#5 You Are
It's a beautiful sky
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Have been sitting here for a solid 5 minutes. Staring at the vertical bar blinking, silently asking to type something while “You Are” plays on a loop in the background.
It has been an endless cycle of writing a sentence, deleting that sentence, and… The words needed for the perfect introduction to this newsletter are not here. But honestly, how do you put into words the emotions you feel for “You Are”? The song builds up and you know that as soon as that first “It’s a beautiful sky” hits, your eyes start watering and you feel a lump in your throat - and it doesn’t matter how many times you’ve listened to it.
So, how do you write the perfect introduction for this song? Might as well just give up and go straight to the point: why are we talking about “You Are”?
We thought about doing something different from the previous newsletters we’ve done; in this newsletter, we are talking and guiding you through some of the theories Ahgases have shared about one of GOT7’s most meaningful songs and most underrated songs in the whole of K-Pop. You Are.
Wait, did we just write the perfect introduction to “You Are”?
“You Are” is the leading track of “7 for 7”; released on October 10th, 2017 - the group’s 7th EP is a powerful statement about the group’s unity. The EP involves all the members in the production process, a clear message of how confident the group is taking creative control over their music - which is essential to show GOT7 colours. This was the first time a title track was written by a member of the group.
“You Are” is different from GOT7’s usual Hip-Hop / Pop-heavy tracks. The song seems to be built on JJ Project’s “Tomorrow, Today”, having the same uplifting and youthful atmosphere. The highlight of the track is, without a doubt, the powerful chorus, perfectly delivered by JAY B and Youngjae, creating an emotional and authentic moment.
Before the release of “You Are", JAY B said in an interview
[...] I hope "You Are" is the occasion in which the colour of GOT7 is created. In fact, this is the colour of GOT7! I do not think there's anyone yet.
Speaking about the lyrics
[...] The lyrics talk about how that person being in my life has become the reason for my existence. The words can be interpreted in a lot of different ways. It could be about us and our fans, us and our parents, or two people in a relationship.
It’s important to remember that “You Are” and “7 for 7” are between the Flight Log series and “Eyes On You” because it’s time to talk about theories! Who doesn’t love a song and music video theory? We’ve all been there at some point, either to check them or make them.
THEORY 1 & THEORY 2 - “MUSUBI”
One of the key facts about “You Are” is that the music video and the song take inspiration from the 2016 Japanese anime “Your Name”
In JAY B words
I got a lot of inspiration from watching the movie ‘Your Name’ because it had a lot of scenes showing the beautiful sky. (...)
The overarching theme in the anime “Your Name” is (two) people having a connection so deep that it’s never broken, no matter the circumstances and the years.
Knowing this background information will help understand these first two theories that we combined and called “Musubi”. In the anime, one of the characters - Hitoha Miyamizu - talks and explains the meaning of ‘Musubi’
Musubi is the old way of calling the local guardian god. This word has profound meaning. Typing thread is Musubi. Connecting people is Musubi. The flow of time is Musubi. These are all the god's powers. So, the braided cords that we make are the god's art and represent the flow of time itself. They converge and take shape. They twist, tangle, sometimes unravel, break, and then connect again. Musubi - knotting. That's time.
So, how does this relate to GOT7 and You Are?
Seven strangers form a friendship, seven strangers that were destined to meet and ultimately become friends with a strong bond. This is Musubi in its purest form.
While doing ground research we stumbled upon this theory from KPOP Junkee. This theory backs up what we’ve been talking about so far and adds the journey element.
The music video opens with each member alone and in different parts of the city (world?) marking the start of their journey of finding one another. Jackson is alone in the streets of Hong Kong (his hometown and where the music video has been shot) while Jinyoung sits beside a body of water - likely to represent Busan, his hometown. As the theory points out, if you pay attention, at the beginning the sky is dark, cloudy or the view is blocked by tall buildings, symbolising that before the members met each other the sky wasn’t visible or clear - just not beautiful.
As the music video progresses and the members start meeting one another - JAY B and Jinyoung (JJP) are together and meet Jackson - the sky starts transitioning, we see more of it, it gets brighter and clearer, to climax in a beautiful sky every time the 7 members are together, symbolising how their lives have changed because they’ve met.
The music video and the mini-album seem to continue the story from the “Flight Log” trilogy; the name of the EP “7 for 7” could be seen as the airplane Boeing 747.
