Wtf is this? What happened to JUST B’s great concepts!? And considering they’re Korean and the state of the world right now I feel like this is in really bad taste… bruv they should have been eliminated not TNX. Literally ruined a brilliant song.
I was so excited for great performances 😞 the only redemption is if we get an epic Medusa performance next round… but that’s the original song round, right?
I love how every single JUST B performance, no matter what, two things are guaranteed; Geonu will perform so hard that I'm surprised his soul hasn't left his body, and Sangwoo will have eternal resting angry face.
I saw someone say that they will ascend to heaven in joy the day that Sangwoo doesn't look angry with the camera which I think is great. Poor guy just has angry eyebrows. At least he's in a good group for it.
Honourable mention to Jimin's dorito body, Bain having the time of his life, and DY and JM getting no lines :(
Anyway I'm not going to lie, I thought this was Sangwoo's grave... :o
Rip.
This reminds me of the Cicada ARG.
I also find it interesting that the Medusa place is a carwash - with water (duh) which could be used as a mirror to stop Medusa from turning you to stone. We could also see the TV screen earlier as a way to stop her turning you to stone - hence why the boys just got... brainwashed? De-brainwashed? Whatever it was.
Omg Medusa's drug dealing water now!
I love the travelling motifs like cars, petrol stations, hotels etc, but I just cannot suspend disbelief enough to think they got such a nice car without stealing or murder.
Why does he look so fascinated lmao?
OMG WATER!
Bain got to water his plant! Or did he....?
Yeah how about no he didn't?
Dude my jaw dropped when I saw this shot. The MV could have ended with Bain recycling his water bottle, but this one shot recontextualises the whole thing. As you may know, since I stan JUST B, I am a massive fan of time loops and nonlinear narratives. And if there is one thing to take away from this MV - it's that in Tick Tock we saw the butterfly effect happening - and now they've done something that butterfly-effected them into a timeloop dream state. I would say 'like idiots,' but this happens to a lot of people apparently, so they're just regularly stupid.
This also creates a lot of engagement in the MV because we now wonder - how do they get out? Which is the dream? Are they both the same reality or not? Is this real or not? And so on. I think I've offered good hypotheses in my analysis but the only real way to get an answer is next comeback... which... I mean, since this one took 11 months we have no clue when the next one will happen, if at all.
Sorry to be a downer.
I loved the song, anyway.
Let's look at the lyrics!
Lyric Analysis
Yep, so straight off the bat there's a lot of imagery of violence, suffering, conflict etc - talking about predators, starving, killing, etc - and also division - they are divided, either from each other or the rest of the world.
Then there's the fixing of the division - through the rain that washes the memories away - ironic, since there's no water in the MV - and then the connection - riding high beside you and throwing your old memories away, breaking your painful past to come out new.
I like how they say 'in the darkness, you're my Medusa' - in classic JUST B fashion, with insane depth. Medusa could be beautiful, she could also be ugly. But whatever she is, she is dangerous, and this is reflected in the MV - the rain is supposed to bond them to their Medusa and get rid of the division - but there is no rain - it's all in their head - they are being deceived by her and in the end end up with nothing - no water, no love no nothing.
Not going to lie, with the whole 'drop the pain on me' and 'I'll break the thorny barriers around your heart,' they sound a little masochistic. Mind you, this is something we've seen before with JUST B - probably related to the trauma of DAMAGE.
I like how JM's bridge-postchorus thing is distorted too - shows the effect that Medusa has on them. Also, how they then literally say 'I can't look away,' like, yeah, you can't, you're literally stone, my guy.
Medusa also recontextualises the 'don't break down' at the end - because they are stone, they can literally be broken and shattered.
