Korean idol group Super Junior’s Donghae and Eunhyuk have released a digital single titled Oppa Oppa Oppa (over on AllKPop, it’s Oppa Has Arrived). Based on what I can tell from the KPop duo’s fractured Engrish, Oppa Oppa Oppa samples Lipps Inc.’s Funkytown, which was a disco gem if ever there was one.
Is Donghae and Eunhyuk’s Oppa Has Arrived a disco gem in the making? Um, I don’t know, but I wouldn’t bet the farm.
There’s something about Oppa Oppa Oppa that rubs me the wrong way. Frankly, I’m on the fence with this one. For one thing, Filipino show bands, however, have shamelessly covered Funkytown to the point of nausea, so I don’t hold Funkytown in particularly high regard, especially if we were to compare it to other equally popular but less worn-out disco chestnuts like Barry White’s Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love or Yvonne Elliman’s If I Can’t Have You.
Of course, since I don’t speak Korean, I can only make an assessment based on two things: the production and the MV. (There is an English translation here, though.) The production of the actual Oppa Oppa Oppa song is topnotch K-Pop, as should be expected from SM Entertainment, which very rarely scrimps on its marquee acts. Catchy electronica beats, Donghae’s signature quacking – LOL – and Eunhyuk’s spot-on rap make Oppa Oppa Oppa a song that will clearly hit with its target markets of young adult girls and noonas the world over. The sheer fact that they have provided their fans permission to scream “Oppa!” at them – a Korean term of endearment usually reserved for a boyfriend – tells us we can expect crazed fangirls to go into hyperventilation over what can be described as best as a wolfy novelty track in a cool sheep’s clothing. So what’s my bottom line take on the song? I’m pretty sure it’ll grow on me. But you’re not gonna find me singing “Oppa Oppa Oppa” anytime soon, unless I want a divorce from my wife.
Now, remember what I said earlier about SME not scrimping on its artists? After seeing the MV of Oppa Oppa Oppa, I take that back. What is going on with Lee Soo Man’s video team? First, Girls’ Generation’s Mr Taxi, and now, Donghae & Eunhyuk’s Oppa Oppa Oppa, both getting the live concert treatment? Sure, you wanna promote the show, but frankly, it looks cheap. I’ve never been a fan of “retrospective” videos that compile footage from tours and whatnot; it may work as a retrospective in the context of the song – like SS501’s Let Me Be The One, which was, at the time, the swan song of the popular idol group – but why can’t SME spring for a decent MV, especially for two of SuJu’s most popular artists?
A live performance – to which I’ve also linked – is to me, cringeworthy. I don’t get aegyo, and while I’m not sure if this is Donghae and Eunhyuk trying to deliver aegyo, but it just looks… GAH. I think at some point, it just doesn’t suit grown men to deliver aegyo, however popular they are. Looking at Donghae, knowing how cool he was in Sorry Sorry, Mr Simple, and Bonamana, what is he doing in a monocolor suit? And that tie? GAH.
Here’s the rub: I consider myself a pretty decent SuJu fan – not a card-carrying ELF, but I have all the albums – and Donghae & Eunhyuk’s Oppa Oppa Oppa does not appeal to me. If anything, I feel it reduces both Donghae and Eunhyuk’s individual brands. This may be cool in the eyes of the ELFs, for whom any SuJu member probably will not do any wrong, but it doesn’t work for me. Even if it is fun – which is how most ELFs will defend this horrific video – I watched the entire time with a look of horror on my face. Oh, Donghae sexyfishy, what happened?
Donghae & Eunhyuk’s Oppa Oppa Oppa MV
Donghae & Eunhyuk’s Oppa Oppa Oppa (Live)
OPPA OPPA OPPA Lyrics
Donghae and Eunhyuk
Ah, Ah, one, two, three. Welcome to the Super Show! Let’s Go~!!
My name is Donghae. Let’s party tonight!!
I make fire in your heart. I am the original woman killer.
Should I seduce you so that I make you write, erase, write, erase text messages
I won’t leave you alone, so that you won’t be able to sleep at night. Don’t think of stopping me, or else you’ll be hurt.
Yes! I’ve got a feeling. Shall we go all night? Whose heart should I play with tonight?
Hey, won’t you take me to funky town
I’m international baby 123 Let’s go
Once I’ve risen yell, oppa oppa. Tokyo, London, new York, Paris, oppa oppa
I’m so cool, I’m so cool, Party like a superstar, gather pretties, I’ve risen, oppa, oppa
Wherever there are pretties (Holla)
Go here and there, shawty shawty (Holla)
Everybody calls me oppa. I’m international oppa.
Don’t tell me to go home
because I’m everyone’s oppa.
Yes! Feeling good. Shall I keep going tonight? Whose heart should I play with tonight?
Hey, won’t you take me to funky town
I’m international Baby 123 Let’s go
Once I’ve risen yell, oppa oppa.
Tokyo, London, new York, Paris, oppa oppa
I’m so cool, I’m so cool, Party like a superstar, gather pretties,
I’ve risen, oppa, oppa
I say Donghae, you say oppa
Donghae (Oppa) Donghae (Oppa)
I say Eunhyuk, you say oppa
Eunhyuk(Oppa) Eunhyuk (Oppa)
I say Suju, you say oppa
Suju (Oppa) Suju (Oppa)
(1,2,3 Break Down)
(Uh Yeah~~~) Once I’ve risen yell, oppa oppa.
Tokyo, London, new York, Paris, oppa oppa
I’m so cool, I’m so cool, Party like a superstar, gather pretties,
I’ve risen, oppa, oppa
