by REERA YOO | @reeraboo
editor@charactermedia.com
We have seen kids, teens and YouTubers react to K-pop music videos, thanks to the good work of the Fine Brothers, but we haven’t really seen Koreans reacting to American pop music—that is until now.
YouTuber sw yoon recently launched a new series called “Korean Girls React,” and the first episode features several Korean girls reacting to Nicki Minaj’s “Anaconda” music video. Although the English translation in this episode is a bit vulgar and exaggerated, the girls give a pretty interesting commentary about the differences between American and Korean pop cultures.
The episode begins with interviewer asking each of the girls what they think the video is about solely based on the title “Anaconda.” Oblivious to the raunchy content awaiting them, most of the girls assumed the video was some kind of documentary on reptiles.
Needless to say, the girls were very surprised when they saw Minaj twerking on a jungle set. Their reactions varied from shock to confusion to amusement throughout the song.
The girls later expressed their surprise that the so many shots focused on Minaj’s butt instead of her bosom–a physical attribute that Korean men find the most attractive, according to the girls.
Surprisingly, many of them believed that K-pop girl groups were more provocative than Minaj.
“This video has way more skin exposure, but I think that makes it less sexy,” one girl explained. “Korea is more about hinting at things and leaving it to the audience’s imagination.”
When asked how they felt about provocative music videos being released in South Korea, some expressed nonchalance or gave positive comments.
“I don’t think it’s bad. Since Korea is still very conservative, if you wear something too revealing in the summer, people judge you,” one girl said. “I think these videos can help change people’s perspectives.”
However, others said they were afraid that such sexy music videos would objectify women and make viewers see them only as sex symbols.
Swyoon recently made another video showing Korean girls eating American snacks, the direct opposite of the viral BuzzFeed video “Americans Try Korean Snacks for the First Time.” You can watch the episode below:
