Chapter 55 "Always You" - God among Gods! (Fishbone...)
[Quick Analysis of Niko's New Album "Always You & Me" | Contains a lot of nonsense, proceed with caution]
[Poster]
I'm a bit agitated right now, so my logic is a bit off. I'll just share the details I've observed, please forgive me.
First, let's give an overall review of this album. In one word, it's awesome! No, in two words—unbeatable!
Every song is great; any song on the album is a masterpiece. Let’s start with three songs by Coldy.
My personal favorite song is "Play, Pay, Et". It's mainly because the song is very evocative. I really want to see Sister Ko swaying her body in the bright lights of the dance floor. It's a pity that there is no music video for this song!
The advantage of this song is that it's very upbeat. After listening to it, I really want to go clubbing and have some fun. But when I hear "Loneliness," I immediately calm down. The singing is also light and airy, giving you a heart-wrenching feeling of not being able to catch your breath.
Many people should be familiar with the style of "No Way". It is the most popular industrial style in recent years. I would call the three songs above YG, JYP and SM productions. They are just too similar!
The message I'm trying to convey is pretty much the same: "I am the best!" The world revolves around me, Coldy! I can do whatever I want! Nekachin Charaka~
These three songs actually showcase Coldy's versatility; he can suit any style.
The song "Always Me" summarizes all these concepts and themes, expressing them very directly in the lyrics.
The lyrics are not only catchy, but they also add a touch of dark humor when combined with the rumors spread by those marketing accounts a couple of days ago. Our Sister Kou has become a prophet again, releasing a song to refute them just a few days later.
The lyrics "Tuesday's for him, Wednesday's for her, Thursday's for next" mean...
Haha, she's got it all! Aren't those marketing accounts always watching my private life? Well, you guessed right, I do change partners every day!
Besides this meaning, it also implies that the marketing accounts are constantly adding new romantic partners to her list. Today it's this scandal, tomorrow it's that scandal. Any male idol she's ever worked with can be fabricated as her partner, and everyone in the group is her concubine.
"In the hall of fame of an awards ceremony, who is the protagonist under the spotlight?"
"Who? Always me!"
"Let the public judge you. What is that high score that's so disproportionately high?"
"What? Always me!"
The first sentence should refer to her debut as the center on the final night, and the second sentence is about the photo rating she received on Running Man before the call-back, which was a landslide score of 9.5! She's quite witty!
Finally, who can appreciate how cool that "Always me" was?! Yes, yes, all the awards, sales, applause, and flowers are yours! To Coldy, the whole world! (Shouts)
Actually, my favorite line in "Always Me" is: "I am Culture's Obsession, Legending Defining Yonder."
Because it's an acrostic "Coldy"~ and my sister is super domineering, I was shocked when I saw the word "Legending". She directly said that she is a legend. I was afraid that she would be criticized. After all, it is too much for a newcomer who has only debuted for half a year to say that she is a legend... But as soon as the first day's sales came out, I was no longer worried. If she has achieved this level in half a year since her debut, who is a legend?
I also love the term "Culture's Obsession." My love for Coldy isn't just about liking her as an individual; it's an addiction to Coldy culture, a fascination with it. This girl is a magnificent embodiment, with so many aspects to interpret.
This part of the lyrics is even more powerful!
"Your pens are rotten and stinking."
"A disgrace to journalism who would sell himself out for a single click."
"You build me up just to tear me down."
“Carve my name all over your paper boat.”
"But your ship is being battered by the waves. Guess who's still flying?"
"Always me!"
Anyone with eyes can see this woman is still making a call-back! This time, she's calling back "The Wave," and who is the wave, anyway? It's our Coldy!
You don't even need to analyze the lyrics to understand what she's saying. She's a disgrace to the news industry! You spreading rumors and marketing accounts, did you hear that?! Stop bullying our Coldy! We Coldy are not pushovers!
Furthermore, the use of the word "batter" is quite interesting. It means "to hit continuously or strike hard," which is a rather violent word. Our Coldy is Violent Judy (not really).
I don't know if it's a double entendre, but besides Coldy himself launching a full-scale attack, I personally think it might also imply that the media is being impacted by public opinion after spreading rumors.
But I think these media outlets, which are like locusts, are masochists, and it's impossible for them to change.
Anyway, this song is really awesome! I think it's even more awesome than "Autophagy" because "Autophagy" has a weird vibe and isn't as mainstream. This song is just awesome for getting you scathingly insults and for declaring "all the glory belongs to me." If you're in a bad mood, go listen to it and imagine it as your enemy!
