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KINGDOM: LEGENDARY WAR [킹덤:레전더리워] NO LIMIT GROUP CHALLENGE
Added 2024-05-01 07:58:15 +0000 UTC
Comments
YES!! THIS makes so much freaking sense..... I honestly could not have worded it better myself.... Loved how you connected the ending to the rest of the concept because I 100,000% agree with you the ending fairies are so manufactured, and by "escaping" that exact thing, but still doing it, left it a bit ironic and hard to land... LOVED the conveyer belt section so freaking much.. One of the best moments from ANY stage on Kingdom to me!
Jessica Holyfield
2024-05-25 22:08:09 +0000 UTCCompletely agree with you here. I felt all the groups were shifting to the "F*** it, let's do what we want" and I think that really made the performances more enjoyable from my lens honestly!
Jessica Holyfield
2024-05-25 22:06:19 +0000 UTCalso now after rewatching Move I interpret the final scene as them escaping the factory into real world where there is a rain outside, kinda like Shawshank redemption or V for Vendetta type of moment, where rain is symbolic of freedom but I just don't think they pulled it off so it doesn't read. Because if anything, ending fairies are always the MOST manufactured and fake moment of any performance. And I LIKE them, I think it's a separate art form but here it went against the narrative and so it serves as the throwback to the MV at best and it's not very good as that either. Still top 3 of the round for me tho!
Viviena
2024-05-25 13:00:47 +0000 UTCI feel like by this round Ateez figured out they won't win bc even when they were taking first place by experts and other teams fan vote always put them last or close to there and so there is a definite shift from here on that is even more pronounced in the final performance where they are very much not contending for the crown anymore (symbolized by Jongho literally throwing it away) but centering the fans with lore and generally having fun showcasing their identity. The first time I saw this performance I was a baby-tiny and I was like it's ok. But when I got a bit deeper in the lore, not even full understanding it but just the vibes it hits different. When I listen to Answer Ode to joy (and I listen to it a lot!) it always brings tears to my eyes. There is a certain tragic tinge, makes you remember their somber expressions in the end. It gives "won the war but at what cost". I adore this performance even with all the outdated moves I totally agree with you about!
Viviena
2024-05-25 11:43:55 +0000 UTCExcited to rediscover them together! It’s going to be fun!
Jessica Holyfield
2024-05-05 06:41:39 +0000 UTCCorrect…. I mean BTS back in their WINGS era had Easter eggs in their MVs for days but I don’t see that as much from them now. Love a good investment into a storyline!
Jessica Holyfield
2024-05-05 06:41:15 +0000 UTCThank you for the heads up regarding Haka integration! It makes me VERY excited to see it!!!! Woohoo!!! Finale day can’t come soon enough!!
Jessica Holyfield
2024-05-05 06:40:27 +0000 UTCI’m super sad that there isn’t a live audience 😭😭 boooo… I get it but still…
Jessica Holyfield
2024-05-05 06:39:29 +0000 UTCI completely agree! Ateez felt like the ones who had a good balance of doing what they wanted to do but someone having a creative team behind to organize everything. Looking forward to watching the final performances with you because the only one I remember is Ateez’s but that’s just because I enjoyed their song a lot and this was around the time where I was getting into them a bit more 😂
Gabi B.
2024-05-03 12:58:43 +0000 UTCI'm so glad I could provide such great facial expressions haha! I couldn't help it with some of these hahah! Your points make so much sense and I can definitely see those things as well. I feel all the groups either had their companies micro-manage them, or completely hands off (with the exception of ATEEZ personally!) but I am starting to feel here that groups are able to do more of what they want which I am all in favor for honestly!
Jessica Holyfield
2024-05-03 05:55:54 +0000 UTCNgl I giggled a bit when I saw your face at times watching the performances 😂 and I have to admit, once again I didn’t enjoy these performances as much this time compared to when I first watched them. BTOB was the best for me, so much personality as usual but also clear cut story and it was the perf I felt most immersed in and it was just fun to watch, no notes! They were just as good as I remember their perf being. SF9 took a risk with using Move and overall I enjoyed it, wish it was cleaner but enjoyed that it was so different from what they’ve done on the show before, agree with you that the ending could have been better with that rain set, I kept waiting to see what was going to happen next but they were just standing there. TBZ was cool and I liked their passion during this perf, it absolutely felt very different than the other performances and I sure hope they were able to shake off the pressure a bit here and just enjoy the stage. The story they were trying to pull off kind of felt like an afterthought to me just to have something as the background of their perf but I did very much enjoy their remix of monster though, I liked the eerieness they added to it. The set for them also felt very empty so idk what happened there. Stray kidz was fun with the whole Deadpool theme but it felt like they could have done more with that and really leaned into the comedy that Deadpool has but it didn’t feel like anything new and I think the song choice for me personally was just kind of meh, probably because I’ve heard the song so much. Ateez was very cool with the opera singers, that was my favorite part of their perf and it’s always fun having lore to reference back and honestly very impressed they were able to incorporate their lore so much throughout the show but overall it just didn’t feel as overwhelming as I remembered and answer is probably my least fav song and choreo they have so it just wasn’t my cup of tea as a whole. Although I do really like the beginning with San and the tipping of the cup, he does really great with opening the song every time. Now IKON, same thing you stated, it just felt like the same thing they’ve been doing. I wish they had done more with Lisa. When I first watched this, I genuinely thought that Lisa had been too busy to film at the same time as them so she just recorded something at a different time than IKON but she was there! I was so confused why she only showed up for that part, I understand it was maybe a timing thing but even while she was performing her part they could have integrated the story more with the boys maybe going into the gold room and acting like they were captured and trying to escape or maybe taking over Lisa’s throne or literally anything. Like you said, it felt like IKON just wanted to do what they always do, which is fine, but it just feels underwhelming when we’re seeing basically the same thing every single time but just in different sets. I’m curious to know who the major decision makers/directors were for their performances or if they were mostly on their own.
