Let's begin with the recently released music video for Cleansing Cream. This beautifully shot drama features no cameos from the actual members. Due to the comments on YouTube over the confusion of the events that transpire, I will reveal my interpretation.
The tale follows the relationship between a married couple and the wife's younger sister who lives with them due to her disability(s). I've considered other people's opinion that she is mentally impaired and faking her blindness, due to the fact that the sisters make eye contact towards the end. But, after closing reviewing it I disagree. It would seem odd, yes, that a blind girl would blindfold herself, however I believe it is because she is losing her sight. I based this mostly on one particular sequence:
The sister seems to be thinking about something while staring at something, similar to how some people while pondering will look like they are staring cooly at something.
This is followed by a cut to her eyes being covered, the transition. She no longer has the ability to see.
The last segment of the sequence is her staring blankly, as if not looking at anything, like someone who is without the ability to see. This assumption is reassured by the fact that while her sister and her husband are sleeping she still acts as if she is blind. I would think that someone who can see would not be as careful or even put up this facade while no one is watching. Plus, I think we unknowingly try to look at something as a natural safety measure.
But why is she behaving like this? I assume that the odd behavior is either due to her losing her sight, which is an understandably difficult transition physically and mentally. Or she may also have a slight mental handicap. She loves and or looks up to her older sister. This is clear due to her obsession of her older sister and her things. She doesn't go to her sister husband first, but her sister. She is euphoric near her older sister. Her husband is an after thought, and only a curiosity due to her inability to see. He just happens to be there; she never seeks him out. Another scene is the younger sister in the closet. She bypasses the husband's garments in order to caress her sister's.
Unfortunately, her older sister is plagued with doubt in her relationship with her husband. When we first view the couple we see them facing away from each other, a strained marriage. The older sister is surprised to see her sister touching him. This causes her to be suspicious that they are having an affair. While watching her sister and husband through the mirrors we see her face broken into pieces.
The final climatic scene is a collision between the two sisters. The younger sister puts on make-up to emulate her idol. The older sister is already on edge. She is jealous of her younger sisters happiness while she is tormented. Her pent up emotions boil over and she takes her little sister to the bathroom in order to wash off the make-up. We can see the younger pleased by the attention unable to see her sister's frustration. It is not until she is thrown into the tub that the younger realizes that something is wrong. The older stops when they make eye contact, yanking out of her rage. And that is where we are left in the story.
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Let me start with the disclaimer that my interpretation of this music video is not the 'official' meaning behind the imagery. According to the representatives from NegaNetwork, "Their title track is an expression of the limitations of experiencing music with only five senses, and it asks people to feel it instead with their sixth sense." This matches the lyrics well, but I find it does not come across naturally. Immediately after viewing it I believed it to be a metaphor for North Korea including their relationship with South Korea.
The imagery is reminiscent of North Korea. The lights are focused on the soldiers, watched over by a hidden man seen through a video screen. Soldiers stationed on the DMZ, on the Northern side, are watched by fellow soldiers to prevent them from crossing into South Korea. The mask symbolizes Kim Jong Il and Kim Il Sung and how they are portrayed to their people is not a true portrayal. (Example, North Koreans believe Sung could fly.) The building is prison like with red flags. The flags are symbolic of socialism and communism. The building represents North Korea. Across the gap is South Koreans with messages of resistance and encouragement to escape.
We see Ga-In, hands tied, beaten, in a dark room. I thought this scene was an allusion to North Korean concentration camps. Her hair is sleek, possibly from sweat. Beatings are a common occurrence within the forced labor camps. The darkness of the room suggests the lack of awareness about these conditions. Products produced there are even exported to foreign countries like France, Russia, and Poland.
Narsha's situation is equivalent to the famine and other poor conditions that humanitarians struggle with. She is crawling around in sand, representing the barrenness of the land. Her behavior becomes more desperate. Animalistic instincts kick in when there is limited food like eating food off the mud. Lights flash around her like how media attention to these issues flicker.
Jea's section symbolizes religion. The branches reminiscent of the thorny crown that Jesus wore. Pyongyang was once the heart of Christianity in Korea during the first half of the 20th century. After the rise of the workers party it has been suppressed, however it is believed that there is a number of underground Christian groups. Jea seems to be in pain or at least discomfort struggling in the water. Rain continues to pore down on her, perhaps suggesting the persistent prosecution in North Korea of Christians. (Possession of a bible is enough reason for arrest and deportation to a prison camp.)
We see a soldier peak. The conflict between desiring freedom and fear of the state.
The last BEG, Miryo, gains our attention. I think the beautiful architecture and greenery symbolizes Pyongyang, the show capital. Miryo is chained, forced to preach the state's
ideology. Koreans who receive the honor of living in the capital are only party loyalists.
What some people say is inevitable is North Korea's collapse. We see that possibility when the soldiers decide to revolt against the state.
However, that is not the current situation. Instead we see strained relationships between North and South, with aggression from the North. Displayed as the soldiers charging at Brown Eyed Girls.
On a happy note: The dot above an i is called a tittle. (happy face) If you are interested about learning more about the situation in North Korea I happen to have a documentary series that I came up with. Hey, it is better than reading a book.
1. National Geographic: Inside North Korea (An Overview)
2. A State of Mind (State Ideology)
3. Kimjongilia (Forced Labor Camps, the Lives of Soldiers, and tales from Other Escapees)
4. Seoul Train (The Underground Railroad)
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