After the plane crash - Hard Carry - their souls were divided - You Are - just like in the film “Your Name”; now they are on their journey to find each other again. As highlighted in this theory, the helipad is a key place - where people go flying (here again) somewhere else. When standing on the helipad, the 7 are always together and it can be considered the space between their conscious life on earth, the present, and the afterlife, and what they might aspire to.
At the end of the video, we see the boys huddled together on the bright green grass, looking at a beautiful sky in what seems like paradise. They are all wearing white clothes, which could symbolise heaven, the afterlife, them being angels, and finally meeting one another.
The inspiration behind the title track “You Are” is beautiful and fascinating - as mentioned, JAY B drew inspiration from the anime “Your Name”; the anime has stunning sky scenery throughout it but also has a multilayered story that explores love, family, cultural traditions, all leading to the concept of being deeply connected to another person. This connection can have a profound impact or influence one’s perspective and view of the world around them - something that GOT7 must have experienced since they met.
A bond so strong that it could never be broken despite time, space, or distance. It’s 7 or never, 7 or nothing - fast forward to 2021, “Encore”.
In the anime, the sky scenery plays a key role in the story as both characters - Taki and Mitsuha - look up at the sky with the lingering feeling of missing the other person and considering them precious. During an interview JAY B said
[...]The sky was very wide. There is a person who looks at the sky [...] I felt that way. "You" can be anyone who is precious. Family, parents, members, and our fans. I wanted to express my preciousness carefully and lovingly.
“You Are” was meant to show the colours of GOT7 and their transition to mature music. In a certain way, this can be seen in the symbolism of the music video. At the beginning of the video the tones are rather dark, with only some burst of brightness, possibly meaning being ‘musically controlled’ - yes, JYP we’re looking at you with disdain; the boys being together on the helipad could symbolise that they are ready for their new journey as the tones change, we end with peak brightness - introduction of a new direction towards mature music and clear expression of their colours.
In “Your Name”, there is an exchange of the red string between the characters that symbolises not only physical connection but a link between their souls, a reminder of the bond they have built. With this background fact, we’re heading into...
THEORY 3 - “(IN)VISIBLE STRINGS”
The red string might get tangled, contracted or stretched, as surely often happens, but it can never break.
In the music video, we can see each member holding triangular necklaces, each of them with a different shape engraved. In only one frame we can see Youngjae wearing it and showing his Ars symbol, throughout the music video we never see if the members are holding and carrying their own necklace or another member’s piece.
At the very end of the video, we see 6 of the necklaces pieced together, a hand placing the last piece - hold the thought about ‘last piece’ - to form the GOT7 symbol - the number 7 in a heptagon (7 sides). Tangible and visible proof of their bond.
THEORY 4 - “YOU ARE LOOKing at me now”
Another interesting theory (by PeachSoul) connects the “You Are” and “Look” music videos.
The very first scene of “Look” already sets a contrast with the first scene in “You Are”. Yugyeom is in what seems like a basement looking up to a hole - the only source of light - while in “Look”, Mark is standing on a balcony with the city behind him but his gaze goes down. The music video then shows JAY B standing on a bridge alone during sunset in an atmosphere that photographers call “the golden hour”. This is another striking contrast to “You Are” JAY B standing on a bridge (alone) at nighttime, looking at a foggy city. In the latter, we can feel his uneasiness and worry, while in “Look” he is giving a relaxed and calm vibe.
Jinyoung also looks more relaxed in “Look”, giving us his side, while in “You Are” he gives us his back, looking at the body of water on a gloomy day - representing his emotions and longing for someone, as he is on a quest to find his friends. “You Are” Jackson is surrounded by tall buildings, blocking his path and view of the sky. In “Look” he holds a lantern, a source of light that helps him find his happiness and path to walk. This could also symbolise that he is now ready to look for this path and somehow leave his past behind - being an athlete who decides to leave a known path for the unknown to become a singer.
JAY B and Jinyoung focus in the first part of the choreography see them transitioning between light and dark, and this could represent the Yin and Yang (a symbol dear to JAY B). They started as JJ Project and have been considered GOT7’s parents; thanks to their first experience in debuting they helped the other members. When together, like Yin and Yang, everything is in a harmonious balance.
In “You Are”, Jinyoung joins JAY B on the bridge and look at each other, meaning they have found each other again, they will always have each other.
With BamBam we see a difference in the aesthetic of the backgrounds; in “You Are” he is standing in front of a piece of bland architecture with a triangular opening, while in “Look” his background pops with colours, just like him - his clothing change and his hair, from grey to red.
