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Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Worst Way to Reply to a Party Invite
Credit - Photo-Illustration by Chloe Dowling for TIME (Source Images: Gerard Puigmal˘—Getty Images, Liliya Krueger—Getty Images) There are two straightforward—and simple—ways to respond to social invitations: Tell the host you'll be there, or that you won't be. Yet people find all kinds of offensive ways to reply instead. The worst one of all is becoming increasingly common, especially by text, says Jamila Musayeva, an etiquette coach who posts videos about modern manners on YouTube. She's lost track of the number of times someone has responded to an invite by asking who else will be there—which is code for questioning whether it's actually going to be any fun. (It's even more insulting than asking what kind of food will be served.) 'It's usually like, 'I won't come unless there's someone there I want to see,'' she says. 'It's degrading the whole experience to just wanting to hang out with one person,' or a specific group of potential guests who are…not the person issuing the invite. Read More: What to Say When You Forget Someone's Name No wonder hosts take this kind of response personally. Musayeva equates it to saying: 'You're not interesting; I don't want to be entertained by you. I'm more interested in who's coming.' If the guest list doesn't impress, no big deal—a better offer likely awaits. 'It's definitely something you should never, ever say,' she says. If you must find out who's going in advance, do some subtle research on the side: Maybe send a private message to a friend and ask if they're privy to any additional details about the party. Just make sure that detective work doesn't travel back to the host. Implying that there's more fun to be had elsewhere isn't the only way you can botch your response to a social invitation. Being super vague about your plans—'Maybe I'll stop by'—or not bothering to respond at all puts the host in a tough spot, and will likely get you kicked off future invite lists. 'When you RSVP 'no,' you're doing the host a favor,' says etiquette teacher Lisa Mirza Grotts. 'Clarity is kinder than a 'maybe.'' If you're truly not sure if you can make an event, she suggests wording your response like this: 'I'd love to come, but I know what it's like to be a host, and I know you need answers. I don't want to leave you hanging.' See how your friend responds, Grotts says: They might tell you they don't mind if you play it by ear, or agree that it's best to count you out this time so they can finalize the catering order. Either way, you'll be on the same page, and no one will be waiting around, unable to sort out plans. Read More: The One Word That Can Destroy a Friendship Another way to avoid the infuriating question-mark response is to specify exactly when you'll get back to the host, even if they didn't mention an RSVP date. If a neighbor asks your family to come over for a cookout, for example, you might respond: 'Hey, could I get back to you on Friday?' 'Now your host knows they can check in with you on Saturday if they haven't heard from you by Friday,' says etiquette expert Lizzie Post, co-president of the Emily Post Institute. 'You've talked about it, you've had a little exchange, you've acknowledged it. Acknowledgement is such a huge part of playing a good guest, even when you're just in the role of being invited and aren't even at the party yet.' The way you treat an invitation speaks to how much you value your relationships. As Post says, an invite to watch the game, grab a drink, or attend a dinner party is someone's way of asking if you want to spend time together. 'Even if your true, internal reaction is that no, you really wouldn't like to, it is so nice that someone out in the world wants to spend time with you,' she says. Post suggests putting yourself in the host's shoes and proceeding with what she considers the three principles of etiquette: consideration, respect, and honesty. 'It's important to recognize that you would want people to get back to you in a timely fashion, so get back to your host in a timely fashion,' she says. 'We should treat our invitations with care, because they're the start of what connects us. They're the beginning of the way we create community.' Wondering what to say in a tricky social situation? Email timetotalk@ Contact us at letters@
Korea Herald
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Korea Herald
DP candidate Lee highlights USFK's role in China containment: report
