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✹ VICTON • metaphors & symbols in their discography [a thread] . * . ° ✦
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First of all I wanna say that this thread will be my personal analysis. It’s not the absolute truth since it’s based on my own interpretation & synthesis.
Although I will try to be as fair as possible, it’s just one possible analysis as a fan. Don't take it as "the truth".
Although I will try to be as fair as possible, it’s just one possible analysis as a fan. Don't take it as "the truth".
This thread will be organized chronologically, which means that we will go from 2016 to 2020 gradually. Although sometimes I would skip from one year to another if there's nothing to comment.
METAPHORS AND FIGURES:
It’s important to say that most of the times Seungwoo & Hanse have participated in the writing process, which means that they’ve been in control of their lyrics.
Since Kpop is not just about music but a mix of a lot things, their music is conceptual.
It’s important to say that most of the times Seungwoo & Hanse have participated in the writing process, which means that they’ve been in control of their lyrics.
Since Kpop is not just about music but a mix of a lot things, their music is conceptual.
Saying that, I don't think they’ve been trying to make connections within their songs since their debut.
I think they've taken some of their original motives & they’ve developed new meanings by creating an analogy of ideas.
That’s why some of their songs are connected.
I think they've taken some of their original motives & they’ve developed new meanings by creating an analogy of ideas.
That’s why some of their songs are connected.
(2017) - Sunrise
It’s a break up song, and although it can be considered as a romantic relationship that is going to end, I just wanted to point it out because there’s a contrast between light and darkness, that’s also a recurrent image in their lyrics.
It’s a break up song, and although it can be considered as a romantic relationship that is going to end, I just wanted to point it out because there’s a contrast between light and darkness, that’s also a recurrent image in their lyrics.
The song talks about struggling in a relationship, although the speaker is trying to leave the sad memories behind by going together to see the “sunrise”.
Sunrise is a metaphor for a safe place for them, where they can leave everything behind and start again.
Sunrise is a metaphor for a safe place for them, where they can leave everything behind and start again.
(2017) - LIGHT
I've a LOT to comment about this song. It’s known that victon themselves have shown a great interest in this song.
When Seungwoo was not with them, it was one of the most emotional songs to perform.
I've a LOT to comment about this song. It’s known that victon themselves have shown a great interest in this song.
When Seungwoo was not with them, it was one of the most emotional songs to perform.
This song talks about going through hardships and enduring the pain by holding on to a ray of light, in other words, a silver lining also known as HOPE.
Generally speaking, this song clearly shows how much they struggled back then, working hard without being recognized for it.
Generally speaking, this song clearly shows how much they struggled back then, working hard without being recognized for it.
Although the meaning seems a little bit sad, I’d rather say that it’s an encouraging song!
There will be hardships along the way, but staying together by being each other’s light will help us to go through it. There’s a happy ending although it will take us time.
There will be hardships along the way, but staying together by being each other’s light will help us to go through it. There’s a happy ending although it will take us time.
Back in September 2019, when Victon held a fanmeeting as a 'welcome greeting' to Alice, announcing they would be back as a group. Seungwoo sent a video to them wishing them luck in their new start, but he also said:
Because I don’t wanna cut onions in here by posting the video and seeing them all crying, instead of that I will use this BEAUTIFUL fan art made by @ulthanseungwoo
SUNRISE & LIGHT:
Seungwoo’s verse in 'light' says:
“I was always walking in a place where the sun set”
There’s a contrast between using the sunset (as a representation of darkness, hardships) vs the sunrise (light, a new start).
Seungwoo’s verse in 'light' says:
“I was always walking in a place where the sun set”
There’s a contrast between using the sunset (as a representation of darkness, hardships) vs the sunrise (light, a new start).
Let’s remember that 'sunrise' was about enduring the hardships (just as 'light') by going together to see the sunrise.
There’s always a glimmer of hope for them, by forgetting the sad memories & creating new ones.
There’s always a glimmer of hope for them, by forgetting the sad memories & creating new ones.