Then there are the songs "Hate" and "Prayer". Since they have something in common, I'll talk about them together. I'm sure everyone is very interested in the music video, right?
Me too! Coldy wears black and white outfits throughout the entire music video, mostly pure black, especially this black turtleneck sweater... Can I say it? It gives off a really strong widow vibe, he's totally a Black Widow...
Actually, I think there are a few scenes in this MV that are more suitable for "Prayer". She is like a poisonous spider or a poisonous snake. Several times when I saw Coldy's resentful eyes, I was terrified. It felt like she was about to rush up and strangle her boyfriend. She is like the kind of person who would assassinate her husband ten times a month, but her husband is hard-pressed to die. She is still love-struck and unwilling to get a divorce. She will also reflect that she must have done something wrong.
This only applies to the poor husband in "Prayer," while the emotional abuser in "Hate" can get lost. Is this male lead one of Coldy's juniors? Is his name Ricky? I think I've seen fans often call him something like "Six Duck One" haha, which is quite fitting. Did this male lead, who was giving us Coldy the silent treatment, turn around and go to a nightclub to have fun?
This song is very realistic. Many men are like this: they say things like, "What are you doing?", "I've been so good to you, why are you being unreasonable?", "What more do you want from me!", and then they just quietly watch the girl break down, as if they're watching a madwoman. In reality, it's men who drive women crazy. It's really infuriating to watch!
So the lyrics are very well written, and I think many people will resonate with them.
Let's talk about this music video. Coldy, you would definitely succeed if you switched careers to become an actor. How many people, like me, had tears in their eyes when they saw her hugging herself and crying on the bed, her body trembling so much? I felt sorry for her. When she wiped away her tears, changed into a glamorous outfit, and went out to smile and shake hands with other people, my tears just burst out.
Strong yet heartbreaking... I understand that many people would definitely say break up if they looked at it from today's perspective, but Coldy isn't telling everyone how to solve it. She's just simply reflecting that there are many such situations in reality. Aren't there many housewives and wives who are subjected to emotional abuse but dare not speak up, silently enduring their husbands' infidelity, and pretending to have a good relationship with their spouses in public, while actually healing their wounds on their own?
Sigh... Wake up, ladies! But it's all these scumbag men's fault!
Looking at the photo that Coldy crossed out in the MV, they must have been quite sweet together before. Why did things end up like this? If Coldy's gaze were seamlessly connected to "Prayer," it would suddenly feel much better.
Ni Kou: You're a guy who uses passive-aggressive tactics, huh? You'd better die!
Let's look at "Prayer" again.
"It has become so cold here since you left."
They say I should let you rest…
But I just kept praying.
May the sound of my footsteps always linger beside you.
I pray your new world is as cold as mine.
May you not be in a place warmer than I am.
Walk with me, pray with me.
"May this bond never be broken."
“I pray…”
Until we meet again.
I'll keep praying.
Sister, stop praying, I'm scared! I feel like a female ghost is chasing me, but if it's Coldy, I'm willing! Come and take my life, my wife!
Especially the line "Until we meet again," the yandere vibe is practically overflowing!
Where will we meet? The man is already dead and lying on a board. Are you going to follow him there? Or are you going to kill him again after he's reincarnated?
Sister, you're being a bit too bold. I'm afraid your song will be banned. The values it sets are really wrong!
Surprisingly, "Prayer" actually made it to number five on Melon! I thought it was going to be at the bottom! It seems that listeners are quite receptive these days. But this song is also super beautiful, the chanting is like that of a siren, so this result is well-deserved!
"Singing" is such a cheerful song, perfect for a picnic! I've been listening to that whistling intro on repeat! Melon's fourth-place ranking is well-deserved!
Ta-da! (Automatically plays Honor of Kings background music) And finally, our Melon number one—the champion! "Always You"
Hehehehehe, tremble! The new digital music sensation, Coldy, is here. Those vying for the daily chart spot should be careful not to run into Coldy. Remember last time, "The Wave" dominated the daily chart for two months until it was pushed off when everyone else made comebacks in April and May.
If this album is divine, then this title track is divine among divine! No one can defy "Always You"!
I'm absolutely certain that everyone who hears this song will fall in love with it!
My feeling after listening to this song is, Coldy, you're so good at dating! Although I don't want to discuss your private life, I still want to ask, when did you become so good at dating behind my back?
Please see the VCR for details – [MV video clip]
Coldy's portrayal of the heart-fluttering expression of a girl after a date in the MV is absolutely spot-on... When I saw the male and female protagonists kissing in the novel, I was so excited that I rolled on the floor, it felt like they were acting out my own story.
