if noone has pointed it out yet, the music video is about him trying to find the light to keep going through hard times, and having to repeat this over and over in order to restore the "house" (himself). the five mirrors represent SHINee, and there's a lot more symbolism such as him seeing a broken down version of himself and blindfolded people unable to see his struggles, but yeah thats a summary
olivia :D also, when he finds the light at the end and puts it in the stand, the mirrors are fogged and (to me) that represents that SHINee, once 5 reflections of 1 crystal (5 members of 1 group), are actually one shining crystal/light as a whole. I see that as saying although they are separately 5 different people, they are still SHINee together. Thus 5HINee.
What a powerful send off Onew is giving us with this song and MV. Onew officially left for the military Dec. 10 so this album will have to keep us warm in this "Blue" world for the next 2 years until he is discharged. You are so right, and as people have also pointed out below, this MV and song is full of symbolism and not only does it tell the story of everything they have gone through over the past 2 years or so, but it also is a sort of goodbye song to all the fans and a song to show how much Shawols' support has meant to him and how the fans are what gives him strength, etc. How I interpret this song and the story in this MV is its all about the struggles Onew has gone through over the years and how he is searching for a "sense of belonging". As you know, SHINee's lightstick is a diamond, and that's the official symbol for this song and album -- a diamond with 5 faces. If you hold SHINee's lightstick up you will see the refection the diamond makes on the wall is a five point star. In the MV the diamond is reflected in 5 mirrors, one of the mirrors is cloudy or covered in dust, which probably represents Jonghyun. The way I see it, the blindfolded people could represent Onew's scandals and how the public is judging him. They are judging him without actually seeing him and don't even care about the truth. There are 3 fish floating in a protective glass bubble which I see as representing the 3 remaining members -- Minho, Key and Taemin -- which Onew feels like he needs to protect as the leader and oldest of the group. The white rose is also in a box, and some say it represents the fans and how by putting them in a protective case Onew is saying how precious the fans are to him and how he wants to protect them. (its also worth noting that there is also a white rose in the desert in Key's MV for "Forever Yours.")
The shooting star, represents many things -- his family, his members and fans, that are guiding him back home, after his scandal were he lived isolated. It was almost as if he was saying he was trying to follow the star's path but then something happened that derailed him and made him lose his way, (probably Jonghyun's incident), and for a while he was no longer able to see his "home" from afar anymore, his expression was sort of shocked and afraid, and then he sees the same people that judged him once again looking at him, but more intensely, which was represented by the fact that the blindfolded people grew and became more menacing as things started to pileup. It was almost as if they were judging him, like they were blaming him for everything that happened. And that is probably how he has been feeling all along. But then you see the shooting star make a path directly to where he was which allowed him to see again and it provided light to his diamond once again, which helped him finally find his way back home. Back to a place where he is starting to feel safe, accepted and loved once again. He put the diamond on the table, and in its reflection there was shown 5 diamonds. If you notice one of them is blurry ... but even though you can't see all 5 of them clearly anymore, they are still 5. I also see the fact that in the end when he puts the diamond back on the pedestal its almost as if he is saying he is putting the fans and his members and everyone that is precious to him, etc. on a shelf for safe keeping while he is away in the military and he will be back for us once again when he comes back. I think in the end what he is saying is that he has finally accepted everything and is starting to come to terms with it all. However, he is still not 100% OK or happy yet, but he is slowly getting there. Its the power of the light that is produced by the 'diamond" -- which represents the power from the fans -- that has helping him to find his place in this "Blue" world and to come to terms with everything. That's just a little bit of what I took away from this MV, but I know there is so much more that can be discovered from it and so much more meaning behind every detail. We could probably go on for days analyzing everything and coming up with multiple meanings for it all. :D Onew has done pretty well with this song and the album, he is getting some pretty good feedback for his first solo debut and we wouldn't expect anything less from a member of SHINee. :D i am so proud of him!!!! At least Shawols' have been coming out hard! Onew topped iTunes charts in 28 counties, topped the world charts and was No. 1 in the U.S. with this album. SM has really been working hard these past few months and every new release from their groups has been better than the last. Even SM's legendary rock band turned rock-EDM, named TraxX just released a new song called "Escape" a few days ago. You should really check them out. I think you will love the song. SM is really killing it these days.
@@BballbandDluvr22 Oh no thanks so much for the correction that was a very unintentional mistype on my part I know 100% that it is supposed to be TraxX but for some reason my fingers must have mistyped and I didn't notice it so thanks so much I will fix it right now. :D
Thanks for this beautiful comment about Jinggi's MV Blue. That was very detail and couldn't stop me from bawling. I know that my comment is out of context (as it's not related to this reaction to video) but still, thank you 💕
To everyone commenting that their reaction is "too technical" or not focusing enough on the vocals or aesthetic, please remember that they are first and foremost musicians. Analyzing kpop from a technical/music theory perspective has always been the point of these videos - it's why she doesn't have ClassMus react to every single kpop song people ask for, because not all songs are musically interesting or noteworthy. Plus, having greater breadth of knowledge on a subject changes the way you experience and appreciate it. Umu is sharing that perspective with the general public (who don't often get to see it). If you don't want a musical analysis, don't watch the video.
I couldn't have said this better myself. I would also like to add that just because they talk about the technical aspects does not mean they didn't consider the emotional and lyrical aspects before or after reacting. This video follows the type of content they typically post on here, but it definitely doesn't mean that's all they thought about at all outside of this video.
