K-pop boy band DAY6: (from left) Dowoon, Jae, YoungK, Wonpil, Sungjin (Source: Soompi)
DAY6 recently released their new mini album The Book of Us: The Demon with one of their singles titled, Zombie. It consists of two versions, Korean and English.
Zombie would be best described as a rock ballad; however, it is more towards the ballad side. What is so special about this song? The lyrics. It technically speaks how we feel every day.
THE LYRICS
It starts off with a question to oneself. The singers are trying to recall if there was anything special happening in his life. Also, proving that every day is just a routine. There is nothing new in life. It's like a dread. I am sure many can reconcile with the lyrics here.
Continuing the verse, ‘Am I the only one struggling, how do I get through this’.
Rather than consoling listeners, they take on a different approach to tell the listeners that they are not alone. This brings listeners to be comforted that they are not alone in going through this phase of their lives.
Proceeding to the chorus, where the essence of the song is found. The band shares their thoughts on how their everyday lives are repetitive and futile in a non-nihilistic way. They akin this idea to them being zombies, where they live everyday tediously and tirelessly, without a goal to work towards.
The verse, ‘I walk on, drifting aimlessly’ shows that they are vessels without a soul living through everyday life just for the sake of everyday coming to an end. Life is on repeat. People have become so unaware and detached from their emotions, trying hard to just live through the day with no directions and no aim in life.
THE MUSIC VIDEO
Click image or HERE to play music video (Source: JYP Entertainment)
The music video starts off with the protagonist waking up and heading out, walking around aimlessly. He arrives in the office and starts working till late night. The protagonists showcase his life walking around and living his life like a zombie. The concept may be humorous, however the music video managed to capture the emotions of the audiences. The camerawork and camera shots of the band and the protagonist. I would say there is the dynamic in the music video.
The instrumental is simple because it represents how depression stops you from having fun, you start to lose interest in everything. Each chorus is sung slightly different to represent a certain emotion.
When member YoungK sang the first chorus he sounded hopeful.
In the music video the protagonist has woken up. He feels that maybe his life could regain meaning again.
Then next is Sungjin for the second chorus. He sounds angry and a little frustrated. He sings with more aggression. The actor is shown working at his job. He can’t take this endless cycle anymore.
Wonpil’s chorus is similar to Sungin’s however he sounded sadder. The facial expressions in the MV look hopeless. The actor walks past a bridge contemplating if he should jump off. The instrumental quiets down and Jae sings the last chorus. He sings like he has given up. His voice is quiet and he has a look of defeat. The actor falls down in his bed accepting that this is his life, an endless cycle of misery.
Overall, the song Zombie by DAY6 consists of different instrumental music despite the repetitive lyrics. It is an enjoyable yet meaningful song where almost everyone can relate to it. It really speaks out loud how people feel everyday deep down in their hearts. It definitely expressed one’s innermost feelings and gave their shattered hearts with comfort and understanding when one needs it most. Many hoped that Day6 would win the award for Song of the Year as it has a lot of meaning in this song; the reality of many.
A good recommendation for everyone to listen to it. The song may not comfort in a way that life is good nor does the song console listeners that the situation may get better, but it appeals to listeners by giving them a sense of company that they are not alone facing a hard life.
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