The Kulture Study: IU "_eight" (ft. SUGA MV)

[@lahvelasque]

fan’s theory is that the girl wearing a white dress represented Sulli while the dragon/gecko represented Jonghyun since they were her friends.

[@xkurwamacx]

Yes, and in the airplane is both IU & Suga

[@caitlinmah-soeung8486]

The dragon/ gecko is both Jonghyun (because Charmander) AND Goo Hara (because for a short timeshe had a nickname like a salamander?? I can't fully remember what but yeah)

[@user-wm5zd1zh4d]

Caitlin Mah-Soeung thank you for mentioning hara aswell, many people leave her out :’)

[@caitlinmah-soeung8486]

rhiley gante I love all three and the four of them were all friends so I hope all of their legacies live on in good light

[@서유진-o2n]

i cried when i heard that

[@ravxnna]

This song has such a sad, yet happy message

[@bearface282]

@Han Cue like the fact that we know she's sad and brokenhearted with everything that have happened, but she still do her best to keep her head high... stay positive, happy and bubbly... the she keeps on moving forward but never forgetting..

[@toyang3073]

That last shot, when iu smiled then became sad felt like, at least for me, she was happy to be able to revisit (somewhat relive) those memories but then she realized that it was now just a MEMORY. That she will never be able to feel the same way again and that things will never be the same again. And that hits so damn hard. 😭

[@casualsuede]

As a much older fan of kpop than you, that is a universal look. I got to travel all over the world and got to meet a lot of great people and even got to live in places like moscow, Seoul and bangkok. Even tho I didn't lose anyone like her, the life I lead (very domestic) has me reminiscing about by wild and free days in my 20's, something I miss terribly.

[@marian6641]

casualsuede ???

[@ruthlessrays9761]

I had the same interpretation as well.

[@haido9121]

I like that take. I wouldn't say she's sad but realised that pain is a part of the process of moving forward. Notice how the light in that futuristic room starts to change as the video go on. Dark = the loneliness and sadness she feels Orange = the warm feeling she has reliving those good memories Red light = (i dont know exactly what that means. Maybe the bad memories shes experienced) Light = shes found peace within herself but still feels empty inside. It's just not as dark and hollow as it was in the beginning.

[@moonchild4157]

@casualsuede wow, how come u got to travel so much?

[@Bob-sg3zm]

"Forever young" "Forever we young" Forever Jonghyun Forever Sulli Forever Goo Hara

[@ihypeugirl]

Eight is a bit like Anpaman. It sound happy but actually it’s really deep

[@Geulissitarin]

SUGA's type of song.. Happy song with a deep message.. and it more painfull..

[@btsmp4565]

they love to do songs like that like also gogo and baepsae who sounds so funny but talk about deep shit. also iu's bbibbi is the same!

[@twicepilled]

What's the meaning behind anpanman?

[@dominaiscna]

quack quack beech follows the folktale of anpanman who goes around helping people by breaking off and giving them pieces of himself to nourish them.

[@Geulissitarin]

@@btsmp4565 bbibbi and baepsae.. so savage..

[@animegirl1414_random]

This is why PD is the best reactor for me

[@moonmybyul1361]

BTW, PD pronoun's are they/them

[@animegirl1414_random]

@@moonmybyul1361 Oh god I was so excited I forgot XD Thank you!

[@pebble8978]

I agree.

[@darrylezrafalco2103]

omg we have the same favorite reactorr

[@wenxi9259]

i agree so much with u!!!

[@moonmybyul1361]

This song has such a nostalgic feel that I can't exactly place. It really feels like IU's pouring all her feelings about Jonghyun, Sulli and Goo Hara in this song.

