#rkplaylist

1. PARK HYO SHIN - HOME

꿈을 꾸고 있나 봐 흐린 풍경 속에 작은 문 하나 I wanna go home

while jaeyoon very much does like park hyoshin’s vocals and songs, this one was chosen specifically because of a reoccurring thought of his. sometimes, jaeyoon thinks about what it would have been like if he’d stayed home. if he hadn’t gotten a higher education or a job as an accountant. what if he had stayed? helped out with the farm? would he still feel as lost as he does now? or would he have eventually found some sort of purpose.

2. MAMAMOO - HIP

All I wanna be is 멋짐 내 마음대로 골라 Kick it 머리 어깨 무릎 다 HIP 해

jaeyoon is a huge fan of girl groups, and it’s not something he tries to hide. if a particular song that he likes comes on, he will be the first to start doing the moves and gestures even if he’s sitting down. his latest favorite song to get down to is mamamoo’s hip. mwah.

3. FLEETWOOD MAC - LANDSLIDE

Well, I've been 'fraid of changin' 'Cause I've built my life around you But time makes you bolder

it’s no secret that jaeyoon feels lost. unsatisfied; however, he’s finally reached a point in his life where he feels a little bit of clarity. maybe it’s not exactly seasoned boldness, but tides are changing -- and hopefully for the best. jaeyoon doesn’t want to live like this any longer if he can help it.

4. MELOMANCE - GLASS

I wanna make you real fine I wanna make you real light I wanna make you real bright

there are a particular few lines in this song that remind jaeyoon of the old crush he still thinks about time to time. the english translation is this: ‘why, I met you. you disappeared that day but nothing has changed. i stood on that road and created that moment, completely from glass.’ if anyone ever overhears jaeyoon listening to this song, just know he’s in his feels.

5. YOUNG THE GIANT - COUGH SYRUP

And so I run to the things they said could restore me Restore life the way it should be I'm waiting for this cough syrup to come down

1. king of anything by sara bereilles

"i liked her songs a lot when i was little," she explains herself. "this wasn't my favorite. my favorite's actually a song called love song." there's a small bashful giggle. "but this song is really sassy, yet polite. i think this song just fits my personality in general. how she just drags the other person while making it so cute and catchy? i really like that."

2. don't lose ur head by six, christina modestou

"this is from a musical called six, which is about the six wives of this jerk named king henry the 8th from europe. their solo songs are about why he left them, and this one is about anne boelyn." she realizes her explanation makes her sound like a history teacher. "it basically talks about how she was just... doing a lot of bad stuff, but she's so unapologetic about it." she nods her head. "it's so.... hardcore."

3. stand down by little mix

as this song comes up, she begins to feel a little bit of pride. "i've been a huge fan of little mix since their first song and this is probably one of my favorite songs from them." it's a subtle brag, but she chooses not to focus on it too much. "this song is basically about being independent and basically proving people's expectations wrong. i have a lot of expectations on me from family," she says that with a hint of salt because she really means her mom, "so i just want to prove to them that i don't need them to make decisions for me."

4. she's so gone by naomi scott

"this is from a movie that i watched a lot when i was in canada." fond memories of her watching lemonade mouth flood her brain and it makes her even more excited with her explanation. "this is my favorite song from the movie because the singer recently dumped her boyfriend and this song was sort of a way to let him know that she's becoming more of herself because she was someone else in order to make the relationship work. but it could apply to any sort of relationship, so i just thought it was a song that i'd call my life anthem."

5. focus by ariana grande

"this was when she was releasing good music," she explains, ignoring the shocked reactions from around her. "this song is basically about how she was just basically being herself, but people keep on trying to bring her down. so she's just making a point that is basically... screw you, i'll do what i want. and that's... the kind of attitude i try to live with."

6. sing by pentatonix

leaving the songs that she thought described her interests, she then begins to talk about songs that she just simply liked. "there's a choreography from lia kim for this song and it's really fun and active." she looks at her friends and they couldn't help but laugh. "i learned this dance with these knuckleheads last year and it was really hard, but it was really fun when we finally learnt the whole thing and did it without making a huge mistake. so i'd be dancing to this if i were like.... getting coconuts or something."