The cut from his youthful innocence to maturity when he sits up, and the scene where he instantly becomes sexy while lighting a cigarette, makes you feel like the familiar Coldy is back!
The lyrics to that smoky kiss scene are so ambiguous, so incredibly suggestive! I can't calm down! I just screamed... It felt like something that didn't exist was about to grow out of my head... Oh GGbang, I'm a hero in a fairy tale~
I'm so excited, I didn't mean to make a dirty joke, but I really don't know how to describe this music video. I can only say that I finally understand why some people can't forget their deceased "white moonlight".
Because it's Coldy!
This handsome young man is doing a good job as a supporting actor, basically just acting as a camera lens. Isn't he the one who was rumored to be dating a few days ago? Did this marketing account accidentally stumble upon some of the truth?
Oh, I just realized that the male and female leads in the music video are both Chinese. How can this not be considered a way of showcasing our national pride (just kidding)?
But I'm so jealous... The MV starts by flashing back to their first encounter, where this handsome young man is watching Coldy perform from the audience. Coldy is wearing a blue and white Chinese-style high school uniform, and so is the young man, and it really suits him perfectly. I don't know why, but it makes me want to laugh a little. It's cultural export again...
You two might make a great campus idol drama in the Chinese entertainment industry; at least you're good-looking.
To be fair, this scene was very well designed. Coldy dances beautifully even in a school uniform. With her innocent face and ponytail, she's someone's first love. Even the King of Heaven would recognize her as his white moonlight.
Then the camera pans again, and guess what? Our Sister Kou has become a big star!
The cuts in this album's music videos are all incredibly smooth and stunning. The previous group photo with the cross mark and the scene where they walk from the school stage to the dazzling grand stage are both breathtaking at first glance.
The male lead changed out of his school uniform into a sharp suit, and Kou Jie also looked stunning in a flamboyant red dress, reminding me of her previous "SW" stage performance. Lumera and the others also joined in to warm up the crowd, cheering for the new song with Kou Jie. The choreography was no joke; the dancing was beautiful! (I'm not very good at using flowery language to praise people.)
This scene evokes a sense of surreal connection between the song and reality; the realism is so strong, it's as if the story in the song has truly happened in real life.
But sis! You're so daring! Acting like this makes you look like you're starting out with a brother-in-law! The fans will be devastated! Thank goodness it's just a music video…
To be honest, I felt the two had decent chemistry. The final scene where they danced in front of the tombstone really broke my heart. And WK1 cruelly added a special effect where Coldy turned into countless white petals and drifted away—why did they spend money on that? (crying) (crying) (crying)
The final scene, similar to the one where the male protagonist silently lights a cigarette after the female lead disappears from the room, depicts the female lead turning into flower petals and then snow falling from the sky. (Heart attack)
Snow, winter, cold → Coldy/Listen to the cold.
So maybe she really has come back?
Is growing old together in the snow a way of sharing a snowy day?
And if you observe carefully, the male protagonist was wearing short sleeves and shorts in the room at this time, but here he is wearing a long coat. His smoking action has also changed from awkward to skillful, so it has been from summer to winter, or even more than a year. She has been gone for many years, but he still comes to see her every year.
Has anyone seen the scene in The Amazing Spider-Man where Peter Parker stands in front of Gwen Stacy's tombstone after Gwen Stacy dies? This feels a bit like it.
Good knife, good knife, good knife, Coldy, please stop! I'm going to cry...
I felt like my sister probably didn't want us to cry too sadly, so she arranged for Epik High to be funny to make us laugh. I said, "Uncle, you guys are really going all out, especially since this is supposed to be the Black and White Impermanence!"
Since the two actors are Chinese, it makes sense for them to play the roles of Black and White Impermanence, but why exploit honest Koreans to play these roles?
And does your old YG have some tradition of street thugs swarming around handsome men and beautiful women? When Coldy is here, feeling melancholy and saying "Don't be sad, this is love," is it appropriate for you guys to be singing and dancing next to him?
And isn't this supposed to be Coldy's solo part? Why are you guys trying to steal the spotlight too?
At first, I burst out laughing when I saw it—it was so abstract! But after I thought about how they might have had similar funny memories of making silly faces... I couldn't be happy anymore, because those joyful memories will never come back; the people are gone.
I used to enjoy listening to "Always me," but now I'm crying my eyes out listening to "Always you."
Coldy, are you heartbroken? Why does this song, which is supposed to be so redemptive, make my heart ache so much? Why does it make me feel so miserable when it says "Please let the tears of happiness flow by" and "Go for a walk by the river, let the fireworks kiss you for me tonight"?
