Side Effects MV Theory
Okay so people are probably waaaaay smarter than me at theories but hereโs my two cents on the Side Effects MV.
The MV is about choices and being pulled in two different directions. The teaser showed two possible beginnings and the two moons at the beginning of the MV represent being pulled in two different directions. The group were both taking the bus to the New World and and staying behind (possibly to make the journey themselves). The harder route is what the group chose as a whole.
Hyunjin seems to be the most sceptical. It appears as though at first everyone will walk to the New World but when Felix sees the cart Hyunjin appears to convince him that the group should take the cart. Hyunjin is also scared Felix will get hurt if he leans out of the cart, possibly symbolising his anxiety that the group made the wrong choice and he wants to play things safe.
When the group start the cart Chan points at the road, possibly representing how he wants to take a safer route, but then the group proceeds to move off road, suggesting they wonโt take the easiest route if it means they can grow as people and do things their own way. This might have added to Hyunjinโs anxiety. We soon see that Felix moved to the front seat, possibly symbolising that he is reckless regarding the journey (or there is a separation between him and Minho and the others because they were eliminated).
The โRoad Closedโ sign and wire fencing represent an obstacle the group must overcome together. Seungmin taking the photo and Hyunjin getting mad could represent two things. Either A) heโs suspected of being a spy for the City Jungle because previously cameras have been used to symbolise the antagonists. Or B) Seungmin tries to look for an alternate perspective of going about the problem. Hyunjin, who has already been having his doubts, might see this as an opportunity to turn around and go back (he has a key at this point but no one knows it. It might be the key to the hellevator) so seeing a possible solution could frighten him. He retaliates out of fear of going to a point of no return. Of course, the rest of Stray Kids side with Seungmin and are able to overcome the obstacle.ย
A piece of paper was crushed in the fight between Seungmin and Hyunjin. This could either be the solutions to cross the obstacle Stray Kids had already ruled out or it could possibly be their map to the New World. Now, crossing the obstacle, they are more lost than ever without their map so they temporarily go to the road for a little while, taking a slightly easier route, possibly to make Hyunjin ease up a bit.
By nighttime they are back off road. They are tired, possibly lost and their excited smiles are long gone. Jisung looks to the sky where there are no two moons. This could represent how he still has faith in the journey and is not torn between carrying on and going back.
When the tire goes it seems as though all hope is lost. The group are now back on the road, suggesting they tried taking the easier route again but failed. Jeongin comforts a clearly stressed Hyunjin while Minho and Jisung comfort Felix who might be feeling down because he found the cart in the first place. Jisung being the most confident in the plan becomes especially clear here. He might have realised he needs to be strong for the others and have faith in the plan.
The boys see the bus from before. This is probably metaphorical for them wishing they had taken the easy option. The sleeping members on the bus represent their doubts and fears. As the camera pans back it might reveal the order of who trusts the plan the most and who trusts it the least. Hyunjin and Chan are at the back, representing the most doubtful members. Chen could be doubtful because of his desire to get to the New World and fear of not making it there while Hyunjin wants to go back. The next row forwards are Felix and Seungmin. Seungmin might feel afraid after the fight with Hyunjin having planted doubts in his mind and Felix might feel guilty for finding a seemingly easy route in the cart that became a difficult route instead. On the next row are Changbin and Minho. Changbin broke up the fight with Seungmin and Hyunjin so he seems pretty confident in the plan and Minho has been driving, not to mention he comforted Felix. Finally there are Jeongin and Woojin on the front row. I donโt know too much about these two since they havenโt featured too prominently. However Woojin sat quite far forwards on the cart and Jeongin comforted Hyunjin so they are probably quite confident in the plan.
Notice that Jisung isnโt on the bus. This could be because he has full faith in the plan to get to the New World. He canโt think about himself taking the easier route because it didnโt cross his mind.ย
The spilt screen shows Stray Kids nearing the bus. They block the road while a storm brews in the background. They are trying to stop the doubts from entering their heads no matter how scary it is. Hyunjin being the center to shows his determination to get over his fears yet heโs crouching as if to show he feels small compared to the issues and doubts he has.
As the lights of what could possibly be the City Jungle suddenly blare up the members all sprint into the dark field. They charge blindly onto their new path, not knowing where theyโre going or how they will finish what has been started. Chan screams to show his determination. The lights canโt seem to pinpoint the members. They have abandoned their doubts to make it to their own New World no matter how grim their path seems because they will do things their own way and will not conform to the rules of the City Jungle.
At the end Hyunjin is shown waking up to the members smiling fondly at him. This could represent him waking up from his doubts to see the truth. Itโs still dark and the bridge they are under could represent more obstacles to come. In the background the lights still seem to be searching for Stray Kids but they are smiling, not doubting themselves any longer.
Chan helps Hyunjin up, becoming the confident leader he should be as opposed to the doubtful leader from before. As the group begin their journey into the unknown Chan keeps a shoulder around Hyunjin, letting him know the members are there for him. Hyunjin has chosen to run from his doubts but he still needs the strength of the others there with him. However now he has accepted that he has to make a leap of faith if the group want to get to their New World together. The key, which could have been Hyunjinโs ticket out through the Hellevator, lies forgotten in the water. He no longer needs to worry about it.
Itโs interesting how Hyunjin and Jisung are presented as opposites here (yes I know it was Seungmin that Hyunjin attacked) since Jisung and Hyunjin didnโt originally get along. This could be to show their different viewpoints back before debut. As a whole, the MV seems to be showcasing the mindsets of several members from the predebut days, especially Jisung, Hyunjin, Chan and Felix.
