Thursday, April 22, 2021

#10 Wild Card


 Most Popular TikTokers of 2021

    For my wild card assignment blog, I wanted to feature something that has been very popular last and this year the most. TikTok has been the hottest craze throughout the whole pandemic. Everyone from young children to older adults have been raving about TikTok. TikTok has been open to all ages to enjoy 15-60 seconds videos. The videos range from comedy, dancing and singing, skits, and much more. TikTok is the platform where just about anyone can go viral within just one video. A lot of average ordinary people have found newfound fame within TikTok. In this wild card blog, I will be discussing 8 individuals that have developed great success from TikTok. First on this list Michael Le. Michael Le was just an inspiring dancer posting dancing videos on Instagram and uploading daily videos on YouTube. One day, start to upload dancing videos to TikTok.  Known by his username justmaiko on the platform, Michael has become a TikTok sensation for his dancing videos that frequently feature his little brother, Jonathan "Mini Mike" (Screen Rant). Michael Le has obtained 46.0 million and counting on TikTok. He partly owes his success to little mini look-like brother who is seen in almost every video and showcases his adorable and cute personality and smooth dance moves. Michael Le also keeps himself grounded and humble by featuring his family in tiktoks and has created a family channel called Shluv Family. 



    Next on the list is a tiktoker that has amassed 50 million followers. The tiktoker is Dixie  D’Amelio. The older sister of widely popular Charlie D"Amelio. Dixie's content mostly deals with videos involving her sister and other famous TikToker Noah Beck. Viewers really cannot pinpoint how Dixie's gained success so quickly. Critics say it is strongly due to being a sister of an already famous tiktoker. People say she leeches off her sister's fame and tries to create a name for herself by now making music. Either way Dixie has landed millions of followers to keep her noticed into the entertainment industry. Another tiktoker that is not new to viral success and found fame in the past with social media platform  musical.ly is Loren Gray. 


    Loren Gray was very popular on musical.ly back in 2015 and had millions of followers from lip-syncing videos. As the musical.ly was laid to rest and later merged into TikTok, it wasn't hard for Gray to reclaim her throne as the sixth-most followed person on the app. Aside from making tiktokers, also has a successful career as a  musical artist and uploads regularly to YouTube channels. If her TikTok career doesn't panned out, Gray will have lots to fall back to keep making bank for a while. 



    A tiktoker that knows how to land the beats is Spencer Polanco Knight. Spencer X is a beatboxer, which makes him automatically annoying to spend time with. New to TikTok, Knight uses his beatboxing skills that lands him 52 million followers as he is the 5th most followed creator. 


    Zach King rounds the list as 4th most popular TikTok creator with 57 million followers. The reason so many people devoted to Zach King videos are crazy illusions and mind-blowing magic tricks. Now the last 3 individuals make up the list as most influential and widely popular people on TikTok. 


    Bella Poarch is 24 year old TikTok creator who was born in  Philippines that rose to stardom within less than eight months and gained 40 million followers. Her most viral video that propelled her fame is where zoomed-in video of her lip-syncing and rhythmically bouncing to “M to the B” by Millie B. Bella Poarch is known in videos acting childlike and cutesy lip-syncing to viral songs. As of late, she has surpassed 60 million followers. 


    The last 2 spots pretty much anyone that has TikTok have heard of these creators. Addison Rae is 20-year-old TikTok star comes right behind Charli as the second-most followed user on the app. Born in Louisiana, Addison was a competitive dancer and was pursuing a degree in sports broadcasting at Louisiana State University before dropping out and moving to Los Angeles to pursue her social media career. Addison is partnered with American Eagle as an ambassador and also launched her own cosmetics line, Item Beauty. She will also begin her acting career, starring in a remake of the 1999 teen movie She's All That (Screen Rant). 


