I have been holding this one back for about two weeks now, I apologise sincerely for that. I did it because I believe that BTOB could actually make a stronger impact (on me) than the first time I actually saw their latest music video "Thriller" shortly after its release on September 4. This track is the official lead or title track for their third mini album of the same name. I grow fond of them ever since I knew that the members are working closely with all the producers, also the partnership with their sunbaes such as BEAST's Gikwang, G.Na and others.
The music video opens with a slow introduction of all the members and they appear to be waking up from the dead as they have undergone some sort of a resurrection. This is also the scene where they had attempted to show their charismatic dark side and I have to admit that the one that caught my eye was the maknae, Sungjae. Although Ilhoon, their main rapper, did the fairest job in keeping up with the concept throughout the video but we will talk about that later. The boys had never looked better and the transformation they had undergone for this comeback is a showstopper although I do not quite agree with the darkness as their concept for this particular return. Granted that their title song is "Thriller" but it just felt like the boys are holding back a lot. Going for a dark concept means to go all out because it take a lot to convince the audience just how deep you can go. I know they could do a lot better and I am just waiting for the day that they would really let loose and win.
The song itself was not as catchy as I thought it would be the first time I listened to it and that saddens me. Although after listening to it 5 more times, it grew on me and I find myself growing fond of it. It does not change the initial statement I made and just like many others who had just listened to it for the first time, many of them would agree that it lacked climax. Similar to many K-Pop songs today, it remain as typical songs with typical dance numbers. To Melodies out there, I know you want these boys to win so badly and it is time for you all to convince these boys to go all out. But then again they might actually be striving for conservation of the K-Pop culture without all of the western influence every other group out there are contemplating, you can never be sure.
Alright now's the fun part, reviewing the boys. I agree that they look incredibly dashing in those maroon suits that they wore for the dance scenes but I am not so crazy about the rest they had donned throughout the video. I did mention that Sungjae caught my eye, this is because of how well the outfits had looked on him and the way he worked the style complete with the crazy earrings. Did I mention that his hair is actually blue? Well now you know. This goes out to Ilhoon as well, his clean blonde hair is pushed upwards to reveal his best features which is his eyes and he had put them into good use. Changsub's transformation gave me quite a shock to be brutally honest and it was not necessarily in a good way. The hairstyle does reveal a bad-ass side of him but I am afraid that it is not convincing enough - although those temporary tattoos are quite loud. Both Eunkwang and Hyunsik's performance are sub-par to me and I am only saying this because I know they can do a lot better (notice this is not referring to their abilities in singing in which they had done a very good job). For the first time in a while, Minhyuk did not quite catch my eye and that surprises me. And lastly but definitely not the least, Peniel. The boy barely has lines and not to mention screen-time. He is beyond gorgeous, put him into good use! Congratulations and good luck, boys!
By Nani Azlan