Love Theory is a parody...hear me out ok?!

Taeyong's station collab with Wonstein is literally an explosive declaration of love from a very different perspective. As Taeyong once said, 'one not ever seen before in Kpop or pop in general'.

Fans of Taeyong have waited patiently for a follow up station to his 2019 classic ‘Long Flight’. Despite Taeyong having created a Soundcloud account and uploading several tracks there, as well as his unofficial track ‘Lonely’ uploaded to his YouTube channel TY TRACK, this is the first time Taeyong has had an official solo release in nearly three years.

Taeyong teased about his future collab with artist Wonstein back in 2021 at an insta live, and also mentioned the ‘Big Bang’ theme in several lives and bubble messages. So after the few teasers and finally the MV what can we conclude?

‘Love Theory’ carries some of Taeyong’s musical signature - the raspy raps, the unique percussive beats and this time unlike some of his previous work, a rather saccharine melody. Taeyong reminds us yet again of his lyrical wizardry, and his ability to convey meaning to language cloaked with innuendo and double entendres. Wonstein and Taeyong both contributed to writing the track and producer friend Zayson also lent a helping hand to complete it. All in all it’s a catchy track - a bit of an ear-worm which is also at times mysteriously simple, leaving us guessing.

Taeyong has stated that the origins of the song started with him watching ‘The Big Bang Theory’ and being inspired by the hapless scientists who are geniuses in the theory of Relativity yet clueless when it comes to love. Being a comedy and poking fun at ‘nerd culture’, the show brings to life the at times confused protagonists when it comes to human emotions and love. It’s as if they need a ‘theory’ to make sense of it all. Taeyong said he then took this idea to Wonstein to discuss ‘love’. Did Taeyong feel affinity for Big Bang’s main characters? Was he also seeking answers to what makes someone ‘love’ like they were? Was he also seeking a scientific explanation for these emotions? It’s entirely possible.

But I believe there is another layer to this masterpiece. I know this perspective may not be a popular one but I really do believe there is an element of parody to Taeyong’s ‘Love Theory’. I have long followed Taeyong’s career and have delved quite deeply into the meaning of his lyrics and songs. I am also conscious of Wonstein and Zayson’s previous work and understand that they are both very accomplished songwriters and musicians.

So, why is Love Theory a parody?

Let’s start with the teaser pics. Taeyong shared two vlog clips of him going around what appears to be a green carpeted bedroom laden with Taeyong paraphernalia- pillow cases, duvet covers, curtains, even the T shirt he is wearing. When he released the teaser MV, it also showed him with a phone and a picture of himself on the phone, as he is scrolling through TikTok pictures… of himself on the phone! Excessive love is something very visible here- over the top and self absorbed. The MV begins with him actually peering out of a window dressed in a Taeyong t-shirt and pulling shut a Taeyong curtain. Is this Taeyong really absorbed in himself or is he actually role playing someone else?

Taeyong’s verse has what appear to be lyrics of a slightly obsessed individual desperate to understand his emotions and connect to his love interest.

“Can you please not talk to me?

Cuz when you do I go blank

Mind shuts down, can’t do a thing

Paying lip service, what can’t be said

Sure I believe you did all that preparing

Gotta admit, something’s wrong in my head

Yo what y’all doing?

Can’t you see this is our last chance?

She’s leaving and we gotta make her stay”

What does Taeyong mean about doing all that preparing? As far as we know, Taeyong the artist does all the preparing. So who is he actually playing in this if he’s referring to someone else ‘preparing’? As for the ‘paying lip service’ and ‘something’s wrong in my head’ I suspect this is directed at certain people. I won’t pretend to know who, but there are some distinct double entendres here- If one is willing to find them.

It appears that Wonstein is playing the role of love guru getting paid handsomely to offer ‘Taeyong’ love advice. The lyrics here are very pertinent. Is Wonstein actually talking to Taeyong as… Taeyong? Or someone else?

“What’s the problem? Well this song and this hook

It’s too late to look chic

Just go as it is, keep being nerdy

So you’re a rich dude

Speak some English too…….

