Red Velvet's Cosmic is Terrifying

[@Taejiu]

I stopped counting "creepy" at 8 or 9, I started to realize I don't have an expansive word palette.

[@rhiannamonahan6391]

Happened to be having an alcoholic cider while watching this, the drinking game was fun 😂

[@skyofbob]

red velvet always had a bit of eerie vibe, no matter their album’s concept and it creates a unifying vibe in their discography

[@mariasol1545]

Even the song itself… it is somehow happy yet sad at the same time

[@nekozznunes8086]

@@mariasol1545it’s bittersweet in a way :3

[@Saltysaltire97]

It was Joy's idea to have Midsommar be the concept/inspiration for the music video 😂 we love Red Velvet Horror Queens 😂

[@peachy_lili]

Midsommar plus those spooky, Kate Spade-inspired dressforms in the trees. I didn't think Midsommar could get more haunting but there we go

[@danteinhell2394]

I think cosmic mv would probably originaly be with those sailor looks of the álbum photoshoot, and they would be aliens landing on earth, and probably we would get the Cosmies in the mv, SM changes things from the concepts of the albums to the mvs, but It was never that drastic.

[@peachydubu9755]

that is genuinely the smartest move she or anyone could've done for the concept!! the overall music production is completely reminiscent of ABBA a swedish pop group and basing the MV off a swedish holiday/movie fits so perfectly. In my head everything was just sub consciously related to each other in terms of the sound and the visuals but i couldn't understand why but now i do.

[@escritora84]

Red Velvet's darker concepts always feel like they're all leading up to a dramatic male sacrifice, and I'm here for that.

[@Alexa-cr1vy]

Peek a boo tho

[@PikaAud]

Red Velvet creepy concepts will always be my favorite! Peekaboo is one of my favorite Kpop MVs and Cosmic scratches that same itch. The cheery music with scenes where almost always something feels off is so good. I absolutely can't handle horror but I've always been fascinated by liminal horror because the scary aspects aren't in your face, which sometimes makes them scarier? Red Velvet does a great job at capturing that, even in songs where it's less intense like Chill Kill.

[@StarryPenguin]

Another nice detail about the MV is that it includes a lot of sun/solar imagery, and the release of the MV fell under the Summer Solstice. That level of detail is just fantastic.

[@haikatos]

I didn't notice that, that's just genious

[@hungtotheover3385]

I always felt the song was about falling in love in a cult. It’s heavily inspired by Midsommar which is about human sacrifice and cult ideology. I adore Red Velvet’s horror concept, always have always will.

[@zhisu2665]

RV haven't done that many horror** themed mv's yet they're iconic enough that they're known for it

[@lilith5_i]

Tbh I'm stuck with their "Love is COSMIC" trailer until now, it gives me a very weird feeling and I couldn't stop watching it. I wish rv would go for a full on scary concept with a song like nightmare or knock knock

[@ishathakor]

red velvet's music videos are very eerie and unnerving which is the thing they do better than any other kpop group. it's a group of women and something is just off. it's fantastic. i think their mvs work better without a solid plotline as well because it's more terrifying if you aren't able to understand the events within the framework of a narrative.

[@MissXHiem]

i am so glad this comeback is being seen and appreciated, red velvet's concept is the absolute best

[@bt-eg8xu]

Peek-A-Boo is my favourite MV in all of K-Pop. Like, the lost pizza boy signs on the phone booth, the disconnected phone sound over the shot of the pizza boy's uniform- AHH. Such an eerie way to end the story within the whole MV. They didn't need to show anything upfront, they give you all you need to piece together what happened but also leave you feeling like "What did they do to him? And what did they do to the others?". I would love to see you cover it in-depth!!!