Lee Jae-myung, presidential candidate of South Korea's progressive Democratic Party, has highlighted the strategic importance of US Forces Korea in Washington's efforts to contain China amid speculation the Donald Trump administration may scale down American troops stationed in the country. The Korea-based American forces "actually play a very important critical role for the United States policy of containment against China," Lee said in an interview with US magazine TIME published Thursday. Lee's remarks came after The Wall Street Journal reported last week that Washington is considering withdrawing some 4,500 troops, or 16 percent of the USFK, and relocating them to other locations in the Indo-Pacific. Both Seoul and Washington have dismissed the report, with the Pentagon reaffirming America's full commitment to South Korea's defense. TIME pointed out that Lee, once seen as more friendly toward China, now appears to be moving to a pro-US stance during the election campaign. Lee is considered one of the strongest candidates for the June 3 presidential election. He led the latest opinion poll with 49.2 percent, followed by Kim Moon-soo of the conservative People Power Party at 36.8 percent. Lee also expressed support for Trump's North Korean policies, saying that Trump's willingness to engage in dialogue with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was "helpful for the peace of the Korean Peninsula, as well as for Northeast Asia." He dismissed concerns that South Korea might be sidelined in future talks, saying it would be "structurally" difficult to exclude Seoul even if direct Trump-Kim negotiations resumed. During his first term from 2017 to 2021, Trump sat down with Kim three times for nuclear negotiations, though the two sides failed to produce a constructive agreement. On relations with Japan, Lee reaffirmed his demand for a more "fulsome" apology for Tokyo's colonial rule over Korea from 1910 to 1945. "We cannot dwell on the past, but Japan continues to deny its history and does not sincerely apologize, which hurts us Koreans," he told TIME. In trade policy, Lee pledged to pursue "reasonable and rational" discussions with the US to resolve tariff issues. South Korea is seeking to gain a full exemption or reduction of the Trump administration's 25 percent reciprocal tariffs for the country, as well as sectoral tariffs on steel, automobiles and other imports, by crafting a package deal on trade issues by early July. (Yonhap)
Time Magazine
a day ago
- Politics
- Time Magazine
Exclusive: Lee Jae-myung Aims to Steer South Korea Past Its Moment of Crisis and Mounting Challenges
It's with a bashful grin that Lee Jae-myung tugs down his starched collar to reveal the half-inch scar where a would-be assassin's blade pierced his neck. The assailant had asked the leader of South Korea's Democratic Party for an autograph in January last year before lunging at him with a camping knife. 'But compared to President Donald Trump,' Lee says unprompted, 'who had to endure a bullet that went by his ear, I can say that it had less of an impact.' While nobody would minimize July's attempted assassination of Trump near Butler, Penn., the suggestion that his clipped ear was graver than Lee's wound stretches credulity. Trump walked from the dais triumphantly punching the air; Lee was air-lifted to a hospital and spent days in intensive care following a two-hour surgery to repair a sliced jugular vein, with the wound a whisker from severing his carotid artery. But if contemporary diplomacy demands anything, it is deference to the notoriously skin-thinned 47th U.S. President—whether about his golf skill, rally size, or near-death experience. And as the clear frontrunner in South Korea's June 3 presidential election, Lee is already in full statesman mode. 'He has outstanding skills in terms of negotiation and bargaining,' Lee tells TIME in his only interview on the campaign trail. And he stands for the interests of the American people, which I think is desirable. The same applies for my position as well; I also need to look out for the interests of the Korean people, for their better lives, and for South Korea's national interests.' Lee's next test in safeguarding those interests promises to be trickier: restoring stability to South Korea following the tumultuous ouster of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, whose impeachment was confirmed in April following his December 2024 declaration of martial law. Lee, who lost the 2022 election to Yoon by just 0.7%, led the charge for his rival's removal after live streaming himself climbing the National Assembly fence to bypass a police blockade in order to vote to repeal the martial law order. That controversy brought back dark memories of military dictatorship, as well as tens of thousands of South Koreans onto the street. It also galvanized support for Lee, who has in the eyes of many assumed the moral high ground, despite facing criminal charges for breaking election law himself (the case is pending). Still, as Tuesday's ballot approaches, polls give the progressive Lee a double-digit lead over his closest rival, Kim Moon-soo, who represents the same conservative People Power Party (PPP) as the disgraced Yoon. Trailing the pack is former PPP lawmaker Lee Jun-seok, representing the upstart Reform Party. With the conservative vote split, Lee looks like a shoo-in. 'I would say Lee's chances are 95%,' says Andrei Lankov, a professor at Kookmin University in Seoul. 