[@shashaley]

I think IU representing Sulli so much in this mv. The way she dressed and her hairstyles are the same of sulli. And the way she look to the camera, it's like she is in a bonding with her closed someone. And the dream part, IU is known for sharing her dreams that always come true. The part with the lizard, it's like representing her feelings in the news of Jonghyun's death. The animated girl in white dress look like that she is sulli being lost but still smiling until she decided to let go (the jump) but IU know that she will be happy as jonghyun appeared in the appearance of the flying lizard, now as they are flying to an island were no one can hurt them. And iu can only say her goodbye to them personally in her dreams but never forget them as she save them forever in her memories. Well, just my Theory 🤔

[@celinelikedions]

shes representing jonghyun and hara too

[@dylanthatsit390]

Yeah... Like waking up finding out someone that matters to you are gone.. it's heartbreaking

[@potahoe8164]

Ya missin go hara

[@jinnah6524]

The main theme of the song, from what i understand, is that IU is “saving” the memories of her friends, both good and bad. The gecko/lizard represents SHINee’s Jonghyun, who died in 2017 via suicide. Jonghyun was a close friend of IU’s, and really liked the pokemon character Charmander, a fire lizard which evolves into Charizard, a dragon. The lizard/gecko at the very start represents their friendship and Jonghyun himself, all the good memories of the two friends. Later, during Suga’s rap verse, IU is on a plane that goes into a thunderstorm. In the scene, you can see the gecko on the plane window, and the “no devices” light flickering on as the plane enters a thunderstorm, perhaps indicating that electronic devices, aka the media, is what causes the lizard to disappear from the window. As IU wakes up from what seems to be a dream, the lizard is gone, and a storm rages on, indicating that the loss was sudden and surprising. The girl in the animation scene is presumed to be Sulli, who died in 2019, also via suicide. Sulli and IU were close friends (Sulli even sent a coffee truck when IU was shooting Hotel Del Luna). The girl doesn’t have a mole, which animation IU has, indicating that she is someone else. The girl is in a forest, looking for something, perhaps freedom from the darkness and shadows? The girl jumps off a cliff, but is caught by a dragon, which we assume is the lizard (and therefore a representation of Jonghyun). As the duo pass the plane, the girl grins at IU, who looks on from the plane window. The very first line of the song, “so are you happy now?” is IU asking Jonghyun, Sulli and all her other departed loved ones if they’re happy now that they’ve escaped their respective hells (media hate or otherwise). My take on the song :3

[@lostboi8807]

She explained what it means on her channel.

[@clairema1493]

i teared up reading this and full on sobbed during the video alsfjllksadjf

[@OpinionatedMatt]

2:40 already emotional after watching DKDKTV's theory video about this song being dedicated to her tragically lost friends. P.S.: it's not necessarily that the meaning but that theory is consistent with the video and the lyrics and also my romantic mind wants to believe it. There's also a theory of this being like summing up her first 28 years of existence and asking herself where she is compared to where she expected to be: "are you happy now, finally happy now" (bookish theories).

[@OpinionatedMatt]

4:00 almost crying even if it's definitely not my place to do such thing.

[@unknowncreature673]

The theory about it talking to her 28 y/o self is not a theory. It was actually how IU explained her song herself. It's a part of her age series like the Palette ft. GD. :)

[@FarhanaK]

This is why IU is also a successful Kdrama actress. She did amazing acting in this MV

[@hannahg1923]

Although not exactly the same, eight reminds me a lot of 'eternal sunshine of the spotless mind' which is one of my favourite films. I feel like pd's thoughts about how the extraction of pain through memory does not fulfill someone fully with happiness really resonates with the thematic resemblance between IU's song and that film.

[@MarizaGataber]

“I know your happy now” -IU The best way to say goodbye to your past love ones. .

[@CK-kd5pn]

When was that said?

[@asjng]

*til this day, it honestly amazes me how yoongi and iu managed to create such emotional, meaningful, nostalgic and touching song. i mean, they are both incredible artists, i knew this collaboration was going to be amazing but i'm honestly so impressed and i truly admire the fact that they created such a beautiful song that touches the hearts of all.*

[@disteaticc]

she is talking about jonghyun and sulli TT. the animated girl and the dragon are representing them

[@cloud44547]

She isn't :(. She explained the real meaning of the song on her channel. Check it out if you can!

