A Creative Album: Face The Sun
I would like to talk about an album released in 2022 by the South Korean boy band SEVENTEEN. As the album title expresses, SEVENTEEN is on a journey to become the sun. On this journey, they do not shy away from everything they encounter, even if it is painful, and they only face the front, implying the strong will to become the sun.
The title song “HOT” is a song that combines hip-hop style and western guitar sound. The whistle throughout the song adds to the rhythm of the song, showing a fresh atmosphere. There is a line in the title song, “I turned my back on the shadow of the sun, and became the light again.” It reflects the struggle against the shadow in the process of becoming the sun, constantly breaking through boundaries, facing the scorching sun, and bravely walking on your own path. The main concept of the song MV is “Shoot the Sun”. The overall concept and images reflect SEVENTEEN’s will and courage, showing bold energy and firm attitude. Elements of shadow appear throughout the album, symbolizing the fears and constraints encountered. But in the MV, the members finally showed their resistance to the shadow, and they had to break free even if they were broken. It purely expresses that young people never lack the courage to run towards the sun, and are never afraid to become a stronger existence.
I think this is a very creative album, both in terms of the style of the songs and the concept of the MV. From the moment we face our deepest fears, to the big dreams after overcoming them, and finally to the bonds and hope of a new world, SEVENTEEN richly express their inner voices to audiences around the world. For listeners, it can also inspire them to confront the injustices and fears in their lives. Fear is like a shadow, although it is in the dark, it is always with us. Even if we cannot escape, with firm ideals, we can eventually overcome everything.