“You Are” Mark looks almost lost, like Jackson, his way and view is blocked by buildings; just like him, he is also away from his hometown and family, hence the settings for both of them are rather dark. In “Look”, he stands on a balcony overlooking buildings with his back turned to the background - his hopes and dreams are coming true and there’s nothing to worry about. Yugyeom is finally walking in bright daylight and in an open area, breaking free from the caged setting in “You Are”. This represents how now he is able to present himself not only as a dancer and a singer but also as a songwriter and producer, making his own music and sharing it on his SoundCloud (unfortunately now long gone - sad).
As we’ve already seen in the music video, Jackson is holding a lantern which is another contrast to him looking at the caged bird in “You Are”. With the bird, it feels like he is looking at himself at the beginning of his new career, with not much confidence due to being constantly criticised. Holding a lantern is now seen as him owning his own confidence, future, and happiness while looking at the best ways for him to fulfill his dreams.
Between music videos, the meaning of the building also changes. In “You Are” they are perceived as a block, obstacles to overcome, and all of them manage to do so, and we see GOT7 dancing on a rooftop. In “Look” the buildings are more like a background that serves GOT7 to showcase their strength and bond.
In the choreography we see GOT7 creating the triangle shape with their hands, reminding us of GOT7 necklaces seen in “You Are”. This time the triangle not only is a reference to that bond but it can be seen as eyeing a focal point as if now they know where to look to find each other, themselves, and their fans.
The triangular shape also has 3 meanings: eye, connection, and relationship. In the theory, another possible meaning of the triangle is the connection GOT7 have with IGOT7.
Jinyoung and Yugyeom mirroring dance part has a counterpart in “You Are”; in “Look”, the lyrics are
I want to do everything with you
I wanna think about tomorrow as we look at each other
If you still don’t know how my heart is filled with you
The setting keeps changing between dim and bright lights, compelling the idea of past and future; Jinyoung and Yugyeom keep dancing, shifting positions, and facing each other while mirroring each other moves - a symbol of deep trust but also self-reflection.
In “You Are”, Jinyoung sings
Just like now, you, just stay beside me
Look at me with warm eyes, just like this
You wouldn't know this but it's your existence
That keeps my breathing
Towards the end of the music video, Jinyoung and Yugyeom are sitting on the grass with the other members, leaning on each other’s back - another symbol of trust; even if they don’t look at each they have no doubt that they can count on each other.
Another object appearing in both music videos is the mirror and Jackson is for the second time facing a mirror. In “Look” we see him run and stop in front of the mirror, looking at his reflection - his image is clear and clean, the backdrop is a beautiful starry night. In “You Are”, Jackson stops in front of a chipped mirror while walking in the streets at night. The reflection is dull, giving him back a sad Jackson. The mirror could be seen as a wake-up call first, Jackson needs to overcome the tall buildings, find the members, and in a certain way himself, while the second mirror could be the portal to Jackson’s new path.
It wouldn’t be a GOT7 music video without… Birds! In “You Are” both Mark and Jackson are looking at a bird in a cage - a swallow, a migratory bird bound to travel but currently is trapped in a cage. This bird possibly symbolises both Mark and Jackson (and BamBam), their journey to South Korea, and the struggles and difficulties they faced, now they feel it’s time to break free. At the end of “Look”, we see Mark on the balcony and after what could be considered the blink of an eye, a lovebird has taken his place. GOT7 have decided to leave us with a lovebird, a symbol of long-term relationship and loyalty - between the members and between GOT7 and IGOT7.
THEORY 5 - “LAST PIECE”
Do you remember in Theory 3 we’ve asked to hold the thought on ‘last piece’? That’s because there is a theory (from @sseuniewanggae) about “You Are” and “Last Piece” being connected throughout the comebacks by concepts, lyrics, and choreography.
Kudos to @sseuniewanggae, their work and dedication haven’t gone unnoticed. We will call them Vee from now on, as per their profile. Vee also reminds you to stream “Last Piece” and that ALBEOM is coming soon.
In Vee’s theory we can clearly see how GOT7 have been carrying over the “7 for 7” concept through the releases; even if they are different in how they appear to fans and ‘consumers’, what remains the same are the members, their loyalty to each other and the fans.
We need to go back to “7 for 7” and to the ending of the “You Are” music video. As we covered in Theory 1 and 2, GOT7 have a deep connection that pushes them to look for each other after being separated, the only thread/thing that connects them is their necklace. At the end of the video, all the necklaces are sealed together, forming the GOT7 logo - number 7 in a heptagon (7 sides).
