My Top Ten Video Essays of 2024
So, I don’t know about y’all, but I’ve been trying not to listen to too much music to start off my day. I like to gain knowledge as I go about my business and video essays have made it so much easier. In honour of that, I’ve made a list of my top essays of this year. Hope y’all love them!
10.“What exactly is K-pop westernization?” by whenfinish
❤️ This essays explores the statement that is made by a lot of K-pop fans (mostly fans of BTS and Blackpink after they got popular in the States) that the genre is becoming too westernised due to global expansion. It touches on the foundations of K-pop, the sexy concept that was popular in the 2000s and early 2010s, as well as what exactly westernisation is.
💋 I love this essay because it explains what I’ve been saying for years about K-pop: it’s not becoming more westernised, it’s just more socially aware of trends. From AAE usage in songs to the popularisation of Afrobeats and Amapiano with artists like Burna Boy and Tyla making it into the mainstream market, we live in a world that is constantly aware of more than one culture at a rate faster than anyone could’ve predicted.
“Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Exploitation in the Name of Patriotism” by elle literacy
❤️ This essay came out around the time the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders reality show was still in the minds of the general public, and it explores the iconography, foundation, and inevitably, the exploitation of the women involved. From minimal pay for their contributions to active harassment from fans and staff alike, America’s sweethearts have a rather bitter life off cameras.
💋 As a former cheerleader myself, the story of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders struck me as more of a cautionary tale of pretty privilege rather than that of aspirational icons. While I am thankful that I’ve never had to face the level of discrimination that these women have faced, I’d be lying if I were to say that I don’t understand their position. I love how Elle humanised the cheerleaders rather than made it seem like they are dumb for wanting to be in the position they’re are in. I also love how she highlighted how nepotism isn’t always beneficial to the child, as many of the moms of these cheerleaders simply put their daughters to audition because they saw it as a way of life and not for what it is, which is a job.
“ugly privilege is the new pretty privilege'“ by Stephanie Lange
❤️ This essay talks about the male and female gaze in a light outside of the typical comparison of the two. It discusses how being ugly to the male gaze is now what gets you recognition in today’s day and age, where we long for unique faces in a world facially mundane in the media. The ability to be “ugly” is rephrased as difference. It also discusses how beauty trends amplify this message while also diminishing its goal. Ugly gets you in the door, pretty will make sure it closes with you inside.
💋 I benefit from pretty privilege to an extent. I know I do. Getting free things, people being more respectful towards you, more invites to places, the whole nine yards. Seeing things like bleached eyebrows, skeletal like bone structure, and messy makeup being rebranded as “different’ or “ugly” is something that makes me laugh. On one hand it’s because I’ve been doing some of these things for years, long before it became popular in todays digital lexicon, but also because as a black woman, the “privilege” of being ugly, doesn’t really exist if at all. You get overlooked as an “ugly” black woman. Being ugly isn’t a privilege, it’s a false safety net because people are realising that being pretty isn’t going to cut it.
“I’m What the Culture Feeling'‘ by F.D Signifier
❤️This is probably one of, if not, the best in depth explanation of the Kendrick v. Drake beef (before the defamation and Payola lawsuits). It provides an analysis on hip hop as it has evolved, the backgrounds of the beef between Drake and Pusha T, alongside Drake’s beef with Pharrell, and also the deep cultural criticisms of Kendrick’s “The Heart Part 5” (2022) and the state of hip hop.
💋 Did I listen to all three hours of this essay even though I knew the whole story of the beef? Yes, yes I did. Why? Because I wanted to. Hip hop isn’t something that I particularly enjoy on a regular as a genre of music, but I love the culture of hip hop (when it’s not being misogynistic or blasphemous). The jewellery, the dancing, the history of its foundation, all of that, I love. With that being said, I’ve never considered Drake to be a hip hop artist, much like many people consider Doja Cat the same. While I don’t mind singing in hip hop, when you are like Drake, who is participating in a culture that he has no historical ties to, has turned it so far left, all while not even properly putting Toronto on with the foundation of OVO, this essay stated everything I’ve felt about Drake, and even about Kendrick, for the past two years.
“Love Island USA: A Masterclass on standing on business” by Sincerely Tahiry
❤️This essay goes into detail about the reality TV show, “Love Island USA” and its sixth season, which aired in the summer of 2024.
💋 The top three women of the final four, Serena, JaNa (pronounced jah-nay), and Leah, also known as PPG, essentially made this season what it is. Serena setting a standard for Kordell to not walk over her, JaNa showing us a love with Kenny that wasn’t born out of struggle, and Leah giving us some iconic moments (as did Serena with the dock scene), it was just so GOOD!
“How Soft Masculinity Made Kpop Idols So Desirable” by Uroojy
❤️This essay analyses the concept of soft masculinity and how it plays into K-pop, the desirability of the men within the genre, and even how it plays into gender roles.
💋 Now let’s get one thing straight, secular masculinity is not true masculinity. Secular masculinity is feeling so above mortality that you forget about the parts that makes you both a man and human—emotions and appearance. The soft masculinity that this essay discusses is true masculinity. It is not “gay” or “sus” to be a good steward of your appearance as a man. Whether that’s with fashion or with skincare, if you are fine with being slothful, do so as far away from me as possible.
“Beauty Envy: The Female Hunger Games” by MsReadTheRoom
❤️This essay analyses the concept of beauty envy and how it effects the people who face it through the example of Ashley King from season six of the popular reality show, '“Bad Girls Club”.
💋 Similar to my entry at number eight, we are talking about beauty here. The thing about this essay is that I see an example that I can relate to. I hate when people talk about being pretty and how people are jealous of them, even as a pretty woman. In Ashley’s case, however, I can go back and jog my memory of moments where I have been in her shoes. Being isolated, having temporary friends, getting my confidence and grace confused for arrogance and abhorrence of my own kind because of the way my parents raised me. Being pretty is both a blessing and a challenge.
“you’re not ugly, you’re just not willing to get naked’ by NK’s Wrld
❤️ This essay touches on how it seems like in today’s society, especially for black women, it seems like the only way to retain popularity, is to leave nothing to the imagination.
💋 As a black woman, I hear a see women that look like me get passed over when they are modest, including myself. This essay goes more in depth on that topic than I will right now (I’ve done so here), but my point still stands.
“What is the 2010s IG Baddie Aesthetic? | Style Analysis” by Vintage Coochie
❤️ This essay is an analysis of the 2010s IG baddie aesthetic as it seems to gain more popularity amongst Gen Z.
💋 Okay, so I’m going to be 110% honest with you, I’ve been waiting for this style to make a comeback. Will I be wearing everything that goes into this aesthetic? Probably not, but this era is something that I personally love and always have. I don’t know if it’s because I’m Latina or because this is the era that I learned to do makeup, but I will forever love and cherish this era. Also, somebody called me 2010s fine and I feel like it’s only appropriate.
“The CONSTANT Mocking of Christianity in Hollywood” by Toni Bryanne TV
❤️ This essay expresses a common theme amongst society, which is the mocking of Christ and the normalisation of mentioning the devil and blasphemy from movies to fashion.
💋 As a Christian myself, this essay made me feel seen. I have always felt weird about the movie “The Book of Clarence”, especially after seeing the trailer. It made me lose respect for a lot of people, including its star Lakeith Stanfield. I wish that people realised that you can write, produce, and market a product without blasphemy, worship of false gods, worship of the enemy, and I PROMISE, you will be fine.
That’s my 2024 essay wrapped (get it, because Spotify Wrapped? No? Okay, I’ll go now). Until next time!
xoxo, Diana💋