    The number 1 spot belongs to the youngest person on this list with more than 110 million followers. 16 year old Charli D'Amelio was just an average competitive dancer post dancing videos like everyone else. Until she danced the famous "Renegade" dance which was created by Jalaiah Harmon where her TikTok career skyrocketed. Dubbed as the "queen" of TikTok, Charli continues to post viral trend dances. As you can see, these 8 individuals have accumulated the most followers on TikTok to become well-known all across the globe. There are lots of other famous creators on TikTok, but these are the ones that are most followed. Many are regarded as popular and some as most followed. At the end of the day, these creators have taken the world by storm. 





Tuesday, April 20, 2021

#9 Classmate Blog Critique

  






   Classmate blog critiques always allow me and my classmates to evaluate our peers' projects and hard work. These critiques give a sense of gratitude and appreciation for one's blog. This semester I have come across some amazing blogs and I'm grateful to share a blogging class with my fellow peers that have showcased good quality projects this semester. Now if I could I would analyze everyone's blog and tell them how great of a job they did this semester but with word count that would be nearly impossible. This semester I have found great things within everyone's blogs at one time of point on different topics. Even so, the people I will be critiquing today have enjoyed more than one topic on their blog that has showcased stellar blogging skills. I will be discussing 2 classmates that have impressed me this semester. Their blogs provided amazing graphic designs and creative writing that stuck out to me. 

    The first person whose blog caught my eye this semester was Legend Harris. Upon visiting Legend's blog, you really can tell her likes and interests from her blogs. She covers the topics that relate most to her. The way her blog is set up is always a joy to visit because when you click on each project, it opens as a magazine column. I can appreciate Legend's writing the most from her very first sentence. In each project, her first sentence to start off each project was well-written. It always comes from a place of sophistication when she writes and topics she chooses seem like she knows a lot about. Her blog really radiates her because if you know her personally or have talked to her, you could see the correlation between her and the blog. My favorite project from Legend is her movie review. Her movie review on a foreign films gave intensive insight on how film are showcased outside the United States. She explains how America views foreign films as taboo and not talk about enough. She gives elements of how America regards foreign films are weird and uninterested they are about foreign films. She states partly due to not understanding the language we find foreign films difficult to discuss. I greatly admire her review of international films because I enjoy international films as well. Her review was precise and she executed the topic briefly but in a professional way. Overall, Legend's blog was one of many blogs that piqued my interest this semester. Check her blog down below! 




    The next person blog I enjoyed this semester was Cory Evans. When I first stumbled upon Cory's blog, it's very cool to see his design background. The fiery fire featured with his blog showcases explosive look at his topics and his writing. Cory writing skills have always been the highlight of how his blogs pops. Cory writing skills this semester have been phenomenal and makes me feel like I have been reading a local newspaper column. With his writing skills, he has the poise to becoming a really good journalist one day. Cory's blog is always categorized and organized in a brilliant way. Every time I visit Cory's blog I am never disappointed with his topic choice and value his creativity. To see Cory's blog in action scroll down below! 




Monday, April 19, 2021

#8 International Media

    Lupin

    International media is not much different from media in the United States. International media pertains to all types of media in other countries. The media covered in other countries might intertwine with the media in the United States. International media is a concept that grew from many theoretical approaches and technological advances. It is communication from varied media that shape our global context through various political, economic, social, and cultural factors (International Media Wiki). When it comes to media, there many forms of media that it pertains to. Modern media comes in many different formats, including print media (books, magazines, newspapers), television, movies, video games, music, cell phones, various kinds of software, and the Internet. Each type of media involves both content, and also a device or object through which that content is delivered (Types of Media.Net). Recently international media has hugely involved entertainment such as movies and TV shows. The way international media has been including movies and TV shows is through Netflix. 