I think both songs share the same symbols, maybe it wasn't intended but as they were going through a lot (back in 2017), they related to this in a deeper meaning.
Like ‘hey we’re working hard & maybe we’re not getting recognized! But we will someday. Just keep going'
Like ‘hey we’re working hard & maybe we’re not getting recognized! But we will someday. Just keep going'
TRILOGY OF SONGS: SYMBOLS, IMAGES & METAPHORS
There are 3 things to take into consideration while analyzing these tree songs ('Time of Sorrow', 'Farewell' & 'Petal')
Seasons
Flowers
Mood
There are 3 things to take into consideration while analyzing these tree songs ('Time of Sorrow', 'Farewell' & 'Petal')
Seasons Flowers Mood
TIME OF SORROW
Let’s start by saying that this is more generally known in the fandom since it’s more OBVIOUS but first of all I will start by explaining 'Time Of Sorrow' and all the story behind the song.
Let’s start by saying that this is more generally known in the fandom since it’s more OBVIOUS but first of all I will start by explaining 'Time Of Sorrow' and all the story behind the song.
Back in 2018, Victon released 'Time of Sorrow' as their last chance as a group. It was a disbandment song, you just have to read the lyrics to notice that.
BUT they couldn’t really say anything about it (i guess the company didn’t want it to address it publicly).
BUT they couldn’t really say anything about it (i guess the company didn’t want it to address it publicly).
What’s more sad about this it's that they also did a 'farewell fan meeting', without telling Alices that was their last public appearance for a long time.
Chan recognized that he felt sorry for saying “see you soon” when they knew they were going into a hiatus for a long time.
Chan recognized that he felt sorry for saying “see you soon” when they knew they were going into a hiatus for a long time.
The song starts by saying “I miss you I leave you”
I would called this as an oxymoron of ideas, which means that two contrary ideas are used together.
You can’t say ‘I miss you’ and right next to that ‘I leave you' right? It doesn't make sense.
I would called this as an oxymoron of ideas, which means that two contrary ideas are used together.
You can’t say ‘I miss you’ and right next to that ‘I leave you' right? It doesn't make sense.
The song goes on by comparing the “parting” to a “spring breeze”. Again, two ideas that seem contrary are used together.
Parting [negative]
Spring breeze [positive]
Parting [negative] Spring breeze [positive]
Chan’s part starts by saying: “following the petals that are blown away”
This can be seen as a metaphor for “cherry blossom” like in the video, as another symbol to resemble the spring. But it can also means another thing.
This can be seen as a metaphor for “cherry blossom” like in the video, as another symbol to resemble the spring. But it can also means another thing.
There’s a common say in Korean that goes “Let’s walk a flower road”; resembling following a path of grace, happiness and success all together.
By saying: “following the petals that are blown away”, the meaning is completely different.
By saying: “following the petals that are blown away”, the meaning is completely different.
Instead of following a path surrounded by flowers, they're following the flowing petals of that path. Therefore they're leaving that path behind.
Since the petals are flowing away, there's not a strict road for them to follow.
Since the petals are flowing away, there's not a strict road for them to follow.
Hanse’s rap reinforces this contrast/ambiguity of ideas.
He says that "Love is faith, consideration, forgiveness and understanding but time is a fool that it’s a contradiction."
Time is represented as the seasons changing, although they’re in spring, it is a ‘dead blossom’
He says that "Love is faith, consideration, forgiveness and understanding but time is a fool that it’s a contradiction."
Time is represented as the seasons changing, although they’re in spring, it is a ‘dead blossom’
Spring resembles life, but here it’s a dead blossom. Spring is dying.
If we go back to the first part when they used “parting” & “spring breeze” together, this makes TOTAL sense. Spring is not a positive element in here.
The circle of life is inverted.
If we go back to the first part when they used “parting” & “spring breeze” together, this makes TOTAL sense. Spring is not a positive element in here.
The circle of life is inverted.
In the circle of life, nature is 'circular' in the sense that it regenerates and dies continuously.