So - conclusions about the lyrics. As always, they are amazing and have some hidden meaning. However, I think they really shine with the MV, rather than by themselves, as lyrics like DAMAGE do. Medusa is on paper, a lovesong with some potentially sinister meaning. But the MV takes that gothic, sinister nature up the the next degree. Not only is there no rain and no water, only desert and suffering, but there is also no sign of love or relief from this suffering. There are also wonderfully amazing moments like the line 'You're the medusa in my darkness,' - suggesting a saviour - while Bain is literally crying over not having water - hence, no saviour. It reveals how the boys have been blinded to the dangerous nature of their situation, and it's quite frankly amazing how the MV contradicts the lyrics of the song to tell a story. 10/10.
Conclusions
An amazingly Gothic story, as expected from JUST B. It carries on both from the 'JUST B' series and from Naneun, continuing the story while also creating it's own self-contained and intriguing story. It leaves us with many questions and a few potential answers, and uses the juxtaposition of lyrics and video to further show the themes of the story in an amazing way. Could it be better? Sure. But I'll always have my own directions I want the storyline to go and they won't be the ones BlueDot takes. It's still a very solid addition to their discography and I know I'll be playing this song on repeat for ages, singing my heart out like Geonu.
Guys, I have a secret. I was wondering why I liked JUST B. This is a common problem I have - in between comebacks I wonder why I like a group - do I really like ATEEZ? Do I really like TXT? SEVENTEEN? ENHYPEN? Are they really that good? It only happens with boy groups which is kind of funny.
But every single time those groups have a comeback, I remember instantly why I like them. And 'Medusa' was no different.
I LOVED THIS. It filled my heart with joy and I was so happy and proud to see them performing like this and to see how their budget has got bigger (or, maybe it hasn't but they just got better at using it well). The only thing that would have made it better would having Sangwoo be involved too.
I think the song is amazing, and it's got some nice links to their previous storyline. They aren't hitting it as hard as they previously did, for whatever reason, but a lot of groups tend to lose their storyline over time and then come back to it - BTS, ENHYPEN, TXT, etc.
That said, there were still some great references and visual shortcuts they use, so let's talk about it!
So you know how last time they started exploring the real world after escaping? Um... well, it doesn't look like it went very well for them, does it? Let's just say that.
Also, while Naneun had lots of people - a bright city, cars moving by, some people walking in the streets, implied people in a cosy cafe, etc, Medusa has no one. The transition from a nice paved road in Naneun to a dusty dirt road in Medusa really reminds me of every apocalypse movie ever, especially things like Mad Max and The Maze Runner, or just... any zombie movie. For some reason it also reminds me of Stephanie Myer's The Host, but please don't hold that against me.
Anyway, let's just say that, as the description reads, this MV very clearly follows on from Naneun, showing a downfall and the need for the boys to work together to overcome it. It also uses motifs both from the 'JUST B' series and their new one.
Alright that's enough of DY just lying there - let's move on.
Moving camera is a nice visual shortcut for change and transition/a journey. Very JUST B themes.
For those wondering - I think this was shot in the US, not Australia, since I'm pretty sure we don't have cacti like that in Aus.
My dudes that is not a safe place to dance.
Okay, nice. The hollowed out train car which has become a visual shortcut in kpop for loss, destruction, isolation, and so on (See TXT Sugar Rush Ryde Japanese ver, BTS Spring Day, that one LOONA member's solo). Along with this dance move it definitely gives this MV a poignant and tragic atmosphere.
Very apocalyptic.
Bruv that is such a cool shot. It really gets the apocalyptic everything-is-falling-apart idea across.
The gas mask is also really simple visual shortcut for this, but it makes me ask what they need the masks for - zombies? Covid? Something else?
Or it could just be a metaphor for their voices being silenced in DAMAGE...?
Mr Jimin you look very cool.
Arm bands have become a common symbol for leaders these days in kpop.
Also - train tracks which represent a journey - but walking along them is often a hard and dangerous one. I like how we can see the telephone poles in the distance but no civilisation - it hints that there may have once been a civilisation, but not any more.
I love this part of the song but I have no clue what Geonu's glasses are for except for looking cool and apocalyptic.
NVM y'all they're his high-tech surveillance goggles to make sure the people from DAMAGE aren't going to get them again.
