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| BLACKPINK from 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' on CBS, Feb. 11. Courtesy of YG Entertainment |
By Ko Dong-hwan
BLACKPINK's recent performances on American TV have created controversy over whether they embarrassed themselves with poor choreography or it was "American camera work" that affected the acts.
The four-piece K-pop girl band last week made its U.S. TV debut, appearing on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," "Good Morning America" and "Strahan and Sara." The members, with fluent English, talked with the shows' hosts and performed their hit tracks including "Ddu Du Ddu Du" and "Forever Young."
But debate over those performances has arisen from an apparent inconsistency in the choreography when they performed "Ddu Du Ddu Du" on the Colbert and "Good Morning America" shows. As members failed to dance in unison, the gigs appeared "lame" to some viewers.
Many fans claimed the band's performances were lackluster and spread their comments online following the "Good Morning America" appearance on Feb. 12. Gif clips of the stars' gaffes and video links to the controversial performances were shared not just by Koreans but also YouTubers.
One YouTube user said: "I'm really sorry if I offended anyone but to be honest, it was really boring. I couldn't feel the energy at all. Their stage presence was off. I could only hear bits and pieces of their real vocals. Their dance wasn't in sync either. I hope they will reflect on this and fix it for better performances."
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| BLACKPINK appeared on 'Good Morning America' on CBS on Feb. 12. Courtesy of YG Entertainment |
Others hit the same critical tone. Another said, referring to the band members: "It has been almost a year since Lisa and Rose carried the group. Jennie has been so lazy with the group (she put effort in on this one but it seems that she didn't rehearse enough) and Jisoo is still very shy on stage.?"
One said: "Why are they so popular?"
A particularly harsh Korean fan blamed YG Entertainment for "ruining K-pop" that started to build up worldwide, led by BTS and other less popular acts likes GOT7, Monsta X and NCT. The person on Korean online portal Nate condemned the dance skills of Jisoo and Jennie and said the band's choreography is "easier than that of TWICE and they still managed to blow it." TWICE is JYP's nine-piece girl band that earned recognition overseas before BLACKPINK.
The anonymous fan advised the band to "first improve skills and draw fans for domestic gigs before testing the global audience." Another disappointed fan said online the band's "American TV shows were seriously wrong."
There were, however, supporters who highlighted the significance of the band's American TV debut and its "aura" in front of the cameras.
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| BLACKPINK is the first girl band produced by YG Entertainment in seven years, following 2NE1. Courtesy of YG Entertainment |
Several Korean media sites mentioned the difference between how the band has been filmed on Korean TV music shows and the style in America in terms of the "number of camera shot transitions."
The reports' analysis said that on the Korean music show "Inkigayo" on SBS the "Ddu Du Ddu Du" performance had 90 different camera shots, while on "Stephen Colbert" it was 30. The reports said it might be the difference between Korean TV broadcasting and that of American TV when it comes to filming a music performance ― with Korean TV employing techniques like "flamboyant camera walking, frequent shot changes and swanky lighting" while the U.S. uses a "simpler" method.
"BLACKPINK's performance could have been seen as rather awkward through the American cameras," reports said.
One YouTuber "appreciated the cameramen in Korea and the entertainment industry, especially TV stations," assuming that they "learn the group's song and movement so they can capture the best and most appropriate moment."
BLACKPINK starts its American tour in April in Los Angeles.