Spring (creation of life)
Summer (life at its best)
Autumn (the decline of life)
Winter (death per se)
Spring (creation of life) Summer (life at its best) Autumn (the decline of life) Winter (death per se)
Seungwoo’s part says:
"Like the old season
I hope you'll come back"
Resembling the circular motion of life, waiting for a new regeneration. But instead of referring to spring (as the more common symbol for life), he refers to the old season, WINTER.
Again, oxymorons.
"Like the old season
I hope you'll come back"
Resembling the circular motion of life, waiting for a new regeneration. But instead of referring to spring (as the more common symbol for life), he refers to the old season, WINTER.
Again, oxymorons.
The next song I’m going to analyze is 'FAREWELL', but first I need to explain a couple of things about the conceptual construction of this album.
Because believe it or not, IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT.
Because believe it or not, IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT.
Nostalgia was released in 2019 after a long hiatus. This was after the produce series where Seungwoo and Byungchan took part.
As a result of that, as you all know, Seungwoo debuted in a new group and Victon continued their activities as 6 members.
As a result of that, as you all know, Seungwoo debuted in a new group and Victon continued their activities as 6 members.
The Album is called 'NOSTALGIA', there’re two versions of the album:
'nostos' & 'algos' (which is basically the compounding process of this word from greek; the final combination between these two creates the word 'Nostalgia')
'nostos' & 'algos' (which is basically the compounding process of this word from greek; the final combination between these two creates the word 'Nostalgia')
'Nostos' from Ancient Greek, is a recurrent theme used in Ancient Greek literature which includes an epic hero who’s able to return back home.
The hero was recognized publicly, as an act of heroism for those who managed to come back after facing all kind of dangers & hardships.
The hero was recognized publicly, as an act of heroism for those who managed to come back after facing all kind of dangers & hardships.
On the contrary ‘Algos’ is the plural form of ‘pain’ in Greek.
As a result, "NOSTALGIA" is ‘a feeling of pleasure and also slightly sadness when you think about things that happened in the past’
As a result, "NOSTALGIA" is ‘a feeling of pleasure and also slightly sadness when you think about things that happened in the past’
To sum it up, going through hardships, facing them and being able to “come back home” after all that have happened in the past, but having bittersweet feelings between relief and pain because you’ve struggled a lot.
It's obvious right?
It's obvious right?
I could go on by saying a lot of things about that. Like the “hero” metaphor here, what really saved the group, how it’s really hard to feel like a winner when you’ve also left something (or someone) behind…
Anyways let’s continue!
Anyways let’s continue!
Although NOSTALGIC NIGHT is a song about wanting to be with your lover one more night, basically a romantic song.
I wanted to point it out that the song begins with Byungchan’s verse saying:
“I miss you, I miss you, I miss you”
I wanted to point it out that the song begins with Byungchan’s verse saying:
“I miss you, I miss you, I miss you”
LET'S REMEMBER that the last song they released before their hiatus was “Time of Sorrow” which also starts by saying “I miss you”, but goes on by saying ‘I leave you’.
Interesting right?
Interesting right?
In poetry, when there’s repetition of words, it’s also a way of emphasizing something. In nostalgic night they’re retaking their last narrative, but there’s not ‘I leave you’ right after saying 'i miss you'
Now it’s just the feeling of missing someone.
Now it’s just the feeling of missing someone.
I find it really beautiful how they started their new beginning by retaking the narrative right where they left it before the hiatus.
It's a way of saying, "I missed you and I'm sorry."
It's a way of saying, "I missed you and I'm sorry."
'FAREWELL'
This song is literally a “last goodbye” to Seungwoo. I don’t find another meaning apart from that.
Hanse’s part starts by saying:
"Even if the scattered petals fall in front of my feet
It’s ok to step on it, even if it’s really far away for a moment"
This song is literally a “last goodbye” to Seungwoo. I don’t find another meaning apart from that.