7. lollipop by mika

she was approaching the end and she looks over to her teacher, a look of fondness with a mix of urgency on her face. "i'm almost finished, teacher!" she reassures her. "so i think everyone knows about the just dance franchise-" every interrupts her with a noise that sounds fond because of nostalgia. "don't interrupt me," she says, making everyone snort rather than fully interrupt her like she warned them not to do. "anyway, this song was from the third game and it's basically how i started to love dancing." she hesitates for a moment because she's starting to get a little embarrassed. "this song has a really happy vibe and it's sort of songs that make you want to dance, so i wouldn't really like dancing as much as i do if it weren't for the game or the song."

"anything else?" the teacher asks, a hint of passive-aggressiveness in her.

1. snack (ft. raychel jay) by shawn wasabi

it's the positive vibe song. though the lyrics have hidden sexual innuendos while comparing it to sweets, he really only listens to the song because of how bright and catchy it is. he's been listening to shawn wasabi since he released marble soda, his most popular song. though he wishes he had enough money for a cute pad like his, he also watches his videos for the song aesthetics and how the music video captures it.

it's also safe to mention that he loves kit kats, so this song was obviously going to be his happy song if it mentions his favorite candy for the hook.

2. grace kelly by mika

it's a song to listen to when he wants to cheer himself up from arguments with his family. when he wants to calm himself down, he often listens to this song and sings along to it, straining his head voice when mika goes into his falsetto. it's a song questioning what to do in order to be the ideal image people want him to and even if he's going to school as if he was the ideal image, he is not any less of a rebellious boy wanting to questions his parents' idea of success.

3. best friend by rex orange county

another positive vibe song, specifically for car rides when he's on the road. seoul traffic is absolute hell, so he always listens to this song to prevent him from losing his mind over the usual clueless soul who doesn't fucking signal. the amount of pleasure he feels from screaming "oh i still wanna be your favorite boy~!" at the top of his lungs is one of the reasons why he's thankful for learning how to drive so that he could use the great invention that is the aux cord.

4. slow dancing in the dark by joji

he doesn't really know if he could relate to this song yet since he's never really had a relationship where he felt as if the other person was too good for him. but he's had an interest in joji's music for a while and the use of synths for the lo-fi vibe of the song matched with his voice hinted with loneliness and heartbreak makes it probably his favorite song from him. it's like stepping into some sort of dreamland, only to find it raining. it's sad, but it's beautiful; something that yeonjun will appreciate regardless of whether it's relatable or not.

5, jamais vu by bts

though the song doesn't have all 7 members in it, jamais vu was also applicable to a rainy day song that had a lonely beauty in it. yeonjun was never fond of vocoders, but he finds the use of it in the song appropriate and an added improvement. not to mention, it was subtle and not overwhelming, which gets a win in his book. unlike slow dancing in the dark, yeonjun was able to relate to jamais vu. each day felt like a torturing routine where he feels like some sort of robot doing what it was programmed to do. but the slight optimism in the song mirrors how he isn't completely hopeless of his life. he knows better times are ahead of him, even if it's hard with the constant reminders of how he's not living the life he desires for. he hasn't completely given up and he hopes he never will.

6. so far away by agust d & suran

if jamais vu reflects his small optimism with a difficult life, so far away is the overall realism mixed with pessimism. it's a song he can confidently say for sure was applicable to his position. with not being able to go to school for music, every single day feels like added distance from his dreams and reality. it relates to his hopelessness that results in his one-year music block. even if he knows that those tough times will end, this song adds comfort to his pitiful situation. it's a song to cry to in order to feel less empty and alone.

7. sirens by cher lloyd

1. uncontainable  ⊰ we’re taking our crown, we’re taking it now ⊱

coming out the gate, we’re swinging. empty enigma together is an unstoppable force, or at least they feel like they are-- destined for amazing things and soaring to great heights. especially on stage, they don’t back down for anything, but it applies to their true selves, too. for a bonus, daniel and woojin box, so the metaphors 👍

2. rockstar  ⊰ dude your girlfriend is a groupie she just tryna get in, saying “i’m with the band” ⊱

squall, alpha, brand, cameo and reign are wild; there has to be at least one song dedicated to it. don’t give them too much credit and think this isn’t relevant beyond the title.

3. bad kids  ⊰ i’m not that cool and you hate me, i’m a bad kid that’s the way they made me  ⊱

everyone came to empty enigma for different reasons, but all of them have at least a little rebellious bone in their body to be part of a metalcore band. there’s some defying authority, a lot of defying expectations, and a little disappointing people in their lives that don’t think the band is an honorable pursuit, at the very least. empty engima doesn’t care. all of that aside, they came together to support each other under all circumstances. you’re still good to me if you’re a bad kid, baby. 

