Grab a warm cup of tea and experience AKMU’s ‘Next Episode’ album with me

[@ReacttotheK]

It was difficult, but I waited for all the Next Episode MVs to be released before I filmed an album first listen!! 😫✊ My reaction is broken into 2 parts since YG blocked my original full album reaction 😢 Let me know what you think of this style of "cozy/casual" album first listen!

[@aiurlevi]

Absolutely love this cozy casual album listen! it is so comfy and relaxing

[@ny0592]

Thank you Umu! 🥰

[@Katherine-dt9te]

props to you for your patience waiting for all the mvs!! and yas love the cozy casual vibes

[@inthiscity7073]

I LOVE IT

[@sarahr.1342]

Love it so much!! thank you ^-^

[@ny0592]

Chanhyuk mentioned on IU’s Palette that Nakka might seem like a horror song, but this is a song of hope where he talks about not being afraid to fall because in this world, if you continue falling and there’s no end, no ground where you’ll hit, you just come back from the other end of the earth.

[@nassimtanha318]

with hey kid, I choose to believe it's about literal war. I think a person who has lived through horrors of a real life war, like me, knows quite well how chilling this line is: once your ears stop ringing, there's gonna be screaming. I connect to this song on so many level. We are not used to kpop artists talk about politics in this literal sense. I feel like the retro vibe of the song reminds me a lot of pink floyd kind of vibes, which is another kind of reference to anti-war movement in art.

[@Lyf4rMusic]

But if u see their album commentary video you know it's more metaphorical struggle of one's daily struggles :)

[@FiddlersGreen667]

@@Lyf4rMusic I'm sure that is true, but the lyrics in the chorus are pretty visceral...

[@Lyf4rMusic]

@@FiddlersGreen667 Yeah, it can be interpreted in either ways, literally or metaphorically. Personally, I stick with what artists have in mind when they make the song, even though the lyrics convey something else :)

[@bobansak2583]

@@Lyf4rMusic Also keep in mind altho Chana-hyuk wrote the lyrics he wasn't the only composer; nor was he an arranger. Maybe all 3 were " thinking the same thing"/ but that isn't typical. Generally speaking there is an overall theme/vibe, etc... Imo good songs allow/inspire "open interpretation". In fact Chan-hyuk mentioned this during their Arirang Radio I'm Live stage. When, after singing Dinosaur, he commented on the the fact that the interpretation of "Dinosaur" being about debt-collectors was not in his mind. But, again, he said it's fine for the listener to relate to his/their song in their own way.!

[@lightningdoughnut4880]

I took it the same way as well. I haven't lived through war but my parents country still hasn't recovered from the effects of colonization. (because it was only in the 60s) the government is corrupt and our ex- colonizer still has a firm grip over the country. Youth uprisings and overpoliceing, it seems as though we will never heal. Over exploited and ignored by the rest of the world. But despite all of that the country is still trying, and the people are trying their best. Every time I go back home it surprises me how after centuries of torment, the country keeps going. :)

[@Jjojooo]

To tell you how in love I fell for ‘Hey, Kid Close Your Eyes’. Ms Lee Sun Hee has a routine that when she knows she will sing for a show or recording she doesn’t speak for most of the day, if not, all day to preserve her voice. I love how well this track worked out.

[@anugrahfirmanruliyansyah4166]

Who is Lee Sun Hee?

[@lightningdoughnut4880]

She is a big 1st gen artist known as "the nation's diva" she was very popular during the 80s and 90s. She debuted in 1984.

[@anugrahfirmanruliyansyah4166]

Ohh...thanks for explaining that

[@pisicafairy]

@@anugrahfirmanruliyansyah4166 if you're still curious watch Master in the House episode featuring her

[@Sheryl4]

That's amazing! Thanks for sharing

[@ED-jy1de]

The reaction I was waiting for as I know what massive a fan of AKMU you are. This album is bound for my album of the year. Utterly astounding in its maturity, its diversity, its topics covered and Chan-hyuk's level of songwriting and production. Watch IU's Palette with AKMU for a great dance for NAKKA. Loved the completeness of your reaction/review/breakdown.

