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E’LAST - Swear MV
Analysis and Theory; a long thread
Analysis and Theory; a long thread
In this thread, I will assume that for the purpose of the storyline, the members have been split into the following pairs:
Yejun - Romin
Wonjun - Choi In
Baekgyeul - Rano
Seungyeop - Wonhyuk
Yejun - Romin
Wonjun - Choi In
Baekgyeul - Rano
Seungyeop - Wonhyuk
Yejun and RominIn the first scene, we see Yejun in an abandoned room, messy and overgrown with plants. We also see a measuring tape, that’s been left there. Yejun accuses someone of promising “not to change” and “never to leave”.
The scene changes to a brightly lit room and someone using the aforementioned measuring tape. It is Romin, who might have been a tailor.
His lyrics “The swear/oath you promised me is just a matter of time to go and forget it” could mean that promises will eventually be forgotten when enough time passes and are therefore made empty in the first place.
During the chorus, we can see Yejun picking up the measuring tape and carefully putting it away, perhaps treasuring the passion Romin once had.
So what happened between Yejun and Romin? Why did Romin leave and give up on being a tailor?
We do not get an answer to this in the MV, however we bear witness to the moment Romin goes through a change.
We see him gazing out of a window when the light fades like a closed curtain
We do not get an answer to this in the MV, however we bear witness to the moment Romin goes through a change.
We see him gazing out of a window when the light fades like a closed curtain
Whatever Romin sees in his reflection, he wants to change and makes a decision (To leave? To break his promise to Yejun? To quit being a tailor?) when yanking off his bow tie.
Many questions remain unanswered.
Many questions remain unanswered.
However, Yejun is the one that cannot forget Romin/Romin’s promise, still seeing him in his own reflection.
Wonjun and Choi InWonjun and Choi In are seen in the same room as Yejun and Romin, Choi In in what might be the “past” (brightly lit) and Wonjun in the “future” (overgrown and messy)
Similar to Yejun before, Wonjun talks about a promise that has been made to him in the past. Choi In seems to have sworn to always stay by his side.
Wonjun’s lyrics “Destiny is treachery” and “my endless battle, my hustle towards you” could connect to Yejun’s part before. He seems to have been chasing after Choi In desperately, much like Yejun has been thinking of Romin, but the other has broken his promise to him.
Choi In is seen dancing in the beginning, so he might have been a dancer in the past.
During the chorus, Wonhyuk emphasizes that “a vain dream is gone” and “everything was buried in the past” while Choi In dances. Perhaps he gave up on his passion (dancing) like Romin did.
During the chorus, Wonhyuk emphasizes that “a vain dream is gone” and “everything was buried in the past” while Choi In dances. Perhaps he gave up on his passion (dancing) like Romin did.
Choi In sitting on the floor with an almost desperate expression could be the moment he gave up, ultimately breaking his promise to Wonjun.
Baekgyeul and RanoInterestingly, Baekgyeul and Rano have very similar settings, further underlining my theory that all the members are intended to appear as pairs
Both are seen in a rather simple setting, the centerpiece being a clock
The clock is stuck on 9:04am or 9:04pm for both, Baekgyeul and Rano.
While Baekgyeul is circling the encased clock with interest, Rano is sitting under it reading a book, almost apathetic to its existence.
While Baekgyeul is circling the encased clock with interest, Rano is sitting under it reading a book, almost apathetic to its existence.
Rano’s lyrics “I am stuck living in the past” and “I’ve lost the memories of you, I hope you erase them quickly” seem to contradict at first, but his second verse “What's all about me and you is over, what I still want is a miracle of you and me” +
could be interpreted as wishing for a second chance. While their initial encounter ended in parting, he now hopes for a “miracle of you and me”, meaning an opportunity to meet again.
During Baekgyeul’s part, a comparison to a bubble is made. It is not revealed whether this refers to the aforementioned promises, relationships or moments together. It emphasizes that whatever is being referred to is fragile, transient and can disappear in a second, like a bubble
Seungyeop and WonhyukOut of all the pairs, the settings of Seungyeop and Wonhyuk are the least alike
Seungyeop is standing in a black abyss, many unfamiliar people passing him, while Wonhyuk is laying in a fantastical meadow.
Seungyeop reveals that he has memories that he cannot forget. Wonhyuk agrees that he remembers him, but does not miss to add that “You erased everything and left me”, much like the accusations of Yejun and Wonjun earlier
To sum the “story” up, my impression is that the members have made promises to each other, but they were broken for reasons that remain unknown. Some members seem reluctant to face the past, while others are hoping for a fresh start or at least for fixing what’s been broken.
The MV works with contrasts such as light and dark, sun and moon, up and down, old and new and therefore creates two separate universes/worlds/timelines. The eight members are split into these worlds, which is highlighted by this set of pictures in the MV.
Time traveling or at least the thought of correcting past mistakes seems to be a central motive of the MV as the hourglass and the clock are shown throughout the video multiple times. At the end of the video, Seungyeop’s clock surprisingly starts working again and we see +
the broken hourglass from Choi In’s scene fix itself again. This could be a hint that it is indeed possible to “rewind time” and correct the past mistakes that have separated the members from each other.
These are only my first impressions, as we have yet to see more of +
These are only my first impressions, as we have yet to see more of +
their storyline. I will make an updated thread with my theories once E’LAST have had their comeback, so take all of this with a grain of salt and let me know what you agree/disagree with:)
Thank you for reading this monster of a thread!
Thank you for reading this monster of a thread!
