moonbyul comme une idole, c’est une artiste sensible et profonde, mon héroïne

@mikele23170

9 ай бұрын

Le plus beau, c’est que c’est Solar qui a insisté pour qu’elles la chantent ensemble contre l’avis des managers de la tournée 2023 Two Rabbits Code. Leurs danses avec intelligence sont évocatrices sans être exagérées. Grand respect à Solar et Moonbyul.

@issaphae9659

9 ай бұрын

merci, je parle un peu français et j'ai donc compris ton commentaire!

The only people that should care if Moonstar is hetero, gay, bi or whatever are her and her partners. The song is gorgeous and a master class. The biggest surprise is that the censure didn't have an issue with it while Hswasa had to wait for months to get "I'm a B" past it. If I didn't love Mamamoo already, this would have made me a moomoo, and that's coming from a straight CIS male. Nice break down by the way Issa phae. Thank you.

Unrelated to this video, but are you the person who wrote an essay about how Mamamoo bring you a sense of familiarity and belonging? I remember one part about writing "Get better day by day" on the wall of a washroom or something. A bit of insight about the phrase came later on in the essay. Something on the lines of profound(?)/deep(?) things "don't have to be complicated. They can also be simple." I love that essay 🥺 Also, I've seen your comments in MMM videos before😃

@issaphae9659

2 жыл бұрын

yup, i did write that! i’m very pensive about the things i love and i channel those thoughts into as many avenues as i can. thank you for loving the essay!

❤

This song is so underrated! She is so brave for really doing the whole album. After seeing the synopsis video I interpret the whole album as one lesbian relationship from start to finish.

very random but i went to your chanel from an older after laughter reaction to find out that i already follow you bc of moonbyul and that you also watch unnnhhh😭

@issaphae9659

2 жыл бұрын

lol i really do get around the internet

I mostly agree but when you said about seori being a ghost. It is true moonbyul said it herself.

Well enjoy MM+ Starry Sea :)

I dont stan mamamoo yet, but i really like shutdown❣idk if i'm too late tho😅

@issaphae9659

2 жыл бұрын

it’s never too late! all the members are active soloists and there will be a group comeback this year!

This is not related to your video, but there's a song named you found me by G1nger and it's recently released. It's a Korean Indie song, and I believe it's lesbian vibes. It feels like that

@issaphae9659

2 жыл бұрын

i’ll be sure to check it out, thank you!

I'd be interested in your take on MoonSun, yes, no, maybe, not willing to speculate, with reasons.

@issaphae9659

Жыл бұрын

since speculating on a relationship with her female friend and coworker would also entail speculation into her sexuality, i’d be contradicting myself a bit to go into it here, no? however, i’m not the type of person who’ll block my own mind from trying to piece things together and form opinions (honestly think people who say they don’t are lying) it’s all a matter of choosing to express them. of course, i have thoughts, but i don’t think under a video where i discuss boundaries it would be appropriate to discuss a decently invasive topic. i’ll never demonize anyone for having opinions they keep within fan spaces, but there are clear times where expressing that opinion is inappropriate (i.e. to the members themselves).

Paaaaa Sta je ovo