[@tninotmaru]

I might be completely wrong but I think maybe they are using the souls of the fallen people to make their dresses? Like, think about it: the founders of the cult (the two woman in the embroidered artwork with the sun in the middle) worshiped the Sun and encountered the Cosmic girls. After being promised that the Sun will never leave them and that the people will always experience spring, they decide to give them magical dresses 😌 they just need for guys to fall into their lovely trap and woosh! Boys become dresses 😊 kinda like the girls and their collection of shirts from delivery guys, but Couture (tm)

[@LIMYOUYANGMoe]

COSMIC GIRLS WJSN???

[@Dyongi]

4:11 "Horror is a fnaf jumpscare" You put two of my favorite things into one video and now im sat

[@aintnootherfan]

There really is a sense of uneasiness in their videos, some parts are almost hard to watch but in an exciting delicious way. I LOVE this song but never paid too much attention to the video, so thank you for talking about it! And lastly, it was great to see a new video from you pop up!😉

[@Chuu_Vault]

Ok, we could make a drinking game everytime creepy or a variation of the word is mentioned. Side hustle: YAY TAEJIU COMEBACK

[@peonylarkspur645]

So terror is the dread of anticipation

[@danteinhell2394]

I think Irene's like a flower continues cosmic a little bit, Irene's look on the van scene reminds me of her in cosmic, and in LaF she also shows Powers when go chasing the dude with the Orange tape, its like she is a supernatural entity in the lore, through the mvs Theres hints that shes the one behind something, like being the pupeteier of the stage theyre dancing on in rookie, or being the only one without the hypnotic glasses on zimzalabim, if sm invested on the lore for red Velvet like they did to aespa, I think It would be used to mean something.

[@senjuuzima891]

I think the only group that might be able to redo what red velvet has is billlie. I think they're the closest think we ha e to red velvet in 4th gen.

[@RosaliánLoona]

I also think purple kiss could do a pretty good horror concept

[@cawewe]

artms are kind of on the right tracks with virtual angel and definitely birth specifically

[@imhumannotalien]

Billlie give me Coraline vibe. Also not only their concept, their musics sounds like f(x) and red velvet's little sister. Fun fact billlie company is subsidiary of SMe, so their basically cousins(?) 😅

[@nabicore]

red velvets cosmic is girl boss

[@Imalittlelobster]

The way I was having a moment with this song and ur video dropping now.. RV as a group are just so strong it's admirable. I've been feeling very disappointed with their solos but like.. let them have fun ig. After Irene's solo, I revisited this and was left speechless AGAIN like???? Seulgi and joy especially deserve so much praise for capturing the essence of the mv in their acting. Their almost sinister gaze always gives me chills. They're beyond talented

[@kmake815]

Love that acknowledgement of Red Velvet standing out in terms of creative direction, they deserve that kind of praise 💓💛💙💚💜

[@Noseungmin_nolife]

Wake up guys. Taejiu posted🙏🏻

[@OnceWasSomething]

One thing about Red Velvet is that they're an adorable group of freaks and weirdos and I love that they try something fresh everytime -- and I'm glad people are sitting down and talking about it too, cause it makes watching the MV so much more fun!

[@pretzelita]

Just what I needed after a long shift 🫶😩

[@ch1pz-z]

thank you for making a video on this, cosmic was my favourite comeback this year!!

[@donewithyournonesense5632]

If there’s one thing my girls exceed at-it’s scaring men

[@zinja0830]

I love this distinguishing between horror and terror. I can't stand most horror movies. The jump scares and imagery being burned in my brain, no thanks. However, I LOVE terror. The terror of Love4eva by Loona yyxy is what got me to keep coming back to the music video. The idea of something bright on the surface that has this inexplicable uneasiness is addictive when done well. Red Velvet does it flawlessly.