    Netflix including last year and present day have stepped up and created international original content and movies. Netflix has a massive influx of international TV shows that have created worldwide buzz. Whether it is recent Kdramas such as Crash Landing on You and It's Okay To Be Okay or Spanish-speaking shows also like Elite, Money Heist, and Who Killed Sara? These shows have paved the way for success in respective countries. Now I would like to discuss a Netflix French original series Lupin. Lupin is a French mystery thriller streaming television series created by George Kay and François Uzan that premiered on Netflix on 8 January 2021. The show stars Omar Sy in the role of Assane Diop, a man who is inspired by the adventures of master thief Arsène Lupin, a character created by Maurice Leblanc in the early 1900s. The story follows professional thief Assane Diop, the only son of an immigrant from Senegal who had come to France to seek a better life for his child. Assane's father is framed for the theft of an expensive diamond necklace by his employer, the wealthy and powerful Hubert Pellegrini, and hangs himself in his prison cell out of shame, leaving the teenage Assane an orphan. Twenty-five years later, inspired by a book about gentleman thief Arsène Lupin his father had given him on his birthday, Assane sets out to get revenge on the Pellegrini family, using his charisma and mastery of thievery, subterfuge, and disguise to expose Hubert's crimes (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lupin_(French_TV_series)


    I think what the audiences in United States and other countries found most fascinating about this show is how they showcased Paris. In the show, you get to see the Eiffel Tower and various other landmarks and special attractions depicted. Viewers find this show the most appealing because of its portrayal of adventure and cat-and-mouse game showcased within the cast trying to track down the culprit. Fans of the show wait patiently and enthusiastically for its return for season 2 which is set to premiere later this summer. Overall, in recent years, you have seen Netflix gain access to international shows that spark worldwide buzz and attention, with the recent addition of Lupin, Netflix doesn't plan to slow down anytime soon with the influx of international shows.






Tuesday, April 6, 2021

#7 Social Media

How Dating Apps Are Benefiting Off the Pandemic



    Social media has played a huge part in getting through the pandemic for the last year or so. From the rise of TikTok and new features added to existing social media apps, the influx of social media does not plan to slow down soon since recent events. Various apps such as Twitter, Snapchat, Facebook, and new apps like Clubhouse and Houseparty have kept people entertained through this pandemic. Even with half the world opening back up completely and various vaccines have rolled out, people still look for social media as a safe space. The apps that also include dating. Now dating apps have really utilized the pandemic to create buzz. 
    

    The two most popular dating apps Tinder and Bumble have shown incredible success during the pandemic. People from all over the world have used these apps once or twice through the pandemic. To understand the rise of dating apps like Tinder and Bumble, you must know how they work. Tinder Tinder is an American geosocial networking and online dating application that allows users to anonymously swipe to like or dislike other profiles based on their photos, a small bio, and common interests. Once two users have "matched", they can exchange messages. Tinder initial release was in 2012 but has increased with popularity in recent years starting from 2015. Using Facebook, Tinder is able to build a user profile with photos that have already been uploaded. Basic information is gathered and the users' social graph is analyzed. Candidates who are most likely to be compatible based on geographical location, a number of mutual friends and common interests are streamed into a list of matches. Based on the results of potential candidates, the app allows the user to anonymously like another user by swiping right or pass by swiping left on them. If two users like each other it then results in a "match" and they are able to chat within the app. Chatting on Tinder is only available between two users that have swiped right on one another's photos. The selections a user makes are not known to other users unless two individuals swipe right on each other's profiles (Tinder Wiki). The success of Tinder largely came from young adults looking for love or generally to have someone to communicate with during this difficult time. Bumble is exactly the same way. 


    Bumble founded in 2014 allows users In matches between a man and a woman, the woman must initiate the conversation of their matches or the matches disappear within 24 hours. BFF mode uses the same swipe right or left platform as the app's dating mode and requires that a conversation is started within 24 hours of matching with a potential friend. Conversations started with potential friends are color-coded as green as opposed to yellow for dates. As the feature was rolled out, Bumble also announced that it would eventually release a dual-profile feature allowing users to curate a profile for dating or friendship (Bumble Wiki).Critics and users see Bumble as feminist Tinder.  It is due to being specifically dedicated to women users because it allows them to be in control. 