'And this is a polite understatement.' Not that Lee would have much time for celebrations. A packed agenda awaits whoever reaches the presidential office, including fixing a torpid economy, quelling an increasingly belligerent North Korea, and navigating an escalating global trade war. While other nations have been furiously negotiating with the White House to forge new trade deals in the wake of Trump's 'reciprocal' tariffs introduced last month, South Korea's political vacuum has meant no progress has been made in reducing the 25% levy slapped on South Korean exports. Last year, South Korea sent cars worth $34.74 billion to the U.S., accounting for 49% of all its auto exports, yet American sales have dropped for the second straight month. Lee says that coming to an accord with the world's biggest economy is a top priority. 'It is very important for us to engage in reasonable and rational conversations and come up with a solution that would benefit all,' he says. Political paralysis is a problem anytime but doubly so when tensions are raised on the peninsula. In recent months North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has deployed troops to aid Russian President Vladimir Putin's war of choice in Ukraine, and Pyongyang conducted 47 missile tests in 2024 alone. But the demilitarized zone that has split the Korean peninsula since an armistice effectively ended the 1950-53 Korean War is far from the most pressing divide requiring attention. Lee will also have to find a way to heal his riven nation, whose people are utterly demoralized with bickering, partisanship, and a pathological inability to find consensus on any issue. Many conservatives and even centrists have been left enraged by how Yoon's impeachment and criminal investigation was handled by law enforcement agencies, courts, and also the National Assembly. Lee sees boosting opportunities for the next generation as one answer, solemnly noting that South Korea's economic growth rate drops by roughly one percent per presidential term, meaning last year's 2% may be wiped out soon unless drastic action is taken. 'That has made young people feel that there's no hope for them,' he says. 'The fundamental solution is to bring back growth, and second is to mitigate the extreme polarization that the society is facing.' If the scar that adorns Lee's neck wasn't evidence enough of just how viciously polarized South Korea has become, more comes in the shape of Tom, the lanky German shepherd enlisted to sweep our meeting room on the 9th floor of Seoul's Democratic Party headquarters for explosives. But in the redemptive arc of Lee's life story, even that knife attack doesn't stand out against the myriad hardships he has had to endure. Lee was born the fifth of seven children in an impoverished farming family in a tiny village in South Korea's bucolic east, where the whole family lived in a single room. In his retelling, he would walk a four-hour round trip to elementary school each day before returning home to plow fields. Too poor to even afford paper or crayons, on one occasion Lee was forced to clean the school toilets while his classmates went on an outing to an art contest. The school's small library was Lee's haven, allowing him to lose himself in adventure books such as Jules Verne's Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea as a fleeting respite from the bleakness that awaited at home. After quitting school at just 13, Lee lied about his age to work in factories and frequently fell victim to crooked bosses withholding wages. At one job, his wrist was crushed in a pressing machine, an injury that left him in constant pain and officially designated as disabled. That anguish, combined with his father's gambling addiction, led the young Lee to attempt suicide. 'Having a difficult life is not my unique experience,' he says. 'But compared to elitist politicians who only view these things from outside, I had the privilege of actually experiencing them.' Despite no formal secondary education, Lee was accepted to law school at the first attempt and passed the national bar exam immediately after graduation. He plunged himself into human and labor rights cases, determined to help exploited and disenfranchised workers like his past self. Later he went into politics and was elected Seongnam City Mayor and then Governor of Gyeonggi Province. Lee proved himself both popular and populist, earning the sobriquet of 'Korea's Trump' during the 2022 election, though more for his trite solutions than any shared backstory or policy platform. During that campaign, Lee drew scorn for suggesting that hair loss treatment should be paid for by the state. He also advocated for a policy where 1 million won ($840 at the time) would be given to every citizen annually. Before the current election, he reprised a diluted version of this policy by proposing cash or voucher handouts of 250,000 won ($180 today) for Korea's entire 50 million population at a total cost of some $9 billion—touting a debunked ' hotel economics ' theory of consumption whereby phantom cash injections have a similar positive stimulus as real ones. (Lee now says whether to implement the scheme will be reviewed following the election.) But it's a focus on bromide policies that Lee's critics say are papering over cracks of the structural issues that blight Korean society. For ordinary South Koreans, bread-and-butter issues dominate campaigning, such as boosting jobs, lowering inflation, increasing affordable