REVIEW - SISTAR Sasses “I Like That” in Comeback MV - RESPECT.

Cover of SISTAR’s fourth mini album, ‘Insane Love.’

SISTAR, a famous Korean pop quartet, who has continuously done well in digital sales, returns with their lead single “I Like That” for their fourth mini album, ‘Insane Love’ for summer 2016. For the past five years, with the exception of 2012, they have regularly returned in the summer season. However, in contrast to their past hits of summer-themed songs including “Touch My Body” and “Shake It,” they have returned to a concept similar to their other past hit singles “Alone” and “Give it to Me” for a darker and more mature pop ballad.

The music video focuses on flowers and the colors, pink and red. Recently, K-pop has been expanding into other countries, including China and Japan. The Chinese characters tattooed onto one of the member’s back as well as the Chinese lanterns decorating the background, may be seen as an appeal to the Chinese audience. The color red often represents love and passion, but for the Chinese, it is also a symbol of good fortune or good luck. Ironically, this song expresses the mocking attitude of a woman towards the man who has cheated and lied. However, as seen within the rap lyrics of the song, the girls may be wishing “good luck” to their former lover.

When I first watched the video and listened to the song – I loved it. However, I am not simply saying this because SISTAR is my favorite girl group within K-pop. I was disappointed with their previous single from last year “Shake It,” despite the song’s relative success. Last year, they had released pictures and teasers of a concept with DC characters as their theme through their personal Instagram. However, once the song was released – it was nothing like what many fans had thought. It was a catchy tune, regardless, but not my cup of tea, with its repetitive refrain “Shake it, shake it, shake it for me.” In contrast to their previous single, this song and music video is more sophisticated and more pleasant. It is seductive and sexy without being overdone. Their pink chiffon skirts highlight the independence and femininity expressed throughout the song lyrics and choreography. The ending of the music video also has a vague interpretation as all the four members lie together on a bed, and two of the members, Bora and Dasom gaze flirtatiously with one another. One line of the song says: “Loving someone and trusting someone/ Won’t be easy for me now, because of you.” This may suggest a hint of homosexual love between the girls because the narrator feels as men are all the same and that heterosexual love cannot be trusted. Or maybe I’m just being deluded.

In terms of the song, I wished the rap was longer – it was only four lines and with its good flow, it fit well with the disdain the narrator feels. I was also glad that the youngest member, Dasom, who usually gets only one line had more lines that complemented the song very well with her light and sweet voice. The main singers in the group, Soyou and Hyorin have rather husky voices but Dasom’s voice is more airy and feminine, which fit well. The bridge “I’m so fine, I’m so fine/ If you care about me, don’t touch me” was the catchiest part of the song. I am glad they returned with a revival of a more sophisticated and mature sound like their “Alone” era, which can be arguably said to be their most successful song to date. I will be reviewing their album and live performances once they become available.

Earlier today, “I Like That” was number one on all eight major Korean music providers. It is currently number two on the Melon music chart, an online Korean music provider, which is constantly updated in real-time. Their music video on YouTube has garnered over a million views as well.