** 귀요미 = Gwiyomi, pronounced as "ki-yo-mi" **
I've been wanting to write about this for weeks (probably a month already) but I've been heavily tied to back-to-back tasks and assignments. So, here I am, stealing some of my scarce time, to write about an internet phenomenon called "귀요미". And there's a reason why I want to write about this. It's because the creator of the original 귀요미, the counting (known as 귀요미 Player), not the song, is none other than someone I adore as a fan of K-pop. You'll see.
귀요미 is a slang used by netizens to refer to someone cute. So, I guess you can say that the English equivalent to the word is "cutie".
My purpose of writing this post is divided into these:-
(1) To introduce the creator of 귀요미 to those who had no clue
(2) To distinguish between 귀요미 Player and 귀요미 Song
(3) To justify what 귀요미 is supposed to be about
All in all, I'm doing this because I feel like some individuals are taking it the wrong way and this 귀요미 deserves some justice. It's my own two cents and it might differ from yours (except for the facts on the creator, player, song, etc.). So, if you feel that you want to know the real 귀요미 just to get the record straight, read on. ^o^
--- The 귀요미 Prince ---
K-popper, particularly Melodies, already know this. The one who first introduced 귀요미 in the form of 귀요미 Player (Cutie Player), the addition counting, is the main rapper of BTOB named 정일훈 (Jung Il Hoon). He's a charismatic rapper on stage but when he's not rapping or beatboxing, he's such a darling with his boyish face and personality. In fact, he's the second youngest member of BTOB, born in October 1994. The first time his 귀요미 Player was publicly broadcasted was in a variety show by SBS MTV called "MTV Diary". In episode 24, [**Starting from minute 5:50 in the hyperlinked variety show's episode**] which was broadcasted in South Korea on the 9th of August 2012, 일훈 showed the "1 + 1 = 귀요미~" gesture till "7 + 7..." while all of BTOB members were signing their first mini albums at their agency building. He was then often requested to do the counting in other variety shows or talk shows. The counting went viral among idols and other celebrities in South Korea. Then, it became worldwide, thanks to the lovable and addictive gestures in it.
--- 귀요미 Player & 귀요미 Song ---
So, 귀요미 Player was created and introduced by the main rapper of BTOB. Since the counting was frequently shown on shows and interviews, other K-pop idols started to do their versions of it. Then, it spread to other celebrities, including actors, actresses, hosts, announcers, and so on. On the 18th of February 2013, about six months after the first public broadcast of 귀요미 Player by the 귀요미 Prince, a female South Korean singer named 하리 (Hari) from Danal Entertainment released the song version of 귀요미 and named it 귀요미 Song (Cutie Song). The song was inspired by 귀요미 Player and the addition counting gesture is also included in the song. By the time the 귀요미 Song was released, the "Gangnam Style" fever was starting to cool down. Quite a number of those who came across the 귀요미 Player and subsequently the 귀요미 Song decided to do their own covers of the 귀요미. On February 24th, Cube Entertainment revealed a video of the male version of 귀요미 Song by the 귀요미 Prince himself.
--- The True 귀요미 ---
In one of their interviews in December 2012 [An interview with 8TV Nite Life in Malaysia when BTOB came for Asia Super Showcase 2012 **Starting from minute 5:10 in the hyperlinked interview footage**], the 귀요미 Prince explained that he got the idea of doing the 귀요미 Player when a trainee friend suggested some time before his debut with BTOB that he should prepare something special for the fans. He thought of doing something new as a fan service, so he came up with the addition counting in his own style after his trainee friend showed him some 귀요미 moves. [Note: To non-fangirls or non-fanboys, a fan service is a gesture or a brief action done by an artist or a celebrity to tease or reward fans. Examples are winking, making heart signs, blowing flying kisses, giving intense eye contacts, showing peace signs, etc.] Since August 2012, 일훈, and sometimes the other BTOB members, often gets requests to do the 귀요미 counting on stage, during interviews, and on variety shows.
These are BTOB members doing 귀요미 poses.
The member with a cap, sitting in front, in the middle, is the 귀요미 Prince, 정일훈.
[Pictures are from Haru Hana magazine, vol. 16.]
Now, there are many versions and re-interpretations of 귀요미. It has indeed become viral, especially in Asian countries. Some covers by various individuals are really adorable and make you go "Kyaa~~!" while some others are unfortunately off track and make you go "Err~~".
Regardless of how people remake the 귀요미 and how the viewers react to it, the original 귀요미 counting is the most brilliant and refreshing to me. Well done, 일훈!
On another note, here's the music video of BTOB's 'Second Confession', a feel-good song that gives a warm and sweet feeling.
***** ***** *****
On another note, here's the music video of BTOB's 'Second Confession', a feel-good song that gives a warm and sweet feeling.
[Note: The first member to rap in the early part of the music video is 정일훈, the creator of 귀요미.]
