#Uaena

[edaenys]

2023.12 - illustration inspired by iu

[neouime]

Love Wins All: An Analysis

Here are my notes for the music video. I have more to say, but it's already two in the morning where I live, and I have been sitting here admiring and contemplating IU's artistry since four hours ago. My butt hurts. I will come here later once I let my thoughts marinate.

There's a cube object chasing after them. - The cube is obviously the antagonist of the story. I have no idea why they chose a cube rather than any other creature or shape. Maybe because the design is simple? I think a cube is a smart choice. It looks like human technology, something man-made. The cube may be an invention that was once intended for the benefit of humankind but ended up becoming an instrument for control. The shape of the cube with its equal sides can represent a system that demands conformity.

IU is mute/deaf (she uses sign language), and Taehyung is blind in one eye. - There is one reading by a Korean UAENA about how they represent people with disabilities. There is one cube targeting IU and Taehyung. No other people are shown, but by the end of the music video, we can see several floating cubes outside the building. We can deduce how the cubes may be specifically searching for individuals like them who are marginalized and in hiding.

There is a scene where IU performs on stage, and black figures point their fingers at her. - IU explicitly declared that the song is dedicated to her loved ones, including her fans. We can interpret the black figures as representing people who spread unnecessary hate (혐오) against artists like IU. (Regardless of context, pointing your fingers in Korean culture is considered rude. It is associated with assigning blame or picking out flaws.)

Both the cube and the people in black are forces that persecute and discriminate, respectively. - This reading stems from the fact that IU is a well-known personality in real life and that her character in the story has disabilities.

While there is a male and female lead, the story and the song are not exclusively romantic. LWA is a fan song. Taehyung represents UAENAs. 

While IU sings on stage, he gives her flowers and looks at her adoringly. - They are able to spend moments both happy and sad by each other's side. At the end of the story, Taehyung stands in front of IU to defend her from the cube and destroy it, while IU comforts him and covers his eyes as they're killed.

The camera and the pile of clothes are details prompting an intertextual reading. - This will be familiar to ARMY, but the pile of clothes is an installation by Christian Boltanski. This does not require further explanation since we can infer what it symbolizes from the story's outcome. On the other hand, the camera is something that is more important to the plot than it seems. It captures only the beautiful and healthy appearance of IU and Taehyung. The Korean UAENA I mentioned earlier said that the camera shows an existence where people with disabilities can live happily. 

The camera shuts down by the end of the music video. - Nothing is recorded, and the memories are lost. But then, how does "love win all?" Okay, we'll look at the lyrics. "찬찬히 너를 두 눈에 담아 한 번 더 편안히 웃어주렴 (With my eyes, I memorize you thoroughly. Let's laugh in peace once more.)

Artists like IU come and go. - For every single and album she releases, IU writes an introduction. For LWA, she sums up the story as a promise to "fade away together splendidly." Also, the lyrics "필연에게서 도망쳐 Run on" appear, which both mean to run away from (도망쳐, to escape) and to run towards the "inevitable." (Korean is not my first language so pardon me if I'm wrong, but I think there's a mistake with the translation provided in the music video. There, the lyrics say "run away from necessity, run on." They use the word necessity, but she's referring to an event that is certain to occur.)

Memories [of their music and their moments with fans] are all lost to history; what matters is to live in the moment. (You don't need a camera to prove that you existed and lived your life.) This aligns with her values as an artist. In her interviews, IU says her goal is to perform (creation rather than chart success).

You may say that the story is tragic because they both die in the end, but they were at peace since they were together. "일부러 나란히 길 잃은 우리 두 사람" (The two of us, side by side, gone astray on purpose). **Edit: IU Team StarCandy on Twitter translated the phrase 길 잃은 우리 as "[we] who took the road less travelled."

I love the lines "너와 슬퍼지고 싶어 My lover" (I want to be sad with you) and "부서지도록 나를 꼭 안아" (Crush me, wrap me tightly in your arms). It illustrates the relationship between IU as an artist and her fans. The song is a declaration of her intention to cherish the good and bad with us. She does not mind even if the pressure of our love sometimes feels intense. She believes love has the power to break you down, but instead, it builds you up. 

Additionally, the line "나와 함께 겁 없이," which is translated as "Will you courageously set with me?" actually more literally translates to "together with me, without fear." There is trust between IU and her lover. In other words, they may not know where the journey leads them, but they consciously choose to walk to it together.