Gabi B.
2024-05-03 00:56:59 +0000 UTCOh before I forget - when you get to Miroh in your skz look through, keep in mind they incorporated bits of Māori haka into it! (Watch the All Blacks pre-game haka if you've never seen it before!) A haka isn't just a warrior thing, one can be performed at any time that provokes an emotional response - funerals, weddings, retirements, welcoming someone home, memorials, etc - and that everyone in NZ is taught at least one in school. AFAIK it's not just Māori - as long as one is respectful and true to the actions, anyone can perform a haka. (There's also a wonderful video of a newly married couple receiving a haka at the reception and both of them joining in bc iirc it was the bride's brothers welcoming her new husband to the family. I think it's called "Maori bride surprised by haka" or something around that if you want to see it and what an organic, spontaneous haka is like.)
Aislin
2024-05-02 12:13:55 +0000 UTCOh the finale portion was done before the government eased Covid restrictions - so they're basically performing for each other, still no live audience sadly.
Aislin
2024-05-02 11:46:52 +0000 UTCI feel the same way it can be so confusing 😭 that makes it even more fun though ❤️ other groups have lore and it can be fun but it feels more casual. I've never seen a group like ATEEZ where when I'm watching an mv they truly feel a part of the world and story that they have built, it almost feels at times like I'm reading a fantasy/sci-fi series and I'm completely taken out of reality for a little while, I love it so much
Taylor
2024-05-02 06:32:13 +0000 UTCDefinitely share the same sentiments... The BOYZ had the BEST FITS OMG..... Loved how they all looked!! And SF9 really pulled out all the stops and went for it! Not easy to change iconic choreo like that but very happy with the result! They have a good team working with them and it shows! I also LOVED the assembly line section of SF9's set as well... So freaking gimmicky and the commitment of the dancers was top tier with their set and sticks out in a great for me! Really happy to see more freedom with these groups because I feel it makes me shift in how I look at the performances!! 1000% agree witht he risk that is run with EXO and Blackpink, but The BOYZ KILLED it in synchronicity... They did it low key better than EXO and that's tough on a stage presence side for sure!!!
Jessica Holyfield
2024-05-02 06:31:19 +0000 UTCYES! OMG such valid points and Easter eggs of relevance!!!! This is why we can have nice things I tell you haha! Not going to lie, with Halazia realm, it's really tricky for me to understand that realm as much as the others because of the hybrid of visuals and imagery, but with each routine I see and track I hear, I feel I get one step closer to understanding the lore ..... kind of haha!!! Luckily I have people like you guys to help a sister out!
Jessica Holyfield
2024-05-02 06:28:01 +0000 UTCAlso regarding your lore theory with ATEEZ, GREAT way to look at it and it does feel very plausible for sure!!!! Maybe they will tell us one day!
Jessica Holyfield
2024-05-02 06:26:21 +0000 UTCBTOB BODIED THIS CHALLENGE!! Very proud of them here for what they've done! One of the best performances from them and I can see their heart based on your references! And TRUST ME.... If and when I have time to dive deeper into BTOB, I will make it a life goal to DIVE GIRL... You'll have to make sure I don't drown haha! With ATEEZ I REALLY have been feeling with this challenge specifically (with all the groups actually) that they all collectively were at the place of "F**k Mnet with this bull.. With the exception of BTOB and Ikon because they weren't playing to begin with haha! ) So I'm really looking forward to the finale to see how all the groups will be performance wise with their fans in the actual audience!!!
