This whole winter album is one of their greatest and also one of they're last before they got thrown back into that basement (I really miss our exo winter album tradition) 😭 Universe is another song that was made especially for us, its such a beautiful song very comforting and warm it lulls your worries away honestly. Thanks for another great reaction 💖💖💖
I just had a feeling you'd have 'Universe' in the ExoMas and for good reason. THIS is one of the best Kpop ballads I have ever heard and I swear I'm not bias on this. The way that whenever I hear this song, it just have this heavy emotional feels that gets to you. I love EXO performing their fast track songs but damn their ballad ones are to die for!
The VOCALS!! There’s a light and dark concept, a lot of knots that finally come unraveled. You can see it’s very dark and heavy then it brightens and lightens towards the end. The harmonies are so beautiful!!
Let me explain one of the theories behind the story in EXO's "Universe" MV. First off, "Universe", as you are discovering, with most everything to do with EXO, is connected to EXO's concept and storyline. So some of the scenes are designed to make connections to EXO's story. The most obvious point is that in the lyrics they are talking about "Searching the Universe" for that lost or missing love. So you can see how that parallels how EXO are searching the universe for the Tree of Life and for a way to fix everything that is going wrong, etc. The theme of the MV is “cafe universe" and one theory is that the story is being told through coffee metaphors. As you may remember, EXO's official fan color is Cosmic Latte -- the color that is said to be created when you combine all the colors of the stars in the universe -- which is thought to be why this whole MV uses the creamy tan and brown tones and why it is centred around coffee. In order to understand what is happening in the MV, you should be aware that the story is not unfolding in chronological order. The plot is more like an explanation of feelings than a straight storyline. One theory is that the coffee is a metaphor for the feelings of bitterness. Two guys share a coffee, but they both hate its bitter taste. They think that if they add something to it, it will be less bitter. One person (Chanyeol) wanted to fix things by making it sweet, so he decided to add sugar. The other guy (Suho) tries to fix things with a more mellow, smooth approach, so he adds milk or cream to the coffee. However, there are limits to everything, and even when you have the best of intentions, you can take things too far. As the leader of the group, Suho wants to smooth things over, so he keeps adding milk as he tries to cover the bitterness, but in doing so it also masks the sweetness of the sugar and the pure taste of the coffee. So this is where you see the cup overflow as it is overpowered by everything being added to it. By covering the bitterness with an overwhelming amount of cream and sugar it has now made the coffee something neither one wants to drink. So in other words, making hasty decisions without considering others feelings, viewpoints and opinions will ruin relationships in the process. The story seems to primarily focus on Suho, Chanyeol, and Sehun. Some theories say that it looks as though Suho and Chanyeol are not on good terms. Which is thought to be a continuation of how we saw Chanyeol and Suho fighting in "Sing For You," but instead of solving the conflict by talking it out, they turn their backs and build a wall around the problem. At one point you see Chanyeol with his back turned and his cup sitting upside down, and he is staring blankly at an empty spot, which is thought to be Suho's place. The conflict is affecting their friendship as a group and Sehun wants to help his friends. But it is unclear what Suho and Chanyeol are really fighting about because they are hiding their true feelings and are passivagressivly pretending like everything is OK. This is where Kai, Baekhyun, Chen and Xiumin enter the plot. Some theories have interpreted the teaser images from "Universe" as showing the members split into two groups. It is thought that Chen, Baekhyun, Xiumin and Kai represent the internal struggles of the group because we see them in the MV and in the teaser images for "Universe" sitting at the table almost as if they are restless and struggling to come up with an answer for how to fix things or to smooth things over, etc. And the other members -- Suho, Chanyeol, D.O. and Sehun -- represent the physical manifestation of that conflict. Sehun figures that if he understands his friends' (Suho and Chanyeol) internal struggles he can figure out how to fix things. Sehun's internal struggle is depicted by Xiumin who contemplates how he can fix his friends’ mistakes (Kai and Baekhyun). You see Xiumin sitting at the table with a glass of water and tissue paper. Mirroring the problems caused by Chanyeol and Suho, we see Baekhyun add too much sugar to the coffee and Kai adds too much milk to the cup and spills the coffee. However, Xiumin seems to have come up with a solution: water can dilute the sugar and make it less sweet and the tissue can clean up the spilled coffee. D.O. and Chen are the two that are thought to represent the bitterness of the coffee in their parallel groups. Chen scribbles on the paper almost as if this represents the internal struggle that the group is going through, as if the pain, emotion and conflict is just a big mess that they are struggling to work out. Kai (who is representing Suho's internal struggles) blames himself as the reason for Chen's scribbles (Chen represents the coffee's bitterness, which is the problems within the group). Kai's (Suho's internal struggle) guilt becomes so encompassing that it turned those scribbles into physical ropes that tied him up and traped him. At one point you see Kai sitting at the table covered with cups of coffee. Each cup is different and that is thought to represent a different memory of moments in their friendship. Each memory is unique and special, but Kai seems to be overwhelmed by it all. He sits with his head on the table trying to sort out all his feelings and emotions, etc. But if you notice, what he is focused on the entire time is the plate of sugar cubes. But before Kai's guilt (Suho's internal struggle) can really consume