I know that the drone can be a symbol of surveillance and them fighting back against the people who hurt them, and that the cars are a symbol of a long journey and so on, but I have been questioning every single comeback how this random group of brainwashed orphan kids got their hands on some nice cars, quadbikes, and drones.
This section at 48 seconds has some super cool editing. I didn't even notice there was a cut here.
Trains - another symbol of transit. For some reason, freight trains always still go during the apocalypse. This is THE ONLY other hint we get of humans in this MV. The train is usually shorthand for a civilisation that they either need to take down by sabotaging said train, or that they need to join by joining said train. I'm thinking joining by the fact that there is no train-blowing-up in this MV.
Why does Bain have a plant baby in the middle of the apocalypse? Also, I think this is the first plant we have ever seen in their MVs - showing that, despite the apocalypse, there is still hope - although it's fragile and needs careful looking after.
Holy moly he phased into another reality - or, kind of. There are a few options here; 1) a flashback, 2) an alternative timeline/butterfly effect thing 3) in a time loop 4) a dream.
But whatever it is, he still seems to have some knowledge of his reality since there's still no water.
Um... thank you. But I could have figured that out myself.
This suggests to me that perhaps the apocalypse came about because of some 'The Lorax 2012' situation where the government sells and restricts access to a necessity, leading to... well, the apocalypse and anarchy.
What are you all shocked for? Wasn't it obvious this would happen?
Oh dear... Um.. Anyone remember the blue-pill-red-pill of DAMAGE?
So, initially I thought they were being brainwashed here, but since it's the red pill, perhaps this is what releases them from their dream state when they're still in a relatively normal world (sans water)?
Looks like I'm at least a little bit right, since we instantly go back to the dangerous outdoors.
I'm not sure what the sign says - but I think it's 'hotel' - another symbol of transit and journey. And also potentially a place of danger (ahem, psycho, ahem).
Literally how did they get such a nice looking car? Did they murder someone? Anyway, good on them for planning something, I guess.
So notice here that there are other people, but we're still in the populated and relatively bright city - the dream world, most likely. Hence, their plan must be to escape this world.
Yes, pour your heart out, Geonu!!!!!
The sign reads 'Rosslyn Hotel' The Rosslyn Hotel was a hotel in Los Angeles in 1923 which was notable for its massive glowing neon sign. It was later transformed into low income and homeless housing - so it really has become in a way, a symbol of transit, journey, and hardship.
Mandatory shopping scene, except there's a twist...
There's nothing there! Because they're still in the dream or whatever it is. There goes their plan... and Jimin knows it.
I love their faces in this screenshot.
WHY DO YOU LOOK SHOCKED, YOU KNEW THIS?!?!?! Does the dream make them lose all memory and common sense, too?
Lmao Bain's acting is through the roof he looks so devestated for no reason - dude you knew it would be like this!
No name is... Sangwoo? Wistful thinking, methinks, but there's no other explanation.
Good luck finding that water...
Well at least they had a little fun on their quest. I guess the dream state also makes them immune to dying of dehydration.
Hence, the journey to find water (ahem, Rango, ahem).
See you in part 2 since I reached the image limit!
The episodes of my not necessarily kpop/ATEEZ related podcast, uploaded to my YouTube channel. Check them out if you’re interested and let me know if there’s a topic you’d like to see covered!
It’s hard to believe that today is the day JUST B graduate from rookie status. It feels like they’ve been around so much longer. But I’m delighted with what they’ve done so far and I’m excited to see what they do in the future!
This one is interesting. I genuinely was not expecting JUST B to go with a different album name and name scheme, and a different concept. It doesn’t seem to have much of their old storyline in it, (or does it???) and definitely has different focuses and themes, but is a welcome release nonetheless and still has some very interesting details. Anyway, congrats to ONLY B and JUST B for the comeback!
So let’s have a quick look.
An interestig statement, and interesting since it is in English. It emphasises individuality, which has been a key theme of JUST B and their storyline from the start. It’s also focusing on the dignity and meaning of being human, both of which were stripped from the members in ‘DAMAGE’.
