You might, but probably don't, remember Uhm Jung-hwa for being in the news a few times a couple of years ago. Here's an excerpt of a 2006 Chosun Ilbo article called "Singer's Hotpants Inflame Cyberspace":
Attempting a comeback as a singer after two years and eight months of concentrating on other projects, Uhm Jung-hwa is at the center of online controversy surrounding what some call “sex marketing.” On Monday, Uhm appeared at the gymnastics arena in Seoul Olympic Park in fishnet stockings and hotpants that were indistinguishable from a pair of knickers. The occasion was the launch of the tvN channel, where Uhm debuted a song that will be included in her ninth album. Her sensual dancing with half-naked backup dancers inflamed spectators all the more, and the song’s salacious title “Cum2me” also failed to cool tempers.
LOL, what an awkward article. I think this is the video of that performance.
“Some may say that ‘cum’ is just short for ‘come’, but the word ‘cum’ has long been slang for ‘ejaculate’ or ‘to have an orgasm,’” one earnest Netizen explained.
Thanks dad. From an article a month later:
Fresh from controversy over her appearance on stage for a cable channel in a revealing outfit, the singer Uhm Jung-hwa has now caused a stir on a public broadcasting channel.
She was dressed in underwear and fishnet stockings when she sang her song “Come2me” and Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” on stage at the fifth MBC Film Awards at the Universal Arts Center on Sunday. After the performance, Ahn Sung-ki, who MC’d the event said, “I thought she might had forgotten to put her clothes on. The actors in the audience looked like they weren’t sure where they should be looking.”
Another Netizen admitted to feeling “very embarrassed” watching the display with his parents. “This is Korea. Why doesn’t she go and live in America?” he added.
Fuck you. How about you and your faux sexual conservatism go ogle some soju ads or hook up with a high school student or something.
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5 comments:
Wonder Ajumma.
I like it. Catchy. Reminds me of Koyote's "Disco King."
Especially appreciated when her hand wandered up and squeezed her boob.
Wish I was her hand. Must be a good gig.
At least she was not 15 years old at that performance and claiming that OTHER people are dirty for suggesting that suggestive moves are, erm, suggestive.
I never liked Madonna's looks all that much, but an Asian looking Madonna, now that is another thing all together. I am honest when I say "I am a man and I can't help perving at least a little bit"
HAHAHA, you're even more on top of Korean pop culture than I am! I'm so jealous! How do you keep up with everything!?
Anyway, Jongwon just sent me that same video of the Disco the other day (which I have since watched on Mnet in my morning routine of "Music O'Clock" programming). What's interesting is that he said she's "Korea's Madonna". She's going through this comback from virtual obscurity or something. And she's doing it well - everyone knows sex sells.
And she's going through the same problems that plagued Madonna back in her disco years...which totally helped her success, really.
It IS interesting, however, that you pointed out Koreans' upsetness (is that a word?) over this. I mean, yeah, c'mon. Wondergirls? Jewelry? How is thei ajumma different? Or are there perhaps different standards once you've past adolescence?
I pretty much just stay up-to-date with pop culture via MTV in the mornings before school. It's not every day---trust me---that I come across a song I actually like on Korean MTV.
I can sort of see people being upset with her little dance routine a few years ago. She was rubbing herself and wearing "knickers," lol. I can understand why people wouldn't want to see that on primetime TV, or whatever. BUT, it's pretty consistant with what you get from Lee Hyori, Mina, Ivy, and all the other clones, so it's not as if she was pushing the envelope or anything. By 2006 it was already well-pushed.
I think I recall---but don't quote me on this---that some of the disgust toward Jeong-hwa had to do with her age. I thought I remembered reading some article that talked about how she wasn't acting her age. Somebody else can debate how accurate the oversexed 30-something image is, and how 30-something Korean woman isn't getting it at home and how they're looking elsewhere . . . I dunno, I just think she looked kind of ridiculous.
But the song is good, and Joe's right, I like that little boob grab move.
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