By2's 'cat dance' gets fans purring
S'porean duo By2 claw out more than 1 million views for sexy, feline-inspired music video
By2 are looking like cats that got the cream.
The Singaporean Mandopop duo, consisting of identical twins Miko and Yumi Bai, flaunt their feline fixation in their new studio album Cat And Mouse, which is available on iTunes.
In their latest promotional pictures, the 22-year-oldsare in huge cat ears, furry tails and knee-high leather boots.
Even the dance choreography for the title track's music video is cat-inspired. The girls wear sexy cat outfits and show off their lithe bodies with slinky dance moves.
CAT DANCE
They and their team of choreographers came up with a unique "cat dance", which, according to younger sister Yumi, is "how we'd imagine cats dancing if they could get up and groove to music".
"If you have ever wanted to learn how to prance around like a cat, I think our video would give you all the answers," she added in Mandarin with a laugh.
"Prior to the release of this album, we attended intensive dance lessons in Los Angeles to perfect our routine."
By2, who are based in Beijing, sent their answers to our interview in an audio recording.
Cat And Mouse, an upbeat electropop number, has garnered more than 1.4 million views on China's premier online video portal YinYueTai.
On YouTube, it has more than 400,000 views.
On the girls' Sina Weibo page, netizens raved about their "excellent" dancing skills and many likened the video to K-pop girl group AOA's 2014 hit song Like A Cat.
Other praises on Weibo include "so good you can rival K-pop groups", "it's amazing that you gals can dance (in) high heels" and "you're the epitome of youths born in the 90s".
"Think of us as two duelling cats, black cat versus white cat," said Miko.
"You want to catch us, but you can't. Cats love to play games with people.
"We wanted to flesh out the different personalities of cats, from their wild streak to their coquettish nature.
"Yumi and I resemble cats in real life - we have an active side and a quiet, reserved side."
Perhaps their obsession with cats is because they have a pet cat in Singapore, which is being cared for by their mother.
Having just done two full-capacity fan meetings in Shenzhen and Yichang, By2 say they hope to return home soon to meet their local fans. Their last autograph session here was in 2010.
"Cat And Mouse is our seventh studio album and it would be nice if we can do some gigs or promotional events back in Singapore," said Miko.
"It was a pity that due to our work schedule, we couldn't fly back to be part of the National Day festivities. But our hearts are with all of you.
"We are very proud to be Singaporeans."
Tough finding the right guy
They are only 22 years old but on the topic of finding love, the By2 girls sounded world-weary - as though they had seen it all.
"It's very hard for me to find the right one," said Yumi with a sigh.
"He has to understand (the nature of) my work and my constant jet-setting.
"If our lifestyles are too different, (it would) probably not work out in the end, as it'd be hard for us to empathise with each other."
Last December, Yumi was photographed in Hong Kong holding hands with Mario Ho, the 20-year-old son of Macau casino magnate Stanley Ho.
The pictures instantly set tongues wagging and sparked dating rumours.
In an interview with TNP in January, Yumi denied being in a relationship with Mario.
But her cryptic replies hinted that she may still be reeling from a failed romance.
"My ideal guy must be committed and devoted. I don't like guys who give up (on us) too easily just because we are having some tiny problems," she said.
As for Miko, she is searching for someone who is "caring and able to elevate and complete my life".
One guy the twins find irresistible is Korean actor Song Seung Heon, 38, whom they met in June at Elle China's Celebrities Night in Shanghai.
"We were pretty shy when we met him in person," recalled Yumi with a laugh.
"He is very gentlemanly and we were definitely charmed by him!"
Unfortunately for the girls, Song is officially off the market. Earlier this month, he confirmed his relationship with Chinese actress Liu Yifei after they were photographed sharing a car ride to her mansion in Beijing.
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