    Now different levels of popularity vary greatly between two dating apps. Typically more older adults used Bumble and it was treated more sophisticated than Tinder because the limit of features was. Tinder most active users range from 18-22 targeting mostly college students. Since these dating apps feature users of young demographic, the users utilize these apps through connecting with people during the pandemic when they could not have human interactions.  Tinder and Bumble was there to engage the younger demographic when in person connections cannot be obtained. Dating apps benefiting off the pandemic can have positive and negative effects as well. The upside is people were introduced to people all over the world to get to know someone on a personal level and build a strong connection through the pandemic and meet various people for overall experience. The takeaway from that is people could find life-long and lasting relationships and friendships. The downside is that it opens a world to the dangers of catfishing and deceit. Whereas more people were at risk of meeting someone that was not who they said they were in the long run. It also could give deceit people an opportunity to wreak havoc on innocent people for money or among other things. Also could lead to major problems resulting in kidnapping or death. Overall, these dating apps have benefited well off the pandemic even it though has positive and negative effects. 

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

#6 Critiquing a Media Critic

 As Told By Kenya

    Media critics administered their opinions on various topics to solidify buzz or just commentary for their opinions. Media critics better known as giving media critiques dissect popular film, television, novels and other forms to explain to a broad audience how, in academic terms, these cultural artifacts can be reflective of social issues, evidence artistic accomplishment, offer critical voice to power and much more (Media Commons). Whether their opinions are valid or not, they can't help if their opinions will be met with criticism or praise. Most media critics have relatively  thick skin to tolerate how their opinions will be perceived by the public. Some just want to voice their opinions on issues without any harm done. Media critics come in all aspects. 


    There are media critics within music and movies. Also they are critics within sports, entertainment and even food. Most media critics are mainstream and their whole job pertains to being a media critic such as Trevor Noah and Bill Maher. Media critics don't always project negative comments and can just be seen as critiquing a form of content. No one really talks about the small media critics. Everyone sees the famous media critics on the news, or talking on their personal talk show. Let's talk about the small media critics that are on YouTube or any other form of social media where the vast majority have not heard of. In this blog I will be talking a YouTuber that is a critic and provides commentary on everything from major issues, popular culture, gaming, entertainment, and politics. The YouTuber's name is Kenya Wilson. Her YouTuber channel she uses As Told By Kenya. Kenya Wilson was born on October 25, 1996 and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina. Kenya Wilson started her YouTube channel in 2015. Her YouTube channel has acquired 237k subscribers and she tends to post 2 to 3 videos within a week span. Typically the duration of her videos ranged from 15 to 50 minutes depending what she decides to discuss that week. Upon reviewing her videos, I can say she gives a fair stance on the issues she talks about. Her way of speaking on topics is very effective because she knows how to argue on issues respectively. It never comes from a place of biasness. 


    When it comes to her critique about popular culture, gaming or social media, it can be seen as comical. I say that way because most of her title videos showcase a funny headline or in capitalization to grab attention. The thing she does differently from when she uses her video titles in capitalization is that her video is literally about the title. When most YouTubers use their titles in capitalization or like a bizarre headline it is just for clickbait. For example, Kenya has a video titled MAKEUP BRANDS THAT ARE FLOPPING! Now when you see a title like this on YouTube, most creators sugarcoat how they feel about certain topics but will still use a clickbait title. With Kenya, she uses her platform to showcase her opinion whether or not negatively affects her view count. I think she is well-versed on certain issues such as politics or law because she graduated with a bachelor's degree in law and was accepted into law school. She shows that she is educated in opinions when it comes to politics. I can trust her critique when it comes to issues involving politics because of her involvement in law degree. YouTube is not only a place Kenya uses her voice to get her point across, she also has her own podcast. Podcasts include the same issues as YouTube but more in depth topics. At the end of the day, her critiques are very relatable and she shows that it is just her opinion after all and that you don't have to agree. 




