Music Video Analysis, AKMU – 얼음들(MELTED)

Akdong Musician(AKMU) – 얼음들(MELTED) M/V

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUCIzn0mRHc

The music video started with a scene featuring an older adult living in a skyscraper overlooking the busy city(0:01), his pet lizard wriggles in the cage glass. This first scene was filmed in a cool color tone; the lizard at the start of the scene indicates indifference and coldness in the man’s heart. The man thinks back to his past in which he leaves home for his passion for photography. (0:20)Accompanied by a joyful rhythm, the next scene shows a young boy carrying a camera. It is worth noting that the scene’s color and lighting are bright and warm, symbolizing hope, opportunities, and the unknown awaits.  (0:58)The boy boards a taxi but was dislodged shortly by the annoyed driver after taking pictures of him and his belongings. (2:16)Later, he meets a woman who lets him take photos of her, and was kind to give him a ride, but later he was brought to a pub and left with a receipt(2:47). (3:08)Unable to pay, he was injured by the owner during which his camera was broken. (3:40)While he was at the police station with his broken camera attempting to receive some assistance, the officers were busy dealing with other matters and ignored him, perhaps seeing him as unimportant. 

(4:03)In the pre-ending scene, he disappointedly leaves the police station. Along his journey, he encountered a dog he tried to befriend. The dog was being unfriendly and barked at him(4:24). This scene sums up the similarities in the previous event. The young boy offers kindness to others but was rejected because those around him cared more about secular matters and were too concerned about their own lives to notice a helpless boy. Fortunately, the dog’s owner(4:46) appeared: a native American man became the turning point. He sees the boy and offered to fix the broken camera. This action cured the boy and brought a smile back to his face. (5:10)The music video ends with the first set with the older adult putting down a glass with melted ice. The last scene correlates with the song title as well as the main theme of the piece.

We live in a Capitalist society where most individuals goal relates to success and wealth. Nowadays, since people are more concerned with time management and being productive, aspects of communication are being neglected. In the old times and perhaps some rural areas today, neighbors would befriend each other; people are more friendly to strangers. This is not the phenomenon today, especially in a city setting like that of the music videos. The artist and producer are trying to point out this fact and convey to the audience how little actions could change one’s life, how little kindness could bring warmth to others’ hearts, and revive them from hopelessness. The music video was filmed from the boy’s point of view, echoed with the lyrics “Why are they so cold” referring to the adults’ world. The cool tone of the old man’s setting contrast with the warm tone of the boy’s scent. Perhaps the start and end scene indicated that he has become one of the city working people that has a lack of concern for others. There is a contrast between nature and city life can also be the artist’s way of encouraging city people to take a break from the busy working life, take a moment to enjoy life, come to the realization for humanity.