A cosmic return, this surely was. Red Velvet has made a beeline for their 10th anniversary comeback, and it’s every bit the dreamy, rousing trip that some have doubtlessly expected to see from the decade-old quintet. As far as K-pop girl groups go, the five—namely Irene, Seulgi, Joy, Wendy and Yeri—are undeniably one of the most recognisable names in the industry, with a directional discography that has always put them ahead of the game musically. With songs like ‘Psycho’, ‘Bad Boy’ and ‘Peek-A-Boo’, the group has not only been behind some of the industry’s most addictive chart-toppers, but also some of the most enrapturing visual concepts.
At the tail end of last year, they released their first full album in six years, titled Chill Kill: a notable showcase of their notoriously darker, and more sinister sound. Fast forward to today, Cosmic is a six-track EP that is poised to convey a superfluous mood of summer; something one can glean best from its eponymous title track. ‘Cosmic’ works the best of the group’s supremely infectious vocals into a soaring, euphoric melody—one that has you floating in mid-air when you realise what a decade it’s been for them.
Fellow K-pop aficionados will ask: what of the music video? No questions there, the ‘Cosmic’ MV visually borrows from one of the most captivating horror films in recent history: Midsommar. Behold, the quintet wrapped in their frothy Molly Goddard dresses, before sweating out their immaculate choreography in some folk and boho-inspired ensembles. As they run around the seemingly blissful fields of flowers and the idyllic rural retreat, we’re hard pressed not to miss the beauty notes that pepper their every capture. Think ethereal splashes of gem-encrusted peepers, botanical facial embellishments, and some summer-toned hair transformations that we’ll be copping for the season. Spy the best beauty moments from Red Velvet’s ‘Cosmic’ music video, below.
1 / 7
A delicate petal
Irene casts us starstruck in this spinning shot; a lilting capture of perfectly executed eye make-up. A flush of pastel pink brings out her aegyo sal, whilst the edge of her eyes are accented by a pair of petals and a crystal gem.
2 / 7
Enter the garden
In the opening scene of the quintet’s induction into the community, Yeri is all smiles—and she’s got a summery, coral-pink mane to show for it, whilst her peepers are underlined with a string of floral embellishments.
3 / 7
Behind the veil
If there was an elusive manic pixie dream girl in ‘Cosmic’, Joy would be it. Through her straight bangs, Joy entices the crowd with her gem-encrusted peepers, softly-smoked with a brick terracotta hue. To add to the mystery? A pair of ghost blue coloured contacts.
4 / 7
A midsommar dream
In line with summer, Seulgi’s softly-tousled curls—drenched in a lovely coral hue—are mired by the colourful array of temporary tattoos she wears all over her torso and arms.
5 / 7
On the nose
No notes, just a statement nose embellishment on Irene’s nose to make a mark on the screen. Teamed with that high ponytail and soft shadows on her eyes, it’s got some serious fierceness to it.
6 / 7
Florals galore
Yeri and Wendy are the most adorable duo; through a crack in the window, it’s an instant cascade of botanical accents, decorating both their miens and their elaborate manicures.
7 / 7
The darkness awaits
Anyone who’s watched Midsommar will know to expect the music video’s slightly sinister undertones midway through—and it’s something conveyed through their beauty details as well. Here, Seulgi opts for kohl-lined peepers and a darker manicure to go with her jet-black mane.
