Three months after Day6‘s full group release, Day6’s subunit Even of Day returned with their second mini-album, Right Through Me. Comprising members Young K, Wonpil, and Dowoon, the subunit shows off their distinctive synth-infused sound through this cohesive album. Unlike their debut album, The Book of Us: Gluon, which had a very clear theme and storyline, Right Through Me covers a range of emotions and ideas, making it relatable no matter what situation or circumstance the listener is facing.
Likewise, while the animated MV for “When The Sea Sleeps” (featuring Day6’s denimalz!) was adorable and heartwarming, Even of Day takes on meaty acting roles for “Right Through Me”, a heartbreaking MV about loss.
The MV begins with Even of Day getting ready to perform in a storefront in front of passersby – it is as if they are preparing to bare their souls for the whole world to see. That is exactly what they do, as the MV takes a deep dive into each of their narrative arcs.
To begin with, Young K’s arc represents the loss of a romantic relationship. Viewers witness how a faceless woman drops a ring in front of him and leaves him all alone without a single word. Considering the somewhat serious commitment they must have shared (since rings are involved), this break-up is extremely cold and heartless. He is understandably crushed by it, although he remains stoic until the end of the MV, when he finally breaks down. When the ring is accidentally swept off the table, Young K tries his best to retrieve it from underneath a cupboard, hurting his hand in the process. This is an extremely realistic portrayal of how trying to reach a relationship that has already passed is likely to bring harm to yourself. In these cases, the only solution is to move on and break free of the toxicity of the past. In line with this message, Young K ends up being the only one to break out of the storefront, while Wonpil and Dowoon just look on. He is now free, having come to terms with the end of his relationship.
In fact, Young K’s arc is the most aligned to the lyrics of “Right Through Me”, a song that is full of despair and tough realisations. Every hurtful word from the protagonist’s lover pierces right through him, burrowing its way deep into his heart. The way his lover sees right through him as if he were invisible, also reflects the extent to which this relationship has deteriorated. While the protagonist eventually comes to terms with the fact that they do not have a future together, this finality comes with a lot of pain, something that is well reflected through the instrumentation.
Wonpil’s arc gives this song a different perspective. Rather than the loss of a romantic relationship, he experiences estrangement from his family and the mental anguish that accompanies it. From the scratched out family picture that is depicted (presumably of him as a child) to the empty birdcage (which typically represents a child who has moved out of his parents’ place), it is clear that his “liberation” came at a great cost to his familial relationships. It is really quite painful to watch Wonpil suffer a severe panic attack and to tear his place apart with this overwhelming sense of brokenness. The way he desperately hugs the blanket, searching for some comfort, is also so heart-wrenching, and big applause must be given to Wonpil for his sensitive portrayal of this character. It stands in great contrast to his typically sunny personality, and he really shows a new side of himself as an actor in this MV.
Finally, with Dowoon, he loses his dog while walking it, and searches frantically for it amidst the dramatic pouring rain and the hordes of masked passersby who coldly ignore his cries for help. It is worth noting that he lets go of the leash as the song transits to its second verse, signalling a development in the story. More importantly, however, he lets go of it unknowingly, and only realises it after it is too late. Beyond what it appears on the surface (i.e the loss of a pet), many fans have pointed out that this is a metaphor for Dowoon losing himself, since his denimalz character, Don, is a dog. He never does find the dog, and the descent he experiences from being listless to being desperate and finally, just extremely lost, is masterfully done.
All three members definitely put in a lot of effort in their acting this time around, and they nailed the complex expressions required of them in all their scenes. Their crying scenes are particularly memorable, and it is nice to have them acting once again, since the last time their acting skills were put into action was during the iconic MV trilogy of 2017 (“What Can I Do”, “I Loved You” and “When You Love Someone“. They were aided by the fantastic cinematography of this video, among the best of Day6’s MVs. The scenes take place at night, and the dark lighting enhances the melancholic feel of the song. A grungy filter is applied to the MV in a fitting manner, matching the synth effects used in the track.
Wonpil’s arc feature the most dramatic scenes, and the wild camera angles used toward the end of the song really match the alarming way he tears down his room. The stunning effects used as the room collapses around him are also very effective. It all feels out of control, mirroring the repeated anguish Wonpil is experiencing throughout the song.
The mood of the song and the video as a whole stand in great contrast to the member’s outfits and the backdrop around them. The members are decked in floral outfits, Wonpil’s room is beautifully decorated in a floral pattern, Dowoon wanders down a street full of colourful graffiti and Young K is in a shop full of fantastic guitars – and yet the MV is anything but cheery. These stylistic choices initially seemed out of place, and yet on further thought, it makes perfect sense. When one is stuck in these throes of pain and despair, one often fails to see the beauty in the surroundings. Additionally, giving the timing of this release, the outfits do match what you would expect of a typical summery song, but Even of Day subverts those expectations to deliver an angsty yet utterly relatable song about loss.
“Right Through Me” is honest, this MV is extremely well-created, and once again, Day6, as well as their subunit, never disappoints.
(Youtube. Images via JYP Entertainment.)
