Angry Girl Group Stans: Please Eng Sub for the Dying

Your Disbanded Fave: BLADY edition

In this series, I will talk about my favorite releases from the discography of some disbanded girl groups. I hope to focus on music rather than members, concepts, scandals etc.

First up: BLADY

You probably recognize none of these girls! That's because all of them left the group.

BLADY is older than you think! In spring 2011, they dropped a delightful pre-release song, "Spark Spark." Keep in mind, 2011 was when cute girl groups were at their peak: SECRET had just released their massive hit "Shy Boy" in January, and Girl's Day had only just fan-favorite released "Twinkle Twinkle" in March. "Spark Spark" definetely tried to capitalize on this musical trend.

"Spark Spark" is a song that is easy to hate. Compared to the Kpop of today, it sounds unmastered and overly cluttered. Which is why it is just so immensely courageous of us to say: We love it! Catchy, auto-tuned, nonsensical lyrics: it is everything that drew us to Kpop in the first place. It's high register synths and lack of space to breathe reminds me of Brown Eyed Girls' "How Come," an early yet unmistakably Brave Brothers produced track. I can't say "Spark Spark" won any awards, but I also can't say it should have.

BLADY's debut song was  the darker, yet just as synthy, "Crazy Day," which gained attention for having a Hollywood director film the music video. Kang Young Man worked on Avatar (2009), then selflessly decided to step down from film and ruin the image of a burgeoning girl group with his own two hands.

The cinematography!

Musically, "Crazy Day" is a decent track, but is basically only relevant because of its re-mix included on BLADY's comeback digital single released in 2013.

"Bring Bring" turned the sappy "Crazy Day" into a powerful rock inspired breakup anthem. It is faster, angrier and all the better for it. "Crazy Day" was an eager-to-please track that followed the trends of the time, but "Bring Bring" is a bold departure from the expected that we will come to define BLADY's future b sides.

Amazing! Where Kpop Group BESTie meets Socialist and Feminist Theory

Speaking of 2013, "Blood Type B Girl" was the track of it. As the story of a girl who is mysterious and charming,"Blood Type B Girl" has a sound that perfectly fits this elusive theme, and leaves you wanting to hear more and more, again and again.

"Blood Type B Girl" has a pounding, yet slick sound, with very smooth synths, but still colorful bubblegum pop aspects. It is a combination of 2012's very fun, very heavy synth sound i.e. BIG BANG's "Fantastic Baby" and Jo Kwon's "Im Da One" and 2013's pumping and rhythmic europop-inspired tracks, such as Girl's Day "Expectation" and Miss A's "Hush." "Blood Type B Girl" has a streamlined sound that won't really come into full actualization until groups like MOMOLAND and Twice popularize it. Yes, what I am saying is that BLADY were ahead of their time.

Who is JooE?

"Renovation" was BLADY's only and, therefore, best extended play. The promotional song, not so much, mostly due to a grating chorus. However, the release gave us numerous great tracks. I even listen to the obligatory ballad, "Love You So... I" sometimes.

"Ooochie Walla Walla" is a standout for its unique girl crush concept for them time, back when girl crush was still a straight girl's crush on a girl. Also a standout for its possible plagiarism; there's not enough english sources for me to say if the sample was taken with or without permission, but no producer could be that dumb right... right?? Nevertheless, it is an unexpected, super fun track.

Which bring us to one of my, not just favorite BLADY songs but favorite songs of all time, "Fantasy."

"Fantasty" is atmospheric, with a simple beat that the girls' voices just glide over. Especial shout out to Tina for rap that I love. It is a dynamic song with lyrics that I can only guess at because there is no translation available, despite boy groups having multiple subbing teams dedicated to their every move. Not that I'm bitter.

Still a better love story than "Crazy Day"

In my article on the best plagiarized Kpop songs, I mentioned BLADY's final release, "Secret Number:"

Blady trades in Taylor Swift's "Shake it Off" attitude for a loving, welcoming vibe "Our love, pretty love, please come true/I pray to Mr. Sun, Mr. Moon, Mr. Star." Truly, an utter masterpiece, and I have no more words.

Nowadays, I do have more words, and this is them: I agree. Thought I do not wish BLADY to end, "Secret Number" is the perfect cute, light summer note for them to do so on.

BLADY is group that struggled, even though they constantly released thoughtful, unique and sometimes just plain jammin songs! I am thankful for the time I got to spend with them, as 2011 to 2017 was no short amount of time. I wish all of the girls luck in the future, especially Tina who is currently out there spilling idol secrets as we speak (write us a tell all please!!).

Did I miss your favorite BLADY track, moment or performance? Leave a comment!

Some resources:

Debut era pictures/information

BLADY INTL