[@JazzIsAwesomeMG]

The way I interpreted Hey Kid Close Your Eyes was highlighting the absurdity of war and trying to rehabilitate soldiers with PTSD to normal life by using kids and their normal life being school. You couldn't imagine a child going back to school after going through something as traumatizing as war, so why do we expect our soldiers to get back to some sort of normal life after experiencing what they did?

[@ananyak1062]

literally my no skip album of the year!!!

[@lightningdoughnut4880]

AKMU literally have one of the BEST discographies! Hey Kid close your eyes is definitely one of my favorites, the song gives me chills every time and the lines "when your ears stop ringing, there's gonna be screaming". HOW DO THEY KEEP GETTING BETTER EVERY COMEBACK??? The MV is absolutely amazing as well. I was waiting for this reaction- thank you so much Umu! ❤

[@WLNUTS]

Their live singing of Nakka is INCREDIBLE, watching and hearing Suhyun do the echo for both IU and her brother was so mesmerizing. I'd love to watch the other reactors watch and listen to it as well. It's such an interesting song.

[@mercymoon4075]

Yes! The live seemed to communicate the message of the song more. Hopefully Umu and the others will consider watching it for the channel 🤍

[@haoki8349]

my thoughts when listening to this album for the first time were “wow reacttothek are going to have a blast reacting to this” 😭

[@r.liemantara7255]

bench is my favourite! zion t said that bench isn't a type of song that he has ever sung before hence he agreed to participate.

[@ijustusethisaccounttocomme2325]

I often lose motivation to study music but channels like these remind me how cool the theory behind everything is! I recently got my gcse results and I got a grade 8 in music (it could have been a 9 but let’s just say some things went wrong during my performance.) regardless, I want to keep studying music even if it’s not a career path for me.

[@wordy4908]

I love that ReacttotheK loves AKMU and IU. Amazing blends of music and lyrics in this album ! First impression of the song meanings… Hey Kid : Growing up is rugged for everyone. Naaka: No matter what you think, feel, and do, there is someone that will love and care for you. TicToc: You and every second are important. Bench: Be free. Be yourself. Stupid Love Song: Everybody’s been there. Everyone makes mistakes in seeking love. Keep living. Next Episode: Forgive yourself and others. Deepen your love with those who love you. Everest: You can work hard to follow your heart and your dreams.

[@小米-o2s]

I didn't actually think much of Bench's chorus... but now that you highlighted it.. it feels like an exchange of conversation. I don't know if I expressed what I want to say accurately.. but the moment the "pre-chorus" ends it's like the other party talking about their life. Like two strangers, they are homeless--they met at some bench. They started to tell each other about their life story... and it's an exchange. Does that make sense? Lol. PS: I thought you'd go in the order they uploaded the videos heh (I thought the third song was gonna be Stupid love song).. because when I watched Battlefield > Nakka > Stupid love song in that order, it felt like growth.

[@s.schlum682]

I shall brew a cup of tea as we speak!! This album deserves a cozy listen~

[@midnightxgem6147]

I instantly felt in love with Nakka when I first heard it and it's been on repeat ever since. I love that it kind of has that 80's/90's synth vibe but feels very modern nonetheless. Also, in the mv, when you see Suhyun but she doesn't move her mouth, that's IU singing.

[@chewychwi]

Umu's reaction to Bench was somehow the most amusing for me out of the three cuz of the chorus 🤣🤣🤣 I was also so confused after the first listen to that song so seeing someone else be the same is so funny

[@kariskim2237]

One thing I really like about AKMU's lyrics and music videos is that you can interpret them in so many ways and it's always interesting to listen to another person's perspective on the song

[@fystrs_]

As usual your AKMU's reaction NEVER disappoint, like AKMU themselves. Thank you, umu!

[@rini5557]

Always look forward to these reactions and I've been so curious as to what you'd say about 'hey kid, close your eyes' ever since I first heard it!