[@MaferPan]

Revive yeah people are treating the theory as a fact, it might be but as a far as we know, IU has explained the real meaning on her channel like c l a u d i a said

[@frostedcherrikookie1848]

@@cloud44547 imagine the backlash she would get if she said publicly that the song is about her three friends who commit suicide. If the song is about those three, she wouldn't be able to say it to the media.

[@moonchild4157]

@karmakilledthisdance i agree that it's just a theory, and she's already explained what the song is about, but why on earth would she get backlash for it if she did say that?? bec suicide is a taboo topic in south korea? yeah i guess, but it's not like she would get actual backlash for dedicating a song to her own friends??

[@potahoe8164]

Don’t forget about go hara

[@hoshihiko2196]

The meaning behind this song is deep im going into my late teens and in my own way i kinda relate especially with the passing away of love ones part this song hit deep. the songs about not being able to forget what once made us happy, taking refuge in the memories of something or someone who once made us happy, but that irrevocably ended without us being able to do anything to avoid it. IU sings about feeling young and spending days living on memories, because waking up everything is like a nightmare not being able to forget.

[@hao7250]

"Eight" really Reminds me of "My melody" By Yeojin and Haseul The Whole Vibe of My melody and Eight feels the same like that Happy but Very melancholy feeling like your Reminiscing the past and Also Saying good bye to that past.

[@jiasolia]

Loved the reaction!! I wanna stream it but every time the song comes on I want to cry 😔✌️

[@BUTTERCUPJones]

This song reminds me of my cousin. We were so close we practically called each other sister. She died in a car crash. She was only 21. The guy driving was drunk and slammed into a pole. I miss her every day. I still cant believe shes gone. My little sis.

[@nitalchordia606]

Hope you are doing well 😢🙏🙏

[@veeragosine7358]

😭

[@riulia4908]

Why does everyone forget that hara was also her best friend that committed suicide?? Was it because she wasn’t well known in the new generation or what? Makes me confused

[@carlaa2207]

Yess indeed IU was told of her death during a concert and they said it was hard for her to end the show bcs of the news, its so sad actually that so many people in her close circle decide to end their lives it must be the worst feeling its as if shes sayin shes turning 28(another year of birth) but still doesnt know how to go on in life with that kind of pain

[@riulia4908]

#glosser2201 I know it sucks. It probably hurts IU more on how people forget about hara too. I know it makes me angry because she was a great person and deserves to be remembered aswell

[@Akeyins]

imo it's probably because hara wasn't in the spotlight as much as jonghyun and sulli, especially since sulli had just come out with her solo stuff and jonghyun had his solo stuff too. that doesn't make it hurt any less than people seem to always forget hara too though.

[@lanchi6069]

Actually IU hasnt officially mentioned that this MV is about Sulli or Jonghyun, its just her fans who said that. So calm down, no one looks down on Hara

[@moonchild4157]

because iu and hara weren't close friends? and iu herself has already talked about what the song is about, the sulli and jonghyun theory is just a fan theory. but it's clear hara's passing obviously made her sad too, especially since hara and sulli were practically sisters.

[@OpinionatedMatt]

This studio setting with the lighting and decorations is really cool. It also gives me unexpected cool hotel lounge with some ambient music diffusing throughout the hall vibes.

[@lucytryingthings]

I cried since the first time I watched the video... Had to watch someone else reacting to realize the music is "upbeat" cause for me it was sad and hits home so hard

[@otakualien6406]

“OH MY GOSH IS IT ALREADY OVER” I felt that with my sOul

[@1999Diji]

"to jeojang means to save" thanks to park jihoon 2017 jeojanging all the time... I actually knew that 😂

[@camelia2306]

Omg sameee ne mamsoge jeojang 😂😂

[@codename-pi]

Honestly, I'm really solid with DKDKTV's explanation of the theory, so personally I think that it's pretty close to what IU is trying to portray

[@peaceful_chaos14]

This song is so bittersweet, and IU’s angelic vocals make it even more emotional. 🥺

[@esmeraldineheian7301]

It is. Uaenas and new listeners keep getting the feel everytime they watch the MV or listen to the song.

