FILMMAKER Reacts To Stray Kids 'Hellevator' MV

[@vsparza]

Hellevator was actually a pre debut song so technically this is their first mv! Love your skz reactions btw!

[@thylionheart]

When Han (the guy who goes into the elevator alone) enters the second time, the numbers count Up instead of Down--and afterwards, the lyrics say, "I'm going to find out where the exit is [...] I'm on the Hellevator, I'm going up / I'm escaping my dark past." So while before, the Hellevator only took them farther down, there's the revelation that elevators don't just take you down; they take you up, too. They're choosing to escape their Hell and run away to a brighter future.

[@diannoviani6213]

The H on elevator could be Heaven instead of Hell

[@thylionheart]

@@diannoviani6213 Very good point!! Idk why I haven't thought of that before

[@StayHappy4SKZ]

Actually they started in hell (metaphor for their training days and trying to debut) and they ride the "hellevator" up to a better future and success. Thats why it's pretty.

[@Emily-vt9qc]

yeah it was actually THE first video they weren’t even officially a band at that time

[@LoveTheBasics]

Oh shit

[@chenxiao5722]

Yea That is for their Survival Show. They debuted on March 25 2018

[@chenxiao5722]

2 days later its Stray Kids 4th Anniversary

[@lisanelson1522]

Yay on the Stray Kids. They’re notable in that JYP let Bang Chan select the members from their pool of trainees, then prepare them for debut himself. I’m excited we’ll be seeing more of their work. Do Maknae On Top and Up All Night as well! Lower quality, not the same as their other cinematic with tight choreography, but great videos and songs. Funny!

[@thoseeightlostkidsistg]

Oohh you should watch their trailer….. “I AM NOT trailer” its like the start of the storyline soo yk if you wanna know the storyline, District 9 is their debut song and its really good hope you can react to it!! there’s also “STRAYKIDS PREQUEL (highlight reel)” its like the summary of their story before God’s Menu :) Thanks for the skz reactions ^~^

[@disturbmeandyoudie7566]

An MV that I want to recommend is their performance video for Side Effects. I love the song and the video is such a masterpiece.

[@lisanelson1522]

I forgot about Side Effects. Now I’m listening to it again. You’re right. The song is great. I love the video, thought I’m not sure what’s going on.

[@greerpatterson9752]

So excited you're watching their first stuff, I think you'll really love it!! District 9 I believe was their debut song and Carrie's along with their story line, side effects, double knot and levante are also really good!!

[@xeniamilou]

yes district 9 is their debut song!

[@skzoteight0325]

it's the beginning of the parallel worlds (or so how i saw it and how seemingly multiverse skz's mv universe is somehow building up) -plus inception was my fave back then, so the elevator and the folded world makes it a very amazing experience

[@shivraj4355]

The hell is beautiful means that the things you feel bad or hard may not be hard as you think you just need to look at it closely

[@L0VEST4Y]

So here is my interpretation of the mv: Hellevator, obviously a combination of Hell + Elevator, symbolizes the hellish pathway they had to undertake in order to rise from hell and reach that flower field. The hell they originally rose up from is the dark days of their trainee days, where their future was still dubious and everyone told them their dreams of being a singer were going to lead nowhere. The flower field, on the other hand, is their destination. It's a "penthouse" or the highest point of their careers as an idol. But since it is even more competitive in this penthouse, it is basically a prettier version of another "hell" that they must strive to conquer through their hard work. Now for the "hellevator" itself. It is a clever metaphor for the "pathway" that connects these two places. But since it has the prefix of "hell" one could arguably say that the path they take itself is extremely cruel itself, as shown by the lyrics. All in all, it's a song filled with their hardships. Sometimes, people might think that this song and its lyrics are "too dramatic" however, considering the vast numbers of Korean trainees aiming to be an idol vs. the actual number of people who actually get to debut, we can safely say only 30% of people actually make it. Moreover, only 2% or so of those debuted people get to experience actual celebrity status, where they actually get successful. Kpop industry is extremely competitive, and this song has been told to be very explicit and purely based on the member's experiences. It really makes you appreciate idols. They go through hell to escape their own hell, only to struggle in another hell and maintain their positions and status. Seriously, this was a masterpiece.

[@bluelilac2579]

Agreed - with all you said. Also, they continue this theme pretty much in their debut song and even up to Miroh where they talk about this cruel concrete jungle, but saying it's okay because I chose it. Straykids from pre-debut understood not just how difficult the journey to debut and stardom would be, but that this stardom, this career would also likely be a hellish experience - but - one they wouldn't trade because it is their dream and passion to be performers. It's just basically saying there are a lot of downsides to this path we've chosen, but for us the good outweigh the bad. We wish there wasn't so much bad, but we'll accept it as the cost for living out our dreams.

