Returning with his second solo EP, Colde – better known as the serenading vocalist from OffonOff – has amused viewers with a spontaneous, melodramatic concept to enjoy on May 31. As it had been with the start of his solo promotions, the “Love Part 1” EP was released by his current agency WAVY SEOUL. Currently, Colde is promoting both “I Fxxking Love You” and “WA-R-R” as main title tracks. However, this article will be focusing on the latter track, and how Colde’s music video has further redefined the artistic space for future releases.
More often than not, the platform of a music video is used as a means to highlight the song it is promoting. For idols, a MV is used to show strong, synced choreography, balanced out with alluring solo shots versus group shots against a certain setting. Based on whether it is grounded in plot or symbolism, idols may be required to act out scenes or regard items of symbolism as being integral to understanding the track. A distinct concept further drives the direction of the MV, though mostly the making of it is a standard formula to visually and artistically present the artist’s return.
As for more Indie, Hip-hop, and underground artists, however, the use of a MV has grown increasingly diverse. Take BewhY, whose MVs for “Shalom,” “In Trinity,” and participation in Code Kunst’s “Beside Me” has mostly relied on setting, lighting, and mood to evoke the underlying depth of the tracks. Meanwhile, Dean and Hyukoh have conveyed their song with symbolic digital art for “Come Over” and “Tomboy” respectively. Excluding the need for any kind of physical setting, acting, or even their own presence in the video, these MV’s have allowed viewers to simply soak in their voices gliding over their artistic interpretations.
On the other hand, Crush collaborated with his beloved pet Doyou for “Outside,” in which his “humanized” dog takes over his bank account for a splendidly dreamed vacation. Though this did include plot, it widened the boundaries by including such a personal element as one’s own pet. And lastly, Park Kyung’s “Gwichanist” has fully embraced the song’s theme of laziness by being chock full of ads to drive its plot and expenses.
Then there is Colde, with “WA-R-R” – in which the title is a Korean onomatopoeia for the notion of “crumbling down.” Throughout the entire video, Colde is singing against a backdrop of random scenes thrown together to either make a viewer crack up or tilt their head in confusion. Matching with the presented lyrics, jumbled scenes from old movies, biking disaster videos, crumbling buildings, a past avalanche, animated Dalmatian puppies, and more redefine what is a song depicting the conflicting notions of a lover.
In the lyrics alone, Colde paints a picture of his lover both hurting and loving him, leading him to confusion and despair. Hence, the scenes of destruction that work to visually reflect his inner feelings. It is actually during the bridge of the track that there is a semblance of “plot,” wherein Colde hesitates to enter an apartment that presumably houses his lover. Otherwise, even the form of Colde performing his song is edited to spiral out of control or dance atop a destroyed “building” – further widening the scope of direction and space in artistic expression. By its end, the MV shows photos of animals with doodled hearts.
At its most basic, Colde has viewers enjoy a newer, lighthearted approach to a track that would otherwise solely be considered dark. Or, another interpretation is that through the MV backdrop, Colde simply reflects his unique train of thought. If anything, it has viewers dwell on the numerous copyright approvals he may have had to wait on prior to releasing this MV. Nonetheless, in doing so he has introduced another new branch of a Korean music video – one that combines numerous different “movies” to add layers to its given track. As opposed to plot, symbolism, acting, choreography, digital art, or even pets, Colde enlists a series of melodramatic, unrelated, public yet ironic expressions to convey the conflicting feelings portrayed through the lyrics.
Considering how this music video is for a love song, his take on the MV is both distinct and daring. Any instances of actual romance seen are few, while most scenes convey disaster and destruction, prior to ending with a healing slideshow of fluffy animals. One could easily see that the string of events have no correlation whatsoever if it were not for the lyrics displayed below. But just as there is no official “rule” for a MV other than to present the song, there is likewise no particular need to define Colde’s choice to any one particular criteria. Ultimately, it is creativity and spunk meshed together to have a song stand out among the foray of new comebacks this season.
Not to mention, this new EP has been an opportunity for Colde to expand his thoughts on all things love and life. According to various news outlets, this first EP welcomes a series of albums based on these concepts. While streaming the album, Colde encourages the listener to focus on the flow and story of the album, from one track to the next. In doing so, he hopes people will come to observe the meaning and flow of love in general. With seven out of eight tracks being written, composed, and/or arranged by Colde himself, fans can look forward to listening and dwelling on his colorful musings.
As Colde paves his way as a solo artist, here’s to hoping that – with whatever platforms available – his complexity and color continue to resonate in more ways than one.
Sources: (HIPHOPLE, Sisa Magazine, Sports DongA; Images from WAVY SEOUL)