My theory is that the song is a reflection on how life is made up of highs and lows and the acceptance that both are a necessity for personal growth. I’ve read theories about the MV that are very autobiographical, and I do agree with some of them, but a question hit me when I read someone ask if anyone else saw the blindfolded people as ghosts. It was plausible considering they were in whites. Traditionally, in East Asian culture at least, white is associated with death. The colour of mourning in China, the colour of battle shrouds for warriors in Japan (why Japanese martial arts have white uniforms, it’s a nod to the old tradition of warriors wearing all white under their battle gear to signify their readiness to die in battle.) But then I wondered if this tradition was something that was also observed in Korea given that they were under Chinese rule before the Joseon Dynasty. Taekwondo their national sport also wore white uniforms. The question led me to wonder if the colour blue, beyond being a colour, translated the same way in Korea the same way it did with English speaking nations? A brief chat with a Korean friend confirmed that culturally, the colour blue did not mean anything beyond being a colour. Similarly, “blue night“ did not mean anything more than a time at night when the light is blue. Also, Kenzie, the lyricist of the song, who is a graduate of Berkley, I imagine is familiar with the expression of “feeling blue,” but that would not be the case for the Korean audience she’s writing for. So why Blue? - Why blue light? Did you know that “rays on the blue end of the Light Spectrum have shorter wavelengths and more energy”? Light wavelengths look like wiggly lines, blue having tighter frequency of rise and dips. *"Blue light, because you resemble me* *You’re always rolling like the waves* *When my foot touches the bottom of the end inside of you* *I breathe out and float up again"* - Kenzie’s wordplay is god-tier with this song (if I’m right, that is). She was able to relate the motion of waves and wavelengths, light and water, descending and ascending motions with the mere mention of “blue light.” While Rocoberry sells the “sad” feeling of blue with the strings and Onew closes the deal with his melancholic interpretation. *"In this silent moment* *I feel everything about me* *I understand the joy of loneliness* *Blue night* *The thing that’s calling me from far away,* *Is it light or darkness?"* - This stanza contradicts the “sad” feeling of the song. As it somehow suggests joy can be a byproduct of solitude. There is a sense of acceptance in the first three lines. As if a lesson was learned the hard way and the narrator is glad for having learned it. [The reference to blue night, I’m sure, triggered a name association in all of us, but let’s step outside of that for this particular analysis and associate the phrase with the 2 remaining lines.] - According to Joan Didion from her book Blue Night “In certain latitudes there comes a span of time approaching and following the summer solstice…when the twilights turn long and blue…” Wikipedia’s version was “The blue hour (from French l'heure bleue) is the period of twilight in the morning or evening, during the civil and nautical stages, when the Sun is at a significant depth below the horizon and residual, indirect sunlight takes on a predominantly blue shade.” - Again we see the reference to a rising/falling motion (of the sun). The cyclic pattern of a day. And of course the colour blue. The blue in this stanza denotes unease/hesitation/apprehension - for what it precedes; sunrise (light) or sunset (darkness). This part of the lyrics conveys uncertainty of what the future can bring. - When I took a creative writing course, we touched briefly on poetry and was taught how to impart motion/movement in our piece without being obvious about it. Blue is a master class of what the professor was trying to teach us. In every line of this stanza, Kenzie used adjectives and nouns of extremes. Silent vs noisy, everything vs nothing, joy vs loneliness, night vs day, far vs near, light vs darkness. The extremes and their implied counterparts again bring to mind a sense of see-sawing that reinforces the previous stanza’s theme of rising and falling. *"The sea that sparkled during the day today* *Is pitch dark in this night* *But if I know the path I must take* *There’s nothing for me to fear"* - The first two lines of this stanza follow the same feeling of apprehension and uncertainty from the previous one. But in the third and fourth lines, the narrator is able to gather their resolve by reassuring themselves they know their destination. The path could twist and wind, but they are confident they will reach their destination. *"In this silent moment* *I feel everything about me* *I understand the joy of loneliness* *Blue night* *The thing that’s calling me from far away,* *Is it light or darkness?"* - While this stanza is a repetition of the second one, it holds a slightly different meaning, especially after the previous stanza. In this moment of hesitation, the narrator is able to self-assess, be confident in the course of action they take. They’re still uncertain, but they trust themselves to forge ahead. *"I love the pain of youth and those silences* *For them to bloom again"* - Here we see the narrator fully embracing the process of growing up. The pain/hardship is part of it. They are embracing any mistake they make and chalking it up to experience. *"In this silent moment* *I feel everything about me* *I understand the joy of loneliness* *Blue night* *The thing that’s calling me from far away,* *Is it light or darkness?"* - To close the song, there is a sense of understanding that all of ups and downs is a process. Not a conviction or a mantra, but rather a quiet kind of acceptance that there will be pain and it will be necessary. There will be uncertainties, and that too is part of it. But knowing and believing in yourself will get you through the rough times. *But how does of this tie to the visuals of the MV?* - The reference to waves and wavelengths impart a sense of cycle/pattern/repetition. Which, to me, explains why the MV was heavily influenced by ‘Mother!’ - The film depicts how rebirth is borne from chaos and pain. To a lesser extent and certainly not in the same shocking sense, Blue’s lyrics are about that. While I think the song itself is not autobiographical, The MV director certainly alluded to a lot of what has happened to Onew in the previous year. But taking a step back from the connection to Onew, we do see in the MV how he has a beautiful home, owns a treasure, a flowered path represented by the glittery water. Representing the crests of the waves. But also along the way, he encounters blindfolded people who seem to judge him severely despite not being able to see him clearly. With the insinuation that these blindfolded entities will cause him pain as he sees a teary-eyed version of himself. These would represent the dips in the waves. The development of his character is represented in the light he received and the regeneration of his home. And the cycle repeats again. *TLDR* *In conclusion, the lyrics alone are not tragic or sombre. But given how only in conflict will a person truly become polished the arrangement made sense.* If you’re still reading up to this point; thank you for taking the time and stream VOICE!