[@Its_Crims]

ITS A GOOD DAY TY DIVA 💜

[@mariapinho5666]

I wonder, have you seen ARTMS Birth? It gave me a similar feeling to cosmic tbh

[@manuluminus6628]

omg yes, that is what i was thinking

[@wh4ttaman]

4:20 two of my favorite things being in one video, fnaf and red velvet. Ily teajiu ❤❤

[@eliseluvskpop]

I remember when I was first starting to get back into kpop, Red Velvet intrigued me. I'm a huge fan of horror movies, so when I saw that they leaned on the creepier side I was surprised. I got into their music a little after RBB came out. And I think Really Bad Boy needs its flowers, but that's another story. I'm also very tempted to write a book somewhat inspired by Peek-A-Boo.

[@DahliaMyers-d5l]

I'm watching this and a part that caught my attention was you describing a type of terror that you can't really see and you bring up the "cthulu mythos" at 5:11 and it reminds me of when I described the Cosmic Performance video like they're a Lovecraftian kind of entity, as the girls almost being put in a confinement of some sort, like they themselves are monsters meant to be put away, especially because of the clips in the performance where they're behind the veil

[@electrichearts]

cosmic mv made me cry at the end ngl i felt creeped out too but i loooove the song haha

[@Em-nu2dt]

I wish red velvet didn’t have to end, they’re not disbanded but like, feels like it. Red velvet were top players

[@tungle6152]

RV: best group ever.

[@Bblyeri]

One thing about rv music music videos u simply can’t quite figure out what’s happening the members also act a lot in their mv their facial expressions are very intense at times and I think that ads a lot to the terror and creepy aspect of their concept especially when the song is bright

[@krunchvalley]

i think they‘ve had that thought of weaving the velvet into the red for a long time (see: Peek-A-Boo or Russian Roulette), but their latest comebacks like chill kill and cosmic have shown the maturity of that concept. they‘re both ambiguous in their presentation (mv, music, promo-wise), but there are still aspects of them that would make you think it’s a mix of both. i love that, thank you red velvet! i don’t think i worded this in the best way, but i hope the message was conveyed still lol. thank you for the rv promo! 😋 (and for calling out SM!!!)

[@Lupescupe]

I'm more of a casual kpop fan, I find a group I stan and I rarely look deeply into other groups. That's why I'd never really paid more attention to RV beyond being aware of their songs and maybe listening to a few of their hits every now and then. That definitely changed with Cosmic. It's a masterpiece and I loved it and I'm now looking back through RV's discography. I'm so happy you made a video to highlight its strengths! ❤

[@lemonaidebey6190]

The mv takes alot from the movie. I felt like it was too recycled. Midsommar was creepy so i think the mv ended up the same

[@fleetwoodmak777]

the MV felt very reminiscent of Midsommar obviously, as detailed by you, but it also reminded me of Yellowjackets with the cult-like imagery. maybe it’s my own brainrot getting in the way, but I’d LIKE to believe Yellowjackets is gaining the traction it deserves 😮‍💨

[@D_89]

Most of their videos are like this. Sometimes it's subtle and other times it's right in your face.

[@siyoae]

it gave midsummer vibes

[@humandkdnwl2188]

this song, this mv, this album, is just perfect for me

[@chaewonsglasses]

Damn- here we go!

[@eldestreveluv7273]

As someone who has been a musician their whole life - I'm 66 - I hope the young people understand just how special Red Velvet is. The unique blend of these 5 different voices is Magic. Let's hope the members choose to promote as Red Velvet well into the future even as their solo careers, and Dramas, Modeling, You Tubes, Radio shows take off. The Friendship and Sisterhood we see is an example for all. Peace !

[@bt1101-5]

one of my other favorite “creepy” kpop mvs is everyday i love you (vivi from loona’s predebut single). nothing outright scary happens but the overexposure plus vivi’s movements being so robotic and artificial gives off this really creepy vibe to me.

[@Vor567tez]

This is why I love RV. They have that "something is not right" vibe. But I wish they did more darker and spooker songs.