housing, reforming pensions, and tackling chaos in the schools, where bullying and assaults spurred over 32,000 teachers to quit before retirement age between 2019 and 2024, with a record high of 9,194 last year alone. But even if Lee wins as big as polls predict, it's doubtful that he can make any movement on structural reform. His Democratic Party predecessor, Moon Jae-in, had three years with a near supermajority in the legislature but had his agenda frustrated by party colleagues with little appetite for painful corrective measures. Other than doggedly pursuing an ultimately fruitless rapprochement with Pyongyang, the only two policies Moon managed to push through were cutting out nuclear power, which drastically increased South Korea's coal usage, and hiking the minimum wage, which pushed many young people out of work and closed small businesses. 'Moon only had these two failed policies in three years [of legislative control],' says Sean O'Malley, a professor and political scientist at Dongseo University in Busan. 'So I don't really expect any major structural changes this time around.' Red tape and structural bottlenecks are the greatest obstacle to energizing South Korea's moribund economy. Lee has called for over 50,000 GPUs to boost the nation's AI industry, while in February the government announced it was building the world's largest AI data center. But the devil is in the details: the data center alone would require three gigawatts to run—or the equivalent of three nuclear reactors—at a time when state energy company Korea Electric Power Corp. is already $141.5 billion in debt. Lee has touted bringing nuclear back into the mix alongside renewables, but how Korea will power the revamping of its economy remains a huge question. Such woes may come as a surprise to Americans who think of South Korea in terms of world-leading firms like Samsung, Hyundai, and LG, as well as zeitgeist-defining cultural exports like K-pop sensations BTS or Blackpink and Netflix drama Squid Game. But South Korea's story has always been one of struggle. Following the ravages of World War II and the Korean War, South Korea was derided as 'the sick man of Asia,' and for many years it was even more impoverished than the Stalinist north, which retained most of the peninsula's industrial base. Tuesday's election will come down to domestic issues, but the spectre of relations across the DMZ looms over the ballot. While Lee has made clear his priority is the economy, the occupant of the White House has other ideas. Trump has indicated his desire to return to the negotiating table with Kim Jong Un, after their 2019 Hanoi Summit ended in dramatic failure. Asked by reporters during an Oval Office meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Jan. 20 whether he had plans to reestablish relations with Kim, Trump said: 'I would … I have a great relationship with Kim Jong Un, and we'll see what happens, but certainly he's a nuclear power.' The inference that Trump accepts North Korea as a nuclear state has led to speculation that any future negotiations may focus on reducing rather than eliminating the country's estimated arsenal of some 70 atomic bombs. Meanwhile, Trump's recent promise of a ' golden dome ' to protect the U.S. from missile threats has further alarmed East Asian allies who rely on America's security architecture. Today, around 70% of South Koreans support developing their own nuclear deterrent. Lee disagrees, however, saying that North Korea's nuclear capability and South Korea's 'formidable conventional power' have reached a 'balance of terror.' Adding nuclear weapons, he posits, would 'trigger a domino effect, where Japan and other countries go nuclear. The United States would want to avoid that.' Certainly, North Korea's recent moves—sending weapons, ammunition, and troops to aid Putin's war in Ukraine—not to mention development of nuclear missiles, has turned a regional nuisance into a security migraine for Europe and the entire globe. North Korea's extensive help for Russia naturally has South Korean officials concerned about what Pyongyang is receiving in return. Beyond simply cash, this might be advanced weaponry and technological expertise to help North Korea perfect satellite, submarine, and re-entry technology for its ballistic missiles. 'North Korea is in the best situation it has ever been for 35 years,' says Lankov. 'They have money from sales of ammunition and other military goods to Russia. And they have almost unconditional, if limited, Chinese support.' At present, Lee's hands are largely tied by the bevy of U.N. sanctions from 2016 and 2017 that effectively bar any economic inducements. But if Trump is to rekindle the world's greatest diplomatic soap opera —negotiating with the North Korean leader he once mocked as 'little rocket man' but later claimed he 'fell in love' with—few could stop him. 'Kim Jong Un is waiting for some signal from Trump,' says Kim Chol-min, a Seoul-based North Korean defector who used to handle the leadership's secret funds in China and the Middle East and uses a pseudonym for his family's security. 'Then they will start talking.' Lee agrees. 