Mijoo Premieres Red Carpet-Worthy Solo Debut in “Movie Star”

Nine years after Lovelyz’ debut, Mijoo unveiled a solo music career that adds to her pre-existing star status. Mijoo lives to entertain; she won K-Pop fans’ hearts as a member of Lovelyz, and gained notoriety in the variety sector with her knack for comedy. Though she undoubtedly found a second home within variety, she chose to continue pursuing music alongside her roles of an entertainer and host. On May 17, Mijoo released her debut solo single album and track “Movie Star,” putting her back on the stage that started her entertainment industry career.

The Song and Music Video

According to Mijoo, “Movie Star” tells the story of a girl who yearns for the spotlight. She wishes to leave her ordinary life for something more spectacular. Mijoo’s supporting label, Antenna, decks out a red carpet for the music video using a star-studded cast. Actor Lee Yikyung’s cameo sets the opening scene: Mijoo tears up at his statement of a heartbreaking line, only for the camera to reveal she supports the production as a staff member. Right off the bat, “Movie Star” portrays someone often relegated as a supporting role in other people’s stories.

Mijoo passing by a horde of photographers reinforces the theme. All eyes fixate on legendary idol Lee Hyori, who waves to the crowd as she walks on the red carpet. The “action!” sound clip in the audio transitions into the chorus and Mijoo’s dreams of stardom. She appears shooting advertisements and getting makeup done, but not without some glamorous red carpet poses of her own. The song ends on a sad note when the repeated line of “Gosh, I seem so real,” referring to the fantasies, gets swapped with “I wish I could seem so real.”

The Choreography

Created by Chae Dasom, the choreography captures the theme of seeking spotlight by using smartphones as props. The backup dancers make a circle of smartphones around Mijoo in the opening formation. The movement of her hand draws attention by revealing the flash on each smartphone, which appear before the pre-chorus and during the bridge. It mimics the feeling of cameras following Mijoo wherever she goes.

The usage of flash works particularly well in darker spaces, which the choreographer’s demo showcases. The way the lights turn off when the bridge begins really highlights the wave of smartphones that follow the arm movements. It accomplishes its job of making the choreography eye-catching and keeping the soloist at the center of attention. Overall, “Movie Star” matches Mijoo’s star quality by building an impressive precedent for her musical identity. Whether you know her from Lovelyz or from variety shows, Mijoo knows how to keep audiences entertained no matter the venture.

Edited by Omani