[@ichi_san]

i am very happy to find kpop mv analysis today. Cosmic was deeply scary, reminds me of a cult. Thanks for sharing your perspective! 'a warm heating blanket with knives on the inside' I love the quote. thanks for looking deeper into the symbolism and storyline

[@oneusforall057]

Close enough… WELCOME BACK, MERA!!! This was such an amazing analysis! As someone who’s way too in deep into the SMCU and the references this music video potentially alludes to that, I completely miss things like this! And as much as I love Red Velvet’s darker concepts, I feel like people overlook the creepier sides of their Red concept videos. The flower man chasing them in Rookie? The food being invaded by bugs in #CookieJar? The betrayal in Russian Roulette? Not to mention that Umpah Umpah is literally about drowning. Red Velvet also integrates elements of the creepy and the uncanny into their videography that goes under-appreciated!

[@elizabethramirez2232]

Cosmic is genuinely one of my favorite Red Velvet songs. I’ve been listening to them since 2017 and they have honestly always been on top of their game, musically, but this song really took the cake. Cosmic actually ended up being my top listened to song (420+ plays on just Spotify) which is crazy and surprising considering it’s the longest K-pop song I listened to this year (every other song was less than 3 mins). Despite me watching the mv so many times I barely realized the sunlight following them until you mentioned it! I interpret it as the members seeing the Sun as a god or a divine being that they try to keep “alive” so that they stay in this eternal summer (hence the sacrifice of multiple “chosen ones” with the multiple dresses in the tree and Seulgi’s duplicated scene in the beginning ). So the RV members are essentially disciples of the sun and lead the followers with that message or maybe prophecy. There’s so many interpretations of the song and music video which makes it even more amazing.

[@ismailhakim255]

Honey,, have u watched like a flower ? Bcs irene is out again killing poor guy, damon for fun 😭😭😭 hshshhshs

[@lemonboy7250]

Im so proud of them, when F(x) disbanded i felt sad cause there's not a lot of kpop groups that tackles quirky and borderline creepy music videos during their time. So when red velvet debuted i was hooked but i sighed cause i thought they're just another girl group who does cutesy concepts but gorl when they did Russian Roulette i was so locked in, Its almost as if they're F(x)'s legacy.

[@Its_Crims]

holding space for this upload today and feeling power in it 🩷💚

[@benedictusvito2710]

I feel like Horror is more how you "know" it, like you know there is a ghost, you know there's some spider. But terror is more of how you "don't know" of it, like you feel someone behind you but you dont see everything, or when something uncanny happen. Horror when something scary happen and it meant to be scary. Terror when something normal being scary.

[@ddalkidyana]

One of my fave music videos. I was so hoping Red Velvet would get to perform Cosmic at MAMA or MMA, and was saddened to see they weren't on the performance lineup. Also surprised Cosmic didn't win any awards, if I remember correctly? I think it at least deserved a nomination for song of the year. Happy this masterpiece exists. Hoping to see more from them next year. :)

[@MoonStarr-02]

This was a great anaysis! When I watched this MV for the first time I immediately thought sacrifice. Its been confimed that the Red Velvet storyline involves the memebers being witches so this all makes sense. Also their one of my favourite kpop girl groups and I love keeping up with their hidden clues in their MVs 😂

[@AL-pi4du]

Honestly the scene where they're dancing in the red outfits and the lights go orange/red tells me that the girls themselves are the flames from the final scene of the movie. They embody the 🔥 🐻 🔥

[@emylah]

The first time i watched this MV, i just found it beautiful, but i already knew about the movie Midsommar (i never watched, but i know it) and i noticed A LOT of similarities. And then, the next time i watched... I felt, weird. Like something was wrong, right in the front of my face but i wasn't able to see it, that bad sensation, like you're missing an important detail, and kinda afraid i think? I'm kinda happy that I'm really coward and never watch horror movies, because if i did, I'd probably feel even more disturbed

[@kaykazoo]

This is exactly what I wanna watch after a 10 hour shift I totally wasn't expecting a taejiu drop!! :0

[@1aerene]

So in other words Red Velvet are QUEENS.