Whoa 🤯 I like this theory because it’s different and very thought out. You explained it very clearly and concisely and it’s well informed. I like that you looked at it without it being overrun by the obvious and looked deeper into it. Nice 😁
Last time I was this early I was singing Ring Ding Dong while brushing my teeth. ONEW, SWEET SMILE GUY HE NEVER STOPS TO AMAZE ME!! VOCALS ON TOP FOR ALL SHINEE MEMBERS!! I CAN'T-
I've been waiting my whole life for ONEW'S solo album! i feel like this album really speaks of onew! and the music video i've read somewhere on twitter that it's related to everything that happened to him since the summer 2017 "the scandal" and shinee! I highly reccomend you listen to the whole album.. i feel like every song is unique but also compliment the other very well!
Can you please read the lyrics before reacting to the songs? Also, the albums, which SHINee have been releasing lately are deeply personal to them and what they've been going through. Can you please take this into account if not just them, but other artists as well? It's fine to be analytical of a song, please also take this into account as well as the lyrics. Why did they use the keys, instruments, chord progression and harmonies in the song as well for that particular song? Those are just my thoughts. Thank you for reacting to this.
I feel like I need to point out that these two are musicians, not vocalists. A vocalist would have so much more to say about Onew's voice, because they know how to identify the technique he's using and how he's using it to emote the message of the song. They concentrate on the musical composition as a whole because that's what they're trained to listen for. :/
You should check SHINee's older stuff too. Onew's unique voice harmonizes so well with Jonghyun's unique one. They sound so beautiful together. Also Onew's voice really is outstanding. He makes everything listenable.
Did some people call it very orchestral? Yes there was string section and piano in the arrangement but its not orchestral in the traditional sense. The entire album showcases Jinki's amazing vocals. Just the kind of songs that we'd expect him to sing if he had gone solo
That piano break reminds me of a piece from the Late Romantic period in transition towards the early 20th century. And, yeah, it is a huge disappointment that it's not included in the final record/album, only here in the MV. Also, Onew/Lee Jinki's voice...that's untweaked. If you've seen the VOICE MV Documentary, he sings the final chorus LIVE for K.Will. And it sounds exactly the same as in the MV and in the actual record.
Honest question for you guys with knowledge on technicals this and that, do you ever just watch an MV, listen to a song w/o dissecting it? Like plainly just trying to watch the aesthetics of the video, the singing, the melody in its entirety, together, not by bits of this part, that part. For a muggle like me, watching an MV is really just feeling the melody of the song, the emotions, the singing, while linking the emotion of the video as well..
They do do it at their own time, usually their first listen would be the one recorded with all the technical breakdown cuz they wanted to show the the musical theory that the general public does not know. Usually umu would listen to the song a few more times and there are times where she would like a songs where she initially wasn't so keen on(Example that I rmb frm the top of my head is Vixx-Shangri La which i also love alot)
I really was waiting for this reaction!! I think you need to watch and listen this song with other point of view and see the meaning behind the song, it's a really personal album considering this hard year for onew and the rest of shinee. React please to the full album it's amazing!!
I got excited when you thought it was Howl's moving castle too! I did too but when I looked deeper into it's meaning theorethically, I have a feeling that stone is a representation of Jonghyun who is Onew's bestfriend. I think it's a dedication song.
thank you for giving some love to Onew :) i'm also sad that the piano part in the bridge wasn't included in the actual song...I thought it was such a nice addition. Guess that makes me want to watch the MV over and over again :)
thanks to react to this!! though I still hope you could react this with the other reactors as well just because I'm wondering how will they react to Onew's voice aaaanndd since this is very classical y'know! thanks a lot anyway!
4:19 THAT WAS MY EXACT REACTION AND I WAS WAITING FOR ONE OF YOU GUYS TO NOTICE AHHH. i think the diamond at the end was calcified and he put it into like that little holder thingy, which is like how calcified was put in a fireplace. he watched the shining streak in the sky when he is in his house at the end again, similar to how sophie watched young howl meet calcifer in the past.
The title itself gives it away how sad the song will be, The released his whole first solo mini album within 2 weeks before his enlistment Dec 10th 2018...the whole mini album makes you want to tear up and even more so now that JinKi has enlistment, we would get to see or hear him or SHINee as a group for next years or so until after all of the members have done their military service!
Watching your reactions, I feel like I am watching a Critic Video than a reaction.. Dissecting every part of the song for the technicals.. this part that part.. I guess that’s your way of “appreciating/experiencing” music coz you know the parts of songs and technicals and whatnots?? But thanks for the listen..
