Couple + Platonic Duo/Trio/Group Songs
Definitely different from what I normally do, but sometimes I find songs that just fit the characters or a group of them too well and want to share. Plus, music is often how I generate writing ideas.
CW: mentions of the Korean War, mentions of the Japanese Occupation, some angst
I didn’t do the platonic trio of America, South Korea, and North Korea (I’ve seen the term DMZ trio float around as a potential group name, and I like the idea of these three in a platonic group), mostly because I was having a hard time deciding what songs fit the trio.
(Platonic) South Korea + North Korea:
“We’re Gonna Find It” - From Barbie and the Diamond Castle
I feel this fits these two pre-Korean War, since they always relied on each other through thick and thin throughout history together. As long as they had each other, they believed they could reach any goal they set their minds to and would be happy, regardless of circumstances. They’ll find their happy ending together.
“Two Voices, One Song” - Also from Barbie and the Diamond Castle
This is kind of fitting for both pre- and post-Korean War, thought the tone would change drastically between the two.
Pre-Korean War it speaks to their unity as twins and how in-sync they are together, as well as the belief that they will always be together.
Post-Korean War it’s more hollow and sad with a twinge of hope, as these two do long for each other and to be reunified again, even when that hope is slowly dimmed due to politics. They both know each other has changed, but they believe deep down that they can still be like the old times if they can figure something out.
“Still Love You” - Lee Hong-Gi (alt. spelling: Lee Hong-Ki) and Yoo Hwe-Seung
Technically it’s a post-break up love song, but I view this from a platonic stand point. Post-Korean War, these two regret all the hurtful things they’ve said and done to each other, but realize that they’ve potentially crossed the point of no return for their relationship, despite still caring and loving their respective brother deeply. They realize they will forever feel the ghost of the other, their absence, and that cuts them deeper than any of the harsh words or stinging bullets ever did.
(Platonic) America + South Korea:
These two became friends due to like minds and interests, and, no matter how far apart they are, the memories they share and make together are some of the best. Like, these two are the friends that could go for months without contacting each other and be able to pick back up with each other like it was nothing. They act like those people that have been friends since they were in diapers and that friendship has never changed over the years.
(Platonic) Russia + North Korea:
“Through Hell” - Citizen Soldier ft. Royal Bliss (honestly, Citizen Soldier has quickly become one of my all time favorite bands)
Again, it communicates the fact that they both have been through some dark history and emotional trauma. However, instead of developing love, they develop a deep platonic blond knowing that someone has been through hell, just like them, and truly understands their experiences, feelings, and thoughts. They know that, thanks to each other’s presence, friendship, and help, all of the mistakes, darkness they’ve seen, and trauma have made them who they are today, and they’ve found who they really are. In a way, they’ve become each other’s ride or die companion that will have their back come hell or high water.
(Couple) Kimchiburger (America x South Korea):
I can see this coming from SK’s POV, especially after the Korean War, and it expresses the deeper emotional bond that he develops towards America when he’s at his lowest point, beyond his initial crush phase.
“Here’s to Never Growing Up” - Avril Lavigne
These two are the chaotic couple that will get up to all the shenanigans and have mad puppy love for each other, while not caring at all about what others say.
“My Everything” - 98 Degrees
I’ve talked about it before how these two are super supportive of each other due to their insecurities in their reputations and general confidence. I think this embodies that aspect, plus the aspect that these two found love in each other when they were at pretty low points in their life, at a crossroads, or at a pivotal moment in their respective lives. For SK, his feelings solidified after the Korean War when America was 100% willing to be there to lend an ear or hand. For America, SK became the one who was there to keep him going and remind him that someone does genuinely love him for him when all of a sudden he became a top superpower after WWII (mostly cause nearly everyone else were borderline destroyed in terms of infrastructure and he got lucky cause his home wasn’t a battle ground) and during the stresses of the Cold War.
