MV Monday today focuses on hot topic group JYJ, with Jaejoong announcing his military enlistment date, Yoochun filming a new drama and Junsu releasing a full length album there’s plenty to talk about with regards to the group. It is XIA’s release Flower we’ll be breaking down the mv for.
Flower is clever, both in word and visual. With lyrics written by XIA, featuring artist Epik High front man Tablo, and BrandNew Music’s Taewan (C-Luv), and an mv treatment reportedly written by XIA himself, XIA’s solo return is deep and impressive.
As Flower’s lyrics tell off the glimmer of hope in ones life the visual concept too centres around this fight for humanity.
The eagle and the lion are both symbolise strength, freedom and royalty. These reflect Junsu’s position upon his throne and the assumed strength of a leader.
Angered subjects throw the decapitated head of a cyborg towards Junsu, it is this destruction of complete inhumanity that shows the first signs of grasping at hope within the narrative. It also bares reference to Terminator and the fight for humanity seen it its story.
At the tempo change we see Junsu transfixed by a young girl, the face of innocence, the symbol of hope.
With this symbol of hope comes the destruction of the cyborg head, and Junsu attempts to further better his reign. We see Junsu’s subjects make liquid gold, and he drinks it. Gold is a pure substance, and the colour can symbolise many things, including the search to understand ones self, and soul. It can be assumed that by drinking the gold XIA is attempting to purify himself and his soul.
When the scene changes to a wasteland Junsu no longer holds a position of power, he stands equal amongst the other dishevelled citizens he stands with. The imagery brings memories of Michael Jackson’s Earth Song.
The next time we see the young girl she shows happiness at the downfall of her King. Her joy at XIA’s downfall highlights the lack of purity in the world, and the need to regain our humanity.
XIA’s downfall shows him vomit a blue coloured liquid, despite trying to purify his soul with the gold his insides have become blue. The blueness of his soul mirrors the lyrics of the song, as he has been neglectful. He then burns up for his sins.
The mv ends with an ominous image of Junsu atop a digitally altered horse. The almost terrifying creature feels reminiscent of the thestrals that can be seen in Harry Potter. XIA has a title track named after the Harry Potter dancing feet spell, Tarantallegra. Thestrals are sentient creatures, highly perceptive and intelligent, though seen as dangerous and terrifying for their association with death and their grim appearance.
Flower explores the flaws in humanity as whole and individual. It is a beautifully deep visual and one of the best to come from Kpop for a long time.
Other video highlights this week include:
- Boyfriend’s Alice In Wonderland themed Bounce
- The beautiful live performance of We Know by Yang Da Il and Junkey
- The SMRookie’s Bassbot dance video
- B.I and Bobby show off their skills in a NONAGON ad
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