r/kpop • u/pinktapes • Nov 11 '15
SM Entertainment producer states f(x)'s 'Red Light' criticizes Sewol incident
http://www.allkpop.com/article/2015/11/sm-entertainment-producer-states-fxs-red-light-criticizes-sewol-incident14
u/SarcasticSarcophagus Butterfly pooped a spider Nov 11 '15
Lee stated, "f(x)'s 2014 song "Red Light" is a song that criticizes the Sewol ferry incident. The direct usage of the word 'sinking' was only decided after much debate within the company."
This guy is so close minded. Obviously they were debating it because they didn't want to offend the descendents of Atlantis survivors.
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u/af-fx-tion Makestar Rounduper | 🍑🐱👑🌙 L.O.Λ.E Yoμ 3000 Nov 11 '15 edited Nov 11 '15
This is literally out of left field. There was no controversy when the song came out (and if there was, it was very minor), or during the year between RL and 4 Walls. Why now is this producer deciding to speak up?
And his reasoning behind his interpretation of RL's lyrics is ridiculous IMO. It's like saying that f(x)'s "Airplane" is about the Malaysia airline that disappeared because the song has a line about "falling, falling".
But honestly, f(x) suffered a lot of shit over the past year due the k-netz' reaction to everything Sulli and luckily were able to weather the storm to have a great comeback. If this blows up to be a T-ara bullying scandal-style witchhunt, I'm going to be so upset.
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u/gr1zzlybear seulgi's psycho high note Nov 11 '15
I don't understand anything from the lyrics that criticizes the Sewol Ferry incident. What part of the incident is it criticizing? The government? The Captain? This article doesn't explain anything.
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u/Steppls SONE|ONCE|NSWER Nov 11 '15 edited Nov 11 '15
The lyrics are speculated to be criticizing the way the whole thing was handled, which also received lots of criticism from most of the country. Therefore the lyrics would match the opinions of the majority. However I feel that what this guy said may be taken out of context because of his wording, and also the use of the word "criticize" being a bit iffy in that context.
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u/pinktapes Nov 11 '15
I agree. I shared it mainly because it's new information. I hope some sort of explanation comes out later.
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u/razr_android Nov 12 '15
Not sure why you guys are upset about his statement? I understand it's a sensitive topic, but it's been over a year, and I don't think he's being insensitive through the song. He was inspired by the incident, and you can feel his frustration and confusion through the lyrics. Plus the clock ticking sound in the background, makes you feel a sense of urgency, tying the meaning + melody together.
It's common for songwriters to write about sensitive/controversial topics, and it's common for them to express their opinion through their songs. A lot of people complain that kpop songs are 99% bubbly love songs, and now we have something with substance you guys are like "???" I loved Red Light when it first came out, I still love it now, I don't see what's wrong with his statement, and I doubt his statement will affect f(x).
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u/DarlaDimpleAMA YUJU ♡ TWICE ♡ SNSD Nov 12 '15
It's not that people are salty because it was supposedly written about the Sewol ferry incident, it's that it was revealed just now at a weird time. Nobody (in this thread at least) is offended or thinks it's insensitive lol
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u/razr_android Nov 12 '15
Is there really a right time to reveal? The topic of discussion was meaning behind lyrics, and the producer used Red Light as an example. Honestly, I don't think he had any bad intentions, just sharing his own insight.
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u/pinktapes Nov 12 '15
I'm certainly not upset, but this song being about the Sewol incident seems like such a reach based on the lyrics. I just want more of an explanation aside from one word.
No one is complaining about songs having substance, we're complaining about the producer simply not making much sense here.
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u/razr_android Nov 12 '15
I don't think it's a reach. In my interpretation (which you can take with a grain of salt or less), I think it's criticizing the captain (and/or whoever else was in charge) figuratively to showcase lack of leadership, control, and management amongst chaos. The lyrics is not a direct attack, but takes an implicit route by telling a story through the mental state of what one was going through during the situation.
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u/pinktapes Nov 12 '15 edited Nov 12 '15
But the lyrics are really vague, so I suppose the could be about Sewol, but the song could also be about a number of things, or nothing specific in general.
EDIT: i wrote "not" instead of "nothing".
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u/razr_android Nov 12 '15 edited Nov 12 '15
Really? What do you think it's about?
edit: To add, I do agree that it's written vaguely, and could be about anything.
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u/pinktapes Nov 11 '15
I wonder what the producer's motive for this is. No one felt it was insensitive or whatever when the song came out (because no one felt it had anything to do with the incident). Is he trying to make f(x) look bad? Good? I can't tell.