The start of the MV focuses on diaries, communication and travel. We see the diaries with JM, letters with Geonu, Bain with his skateboard and Jimin with his car and I think a plane ticket? And a more interesting pair - DY with his spray paint and Sangwoo with a compass (?) and in a workshop (again, ?). We’ve got some key themes here - communication, travel, and self-expression. All of which are related to the freedom, dignity, and uniqueness of being human. It’s a brighter MV, but still with reflections of their past - cars were seen often in the previous comeback, and the blue and red colours from ‘DAMAGE’ were shown.
And keep in mind that this is all still in the opening - we haven’t even started with the lyrics yet!
The boys are individualy walking down city streets - both the street that Bain crossed and the street signs in other shots stand out to me. Streets are often seen as barriers, and Bain confidently crosses one, while the street signs are often associated with crossroads and having multiple paths to choose from. I think the meaning is obvious - they have passed the barriers of Just Burn, Just Beat, and Just Begun, and they are now free to choose from the many choices and paths available to them.
The next section of the MV, when the lyrics come in, focus on the loneliness and similar emotions the boys feel. There are very typical shots of them contemplating their lives, and of them passing each other by - the lyrics and the MV itslef both focus on the idea that we all feel the same way, and we are all lonely, yet we pass by other lonely people without connecting to them in a world like this. The use of headphones and handphones to give the boys something to do other than connect with each other shows their disconnect.
The bright cityscape used is both symbolic of their new freedom and the lighter concept of the song and album, but also gives a backdrop for a modern story about being disconnected from each other - after all, what is one place that we think of as both more connected and less connected than anywehere els, if not cities?
In contrast to the loneliness of the verse, the chorus, which talks about coming together, shows the boys dancing together - they have literally come together. And Jimin literally embraces the sunlight and the happiness it brings.
I have to say, though. I have no clue why they’re saying ‘Liar’ in the chorus. It doesn’t fit in with the rest of the song, unless they’re using it as a representation of lying to say that you’re fine even when you aren’t. Or, it could be a sinister callback to their previous albums and concepts.
The next section focuses on Sangwoo, who I now gather is working at a petrol station? Or perhaps not, but either way, he has also been associated with cars now. DY is doing his spray painting - a form of art and often used to represent catharsis and rebellion from society, which are two themes that were certainly present in the last album.
The shots of Sangwoo and Jimin drinking water, Geonu and JM looking in the mirror, and DY and Bain walking connect the characters with similar themes of hard work, self-reflection, and travel and, of course, with similar shots.
It is at this point that I also mention that the MV has a lot of images of communication - the diary, the letters, postcards, phones, phone lines, phone booths, tickets and such. The message is about connecting, so the use of various communication tools which are used or misused in different ways furthers this message.
At the 2:50 mark, we see the boys together in a non-dance context. I have two main questions - why does it look like they’re in a fourth-wall-breaking group therapy session, and why are there three empty chairs? Mystery mystery, I guess.
And then the boys walking down the road (I assume this would be classified as a highway) together. These shots are often associated with American media, and with a journey that the characters take.
The fourth-wall-breaking continues as they all look into the camera - this emphasises both them being together as a group, and with ONLY B.
Our pairs finally come together to connect over a line - representing their different lives and their unqiueness as humans. They also pull wishbones with each other, still over the line, which I find interesting. Sure, they’re making wishes and talking about dreams, and their hands connect to touch the bone over the lines, but in the end they still break the bone, so it looks like they’re breaking the connection.
I do love Bain’s outfit at the end though.
Conclusions
I find the contrast of different locations interesting, and how the song encorporates previous themes with a new twist. It’s a cute song and a great cmeback that may or may not have some hidden sinister meaning.
JUST B’s 4th release. The first after their first anniversary, and the first after the ‘JUST B’ trilogy. It came with a brighter concept and arguably and end to the storyline, but I guess we’ll see more about that when we take a closer look at the actual album... Hmm...
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