When someone asks me what type of music I like, I truly have no answer. The music I connect with does not relate to any specific genre, but instead to specific emotions—joy, sadness, powerfulness, anger, mournfulness, and so many more.
If the instrumentals, and sometimes vocals, convey a specific emotion that in turn amplifies the impact and meaning of the song, that is the type of music I like. Music that makes me feel something.
This emotional connection people have to music is deep and impactful. People sympathize and empathize with music. People use music as an extension of themselves to act and create meaning within themselves. Music makes people want to move, and it can even be a saving grace in tough times.
With “Nxde,” it’s not just the lyrics that make the message, but the entire performance aspect of the song.
As one of the producers for the song, Soyeon coached each member in singing their parts to get the intended feel for each section. As idols, the members’ performances in the music video, as well as in the promotion stages, are key to getting the full experience of this song across.
Something I absolutely love most when it comes to K-Pop is the joy you can see on the members’ faces when they’re dancing to the song, as it shows just how confident they feel about their message.
Music lovers often have an affinity with their favorite artists based on the type of music they release. For K-pop lovers, affinity with certain groups over others often also has to do with their unique performances and style.
Break-up songs, love songs, girl crush songs, bubblegum pop songs, dream pop songs, religious songs, revenge/grievance songs—there are so many genres of music that each hold and send their own messages, and different people will enjoy different types.
Just as I said, I do not have a particular genre I prefer; instead, the music I love is the kind where the messages also serve a medium to share personal stories and elicit an emotional connection. Music shines most for me when it creates an emotional link between the artist and the audience. And it doesn’t take a complex message to create this connection.
When I first heard the song “Nxde,” I just about cried. I immediately related with the story the song was telling.
Soyeon wanted to not only tell Marilyn Monroe’s story, but also her and her group’s story. It came as a huge surprise that a K-pop group had released a song with this theme. But that made it all the more impactful. K-pop idols rarely speak up about their sexualization, so to see a group take charge of their lives and speak out—well, my heart felt for them. The fact Soyeon wanted to spread a message that was important to her holds so much meaning for me as a listener, and most importantly, as a fan of (G)I-DLE.
It does not take much for music to mean something to someone, and songs can be interpreted in a multitude of ways. Some listen to music for the vibe, some for the instruments, some for the vocals, some for the message, and some for the emotion. But the meanings and message of a song can be multiplied when paired with visuals.
“Nxde” is a powerful song all on its own—its music and lyrics certainly send out a message—but its music video shows the song’s intended message, its corresponding vibes, and its emotions.
While some music videos are quirky and fun, others are specifically crafted to enhance a message and elicit people’s emotions. A lot of music is made with an intention to connect with an audience, and cinematics are often used as an outlet for creating this connection by generating an array of emotions.
By pairing music and cinematics together, the emotions, vibes, and message someone initially hears in a song when only listening to it can then be either intensely enhanced or even completely changed when visuals are brought into the picture.
I love the song “Nxde” by itself—it is generally upbeat, striking, and fun to dance to. However, watching the music video reminds me how the song carries a subtle tone of anger and exhaustion, as the members sing how they are tired of being put into a box of sensual expectations just because they’re idols.
Music is created with a purpose, a message—for joy or sadness, for anger or disappointment, for release or relief. This is especially true when music takes on pressing social issues. Why contain all our emotions when they can be listened to, watched, and shared between those who feel the same, and even used to change something for the greater good?
And what about you?
Have you ever fallen in love with a song because it tells a story you wish the whole world knew?
WHERE TO NEXT?
The Cinematics and Message of “Nxde”
CONCLUSION: Closing the Curtain