[@elizabethARG]

What is interesting about the fan theory, about it being Sulli, is that the moles keeps changing place. In some scenes, the moles in her face are the same as Sulli's moles, and in the plane the animation has the moles in the cheek just as IU's. Very subtle, but fans can pick up this kind of things pretty quick. I cry every time I see this MV ugh

[@nt4075]

i really love your take on the mvs. yup, this is a sad, reflective song and mv. pain is beautifully portrayed

[@yuscilfer1429]

"Pain is just not tied to your memory, it's a part of who you are" I felt that

[@lijahubae3426]

The analysis of the ending smile, right there, that type of analysis is what makes Form of Therapy so good. Ever since I started watching Form of Therapy, my English Analysis grades have gone up. PD your analysis skills are top-notch and my model ever since, I went from averaging a 55% in essays to a 80%, kpop and studying have never correlated so well until I started watching you, Thank you.

[@kiaraetsuko]

This song is so beautiful and also sad and I cry every time I listen to it

[@ivantabacchi9138]

Thanks to Eight I decided to become an Uaena because what the most I like about IU is her pure heart together with her singing and her acting. I believe that this song is dedicated to her three best friends Jonghyun, Sulli and Goo Hara who left her without saying goodbye. There are many things in the MV that refer to them. This song has a sad message and it’s a true masterpiece for its meaning. All the results this songs have achieved are well deserved and IU is such as beautiful person for her aspect and her personality.

[@JazzyPuppyB]

the way he didnt know the meaning but was still able to feel and understand the powerful moments. thats good art right there.

[@Game_Over9224]

This song already had a slight tear jerker vibe for me but after watching DKDKTV explain their theory of the video I tear up every time I watch and listen to this amazing song

[@Bvvvbvvbbluv]

I joined the Patron! As a fan of this channel and of KPOP it was worth it for me! I really love your videos !!

[@animegirl1414_random]

Thank you so much I love how you actually analyzed it! By the end, when she smiles and falters, some interpreted it as: She smiles and asks *"Are you happy now?"* to her late friends (Jonghyun, Sulli and Hara) But also, she stares coldly *"Are you happy now?"* to the knetz who caused their deaths

[@saloni557]

wow didn't think about that last bit in this way...how 'are you happy now' can stand for two different expressions

[@katrinafaitusa5010]

maybe ir is not taking away the memories, but saving them so she could remember and never forget.... uuuu

[@elleciagregory5713]

I’ve not listened to it or watched it really since it came out and watching it again knowing what people think it is symbolising I can’t help but hold back tears, this songs so beautiful

[@mrjackpots1326]

Really glad you noticed the record button. A lot of people seemed to think she was downloading memories. Painful memories leave scars and removing the memories doesn't remove the scars. Having scars and not knowing where they came from isn't an improvement.

[@Rohit-gz8nk]

I like how IU portraits her characters and feelings. She is a great actress and singer. This single makes us feel empty and sad but we also fell a sense of calmness and peace too. SUGA's part and production is great. The song immerses us so much that we feel oh it is already over. But it is truly a BOP.

[@lorin6703]

I‘VE BEEN WAITIN FOR THIS ONE,,,,TURN IT UP!!!!!! no but seriously i was so excited for you to check out this masterpiece

[@dems1978]

that's about bts and suga signature - energetic feeling song, with the saddest lyrics

[@alessialisa]

Wow i didn’t even notice the thing with the light it’s so smart! Your reactions are so interesting to watch cause you really pay attention to details in the directing :)

[@elschedino]

Just wanna say I appreciate how you format videos these days with the subtitles and video sizing!

[@Yerinjibbang]

everytime i listen this song i'm brought to tears again ;( such a beautiful song iu and suga made...

[@nadie-qm8rq]

when I watch the music video along with the lyrics, it makes me cry I thought she was saving her memories instead of deleting them

[@eirem_art]

its in this mv where tiny details can go unnoticed, like the red lights flashing as the animated girl jumps off the cliff (which could mean fear or danger) to the tear of the 3D IU looking at the animated girl with a smile on her face thank you for this reaction and analysis, PD

[@sophiamlbbrown9717]

someone said that the two different animation styles was to contrast the two different worlds and i soBBED

[@yoshi-po3pn]

same those are my thoughts too :(

[@archivesbyklaire]

when iu smiled in the end but it didn't reach her eyes.