[@minjunchoi6252]

Periodt u ate

[@tffr_]

SM really did hit the creative jackpot with RV. Its just sad how they’re screwing them and neglecting our cake girls now. Anywaysss I think this is the first mv i watched where they insinuate that a person is 💀 . At the table scene the lips of the other person is blue while RV are all red and vibrant. Its terrifying how they are laughing while sitting with a 💀 person lol P.s: Really loved this video!

[@ismailhakim255]

Fun fact, there is a sekeleton in Queendom MV .. look at it 😂🤣🤣 soo the fandom had this theory that theyre not delivery witches.. they are evil witches 😂 imagine queendom such a happy uplifting song.. WHY ON EARTH there is a skeleton in the mv?

[@WINGRIOT]

WENDY 🎙️

[@michellechen4631]

Midsommar

[@Sheepy16able]

I love how they finally had a MV following a cult :) This was long time overdue :)

[@Violea007]

amazing video once agaiiiin. Could u please talk about whiplash in a future oneee?❤❤❤❤

[@wolfgar45]

i wasn't really a fan of this single and the mv but it's nice to see a reveluv video essay

[@lemb8942]

Red Velvet is one of my alt groups.

[@1aerene]

Red Velvet slay !

[@_aeth_]

Oh no, are you one of those people who would use the term "elevated horror" just because you don't want to be associated with horror? What you describe as "horror" is just jump scares, that's it. What you describe as "terror" is basically cosmic horror and psychological horror. Those things exist in the horror genre and as a fan of all things horror, I'm really tired of people acting like horror is just a shitty jump scare fest, thanks FNAF I guess.

[@Taejiu]

@@_aeth_ psychological horror ≠ terror as I described it in the video. While Eldritch horror is using the term “horror”, the basis of the creatures are actually using terror, they are even called “eldritch terrors”. I use jump scares as an example, but horror aren’t just jump scares. Sorry if you misinterpreted that as the case, I could’ve explained it better. I think you may be looking at horror VS terror too linearly. They tend to compliment and even be tied to one another. Cosmic horror can be horrifying, but typically the concept is based in terror. It really has nothing to do with me not wanting something else to be associated with horror, both things are fundamentally different.

[@_aeth_]

@@Taejiu I'm mostly wondering as to why even making this distinction if horror has so many sub-genres already? The horror community has been fighting for years to make the genre get the respect it deserves, so that's probably why I'm so salty about this lol. Anyway, the video is great, I;m waiting for part 2 nonetheless, I love all sorts of dark concepts (rip Pixy).

[@Taejiu]

@@_aeth_ I can definitely understand where the frustration from the horror community lies in regards to FNAF creating the over-saturation of jump scares and bland horror. The distinction I make in the video is between two different concepts of fear entirely, me being frightened by deep bodies of water, and a FNAF jump scare, are two completely different things. Terror is not a sub-genre of horror, it's a different concept entirely, which is why I make the distinction in the video, since we aren't really talking about horror. There aren't any prevalent horror motifs within the MV itself. The best way to think of the distinction is that terror is the fear that takes place BEFORE the event, where as horror is the fear felt DURING the event. For example with the Cthulu mythos and "cosmic horror". The "Eldritch terrors" rely on the premise that the human mind can't possibly comprehend the power or physical form of the beings. Sure we have pictures of them, but the whole basis is rooted in creating the sense of terror. Psychological horror is not terror, however it USES terror to actively engage an audience. Like I said, it's best not to look at these things linearly and more of as compliments to one another. I only make the distinction because they ARE different things.

