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Recapping Episode 4 of #QUEENDOM2



TLDR: Episode 4 of QUEENDOM 2 saw the continuation of the teams' performances for Round 2 (Theme: "Song Switch" Battle), which saw VIVIZ covering WJSN's "Unnatural", Kep1er covering Brave Girls' "Pool Party" (with a remix of "Rollin'"thrown in), while Hyolyn slayed the finale of R2 with her stage performance of "So What" (with "PTT" thrown in for good measure). Each stage is preceded by a behind-the-scenes look at their thought processes and practises reading to the stage performance.

Abs included in this episode, are the PEER, GLOBAL, and LIVE AUDIENCE VOTING results revealed for all 6 stages, and each teams ranking for "Round 2".

All performances has since been uploaded to Mnet's YT page (and embedded below), for folks streaming and Liking considerations, with stats to be tallied for 4 days, ending Monday April 25 @ 11:29PM KST.

WHERE TO WATCH QUEENDOM 2 NOW?
- Online via viu.com (VOD / with Ads / might take another day or two for Ep4 to be uploaded)
- Online via viki.com (Only in selected regions)
- Broadcast on Cable: tvN Asia on Sundays (6pm SG / 5pm for BKK and JKT)
All linked above are "legitamite" locales to watch, cheers.



VOTING CONTINUES
As well, a new form of Online Voting has launched for MNET's "FANS CHOICE" on www.mnet.world, where you'll need to REGISTER to vote (I'd advise you to READ the terms and conditions carefully first).

As mentioned in my own tweet below, the videos are the same as the Stage Performance videos we have seen on MNET's YT-channel, but this is a separate voting system on their "Online Community".






Let's take a delve into the program itself, shall we?
I have (tried to and will continue to) added video clips and tweets in support of the recap, along with expressing my personal opinion about the show, cheers.

Fair DISCLAIMER: I am LOONA-biased, so there'll be tons more of LOONA mentions, clips/videos and tweets in this post (They are readily available on my my timeline, so ... :p)..
Nevertheless, ENJOY the SPOILERS!





VIVIZ
After a very brief recap of stages and scenes from Episode 3 (RECAPPED HERE), including the legit viral CardiB mention for LOONA's "SHAKE IT" Stage (above tweet), we are thrown into VIVIZ's preparation for their performance - which saw them choosing WJSN's song "UNNATURAL", and the reasons for their choice.

MY OPINION: Regardless by "clever editing" or actuality (with the production's "fly on the wall" aspect of this segments), what the teams do and WHY they do what they chose to do, is what I feel is a huge part of the show - in showing both their professionalism (breaking what might be the stereotype of groups being "puppets" of the agency system) and in a way "legitimizes" their though-processes (OF COURSE we do not know EXACTLY what is on their minds lol) and decisions, which frankly will impact each other when it comes to the Peer Assessment segment of the show.

Back to the RECAP: We are also treated to the trio's preparations and rehearsals, which showcased Eunha as who I feel to be the "protagonist" of this segment, and her struggles with her solo dance manoeuvre, which she did not managed to fully achieve by the end.

MY OPINION: I do not know if this was intentionally planned (her struggles, not her failed move), but kudos to the production if it was, as this might have been "laying the seeds" of a running "plot" that'll factor in in the next episode...! OF COURSE EUNHA will be able to achieve the move! YAY FOR EUNHA! More on that at the end of this recap, cheers.



Featyred ABOVE is the edited stage performance of VIVIZ performing "UNNATURAL", excluding the other teams' commentaries (seen in the episode broadcast), while below is the Full fancam, uploaded by MNET.



UPDATED: VIVIZ - UNNATURAL Performance with Reaction







KEP1ER
We next were shown Kep1er's process in choosing their song, from Song Switch partner's discography, and their adorable interaction with Brave Girls (on video call). A focus on the "younger age aspect" of Kep1er's members became a hurdle at some point, but was overcome with their enthusiasm.

MY OPINION: The age and experience divide was played up. If you remembered Episode 3, where Brave Girls were shown having a laugh at "aging down" to mimic the energy of Kep1er (MinYoung is my favourite BG now :p), this time it was Kep1er's reaction to the more mature themes of BG's songs and lyrics, which in turn showed their own maturity and willingness to address the situation, IMHO.




This was an interesting juxtaposition between the veteran group BG and the rookies, which thankfully Mnet did not wring the life out of, truth be told. What they focused on was however, was a magnificent focus on Hikaru's rapping skills pre-performance, plus Dayeon's, followed by issues with the performance itself, where Dayeon literally fell off the stage, and leader Yujin grappling with slippery shoes on stage, unable to perform her best - which led to tears (which we saw in the trailers), but ultimately pulled thru beyond her own tears to comfort her team members.