[@NoVa_xXPrimeXx]

During that ending scene of IU smiling and it going away gave me a chills of happiness and sadness

[@deanncoates8456]

I absolutely love, love love this song. It reminds me of a heart that is hurting, going through a "Winter". But, the new sunrise introduces "Spring" where one gets behind the wheel of a car with the windows down & drives, fresh spring air pouring in while you let the freshness of a new season, today, wash over you, as you release your sorrow and embrace being able to go on & continue ones life journey.

[@dagmar.m]

Damn I cried.. It’s such a sad and honest message, glad it’s a happy sound otherwise I wouldn’t be able to blast it every day like I do. It’s gold ✨

[@alicetappers8942]

This song makes me cry every time I can't help it sorry

[@vashthafellomen816]

This was a beautiful and sad song. IU has such a lovely voice.

[@earthmata2706]

The fact that PDs explanation in the end was so on point hits

[@Mikachu2407]

you have such cozy lighting around you it looks great

[@hikpmv]

I choke up every time I watch this MV and I have no shame to say this makes me fukkn cry. Looooooove IU.

[@alejandraflores510]

hearing your perspective made me remember the eternal sunshine of a spotless mind. I really liked your analysis cause i was trying to put the pieces together but i could make a proper theory by myself haha

[@amberandrews8799]

I literally broke down crying while listening to this song when I first heard it

[@aurora5915]

The fact that I click the like button even before watching your video😂

[@stephaniesantiago92]

This song makes me so sad. Even before I read the lyrics I felt a sort of nostalgic sorrowfulness to it. I love how the sound of the song contrasts with the lyrics like you said. Somehow it makes it more heartbreaking. I really feel for her and hope she’s ok. I lost my best friend to suicide so I can’t imagine what it feels like to loose 3 friends in such a short span of time. I’ve always respected her but it’s grown now

[@Megan9689]

I recommend the explanation videos fro Bookish Theories and DKDKTV channels. They point out small details like in the beginning of the mv in that room its cool-toned and at the end its warm-toned and the peach in the video in the background possibly representing her friend who passed away who had a nickname of peach or something like that. So many more details.

[@frutsalads4957]

This is what I've been waiting. Thankyou PD!!

[@heyes3613]

You can really understand the meaning behind the song i love that!

[@krshsnts]

Watching this again here hits different. I'm actually on the verge of tears. The sound vibe reminds me of Spring Day by BTS...

[@littlej3762]

Oh, wow. I always get amazed at how thorough and insightful you are, pd! That was amazing, and now I can enjoy the song in a whole new light. Thank you!

[@jaded_jojo6550]

when I originally watched the mv I was sad but for some reason watching it thru this made me cry so hard.....

[@daemorimc]

Definitely if one decides to consider this song keeping Sulli in mind - the song takes on a whole different level -- but of course it's written in a way that it can relate to anyone who has experienced this pain.

[@HuongLe-qo7xw]

About the light you wonder in around 4:30, from my perspective, it is the camera flashlight taking pictures of her friend’s house when her friend died. Why? Bc the lost of gecko, and also moving from scene to animation, meaning that she’s gone to another life that nobody knows

[@pistachio7585]

I keep tearing up everytime the mv is played demmit Never failz to get a drop of tear out of me

[@isabelmaria5678]

This song always makes me tear up. It’s really beautiful

[@ReaKinata]

Happy, upbeat songs that are meant to be sad always hit me in the gut, and this song did that for me. I nearly cried at the end, because I didn't realize that it wasn't a happy song until her little change of expression. It gave me similar vibes to Taeyeon's Fine, but instead of that moment of heartbreak being in the middle of the MV like in Fine (which meant the latter half of that MV had a totally different feeling), I didn't get that in _eight until after the song was over, and that kind of broke my heart a little more.