[@_aeth_]

@@Taejiu I understand your point, but I still disagree, which is ok I guess, people can have different opinions. Thank you for taking your time and explaining this to me :)

[@bryanthorne3474]

Thanks for the video! Mind if I fill in a few bits of info? Red Velvet is specifically and explicitly a witch coven. They are shown multiple times forming a pentagram prayer circle. Peekaboo shows them performing human sacrifices. Possibly to sustain their youth? The candles on the birthday cake in the "cookie jar" music video shows that they're very old. Every video features a round table with 6 seats. the empty seat is on the same side as the camera and it implies that the 6th seat at the table is for us, the fans. In Cosmic they summon this girl to make her the sacrifice they need to achieve a new level of power. The girl sits at the 6th seat at the round table. Near the end, at the maypole dance, we see one of the girls place a flower hat on the camera (us) in 1st person view. WE the fans are the sacrifice. Joy and Yeri are not re-signing with SM. Wendy, Seulgi, and Irene look poised to go solo. I believe this video is goodbye. They're sacrificing Reveluv and ending RV so they can each "power up" to find their own solo paths in life.

[@RiswjyV]

That's quite a theory!

[@belerinah]

Creepy Red Velvet is the best Red Velvet there is

[@dotaepie]

12:25 periodffff….

[@oneusforall057]

As an SMCU maniac, I always associate red lights with the F(x) song. Why? That came out around the time as Red Velvet’s debut and they are the Red Force in EXO’s cinematic universe (as established in their debut “Mama”). Ever since then, red lighting in Red Velvet, EXO, and NCT music videos signal to me that the Red Force aka Red Velvet is involved in that scene in one way or another. So, funny that you call it god-like energy because when Red Velvet is bathed in red lighting, it always comes in scenes where they seem to be their most powerful. I love how much Red Velvet’s in universe lore and what fans can speculate about their individuals music videos often overlap!

[@M0nma09]

Red velvet >>>>>

[@annapark9516]

Do power by Gdragon next I think that mv has a bit of terror in it

[@AP-of5kj]

you should definitely watch "girls (uncensored ver.)" by nature if you haven't!!!!! and i like your interpretation

[@jedodedo]

That's Red Velvet for you 😅

[@jerraldgarrido9289]

Lbj is my goat. Rv is my goat

[@cdw57will]

could u do video on girls never die 🙏🙏🐱

[@wh4ttaman]

Girl I thought u quit yt

[@rinawmahba3969]

The creepy part is the whole concept of the group, just like Blackpink having girl crush concept

[@Taejiu]

I always found Power Up terrifying

[@avinatine]

​@@Taejiu lmao

[@PurpleSoma]

11:45 which MV is it/

[@gumkadomazania2538]

Ice on my teeth by ateez

[@reveluvin6088]

I’m a die hard lovely and I honestly think this song is the weakest on the album. I would love to have seen a music video for Night Drive, produced by the person who made the cosmic MV as it was perfect 👍 Night Drive was quintessential Red Velvet 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰 👸👸👸👸👸 ♥💛💙💚💜

[@Mahmoud2009-v4p]

"trend chasing garbage"..... 😶so do you hate illit really sorry for the super weird question it's just how my interpreted and im really concern cuz most of the girls are minors

[@Mahmoud2009-v4p]

Again sorry for the weird question 😰

[@Queendom-jd9ln]

Aespa destroyed this fl0ps.😂😂 Facts!💅💅

[@Files4547]

If Red Velvet was not Successful SM would not had created Aespa mind you

[@AEChronicler]

You're not pitting these girl groups against each other. Ever.

[@Ireneisbae]

Aespa love red velvet so likeeee. They literally hang out with eachother and support each other. Something you’ll never have with them

[@dolliest1112]

why is ur user literally a rv song then?? 😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@RiswjyV]

Wow didn't know aespa fans have become blinks level toxic.

[@notfrantastic]

Just watched this video since it appeared in my recommendations, and I am quite glad that I clicked on this. I really appreciated your insights, and I will definitely subscribe so I can watch your next video. 🫡

[@bt1101-5]

one of my other favorite “creepy” kpop mvs is everyday i love you (vivi from loona’s predebut single). nothing outright scary happens but the overexposure plus vivi’s movements being so robotic and artificial gives off this really creepy vibe to me.