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Recapping Episode 9 of #QUEENDOM2



Episode 9 of Queendom2 could essentially be split into the following:

- Stage Performances
- Assessment & Evaluation by Teams
- Teasers for Final Songs

First streamed on Mnet's YT channel on May 26th at 9:20PM KST (not VOD), you can currently watch Ep9 legally on www.viu.com (VOD), inclusive ads.

NAVIGATION:
As per previous blogposts, the text IN WHITE are descriptive of the show, while THE TEXT IN YELLOW are of my own opinions and impressions, cheers.



RECAPPING THE RECAP
After recapping the previous episode (Episode 8 RECAPPED here) where Kep1er, VIVIZ and WJSN performed for "FANtastic" Part 2 of Round 3, we are shown the next teams from the cue sheet: LOONA, BRAVE GIRL and HYOLYN, in that order.

Each stage is preceded by the teams planning and preparing for the stage, including scenes of them garnering song choices.





BUTTERFLY by LOONA
We first see LOONA at the cafe where they witness their "Crowns Up Loona" dedicated wall featuring fans' messages - to which they wrote back too.

Seeing Orbits video message for them on the projected screen left some of the members in tears (for all we know they all were, just not shown on camera), they discuss song choices, and decided on "Butterfly".

The sequence shown subsequently include discussion on music arrangement, choreography and their practice - which includes multiple bruises on their knees, due to their choreo.




There is an abundance of footage with the narrative showcasing LOONA's dedication and invested time and energy into providing a stage dedicated to their fandom.



The following video is the broadcast stage performance (without teams' reactions). I've delved into the track and stage in this dedicated blogpost, which includes individual fancams, and as well that all-important Full Cam, which did justice to the stage performance that this chopped-up broadcast version that was, IMO:



Do note that TRACKING is indicated, ending May 30th, 2022 at 23:59hrs KST.



What I am interested to opine on however, is the current focus of LOONA's craft - in both choreography, and involvement in their song choice, beyond "merely performing what they've been told to do", IMHO. This has been going on for a few episodes too, and now it has become a stronger narrative in how the girls are presented. Even via their phone messages reply, they've actually gone quite "technical" - showing their understanding of the process (so far) and what they want to achieve, reminding me of whenever we are shown Hyolyn sitting in front of her own desktop, recording and editing herself. We do not actively see that with other teams - be it a narrative thread, or simply because there is footage to support said narrative.

I am not saying that they are "wholly independant", but are ever ready to collaborate with others and each other, as well have input in their craft, while working with others. I personally think the narrative presented by Mnet producers puts the girls in a better light (in a industry used to be known for cookie-cutter factory-line presentations), and I am pretty grateful that we are shown a side of the girls beyond being "just entertainers", and this episode stood out to me, in that regard, whatever the results might be for the finale.



The resulting performance was much deeper than anyone else might've expected, with admittedly (longer standing) Orbits understanding the significance and story, while possibly the new Stans and Kpop-tourists - whom might've know of LOONA from "So What"-era onwards, might judge it for the lack of their expected frills, in relation to their harder-hitting "girl crush" theme, which they'll have their wish granted with LOONA's upcoming B-Boy stage-cruhsing "POSE", IMHO.



I could go at length with my theories - adding to everyone else online - but the reality of this reality survival show, is that some viewers do not know, nd no doubt some even choose to not know, of the significance of "Butterfly", taking it only as "face-value", IMHO. Even the camera work reflected that lack of depth needed to tell the story.







RED SUN by BRAVE GIRLS
While previewed in the previous episode, this time we delve further into Brave Girls' Live Stream, where they sung song choices suggests by their fandom and seemed feedback. Massive effort had been made by Mnet to enhance the emotions for this group, leading to a victory during subsequent evaluations. Even at the end of this episode, we are treated to more of Brave Girls' live stream footage.

They dug deep into BG's journey, and paralleled it to their real entertainment life - in both the projected scenes story, and stage performance, pulling at the heartstrings, deservedly so. It was a brave thing to do, putting it all out there.




Seen above is their full stage performance, while seen below is the streamed version which includes teams' reactions.




Yes, the audience for Queendom2 are still dazzled by the frills and shrills, but in the case of BG, their Red Sun performance - compared to their first round and the "magic"-themed "MVSK" stage - was a straight-up performance stage with a minimal but powerful narrative storyline, but with a singular sincerity that stood out stronger, beyond their own sob story and journey.