@@SHINeeSHAWOL10 there are both tributes to Jjong and to SHINee as a whole in the MV in my opinion but mostly, it's a story of the struggles Onew faced last year after his "scandal" and how the support he got from fans/family/friends helped him through it
NO it’s not, this song is about the hardships he’s got through along with his group mates (Dongsaengs of SHINee) and some of its also about losing their dearest closest friend Kim Jonghyun which i deeply believe the flying fallen star represent his soul that falls into the crystal for safe keeping, that was a reflection of that one crystal but could represent all five members.
I guess certain songs are meant to be listened first then reacted, this song and MV and the whole presentation nearly brought me to tears even when i didn't know and didn't understand the lyrics at all. I somehow feel that in the struggle to find the technical aspect (which is definitely imp) you guys just didn't even try to connect to the song(which is equally important).
My same reaction to the howls moving castle part 😂 I love Blue so much and this is a song that works so well with Jinkis voice! I wish you would react to his song Sign and of course his other songs!
Can you please think about reacting to Sunnyhill? Their debut was in 2007, they were a co-ed group with member, and only male of the group, Janghyun making most of their songs. They are honestly one of the most underrated iconic kpop group of all time. Midnight Circus, The Grasshopper Song, Pray, and The White Horse is Coming are AMAZING! They were so ahead of their time.
I know you don't have to know everything that happens in the kpop industry but I think that by listening to this song you realize is about something deep and serious. I would have like them to have a little more serious reaction without screaming about a frraking scene. I don't want to sound rude but this is what I thought when watching this
Thank you so much for this video ! It's wonderful to hear from musicians the technical point of view, maybe not understand everything, but i can realise what am i listening to. Realise that i'm not listening trash xD good news sfsgsg Thnks!!!!
Nice totoro hoodie, umu you should check the lyrics of the album are really nice its a very personal album, btw his music has to be enjoyed through his voice and lyrics
I understand u guys are more interested in instrumentations n technicality of d song...but that is not d whole video...u seem to hv missed d singer vocals and message being convey in d visual in d MV...anw thanks for d reaction...😊
I thought the guy like onew's voice...but he seem doesnt show it much in here.. or maybe he just focus only on the instrument and technical stuffs?...anyway...thx for the reaction
![[UNCUT] The Loyal Pin ปิ่นภักดิ์ EP.4 (4/4)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/d3l5rxl5CVo/mqdefault.jpg)
Jinki has the most beautiful voice I’ve ever heard, stan SHINee y’all.
if noone has pointed it out yet, the music video is about him trying to find the light to keep going through hard times, and having to repeat this over and over in order to restore the "house" (himself). the five mirrors represent SHINee, and there's a lot more symbolism such as him seeing a broken down version of himself and blindfolded people unable to see his struggles, but yeah thats a summary
olivia :D also, when he finds the light at the end and puts it in the stand, the mirrors are fogged and (to me) that represents that SHINee, once 5 reflections of 1 crystal (5 members of 1 group), are actually one shining crystal/light as a whole. I see that as saying although they are separately 5 different people, they are still SHINee together. Thus 5HINee.
Onew’s vocals are so beautiful
What a powerful send off Onew is giving us with this song and MV. Onew officially left for the military Dec. 10 so this album will have to keep us warm in this "Blue" world for the next 2 years until he is discharged. You are so right, and as people have also pointed out below, this MV and song is full of symbolism and not only does it tell the story of everything they have gone through over the past 2 years or so, but it also is a sort of goodbye song to all the fans and a song to show how much Shawols' support has meant to him and how the fans are what gives him strength, etc.
How I interpret this song and the story in this MV is its all about the struggles Onew has gone through over the years and how he is searching for a "sense of belonging".
As you know, SHINee's lightstick is a diamond, and that's the official symbol for this song and album -- a diamond with 5 faces. If you hold SHINee's lightstick up you will see the refection the diamond makes on the wall is a five point star.
In the MV the diamond is reflected in 5 mirrors, one of the mirrors is cloudy or covered in dust, which probably represents Jonghyun. The way I see it, the blindfolded people could represent Onew's scandals and how the public is judging him. They are judging him without actually seeing him and don't even care about the truth.
There are 3 fish floating in a protective glass bubble which I see as representing the 3 remaining members -- Minho, Key and Taemin -- which Onew feels like he needs to protect as the leader and oldest of the group. The white rose is also in a box, and some say it represents the fans and how by putting them in a protective case Onew is saying how precious the fans are to him and how he wants to protect them. (its also worth noting that there is also a white rose in the desert in Key's MV for "Forever Yours.")
The shooting star, represents many things -- his family, his members and fans, that are guiding him back home, after his scandal were he lived isolated. It was almost as if he was saying he was trying to follow the star's path but then something happened that derailed him and made him lose his way, (probably Jonghyun's incident), and for a while he was no longer able to see his "home" from afar anymore, his expression was sort of shocked and afraid, and then he sees the same people that judged him once again looking at him, but more intensely, which was represented by the fact that the blindfolded people grew and became more menacing as things started to pileup. It was almost as if they were judging him, like they were blaming him for everything that happened. And that is probably how he has been feeling all along.
But then you see the shooting star make a path directly to where he was which allowed him to see again and it provided light to his diamond once again, which helped him finally find his way back home. Back to a place where he is starting to feel safe, accepted and loved once again.
