Sunday, February 7, 2016
Week 2 - YouTube, I Tube, We All Tube
Psy - Gangnam Style
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bZkp7q19f0
Katy Perry - Roar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CevxZvSJLk8
Psy's "Gangnam Style," in the first half at least, shows the traditional gender roles in which the man, Park Jae-sang, is in control the woman (or women in this case). The women are portrayed as objects to desire and are essentially only present to be attractive. The women in the video are all thin with flawless skin, and are generally wearing provocative clothing. It is also worth noting that they are often wearing white clothes, which creates the sense of purity commonly seen with the classic female gender role. There are scenes where Park is dancing with all the women behind in, indicating a sense of leadership or control over the situation. Interestingly, just about all the characters in the music video appear to be rich due to their fancy, expensive attire. Nonetheless, the women are certainly depicted as less important than Park. Over time, though, the video seems to move away from the classic gender roles seen in the beginning and embrace a more equal stance between men and women. I think this video was originally intended to be a critique on various aspects of South Korean society meant to be viewed by teenagers and young adults in South Korea, but it has grown far past that audience at this point. As the most viewed YouTube video to date, it has certainly reached South Korean, as well as most of the world.
Katy Perry's "Roar" is a very empowering video for women that, for the most part, disregards past gender roles. The first forty seconds of the video has the only man in the video dying to a tiger, while Katy Perry herself survives and makes her own place in a jungle, completely through her own power. This music video essentially says that a woman does not need a man to be successful in the world and to make an impact. Katy Perry repeated likens herself to a tiger, one of the strongest creatures, and one that certainly has dominion over it's habitat. In doing so, she implies that she, and all women, should also be able to take control and even dominant. Yet, towards the end of the video, she seems to want to retain her femininity, and is seen putting on lipstick and painting the toenails of an elephant. Her clothing also becomes rather provocative, but I feel that she is trying to say that she should be allowed to wear what she wants without being criticized. "Roar" was likely targeting an audience of teenage girls and young women with the intention of giving them the motivation to take charge and live independently. Considering the popularity of the YouTube video, I imagine that it has successfully reached a large portion of the American population at least. Additionally, as the song is played frequently on the radio and the song's lyrics send a similar message, I think it is safe to say that this song has made a significant impact on the country, if not the world.
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Ian- I think this is a wonderful analyses of two differing music videos. As you pointed out, the women in the first video are seen as mere props, objects for male pleasure and subservience. They are all thin, beautiful, and wearing white, which promotes American standards of beauty as well as the value our culture places on female purity. The second video is a prime example of a strong deviance from stereotypical gender roles. It is clear that Perry does not need help from her male counterpart, and that she is in fact stronger on her own.
ReplyDeleteI would never have thought to pick "Gangnam Style," the most popular video on YouTube, as portraying stereotypical gender roles but you make some great points. To most viewers, this is just a fun song with a good beat and a catchy dance. But looking more into it, I discovered that this song has to do with South Koreans who live in the rich, elite area of Gangnam in Seoul, South Korea. It is actually mocking those who live in this area and who brag about their lifestyle and image. In that sense, it is interesting to see how the male singer PSY is portrayed versus his female counterparts, who remain in the background.
ReplyDeleteIt is a great comparison to then watch the Katy Perry video, during which a woman gains the power. You make a great observation... that she feels empowered but still does not lose her femininity. That is a very important message to share, one that inspires women to build confidence within themselves while staying true to who they are. I agree that this video has become very popular, and I feel that the song alone, due to its lyrics and high energy, can still promote the message of female empowerment.