It was the first time I saw it. Seeing a dancer’s name on the artist line of a track.
I’ve occasionally seen songwriters or composers sharing the spotlight (like Yoon Jong-shin always adding his name in his Monthly Yoon Jong-shin releases), but artists from a different field? 🤔 Typically, dancers appear in music videos, adding a sprinkle of dance like a perfect seasoning. But this was different. Here, the dancers shared the stage equally with the singer, making it impossible not to click on the video.
Personally, I’m a fan of Baek Yerin’s unique voice. Listening to a track like ‘Square’ feels like having thousands of tiny holes in your body letting the autumn breeze flow through 🍂. In this track too, her voice flows through the space like a cool breeze, while Monika & Lip J’s dance adds another layer of melody, almost singing alongside her. As the song nears its climax, with keyboards and drums racing together, Baek Yerin gracefully steps back, letting Monika & Lip J’s dance take center stage. But everyone watching can feel it. ‘Even just that is enough.’
The track ‘The Other Side’ featuring Baek Yerin alongside Monika & Lip J is part of a new project under NCSoft’s cultural content brand, Fever. It’s called ‘Joyful Imagination’ and aims to support local artists while sending a message of hope to overcome COVID-19 and return to normal life safely. 💪 In many ways, this is also CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) for companies profiting within society—giving back to the public in alternate ways. While there are various approaches, I personally find expanding cultural experiences like this very meaningful. As the world increasingly needs comfort, art—packed with human emotions—seems most suited for it.
Art, originally a tool to express one’s desires, has over time formed distinct domains based on production methods, with boundaries becoming more rigid. Scholars and artists even created numerous boundaries within these domains, retreating inside their shells. Though there have always been those breaking boundaries under the crossover title, the larger framework remained unchanged, like the bark of Methuselah, the world’s oldest tree. 🌳 However, I hope that as art deepens, new content and realms crossing these boundaries will emerge. As content expands and consumption diversifies, perhaps all artists can thrive purely on their art. And undoubtedly, it would allow the public to enjoy a richer, more culturally diverse life.
Though it seems we’ve wandered far from a simple collaboration between a singer and dancer, beyond all else, the music and dance are just too good. I’d wholeheartedly recommend you give it a light watch and enjoy. 🎶
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