Hanse’s part starts by saying:
"Even if the scattered petals fall in front of my feet
It’s ok to step on it, even if it’s really far away for a moment"
The "flowing petals" of Time of Sorrow are spread, they’ve flown away. They’re no longer following them, they’ve accepted that they’re gone.
But it also points out to the fact, that Seungwoo is starting from zero again, and that he has the right to follow that petals too.
But it also points out to the fact, that Seungwoo is starting from zero again, and that he has the right to follow that petals too.
Hanse goes on by saying:
He’s using the same narrative as in 'Time of Sorrow', but now the spring is 'fresh', the spring is no longer a ‘dead blossom’.
There’s continuity, there’s again a circular motion because “life” has started again.
After spring there will be summer, autumn and winter.
There’s continuity, there’s again a circular motion because “life” has started again.
After spring there will be summer, autumn and winter.
I think it’s obvious to say this but I think Hanse is embracing their new beginning, although he recognizes that there’s death in their new beginning too (the fact the song is called farewell).
It is a nostalgic song, sadness and happiness are connected after all.
It is a nostalgic song, sadness and happiness are connected after all.
This song is also a mixture of feelings, contradictions within feeling grateful for having a new beginning but also being unable to leave the pain behind.
This song is very painful yet so hopeful! I can’t express it in another way.
This song is very painful yet so hopeful! I can’t express it in another way.
'PETAL'
'Petal' is part of CONTINUOUS, which is an album that’s being recognized as the following story of NOSTALGIA.
Do you see the pattern? Regeneration, continuity, life & death, etc.
'Petal' is part of CONTINUOUS, which is an album that’s being recognized as the following story of NOSTALGIA.
Do you see the pattern? Regeneration, continuity, life & death, etc.
I’ve seen a lot of theories related to the mv of “Howling”, as Seungwoo falling what’s supposed to be “the rabbit whole” and entering wonderland again. But I’m not going further into that because it’s not my own theory.
Petal is full of the imagery they’ve been continuously using since TIME OF SORROW back in 2018. This song is composed by Seungwoo, Seungsik and Hanse btw.
Seungwoo’s opening lines say:
Seungwoo’s opening lines say:
Winter has always been their starting point, let’s say that it resembles life. For example, in Farewell, in Hanse’s verse he’s greeting winter by saying “hello”
Spring was their “almost disband season” but Seungwoo recognize it now as “our warm spring was always just as happy”
Spring was their “almost disband season” but Seungwoo recognize it now as “our warm spring was always just as happy”
I see it as a new change of symbols, as a new narrative. Spring was hard, but now we’re together in spring and it seems like both (Winter and Spring) are a safe place too.
As some kind of reconciliation with past feelings, as a way of leaving the sad memories behind.
As some kind of reconciliation with past feelings, as a way of leaving the sad memories behind.
The song goes on by saying:
“Flowers cannot always be in full blown beautifully all throughout four seasons”
Again, they’ll be hardships but we’ll overcome them together.
“Flowers cannot always be in full blown beautifully all throughout four seasons”
Again, they’ll be hardships but we’ll overcome them together.
It’s obvious right? Now THERE’S A FLOWERY PATH!!! they’re walking together trough this path of happiness and success. There are no longer “flowing petals”.
They’re in the right way, together.
They’re in the right way, together.
The whole song is an answer to Time Of Sorrow, it’s obvious.
All the elements they used back then are there, but the symbolism has evolved into something completely different.
All the elements they used back then are there, but the symbolism has evolved into something completely different.
The motives have changed, they’re no longer sad connotations. These symbols are nostalgic memories that they can say “bye bye bye”.
They’re embracing those memories and parting together towards a new beginning. They literally say:
They’re embracing those memories and parting together towards a new beginning. They literally say:
END OF THE ANALYSIS
What I wanted to do with this thread was to show you how they’ve overcome all the hardships. They’ve gone through a lot, but it’s so magical how they’ve changed the narrative from sadness to hope, and at the end by reaching happiness.
Let's walk in a flowery path all together for a long time. 