A few more details from the music video that I loved are as follows. I like that the food (the macaron) is connected to memory and joy. It's the end of the world, but they haven't lost their imagination, hope, and ability to delight in each other's presence. In a way, food is crucial to survival in terms of sustenance and because it brings simple pleasure.

After taking a bite, they are transported to a less dreary setting. Their clothes are the same, but they're no longer tattered. Of course, things aren't perfect because while things are more clean, the people themselves remain evil. IU and Taehyung maintain their cheerful disposition even as the black figures appear and surround them.

IU and Taehyung choose to be happy. They dress up and dance around the room despite the reality that everything is still in ruins. (The photo booth is lit in bright, warm colors, while the room outside is cold and blue. Another piece of evidence for this interpretation is that while they're blissfully taking pictures, the strips come out showing Taehyung's milky eyes.)

I also like the alternative explanation for why IU is deaf, and Taehyung is partially blind. - IU performs happily in front of the crowd of black figures. It may mean that she either cannot hear or will not listen to their words of hate. As for Taehyung, he is partially blind to IU's faults. IU (the idol/artist) is the one leading them as they run while Taehyung (their fan) follows, their hands clasped in each other.

Moreover, neither of them speaks throughout the story. Whether IU is deaf or she signs to avoid making noise and risk their capture, I think it's beautiful that they can communicate through gestures. The relationship between fan and artist goes beyond the need for words (which is ironic, too, since we become fans of IU's music before the artist herself. Through her lyrics, we learn of her personality and how she sees the world).

I LOVE their acting. It's almost scarily good how IU can convey her love through her gaze. The smallest details too!! Her softly tapping Taehyung's shoulder to calm him while he tightly grips her hand as they face death? Chills.

Okay, I'm back. I just want to add this:

I said that the song is not exclusively romantic. However, the element of romance is indeed important to the plot. It elevates the story by depicting people (including those with disabilities) finding love even in the middle of hardship. - Their hardship is not the disability itself but rather the prejudices in the world that limit the possibilities they can enjoy.

IU and Taehyung know that the "end" is "inevitable" (she uses both words in her lyrics), and they know that they can only steal these short moments of happiness, but they still try to "look for the opposite of loneliness" (오랜 외로움 그 반대말을 찾아서).

Trivia: IU says that whenever she's stuck with writing a song, she uses the suggestion of a peer (Kim Eana) to look up the meaning of a word in the dictionary. Thus, giving birth to the idea love = opposite of feeling/being alone.

Love as an act of resistance - Viewing a brighter world through the camera, IU wearing the veil, and the pair teasing the black figures (IU sings on the stage despite their jeering and they run around the room) are acts of resistance. They may have a poor imagination (가난한 상상력), wherein they still desire to become "normal" and without their disabilities, but it is also thanks to their imagination that they are able to endure.

Note: The translations are mine. It's always difficult to think of how to word sentences that fully preserve the sentiment of the source, especially since they're song lyrics.

[btsstaysgold]

taejoon and jihye, be happy.

- Love Wins All.

(crtto)

[poison-er]

Love wins all

[daminothng]

IU's ice cream case -- gifts

[iu-jjang]

[TRANS] 230731 IU ‘Moment,’ Exhibition - Messages from IU to Uaena - Part 1 of 2

It’s alright even if we lose our way a little longer.

Since we know our way back.

It’s alright if sometimes we lose to life.

As long as there’s the strawberry moon and orange sun, we will quickly be happy again.

Since we have each other :)

- IU to Uaena

[References to IU’s song lyrics]

My Sea

Nonetheless, I bet there will still sometimes

be days in which I lose to life

But I’ll know my way back even if I lose my way again

Strawberry Moon

It feels like I’m flying up high,

piercing up across the wind, so cool

How could life be more perfect ooh

eight

Under the orange sun,

we dance together without any shadows

No such thing as a fixed parting

Let’s meet again in the once beautiful memories

Forever young

And yet you are perfect, my (u)aena 🩷

[Reference]

Unlucky

You don’t have to love her with all your heart

You don’t have to be happy for a day or so

And yet you are perfect, my lady Umm

“My (answer) is still yes.”

[Reference]

Epilogue

Let’s go where this dawn ends!

Let’s pierce up across the wind!!

Let’s own the world, aena-ya!!! 🩷

[References]

Dear Name

Even if it’s too far,

let’s go where this dawn ends.

On so many days that were cold and harsh,

your name was quietly forgotten. I know what it is.

I won’t stop.

