Lookback at LOONA Stages on Queendom2 & Their Current State in KPOP Industry
I have been re-watching video clips from Queendom 2 lately, specifically of LOONA's stage performances and behind(s) (Yes, I am biased), especially so with the current LOONA vs BBC atmosphere, and the resurgence of the girls in ARTMS.
With that in mind, and knowing what we know now, I'd personally considered their "Flip That" comeback era to have left a bittersweet after-taste, and not something I want to remember, now suddenly noticing "cracks" in promotions (my own perception), and subsequent worldwide tour period. I attempt to contain my anger and disappointment at the situation, and bite my tongue on much more speculations than I would devote my time and effort for LOL
I knew instinctively when their chose "Satellite" for their Opening Show intro-stage, that we'll be having the opportunity to see different side of thems, beyond their title-tracks, IMHO. OPENING SHOW Featured on TUNESTALKSG.
Having been a fan since [#] era, and backlogging their discography and thru to the now, I was pretty jazzed when they were announced to be participating in Queendom 2. Having enjoyed the first incarnation (2019), I'd felt it would be wonderful to be able to see possibly another "additional side" to them ...
My being was shooketh, while watching their performance for Round 1, with a re-interpretation of "PTT (Paint The Town)". They decided to cover themselves from neck to boots, dressed in full tunics with "performance" (or "ease of performance"? As they did with pants in he Opening Show) the main focus, and a storyline continued from Opening Show, was so satisfactory, even as they'd missed the opportunity to perform on the Round 1 Stage as the others had. Check out their Dance Practice to see what they had planned for the 2 storey-stage.
A CLOSER LOOK AT "PTT (PAINT THE TOWN)" BY LOONA
QUEEN'S COMMENTARY FOR #QUEENDOM2
Having been constantly fed their VLIVES and LOONA TV (plus JinSoulTV, GoWonTV and their individual LOONA LOG / VLOGS), and their variety show appearances, I had hoped to see more of them, or at least other sides of them, when performing alongside and against other performers and groups too. Through said LOONA-dedicated video content, we KNOW the members to be highly "competitive", and I'd wanted to see their brand of chaos clash with, or compliment others'!
Their SHAKE IT Stage Performance (for Round 2) is one for the ages, and a whole other aspect of LOONA not seen in their previous "powerful" performances, now presenting a totally FUN and "Cute"-focused stage, with literal need to "ACT", differing from their Opening & Round 1 stages! Sure this is not as sharp or precise as their usual performances, but it showed their versatility beyond what folks expect from them, and I am all for it!
A CLOSER LOOK AT "SHAKE IT" STAGE BY LOONA
RECAPPING #QUEENDOM2 EPISODE 3
PRACTICE VIDEO FOR SHAKE IT BY LOONA
LOONA'S COMMENTARY FOR SHAKE IT PERFORMANCE
FANART FOR LOONA'S SHAKE IT STAGE
DISSECTING LOONA'S "SHAKE IT" STAGE
I cannot and dare not speak for others, but the result was more than I had hoped for.
We saw their determination.
We saw their talent (which fans already know about, but to see it being acknowledged by their peers in public, was satisfying).
We saw their vulnerability.
We grimace along with their bruises.
We curse at their "unfair treatment" (Having missed the Round 1 stage due to contracting-Covid)... though totally understandable based on a "logistics' POV".
We cheer hard with tears at their victories.
We cried at their loss of securing the crown (imagine if things now would have been "different from they are now tho ... one day I'll get over it, one day....).
But what is sure as rain now, I for one cannot forget their stages for Queendom 2, and folks and fans should not as well, IMHO.
ROUND 3 PART 1 ("Position Unit Battle" round) saw LOONA paired up with other participating groups.
Featured above is the "SUN AND MOON" Vocal Group (together with Kep1er), where they prioritised "performance" over individual showcases (as evident in other two teams), not least because they were largest grouping, but to me their performance was one which lasted a longer legacy of emotive resonance, IMHO. AND they went angelic frilly dressed for the first time in their appearance on Queendom 2 too...!
"DON'T GO" BY SUN AND MOON
QUEEN'S COMMENTARY: SUN AND MOON & QUEEN IS NA
QUEEN IS NA Features
TELL ME NOW Practice Video
THE STORY OF QUEEN IS NA (QUEEN IS ME)
TELL ME NOW" / "TAM-I-NA" is the song performed by "QUEEN IS NA" for , with this DANCE Unit comprising Eunji from Brave Girls, HeeJin, Cheorry, Yves and Olivia Hye from LOONA). They sang the vocals for the track they performed to. The by-now-legendary "Queen Is Na" Unit were placed FIRST in this Round.