He put the diamond on the table, and in its reflection there was shown 5 diamonds. If you notice one of them is blurry ... but even though you can't see all 5 of them clearly anymore, they are still 5. I also see the fact that in the end when he puts the diamond back on the pedestal its almost as if he is saying he is putting the fans and his members and everyone that is precious to him, etc. on a shelf for safe keeping while he is away in the military and he will be back for us once again when he comes back.
I think in the end what he is saying is that he has finally accepted everything and is starting to come to terms with it all. However, he is still not 100% OK or happy yet, but he is slowly getting there. Its the power of the light that is produced by the 'diamond" -- which represents the power from the fans -- that has helping him to find his place in this "Blue" world and to come to terms with everything.
That's just a little bit of what I took away from this MV, but I know there is so much more that can be discovered from it and so much more meaning behind every detail. We could probably go on for days analyzing everything and coming up with multiple meanings for it all. :D
Onew has done pretty well with this song and the album, he is getting some pretty good feedback for his first solo debut and we wouldn't expect anything less from a member of SHINee. :D i am so proud of him!!!! At least Shawols' have been coming out hard! Onew topped iTunes charts in 28 counties, topped the world charts and was No. 1 in the U.S. with this album.
SM has really been working hard these past few months and every new release from their groups has been better than the last. Even SM's legendary rock band turned rock-EDM, named TraxX just released a new song called "Escape" a few days ago. You should really check them out. I think you will love the song. SM is really killing it these days.
*TraxX
sorry if it seems rude to comment only your spelling error but to get the name wrong of a group that's been out for 14 years is a bit.... yeah.
@@BballbandDluvr22 Oh no thanks so much for the correction that was a very unintentional mistype on my part I know 100% that it is supposed to be TraxX but for some reason my fingers must have mistyped and I didn't notice it so thanks so much I will fix it right now. :D
Agree about SM new release song has been better lately . Its happen on every group . I've been as SM fans for 11 years . And this a good move .
Thanks for this beautiful comment about Jinggi's MV Blue. That was very detail and couldn't stop me from bawling. I know that my comment is out of context (as it's not related to this reaction to video) but still, thank you 💕
onew by far has the most unique voice in the kpop industry. the moment i heard his voice, i knew it is him. very flavourful and different. i like it.
yeah the mv has reference from howl's moving castle and the movie "mother"
the entire album is heavily mainly his voice only actually
After all, the album is named VOICE. buh dum tss.
Forgive me, I saw my moment and took it.
Howl's moving castle does have some beautiful instrumental melodies.
To everyone commenting that their reaction is "too technical" or not focusing enough on the vocals or aesthetic, please remember that they are first and foremost musicians. Analyzing kpop from a technical/music theory perspective has always been the point of these videos - it's why she doesn't have ClassMus react to every single kpop song people ask for, because not all songs are musically interesting or noteworthy. Plus, having greater breadth of knowledge on a subject changes the way you experience and appreciate it. Umu is sharing that perspective with the general public (who don't often get to see it). If you don't want a musical analysis, don't watch the video.
God bless your wise comment
I couldn't have said this better myself. I would also like to add that just because they talk about the technical aspects does not mean they didn't consider the emotional and lyrical aspects before or after reacting. This video follows the type of content they typically post on here, but it definitely doesn't mean that's all they thought about at all outside of this video.
it's sad that we didn't get to see this live before he enlisted, but we shall wait ❤
but he sang the chorus of the song in the Making commentary film part 1 of VOICE. it was awesome. SHINee always CDnee
My theory is that the song is a reflection on how life is made up of highs and lows and the acceptance that both are a necessity for personal growth.
I’ve read theories about the MV that are very autobiographical, and I do agree with some of them, but a question hit me when I read someone ask if anyone else saw the blindfolded people as ghosts. It was plausible considering they were in whites. Traditionally, in East Asian culture at least, white is associated with death. The colour of mourning in China, the colour of battle shrouds for warriors in Japan (why Japanese martial arts have white uniforms, it’s a nod to the old tradition of warriors wearing all white under their battle gear to signify their readiness to die in battle.)
But then I wondered if this tradition was something that was also observed in Korea given that they were under Chinese rule before the Joseon Dynasty. Taekwondo their national sport also wore white uniforms. The question led me to wonder if the colour blue, beyond being a colour, translated the same way in Korea the same way it did with English speaking nations?
A brief chat with a Korean friend confirmed that culturally, the colour blue did not mean anything beyond being a colour. Similarly, “blue night“ did not mean anything more than a time at night when the light is blue.
Also, Kenzie, the lyricist of the song, who is a graduate of Berkley, I imagine is familiar with the expression of “feeling blue,” but that would not be the case for the Korean audience she’s writing for. So why Blue?
- Why blue light? Did you know that “rays on the blue end of the Light Spectrum have shorter wavelengths and more energy”? Light wavelengths look like wiggly lines, blue having tighter frequency of rise and dips.
*"Blue light, because you resemble me*
*You’re always rolling like the waves*
*When my foot touches the bottom of the end inside of you*
*I breathe out and float up again"*
- Kenzie’s wordplay is god-tier with this song (if I’m right, that is). She was able to relate the motion of waves and wavelengths, light and water, descending and ascending motions with the mere mention of “blue light.” While Rocoberry sells the “sad” feeling of blue with the strings and Onew closes the deal with his melancholic interpretation.
