Research Papers Recommendations
It is difficult to update the website, so formatting and organization are a WIP.
Updated December 7th.
It is difficult to update the website, so formatting and organization are a WIP.
Updated December 7th.
These are interesting research papers I like to read for fun and recommend other people to read for fun or for educational purposes.
This is lyrical analysis and music analysis of some of my favorite kpop songs. Kairos and I have close relationship, as taiko has room bookings either before or after Kairo's workshops, so I met with the workshop teachers. I sent Xlov's 1&Only to Kairos's instagram to suggest them perform and saw they performed it and other Xlov's songs in their Kairos showcase during the random song dance and the workshop teacher told me they saw my message, so I'm thrilled as Xlov's songs are difficult but they're trying it out.
Kairos does cool songs and dances as taiko has performed in pretty much as much Kairos events they have invited us to, I'm disappointed when we have to leave after our performance to put the drums back as I want to see all their dances. Even now, I'm suggesting songs for them to perform to see them perform in their future events, the officers and the dancers are cool.
I suggested them to try Oneus's To Be or Not to Be, the song has great lyrics and dance, hopefully I can see it in a future Kairos event.
Oneus To Be or Not to Be Music Video
Lyrical Analysis by Nayoung Bishoff To Be or Not to Be (Hamlet, ONEUS, South Korea, 2020)
Quotes
"The lyrics of “TO BE OR NOT TO BE” depict an imagined soliloquy that reflects Hamlet’s romantic love and the pain of his breakup with Ophelia. For instance, lines like “I’m standing at the crossroad/Please die quickly in my memories/Please live in my memories/Answer me,/Dead or Alive/There is only one choice” (Genius, 2020) highlight Hamlet’s struggle to preserve or erase his memories of Ophelia, illustrating his difficulty in letting go of the memories."
"In the music video for “TO BE OR NOT TO BE” (ONEUS, 2020), a peaceful scene unfolds as all six members gather around a table, feasting in an idyllic garden reminiscent of Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper.” During this scene, the somber-looking Hwanwoong—representing Hamlet—breaks the fourth wall by gazing directly into the camera. The camera then zooms in on one of his eyes, which turns red, and the garden scenery shifts to a prison. This transition resonates with Hamlet’s description of Denmark as an “unweeded garden” (1.2.139), as the video moves from the lush garden to a thorny prison, echoing Hamlet’s assertion that “Denmark’s a prison” (2.2.262). ONEUS effectively visualizes how Hamlet’s awareness of the truth dramatically alters his perception of Denmark."
"Through Hwanwoong’s act of smelling the daisies, despite Ophelia’s absence, ONEUS emphasizes that the seemingly silenced Ophelia still speaks to Hamlet through his memories. The lyrics also reflect this theme: “I miss you, and I feel so miserable/All your words keep ringing in my ears” (Genius, 2020). These poignant confessions from Hamlet underscore Ophelia’s enduring impact, highlighting how her physical absence does not diminish her influence on the other characters throughout the play."
"ONEUS’s “TO BE OR NOT TO BE,” released a year after the deaths of two famous idol stars, addresses the harsh realities of K-pop idols’ lives. Rather than hiding the dark and brutal aspects of the K-pop industry, ONEUS borrows the famous line from Hamlet to reveal what lies beneath the glamorous facade. This approach fosters reciprocal conversations with their South Korean fans, who also experience extreme stress from studying and navigating a competitive work environment."
Bishoff, N. (2025). To Be or Not to Be (Hamlet, ONEUS, South Korea, 2020). In: The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Global Shakespeare. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-99378-2_311-1