Jessica Holyfield
2024-05-02 06:25:48 +0000 UTCThere are quite a few things in ATEEZ's performance that show up in Deja Vu as well which was the comeback right after fireworks and after the show ended. Watching the Deja Vu mv when it was released was so exciting after finishing the show and figuring out the things that had actually been hinted at in this performance. I also agree with the other Atiny that it definitely was hinting at Halazia as well. Even the church visuals/vocals + EDM was used a lot in the instrumental and music video itself as well as San "sacrificing" himself to take down the masked guardian just like how he brought down the giant ball in the sky on top of himself. The swirling LED on the floor right before the ending fight scene gave me the impression of traveling dimensions/worlds. Jongho walking up the stairs was also a reference to his parts in the Wonderland mv.
Taylor lee
2024-05-02 03:38:07 +0000 UTCYeah BTOB knocked this one out of the park tbh. (I have Thoughts about Ateez's set and potential symbolism that might or might not be something, but more on that in a hot second.) Blue Moon is one of their most beloved B-sides and they (read as: Minhyuk who is the Primary Flirt and keeps his eyes on what Melos are feeling/wanting) knew that it would be a nice treat for the fans to do the song again (it was last performed in 2018, right before Eunkwang had to enlist). So he reworked it to this version. I think everyone is in a smashup of decades of fashion - Changsub is just being himself with his zoot suit and hair, don't read too much into that one 😂 ALSO all those guys in suits playing instruments? They're all Changsub's military band buddies. They can play they were just hamming it up for the camera. Peniel however cannot play piano, but he does play guitar! He mentioned that he was just kind of goofing around in their behind the scenes after Kingdom wrapup. Also the thing with Miyeon at the end was a surprise to her lmao - they forgot to tell Miyeon about the last minute change to the "relationship" roulette wheel since she was basically on the entire other side of the studio. Luckily she's a pro and just rolled with it. I want to info dump so bad about the more hilarious version of this song they did at Kcon... and this is the MOST normal looking Eunkwang and Changsub duo outfits. (I'm trying to entice you to doing a BTOB look through lmao) Okay onto Ateez - depending on the translation you look at, Ode to Joy has a line about everyone becoming gods. (I was also very unaware that one could choreograph a fight scene to Beethoven but here we are.) And so one of the first things that came to my mind was "what is a king to a god" - it felt like Ateez was done playing Mnet's games at the time. That they had Jongho (the maknae) throwing away the crown instead of Hongjoong was like Ateez collectively saying "screw this show (Kingdom) and screw this cheap flimsy crown you're trying to make us fight over" and declaring themselves gods of their own universe instead. (I know some of this is probably incorrect since I think one of the camera directors at Mnet had an idea they implemented during that portion of the song. But idk) I do agree that maybe this was a Halazia portion that another comment was theorizing, which would make sense in a way.
Aislin
2024-05-02 02:14:45 +0000 UTCI also think that BTOB were the best in this round without limits, their stage was beautiful and a fairly solid story, then sf9, which also surprised a lot with a quite legendary budget and very much in their favor, then are the boyz, stray kids and Ateez on equal terms. Regarding conditions, I think that Ateez's stage had mixed reviews. It was because they're story was not clear enough. On the other hand, I think that the boyz and stray kids could have chosen a better song from EXO and Blackpink. I think the problem was that both Monster and DDDD are songs that have exploded and saturated with so many covers that have been made that it could be very cliché but the boyz's outfits deserve all the points in the world and to be number 1 in this round and then is ikon with another Blackpink cover but they had style you can tell that they always relax and have fun and don't take mnet's criteria seriously.
Derian Ortiz
2024-05-01 23:18:33 +0000 UTCI totally think all was fair game here haha! I also like the fact BTOB and Ikon brought their juniors! I'm not too familiar with (G) idle but I hope to be in the future! Do I think Lisa helped Ikon's set... Absolutely.. Probably why they brought her haha
Jessica Holyfield
2024-05-01 21:42:31 +0000 UTClove that btob and ikon both brought their juniors (miyeon from gidle, which is a group under cube who also participated in queendom and of course Lisa) to feature in their stages. Btob also had my favourite stage of this around. Kinda funny how both stray kids and ikon decided to cover blackpink and then you had sf9 and ateez with the rave. I guess great minds do think alike. I remember a lot of people being mad at ikon for bringing out Lisa and saying how it was unfair, but for a round called no limits where the point is to pull out all the stops everything is fair game.
tilly
2024-05-01 21:20:13 +0000 UTCLove me a good unintended pun haha! Really great idea with Halazia because that sounds way more plausible than what I was thinking for sure!
Jessica Holyfield
2024-05-01 20:28:45 +0000 UTCFor the black pirates falling at the end along with the masked men, i don't actually have an official or clear answer (lol unintended pun) but I did wonder as I was rewatching it with you if perhaps that was a hint at the events taking place in halazia. In the Halazia prologue, it says that people were waiting for the black pirates to return but that they never did and a "new 8" was born instead. So I wonder if this here might've been a way to represent that halateez/black pirates will die in this war against the masked men and so only Ateez will be left. Not sure, again, but that was the thought that came to my mind.
8makes1
2024-05-01 14:05:03 +0000 UTC
