i live so i love: a closer look at love as a musical theme | ft. RM, Colde, Sion & Wave to Earth

 i live so i love: a closer look at <love> as a musical theme | ft. RM, Colde, Sion & Wave to Earth 

by desi | 데지 (intrbloo)

Love is a primitive emotion ingrained in our very beings, a theme universally embedded in art alike. The innate characteristic of this complex sentiment is embodied in our everyday actions, as love materializes in various shapes and forms all around us, epitomizing what it means to be alive. To be human. To live life. Even as we see and feel this phenomenon occurring introspectively, a physical representation of this relationship between love and life is the acclaimed tool of expression: language. As a self-proclaimed maven of the romantic genre in literature and film, but especially music, the deep-seated connection between these two words and the widely commercial existence of love in various artistic spaces had me contemplate the importance of this emotion on a larger scale. I took a closer look at the works of, who I would consider, some of the most romantic and 사랑스러운 (lovely[?]) artists in the Korean scene: RM (Kim Namjoon), Colde (Kim Heesu), Sion (Jung Sion), and Wave to Earth (Kim Daniel, Cha Soonjong, Shin Donggyu). 

Why is love necessary? 

Colde’s Blue Room / Trivia: Love: Although they’ve both frequently and openly discussed the importance of love to them in their artistic practices, Colde sat down with Namjoon through his online series, Blue Room, to discuss the topic in more depth. The conclusion to the question above is that love manifests itself through even the most fundamental and core human experiences: from the setting of the sun to the rising of the moon, the passing of time, and the inevitable changes we undergo. Just as flowers simply exist, love is in and around us all. However, while we may find ourselves surrounded by it, how do we live it? The importance of language is explored in RM’s song “Trivia: Love,” which utilizes the overlapping characteristics of the words “love” and “human” in Korean to create witty wordplay and catchy melodies. Assessing the languages English, German, and Korean, which I am personally related to, we see the difference of only one character each differentiating the words love and live; lieben (to love) and leben (to live); 사랑 (love) and 사람 (person). However, Namjoon not only underscores the physicalities of these nouns but rather uses them as a metaphor for the ways we love: “I’m just a human [사람] / You erode all my corners /  And make me into love [사랑]”. With this background, we come to analyze the various types of love within ourselves as we exist in our daily lives.

love = romance

I Fxxking Love You: When presented with the word <love> the first mental image for many is romantic love. The comfort of a significant other, the warmth of a lover, the support of a life partner. The representation of such love is the most prominent in media and illustrates a beautiful connection between two souls. The prequel album in Colde’s love series, “Love Part. 1,” opens with a track titled “Love is a Flower,” revealing a calm yet whimsical instrumental, enveloping readers in a fantastical nostalgic atmosphere, setting the tone for the project’s overall ambiance. While the sentiment is often approached through such gentle instrumentals and symbolic metaphors, there is something particularly notable about Colde’s “사랑해 (I Fxxking Love You)” which quite assertively counters the traditional sound. Not only does it act as an explicit confession of love, through both its language and direct emotional declaration, but the edgy groove in the production proves an alternative to the typical “love song”. The straightforward chorus illustrates how easy and natural it can be to love, and how even the most poetic, tender emotions are sometimes best delivered via simple and direct language. While some may find this explicit declaration jarring or unromantic, I personally see it as a charming, raw expression of a complex, all-consuming passion that is already difficult to put into words. 

Love songs have been around for centuries and have adapted in many ways to remain unique and relevant. Be it through quirky metaphors or unconventional production, finding fresh ways to tell love stories is the key to keeping it authentic and relatable. In a documentary following the release of their first full-length project, 0.1 flaws and all, Wave to Earth members described the process of exploring love within themselves and translating that into their music. The result is an album transcending traditional notions of love and authorizing the possibility of personal interpretation. The lyrics in track “sunny days,” reads “We melt this love and recreate it / As we imagine it,” articulating the blurring of boundaries and acceptance of diverse relationships; be it romantic or platonic love. Let’s explore this idea more:

love = friendship

Bad: Wave to Earth’s album opens with the track “bad,” which exemplifies seemingly obvious romantic overtones through its bright instrumentals and playful melodies. However, there is something so beautifully diverse in the chorus “How could my day be bad when I’m with you,” which innocently simplifies the deep emotions we may feel when with loved ones; from family and friends to partners, and even pets. The song illustrates how even the most candid moments in one's life are made meaningful in the company of love: “coffee in the morning,” the sun reflecting in one’s eyes, holding hands, walks in the park, etc. The down-to-earth candor of the song's lyrics illustrates the innate tenderness in our hearts and the desire to share happy memories with others. Even the detail of life being boring when cooped up in your room alone watching TV, versus the pure happiness and dynamic spirit of simply existing in the presence of loved ones. This of course is not to say that we cannot feel fulfilled in alone-time, or that “watching Netflix all day long” is fundamentally boring. Rather, it highlights the human need for love and belonging, which often stems from the relationships and bonds made with those around us. While the song was likely produced with a romantic relationship in mind, demonstrated in lines “I think I’m in love” and “We already know that we’ll be together,” interpreting the track more loosely will allow for a fresh, less direct diegesis that can apply to diverse relationships. “Bad” represents the beauty in simplicity and the connection between human bond and happiness. 

