Music Video Highlight: UP! from Balming Tiger

Up! - Balming Tiger

 On the 7th of February, 2024, Balming Tiger released the 7th music video installment of a track off their 'January Never Dies' album. Although the album was released in the second half of 2023, tracks and mv's have been sporadically released starting from last February with the track, 'Trust Yourself.'

The music video for Up!, features the actor Koo Kyo-Hwan as a trapped superstore worker. The members of Balming Tiger feature as customers, backs to the camera. As the lyrics cry about wanting to get out of the system we see Koo frustrated with the never-ending cycle before him. He acts on his intrusive thoughts, stealing from customers, and standing on the belt to clean it but the stuck feeling lingers nonetheless. I was not expecting the interlude but loved it and the touch of the waiting room safe version of UP! The background story of Koo having a wall-climbing girlfriend added depth, only matched by the awkward conversation it was delivered in. San Yawn proved his chops as an actor here, his air grab at the locker had me kackling! 

No story is complete climax and ours was found at the top of a pile of groceries. Although Koo complained that he couldn't get a grip on wall climbing, when the only way out is up, you must! From watching the trailer, I expected a break merchandise and run-out-of-the-store type finish but Balming Tiger is better than that. I too hope to be so creative, bringing back the banana was genius, as well as the selfie. Overall great acting from Koo, San Yawn and amazing everything else from Balming Tigers crew. Listening to the song at home and live was good enough but this mv raised it to a whole new level for me!

My Favorite Lyric: (okay it's a whole verse)

Hey, hey, hеy, hey
Once upon a time, he had a dream
Scrap of paper, wanted to be seen
Don't doubt your vision (Hey, hey)
Baby turn off your television (Vision)
Don't listen to the bullshit (Resistance)
Stop thinkin', start do shit (Resistance)
You could never be perfect (Resistance)
It's okay don’t be perfect