Bruno Mars – It Will Rain

I was set up to dislike this song from the beginning — it’s from the Twilight: Breaking Dawn (Part 1 for you nitpickers) soundtrack! You can’t blame a non-Twihard to have low expectations. But it’s Bruno Mars! you might cry. The lovable Filipino-American who dances with monkeys! Well, I do respect him as an artist, but I simply don’t like the way he sings (most of the time). It’s so…yell-y. He strains for those high notes, and while he’s certainly able to hit them (and with a good amount of emotion!), I just don’t like the sound of someone singing himself hoarse, as if the essence of sandpaper were diluted into sound waves and poured over my eardrums.

Still, “It Will Rain” was better than I expected. After listening to it on the radio a few times, it grew on me, and after watching this music video, I’ll concede that I kind of like it. I’m actually reluctant to praise the mv because I’m not really into that cutesy, generic romantic footage, but either Bruno is a great actor or he and his love interest have great chemistry (or I’m just feeling particularly lonely today) because I totally bought it. The woman reminds me so much of Mikaela from Cycle 16 of America’s Next Top Model (seriously, that girl’s eyebrows were unforgettable), though Yahoo! Answers tells me that it’s Vanessa Rita Martins. Fine.

Ylvis – Stonehenge

Today’s music video is a treat brought to us by Ylvis, the group who brought us the hysterical “Work It,” which I admit to liking and sharing with my friends. Vegard & Bård Ylvisåker are like a shiny, more explicit version of Flight of the Conchords. Or maybe they’d be a Norwegian version of The Lonely Island with less famous cameos and more actual singing talent.

Anyway, how much does Vegard look like Paul Rudd in this video? I couldn’t figure out why I was oddly attracted to him until I realized his resemblance to the lovable star I saw making out with Jason Segel on the most recent SNL. The production quality of this video is great, from the fog/wind machine to the Stonehenge lollipop and pop-up book. The truly amazing thing about this mv, though, is the song itself. The lyrics speak for themselves — a prison far too easy to escape? I love it.

4MEN (포맨) & Mi (미) – That Man, That Woman (그 남자 그 여자)

[Subbed version here] [Longer (9-min), non-subbed version here]

Despite the name of the group, 4MEN currently comprises 3 men; Shin Yong Jae is singing and Kim Won Joo plays the boyfriend, while the girlfriend is played by Dal★Shabet‘s Jiyul. From simply watching the 5-and-a-half-minute version of the music video, it’s hard to tell with whom the audience should sympathize more. On one hand, maybe the guy is emotionally constipated and fails at showing any feelings to his girlfriend. On the other hand, maybe the girl expects too much.

However, if you watch the longer, drama version (and perhaps read the comments from Youtubers who actually understand Korean), it appears that, as with many disputes between lovers, there was simply a lack of good communication. If only the guy came clean about his non-existent finances! If only the girl came clean about her feelings of being neglected instead of letting them build up! Either this girl is a master at hiding her emotions, or the people around her are insensitive morons, because she’s obviously depressed throughout the whole duration of this mv, yet nobody seems to notice her furrowed brow or teary eyes.

Let me tell you now: The key to a functional (and mature) relationship is open and honest communication. The key to a functional TV drama is exactly the opposite. So there’s that. The ending of the mv is a bit confusing to say the least, but maybe some people in mourning simply take it out on strangers. Or maybe it’s a cliffhanger ending, and in the next mv, she’s going to toss him out the window.