At first it looked like a parody dance number, after all variety shows in the Philippines such as ASAP XV etc are known to produce KPop inspired dance productions in their shows. What’s hip with masses are the ones that would translate to more viewers, right? And in the youth oriented culture in the Philippines today, that is often anything that is Korean or KPop related.
Now we have this dubbed “PPop” boy group called XLR8 –
Sound familiar? It’s because many of the background beats and choreography are similar to Korea’s Super Junior… especially their latest hit Sorry Sorry. The lyrics are filled with a mix of Tagalog and English, and even the dark futuristic concept looks copied. Even the oddly number based / acronym based name is like the same trend of naming new boybands in Korea.
I have no offense against the boys in this group, some of them are pretty decent looking… I guess its true that imitation is the best form of flattery?
Author’s Notes:
Personally I think the Philippine pop industry can do better than this, and its a little bit disappointing coming from the country that bore talents the like of Charice Pempengco and Lea Salonga.
PPop is only new right? Yes it’s true. It’s new. New and fresh. But, we, kumakapa pa lang tayo ng magagayahan. Kasi, wala pa tayo masyadong idea kung pano gumawa ng sariling atin. Pleaseee. Don’t blame them, they are being hurt too by FILIPINOS who don’t support anything in Philippines but support anything in OTHER COUNTRIES. See? We are KILLING OUR OWNSELVES. You know, I cried all day because, thinking that, “FILIPINOS”, they didn’t support anything but supporting REBELS who wanted to spit dirt in the name of the PHILIPPINES. Kaya hindi tayo umaasenso. I will not tell my true name because, you’ll catch me. Sorry, I feel sorry for the PHILIPPINES. BTW, I’m a Filipina too. A TRUE FILIPINA who supports PPOP as well! I really love XLR8. Not just because of the boys but because of their talented things inside them and, THEIR SONGS! Ayee
(THIS COMMENT IS WITH RESPECT)
Hi!
I am also a proud Filipina, and like I mentioned in the article… I have nothing against the boys of XLR8, just was wishing they had released their debut single with original beats. They even copied Super Juniors’ album cover…
It make me feel embarassed that this what the Philippines is churning out as PPop. I think they would have made a bigger splash on the local and Asia if they had come out with something originally composed, when that happens I’d be the first to sign up and be a fan.
The act of kumakapa palang doesn’t excuse an artist from blatantly copying from another, albiet a different country’s pop artists. Its one thing to be inspired, and another to plagiarize.
Again, just my own two cents.
How sure are you that they copied SuJu when in fact numerous bands did a jumpshot BEFORE SuJu? Western bands, to be specific.
Given your logic, then SuJu copied these western bands.
And besides, same beat but not plagiarized. The notes are different. Don’t you know that their song Dance With Me and YSH have the same beat, yet how come you’re not complaining that Dance With Me beat is plagiarized from Sorry Sorry?If you want plagiarism, check out Lee Hyori’s H-Logic which album cover is too much Lady Gaga and six tracks are plagiarized. Even the original composers are complaining. Did Suju complain that Sorry Sorry was “plagiarized” or Drew Ryan, the original composer of Sorry, Sorry(how come Kpop is “american”. Speaking of ‘originality’?) No, coz they’re not as assuming as SOME of their fans.
Do you know that the intro of the patriotic song Pinoy Ako by Orange and Lemons is plagiarized(as in same notes) from Chandeliers by the Cure?
i am also a filipina but i strongly disagree to xlr8 almost copying the song sorry sorry of super juniors.
when i first heard it on myx, i was like, “WTF?? who the hell do they think they are to copy sorry sorry??!!”
and it didn’t end there, i saw their album cover and it was also similar to the cover of suju’s album.
it’s so frustrating even though i am a filipino and others say with are the ones who must support them, but i guess i won’t be one of the fans of XLR8.
i don’t idolize those with no originality.
still people have different opinion and views, so we must let them support what they believe in.
i wouldnt say they copied kpop when kpop copied from US pop …………anyways theyre really cute and i hope they’ll get more opportunities! and i hope that soon enough they’ll be able to form some originality (the producers and some filipinos out there)
i agree with jamian that kpop is pretty much like us pop, as both are similar with regards to effort in production of music videos and songs. the thing with ppop is its close copying of kpop songs. xlr8 is better off being classified as kpop, then.
philippine music is in a heavy crisis, xlr8 is an example of desperation. i have nothing against the boys, i know that they are talented and they can do better.
its one thing to copy a certain style or concept… but XLR8’s whole concept and even the large number of group members is too similar. They end up looking like a second rate copy of the style that KPop has, and thats just sad.
KPop isn’t original I agree… but its fast becoming the benchmark for pop music in Asia. Just look at other countries like Taiwan, China, Thailand, Singapore etc… almost all their groups that cater to teens are similar to concepts done by Korean groups… the only difference, it doesn’t look and come off as cheap as XLR8.