(Couple) RusNK (Russia x North Korea):
“Love in the Ice” - TVXQ (also go by DBSK)
These two have hardened their hearts to the world, Russia from his general isolation from nearly everyone at all levels (some of which were definitely his fault) and North Korea from losing his brother, the one person he trusted and loved the most, causing himself to spiral downwards. Yet, they do develop a love for each other, possibly due to understanding each other’s pain. Their relationship is a struggle because they want to heal each other, but their own hearts and minds are just as frozen, so they struggle to accept that they mutually love each other, and that this love is quite fierce if they let it go uncontrolled. Once they do accept their feelings, these two cling to each other for emotional support and show their true selves that nearly no one else would ever see.
Like, they first meet with the expectation of a political duty, but then they quickly realize as they let their guards down around each other that they are catching feelings. But they are super hesitant to move forwards because of the emotional trauma.
Excerpt translated into English:
“Alone in the end of time (my heart)
Don’t be afraid because you were left alone (Don’t be afraid)
Till the end of time (Let you know my love)
I’ll protect you, you know because I love you (You know, let you know my love)
I think I may have put this with Kimchiburger in an earlier post, but after listening to it again a few years later, it definitely fits these two more.
“Love Me Like You Do” - Ellie Goulding
This speaks to their hesitation at making their relationship official, and their general slowness to accept they caught feelings and eventually acting on them. Like, they realize the small spark that started between them, and it quickly developed into a series of sparks, like someone furiously trying to light a fire. But it took a moment before NK decided to act on the emotions first with a kiss and trying to subtly ask Russia out to dinner while trying to not be too obvious. He is wary of getting his hopes up and letting himself be that vulnerable again. Then Russia is the one to make their relationship official and take the leap, because he is finally sick of waiting when it becomes clear that they both feel the same way and they want to freely love each other.
“How Do You Love Someone” - Porcelain Black (some may know this from Ashley Tisdale’s version)
While “Love in the Ice” reflected some of the trauma and hesitancy in their relationship with a more positive outcome/attitude, this song is far more angsty. This song, I believe, has the heavier focus on the tragedies and darker history each have had that has caused them to become almost emotionally numb to nearly everything. So when they are confronted with the fact that something was building between the two of them, part of their minds was absolutely terrified because they felt they didn’t know how to love, or that they couldn’t allow themselves to love someone for fear of betrayal, being used, lack of reciprocation, and just being that vulnerable and at the mercy of someone else. Especially the last one, since both have experienced the worst case scenario (Russia under Mongol Rule and NK under Japanese occupation). Not to mention the conflict with their political situation at the time causing more problems, like NK fully understood what his position was when the USSR began aiding him and how he balanced his relations with both China and the USSR.
(Couple) Commieburger (America x North Korea):
“Eternal Snow” - originally from the anime Full Moon wo Sagashite (cover I’m thinking of is by AmaLee)
I can see this as representing the in-between period before these two got together and the both of them grappling with their conflicting feelings for each other. Like, they’re realizing they are in love with each other but are conflicted about if they should be feeling that way, since they are supposed to be enemies. Part of them thinks it is just a passing thought, a little crush that will quickly fade, but another part realizes it stubbornly won’t go away and that they are starting to miss each other’s company. These feelings are borderline painful for them.
“Unconditionally” - Katy Perry (I’m more thinking of the Ryan Jirovec cover)
More from America’s POV. As he finds out more and more about Sang-Kyu himself, he is falling more and more head over heels. He wants NK to open up more to him, not just because of politics, but because he wants Sang-Kyu to blossom as a person, to become more confident in himself and trusting. I can imagine when America more or less accidentally admits to NK that he loves him, that NK would question America as to why he would love him of all people, after all the things he has pulled. And America just says that he has come to love him in spite of all of that, that his love is unconditional.
“Let You Love Me” - Rita Ora
Definitely from NK’s POV. NK struggles with letting himself open up, and especially with America because of all the conflicted feelings and history. He’s not doubting his love for him at this point, but he realizes that he is being very difficult when it comes to accepting love and letting America love him, even pushing away when in reality he wants the attention. He just doesn’t really understand why it seems he can’t let the walls down; kind of like he doesn’t understand why it’s so hard to take them down when they are so easy to put up. He’s bad at communicating these kinds of feelings, and it’s this conflict of his bad communication and wants that is driving him insane and what can cause a lot of the early arguments between the two of them.