'I understand that President Trump expects to engage in dialogue with Kim Jong Un,' he says. 'That is helpful for the peace of the Korean peninsula, as well as for Northeast Asia.' While Moon Jae-in was instrumental in getting Trump and Kim to sit down, once negotiations began, South Korea found itself sidelined. Officials in Seoul are wary of the nation's security being bargained away, mindful of the treatment dished out to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. 'It's not like Trump is going to put any interest into what Lee thinks about this project,' says O'Malley. Lee sees things differently. 'Even if the United States and North Korea engage in direct talks, certain economic cooperation or assistance-related issues could still arise,' says Lee. 'It's not easy structurally to actually sideline the South Korean government.' North Korea has always been a contentious and divisive topic in the South. Since democratization in the 1980s, South Korean politics have been ideologically divided largely along Cold War lines, with conservatives lauding the achievements of the former military regime, favoring ties with Japan, and accusing their detractors of being pro-Pyongyang. Their progressive opponents, meanwhile, accuse the conservatives of anti-democratic tendencies and riding roughshod over human rights. It's not the only split between the camps, of course. In recent years, conservative Presidents including Yoon have increasingly been interested in contributing to regional and global security challenges far from the Korean Peninsula. However, progressive governments have been less adventurous in foreign policy, focusing more on Inter-Korean relations. Asked whether he would come to Taiwan's aid if the self-ruling island was attacked by China, Lee gives a cryptic reply: 'I will think about that answer when aliens are about to invade the earth.' Lee has previously been known as friendly towards China, though he has toned down some of that rhetoric at the stump to court the centrist vote. And regarding the U.S.-South Korea alliance, Lee has previously been rather cold towards Washington in line with Democratic Party orthodoxy. However, his tone has been more positive towards the U.S. on the campaign trail—and not just because of Trump. 'South Korea is one of the world's most pro-American countries,' says Lankov. 'Even if the leadership of the South Korean left is not very enthusiastic about the United States, open confrontation is not going to sell with the public.' Speaking to TIME, Lee even lauded Korean-based American forces that 'actually play a very important critical role for the United States policy of containment against China.' Lee also praised Washington's nascent rapprochement with Moscow, which he believes is 'a means to exert pressure on China,' as potentially benefiting South Korea via the possible opening of Arctic shipping routes. 'If so, it could offer strategic advantages not only for the U.S. and Russia but also for Korea.' More worrying for U.S. regional interests is Lee's attitude towards Japan, which he has repeatedly insisted should offer a more fulsome apology than the many already issued for abuses during its World War II occupation of the peninsula. Such sentiments sent relations between the neighbors calamitously spiraling during the Moon administration before ties were repaired under Yoon. 'We cannot dwell on the past,' says Lee. 'But Japan continues to deny its history and does not sincerely apologize, which hurts us Koreans.' On a crisp May afternoon at Seoul's Songpanaru Park, Lee's 40-year-old presidential rival Lee Jun-seok gives a rousing speech to around 500 mostly male supporters who then line up to take selfies. 'We've had enough of the 'woke' agenda,' says supporter Lunar Kim, 24, as he watches from the crowd. Kim graduated from college two years ago yet has only just managed to find a job as an airport worker. 'Lee Jae-myung says he's for 'equality' but it's actually tilted for women and against men.' Yoon's gossamer-thin victory in 2022 was owed in part by weaponizing antifeminist rhetoric to gain support from disenfranchised young men, even vowing at the stump to abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality (which he ultimately didn't). Despite Yoon's dramatic ouster, this misogynistic base remains galvanized by the spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories on right-wing blogs and social media. South Koreans aged 18-30 face some of the worst relative poverty rates among OECD countries, and the perception among young men is that 18-month compulsory national service puts them at a marked disadvantage to their female peers, who are exempt. At the same time, the World Economic Forum's 2024 Gender Gap Report ranks South Korea 94th out of 146 assessed nations worldwide. Kim Hyun-woo, a 20-year-old student at Ewha Womans University, laments the fact that this is the first South Korean presidential election in 18 years without a female candidate, despite women leading the charge for Yoon's impeachment. 'We must not forget the role of women in the square who helped bring about this early election,' she says, referring to the street demonstrations that accompanied the former President's ouster. 