Waiting is torture, I’ve been there

But calling her now not a good idea

Remember what I’m saying

You’ll do it anyway though”

Why is there a problem with this song and hook? And why is it too late to look chic? Could it be that the artists are well aware that the melody at face value is rather saccharine and unlike anything any of these three artist have ever put forth? There is clearly a message in this especially if you are familiar with all three artists’ previous work.

Also why is calling ‘her’ now not a good idea? And why will he ‘do it anyway’? Why shouldn’t Taeyong ‘call’ the individual he’s in love with? Who exactly is Taeyong here and who exactly is the individual they should ‘not’ call?

Love Theory also includes a bejeweled grenade indicative of a ‘love bomb’. In the MV, Taeyong is seen pulling the pin from the grenade in an apparent love bomb attack. The object of his affection, who is a faceless entity with a giant sun for a head, is showered with the grenade ‘love pellets’. However, the attack is rather aggressive both from Taeyong’s end and the receiver’s - the love bomb makes them drop their bag of lemons! That said, love bombing is an attempt to influence a person by demonstrations of attention and affection and includes making grand romantic gestures and giving extravagant gifts, requesting constant attention, always complimenting the object of their affection, telling the object of their affection what they want to hear and putting their object of affection on a pedestal.

Now again, this is a rather pertinent inclusion in the clip. Who exactly is Taeyong love bombing? And why is he dressed wearing a T shirt of himself with angel wings and a crown? Just who exactly is he playing here and who is the receiver of his love bomb attack?

The ‘sun’ person represents the supposed object of his affections, however, the fact that this person has no identity and is faceless, is also very important. Who is this faceless entity? Why do they not have a face? Who are they really representing? And why is Taeyong so chuffed and ‘confident’ - the very thing Wonstein told him to become, after love bombing them? There he is confidently towering over them and taking selfies with them, whilst they comply to his ‘selfie’ demands regardless of probably still being shellshocked from the love bomb.

The reason is because Taeyong is singing from the perspective of his fans- the rather hopelessly in love and at times, ‘obsessive’ fans. Now before everyone rushes to beat me with a stick, hear me out. Taeyong himself stated that the concept was not something seen before in Kpop or in pop in general. What did he mean by this? Has there never been quirky mad hatter concepts made before in Kpop or in pop? That isn’t true of course there has. Perhaps what hasn’t been done before, is the artist singing from the perspective of his fans, to himself. Now that flipping of a narrative is unique. And I suspect this may be what Taeyong meant.

I can imagine Taeyong going to Wonstein with this idea- about love and how complex it is. About fan love and how at times, it’s confusing for him and frightening too. About watching Big Bang Theory and connecting with the ‘nerds’ about how clueless they are about love- something that perhaps he also feels too.

The faceless entity could be the real Taeyong himself- a beautiful bright sun, but faceless nonetheless. He will never really know those fans personally or intimately or even see their true faces. He is masked. The masked idol. The fans that Taeyong is playing in the clip, are in control after they love bomb him. They see him but he cannot see them. This must be complicated for him- to love and be loved by people whose love is beyond his comprehension. He can’t see them let alone be able to talk to them deeply. Let’s not forget Taeyong has made a real point about extreme fan behavior on Vlives and on one of his insta lives which kept being interrupted by intrusive fans calling him - cue Wonstein’s lyrics about 'calling now’ not a ‘good idea’.

It must be a complex emotion this type of love- appreciative and grateful for all his fans, yet also frightened by the excesses of some of their behaviors. It must be challenging to be an idol and know that amongst the pure and honest love and appreciation of his fans, there are some fans who take a more toxic turn.

The parody is that Taeyong is showing us how complicated the idol worshipping fan and their relationship to him is. We all know how precious Taeyong’s fans are to him. But the excesses of idol worship are clearly evident in this clip. The needy clueless Taeyong singing about being in love and needing his love interest, is not like any other romantic song - because this isn’t really a romantic love song. This is a parody about how clumsy, curious, funny, extraordinary and yet sometimes, frightening love can be. And how being an idol and being ‘loved’ has left Taeyong feeling as clueless as Sheldon from the Big Bang Theory.

Watch ‘Love Theory’ in full here and make up your own mind.