Wednesday, March 3, 2021

#5 Movies

 No Escape!

    Ever watched a movie and it turned out to be completely different from your expectations? The movie was filled with different twists and turns that by the end you couldn't comprehend what you just watched. Well that happened to me when I stumbled upon the movie No Escape. No Escape led with the intention of a movie is going  one-way but completely rear-ending into another. No Escape was released on September 18,2020 on Hulu and follows A social media influencer and his friends who find themselves in over their head in Moscow, as the search for quality online content brings them to a sinister world. 


    Cole, whose character is played by Keegan Allen is known for doing outrageous things and vlogging every moment of his life since birth. He finds himself and his friends in for a ride they didn't bargain for. Beginning of the movie, Cole is narrating  how he was always being filmed and broadcast his life on footage. His vlog series has been ten years in the making and wants something drastic to celebrate his anniversary. Now his vlogs have always been about what exciting thing to do next and his fans dictate his moves. If it's from bungee jumping from an airplane or blowing up a 18-story building, Cole has delivered every time. 

    This one time Cole is not prepared at all for what is to come. Showcasing the first half of the movie, his friends set up a trip to Moscow to  commemorate his 10th anniversary. They haven't told him what they will be doing the whole trip and they finally reveal they will be attending the ultimate escape room. His friends include his childhood best friend, Thomas, mutual friend Sam, his vlog buddy Dash, and his girlfriend Erin. Cole doesn't think the escape room is legit and says it is a  waste of time coming all the way to Moscow just for an escape room. 

    Dash reassures that the escape room is one like never before. Dash gets a buddy that lives in Moscow whose name is  Alexei to orchestrate the escape room.  Now without giving too much away the ending is nothing like how the movie is to be portrayed. Lots of critics or viewers did not enjoy the ending. They said it basically contradicted the whole plot of the  movie. In that case, I would say that was true. Based on the trailer, you would see that it was supposed to be an escape room turned to something deadly. With that being said, it is a movie, I feel every movie doesn't have to showcase real-life events or possible real scenarios. I can say enjoy the movie very well. The acting could have been better especially from the main character Cole's perspective. He is a pivotal part of the movie. 

    His character or his acting was just not emotional enough for me that would showcase someone in pain. For the first 20 minutes, I was thinking of cutting the movie off because of the acting style some of the actors possessed but stayed to the end and was not disappointed. I recommend it 6/10 if you can get past the corny acting but once they start the sadistic game of the escape room, the film takes a turn for the better and you are shocked at its end. I mean we are thinking in terms of stellar performances, I would say it's not that good because the acting can by pretty cringe. The thing that will keep you entertained is to see if the friends will survive or not. I think the main point of why some people didn't enjoy the movie is that this peculiar movie takes elements from other movies and adds their own flair. In the movie, you can see references from Saw, Escape Room, and the movie Hostel. Some viewers are able to see how the movie was going to end a mile away and that it became predictable. I think what the director tries to get across the movie is the dangers of  a social media influencer taking things too far to capture the most outrageous things  and the lives between reality and fiction are blurred. It is like how far would you go to maintain a relevance and popular persona on the internet. The thing about me when  it comes to watching movies I tend to watch excellent movies and the bad ones. This one wasn't the best but it is a movie to pass time on a Friday night. 

Monday, March 1, 2021

#4 Technology

Today's Technology Like No Other! 


    Technology has really come a long way from what it used to be years ago. Years ago we couldn't even imagine the type of technology we have today. Thanks to developers and their keen sense of intelligence, we are able to reach the heights of advanced technology. Technology is simplified as "science of craft art, skill, cunning of hand" and  is the sum of techniques, skills, methods, and processes used in the production of goods or services or in the accomplishment of objectives, such as scientific investigation (Technology Wiki). Thinking about how technology is seen as science of craft, there are some innovations in technology that signify craftiness. Speaking of craftiness, there are two innovations I think showcase this type of technology.