[@Lyf4rMusic]

Literally one of the best albums ever !! I've repeated it on a shuffle so man times already

[@bobansak2583]

So one of the composers and arrangers for Bench is AKMU's regular concert and studio keyboardist, synth-ist. On her insta she posts a fair amount of musical theatre stuff. I think she either composes, arranges and or plays for musicals. I think there is a bit of that influence in Bench.

[@freezenut]

Bench really reminded me of Michael Jackson’s ‘Black or White’ with the guitar motif. Idk if that’s what it was reminding you of haha

[@kay1561]

thank you!!! i was trying to remember what the song reminded me of too

[@03shanemcgregor]

that's what I'm thinking too

[@vidthreenorth4007]

"Hey Kid Close Your Eyes" gives me a feeling like Jackson Browne's "Lives In the Balance", but with a more understated presence. I wonder if his military training brought up some of the changes he has mentioned in "IU's Palette" episode 9?

[@hallwaysofallways]

Thank you so much for this umu! I’ve been listening a lot to this album, but not gotten around to watch the mv’s or read translated lyrics- so now I’m gaining a deeper understanding on so many levels! Always a joy to learn (and notice!) so much more about the music I casually enjoy. Thanks again!

[@sucihatipujilestari330]

Thank you Umu for reacting to AKMU! I waited for so long 😍 I can't wait to see AKMU reaction from the full crew of classical musicians 🤩🤩

[@justinkyle571]

Im so happy I've seen this channel reacting AKMU MV's. I've watched your reactions In past AKMU MV's and i must say, this channel is so good in explaining technicalities in music and making me listen to a music lesson just by watching your reactions. So much detailed explanation and i love it. Thank you for giving love to AKMU 200%

[@PlanA2013]

"Hey, Kid Close Your Eyes" is the best song by AKMU. It is just perfect in every aspect.

[@annaboivin9209]

This is Album of the year for me, every track is SO good. hey kids has been on repeat in my car everytime I go out. If I could only ever see one concert it would be these guys or begin again with henry, crush, so-ra and lee hi.

[@Lyf4rMusic]

24:51 The Guitar melody reminds me a bit of MJ's 'Black & White' guitar melody ! Edit: ahh nice to see you've checked it yourself at 27:09 :)

[@МарияМиронова-в4к]

Yeah! Agree! I was also thinking the whole listening only about Michael Jackson

[@kpoppajamaparty7431]

OMG I LOVE NAKKA DETAILS I am happy whenever I see someone geek out about NAKKA's details! Show this to therest of the react crew!!

[@nanarong1798]

26:57 I thought my phone got hang/hung for a moment🤣 Anyways, love your reactions!!! Let's fan girl over AKMU together ❤❤❤❤😌

[@liahaan1042]

Best reaction ever!! I’m waiting so patiently!! Thank You So Much!!

[@bobnomura2068]

At 17:56 The "other" voice might be IU's voice. When I first listened to it the title said "with IU" but I had trouble making out her voice. Then along comes IU palette [series} interview with AKMU (kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6OlqIuOn5WjaZY) and I could actually see her singing together with AKMU. Her singing was there but very subtle.

[@user-mw9ju3ws8x]

Yess

[@jamesgodfrey9423]

i hope the group reaction for akmu is coming soon 🥺

[@sammy5897]

I want to see a full crew react for this album though🥺

[@아뱃]

Chanhyeok said that if we don't have ground in earth, when you are falling, in the other side of the earth, you might be seemd as you are going up.

[@아뱃]

Also, when you have everything and you have a friend, you don't know if he loves you or everything you got. So because of falling, you'll trully know that they loves you

[@chaekenlittle]

this album is too much for me to handle idek why it makes me too emotional even though i still haven't search the meaning behind them

[@ChangminKim]

I enjoyed the climax on the Nakka 눈딱감고낙 하 [Nun! Ttak! Ggam! Ggo! Nakk! - Haaaaaa] (just close you eyes and fall), 핫둘셋숨딱참고낙 하 [Hat! Ddul! Sset! Ssom! Ttak! Cham! Ggo! Nak! - Haaaaaa] (hold your breath, count on three and fall) the lyrics uses no soft pronouciations untill the release on the 'Haaaaaa' part, which gives a unique feeling and tension as if I'm preparing a bungee jump and free falling.