In “Look” Dance Practice we can see how members - 4 of them and JAY B - are creating a connection. Jinyoung, Mark, BamBam, and Yugyeom form a hexagon (6 sides) with JAY B in the centre who has the ‘ability to open and close it.
It could be seen as JAY B being the GOT7’s connection, the leader keeping together (or splitting ‘groups’, when needed in times of shenanigans) the group. As Vee said, this could go back again to “7 for 7” and be complete only when they are 7.
“Lullaby” choreography starts with 6 members sitting around JAY B - again he is the centre - and ends with 6 members sitting around Jinyoung who is now the centre;
Could this be a reference to JJP, in which Jinyoung is the leader? Or how JAY B sees Jinyoung as a GOT7 leader when he is in doubt or going through a rough patch?
“Eclipse” shows how the bond becomes stronger as the members are fighting to stay together but the connection between them fades through the music video. Jinyoung is once again the centre and during the dance practice, we see the threading as it happens. Some of the members always find their way to physically connect to each other until the seven of them are all connected during 3 particular moments/poses.
The row with their arms overlapped and intertwined
The “gonna win this fight” pose with all the members supporting JAY B’s wrist while being the centre
Through a faint touch all the members are covering each other’s eyes; JAY B, at the front, moves the hands to see again and tries to lead them out of the darkness but he ultimately can’t.
As “Eclipse” ends with JAY B in the centre, “You Calling My Name” starts with JAY B as a centre. The opening scene of the music video is
JAY B is moving counterclockwise in the circle formed by the 6 members; to be able to move he has to connect with each member - this time the members are not the ones needing their leader to move or get out of the darkness, but the leader needs his members in order to move.
The lyrics start with JAY B singing how (he) “hates and resents himself for hurting” the recipient of the lyrics as all the members are looking for the light that has now gone. Remember that we are moving from “Eclipse” - the light during an eclipse diminishes as a celestial body covers another - to wanting to find the light again.
GOT7 are in the dark and are asking for YOU - unspecified like in “You Are” - to call out their names so they can follow the voice and find what they are looking for. In the choreography, the only time we see the members make a physical connection is during Jackson’s verse but then again they need to rely on the voice, on the name as shown with the symbols ㅂD
When put together they make the Chinese symbol 名 meaning “name”.
At the end of “You Calling My Name” and at the beginning of “Not By The Moon” we have Jinyoung. In NBTM there’s still a touchless choreography but the eclipse is close to its end, GOT7 are starting to see the light and are aware of each other as they hear their names being called. The lyrics and the choreography are in contrast; the lyrics imply that they are holding hands, during this transition from eclipse/darkness to light they ask to swear not by the moon because the moon is always changing, and to not let go, to not break the promise.
Vee interprets this worry of letting go as making room for the blossoming of a new trust within the members, who start to rely more on each other rather than depending solely on JAY B to hold the connection and re-create it; he is also sharing the responsibility, not only as a leader but as a songwriter and producer in the group - and this can be seen on “Breath of Love: Last Piece”, where the members individually wrote and produced tracks.
This newfound trust is beautifully portrayed in “Breath” and “Last Piece”. “Breath” also has a contactless choreography, GOT7 are having a casual stroll, just enjoying themselves and the atmosphere they are in. You can breathe happiness, their happiness, while they keep finding themselves while walking in these imaginary streets and there are many transitions with the members. The veil floating around seems to be the string that connects and keeps connecting the seven even when they are not together. They will always find each other, no matter what.
“Last Piece” takes place in the same location as “Breath” and it’s the concept continuation, culmination of their strong bond. The music video starts with 6 members creating a hexagon (remember “Look”?) with Jinyoung unlocking it - possibly meaning that the members will come together as a group whenever someone needs support, with the ‘last piece’ always completing the shape (“You Are”), always finding the others. The last art piece needed to complete the exhibition in the art gallery.
The video ends with all the seven members holding each other’s arms to create the heptagon that we’ve seen at the end of the “You Are” music video.
They are not looking at each other or at the centre, instead, their bodies and eyes are toward the outside of the heptagon meaning possibly that they don’t need to see each other, look each other in the eyes to prove their bond, their trust.
It’s worth mentioning that the original title of “You Are” was “Beautiful Sky” and it was changed due to the lyrics - and after getting feedback from JYP 🙄 - and that BamBam edited the lyric video teaser for “You Are” Lyric video - he learned editing and filming during the 7 months hiatus before releasing “7 for 7”.
We want to say goodbye and thanks for reading with two scenes and a quote from “Your Name”.