*"In this silent moment*
*I feel everything about me*
*I understand the joy of loneliness*
*Blue night*
*The thing that’s calling me from far away,*
*Is it light or darkness?"*
- This stanza contradicts the “sad” feeling of the song. As it somehow suggests joy can be a byproduct of solitude. There is a sense of acceptance in the first three lines. As if a lesson was learned the hard way and the narrator is glad for having learned it.
[The reference to blue night, I’m sure, triggered a name association in all of us, but let’s step outside of that for this particular analysis and associate the phrase with the 2 remaining lines.]
- According to Joan Didion from her book Blue Night “In certain latitudes there comes a span of time approaching and following the summer solstice…when the twilights turn long and blue…” Wikipedia’s version was “The blue hour (from French l'heure bleue) is the period of twilight in the morning or evening, during the civil and nautical stages, when the Sun is at a significant depth below the horizon and residual, indirect sunlight takes on a predominantly blue shade.”
- Again we see the reference to a rising/falling motion (of the sun). The cyclic pattern of a day. And of course the colour blue. The blue in this stanza denotes unease/hesitation/apprehension - for what it precedes; sunrise (light) or sunset (darkness). This part of the lyrics conveys uncertainty of what the future can bring.
- When I took a creative writing course, we touched briefly on poetry and was taught how to impart motion/movement in our piece without being obvious about it. Blue is a master class of what the professor was trying to teach us. In every line of this stanza, Kenzie used adjectives and nouns of extremes. Silent vs noisy, everything vs nothing, joy vs loneliness, night vs day, far vs near, light vs darkness. The extremes and their implied counterparts again bring to mind a sense of see-sawing that reinforces the previous stanza’s theme of rising and falling.
*"The sea that sparkled during the day today*
*Is pitch dark in this night*
*But if I know the path I must take*
*There’s nothing for me to fear"*
- The first two lines of this stanza follow the same feeling of apprehension and uncertainty from the previous one. But in the third and fourth lines, the narrator is able to gather their resolve by reassuring themselves they know their destination. The path could twist and wind, but they are confident they will reach their destination.
*"In this silent moment*
*I feel everything about me*
*I understand the joy of loneliness*
*Blue night*
*The thing that’s calling me from far away,*
*Is it light or darkness?"*
- While this stanza is a repetition of the second one, it holds a slightly different meaning, especially after the previous stanza. In this moment of hesitation, the narrator is able to self-assess, be confident in the course of action they take. They’re still uncertain, but they trust themselves to forge ahead.
*"I love the pain of youth and those silences*
*For them to bloom again"*
- Here we see the narrator fully embracing the process of growing up. The pain/hardship is part of it. They are embracing any mistake they make and chalking it up to experience.
*"In this silent moment*
*I feel everything about me*
*I understand the joy of loneliness*
*Blue night*
*The thing that’s calling me from far away,*
*Is it light or darkness?"*
- To close the song, there is a sense of understanding that all of ups and downs is a process. Not a conviction or a mantra, but rather a quiet kind of acceptance that there will be pain and it will be necessary. There will be uncertainties, and that too is part of it. But knowing and believing in yourself will get you through the rough times.
*But how does of this tie to the visuals of the MV?*
- The reference to waves and wavelengths impart a sense of cycle/pattern/repetition. Which, to me, explains why the MV was heavily influenced by ‘Mother!’
- The film depicts how rebirth is borne from chaos and pain. To a lesser extent and certainly not in the same shocking sense, Blue’s lyrics are about that.
While I think the song itself is not autobiographical, The MV director certainly alluded to a lot of what has happened to Onew in the previous year. But taking a step back from the connection to Onew, we do see in the MV how he has a beautiful home, owns a treasure, a flowered path represented by the glittery water. Representing the crests of the waves.
But also along the way, he encounters blindfolded people who seem to judge him severely despite not being able to see him clearly. With the insinuation that these blindfolded entities will cause him pain as he sees a teary-eyed version of himself. These would represent the dips in the waves.
The development of his character is represented in the light he received and the regeneration of his home. And the cycle repeats again.
*TLDR*
*In conclusion, the lyrics alone are not tragic or sombre. But given how only in conflict will a person truly become polished the arrangement made sense.*
If you’re still reading up to this point; thank you for taking the time and stream VOICE!
Whoa 🤯 I like this theory because it’s different and very thought out. You explained it very clearly and concisely and it’s well informed. I like that you looked at it without it being overrun by the obvious and looked deeper into it. Nice 😁
@@skeletontree6543 Glad you liked it! 😊
Goodness! I think your analysis is excellent and unique. I'm going to save your comment for future reference. Brilliant job!
Last time I was this early I was singing Ring Ding Dong while brushing my teeth. ONEW, SWEET SMILE GUY HE NEVER STOPS TO AMAZE ME!! VOCALS ON TOP FOR ALL SHINEE MEMBERS!! I CAN'T-
It does not matter who the members of Shinee chose ... their voices are and will be the best that could be heard ..
I've been waiting my whole life for ONEW'S solo album! i feel like this album really speaks of onew!
and the music video i've read somewhere on twitter that it's related to everything that happened to him since the summer 2017 "the scandal" and shinee!
I highly reccomend you listen to the whole album.. i feel like every song is unique but also compliment the other very well!
