Tuesday 4 March 2014

KRP28 (Team K) - Unrequited Love II REVIEW


Hey guys long time no blog!!

Usually when I blog my reviews on here it's always been idol groups but this time I want to do something a little different and review an online idol group's single release! This month Team K of KRP28 released their third single Unrequited Love II (which is also the debut single of Team K).

KRP28 are an online idol group that runs along the same formula as AKB48. Where AKB48 are divided into teams A, K and B, KRP28 are also divided into teams K, R and P. However, there is more to the teams to divide them more! The teams release singles as their own little groups but combined they all make KRP28. Team K release kawaii idol pop, Team R release idol rock and Team P release idol techno, so it allows KRP28 to cater to people of different tastes of music but are all united with a love of idols.

I am currently a member of Team R so it may seem a little egotistical for me to be reviewing a fellow Teams debut single but I really enjoyed the release and the PV for this single so I really wanted to review it. Also, with it being an online idol group release, it allowed me to break away from what I usually review on this blog.

Let's get ahead with this review!!

The PV opens up with a pretty Sakura blossom kind of opening!
It looks cute already, but I'm happy that this song isn't as boring as AKB48's Sakura releases!

Ooooh Misuzu, Kali and Raaina are already raising their eyebrows at me!
I haven't told any bad jokes yet, leave your judgments until the right moment XD

Awww Misuzu has approved of me with a sweet kiss!
*Reaches my hand out to capture the kiss*
You little sweetie!

Raaina: I may be a kawaii idol, but I can also be a cool idol!
I love the yankee stare that Raaina has, she knows how to work with the camera!
Tanaka Reina has competition with Raaina's sassiness!

Kali: Don't forget me!!
Of course I couldn't forget you winky! Bring that kawaii energy over here and let's have a Team K party!!!

Mayumi: As long as I can be invited I'm up for a party...am I allowed?
Of course you're allowed, don't be down! Everyone can be part of the party!

Mai: I'll get the party invites sent out!
Send them far and wide, let's spread the word of Kira Kira!!!


Mai: Can I also invite my crush?
I don't know, I thought idols weren't meant to be dating you naughty idol! Fine, you're cute smile has melted me, but let's keep it hush hush between us, and if you get caught do not blame this on me ;)

Out of all the shots in the PV I really loved the shot of this part! I loved how the camera tilted, it was quite a different way of shooting. I liked it!

Kali I cannot get enough of your energy! Can I store it in a bottle? XD

Misuzu you are so cute! I just wanna pinch those little cheeks!
She really reminds me of Minegishi Minami!

Mayumi: Has my invite been sent?
Of course it has! We're gonna enjoy this party!!


When I heard this song I was very impressed with the recording quality of the vocals. In previous KRP28 releases out of the notes we were given a lot of people commented on the quality of the vocals and how they were recorded and I am so happy we have taken  this advice on board. Each release has stepped up from the last and I hope we continue the momentum.

The vocals throughout this song were very mature sounding so they sounded fantastic but they also had this innocence that really showcased the lyrics well of an innocent love that isn't reciprocated. It's a simple message in the song of confessing your love to the one you love, but it also has this cute energy that makes you enjoy it like any other idol release. The music to this single was of course the usual kawaii pop that a lot of online idols are known to be releasing, but this also as the added layers of Perfume like technicalities that makes it sound a little more mature but still maintains the kawaii sound that Team K is all about. The harmonies  throughout the song also adds another layer to the song and it prevents Unrequited Love II sounding plain and generic.

I also really enjoyed the music video when I watched it and there were different aspects of the video that really showcased the group in its entirety and unity as well as the individual members. The use of schoolgirl uniforms showcases the traditional idol set up, but it also unites the girls as a group and creates the united entity of the group. However, the various cut scenes of the girls with close ups and story shots allows each girl to be showcased equally and we get various good moments of every girl. I am glad that Mai and Mayumi as non-singing members got given a lot of exposure through the use of the story shots to showcase them more even if they aren't singing on the actual song. The use of the solo shots also showcase Kali, Raaina, and Misuzu's different personalities and allowed us to learn which personality each girl has! The only little point I would make in terms of the music video is  the use of the Sakura blossoms in the framing. It is pretty and goes with the pink theme of the music video but at the same time I felt like it took up a little too much of the screen and sometimes blocked the girls when they were singing, but that's just my own nit picky opinion.

Overall, I really enjoyed this release and I hope you guys too!