Linked by a red string or what the Stray Kids video 'Red Lights' is about

Well, I watched it. Over. And over again. Then died, buried my psyche and finally revived to actually understand what all this beauty is about. Now, meet my interpretation of the music video 강박 (Red Lights): It's beautiful. That’s probably it. Thank you all for your continued support! Just kiddin’… I will try not to focus on the meaning of the lyrics, but on the music video itself as a whole piece of art. Even the first seconds are ethereal.... (it's really hard for me to concentrate watching it, because I forcefully stop myself from laying down and just screaming into a pillow every two seconds…). It is Bang Chan that we see there. He's lying with heavy iron chains entwined above him. So does Hyunjin, who is the next one to appear in front of us. The chains look almost alive by the way they’re gripping the characters' arms and legs, strangling them, cutting off any attempts to free themselves. What is a chain? What function can an object restraining others perform in a video? I think that in this case, the chain is a metaphor: the characters are trying to whisper, to tell, to scream something to the world, but they are being strangled by taboos and stereotypes. Suddenly, it appears that Bang Chan is pulling the chain that is linked to Hyunjin. They seem to be connected with each other, but we don't see them in the same frame yet. That is, the creator of the "chains" could be the Man himself. Next stop is Hyunjin lying on a bed in a burning agony, with the figure of Bang Chan hovering over him, despite the fact that seconds ago he was also squirming in the heavy restraints. Hyunjin tries to break free, but the chain won't let him. The black and white picture suddenly lights up with color. We can see now that the chain has not the traditional metallic gleam, but the bright red one. Perhaps this represents the famous legend of the 'thread of destiny'. It is a red thread (unexpectedly) connecting two people. That’s how the omnipotent beings unite two souls into one. In the next moment it is Hyunjin who is hovering over Bang Chan. Now we see the situation from a mirrored reflection. The circle is closed. Thus, we can see that the characters are suffering in their hearts and souls. They are linked by a red thread of fate, that is constantly postponing the delivery of their feelings to each other. Society does not accept their relationship and tries to suppress them by imposing certain rules. Moreover, public opinion affects the characters' state of mind, causing them not only to torment themselves, but also to torment each other. Bang Chan is standing by an open window. Some hazy silhouettes of people can be made out on the walls’ pictures. The oppressive atmosphere is accentuated by two lamps which could represent the culture of the mid-20th century. At that time, the aversion to the LGBTQ+ community was at its peak. Perhaps, there’re so many thoughts on Bang Chan’s mind now. Perhaps, the idea that the worst can’t be over, that in the face of such hatred life is just no longer possible, is pushing him closer to the open window. But if you look closely, it becomes clear that Bang Chan's hands are still chained together. So, according to the previously discussed theory, society has so much control over a man that he can't even make his own life-death decisions. The next extremely important scene is a picture of two mirrored corridors separated by a wall. On the left is Bang Chan, on the right is Hyunjin. Their movements are synchronized, although they can't see each other. The panel with the two withered twigs is also a meaningful image. Perhaps they signify the immortality of the characters' feelings to each other. The tree, as you know, is a symbol of life. The scene in the room full of mirrors is the first one where the characters appear together. The mirror cannot lie, it reflects true feelings and experiences. However much the characters would like to deny their feelings to each other, they cannot distort the true nature of their relationship in front of the mirror. Still, the torment goes on. Even though the chains are no longer there, the characters continue to inflict pain on each other. Some would call it a "toxic relationship". But I don't think so. It is the relationship of two broken people that are used to think of pain and suffering as constant companions of love. There’s no coincidence in the fact that Hyunjin’s figure begins to blur. As if he can’t quite grasp the reality: everything is confusing and unclear to him. As to Bang Chan, he can’t engage in this relationship anymore. He can’t bear the thought of being attracted to another man, so he runs away, through the corridors. But despite his expectations there’s no freedom at the end of a tunnel – just more and more chains. The location of the music video is probably a love motel. In South Korea, it is a popular place for "couples" who do not want to disclose the true nature of their relationship or are ashamed of it (as in the case of our characters). The intricate maze of corridors and flickering doors complete the atmosphere of despair and terror. Once more we see Hyunjin's face. He is breathing heavily and the sense of frankness and eroticism is creeping on the periphery of the scene. Something completely different is unfolding in the center. The yellow, nauseous color and hospital sheets complete the picture of the escalating, sickening horror. In the next scene both characters are sitting across from each other at a table covered with a red tablecloth. Perhaps they have finally agreed on the "negotiation table" and are ready to discuss openly their relationship. Burning candles are heating up the atmosphere. Now they’re at the fine line between the intimacy of the moment and the imminent outburst of their feelings. The image is now flashing from the scene "at the table" to the room with mirrors and back. As I've said before, it's impossible to lie in front of a mirror. As soon as the characters decide to have an "honest conversation", their reflections become clearer, the blurred lines disappear. If you look closely, their movements represent the same idea. Bang Chan lifts Hyunjin in his arms, literally supports him. This pose signifies absolute trust between the partners. Back to the table, there’s something else besides candles. It is a peacock feather: a symbol of love, beauty and fantasy. The peacock was also a faithful companion of Hera, the most jealous and simultaneously loyal goddess. The fate of the characters is similar to her "from hatred to love" path. Next to the peacock feather pearls shine like shed tears. There also lay exotic fruits as a symbol of rare, incredible love and, curiously, a tray with scissors. I’ve already mentioned the red thread of fate. In Greek mythology there is a myth about three sisters – moirés – who are responsible for the fate of human kind. The younger sister – the one with the scissors - cuts the thread of a person's fate and they die. So perhaps the scissors in the video also have a special meaning. Perhaps both characters have a chance to end their suffering right now – to cut the "red thread" between them, but they are too in love to even consider the possibility of separation. Hyunjin is once again in red chains, but now it's as if he is in the center of a huge web - a web of forbidden feelings. There’s no escape. For a second, Bang Chan appears on the screen, standing at the same window, next to the same two lamps, the same pictures hanging on the wall. It turns out that the room with the table is the same room where Bang Chan was standing at the open window at the beginning of the video. But now he is leaning imperiously on the table with both hands that are free of chains now. He is most likely the "spider" that created Hyunjin’s trap. Something supernatural is now creeping into the video: Hyunjin was trying to crawl down a corridor, when something thrown him against a wall as if he was weightless. Next scene - Hyunjin and Bang Chan are standing back-to-back, their hands tied tightly together. No matter how hard they try to resist their feelings, love has bound them forever. Hyunjin has been playing the role of the victim all along, but suddenly he finds himself in front of a mirror. He looks fearlessly at his reflection, so does Bang Chan. The characters seem to reexamine their existence anew. Their dance shows beautifully the whole change in them. Characters move towards each other with determination, they’ve abandoned all the formalities. Hyunjin grabs Bang Chan by the throat as if he’s trying to take a revenge or, on the contrary, to show his desire for undivided possession. At the end of the video, both characters continue to explore their reflections. Perhaps they still are trying to understand their feelings. Perhaps they need to learn the necessity of acceptance. Perhaps they’re trying not to be afraid of love. I am done.