Can you please read the lyrics before reacting to the songs? Also, the albums, which SHINee have been releasing lately are deeply personal to them and what they've been going through. Can you please take this into account if not just them, but other artists as well? It's fine to be analytical of a song, please also take this into account as well as the lyrics. Why did they use the keys, instruments, chord progression and harmonies in the song as well for that particular song? Those are just my thoughts. Thank you for reacting to this.
I could not agree more
I feel like I need to point out that these two are musicians, not vocalists. A vocalist would have so much more to say about Onew's voice, because they know how to identify the technique he's using and how he's using it to emote the message of the song. They concentrate on the musical composition as a whole because that's what they're trained to listen for. :/
You should check SHINee's older stuff too. Onew's unique voice harmonizes so well with Jonghyun's unique one. They sound so beautiful together.
Also Onew's voice really is outstanding. He makes everything listenable.
You know you’re a Miyazaki stan when you’re wearing a Totoro onesie and seeing Howl’s moving castle references in an mv ;)
Thought thebsame thing at that part in regards to Howls lol
Your totoro outfit is so cute 💜 I had the same reaction when onew caught the shooting star: ghibli, Howl's moving castle fkejfkdnsl 😂😂
JINKI KING OF VOCALS
It was named voice for a reason his voice is really making me calm these days and help me sleep peacefully
Did some people call it very orchestral? Yes there was string section and piano in the arrangement but its not orchestral in the traditional sense. The entire album showcases Jinki's amazing vocals. Just the kind of songs that we'd expect him to sing if he had gone solo
I love his voice
His voice is out of this world ❤️
That piano break reminds me of a piece from the Late Romantic period in transition towards the early 20th century. And, yeah, it is a huge disappointment that it's not included in the final record/album, only here in the MV.
Also, Onew/Lee Jinki's voice...that's untweaked. If you've seen the VOICE MV Documentary, he sings the final chorus LIVE for K.Will. And it sounds exactly the same as in the MV and in the actual record.
Honest question for you guys with knowledge on technicals this and that, do you ever just watch an MV, listen to a song w/o dissecting it? Like plainly just trying to watch the aesthetics of the video, the singing, the melody in its entirety, together, not by bits of this part, that part.
For a muggle like me, watching an MV is really just feeling the melody of the song, the emotions, the singing, while linking the emotion of the video as well..
They do do it at their own time, usually their first listen would be the one recorded with all the technical breakdown cuz they wanted to show the the musical theory that the general public does not know. Usually umu would listen to the song a few more times and there are times where she would like a songs where she initially wasn't so keen on(Example that I rmb frm the top of my head is Vixx-Shangri La which i also love alot)
Thanks for reaction to ONEW. His voice is too beautiful
I really was waiting for this reaction!! I think you need to watch and listen this song with other point of view and see the meaning behind the song, it's a really personal album considering this hard year for onew and the rest of shinee. React please to the full album it's amazing!!
Waiting for somebody to mention key one of those night or Taemin under my skin
Wow I would not have checked out this song if you hadn't reacted to it. Its honestly so beautiful and your right his voice makes it sound more unique.
I got excited when you thought it was Howl's moving castle too! I did too but when I looked deeper into it's meaning theorethically, I have a feeling that stone is a representation of Jonghyun who is Onew's bestfriend. I think it's a dedication song.
I'm in love with his song
thank you for giving some love to Onew :) i'm also sad that the piano part in the bridge wasn't included in the actual song...I thought it was such a nice addition. Guess that makes me want to watch the MV over and over again :)
Thanks so much for reacting to this
This song, this MV, is a piece of art
thanks to react to this!! though I still hope you could react this with the other reactors as well just because I'm wondering how will they react to Onew's voice aaaanndd since this is very classical y'know!
thanks a lot anyway!
The song is really beautiful and many people have theories about it and i was really waiting for this reaction i hope you guys can react to his album
Been waiting for this! Thanks for the reaction
4:19 THAT WAS MY EXACT REACTION AND I WAS WAITING FOR ONE OF YOU GUYS TO NOTICE AHHH. i think the diamond at the end was calcified and he put it into like that little holder thingy, which is like how calcified was put in a fireplace. he watched the shining streak in the sky when he is in his house at the end again, similar to how sophie watched young howl meet calcifer in the past.
Onew voice is a music it self
The title itself gives it away how sad the song will be, The released his whole first solo mini album within 2 weeks before his enlistment Dec 10th 2018...the whole mini album makes you want to tear up and even more so now that JinKi has enlistment, we would get to see or hear him or SHINee as a group for next years or so until after all of the members have done their military service!
I just figured out that you reacted to this and I am so freakin grateful ❤️
Watching your reactions, I feel like I am watching a Critic Video than a reaction..
Dissecting every part of the song for the technicals.. this part that part..
I guess that’s your way of “appreciating/experiencing” music coz you know the parts of songs and technicals and whatnots??
But thanks for the listen..
I've been waiting for this!! Please can you show it the others?? Also this MV has a lot of symbolism in and links to Jong Hyun in many ways.
Not really for jonghyun but it has similarities with the movie mother! starring Jennifer Lawrence.