love = me

Calla: While we’ve discussed the beauty in embracing others, it’s equally important to find such connections within ourselves, through self-love. This is arguably one of the hardest forms of love to build up and navigate, but certainly the strongest once a solid foundation is formed. For many (myself included), BTS’s “Love Yourself” trilogy acted as a stepping stone into the world of self-acceptance and established the fundamental beginnings of this personal journey: it is not selfish to love yourself. In fact, to wholeheartedly love another, we must first have a stable self-identity. Inevitably, though, we may find rational thoughts trapped in the clouds during moments of hardship, which is where “calla” by Wave to Earth has saved me countless times. This song is so heavily engrained in my journey of understanding the ups and downs of life and accepting that our flaws and imperfections will not ruin us. Rather, we have the opportunity to “grow back” and try again, just as calla lilies grow, become dormant, and regrow/blossom into the beautiful flowers we love. Whether through our own efforts or with the help of loved ones around us, we can always “blow the clouds away” and ground ourselves once again. The melancholy tone of the track holds a tenderness that mirrors the delicate approach to self-reflection and honors the sensitivity needed when cherishing our own vulnerability. This analysis of “calla” is very dear to me, and becomes rooted deeper within my soul through every listen, so I hope the interpretation can help others who may be struggling personally.

love = union

Your Dog Loves You: Another unconventional yet beautiful relationship is that between humans and animals. Colde’s “Your Dog Loves You” illustrates the simple yet heart-wrenching and relatable love we have for our pets. The detail of matching footsteps while on a walk is reminiscent of the innocence in “bad,” and illustrates similarities in love despite the very different circumstances. The lyric “Even if we don’t exchange words /  As we look at each other you smile for me” expresses how love unconventionally transcends language. Just as many of these Korean songs have reached the hearts of international listeners, there is a magical charm established within love that connects us all. The dreamy blend of the acoustic guitar and soft vocals of the singer come together as a heart-warming symbol of affection. The melody is hypnotizing and has acted as my wake-up call (morning alarm) for 5 years since its release.

love = love 

Evening Glow: A beautiful interpretation of Wave to Earth’s “evening glow” (and their whole 0.1 flaws and all album, for that matter) shared by another amazing writer, Shreya (@niellvague), is that the song illustrates “a mix between sadness and denial over being hurt by someone you love.” She also writes that the singer hopes “the hurt this person caused them may lessen as they try and hold on to the glow of the setting sun, to the beauty of their fading love.” This analysis charmingly captures the song’s sorrowful aura and describes the complicated reality of going through hard times in a relationship. A similar sentiment can be applied to love itself, as a journey and as an emotion. Falling in love, falling out of love, feeling love for people and things; simply loving love for what it is. A journey of exploration, change, and growth. We may find ourselves changing and growing differently from our life partners, potentially resulting in parting ways – breaking up, letting go, distancing from one another. But this doesn’t make the love you felt at the time any less valuable, real, or important. People enter our lives for many reasons, teaching us lessons about life or ourselves. Their role in our lives may shift, change, or even come to a close. There is a sentimentality in accepting that not all love will last forever; that pain may be part of the journey, and that there is beauty in our imperfections that lets us cherish these dynamic memories, even when we have to let go. The love we have given and received, ongoing or finished, helps us love better, stronger, and smarter henceforth. Just as the evening turns to night, leaving us for the next day, the beautiful glow of the moon melts into the sun and welcomes another moment of warmth and comfort into our lives. 

love = hate? 

Seoul: While love is beautiful, it can also be really painful, creating a strange ambivalence between love and hate. If this is love, why does it hurt so bad? RM illustrates this relationship in his song “seoul,” from his 2018 project mono. This song not only introduces a new subject of love – a location, a symbol of home – but also another angle at the complexity of this emotion. The bitterness of growing up and remembering our struggles mixed with the nostalgia of those memories and fondness of overcoming such hardships, may leave our brains jumbled and confused. “If love and hate are the same words / I love you, Seoul / If love and hate are the same words / I hate you, Seoul.” While love can equal happiness, warmth, and comfort it can just as easily be bitterness, resentment, and hate. These words exist on a muddled plane, often making it difficult to distinguish which we are experiencing.

love = memories

Scent / Comedy: Memories come back to us in various ways, including our five senses. We may taste a familiar flavor, feel a nostalgic fabric, hear an unforgettable tune, or see a friendly face. But scent that lingers can be a subtle call-back to moments in our arsenal. Scents associated with our childhood or loved ones can instantly spark a warmth within, while other aromas can trigger very different emotions. “향 (Scent)” by singer Colde displays the sweet and innocent side through the lyrics “You smell like love,” while Sion’s “comedy” displays a very contrasting message. “Kids will love my scent / But they will not notice that everything they smell is a piece of broken love.” Through both his debut EP, love, and subsequent release, live, Sion’s approach to the sentiment carries very bitter and spiteful undertones. Comedy describes the realization that one has been toyed with, and wondering if your pain and heartache are funny to them. It displays how wicked people will manipulate genuine vulnerability for their own amusement, and spin it against the victim to distort memories. 