I will shout it out many times.

Even if it’s unbelievably far,

let’s go where this dawn ends.

strawberry moon

Above our youthful selves

A big strawberry moon One scoop

How does it feel to own the world eh-oh

It feels like I’m flying up high,

piercing up across the wind, so cool

How could life be more perfect ooh

A stalk of spring. A cup of summer.

A sheet of autumn. A breath of winter.

I love all the seasons I shared with uaena.

What words shall we write together this autumn?

[Reference]

Winter Sleep

In a spring that came early, I picked a batch (of budding flowers)…

In a summer full of stars, I filled a cup and set it by your bedside…

In a busy autumn, I folded up (a letter) and left it in your mailbox…

In a winter full of white, within a breath I held in, were words I say to myself alone

Even in the moments where uaena’s long nights continue,

even in the moment such a night is over,

I’ll always be in your line of sight.

I’ll be right there in time.

[Reference]

Love poem

Here I am, watch over me

Singing till the end, I won’t ever stop singing this song

On the day your long night is over

When you lift your head, I’ll be right there

We’ll continue walking straight today too!

We’re always perfect without luck 🤍

[Reference]

Unlucky

Just life, we’re still good without luck

Even if you stumble, keep walking straight

(Take your time)

Looking back on the constellations etched by each footprint,

so (we) walk only on beautiful and nice paths. 🤍

[Reference]

Celebrity

A constellation followed by each footprint

A rough sketch engraved by those clumsy steps

It’s a path to meet you only

Just take that path, trace the dotted line.

You're shining so brightly today too!

Star painted with a left hand that's even more beautiful because you're unique ⚝⚝⚝♡♡

[Reference]

Celebrity

Don’t forget, between the clouded darkness,

You’re a star painted with the left hand

Can’t you see it? I mean how beautiful

that one and only is

You are my celebrity

[sunmiyane]

What if I offered y'all really bad quality gifs of IU's amazing concert??

Taken at the theater yesterday during the projection of her "Golden Hour" Concert.

[roseannebp22]

No twitter eu tinha várias moots uaenas q eram haters da taylor em algum nível então eu sempre ficava com um pé atrás de fazer tweets relacionando as duas mas aqui eu n tenho esse problema =D

[ohmymymymyy]

IU feat. Suga - eight

“I’ll meet you forever in this memory”

[kpop-girlsworld]

Lee Jieun

[dearmoon516]

IU's 15th Debut Anniversary Celebration will be in theatres in september 🎥🎬

Distributor: CJ CGV

Running time: 172 mins

Songs: 25

[p1nkprincess17]

Hello International Uaenas! Selling my HEREH Manila Tour PC

[daminothng]

IU band percussionist Jo Jaebum I

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 조재범 (@bighandjoe)

[iu-jjang]

[sunmiyane]

Sides of Jieun that leave me melting on asphalt on snowy days:

1. Handsome/Charismatic Jieun 🆒️🆒️🆒️

[yulia-inferis]

I'll Miss Our Time Together Baby

I'll Miss Our Time Together Baby

Sifting through my view

With darkened flashes of red and blue 

And through the crowd, I just saw you 

And I noticed that you just saw me now too

I kept my gaze on your elegant face  

Like a magnet that kept me attached to your gaze 

It seems we both walked off the stage 

To a world of our own 

Our private escape 

I felt the risk to stare towards Your way 

It suddenly felt I was truly awake 

The colors, the sounds, they heightened that day 

When you decided to sit right next to me 

I said hi, and you said hey 

I said why I'm alone always 

You said it's similar to the life that you chase

With its ups and downs, with no true love to embrace 

You lost your sweetheart, and so did I babe 

And I know for a fact this encounter won't change 

I am what I am, and I can't really be tamed 

But you kept by side for the rest of the night anyways 

You wanted to talk philosophy within strobes of lights 

And I didn't mind yelling over the djs mic 

And then the sobering lights went on, and I said my goodbye 

And you wrote your phone number on a receipt from that night 

This is where I go home, depressed and full of strife 

When you remind me how alone I am within my life 

I was happy and fine to be ignorant to what you provide 

And now a little upset of all my modes of wasting time 

Don't remind me how broken I am without you by side 

I've already choosen to live an ascetic sextual lie

I hear talks of why modern life seems to be this way for you and I 

Yet you're still my little angel in the sky 

Flying by my side in dreams of being my wife

Don’t you feel hurt… don’t feel the need to ever cry 

It was always my fault to never even try