IZ*ONE 'Fiesta' Review - IZ*ONE As A Group

[ChenXiao]

IZ*ONE 'Fiesta' Review - IZ*ONE As A Group

We all know about the rigged voting controversy that arose before IZ*ONE was about to release BLOOM*IZ. The controversy made the group go on hiatus and, unfortunately for the other group created by Produce X 101, ended in the disbandment of X1. However, IZ*ONE made a comeback with the carnival-esque feel of ‘Fiesta’, thus making fans hopeful that IZ*ONE will now have their big break. Let’s talk about some positive’s involving the overall layout and nature of ‘Fiesta’. Firstly, the visuals. Stunning. I’m sure we were all hooked to the video, if not the song itself, and not only the stunning visuals, but the out of this world post-production – the editing really made the whole music video so polished and refined. It was practically screaming to the audience propulsive and energetic. Now, enough about visuals and more on the genre and production of ‘Fiesta’. ‘Fiesta’ is a genre of Korean Pop including the sub-genres of classic funk and deep house, which is the most obvious when we hear the pre-chorus and bridge, which provides us with an anthemic prelude as well as having a chorus following straight after with the bounciness of an upbeat pop song. Furthermore, the beat which is produced throughout gives the overall feel of ‘Fiesta’ a slight dramatic flair. In addition to this, wiz*one’s can clearly hear a song that is full of unique sounds including an array of different instruments. However, in my opinion, I think that the backing track sometimes (at certain parts of the song) overpowers the vocals, which makes ‘Fiesta’s vocals barely audible. The over use of the large beat drowns out the power vocals included in the chorus as well as some of the verse’s.

Before we move onto each individual member’s scenes, there’s a lot more to cover including the mise-en-scene and design conventions. To continue, we’re going to look at the lighting used admits the location and settings. Firstly, the lighting gives the music video the flair we see throughout thus giving the video a more carnival-like feel as well as highlighting the members in the centre of the choreography. The scene shown above is a clear example of the lighting techniques used; you can see that the location is darker behind the group meaning that the lighting has been centred solely on the girls. The location is just a backdrop, but still gives the audience insight into the video’s hidden meanings. Secondly, the colour codes involve and array of different meanings, some of these colours include gold, black, red, white and light blue colours which all contradict one another making the story behind IZ*ONE’s music video a little more confusing. For instance, black and white, as we all know, are polar opposites – one represents power and strength, whereas the other is concentrated on mainly innocence and purity. Throughout the music video an array of colours are shown, but we’re just going to explore two of them. Let’s start with black – black symbolises, as I stated before, strength and power, but it can also symbolise elegance and sophistication. The fact that the members are wearing outfits with aspects of black could be pointing out to the viewers that, although IZ*ONE look elegant and sophisticated, they are, as a group and individually, powerful and inherit the strength to output the hate they may get. Next, the colour gold is a natural occurrence within IZ*ONE’s ‘Fiesta’ music video. The connotations of gold include luxury and prosperity. The prosperity could be referring to how IZ*ONE will prosper in the future and become a ‘luxury’ to their fans – their ‘luxury’ will be how they express themselves through their music. Moreover, the gold we see dotted around on props and settings implies riches and wealth therefore giving ‘Fiesta’ a new image – one of high class – and they may be telling the audience that they are uncommon and rare.

Going into led detail about colours and more about the camera work, IZ*ONE’s ‘Fiesta’ involves a mix of zoom shots, long shots, close-ups and medium close-ups. The use of the close-up’s enable the members to interact with the audience as well as making the viewer focus on that one particular member. Furthermore, if the member is looking into the camera she is addressing the audience with a direct gaze, thus drawing them into the video itself. Long shots are used mainly during the choreography parts of the video, as well as some of the member’s individual shots. But, overall, most of IZ*ONE’s ‘Fiesta’ music video was shot from a short distance, with particular members and choreography parts being long shots. Continuing with camera work, the movement of the camera, being either vertical or horizontal, adds to the upbeat carnival theme provided within the song. So, in the still above, we see the girls surrounding a table. Now, not only can the audience see that Yena is at the head of the table, but there are 3 other members stood up. I’m thinking this may symbolise IZ*ONE standing up against the negative views of them as a group and individually. Moving onto the outfits and we can see that the girls are wearing formal dresses – seeming that the dresses are different could hint at the girls multiple personalities. Not one member is the same. In addition to this, the elegance of the shot above gives off even more classy and powerful vibes to ‘Fiesta’.