Taeyeon music video analysis: How INVU utilises Greek and Roman mythology to tell the story of a failing relationship
Taeyeon released her highly anticipated third album "INVU" today. The title track of the same name is a breakup song that draws heavily on Greek and Roman mythology in its music video. Only Taeyeon would release a breakup song on Valentine's Day, king behaviour indeed.
INVU as an album explores the failure of love and relationships in different forms. The music video for the title track supposedly ties the album into the lore of SM's SMCU. In a setting I would describe as a cyber re-imagination of Greek and Roman mythology with a sprinkle of LoTR-type elven fantasy, Taeyeon takes on the role of a goddess similar to Artemis.
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| Taeyeon in her supposedly marble temple, the columns in the middle look like a fantasy interpretation of the Ionic order to me |
With Girls' Generation being introduced as the "Goddesses of Sound" in the SMCU and the entirety of SM's artists arriving at KWANGYA beginning of this year, this seems fitting. Also, the fact that Taeyeon is surrounded by 8 orbs in one of the last scenes of the video could be a nod to the rest of SNSD joining in soon. Starting with their leader Taeyeon who is taking on a role like Artemis, a protector of women is a coherent starting point.
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| Taeyeon surrounded by 8 orbs |
The music video features heavy imagery of the sun and moon. Taeyeon is often shown in front of the moon or in a silver blue outfit, sporting a silver arrow akin to a crescent moon. Given the fact that she is only surrounded by female dancers in the scenes showing the choreography, I would argue that her character draws heavy inspiration from the Greek goddess Artemis.
Artemis is amongst other things the Ancient Greek goddess of the hunt, the moon and a protector of women and children. Her attributes include a bow, an arrow and the moon. Her twin brother is the god Apollo who is also the god of music, which makes her inclined to participate in activities such as the round dance. A perfect fit for a "goddess of sound" like Taeyeon's role in the SMCU.
According to a poem by Callimachius she also has 20 Aminisides nymphs as handmaiden to watch her hunting dogs and bow while she sleeps.
If Taeyeon's character is inspired by Artemis, the female dancers could symbolise her handmaiden. The fact that they are often shown dancing in water would add to that point, because Artemis' nymphs are tied to the river Amnisiades.
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| Taeyeon and her dancers dancing on water |
But back to the moon symbolism in the music video. Another goddess identified with Artemis is the Greek goddess of the moon Selene. Her brother is the sun god Helios.
Selene is often accompanied by Pan, the god famous for his musical instrument, the pan flute. The flute melody in INVU could be a nod to him.
Taeyeon's character is shooting an arrow at the moon which causes it to erupt right before she is shown alone in the desert, almost being hit by a swarm of arrows.
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| Taeyeon right before shooting the moon |
The relationship portrayed in the lyrics is like the one of sun and moon. The sun is shining brighter, even if the moon is destroyed. The moon is only shining because it reflects the light of the sun.
In the lyrics it says:
"I can't beat you, even if I abandon myself, and lose myself more, the irony is that you shine more"
The lyrical narrator in the song explains how she feels powerless in the relationship with her partner and how she is envious of him. Even the title stands for "I envy you". (I use "she" because of the sun and moon symbolism, but also because the music video is only showcasing women.) The only possible solution for ending the relationship that seemed to be unbalanced from the start
"To you I'm just an option"
is hurting herself, which is portrayed in the music video by Taeyeon's character destroying the moon (which is like hurting herself, the moon goddess). The following scene shows her laying in the desert under the scalding sun (the sun representing her partner), being almost hit by a swarm of arrows, when it's her shooting the arrows. She is hurting herself in the relationship, while her partner only shines brighter and doesn't seem to be affected by the ending relationship.
"Yeah, it's my kind of love, like it's always the first time, it hurts me again since I'm so clumsy"
Taeyeon laying in the desert surrounded by arrows
If we examine the arrow as a symbol further, it is used to symbolise the hurt of a breakup or being heartbroken instead of being lovestruck.
In Greek mythology the arrows of Artemis can bring disease on women wounded by them. This effect is contrary to the one of the sharp golden arrow of Roman god Cupid, which fills the one struck by it with uncontrollable desire.
Cupid and his arrow have long been a symbol for being lovestruck, most recently in the context of Valentine's Day. With INVU being a break-up song released on Valentine's Day, the symbolism of the arrow as a wounding weapon makes for the perfect antithesis. Should I dare to call Taeyeon's character the anti-cupid?
After all this song and the accompanying music video are a beautifully crafted piece of art. The failing and imbalanced relationship is told with imagery akin to Roman and Greek mythology, making it the perfect starting point to tie SNSD into the SMCU.
What did you think of INVU?
Happy Valentine's,
Freddy
Watch INVU on Youtube:
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