    The first innovation I will discuss is one we all can relate to. It is a Dyson Table Fan. We all know the annoying sound a fan makes and how the spinning blades can be too much and debris flying everywhere. Well look no further, Dyson Table Fan uses patented Air Multiplier technology to create a powerful stream of uninterrupted airflow without fast-spinning blades making it safe for children, pets and during cleaning. With Dyson Table Fan you no longer have heard or been blown away by the sounds of a fan. The technology inside Dyson Table Fan uses smart tech to deliver a cooling fan with ease. The debris that comes with regular fans was a hassle to clean but with Dyson Table Fan it ceased to exist. Other features include sleep timer which can be programmed to turn off after preset intervals ranging from 15 minutes to nine hours. Remote control has the choice of 10 precise airflow settings. The remote is curved and magnetized to store neatly on the machine (Amazon). As you can see, technology has advanced so much from regular plug-in fans to high-tech smart fans that provide luxury. 


    Describing this next innovation sums up to cute and endearing. This innovation reaches people who are missing their elderly loved ones or just immediate family or friends and makes you go "Aww." The innovation is called Lovebox Spinning Heart Messenger. Send heartfelt messages to loved ones—anytime, anywhere in the world—with this modern take on the classic love note. When you send a new message through the easy-to-use app, the chunky heart on the bamboo box spins to alert the recipient. Then, the object of your affection opens the box to read the sentiment on the mirrored screen inside. (The Black & White Lovebox can display emojis along with its messages; the Color Pix version can handle photos.) Once they see your missive, they can return the virtual embrace by spinning the heart to send a shower of digital hearts to the sender's screen. It's a tangible way to stay connected with special friends, family, and long-distance lovers (UnCommon Goods). With that being said, this innovation does a really good job at pulling on people's heartstrings and exposing their caring side to their loved ones.


Tuesday, February 16, 2021

#3 Lifestyle or Popular Culture

A Very Sticky Situation!

    Have you ever made a mistake that you thought you could correct later when you have time? Has a mistake occurred and damage has already been done? Well that holds true to a 40-year old woman in Louisiana who spray gorilla glue spray on her hair.  More than a month ago, Tessica Brown, a 40-year old Louisiana woman ran out of her Got2B Glued hairspray and turned to Gorilla Glue spray believing it would hold down her hairstyle in a similar way (WGN Tv). In a video released on TikTok, Brown explains that she uses the Gorilla Glue as a substitute for Got2B for a quick fix to run to town. In the video, she asked for help on how to remove the substance as she has tried to wash it out many times. Unbeknownst to her, Gorilla Glue mixed with water makes it harden even more. 


    With this dilemma, she endured this pain for a month. Seeking guidance from users of social media and how to remove, Tessica Brown tries all avenues and fails again to remove the superglue. People all over the world raised money an GoFundMe and donated 20,000 and helpful hair products. With nothing left to do, Brown visits the hospital and gives her acetone wipes to try to fix the problem. She then goes home with the supplies and her friend removes the ponytail with Goof Off (yet another mistake!) but the superglue is still intact


    As a last resort, It took a trip to Beverly Hills and a visit to celebrity plastic surgeon Michael Obeng last week for Brown to finally get rid of her sticky hair during a four-hour procedure (New York Post).The surgeon did the surgery completely free and Brown is so grateful that hair was able to remain intact. She has since used the money for donations to go to charity. Even though Brown was met with lots of love and concern, she was also hit with ridicule and malicious tweets. 



