#nctboom

ANALYSIS PORTION + REVIEW AT THE END

Honestly I’m just trying to make sense of what I have observed from the music video and lyrics but feel free to add anything

Based off the song’s lyrics it seems to be talking about what it’s like being famous and truthfully it took a different turn from what I expected...

At first I thought the direction of the song would express that being a singer comes naturally to them like breathing; however, Jeno starts off with saying “Even the sound of breathing sounds like music on stage/ Each drop of sweat is like heavy rain to me.” The diction of “even” and “each” seems to emphasize that these sensations and feelings occur often enough that they even developed a contemplation on them. I now realize breathing and sweating is referring to the hustle that they have to go through as kpop idols. Jaemin even continues by saying that always hot and shine light on stage and in the music video you can see the boys shielding themselves from the bright lights and attention with becoming famous. To make me feel even more emo Jisung says “your eyes react first, before this heart” and I heard this and thought that it meant as fans we react to what’s happening on the outside while they’re performing rather than how they’re feeling :((

“We are overflowing from this strong heat/ I don’t have time to sit comfortably and play with you.”

But then the pre chorus and chorus comes in and I feel a more optimistic shift ?? Rather than feeling upset about the fame and the pressures that they feel they seem to channel this “heat” towards their dreams. In the music video, it seems there’s a scene of two Haechan’s playing chess with himself. But the pieces seem to move on their own. I think this symbolizes how there’s almost a clash of emotions Haechan is experiencing and he can’t control them. Maybe he feels conflicted with his passions of becoming a singer versus the tough reality of becoming one. Or perhaps he’s not really touching the pieces because he doesn’t “have time to sit comfortably and play.” Anyways, his dilemma might explain why he looks troubled during his scenes. Other scenes that show this frustration would be Jeno looking at a broken mirror that he possibly punched, Jisung pointing a fencing sword with another Jisung (3:00). At 3:02, it looks like Jeno is lying inside a glass tank with a bunch of other Jenos observing him. Maybe he’s trying to imagine what other people would think of him he chose to become a singer or to quit??

Enjoy the process and run with me/ I want it more and more freely too late we rollin’

ok so right about here in the song, the boys seem to be fighting this heat which explains why you’ll see Jeno with a punching bag and Jisung I believe in a fencing uniform. Also explains why Chenji were running up the stairs at around 1:39. Then we see Renjunnie with a very loud and red background which really contrasted from all the cool colours and dark backgrounds so I am assuming this is the turning point where the boys are completely full sending into the artistry of being in the industry. 

SUDDENLY a huGE sHIFT with our baby Chenle: “Everyday the moment I tough your dreams I become the pathway, I can put in your hand.” 

Not only does he seem boyish and adorable but his voice and this entire section really brightens up the song. Chenle symbolizes the child-like wonder and happiness of being a musician/ artist. He even plays the piano and it seems to make the books and other responsibilities Jaemin might be trying to take care to literally float away. This results with affecting Haechan with his inner conflict (you can also see it when his background is yellow he’s looking at his shadow), Jaemin seems conflicted too lying down on the many books, and there’s also a burning rose if you watch carefully.

The child who used to dance with a pure expression now sets a fire in my heart while smiling

OK GUYS THIS IS WHERE I M FREAKING OUT 

So the entire song I’ve been really getting beauty and the beast vibes. From the blue background, gold accents of frames, the boys wearing suits, mirrors, and the burning rose. In the story of beauty in the beast, the beast has their days numbered according to the number of petals left on the rose. I think the burning rose means that they’re completely abandoning the idea that their days as musicians are numbered. Instead they are letting their passions of being singers from when they were younger take over to the point where they’re taking artistic freedoms (why Renjun starts using red paint over all the blues lol). ALSO we see 1:54 Jeno turning his back from a wolf or coyote which makes me think of We Go Up. Instead of turning fully away from their past and youthfulness he seems to try turn back?

So the person who holds the burning rose is Chenle (so he is our child confirmed) and Dream is basically saying that even if they have grown older as musicians they’ll always remember where their dreams came from and why they should be fired up with passion 

the use of warmer backgrounds, scene with Jeno sitting on the throne, and their very high energy and explosive ending I think right about expresses that 😍