[@wk3156]

I’ve waited for this reaction so long! Thanks umu!

[@jamesgodfrey9423]

WHEN IS THE GROUP REACTION FOR THE WHOLE AKMU ALBUM COMING??? UHUUUHHUUH STILL WAITING FOR IT

[@zee-ke4qt]

I LOVE your full reactions umu

[@dalemacerin7611]

you should wacth the live perfomance of nakka on IU's pallete

[@NexX35]

Hey kid close your eyes is probably my favorite song of the year The amount of times i listened to this song when it came out was alot that rarely happens to me with kpop these days And the album as a whole is one of the best albums this year

[@sawolseonsaengnim2988]

Waaaa~ Umu!! ive been waiting for this.. I miss your AKMU reaction videos 🥰

[@sofias6324]

YES I WAS WAITING FOR THIS I LOVE YOU

[@CourtneyNicloe]

I've missed your solo reactions!!

[@jindiyou]

The school uniform to me is after the tough battle, the ultimate reward is another entering school. it's like a loop and starting again on another battlefield

[@deijiko]

Lol my partner said the same thing about the guitar sound in Bench and it also took us too long to figure out which song it reminded us of

[@chiarapanozzo6800]

😥why am I crying so mush at this musiccccc, amazing art

[@DulcisAbsentia]

Battlefield always gets me in the deepest part of myself, both the lyrics and melody

[@최치영-m7d]

Children learn to live organized in a society (the battlefield) created by adults . They also know how to use many operations, such as tanks and helicopters, A new one girl who appears on the battlefield (village), and kills all the other children, and gets a new uniform, and gets older, and moves to another level...This is the life of children like a battlefield made by adults.

[@nine3004]

I've been waiting for these. I keep coming back to your channel to check if theres a reaction already and glad it's hereee. YEY!

[@asyasahinoglu]

That album is amazing. Love it. 👏🏻❤️‍🔥 Like your reactions. 🥰🤗🇹🇷

[@JusticeGamingChannel]

NAKKA is my favorite song from this video, I listen to it over and over and over. BTW, don't take this creepy, but you're really beautiful and a great reactor and analyzer.

[@pilgrimlonely5795]

Live reaction could have been a good choice!! Thanks for the reaction.:-)

[@nine3004]

In Yoo hee yeol's Bench performance with Zion T., since Suhyun didn't get to sing she just played the electric guitar watching two guys doing their own thing hehe

[@jojo.joanna]

Yeeeees so happy to see you experiencing the art that is AKMU's music hehe Thank you for supporting them and for sharing your reaction with us! Always love hearing your thoughts ~

[@echoxexhou]

YESSS the only AKMU reaction I'm anticipating!!! :)))

[@不知彌]

Please react to AKMU's impromptu performance on the TV show “Knowing brother”🙏

[@tinggarpradipta]

Wooohoooo~ Finally AKMU Next Epsidode breakdown 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@katherinetu345]

I've been waiting for this FOREVER I love you UMU and AKMU (ayyyy

[@moonsmien]

This album is a so good and not a single one is a skip + you look so pretty!!!

[@katherinetu345]

Wait actually you made me hear SO SO SO many more details in the song even tho I've listened to it 30 times already THANK U UMU

[@katherinetu345]

for Nakka especially

[@av707]

Great reaction. AKMU are always pushing boundaries and this album shows it. The more you listen to the album and read about it, the greater detail you uncover. The topics they cover are always unique they always make you think. I agree , I think some of the meaning of their songs are lost because of translation. Here is a youtube clip which is the theory of Nakka explained. The you tuber also contacted the director of the music video.kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJvGqGihjcmhjZI I think Suhyun referenced it on her instagram account.

