Modern versions can be traced back to Blind Lemon Jefferson's "Deceitful Brownskin Blues", which was released as a single in 1927.
Their frustrations and what is upsetting them is used to make them appear cute, even when some of them might be really upset or sad." I Know You Rider" (also "Woman Blues" and "I Know My Rider") is a traditional blues song that has been adapted by numerous artists. This is indeed me whining, but hope you think it’s cute" "I’m burning up every day, you twist me up babe
Therefore, the idols don't know how they should act if they should act their age or younger.Īgain, Hyuna is talking about how idols are giving themselves to the public, how they lose themselves and their confidence, and they become confused over how they should act. The public treats the idols as kids, and wants them to remain cute and pure forever, even when they get older. These are probably the most important lines in the whole song. I can’t figure out how old I am in front of you" "Why do you treat me like a baby, so softly? The first line is clearly meant to seem sexual, but it uses the word "play" to strenghten the duality between cute and sexy. This part is actually very sad when you carefully look through it. During this part in the MV, Hyuna is dancing in a schoolgirl outfit, and while it looks really cute on her, it's quite obvious it is made that way to appear sexy (the shirt is exposing her stomach, and the skirt is really short). I wanna hear it, tell me I’m your babe babe" This isn't how any idols imagined fame being like ("I didn’t know I’d be like this either") however they crave the approval of the public, and are willing to change themselves for their fans ("When I see you, without knowing/I wanna hear it, tell me I’m your babe babe") In front of the public she is a "Babe", a baby. Idols are infantilized by the public, wanting them to appear younger and younger than they actually are. I wanna hear it, tell me I’m your babe babe However, very few people think both parts contribute to her personality, and call one or the other an act. Hyuna herself was always protected by the duality of her personality, a sexy performer on stage, and a cute girl in real life. They want them to act sexy, but be cute and pure, to appear mature, while also being innocent. This is a mixture between childish and mature, innocent and sexy, and it portrays perfectly what the public wants from female idols. The pressure the indistry puts on idols and girls is so strong, that most of them feel like they're losing themselves, until they reach a point where they don't even know who they are anymore.ĭuring this part of the song, in the MV Hyuna is put in a box where she is dancing in a very sexy manner. That I don’t even know, that you won’t even know" "(More than yesterday) I feel even stranger Most female idols are underage when they debut (Hyuna herself was 15), so there must be a lot of older men sexualising them, in this case "smiling creepily" at them. The guy Hyuna is talking abour is acting strange, smiling weirdly and acting creepy. Why do you keep smiling? Like that, like that The song starts off with Hyuna saying her current age, which will keep decresing as the song goes on. The song has a double meaning that of a love song, and a commentary of the infantilization and sexualization of idols in kpop, especially female idols. Babe is the title track for Hyuna's 6th mini album, and one of the three of her music projects this year, as a way of celebrating her 10 year anniversary in the industry!!