    For this incident, she received an opinion of mixed views. Some were empathy and compassionate about her ordeal but some would say she used her platform as a way of  getting clout. The ones that say this was a form of catching her 15 minutes of fame has to do with people on the Internet doing foolish things in the past. For example when the cinnamon challenge was introduced. In 2012, the cinnamon challenge was a viral internet food challenge. The premise of the challenge is that one films themself eating a spoonful of ground cinnamon in under 60 seconds without drinking anything. Also the Kylie Jenner challenge or people were dared to eat Tide pods because it was trendy. I can see how some would say this mishap is equivalent to these challenges. Overall, Tessica Brown says it was a colossal mistake that she would not make again. Whether or not you believe this to be true, your guess is as good as mine.



Wednesday, February 3, 2021

#2 Television Review

     Netflix's Original Series "Sweet Home"


    Netflix is one of the biggest streaming platform and continues to dominate all over the world bringing new and exquisite content of movies and shows. Recently on the rise since the pandemic has started is the influx of K-dramas introduced on Netflix. 

Now, international content on Netflix are nothing new and have brought great shows from overseas such as Money Heist and Dark, and have solidified a mark on success of foreign shows. What better way to expand the international content further by implanting K-dramas into the mix. Netflix has include K-dramas little by little to their platform but with the success of K-dramas like Crash Landing on You, It's Okay Not Be Okay, and Itaewon Class, Netflix has took a step to adding splurge of K-dramas. With that comes Netflix making original shows and movies featuring K-dramas. One original K-drama series had fans raving all over the world. This series is called "Sweet Home". 


    Sweet Home is is an apocalyptic horror South Korean television series starring Song Kang, Lee Jin-wook and Lee Si-young. Sweet Home is about following the death of his family in an accident, loner Cha Hyun-soo moves to a new apartment. His quiet life is soon disrupted by strange incidents that start occurring in his new building.  As people turn into monsters which take the form of their hidden desires, Hyun-soo and other residents try to survive (Sweet Home Wiki). Sweet Home showcases 10 action-packed episodes. Sweet Home leaves you on the edge of your seat with every episode. The success of Sweet Home is because the portrayal of strong female characters and excellent special effects. 


The emotion between the characters and their will to survive carry the storyline beautifully. Another factor that puts Sweet Home above rest is that it is like no other K-dramas. Typical K-dramas are romantic and one-dimensional. This specific K-dramas combines all the elements of thriller and sci-fi drama all in one. The milestones Sweet Home have broken for K-dramas will pave the way how other writers and directors will showcase their dramas. Sweet Home is the first South Korean series to enter Netflix Top 10 in the United States, reaching the top 3Three days after its release, the series ranked one in eight regions and was within the Top 10 in forty-two regions. The show was viewed by 22 million paid subscribers worldwide in the first four weeks of its release and appeared in the Netflix top 10 in more than 70 countries (Sweet Home Wiki). Now I will give you 4 reasons as to why you should watch Sweet Home.

                                                1.  'Sweet Home' is adapted from a webtoon!

'Sweet Home' is based on the popular Naver webtoon '​Sweet Home' (written by Kim Carnby, art by Hwang Young-chan). It recorded more than 500 million in cumulative views with its fresh storyline and immersive suspense! The webtoon has been loved and appreciated by domestic and overseas fans from all around the world. You may wish to check out the webtoon here. With the popularity of the webtoon, this blockbuster project by Netflix and Director Lee is expected to bring K-Content beyond its domestic borders, to Asia and even globally as the most anticipated series of 2020. 


2. The Monsters

Other than the very-talented actors and actresses of the series, the monsters are the next leading characters and they have a big role to play in the series as well! The movements of the ‘Lotus Root Monster’ (named after fans as the top of its head was cut off) was choreographed by Kim Seol-Jin. He is a top contemporary dancer in Korea whom the public will find familiar on 'Dancing 9'! He used animals living in nature as a reference in creating the “instinctive movement to survive” for the monsters in ​‘Sweet Home’.​ Other monsters we can look forward to include the ‘Muscle Monster’, ‘Bloodsucking Monster’ and more. 