@@carnalcruise As a SHAWOL for 9 years, I see small tributes to Jong Hyun, leave my theories alone 😂 let me think this, it makes me happy haha ❤
@@SHINeeSHAWOL10 chill im not asking how long you've been a shawol or whatever i just wanna add that…
@@carnalcruise I was joking, and trying to make it light hearted! Which is why I used a laughing and heart symbol, I wasn't been mean in anyway 😊
@@SHINeeSHAWOL10 there are both tributes to Jjong and to SHINee as a whole in the MV in my opinion but mostly, it's a story of the struggles Onew faced last year after his "scandal" and how the support he got from fans/family/friends helped him through it
Thank you for your reaction! I will wait for the full album reaction!🤣
Awww thank you in advance for reacting to onew's albumm
FINALLYYYYY you listened to my request. THANK YOU UMU!!
i really love his voice 🥲 I'M O'NEW' FAN!
A word, AMAZING
NO it’s not, this song is about the hardships he’s got through along with his group mates (Dongsaengs of SHINee) and some of its also about losing their dearest closest friend Kim Jonghyun which i deeply believe the flying fallen star represent his soul that falls into the crystal for safe keeping, that was a reflection of that one crystal but could represent all five members.
thanks for the reaction. as what you said waiting for your reaction to his whole album Voice
again thank you
I guess certain songs are meant to be listened first then reacted, this song and MV and the whole presentation nearly brought me to tears even when i didn't know and didn't understand the lyrics at all. I somehow feel that in the struggle to find the technical aspect (which is definitely imp) you guys just didn't even try to connect to the song(which is equally important).
Onew is amazing
My same reaction to the howls moving castle part 😂 I love Blue so much and this is a song that works so well with Jinkis voice! I wish you would react to his song Sign and of course his other songs!
OMGGGG YOU HAD THE SAME THOUGHTS AS ME. I TOTALLY GOT HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE VIBES WHEN HOWL GOT CALCIFER!!!!
Can you please think about reacting to Sunnyhill? Their debut was in 2007, they were a co-ed group with member, and only male of the group, Janghyun making most of their songs. They are honestly one of the most underrated iconic kpop group of all time. Midnight Circus, The Grasshopper Song, Pray, and The White Horse is Coming are AMAZING! They were so ahead of their time.
It is real string section, not orchestra, anyway i recorded that song's with my cello.
YES!!! Visuals from this MV was totally inspired by Mother!
Please Umu 🙏 a reaction video of Onew’s O (Circle) would be amazing 💕🙏
FINALLY YEAAAYYYY!!! Please make the other reactions react to Onew's Blue too! Thank youuu 💛
Thank you for reaction for onew blue 🙏🙆
"IS HE HOWL?!" same sis same😂
This reminds me of early 70s Elton John, specifically his 1970-1971 work, when he used a LOT of strings in his work.
I know you don't have to know everything that happens in the kpop industry but I think that by listening to this song you realize is about something deep and serious. I would have like them to have a little more serious reaction without screaming about a frraking scene. I don't want to sound rude but this is what I thought when watching this
Thank you so much for this video ! It's wonderful to hear from musicians the technical point of view, maybe not understand everything, but i can realise what am i listening to. Realise that i'm not listening trash xD good news sfsgsg Thnks!!!!
That’s so cool that you all know about music cuz I don’t I just Ike it
Thank you so much for all your reaction to SHINee and their members' individual songs. Sending you lots of love ^-^
Yes I was not the only one who saw the howls moving castle thing 😆
OH MY GHAD. I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS!!!!
He actually recorded with orchestra band!
lmao i just knew kevin would get the mother reference and umu the howl's moving castle reference
WINNER "MILLIONS"
and
WINNER "EVERY DAY"
PLLLLLLS
I don’t know if he’s on your radar, but Penomeco released a brand new album, and it would be awesome to hear your thoughts on it!
waiting for your reaction to Voice album ! 💕💕happy holidays 🌸🎄
Nice totoro hoodie, umu you should check the lyrics of the album are really nice its a very personal album, btw his music has to be enjoyed through his voice and lyrics
Él es el número 1.
finally someone saw the mother reference like me 😍
jana terras which movie is it?
are you gonna react all of songs in his album? i'm waiting for that
I thought the strings were fake too, so it must have been the processing.
Please react to Gaho - Prepare for a journey. Cos I think you guys will like it.
Blue is pure Torch. ♥
Art (we have the same photo :0 )
Did they ever uploaded the full album review?? I can’t find it anywhere
THANK YOU
The son is very beutiful and the album is just amazing
can i recommand VIBE's 가을타나봐 fall in fall?
So... Where's the album reaction?
tHaNk yoU
I understand u guys are more interested in instrumentations n technicality of d song...but that is not d whole video...u seem to hv missed d singer vocals and message being convey in d visual in d MV...anw thanks for d reaction...😊
Onew ❤
waiting for your reaction to the whole album voice thanks.
Please react to Taemin's Under my skin
Pls listen to the B sides! Jinki's álbum is literally the Best 💕
onew ❤❤❤❤❤
Omg FINALLY!!!!!
💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙
exo love shot please
I love that you look at all the details
Plz check exo ex'act album you will definitely love all the details
I thought the guy like onew's voice...but he seem doesnt show it much in here.. or maybe he just focus only on the instrument and technical stuffs?...anyway...thx for the reaction
Please react IU - Palette and IU - Through the Night. amazing song and voice by IU
please react to "Now United - Summer In The City". It is a group with 14 members from 14 different countries.
Finally! (I am 5 seconds into this video) 😁😁😁
Please react to Onew's performance of Nessun Dorma. I think you might like it better than "Blue". Thank you for letting me offer this suggestion.