'I want people to remember who created the protest culture.' Asked about gender equality, Lee again seeks the middle ground, insisting that 'efforts to improve women's rights must continue without fail,' while acknowledging 'a perception in Korean society that men are also subject to reverse discrimination.' Ultimately, Lee knows he's in the catbird seat and is determined to keep his tent as open as possible—seeking not to alienate the progressives, centrists, nor even chauvinists. Supporters say this is the mark of a unifying candidate, though the fear remains that once voting is over, the old bitterness and acrimony will return without wholesale reform. Since democratization, four South Korean Presidents have been imprisoned, one killed himself amid a corruption investigation, and three have been impeached. This lamentable record is spurring calls to amend the constitution from the current single five-year term to two terms, as well as perhaps holding parliamentary elections at the same time as presidential to avoid the executive and legislature being constantly at odds with each other. 'The day you get voted in is the day you become a lame duck,' says Naomi Chi, a professor focusing on the Korean Peninsula at Hokkaido University. 'I strongly believe that Korea should amend the Constitution to have two terms for the President. But people have an allergic reaction when anybody mentions such amendments.' Lee is also in favor of constitutional reform, though a provision expressly prevents a sitting President from benefiting. It's set to be yet another divisive issue in a nation where political fissures have a sad history of turning violent. In 2006, future President Park Geun-hye suffered a knife attack that left her with a four-inch cut along her jaw that required 60 stitches. In 2015, then U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Mark Lippert was also slashed in the face. Solving a deep-seated culture of political animosity may be the biggest test Lee has faced in a lifetime of challenges overcome. 'The basic values that underpin democracy are all about recognizing the existence of the other,' says Lee. 'You can never say, 'I'm always right, you're always wrong.' My overarching principle is to meet, talk, and communicate.'
Time Magazine
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time Magazine
The Top 10 Music Videos of All Time According to AI
This article is published by a partner of TIME. Music videos have long been a cornerstone of pop culture, combining visual artistry with compelling music to create unforgettable experiences. Since the launch of MTV in 1981, music videos have transformed how we consume music, offering a new dimension of storytelling and performance. Some videos stand out not just for their artistry but for their cultural impact–the way they push boundaries and set trends. The best music videos elevate the songs they represent, creating a lasting impression that resonates far beyond their original release. Whether it's through groundbreaking special effects, intricate choreography, or powerful narratives, these videos have shaped the music industry and inspired countless artists. They have become cultural milestones, defining eras and sparking conversations. This list explores the top 10 music videos of all time, using research assistance from ChatGPT. These selections celebrate innovation, cultural significance, and artistic vision. Each video is accompanied by a summary and key details. 1. Michael Jackson – "Thriller" Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' revolutionized music videos with its cinematic approach, blending music, dance, and a chilling horror story. Directed by John Landis, the 14-minute video features groundbreaking choreography, special effects, and an unforgettable storyline that redefined the medium. Release Year: 1983 Director: John Landis Key Moments: The iconic zombie dance sequence, Vincent Price's narration Cultural Impact: Credited with turning music videos into a legitimate art form Awards: Won three MTV Video Music Awards Legacy: Inducted into the National Film Registry 2. Beyoncé – "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" With its minimalist black-and-white aesthetic and impeccable choreography, Beyoncé's 'Single Ladies' became a cultural phenomenon. The video showcases her incredible dance skills and empowers viewers with its message of independence. Release Year: 2008 Director: Jake Nava Key Moments: The now-iconic hand gestures and dance moves Cultural Impact: Inspired countless parodies and imitations Awards: Won Video of the Year at the MTV Video Music Awards Legacy: Cemented Beyoncé's status as a global icon 3. Lady Gaga – "Bad Romance" Lady Gaga's 'Bad Romance' is a visual feast of avant-garde fashion, surreal imagery, and bold storytelling. The video pushed the boundaries of creativity, showcasing Gaga's artistry and eccentric style. Release Year: 2009 Director: Francis Lawrence Key Moments: The fiery ending scene and iconic white costume Cultural Impact: Redefined pop music videos with its bold aesthetics Awards: Won seven MTV Video Music Awards Legacy: One of the most-watched music videos of its time 4. A-ha – "Take On Me" This innovative video used rotoscoping to combine live-action and animation, creating a groundbreaking visual style. 