2025-2026

2025 Sep- Dec

Analog Horror: Future of Filmmaking?

Analog horror has taken the internet by storm in the past few years. Initially starting with the onslaught of independent filmmakers on YouTube, such as the Marble Hornets series that set a precedent for indie horror filmmaking. It saw a spike during COVID with the Walten Files, Greylock, and other such projects. It capitalizes on the fuzzy images of VHS, the shaky movements and unclear image that was offered with what some can consider the OG analog horror– The Blair Witch Project. It’s a small corner of the horror community, and often overlooked for slashers or traditional creature features. 

In my time on the internet, I can’t help but notice how these series have very small, yet fiercely loyal fanbases. Having seen a few, it’s understandable as to why they’re so popular. Here’s a few notable ones for those of you who are interested in a few good scares before Halloween(and before you go searching on Netflix or Hulu– these are all free on YouTube):

The Backrooms: This one has to be on the list solely because it is the most well known and is what gave the analog horror community the spike in popularity that it desperately needed. This series is currently in production for a full-length movie (directed by the original creator, luckily). It’s a great way to introduce someone to this horror genre, and to get them well acquainted with the techniques used. 

Greylock: When construction starts on Mount Greylock in Massachusetts, the residents of the town begin to experience strange home-invasions and murders. They find that the construction company and the government have unearthed a group of horrific beings who target any human they come in contact with. This one is great if you like good visuals, a great storyline, and even some impressive editing and CGI!

Vita Carnis: When a new species begins popping up across the world, humans and animals have no choice but to adapt (the creatures that are made of meat, hence “vita carnis” or “living meat”. This series is full to the brim with new worldbuilding, new creatures to discover, and lots of interesting interactions! This series tackles the question of what happens when humans are no longer at the top of the food chain? The creators utilize impressive puppetry paired with shaky handheld footage to terrify any viewer. 

The Oldest View: The oldest view is most similar to The Backrooms in its inspiration. When a man digs up the remnants of an old mall, he finds himself trapped inside with nothing but a strange, moving puppet. This series was inspired by a real-life mall and statue that was built inside of that mall, and takes a more emotional aspect to the backrooms genre. It explores themes of loss, change, and the human tendency to abandon. 

What does this spike in new media mean? Nothing bad-- it's just easier for filmmakers to have the kinds of access they were previously barred from! Many of these series' work on a very limited budget, yet are able to amass hundreds of thousands of views. In the past, it may have been harder for horror filmmakers to experiment with new styles with very little risk. Now, however, we have an unprecedented access to directing, editing, and audiences! Spend a few scary movie nights leading up to Halloween supporting Independent artists! You might discover something new, something scary, and it's easy on your wallet!

A Glimmer of Hope Amongst Purple Kiss’s Disbandment

On the 8th, I attended a concert at Penn Live Arts, a venue so embedded in the University of Pennsylvania I waited in the VIP line next to a bustling study spot. It’s a small black box theatre with a capacity of just under 1,000, so the experience felt intimate in the way small K-pop concerts always are: my sister and I chatted with the people in line, were given ‘freebies’, and someone played music for us all to dance to. While we waited for Purple Kiss to begin their pre-show activities, just waiting reminded me why I love this genre of music, the people who listen, and those who make it.

For those who don’t know, Purple Kiss is an all-female sextet under RBW, a Korean entertainment company specializing in singers, groups, and actors. Like many K-pop groups, Purple Kiss doesn’t specialize in one specific sound, but their songs include beautiful instrumentals, inventive choreography held up by Ireh and Dosie, Swan and Goeun’s clear vocals, and Chaein and Yuki’s sassy raps. Some of the K-pop groups under RBW, such as Mamamoo, Oneus, and Young Posse, are more lucrative than Purple Kiss, though their talent cannot go unnoticed. Some of my favorite songs of theirs—“Nerdy”, “BBB”, and “memeM”—are far too good for their careers to end after only five years. 

They announced their disbandment in August with no explanation as to why, which is common practice due to NDAs and detailed contracts, but gave plenty of time until they were gone for good. Before their US tour spanning the entirety of October, they travelled across Japan and will host one last South Korean concert in November. Within a month, Purple Kiss will no longer produce music as a group, but you never know what the members will do next. Some theorize that all six will move to a different company to continue activities. Some believe they’ll be separated and either join new groups or become soloists. Pessimists wonder if we’ll ever hear from them again. 

I choose to be optimistic. Based on the progression of their disbandment, I have high hopes wherever the members end up will be of their choosing, which is more important than what fans want. In most cases, small K-pop groups are not so lucky: very few have a farewell tour to give their final goodbyes.

There’s a superstition in the K-pop fandom called the “7-year curse”. Because contracts between artists and their companies span at most seven years, many groups disband after that deadline to pursue solo careers, escape toxic work environments, or because money has run dry. When acts fall victim to this curse, oftentimes their disbandment goes unreported. Many groups across the years have died quietly, leaving fans questioning the fates of their favorite singers, dancers, and rappers. 

This curse affects more groups than one can count, especially ones under small agencies with less economic wiggle-room. However, instead of leaving the world guessing, Purple Kiss released “OUR NOW”, an album composed of English versions of their most popular songs, alongside two new titles, all of which they performed at my concert. 

Despite everything, the members seemed happy. My sister and I had wonderful interactions with all six, and they spoke and joked with the crowd throughout the night. For a group so close to disbandment, I’d understand if the mood were somber or angry, but their smiles made the room that much lighter. Dosie, during a quiet moment, told the crowd she hopes the memories of this performance live on even when the show ends, and I cried because I hoped they would, too. When she noticed how emotional we all got, she elaborated that she didn’t mean to be melancholic; she just wanted us all to have a fun time. They never once mentioned disbandment specifically. We all knew this would be their last time in Philadelphia, so why bring it up and elicit unnecessary sadness?

This is how it should happen every time a group disbands. Many K-pop groups are announced and never debut, some release an album or two and delete all their social media accounts on a random Wednesday, and some idols have been spotted working part-time jobs with confusion as to whether they’re even performing anymore. In the worst case I’ve seen, Be The Next 9 Dreamers, a competition show which produced a final lineup of the top contestants, ran out of money, and their company fled the country, leaving the group out of contact indefinitely. What happened to those to-be idols? We’ll never know.

Unlike other secretive disbandments, Purple Kiss’ is a sign of new beginnings and, hopefully, exactly what each of the members wants for their careers going forward. Although I’d love to see Purple Kiss perform and release music for more time than what they were given, I will continue to root for them in whatever endeavors they accomplish, together or otherwise. Because, in the K-pop industry, the best you can hope for is idols following their dreams with as few hiccups as possible.