I hate you, Coldy! (Crying loudly)
I used to imagine Coldy's partner, like Sumin, which I've worn out (sorry), but I really can't imagine this song. The thought of Coldy being gone makes me breathless.
Especially when she sang "It's always you, it's still you now," she was wearing the most lethal white shirt. This is the most standard white moonlight outfit. She looks so pure, as pure as a dream from her youth, and when she woke up, there was still no one by her side.
The emotions in this song are so genuine, and the performance is so relatable. I'm starting to wonder if Coldy is actually a master of romance, or if he has someone he deeply loves. It would be hard to write something with such delicate emotions if you haven't experienced them yourself.
Her singing is more emotional, and she has a great grasp of the balance between sadness and blessing. I would call her the best of Coldy's songs. "Always You" is my favorite song of all that Coldy has written.
My explanation is a bit disorganized, but I think I've conveyed most of what I wanted to say. Please bear with me.
【2L】
Why did you have to drag me into this? I was laughing out loud at the Epik High costumes, but your interpretation completely wiped the smile off my face. It felt like I'd swallowed a piece of glass!
【3L】
"Always You" is really touching. The first time I listened to it, I felt a little calm, but the second and third time I listened to it, I burst into tears. There is a detail in the music video that touched me the most, which the original poster did not mention. It is that Coldy has a habit of hanging her keys on a hook when she comes home, while the male lead puts his keys on the table. But after the female lead dies, the male lead also starts hanging his keys on the hook.
After you left, I became you.
【4L】
Those who have lost family members will understand this better. My dad passed away from cancer, and I really can't bear to listen to this song. Lyrics like "Every breath you take, I'll be by your side," "Don't be sad, this is love," and "This is how I ask if you're alright" really brought me to tears.
【5L】
My condolences! After listening to this entire album, my only thought is—Coldy, you are truly amazing! "No Way," "Loneliness," and "Play, Pay, Et" are all songs Coldy wrote on his second or third album, while Melon wrote them on his sixth, seventh, and eighth albums. So, we're all probably just Coldy fans, only loving his first-written songs, even a melancholic tune like "Prayer."
【6L】
Actually, my favorite is "Prayer." Even without a music video, just listening to this song makes me imagine a dramatic love story filled with conflict and passion—it's so satisfying! This song is perfect for editing various love-hate relationships. Can anyone suggest making an edit for Coldy and Yoon Ji-chae, using this song as background music?
【7L】
Can't CP fans just keep to themselves?! After listening to "Always You," I finally understand the difference between humans and gods. Coldy is definitely a god! (Surely)
The most amazing part of this song is the two rap sections by Epik High and Coldy. When Epik High is rapping, Coldy is also harmonizing with him, and the combination of their voices is just so beautiful! Actually, I really like Epik High's reciting-poem-like tone, which has a kind of sacredness. Coldy's rap is the kind that tells a strong story, which is gentle and subtle, but it is a gentle knife that makes you immerse yourself in the love for a few seconds before you can fully feel the pain.
【8L】
I share the same thought as the original poster. After listening to "Always You," my intuition was that Coldy must have broken up with her boyfriend. She sang so heartbreakingly, as if I was the one who had broken up with her boyfriend. She was mourning me... But after listening to this album, I don't care anymore. In "Always Me," she also said not to focus on her private life but on her achievements. She's already so amazing, what more could she want!
【9L】
I've completely come to see Coldy as a singer now. It's so satisfying to follow her. The daily sales of this song alone are unprecedented in the history of female idols. And this is only her first full-length album. She has a very promising future!
【10L】
Thankfully it's August, otherwise our "Sea Wave" baby's annual championship would have been snatched away by "Always You" and would have been aborted. It would have been a case of our own people fighting each other!
【11L】
Not many people can manage to neatly and completely top the charts; I only remember GD doing it.
【12L】
It's really rare. GD is a given, after all, he coined the term "charts sweep." In short, our Coldy is already incredibly awesome. Before, I was really worried when I saw marketing accounts making wild claims—you know, things always go to extremes—but now Coldy tells me she has no limits!
【13L】
MAMA, MMA, Golden Disc Awards, SBS Gayo Daejeon, MBC Gayo Daejejeon... You better behave yourselves this year, you hear me!
I want the Khan to muster a great army, and award twelve volumes of books, each one bearing the name of a knight!
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Author's note: I had absolutely no intention of doing this, but when I wrote down the results, I felt like this was exactly the GD template! G-Dragon, you're just too comprehensive...
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