4. sophomore slump or comeback of the year  ⊰ i’ll keep singing this lie if you keep believing it  ⊱

empty enigma is a mystery, but also a lie, based upon stage personas all of the members hide behind, giving them the power to be whoever they want to be-- different than they really are. there’s more to the song than that, though: a dedication to empty enigma’s fans, and their devotion to each other, getting through hard times, and enjoying every moment. it’s just a matter of time until we’re all found out, and they were, but at least it was on their own terms.

5. float on  ⊰ don't worry even if things end up a bit too heavy, we'll all float on  ⊱

together, they get through everything, taking everything one day at a time, and it’s all okay as long as there’s empty enigma. [sobs into my hands]

6. do it now remember it later  ⊰ remember when they said what we want can never be done? ⊱

empty enigma has had a lot of doubters, whether it’s random people or those close to the members, but in the end, they do what they want to, and the band empowers them to say so. come on say what you think, it won't mean a thing, in the end we're gonna be just fine.

7. restless  ⊰ do whatever makes us lose control, just for a night  ⊱

they all have their own troubles, but the band is an escape from that, even if it’s just for a show every weekend.

8. last ones left  ⊰ if we’re going down, we all go down together, and that’s the way it is ⊱

somehow this song ended up on this playlist when i made it the first week of the mgas, but it has new meaning following the developments of the mgas. kenta and woojin receiving contracts, everyone wanting to hang onto the band, even to the point of wishing they wouldn’t accept their contracts. the chorus reflects their original feelings, but now it’s clear they won’t stay like this forever, but they’ll still supporting each other regardless. 

9. have faith in me  ⊰ you’ll always find me right there, again ⊱

a song about how they’ll always be there for each other no matter what, even when all else fails basically, haha!

10. player haters’ ball  ⊰ wolves don’t lose sleep on the thoughts of sheep ⊱

here we have a lovely hardcore screamo song that marks the beginning of the part of this playlist dedicated to their haters, which was relevant enough before due to people hating on metalcore in general and people in their lives trying to tell them what to do. after the mgas, the relevancy increased by 200%, since daniel and kenta especially endured some hate comments and lowkey care a lot about what people think of them; empty enigma gives them strength and makes them care a whole lot less about anonymous people tearing them down. the only truth is that you’re still unknown, and empty enigma isn’t anymore.

11. watch out  ⊰ we came to change the game so get out the way ⊱

this is another self-hype song and a lil bit to haters too, and their intention to be successful and their belief that they already are just doing what they’re doing. this is another one that applies more mgas considered, because this is relevant to when they first set foot on the show. (fun fact: this was a contender for between fear and faith’s title track.)

12. against the waves  ⊰ but if it’s all the same, they’ll find the worst in you ⊱

pt 3 of songs to their haters, and a vow to stay strong in the face of them and any adversity, and the chorus applies to them wanting the band to be a source of support for people going through the same. i wonder why that “nothing can last forever” line is there haha how is that relevant haha

13. petty trappin ⊰ you say i’m everything you despise, everything you don’t like ⊱

this is the final and most relevant song dedicated to haters, all a highly applicable message to anyone that talked shit during the mgas, supercharged with some unshakable empty enigma confidence. every person that hates them is a person that can’t stop paying attention to them, after all. also a song in my potential ee follow up album playlist because they truly could’ve written this song.

14. broken ⊰ i like that you’re lonely, lonely like me, i could be lonely with you ⊱

all of the members were a little broken, and maybe they still are, but at least they’re broken (and maybe a little lonely) together where they didn’t quite fit in anywhere else. daniel also met most of them late night at a party, so that’s a bonus. (extra bonus: this is the first song i ever associated with ee; i think it was back in october 2018 or something and that think i could love you but i’m not sure line always made me think of nielwoon, perhaps i’m a psychic.)

15. champion ⊰ i’m a champion of the people who don’t believe in champions ⊱

one of the last songs added to the playlist, this is dedicated to their dreams and touches back on that constant theme of being some kind of outcast and underdog. it also highly applies to the mgas (if i can live through this, i can do anything) but this playlist was still finished by episode two of the show, so that i’m calling you from the future to let you know we made a mistake line was foreshadowing?? ee mgas was a mistake. maybe

16. down for the ride ⊰ taking over, feeling at home with you ⊱

empty enigma is home, as a band or just the friends that make it up. they leaned a lot from each other, and the band was a crazy ride-- one they’re still on together and might be too attached to. (moving forward, learn to let go.)

