No more motorcycle helmets, but Crayon Pop still rock!
One-hit wonder no more?
Shooting to stardom on the strength of one massive earworm hit can be a blessing or a curse.
Unfortunately, in South Korean girl group Crayon Pop's case, it is the latter.
The bubbly quintet have been struggling to shed the "one-hit wonder" tag since 2013, after the viral success of their electro dance number Bar Bar Bar.
Boasting a silly yet catchy refrain - "jumping yeah, jumping yeah" - which Geummi, Ellin, Choa, Way and Soyul chant with gusto as they bounce up and down, side to side in the song's music video.
Bar Bar Bar was rendered even more infectious with the gals kitted out in cute motorcycle helmets.
Very soon, Crayon Pop were propelled into the spotlight.
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Bar Bar Bar topped the Billboard K-pop Hot 100 chart for six consecutive weeks, and the group was interviewed by US broadcaster ABC News.
To the delight of fans, they also opened for Lady Gaga's concert tour in 12 cities across North America.
Then, as with all novelty dance fads a la Macarena (1993) and Mambo No. 5 (1999), the worldwide hype over Bar Bar Bar died down.
For three years, Crayon Pop failed to score another smash hit that topped Bar Bar Bar's popularity.
POPULAR: Crayon Pop's Bar Bar Bar was a viral hit. PHOTO: CHROME ENTERTAINMENTPHOTO: CHROME ENTERTAINMENT
Their follow-up songs either featured them trying too hard to emulate the unique sound of Bar Bar Bar, or experimenting, albeit unsuccessfully, with FM, an anime-inspired superhero theme. When they released their new single two weeks ago, the groovy bubblegum ditty, Doo Doom Chit, I involuntarily blasted it on repeat mode.
Something inside me went, "Finally, Crayon Pop have a gem on their hands."
Gone are their motorbike helmets.
In return, they display a newfound sense of maturity and confidence.
Their dance moves are still campy and their lyrics still lovably inane.
Melded together, the song and video are effortlessly addictive, without an ounce of try-hard.
I'm happy that Doo Doom Chit - the title rolls easily off your tongue - has been getting positive reviews from prominent K-pop reviewers.
YouTube vlogger MRJKPOP praised the girls' bold use of a "saxophone hook", and website Seoulbeats described Crayon Pop's return as "catchier and quirkier than ever".
Is this Crayon Pop's second career wind? You bet!
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