'Take On Me' remains one of the most iconic videos of the 1980s, blending romance and artistry seamlessly. Release Year: 1985 Director: Steve Barron Key Moments: The transition between animated and live-action worlds Cultural Impact: Pioneered new visual techniques in music videos Awards: Won six MTV Video Music Awards Legacy: Frequently listed among the greatest music videos of all time 5. Queen – "Bohemian Rhapsody" One of the first conceptual music videos, 'Bohemian Rhapsody' set the standard for the genre with its operatic elements and surreal visuals. Its innovative approach helped establish the music video as a key promotional tool. 6. Madonna – "Like a Prayer" Madonna's 'Like a Prayer' tackled themes of religion and race, sparking both acclaim and controversy. Its provocative imagery and powerful narrative made it one of the most talked-about videos of the 1980s. Release Year: 1989 Director: Mary Lambert Key Moments: Madonna dancing in front of burning crosses Cultural Impact: Generated global debate and redefined artistic freedom Awards: Won the Viewer's Choice Award at the MTV Video Music Awards Legacy: A trailblazer for socially conscious music videos 7. OK Go – "Here It Goes Again" This video features a simple yet mesmerizing concept: a choreographed routine performed entirely on treadmills. Its low-budget creativity and charm captured the world's attention and made it an internet sensation. 8. Peter Gabriel – "Sledgehammer" Peter Gabriel's 'Sledgehammer' is a masterpiece of stop-motion animation and visual effects. The video's surreal imagery and playful tone made it a standout in the 1980s and a hallmark of creative experimentation. Release Year: 1986 Director: Stephen R. Johnson Key Moments: The claymation sequences and animated fruit Cultural Impact: Set a benchmark for visual creativity in music videos Awards: Won nine MTV Video Music Awards Legacy: Frequently cited as one of the greatest videos of all time 9. Childish Gambino – "This Is America" 'This Is America' is a powerful commentary on race, violence, and social issues in America. Its choreographed chaos and layered symbolism sparked widespread discussion and acclaim. 10. Björk – "All Is Full of Love" Björk's 'All Is Full of Love' is an ethereal and futuristic video featuring robotic lovers. Its minimalist aesthetic and emotional depth make it one of the most visually striking music videos ever made. Release Year: 1999 Director: Chris Cunningham Key Moments: The intimate interaction between two robots Cultural Impact: A blend of art and technology, ahead of its time Awards: Nominated for a Grammy and won multiple MTV Video Music Awards Legacy: Celebrated for its groundbreaking visuals Conclusion on Top 10 Music Videos The top 10 music videos of all time showcase the power of combining music and visual art. These videos have not only defined their respective eras but also pushed the boundaries of creativity and storytelling. Whether through technological innovation, powerful narratives, or iconic performances, these videos have left an indelible mark on the music industry. To experience the magic of these masterpieces, watch the YouTube links in this article and dive into the visual and auditory brilliance that has captivated audiences worldwide. Related Articles: About the Authors: Richard D. Harroch is a Senior Advisor to CEOs, management teams, and Boards of Directors. He is an expert on M&A, venture capital, startups, and business contracts. He was the Managing Director and Global Head of M&A at VantagePoint Capital Partners, a venture capital fund in the San Francisco area. His focus is on internet, digital media, AI and technology companies. He was the founder of several Internet companies. His articles have appeared online in Forbes, Fortune, MSN, Yahoo, Fox Business and Richard is the author of several books on startups and entrepreneurship as well as the co-author of Poker for Dummies and a Wall Street Journal-bestselling book on small business. He is the co-author of a 1,500-page book published by Bloomberg on mergers and acquisitions of privately held companies. He was also a corporate and M&A partner at the international law firm of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe. He has been involved in over 200 M&A transactions and 250 startup financings. He can be reached through LinkedIn. Dominique Harroch is the Chief of Staff at She has acted as a Chief of Staff or Operations Leader for multiple companies where she leveraged her extensive experience in operations management, strategic planning, and team leadership to drive organizational success. With a background that spans over two decades in operations leadership, event planning at her own start-up and marketing at various financial and retail companies. Dominique is known for her ability to optimize processes, manage complex projects and lead high-performing teams. She holds a BA in English and Psychology from U.C. Berkeley and an MBA from the University of San Francisco. She can be reached via LinkedIn.