[@L0VEST4Y]

@@bluelilac2579 Perfect summation. Really, their concepts are so well though of. People might think it’s all jumbled and confusing, but once you connect the dots, you realize there are so very personal and meaningful connections behind their storyline. Their mini albums are basically a prologue to who they are. Just like the album names, they have an identity crisis before finally realizing they are who they are because of each other and because of Stay which becomes the key for them to reach success. That also relates so beautifully the fandom name. It’s truly so well though of

[@MinSung931]

Firstly this was the song that introduced me to Stay Kids (now my second ult kpop groups) secondly this being their predebut song amazes me as it's so powerful and meaningful too. Also BangChan was the I e who produced the beat to it and I just love it. It was also with this song that I fell in love with Felix and his deep voice. also on a side note it was a fellow BTS army that told me to go and listen to these guys and especially this song

[@pickle2205]

Your explanation really helps in understanding cinematics! You need to check out Blueprint by Stray Kids. Its wallpaper in every frame

[@jojo.joanna]

Woah! Was not expecting you to throw it back to Stray Kids' beginnings but excited to hear a fresh perspective on their older works :)

[@yasmine7305]

I think Hellevator is about the ride to debut being hell (hard work & uncertainties), and it proved to be worth it when they get up to the ‘H’ level…which by the look of it, is Heaven

[@theint0010]

one of my fav song

[@sharinistic]

All of your video interpretations due to your expertise are so interesting and make me appreciate all the artists I love so much more!! Thanks for doing this!!

[@comtedebuffo_n]

watching hellevator mv never fails to give me goosebumps!

[@uunuuliebeleben9323]

I love them so much too. This song was my first listened song from them. I just fell in love with all of them. After this song, I watched their survival show. They changed my taste in music. Still, their personalities, songs, music, lyrics, vocals, and rap lines were just amazing. Especially, the meaning of their songs makes me so emotional as always. Also, they worked so hard. I proud of them as always. Thanks a lot for this.

[@lunalovegood6357]

Skz choreography and music videos are always more on the interpretative side which i really love, it makes their songs more meaningful than it already is. I like it when i have to think and analyze haha For songs like this, skz always ends it in a good note if you notice at the bridge they always choose to bring hope despite the darkness of the song so in the end they choose to escape and find the light. The H in hellevator could mean hell or heaven and it will depend on you which path you'll go to. As for them again if you look at the lyrics in the end, they said their choice which is to let go of all their dark heavy load etc and to go up in the hellevator to their penthouse that's why the outside was beautiful. BUT they have a skzverse storyline in their mvs so everything is connected yes from predebut to now, everything even their non title tracks and japan releases. Their debut mv is District 9, please check it out if you haven't yet~ thanks!

[@yowassup2444]

Yesss thank u for starting from the beginning

[@linlinlin7408]

i think youd love the music video for side effects, its not heavy in editing at all it just has such a pretty cinematography its a really pretty mv

[@littlesushie]

Whoever suggested you to check out SKZ from start: I love them.

[@christen5516]

Should definitely watch the "I AM NOT" Trailer.. its connected to this and the Story of their Universe.. 😸 Looking Forward to More! Always Love Your Perspective as a FilmMaker❤️❤️❤️

[@kiansskz]

if you want to continue going down the skz discography rabbit hole i’d love to see you react to mixtape: on track and mixtape: 애 as they create a storyline and seeing how you’d interpret it would be very cool

[@dandelion8798]

They acctually left the "hell" .... The "hell" that symbolized as their trainee days... And they finally debut, so they left it 😁

[@imch2206]

Yayyy a Straykids reaction!! That’s their first appearance too :)

[@moonchild1339]

Hi, thankyou sm for starting this series kinda thing, I'm sure you'll enjoy all their MVs, this MV plays a good part in their 2 moons theory where their universe divides into 2, you can see it in many MVs ahead. Directly after this would be district 9 i believe, where they breakout of the facility (expectations of the world n stuff) Thn they get lost n stuff in side effects And the city in the end above them is miroh (in both hellevator and side effects you can see miroh above them) Throughout all of the MVs they can see others (their clones) monitoring them, and I.N. sees his clone himself in district 9 i think, drones in my pace, I.N. in front of cameras in miroh Thn through the city of miroh happens double knot and astronaut where some of them find out their clones are watching them and start searching for the keys n all. Thn they burn the hellevator in levanter (basically closing the portals between the universes) and thn the moons join into one I could be wrong, i might have missed some things here n there, but yeah.. that's a whole journey Aajuma stays please correct me where I'm wrong😅 I'll do a lil bit more research and post a more eloquent comment next vdo about the theory Anyways,hope this helps in any way Enjoyed the video as always 😄👍🏼

[@i_kpop_fan]

The location they filmed Hellevator at is actually very popular for kpop videos. Victon filmed Mayday there, Oneus filmed To Be or Not to Be there, Vixx had The Closer, ONF filmed Why. I’d be curious to see you look at the other videos and maybe compare and contrast how the filmmakers used the same set differently. To convey different things with different techniques or setups.