For me, it is not about having the "perfect stage" or even "perfect performance" (and I'll agree the validity of the stages), but of seeing them outside of their usual wheelhouse (Shake It, and Queen is Na stages), and as well complementing their repertoire (PTT, Butterfly, POSE), as a wonderful time to behold, IMHO.
I've featured these videos before, but here's a look back at their stages for the show...!
As I type and publish this, I am also re-watching ALL the videos, and they are leaving me with tears in my eyes and heart, and I am saddened for them, and angry for them, for being treated this way by their agency. Sure, people can say "It's just another day in the Kpop Industry in South Korea", but I am not interested in that. I may have blinder on for other Kpop-groups, but I cannot pretend "nothing is wrong" with LOONA and continue to buybuybuy whatever is shoved my way. I love LOONA and wish nothing but the BEST outcome for them!
I am of two-minds for the "impact of the "Butterfly" stage" for viewers... For Orbits and those who adored the track, it was a direct homage connection to folks' shared memories and emotions ... but for the general public who might have been experiencing "LOONA" for the "first time" (in Queendom 2), I worry if the reactions had been more less impactful, much less emotional, and just be "performance based".
BUTTERFLY BY LOONA (FOR "FANTASTIC QUEENDOM" ROUND_
LOONA IN QUEENDOM 2 EPISODE 8
For this performance, LOONA also chose to be dressed in slacks, as compared to their iconic fits in the Butterfly-era, which stood out to me specifically, as they did not go the frilly look (which they ultimately attempted with "Flip That"-era).
To appeal to the fandom, or appeal to the general public, was not a decision I envy them with this stage. And I appreiated that they "chose" to thank their fandom. How much do WE need to do in return, to support and appreciate them? It is now OUR choice(s) to do so...
Fast forward to the NOW, as of this blogpost, all the members of LOONA have had enacted lawsuits with BlockBerry Creative, on different dates, to annul their exclusive contracts with their agency.
Chuu was the first member who filed a lawsuit and was successful, and subsequently "expelled" from LOONA due a reason given by BBC to be "abuse of power". She is currently announced to have signed with new entertainment company "ATRP".
Chuu is currently active in the South Korean entertainment industry, hosting her own dedicated online program "Chuu Can Do It", as well various appearances and hosting gigs in variety and newsfortainment programs, at the same time recording music, when she is able to.
The first members to have had their lawsuits successful are HeeJin, Kim Lip, JinSoul and Choerry, also known collectively as "OEC+" (in their Japanese OST track release for "Sick Love"), borne of the final three members in LOONA sub-unit "Odd Eye Circle".
All four have since signed exclusive contracts with Modhaus (which currently runs TripleS), which is helmed by their former Creative Director in BBC; Jaden Jeong, who now becomes the "White Knight" compared to his "Villain" status back in the days when he left BBC (or was he "ousted"?).
The announcement and "enactment of "ARTMS has a sub-label to house their activities, as we are treated to their Profile Photoshoots, and the announcement of a (Travel) Explore Log content, as they record new songs for their new label! Apparently Modhaus has as well filed for trademark of their "Odd Eye Circle" (in Korean) name use, so there's that to look forward to!
Five Members of LOONA have had a unsuccessful lawsuit against BBC (but still pending final verdict), with HaSeul, YeoJin, Yves, GoWon and Olivia Hye still languishing in BBC. The first four members listed has as well since opened their own "personal" Instagram accounts, while Olivia Hye just celebrated her 5th Anniversary since debut.
The two and final remaining members of LOONA have since filed their lawsuits against BBC, with no results announced at this time. Both HyunJin and ViVi has as well opened their own personal Instagram accounts, but remain languishing in their contracts with BBC. ViVi is the only foreigner (She is from Hong Kong) in this group, and it remains to be seen if she will continue in the South Korean entertainment industry, pending final verdict. And yes, I am totally "speculating" and "assuming", because that is I/We can only do now, as we remain "patient" for further concrete "news updates", innit?
"Heartbreaking" is an understatement, with "Anger" underneath the cyber-surface, after all this time of strife, no doubt have worn me down personally, but have remained hopeful with seeing ARTMS beginning to flourish.
And while the general boycott of BBC continues forth, which facilitated the
My fear is their past discography being abandoned or forgotten by "newer" fans, not least because of the boycott (of not contributing to BBC's coffers on YouTube), and am on the constant lookout for "mirrored" content online, for in this specific case of LOONA, I will not turn against, thanks.
Ending this post with a final stage for LOONA on QUEENDOM 2, with their stage for "POSE", and the video embedded below is from a fan, which showed the actual atmosphere during recording, FTW!
BONUS VIDEO BELOW: of the "LOONA Practice Room VCR" from their LOONAVERSE concert, which Chuu was not apart of. While tying my hardest to not read between the lines, it is now both frustrating (wondering what happened to Chuu), and happy to see the girls of LOONA being "themselves", or so we choose to believe...
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