why side effects' concept as a whole is absolutely genius: an elaborate thread https://twitter.com/onlynoneof/status/1305596053446516736

i'm gonna separate this into 3 parts: medication/illness metaphor, mv plot, song/mv vibe & atmosphere

part 1:

so we all know the lyrics are about the effects of having too much confidence and how it can damage you in the long run. nothing too crazy at first, except for the metaphor about taking pills that cause side effects

during the beat drop, we hear a voice in the background saying something like "side effects include nervousness, insomnia, nausea, agitation, anxiety, sweating, visual problems, headaches, weight loss." this adds to the theme of illness

if you look up how film makers use color to manipulate emotion, you'll quickly find that yellow can be used to express feelings that are in alignment with the song's theme. an abundance of yellow was used in the mv, and not just because the album was called yellow wood

part 2: mv plot

in the very beginning we see the boys at a bus stop, while a bus drives off. perhaps they've been waiting there, maybe the bus just dropped them off, we aren't sure. the only thing we know for sure is that they aren't using the help the bus could offer

and they instead begin their journey in this flimsy cart thing. this was their mistake, where they "swallowed pills called baseless confidence." they choose not to accept the help of the bus, and try to do themselves what they really can't do

the gas almost empty is a symbol of their lacking ability in proportion to their high confidence

another sign of recklessness and misplaced belief that nothing will go wrong: felix climbing around on the cart, while hyunjin tries to stop him from getting hurt

there's the conflict between seungmin and hyunjin, when seungmin tries to photograph their surroundings like they're on a fun vacation. again we see hyunjin expressing dislike for the other boys' careless attitudes. perhaps he's different and knows something they don't

night falls, their journey has been long, and a tire on the cart eventually gives out. this is when they start to realize they can't do everything the way they wanted to. they encounter the bus from the beginning of the mv, and finally accept its help and safety

part 3: atmosphere and vibe

side effects is a song with a suspenseful, ominous feeling that adds to the story and makes the listener feel that something is about to go deeply wrong- or already has. it's a unique vibe for a kpop song, whether u hate it or love it

there's also some really cool imagery in the mv that heightens the ominous mood and almost makes the experience a little scary. the entire concept is elaborately done and just plain excellent, if you take the time to understand it

end of thread