[@lisanelson1522]

That’s cool! Thanks for the info.

[@L0VEST4Y]

Here are some videos by STRAY KIDS I recommend checking out: • 24 to 25 • Astronaut • NOEASY trailer • Domino Unveil Track

[@creaaampaan6244]

Woaahhh I did not expect you to react to thiss thank u sm! 😆💜 Ps: I lost it when u said "why does hell looks so pretty tho" LIKE HAHAHAH I WATCHED THIS SO MANY TIMES BUT NEVER THOUGHT LIKE THAT DUH 🤣

[@partypartyyeah5907]

I'm so happy that you choose skz 💚💚💚

[@littlerogue8758]

*opens my notion page containing skz universe theories * *adds more points to it *

[@Megan-ud4mz]

I think you've watched levanter by stray kids - the purple fields also appear there

[@Sky_..Cloud05]

I was not being able to watch the video after you directly uploaded it because I live in germany and the time here is literally 8 am xD Good video. Love your reactions and all the infos you give us. It’s so nice to learn more about editing and camera work. I appreciate because of it little things in mv‘s more. Thank you. :)

[@barbaraspeckarmy]

Guten Morgen :) ich schaus grad im bus auf dem weg zur arbeit an ;)

[@Sky_..Cloud05]

@@barbaraspeckarmy hallo, schön andere deutsche zu sehen, die ihn gucken. ^^

[@barbaraspeckarmy]

@@Sky_..Cloud05 schon von Anfang an :)

[@rosiostay7293]

So very nice More Stray kids please 🙌

[@ophelia7957]

1. Hellavator 2.District 9 3.My pace 4.Miroh 5.Side Effect 6.Double Knot 7.Levanter 8.God's menu 9.Back door 10.Thunderous This is the correct sequence to watch stray kids MVs. I saw somewhere someone says all these MVs are related. Some of it did have same elements like 2 moon, keys, Birds, Door, Elevator, People in white hoodie, Cars. I dunno maybe you have your own opinion once you watch all of it.

[@Taengmo182]

So cool 😎

[@gravegraces]

idk if this was explained but,,,, the point is that the "elevator" (which is actually representing their road to debut) is hell itself, full of struggles and pain and sacrifice, and they are taking that painful road (therefore, "hellevator") to the metaphorical top, a place of success where all of their hard work and suffering is worth it in the end. it wasn't that the elevator was taking them TO hell. .....anyway. sorry, you probably won't even see this! i just thought you might appreciate the knowledge in some way?

[@mariedikinz8995]

skz worl domination? YES.

[@hescutethough2419]

omg please check out their earlier stuff as well♥they did so much in that period of pre debut and debut as well

[@인다-w5b]

omg you should check out their Double Knot mv, definitely one of my fav!!

[@lisanelson1522]

Oh! Also noteworthy is that one member, Lee Know, used to be a backup dancer for BTS.

[@TheNygyr]

After this HELLEVATOR, HIGHLY RECOMMEND #LEVANTER coz if I'm not mistaken Levanter a is a part or continuation which they are finally left from that HELL..

[@moonchild1339]

Yeah, levanter's the last mv in the 2 moon universe theory.. where the moons actually meet. Directly after this would be district 9 i believe, where they breakout of the facility (expectations of the world n stuff) Thn they get lost n stuff in side effects And the city in the end above them is miroh (in both hellevator and side effects you can see miroh above them) Throughout all of the MVs they can see others (their clones) monitoring them, and I.N. sees his clone himself in district 9 i think, drones in my pace, I.N. in front of cameras in miroh Thn through the city of miroh happens double knot and astronaut where some of them find out their clones are watching them and start searching for the keys n all. Thn they burn the hellevator in levanter (basically closing the portals between the universes) and thn the moons join into one I could be wrong, i might have missed some things here n there, but yeah.. it's a whole journey

[@moonchild1339]

Welp.. hope that helps..

