Taeyong enters the Underworld
Taeyong's GHOST is a tale of undefined desire hidden behind the veils of reality
Without any warning, Taeyong released his performance video for Ghost on 2 June 2022. Fans were caught completely unawares and were shocked to see that this was not only another original song by Taeyong, but also a performance video good enough to be an MV. The alluring beauty of the narrative presented in the video coupled with the song carrying some rather provocative and seductive lyrics left fans reeling. Trying to unpack the plot without any official lyrics released and no commentary from Taeyong himself, I took it upon myself to see what themes were presented and whether I could try and piece together the narrative Taeyong was trying to convey. Hence, these views are my own only and certainly not confirmed by anyone.
The clip starts with sounds of thunder and Taeyong laying on a red sheeted bed with white sheets draped behind him. The sheets are in a pointed shape which remind us of some type of hooded beings at a ceremonial ritual. Red is a crucial colour here. Red symbolises so much in many different cultures however in the realm of the occult, the spiritual representation of red is power, energy, vitality, dominance, action, assertion, creation, survival and passion. It is also associated with blood and sacrifice as well as the root chakra. As the song begins, it appears as though something awakens him.
We then see two figures dressed in white emerge from beneath the bed moving in and out with the lights flickering on and off akin to a horror movie. As they appear to try and grab Taeyong’s leg, he flinches away back onto the bed looking visibly frightened.
Are these the ghosts that frighten him? He appears to resist them yet the lyrics convey a different message.
You’re in my bed, bite play touch and hug me
Feels like it’s slow motion
I bow my head, so into you I can’t move
Ride the vibrations
When I look at you
The scene then flashes to Taeyong dancing with the two white figures with a sensual choreo showcasing his impeccable dance skills.
Tell me your location
Feels like a vacation
See it’s 3am now but it feels like noon
Taeyong then continues his erotic dance solo which showcases his sublime rhythm, flexibility and command of the camera. When Taeyong stares down the barrel of a lens, he commands attention. Those eyes, which carry a worldly knowing far beyond his years, seduce us into his trance like experience. He’s hungry like a wolf prowling towards us and writhing insatiably on the floor.
The next scene is telling as the chorus repeats; Taeyong shakes his head as if he’s become possessed by the spirits around him. Initially frightened of them, he has now succumbed to them and allowed himself to be consumed by them.
Who are these spirits? What is this force that seduces him? He can’t see them.
When I look at you
You’re already gone
Taeyong gets to express his high tones in the next part once again showing us his diverse vocal range. The shifting tone of his voice and the subsequent dance moves are indicative of the eventual consummation of this spirit connection performed ever so elegantly by Taeyong and his dancers. Not obvious or tacky, Taeyong is able to show what he wants to show without blatantly ‘showing' it.
Suddenly an aggression creeps in as Taeyong leaves the figures in white who have now fallen to the floor to switch to the next scene where he is masked dressed in silver and black, dancing with other masked figures dressed in black. Taeyong has descended into the Underworld; Hades; the Black Lodge; call it what you want.
Coupled with a thunderous backdrop and a more aggressive vocal and choreo, it appears as though Taeyong becomes empowered by the spirit he has consumed. He is now the one in command of the underworld demons dancing with him. He sings about the full moon and being a werewolf as we hear howling in the background.
Returning to the red bed dressed in black and silver this time, he looks in control. Gone is the red outfit and the frightened Taeyong. He has been replaced with a darker version of himself as he lays down on the bed. He has embraced his inner shadow and brought it to life. The ghosts and spirits that touch him are not met with fear and resistance this time; but an acceptance. He is their master now.
Watching this performance, I am reminded of the myth of Melinoe. Melinoe is the dark minded Greek Goddess of ghosts and spirits. She is the daughter of Persephone and Hades or Zeus. The right half of her body is pale white representing the heavenly Zeus, whilst her left half is pitch black and hardened like mummy skin representing Hades. According to the Orphic hymn, Melinoe brings night terrors to mortals by manifesting in strange forms, "now plain to the eye, now shadowy, now shining in the darkness", and can drive mortals insane.
Is this the ghost that Taeyong encounters initially? He is frightened of her and he appears to go mad. However, he allows himself to become consumed by her and with that, captures her powers and becomes the new master of the underworld. The former spirits under the bed that initially had frightened him, hold no power over him now. He controls them.
I honestly think this is one of Taeyong’s most impressive pieces of work. The vocals, the choreography, the sensual and occult dark concepts suit Taeyong’s persona. In fact, despite Love Theory and Taeyong’s soft side, there is a deep seated darkness within him. As someone interested in the occult and astrology, I know that Taeyong has his Pluto and North Node in Scorpio in his 8th house (which is also ruled by Scorpio). This doubles the power of Pluto, the ruler of Scorpio and the 8th house in his chart making it even more potent. The North Node is our destiny- where we are headed. The North Node in the 8th house revolves around issues concerning power, money, sex and the complex interactions one has with other people. Questions around intense transformational experiences, spiritual regeneration (the Phoenix rising from the ashes), and any fears or phobias based on the events that led to one’s death in past lifetimes are included here. The North Node in 8th house suggests that people with this placement need to focus on mysterious experiences, such as sharing their soul with another human being through sex and intimacy. It is clear through Taeyong’s lyrics in Whiplash, Baby Don’t Like It, No Manners and now Ghost, that themes of sex and intimacy, transformative experiences, possessiveness and obsessions are common threads.
Taeyong’s voyeurism into the darker sides of human nature and his own psyche are only just being explored and shared with his audience. His creativity and performance art are the perfect vehicle for him to channel these experiences and hopefully give him the transformative regeneration he needs to reach his life’s destiny. I am excited about what the future holds now and can’t wait to see what else he has to offer. He has a growing body of work that could easily be made into a first album. It’s definitely time for Taeyong’s solo and when it drops, he will be a force to be reckoned with shaking up the Korean music world. Taeyong could rewrite the idol narrative - breaking with established norms and expectations and carving a new niche for himself.