On December 2, 2013, as the early winter chill deepened in Seoul, EXO's fandom was swept by a warm yet sorrowful storm.
On this day, the music video for the title track of EXO's first self-titled winter special album, "Miracle in December"—in both Chinese and Korean versions—quietly descended like the first snow of winter, instantly covering all music charts and social media.
The music video was directed by Cho So-hyun, who is known for capturing delicate emotions. Unlike the strong rhythms, dazzling dances, and aggressive or fantastical visuals often seen in EXO's previous music videos, this time, the members in front of the camera transform into thirteen affectionate boys deeply immersed in longing and sorrow.
The color palette is a blend of cool gray-blue and soft warm yellow, reminiscent of the light and shadow in the sky at dusk on a winter's day. The scenes are mostly spacious interiors, snow-covered courtyards, and windows with icicles, creating an atmosphere of solitude, tranquility, and nostalgia.
The camera slowly pans across each member in the music video.
In both the Chinese and Korean versions of the music video, there is a recurring shot. Ou Yangguang is surrounded by the other two lead singers, sitting at a piano in a pure white suit, his fingers dancing lightly on the black and white keys, his profile appearing melancholic yet gentle in the backlight.
Park Chanyeol stared blankly at the snowflakes falling outside the window, as if he could see an untouchable past through the snowflakes.
Wu Sehun rode an electric scooter carrying a bouquet of flowers.
Standing at the end of the empty corridor, Zhang Yixing turned around, his eyes filled with an overwhelming longing.
Kris Wu, Huang Zitao, Kim Minseok, Kim Jongin... each of them was given a solo shot that was full of story, without any lines or exaggerated movements, all the emotions were condensed in subtle expressions and eyes.
The core singers are Ou Yangguang, Byun Baekhyun, and Do Kyungsoo, while the Chinese version features Ou Yangguang, Lu Han, and Kim Jongdae.
In the close-up of Byun Baekhyun, tears streamed down his cheeks without warning. He tilted his head slightly, as if trying to stop them, but to no avail. The tear was crystal clear under the light, carrying unspeakable pain.
Do Kyungsoo, on the other hand, appeared even more reserved. He curled up in a corner, burying his face in his arms. Only his slightly trembling shoulders and the occasional red-rimmed eyes revealed the collapse of his inner defenses.
In the Chinese version, Kim Jongdae stands in a snowy courtyard, seemingly unaware that snowflakes are covering his shoulders. When he begins to sing, the hoarseness and penetrating power in his voice seem to directly strike the softest part of the listener's heart.
Lu Han's shots are cinematic; he traverses a dreamlike space where memories and reality intertwine, reaching out to grasp something but always missing it, his eyes filled with a heartbreaking sense of confusion and longing.
As the lead singer and visual center of both versions, Ou Yangguang is shown in a long shot sitting alone on a sofa in a dimly lit room, with something important seemingly placed in front of him.
He didn't cry, and his face didn't show much expression. He just stared quietly, his eyes gradually becoming misty as they went from calm to misty. Finally, a single tear fell silently, splashing tiny droplets on the back of his hand.
The entire process was incredibly restrained, yet more impactful than a loud wail. The silent tears that forcibly suppressed the surging longing and sorrow, yet ultimately leaked from the eyes, perfectly captured the endless waiting and heartbreak before the "miracle" in the song failed to materialize.
In another shot, he stands in front of a snow-covered window, his fingertips unconsciously drawing meaningless patterns on the fogged glass, with his clear and story-filled singing voice in the background. The scene is breathtakingly beautiful, yet heartbreakingly sad.
The song "Miracle in December" itself, with its beautiful piano melody as its framework and interwoven with moving strings, is a typical ballad.
It doesn't pursue intense rhythms, but rather strives to create an overall emotional atmosphere, with a melodious and poignant tune. Composed by Andreas Stone and Ricky Hanley, the Korean version of the lyrics was written by Yoon Sa-ra, and the Chinese version by Michie Nagatomo and Liu Yuan. The lyrics are beautiful and sorrowful, complementing the melody and visuals perfectly.
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