“Kick It” is action-driven compared to the more passive “hero.” In addition, this title has a stronger connection with the Bruce Lee inspirations as well as the genre of kung fu films in both the lyrics and the music video. While the Korean and Chinese titles translate to “hero,” the choice to officially name and promote the song as “Kick It” makes sense, especially in light of the music video. Mark, the modern-day Bruce Lee, fights to create a break in the circle, the camera accentuating his punches and high kicks. Mark also becomes like Bruce Lee during the dance break in “Kick It.” The rapper takes center stage in the recreation of a fight scene with the other members of NCT 127 surrounding him, not as his bandmates but as his enemies. Taeyong suggests a visual connection to Bruce Lee in his solo scenes where he holds a nunchuck, which was often the weapon of choice for Bruce Lee’s characters. One of the central philosophies of Jeet Kune Do is “using no way as way having no limitation as limitation.” Mark’s line, “Keep it movin’ like ‘Jeet Kune’ evokes this belief and its foundations of simplicity, direction, and freedom-or “the form of no form.”Īs explained earlier, Taeyong name drops Lee’s film, Enter the Dragon, the first Hollywood/Hong Kong co-production, which was released after Lee passed away in 1973. In Mark’s rap verse, he mentions “Jeet Kune Do” (“The Way of the Intercepting Fist”), which is what Lee called his martial arts expression. “英雄“ (yīng xióng) denotes the Chinese title of “Kick It.” Meaning “hero,” NCT 127 weaves in direct and more subtle references to one of their heroes, Bruce Lee. There is additional meaning beneath this transition as Lee was born in the year of the dragon, and one of Taeyong’s nicknames is “용,” meaning dragon, thus NCT 127’s leader starting off his verse with “ Enter the Dragon” creates fluidity on multiple levels. Early in the music video, Haechan and Jungwoo sing in front of a golden dragon tapestry, which appears a couple more times, which then connects with Taeyong’s reference to the Bruce Lee film, Enter the Dragon, during his rap verse. The juxtapositions, however, are not only visual. In addition, one of the last sets purposefully places an urban landscape, complete with sleek yellow and black motorcycles, around another piece of traditional Chinese architecture, this time, a Chinese archway.
“Kick It” utilizes stark contrasts further in its juxtaposition of the piercing neon lights with the fluidity and smoothness of Chinese calligraphy.
The traditional interior contrasts with the members’ movements as well since their choreography does not allow them to dwell in one area for long, focusing, instead, on sharp, quick gestures. The symmetrical harmony of the space creates a juxtaposition with the black and white costumes of NCT 127, which are made of a looser, more flowing material.
One of the main sets early in the music video features the interior of a traditional Chinese house. “Kick It” blends traditional and modern elements, best seen in the sets, its play with stark contrasts, and the heavy inspiration from Bruce Lee.
#NCT 127 KICK IT FULL#
The aesthetics of the “Kick It” music video begins to solidify the meaning of “Neo Culture Technology,” the full name of NCT.
0 kommentar(er)