love = sacrifice

Love. / Love Makes Me Jealous: We’ve all heard phrases like “with love comes sacrifice” or “communication and compromise are key for a strong relationship.” Such is true due to the complex nature of love, as illustrated in “사랑으로 (love.)”. While many in-depth analyses of this song exist, I would like to dwell on a few points. The line “Love between people / Everyone gathers together / Hoping for eternity” depicts the innate longing for love we discussed previously. However, a lovely detail in this song highlighted by Shreya, is the unconventional pitch carried throughout the whole track, conveying that through love we may “subvert [our] own comforts and expectations if it means it’d make them happy.” In this case, the “quirks and imperfections” of the song are wholeheartedly embraced by listeners and fans, while symbolically personal differences may be cherished and valued by one’s partner. Hardships and struggles may also manifest, in which sacrifices and compromises must be made for the relationship to continue blossoming. In Colde’s “휴지통 (Love Makes Me Jealous),” the metaphor of a computer “trash bin” is used to essentially convey the message <I want to be a comfort for you and delete all your painful memories, leaving your (computer) memory full of only happiness>. The unique analogy underlines how we may sacrifice ourselves to take on the weight and burden of a loved one if it means relieving some of their struggles. 

love = bitterness

Sunburn: WTE’s “sunburn” represents the delayed realization of being hurt by someone; registering too late that the warm, sunny days you’ve experienced have ultimately led to this painful consequence and inevitably painted a negative “smoky haze” over the entire memory. This bitterness comes from a sense of betrayal, clouding one’s rational thoughts, and bringing forth recurring doubt about every last detail. Did I apply sunblock? (Maybe I was too trusting?) How long was I in the sun for? (I should have been careful.) Maybe I got too carried away. Such thoughts can consume you, and serve as a key event in your life’s timeline – a memory of your pain, and a reminder to never allow it to happen again. “Dust all around / Suffocating me / Can’t escape this ground, yeah / Feels like the dust is a part of me, yeah.” 

love = paralysis

Cutlery Collector: Another distorted image of love is depicted in Sion’s “cutlery collector,” in which the effects of manipulation have resulted in paralysis – a deafening isolation and extreme numbness in one’s own brain and body. The lyrics are incredibly jarring and almost disturbing, as the singer displays “cutting me open and switching my insides” as well as “chopped off heart that is served on plates,” illustrating a very twisted state of mind. In the chorus, it is highlighted that the singer had no idea they were being stabbed in the back until it was too late, the effects of this leaving a lifelong imprint. Interestingly, this song is included in Sion’s first EP, love, once again highlighting the blurred dichotomy between love and hate. One can feel so intoxicated by love, soaring high in the sky, that when the crash of reality hits, it fluctuates between pain, anger, and absolute apathy.

love = obsession

Knowledge Addict: Even when you’ve been countlessly hurt and destroyed by someone, you may find yourself wanting to justify their actions. Coming back again and again, wanting to understand why they would do what they did in an attempt to compensate and put the pieces back together. Sometimes people are willing to give 100% of themselves without expecting anything in return, sacrificing themselves completely for something they think is love: “I am on drugs, mentally hollow and not belonging to this universe / Still, I wanna be a part of you” Sion sings in his song money machine. This idea of wanting to know everything about a partner becomes a vicious, all-consuming cycle of reliving the hurt and betrayal, and despite knowing it’s toxic, staying by their side regardless because it is all that you know. This exact story is conveyed in the aforementioned singer’s “knowledge addict.” The lyrics are very straightforward and leave a lingering ache in listeners’ hearts at the deliberate ignorance exhibited by the protagonist. (1) “Seeing the truth right in front of my mind / Keep on denying” (2) “My pores, my blood is still on drugs / Still addicted to your love / Even if I want to get out / Of this nightmare it won't stop” and notably, Verse 3, which perfectly captures these contradicting voices (3) “I shoulda known that loving you / Is painfully beautiful / That you'd make me believe you love me / To amplify the truth / I couldn't stop researchin' / When I found a glimpse of a clue / That you're a cheater / Still I love you even if it's so foolish”. 

love = life

Lies: Finally, in Sion’s song “lies,” the chorus reads “Hurting, bleeding / Dying of our relationships and troubles that are painted in red colors / Oh, please die.” Often associated with passionate love, strength, and sacrifice, the color red can also symbolize the deadly superstition of writing one’s name in red ink. An action originally done out of love, can come back to bite you, illustrating once again the overlap between the cycle of love and the cycle of life. 

Love is a beautiful, complex, and personal experience that is somehow so relatable and shared, making it the perfect foundation to create unique and diverse art that touches the hearts of many. While love may not always last forever, and potentially leave us with scars and bruises along the way, it will always find its way back to us and make us feel alive again. The good, the bad; the ups and the downs; happiness and even resentment. It’s within us all, from the moment we are born, to the moment we leave this earth. To love is to live. And to live is to love.