[@hotpotato3578]

I would love to hear you 1 hr explaining everything about NAKKA

[@gdbaby8679]

I have been waiting for this Umu

[@gwen7032]

For Bench, I was also confused at first with the chorus. But to me, it seems like the part right after the pre-chorus-sounding part IS the chorus, even if it’s not what we expected it to be built up to. This part repeats in the song with the same lyrics too.

[@MissingGirlDiaries]

Hey umu! I looooveee your reaction videos. LEGIT❤️❤️❤️we both love AKMU aaaand DAY6 (we’re both MyDays btw 🦊) and i would love to see a collab between YOU (for the music analysis) AND @itsandyandjas (for the korean lyrics analysis) especially for NOEASY STRAY KIDS COMEBACK! They do well in explaining korean puns and even symbolisms. Aaaah! That would be crazy! ❤️❤️❤️

[@rettaellyonora4719]

Omg been waiting for this

[@hulwanadalili]

i can't wait for the whole gang to react to this album!

[@dfzsdfsdgdfgd]

13:15 "Delicate melody with the deep subject sheesh" umu to akmu

[@QueensThief76455]

I was waiting for this. Thank you!

[@overthemoo]

Yep, I picked out “Black and White” on my first listen too! It was one of the MOST played MVs at a bowling alley my dad used to take my little sister and myself. I was 8 or so? That guitar sound and rhythm is unforgettable. I wasn’t into most of AKMU’s singles in the past but this EP is in my top 5 of the year. I aim for 100% but I’d say I get to 98% of every kpop release, title tracks and albums. So the fact that they are in my top 5 is a surprise to me, but also not… because there’s always one group I’m not typically a fan of that ends up in my “best of the year” list.

[@hopie2042]

I've been waiting for this reaction. I hope others will get to react to this too. Thank you!

[@6numo9]

악뮤사랑해

[@isaaccastro4846]

Im in love with the entite album but specially with the war song, something i completly agree seems like the message is about the school, at least korean school system where they "compite" with each other since being a small child, as far as i know they have to take extra classes until 9pm or something like that. Writing a song about an actual war doesnt seem that feasible to me when your neighbors are in war with you

[@nuthang9143]

FINALLY!!! wondering why u not react to akmu aaaaaah happy

[@Oranjito]

Thanks a lot Umu for this reaction, I was waiting for your thoughts & analysis ❤

[@심승보-y4x]

개인적으로 해석했을때 한국에 어린 아이들에 경쟁 1등을 위해서 경쟁하는.. 치열한 삶을 이야기 하는거 같아

[@__Kimes]

"Bench" MV took place in that exact same place for Hey Kids..

[@wynnwi]

wow bench is so amazing!

[@anyawinona2509]

9:36 literally me after my first listen to this whole album 😭😭😭

[@mikimamus]

Thank you 🙏 Umu you are the best reacting channel.

[@arisuhann]

finlly... this is what ive been waiting for.... INNER PEACE!

[@harusallie6445]

i was soooo waiting for this!!!!

[@capmeal]

I'm waiting for this, thanks 🙏

[@ayudian9344]

let's go album of the year!!!

[@baeji6000]

I really love this album

[@nazaleakusuma511]

Hey kid close your eyes gives me tears for fears vibe

[@bluesky1785]

Finally! Been waiting for you

[@tkdpanda999]

your facial expressions are how I look listening to akmu, except I have nothing educational to say to contribute to the conversation haha

[@lerienghoy]

Live performance of nakka with iy is sooo good

[@kimnori429]

I miss you 😘 been waiting for your reaction hope next time kevin will also be with you.. ..this is the same reaction that Happened to me while listens to their album.. hahahaha 🤯

[@mikafuzki]

I love AKMU as well but cannot take my eyes off you; UMU

[@azertube77]

Yay I waited patiently for this

[@harusallie6445]

i know that akmu did details again that my untrained ear cant recognize so i really need this

[@tina_banana]

Umu i've been waiting for thisss

[@jinlua]

was waiting for this

[@been3234]

I have been wait for this your video after faced akmu's next episode