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First Post
a day ago
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History Today: How Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay conquered Mount Everest
On May 29, 1953, New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Nepalese sherpa Tenzing Norgay reached the summit of Mount Everest. The two were part of the British Mount Everest Expedition led by Colonel John Hunt. On this day in 2014, actor Laverne Cox became the first transgender person to appear on the cover of TIME magazine. This is considered to be a turning point for transgender representation in the mainstream media read more Edmund Hillary (left) and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay (right) reached the 29,035-foot summit of Everest on May 29, 1953, becoming the first people to stand atop the world's highest mountain. File image/AP History was created on May 29, 1953, when New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Nepalese sherpa Tenzing Norgay became the first known explorers to reach the summit of Mount Everest. At 29,035 feet above sea level, Mount Everest is the highest point on Earth and to scale this summit is a feat in itself. If you are a history geek who loves to learn about important events from the past, Firstpost Explainers' ongoing series, History Today will be your one-stop destination to explore key events. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On this day in 2014, actor and advocate for transgender Laverne Cox became the first transgender person to appear on the cover of TIME magazine. Here is all that took place on this day across the world. Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay scale Mount Everest summit It was at 11:30 am on May 29, 1953 when Edmund Hillary from New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay in Nepal became the first explorers to reach the summit of Mount Everest . The news of their achievement reached the world on June 2, the day of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation and since the two part of the British Mount Everest Expedition, the people of the country took it as a good omen. The duo commenced their final ascent from a high camp above the South Col on the morning of May 28. They navigated treacherous ridgelines and icy slopes, confronting the formidable 40-foot rock face later named the 'Hillary Step.' Hillary led the climb up this challenging section, with Norgay closely following. On May 29, they stood atop the world's highest peak. Tenzing Norgay (left) and Edmund Hillary (right) smile during their first interview with Reuters after their legendary ascent of Mount Everest in Thyangboche, Nepal on June 6, 1953. File image/Reuters They spent approximately 15 minutes at the summit. During this time, Hillary captured photographs of Norgay holding an ice axe adorned with the flags of Nepal, the United Nations, Great Britain and India. While Norgay left chocolates as an offering to the mountain, Hillary placed a small cross given to him by expedition leader John Hunt. Following their triumph Hillary was knighted and Norgay received the George Medal. The successful ascent of Everest by Hillary and Norgay marked a pivotal moment in mountaineering history. Laverne Cox became first transgender person to appear on TIME magazine's cover Today we see many transgender people in the world of entertainment and media. But, that was not the case 11 years ago. Then there was nearly no representation of the community, especially on a global scale. This scenario changed on May 29, 2014, with actor Laverne Cox appearing on the cover of TIME magazine as the first transgender person. This moment is often referred to as the turning point for transgender representation in the mainstream media. Cox, renowned for her role as Sophia Burset in Netflix's Orange Is the New Black, had already broken barriers as the first openly transgender person nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in an acting category. Her TIME cover further amplified her influence, spotlighting her as a leading advocate for transgender rights. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Laverne Cox became the first transgender person to be featured on the cover of TIME magazine. Instagram/LaverneCox The actor appeared for the cover story, 'The Transgender Tipping Point' penned by Katy Steinmetz. It delved into the challenges faced by the transgender community and highlighted the increasing visibility of these individuals in society. Cox emphasised the diversity within the transgender experience, stating, 'There's not just one trans story. There's not just one trans experience.' Cox's appearance on the cover of TIME is widely regarded as a landmark in the fight for transgender equality, symbolizing a shift toward broader acceptance and understanding. This Day, That Year In 1999, Discovery became the first space shuttle to dock with the International Space Station. Wisconsin became the 30th state of the union on this day in 1848. On this day in 1453, Constantinople and the Byzantine Empire fell to the Ottomans.