Seeing the other members of Kep1er step up and step in to comfort and assure each other, really made me proud of them too.

Featured below is the Stage Performances excluding commentary by other teams (which I will attempt to add below, if and when I come across them).



MY OPINION: I am wholly unfamiliar with Kep1er, or the history of their journey, nor the entire "Girls Planet 999" show, and am coming in "cold" so to speak ... so, shows like QUEENDOM 2 could offer viewers like myself an opportunity to "discover" them (they were not on my "playlist" before, so to speak), and know more about them, as I had done with Brave Girls and VIVIZ - and be exposed to their performances - a similar wish I have for LOONA to be witnessed and recognised by others as well. And in a way, also not needing the LOONAVERSE nor "Girls Planet 999" become a burden to new fans yet ... they'll come later when they get into their respective fandoms MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA :p










Featured above is their entire pre-stage sequence plus performance stage with reactions from other teams (NOT full stage tho), while seen below is the FULL FANCAM of Kep1er's stage, with individual fancams watchable on youtube.com/c/Mnet.









HYOLYN
The finale went to Hyolyn, who performed LOONA's "So What", remixed in with elements of "PTT (Paint The Town)". We were shown her process in developing the idea and concept (with her team), and herself recording herself singing, at times her words spoken in the green room (after the stage performance) to her dancers, about her being "lonely" since going solo (T.T), and her doing what she did, was highly respectable.



MY OPINION: The path she had chosen, and the reasons she gave for her choice and decisions, "proved" who she was a senior worth looking up to and respected. Do the work. Play the game clean. But still be respectful, generous and gracious, and no one'll have anything else to say about your work morals and ethics.

This is her stage performance for Queendom 2, excluding commentary from other teams (which I will attempt to add below, when I find them online).





And with the English translation, Hyolyn mentioned she wanted to do the song well, as a "gift" to LOONA (possibly a reaction to when the girls of LOONA shared their past woes during their studio visit to Hyolyn?), certainly filled THIS fan with heartwarming fuzziness and grateful tears.



Featured below is the FULL FANCAM of Hyolyn's stage, followed by her individual FANCAM, for your viewing pleasures.




UPDATED: Performance with Teams' Reactions (NOT full sequence tho):






We were treated audiences (as they've left the studio recording) reacting to their stages, as well KPOP Idol artists sharing their reactions as well. Very brief and non-committal but fun! Now I really am interested to know more of their opinions...!

*I'LL ADD VIDEO CLIP HERE IF I CAN FIND THEM*






ASSESSMENTS & VOTING RESULTS
After the stages, it was time for the RESULTS, with a highly uneasy time to witness in the studio, with all teams and soloist sat together, as hosts Taeyeon and "Queen Manager" Lee Yong Jin (the ONLY guy in the entire line-up = STRESS, bro!) read out the results of Peer Assessment, Global Votes and Live Audience Votes. Screengrabs below (*Apologies for digitally cropping out the "source" of these screengrabs, as I do not want to willingly implicate anyone :p):







MY OPINION: As a fan and follower of LOONA, with my impressions of them being highly "competitive" and no doubt opinionated (and NO, I do not know them personally nor do I know exactly what is on their mind), I doubt that they are unreasonable folks, and I seriously doubt they are able to accept nor understand the reason given for their being ranked lowest LOL



But I also recognize this show is not just about them, as other folks are having a hard time as well...




As we ended the show, no specific cue sheet was announced nor shown, and instead we are treated to the preview trailer for Episode 5, where everyone goes on a "retreat" and are split/or chosen to be either in the VOCAL UNIT or DANCE UNIT, with special guest for vocals teased but now shown, while Women Street Fighter performers turned up, to coach the Dance Unit...!



MY OPINION: I did not grasp it on my end at first glance the night before, but waking up the next day, and reading multiple responses on Twitter (I have not dedicated any time to authenticate them tho :p), and it seems the VOCAL and DANCE Units will be SWAPPED??? So the vocalists will train in dance, and visa versa? HELLA HILARIOUS if this were true tho, and NICE TWIST if this is the case! MUAHAHAHAHAHA ... Sorry, I am reacting as a "viewer", rather than a protector of my favs LOL (As if anyone needs any protection from me in the first place LOL)

NOW you know what I meant by Eunha of VIVIZ shown in their pre-stage performance segment struggling with her dance move? LOL

In my eyes and watching-preferences, something like this would make for a more fun program, than "evil editing" ever could provide ~ Heh.

Will we be treated with healing victories and personal achievements in Ep5?
Will we see a resolution of disrespect, or further drama between teams develop?
Will we see peace be made with each other in this episode?
Will Yves finally have a chance to gift Seola her bread? Wll she want to now? (:p)
I. CAN. NOT. WAIT. To Find Out...!



These folks have a better grasp of the show, which I enjoyed watching!

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