3. High-quality visuals, Special Effects and Computer Graphics 

The visual of creatures in ​'Sweet Home​' was brought together by Legacy Effects and Spectral Motion. They are one of the best special effects and FX studios teams in Hollywood, known for their works in blockbuster films including 'Avengers' series, 'X​ -men' series, and 'Avatar'.​ Westworld, a top VFX team in the Korea, also participated in the production of ​‘Sweet Home’​. As the frontrunner in “virtual production,” a technology which allows real-time monitoring of videos made with computer graphics (CG) on the filming location, Westworld contributed to the elaborated CG and spectacular visuals significantly! This cutting-edge technology has similarly been used for the production of 'Game of Thrones' and 'Aquaman'! 

4. And finally Emotional Plot and Message of the show

The plot of ‘Sweet Home’ extends beyond battling the terrifying monsters and fighting for survival. The series will give viewers a touch on the meaning of life and allow the audience to reflect on their desires in life. Director Lee has portrayed the characters with their in-depth personality and stories, so as to allow viewers to resonate with them. ‘Sweet Home’ hopes to provide viewers with insights that allow them to view others from a different perspective.




Tuesday, January 26, 2021

#1 Music

 Music Review: Doja Cat

By selecting an artist or group to review their music, I wanted to pick someone who is popular right


now and has upbeat music that most people have heard of. This person makes music that basically can go viral or could be a hit or miss. Their songs pretty much top the billboards once or twice and are played on the radio constantly. The person I am referring to is Doja Cat. The artist Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini, known professionally as Doja Cat, is an American singer, rapper, songwriter and record producer. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she began making and releasing music on SoundCloud as a teenager. 

    Even though Doja Cat has been issuing music since 2012, she didn't become mainstream until late 2018. The first song that Doja Cat went viral for was a song called "Mooo!". A song that was introduced as a joke and for comedic purposes became internet sensation. This very song paved the way for Doja Cat's success. The song is "a rather simple, jazzy song about the important things in life: eating cheeseburgers, maybe doing some kissing, and generally not being in the mood to do anything else. A novelty song, Doja Cat raps about being a cow, despite her name,  The song contains "mooing" background vocals over "swelling harmonies" and jazz guitar. This song was released as preferably a parody and not be taken seriously.



     In 2019, Doja Cat released an another smash single "Juicy".  It debuted at number 83 on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Doja Cat's first entry on the chart. Following the release of her album, the song later reentered the chart and peaked at number 41.  It depicts Doja Cat dancing and twerking in multiple fruit-related scenes, whilst she wears custom fruit-inspired attire. Doja Cat's most famous song to date is called Say So. Say So "Say So" has been described as a "steamy, groovy" pop, pop-rap, and disco. The song additionally draws inspiration from 1970s funk and especially "Good Times" by Chic. Say So became so popular that it was featured on TikTok and teenage girl made a whole dance sequence to the song and is seen in the Say So music video. Now when listening to Doja Cat's music, her songs are not intended for a younger audience. Most of Doja's songs and lyrics represent mature things that are not designed for kids. 


    Part of Doja Cat's success ails from how she can transition from singing to rapping in a exquisite manner. The punchlines and puns uses in her raps also catapult her career as a artist. Many of whom have compare her style of Nicki Minaj and is why she is successful. One thing about Doja Cat's music that keeps people hooked is her catchy and airy voice that makes the song enjoyable. Not only is Doja Cat a singer and rapper but also helps produce her songs. The vibrant music videos that Doja Cat chooses for her songs helps express Doja Cat's playful and eccentric personality. I think why most fans enjoy her music is that the way she is depicted in her music videos is the same from when she is not making music. Most artists have alter ego when they are singing and are completely different from their stage presence. The thing that draws you in to Doja Cat is that she is funny and creates silly and innovative lyrics and funky music videos that surround her personality. Doja Cat has became pivotal part in today's pop music and continues to shock her fans with every new development. I have no doubt she will be the next mega star on the rise.