[@TheNygyr]

@@moonchild1339 Same thought. And besides from the video and the lyrics itself seems all connected even From their past up to now. STRAYKIDS are Genius.

[@oddinaris]

i don't know if you guys noticed but the guys on the elevator are different from the stray kids on the end of the video

[@lisanelson1522]

I did not!

[@oddinaris]

@@lisanelson1522 oh yes, from what i gathered (evidences and such) i concluded that the boys at the end were actually the clones (idk if you're aware about their universe that there were two versions of themselves) and han came with them to district 9 instead of the original stray kids. that's why it's really confusing bcs there are two versions of stray kids in each mv!

[@lisanelson1522]

@@oddinaris Hmmm. I’ve seen side by side sets of Stray Kids in God’s Menu and All In. And of course Felix rocks dizzying my different hairstyles in Thunderous.

[@muyahu1287]

Yesss

[@nobody-zg3bg]

Wish u react to "feel like" woodz its insane and i love ur reactions sm💜✨

[@Lulu_villain]

I am so in love with this song and with this MV. That was what exactly made me begin to stan them in 2017)))) and i am still their big fan) Please, react to their other MVs, District 9- is their debut song) Thank you for the video, i liked it!

[@hammymallory]

Finally!!!!!! 😁😁😁😁

[@vanessaloag9350]

I always have tought of hellevator not as them going to hell. But the only way for them to "go up" and to a better place is through hell.

[@chenxiao5722]

I am really looking forward if he have seen Woojin (if he knows all the members . And actually when Woojin started to sing, he said 'I have never seen...." then he continued " young stray kids" and I was laughing. Before I watched this I already talked about it in my sister and she was like "did he knows all the members?, well let's see if he notice"

[@chenxiao5722]

My sister was the reason why I got into 'love the basics' cause she always watching your video about BTS . She was an ARMY and I Am a STAY

[@skz_min_chan_stay]

at the end thats actually not hell 😇 they escaped it with the hellevator and are going up "to the penthouse" as han said in the lyrics ☺️🥰

[@littlesushie]

I don’t think they get to hell. They escaped hell into beautiful lavender fields

[@Gio-ut8tl]

I found out with this reaction that I really need to pay more attention to details in MVs lol I've seen Hellevator mv a lot of times before but the small things like Changbin rapping about how he feels in a dark room while the outside is bright or when they show Han and the red room behind him... I didn't notice those T_T It'll be cool if you reacted to stray kids prequel (highlight reel), it kinda shows all the story behind their music videos, but I still found them confusing (the storyline) so maybe with your perspective as a filmmaker you'll notice details that are important!

[@popoy3890]

Pls react to Victon “What I said” and Han seung woo “Sacrifice"

[@pinkminnie]

Hope you react to stray kids noeasy thunderous trailer, I think you would like it! 💜

[@hanas9997]

Please react to 'TOP' japanese ver... by stray kids

[@shanelleochanda7257]

please react to blueprint an MIA by them next if you haven't already, really enjoy your reactions and breakdowns

[@hortbeck]

I love Stray Kids. Have you done Side Effects yet?

[@momosupremacy1959]

if u still haven't please react to stray kids "TOP" and "M.I.A" love ur reaction and analysis, thank you

[@shreya_3572]

please do take a look at akmu "melted"!! really beautiful song and would love to see your interpretation of the mv:))

[@lilithlove7]

District 9 is next

[@jennifermoura9206]

Please react the MV of Ex by Stray Kids. Its a REALLY beautiful and aesthetic MV with a lot of sadness. I think you gonna love the shots ❤️

[@J_U_N]

I think you should react to “FUN!” and “We Go” by Fromis_9. I think you would enjoy the way both of those videos are filmed

[@scarlett1025]

I hope you keep reacting to Stray Kids

[@nnnnananaa]

Levanter or double knot pliss

[@T0riTor0]

Fun fact there use to be 9 members He sadly left the group

[@moon_thang]

Who left? And why? I'm kinda new to stray kids

[@T0riTor0]

@@moon_thang this video explains it and no it is not a scam kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6uvYYhnrZqpr5o

[@kpopfan3356]

@@moon_thang woojin left because of personal reasons but before that happened he was accused of sexual harassment

[@lisanelson1522]

I don’t miss Woojin. Seungmin, I.N, and Bang Chan get more vocals now.

[@NightmareAfterMe]

@@kpopfan3356 *after, woojin left in 2019 while the false accusations came up in sept 2020, a year later

[@Joyin._.yourlife]

react to aespa dreams come true please

[@victoriachristinyandrade8708]

Pls, react Black swan Film Art by BTS