17. this is the house that doubt built  ⊰ we’ll sing like everyone when they’re alone ⊱

a mix of several moods on the playlist: empty enigma as an escape, strength and something that makes them feel fearless, and teamwork on top of that. it’s also a bit of a reference to their secret identities, why they used them, and what they’ve learned from them. (when you find yourself please let me know.)

18. dream on  ⊰ sing with me, just for today; maybe tomorrow the good lord will take you away ⊱

the original intent of this song in the playlist was because this was probably a cover on the band’s early setlists, and you know, the whole concept applies to people going after their dreams together and performing to cope with everything, but post disbandment(?) this hits different. don’t make me explain it and just listen to it. thank you.

19. immortal  ⊰ i’m not dying, no i’m not dying today ⊱

You’ve Got a Friend In Me - Randy Newman

With a Little Help From My Friends - Joe Anderson (Across the Universe)

I’ll Be There For You - The Rembrandts

I’ll Be There For You - Bon Jovi

                   ---  𝕠𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕖𝕝𝕗

                       I’LL BE THE ONE   ○  ○  ○   HAL                        ↪  𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘪, 𝘴𝘰 𝘪’𝘮 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘣𝘺 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘪 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨                             𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘪𝘻𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮.

it’s all about the opportunities, the sacrifices, and the first breath of victory.  elder go players would consider his style far too reckless and unappealing to discuss, yet he boasts a 2-dan title under his name.  how he plays his games reflects how he lives his life;  he will do what it takes to come out on top, even if it means giving up what makes him whole.

                  ---  𝕝𝕚𝕤𝕒

                      CRUSH   ○  ○  ○   DAVID ARCHULETA                       ↪  𝘥𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩 𝘢 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘪 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶? 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬                            𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰?

                      LOVESICK FOOL   ○  ○  ○   THE CAB                       ↪   𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘱𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘬 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘵, 𝘸𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘦? 𝘪𝘧 𝘪 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘪                             𝘸𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵, 𝘪 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘭𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨.

they were once a volatile pair back in high school.  they were the ups and downs, the colds and hots:  a consistent, brewing storm.  their break up was messy, and he swore never again.  fast forward a few years when their hearts became numb, they reunited under a familiar guise.  she captivated him, reminded him of all the good memories they had together.  they decided to try again, and this time, he makes an effort to understand her better, to embrace those more distant parts of her as something unique to her.

                  ---  𝕪𝕠𝕟𝕘𝕤𝕦𝕟

                      A LITTLE TOO NOT OVER YOU   ○  ○  ○   DAVID ARCHULETA                       ↪  𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘵.  𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘦,  𝘪’𝘮 𝘯𝘰𝘵                           𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘵.

                      JUST SO YOU KNOW   ○  ○  ○   JESSE MCCARTNEY                       ↪  𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸, 𝘪’𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘨𝘰.

they’re the what could have beens and the what ifs.  ever since middle school they’ve skirted around one another.  he liked her, then he didn’t.  and this cycle of like and unlike would repeat itself over the next ten years.  they were always missing each other, always had the absolute worst timing.  and now, they’re at a point where he considers her untouchable, yet at times, he still reaches out, wondering if she’ll ever look back.

                  ---  𝕛𝕒𝕖𝕓𝕦𝕞

                      BETTER THAN I KNOW MYSELF   ○  ○  ○   ADAM LAMBERT                       ↪  𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘮𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘪 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘺𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧.

there was a period of time when he was overly concerned about fitting in, about being popular, one of them.  jaebum was his wake up call, his call for change, and to him, he owes his true confidence to.

                  ---  𝕜𝕪𝕦𝕟𝕘𝕤𝕠𝕠

                      NO ONE’S HERE TO SLEEP   ○  ○  ○   NAUGHTY BOY                       ↪  𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘭𝘭. 𝘰𝘩, 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭.

the two of them are their grandfather’s pride.  they each represent the lefts and rights of opportunities and victories.  head to head, they compete for the title of the most successful.  unfortunately, they’re both still human, and humans hurt.

                  ---  𝕥𝕒𝕖𝕪𝕒𝕟𝕘

                      NO END, NO BEGINNING   ○  ○  ○   POETS OF THE FALL                       ↪  𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘪’𝘮 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘦.