you’re right about the pre-releases being like remixes or references to the member’s past releases. Flower Rhythm’s instrumental is basically just Kehwa (Heejin’s album’s intro) extended, and the nanananas are taken from Algorithm. the title as well is taken from Kehwa (bloom) and AlgoRITHM. Candy Crush is Plastic Candy’s instrumental with a few change-ups and Air is basically an original song with a few motifs form AF1 sprinkled in. love your reactions!
I feel like that's a good interpretation of the song/MV up until the end, because then that one follower tries to get a little too close to their idol with the camera and ends up dead in the end? So they're trying to say there should ultimately be boundaries between fan and idol? That's how I interpreted it, maybe because that's why I wholeheartedly believe haha Also, I totally thought this would be in my top 3 after first listen, but I think its ended around 4th/5th. There are some reaaal gems in those bsides!
Yeah, I like the interpretation of this MV being about fan culture (idols are our "virtual angels" who feel like they're always there for us, but we only ever view them through a screen) and that specifically, it's about how some fans take the fan/idol relationship too far and turn it into something toxic
Love this record so much. I bought on itunes but i MUST get physical copies. Virtual angel gagged me. The video is so creative. I hated the whinging. But the human eye version shows more fallen angels. So that’s interesting. Your epilogue touched me. After failing miserably in grad school during the dissertation, having a virtual affair go really bad, being directionless as a military retiree, and dealing with a very unhappy marriage. I was on the brink of suicide. To the point of choosing a method, time, and place. And Katy Perry was my solace. “Save Me Savior”. It was that connection, real or imagined, that turned things around for me. Prism. I just immersed myself in that record. That was ten years ago, well before I discovered girl group k-pop. Maybe it would have been one of those gen 2 idols like Hyomin or Sunmi. Thanks for this channel. I very much enjoy your soothing voice and style. Call me a fan. An ancient one. But a fan nevertheless.
Read a really interesting comment on x this morning with a theory for virtual angel, it is kinda culty, the girls in artms cant be there for us when our wings break because they are just "virtual" angels not real angels and that is why the girls in the cult appear the "die" in the end, thee person in the comment said it seens to be about parasocial relationships with idols.
Virtual Angel is a SOTY contender for me, it's soooo good! I've been obsessed with it ever since it came out. All the members sound amazing but Haseul sound especially amazing. I love her part right after the bridge in particular, gives me goosebumps every time! The original MV is a lot to handle but I do like the visuals and the story, so I'm happy they put out an easier to watch version.
Same, and I was not into KPop when Loona was around, so I don't really have an emotional attachment to ARTMS. This song however is great, nostalgic, beautiful, sad and emotional imo. It's currently the candidate with Aespa for SOTY for me
Virtual Angel gives me nostalgia and this feel of longing for something that's currently unreachable 😢 it's such a good song, I'm obsessed. Candy Crush is so sweet, the best pre-release song imo 💖 Plastic Candy is such a delight to hear, so of course Candy Crush would be beautiful!
This was an experience and a half, I really love Loona and ARTMS so much. 😭 This song is so good and all 5 of them just sound incredible. Haseul on that final chorus made me tear up like... She sounds like a literal angel Virtual Angel might be my contender for SOTY, I think. And Dall might also be my album of the year, it's just really great, can't wait to get to your reaction!
Fun fact (well not fun, more sad), the moment that the girl kissed the tv on Virtual Angel literally got the MV banned from multiple broadcasting stations...
I love Virtual Angel, but the first MV gives me an instant headache. Normally I'm okay with flashing lights and what not, but I guess that MV just hit the right spot. I can't even watch it with Kaia, lol. ANYWAY, I'm SO happy they released a version that doesn't make my eyes bleed.
I wasn't expecting this but a local B&N (Minnesota) actually had them in stock (they mostly just stock big company groups), so if you have one or more B&N nearby, you might check on that--or if they can ship one to the store for you. Might be able to save some $$ on shipping.