They shared their Point of View, with the audience's own literal POV of them on stage, and the result was a satisfyingly "healing" performance all around, IMHO. It was not done to "impress", as much as it was a opportunity to peek into the lives of Brave Girls. So meta, it worked effectively and beautifully indeed.

But I realized, having said that, it also does not mean other teams were "not sincere" in presenting their own stages too, or "less sincere" ... but perhaps BG gave us a reason to understand their sincerity, and being able to accept it onto our heads and heart, as they did with the results of the Evaluations.

Their redemption arc-story came full circle, where they started out being themselves, then trying to please the voting audience... Then Mnet had to show them hand-in-hand walking on the beach? So scripted it hurts my brain LOL



SEE SEA BAE by HYOLYN
In choosing her song, Hyolyn busked in the open, and invited her fans. In studio practice, she called upon a "secret guest", who as well contributed to the show stage, which as well "involved" her fans in the studio audience too (which I felt was a clever way to include them).

She performed a mix of "SEE SEA" (previously revealed HERE) and as well "BAE" (also the name of her fandom). This is the stage seen on YT, while below that is a clip for reactions from other teams.




As Hyolyn continues with a well round worldview to her individual stages, so too have other teams adapted and evolved, and as well the audience and viewers' tastes and expectations. Her expositive First and Second Rounds have no doubt secured a space in Queendom 2 infamy, but her performance of "SEE SEA, BAE" while effective for domestic digestion, could not parallel the "international appeal" of TOUCH MY BODY and SO WHAT, at least in my own personal perceptions.

But one thing is for sure undisputed: You cannot deny her charm and skills. Hone from experience and verve, she has been thus far able to stand toe to toe and surpass GROUPS of performers, has already made her a legend in Queendom2.







EVALUATION:
I'll let the screengrabs and videos describe the results, while I choose to opine instead. With so much teased at the end of Ep8 of the possible "elimination of BG", the opposite effect of the final evaluation came as no big surprise, IMHO. In fact I personally felt miffed at them trying to muddle up the expectations, although I can imagine why they needed to do what they did.



I don't know about you, but fatigue has set in for me. I have fallen into the trap of being disgrunted for the lack of acknowledgement for LOONA, while folks instead fawn over packaging and nostalgia (says the man who's persona; playlist still consist of 80s' music :p). SO all I can do not, is Shut Up and Stream... and to rant vaguely in my own self-serving blogposts LOL





"We're okay so don't be upset by the results. We have assurance in our own identity and color so we are not shaken heoheo" Shared YVES on FAB. "If people think that Loona is all about powerful, part of that would be our shortcoming in not being able to overcome that, but it also means that our intensity on stage up until now has been impressive too, so I don't think it's a bad thing! And round 3 was a stage only for the Orbits, so rather than intensity, we did a sentimental performance centered around early-era Loona's dreamy color and the message we wanted to vocalize..! So we will accept this, and we'll work to keep showing you our greatest goal that's consistent with the messaging up until now, which is a performance that's 'limitless and frame-breaking'". (Source)






FINAL SONG:
The viewers are introduced to the FINAL SONG round of QUEENDOM 2, where digital releases of brand new songs from each team/soloist are up for voting/streaming (via Spotify). We are first shown the teams reacting to "1-minute" of each other's songs on the headphones! And the revelation what STREAMING is 20,000 POINTS for winner.



SONGS PREVIEW ONLINE DAY AFTER:



I am personally loving this aspect of the songs, as it is a mixed bag of "sticking to your comfort lane" plus "this is our next sound-evolution", and cannot wait to see their stages!

The scoring for this competition round however, essentially flips the bird at all the effort and results achieved by the girls, prior to this round LOL ~ Can't get too "angry" about this, as this is a scripted entertainment program after all :)













Could it be "Hyolyn-Winning-Fatique"? Verus "Brave Girls Losing-Fatique"? Are folks tired of supporting a consistent winner? Thinking that she could do without their votes, since she is already winning? ... versus supporting a worthy losing team?

This is not meant to throw shade at anyone, as everyone worked themselves to their bones in their assigned tasks. As much rubbish disguised as dicussions as I have been seeing online (that'll be anohter sotry for anoither day :p), folks have eyes of their own, and their own emotions to decide for themselves, and each decision is valid, to the beholder and accusor.

So if it's "fandoms against fandoms", what if a fan Stans more than one team? How do they decide? And how will they be judged for deciding? I personaly do not feel it needs to be "Against" or "For", but... what is the etiquette involved here? Maybe I shuld just stick to my "80s' music"-preferrence ... and time soon that'll happen when QUEENDOM2 ends, and we are left with the pe4formances immortalized online... :)

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