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Creative Research Assignment

For my creative research assignment, the album cover I chose to research on and analyze is the mini-album “MAD” released in 2015 by the internationally acclaimed K-Pop boy band GOT7. The concept of the album, which has “니가 하면 (If You Do)” as its title track, represents a turning point in the group’s artistic vision. Unlike their previous albums which focused on youth, first love, and self-confidence, MAD shows a more manly image through the music, the lyrics, the music video, and performances of that promotion period. The tracklist includes, besides “니가 하면 (If You Do)”, the following songs: 손들어 (Put Your Hands Up); 느낌이 좋아 (Feelin’ Good); GOOD; 눈이가요 (Eyes on You), and Tic Tic Tok.

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© JYP Entertainment

The title track is the most representative of the album cover and title as its lyrics refer to a young man being discontented and frustrated in the way his girlfriend never takes responsibility for the fights they have as stated in the chorus: “If you do, it always becomes the right words/ […] / If I say something, you always say let’s break up.” (GOT7, 2015) The other tracks on “MAD” could relate to the album title with the idea that love might drive one mad or that mad would mean crazy rather than angry, with songs like “GOOD” and “손들어 (Put Your Hands Up)” referring more to a party atmosphere rather than a romantic relationship. On the other hand, the song “Tic Tic Tok” sticks to the theme by showing GOT7 manliness using much lower vocals and sexual desire with lyrics describing the singer wanting intimacy with a special someone such as the iconic introduction: “Let me see you want me baby/ Let me see you do” (GOT7, 2015) As it can be seen in the picture of the horizontal version of the album’s cover, GOT7 not only expressed the theme through fashion but also acting. Like in the music video of the title track, the group’s facial expression on the cover is stern and their body language is sulking for the most part. Their disheveled appearance and their punk-style outfits fit with the background which is a crumbling cement wall on what seems like a dark alley. The font of the writing itself is also an indication of the nonchalance from the boys as expressed through the song “니가 하면 (If You Do)”, and the bright yellow color complements the rest of the album which lies more on the less serious side of the definition of the word “MAD”. The album’s pictures were taken by Joo Yong-Goon under the direction of Ahn Oh-Cheol for JYP Pictures, while the visual concept was the original idea of Kim Ka-Il. (JYP Entertainment, 2015) Following the release of “MAD”, GOT7 released a similar-looking concept the following year with the full-length album “Flight Log: Turbulence” which also contained tracks with a more EDM sound like their most famous release in South Korea “Hard Carry”.

GOT7's releases before and after "MAD"

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GOT LOVE, 2014                                     Just Right, 2015                                          Flight Log: Turbulence, 2016                 Flight Log: Arrival, 2017

On a more personal note, I chose this album specifically not only because I have been a fan of GOT7 since their debut, but also because I remember the drastic change of perception the release of this album caused within the fandom and the K-Pop community. After releasing their mega-hit “Just Right (딱 좋아)”, which to date is still recognizable in the K-Pop industry for the bubbly sound of the song and the bright colours of the music video, GOT7’s shift to a much sexier image did not go unnoticed as it was the first time they did so. The title track of this album is also the first song that granted them first place on music shows, a win which is important to South Korean artists’ career. I still really like the music from this album and remember having liked this new image and sound better than their previous albums released before “MAD”. Listening to this album again makes me relate to it more than six years ago as I am older and in a phase during which I experience the emotions and desires conveyed through the lyrics of the songs on this album.

GOT7. MAD 4th Mini Album, JYP Entertainment, KT Music, 2015.  

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