[@jmrkivex3442]

What you said there at the end👏👏👏👏 took words right out of my mouth

[@Naturestar44]

unrelated to the song or music video but the background set-up for this video is super cool! i love the chalkboard notes vibe~

[@shattermirror]

This song has such a melancholy feel to it despite how upbeat it is - the lyrics and tone feel very wistful and seem to long for something lost. I don't know if it's to do with the deaths of her friends or something else but it really touches the heart.

[@yuhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh]

Anytime I see the video or hear the song I sob, it makes me sad but in a good way I can’t describe

[@ellatj355]

pd *simply* : That light I think it passes by her in her subconscious too. I got chills bruh, how could u simply drop that interpretation and not get chills

[@Kathy50715]

The song and music video of 'eight' have a unique magic making PD nim absorbed and focus on analyzing the meaning of the lyrics and music video instead of its esthetics or camera technique as usual😂😂 It's true that IU's acting just level up the whole music video and the song itself, and her voice is so emotional and attracting😭

[@TheBruceGday]

Very good analysis PD. I liked your take very much.

[@peekabooboo8446]

Your video analysis is so accurate. Like it so much!!

[@FinnyF0x61]

Was looking forward to your reaction to this one, it's such an emotional song I rlly like it

[@danielaaguirre7429]

I've seen that the shots she does where she looks happier and the animation it's representing Sully and the gecko it's representing Jonghyun. That's why in their memories she never gets to really make eye contact with them, because they're gone. And that's also why her animation cries when she sees them through the airplane window, she sees them flying together. Oh and Suga is represented by the person whose listening to the song on the corner of the shot at the airplane. He's wearing the bts/army ring.

[@gabbyhoran98]

The idea of getting rid of your most painful memories makes me think of the movie ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.’ It might seem like a good idea to extract those painful memories from your memory but you soon realize that memories, even as painful and sad as they might be, are memories that make you who you are.

[@teresasousa5812]

I was waiting your reaction!

[@justinehercthehuman]

When you mentioned "Black Mirror" i was like YES! FINALLY!

[@luanamesquitalira7530]

I think the light at 11:34 is from a lighthouse from a island, she has been dreaming about this place

[@robobo9071]

The message is sad, but the song wants us to be happy and move on

[@panagiotadrakontaeidi7624]

Well i cry everytime i listen to this so now i was like..its a reaction video..but here i am crying again

[@Cintia001]

When you save money in the bank, it's like a backup for you and you can use it whenever you want or need; it was not steal from you, or doesn't own you anymore. Same comes with a memory in this case. The happiness and then sadness maybe comes from reliving the past experiences caz remembering that can be harsh.

[@Ram875]

"Sometimes living with your pain it's better than not knowing the pain" wow

[@msainivedha]

SUGA is lit!

[@kingfisher9725]

IU is 😊

[@clemclem4076]

Hedgehog 65 Both are 😊

[@kingfisher9725]

@@clemclem4076 Right :)

[@msainivedha]

@@kingfisher9725 Yes both are!

[@v4leree]

I just know it makes me cry a lot

[@keanaangelu1890]

waiting for your reaction!! thank you for this♥

[@edutey95]

love your videos, thank you !

[@hakureiiiin]

He should do his intro like this: "Hey, what's up everybody it's PD-pie" floooorgaaaaaaangg

[@iSAFAEable]

the whole mv is about sulli, jonghyun and hara and the part that kills me the most is at the end when she's smiling to the camera and in the background she's singing "are you happy now" saying it to the haters, the media and everyone who made her friends want to end their lives. i cry every single time i watch it PS: please watch DKDKTV's theory/explanation for this, he puts it perfectly together and it's so close to what iu was portraying with this mv.

[@sanniekim]

What a beautiful song, yet very sad

[@shime1956]

Tbh, I wish the song was longer cuz holy shit it's such a reaaaallyyyy great song

[@santorum1203]

OMG thanks god where on the same pace how i see the MV.. talking about lucid dream and depression and anti bullying..

[@tiptapricot]

Every time I listen to this song I get more emotional lmao