him, Sehun steps in and gives him a new cup of coffee. Allowing Kai to have the chance to start over. Sehun also handed Kai a saucer with sugar cubes. He knows that Kai's (Suho's) regret is rooted in the fact that he was not able to give his friend Baekhyun (Chanyeol) the simple taste of sweet coffee. Which is a metaphor for not being able to provide a simple fix to their problems. If Kai (Suho) can make the coffee the perfect amount of sweet for Baekhyun (Chanyeol) this time he may be able to move on and stop holding on to the guilt, regret and anger, etc. which will help to resolve the conflict within the group. Also, it seems as though parts of the story are being told from Kai's point of view. Some theories think that this connects to the story in their "Sing For You" MV as well. In "Sing For You," Kai was the one that seemed to be interpreting the emotions in that MV through his dance, so some say he is also the interpreter of what is happening in "Universe." Next you see that the table becomes empty and the only things remaining are the sugar cubes, the cup of coffee and the glass of water. Some say the sugar represents their ability to carefully create a sweeter future, while the water is a reminder not to repeat past mistakes. In the end, Kai decides not to add anything to the coffee, and instead, he gives Baekhyun the coffee in its pure black bitter form. Because he has now learned that there is no reason for them to keep trying to change each other. As bitter as life can be, they come to the conclusion that they should accept its imperfections -- that in friendships, there will be struggles and misunderstandings, but sugarcoating it or pretending that everything is watered down or milky good, isn't being honest with themselves. Which is what is really happening within Suho and Chanyeol -- they may be sitting next to each other but deep inside, they're opposing one another as shown through Kai and Baekhyun's actions. On the surface it seems as though the members are all talking about their friendships and the struggles they had over the past few years. But, as we have discovered with many of EXO's songs, SM has actually been planning their song releases and MV storylines since their pre-debut days, way back in 2012, as we hear in EXO's pre-debut teasers. So, if that is the case, then that was before EXO had even gone through any of their major struggles as a group, so I think the meaning of "Universe" may have evolved only because we as listeners have reinterpreted it to fit a new narrative. That's the beauty of songs like this, you can interpret it however you want and make it fit whatever story you want or need it to.
I've actually never dug deep enough into their storyline, I think I stopped right when ,,Obsession" came out. :') Thank u for this explanation!! I shall now drink some latte in your honor. ☕🖤☺
fun fact about the universe album, the whole album is gender neutral. they dont use the words boy or girl etc. in any of the songs. seems like a small detail but i find it interesting :)
Universe adalah lagu yang sangat aku suka n selalu ada diplaylistku sebelum aku jadi EXO L...dan Monster yg membuatku jadi EXO L setelah dengar Chanyeol rap...❤❤
And please please react to Chanyeol,s Live performance in Music bank Song Wind of Change ,His movie "The Box",s song With out you, Break your box,Sky etc.❤❤❤from -Nepal
This whole winter album is one of their greatest and also one of they're last before they got thrown back into that basement (I really miss our exo winter album tradition) 😭 Universe is another song that was made especially for us, its such a beautiful song very comforting and warm it lulls your worries away honestly. Thanks for another great reaction 💖💖💖
You"ll also love "Cosmic Railway" if you haven"t heard it yet.
I just had a feeling you'd have 'Universe' in the ExoMas and for good reason. THIS is one of the best Kpop ballads I have ever heard and I swear I'm not bias on this. The way that whenever I hear this song, it just have this heavy emotional feels that gets to you. I love EXO performing their fast track songs but damn their ballad ones are to die for!
The VOCALS!! There’s a light and dark concept, a lot of knots that finally come unraveled. You can see it’s very dark and heavy then it brightens and lightens towards the end. The harmonies are so beautiful!!
EXO is amazing ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤👑👑👑👑👑
Let me explain one of the theories behind the story in EXO's "Universe" MV. First off, "Universe", as you are discovering, with most everything to do with EXO, is connected to EXO's concept and storyline. So some of the scenes are designed to make connections to EXO's story. The most obvious point is that in the lyrics they are talking about "Searching the Universe" for that lost or missing love. So you can see how that parallels how EXO are searching the universe for the Tree of Life and for a way to fix everything that is going wrong, etc.
The theme of the MV is “cafe universe" and one theory is that the story is being told through coffee metaphors. As you may remember, EXO's official fan color is Cosmic Latte -- the color that is said to be created when you combine all the colors of the stars in the universe -- which is thought to be why this whole MV uses the creamy tan and brown tones and why it is centred around coffee.
In order to understand what is happening in the MV, you should be aware that the story is not unfolding in chronological order. The plot is more like an explanation of feelings than a straight storyline.
One theory is that the coffee is a metaphor for the feelings of bitterness. Two guys share a coffee, but they both hate its bitter taste. They think that if they add something to it, it will be less bitter. One person (Chanyeol) wanted to fix things by making it sweet, so he decided to add sugar. The other guy (Suho) tries to fix things with a more mellow, smooth approach, so he adds milk or cream to the coffee. However, there are limits to everything, and even when you have the best of intentions, you can take things too far. As the leader of the group, Suho wants to smooth things over, so he keeps adding milk as he tries to cover the bitterness, but in doing so it also masks the sweetness of the sugar and the pure taste of the coffee. So this is where you see the cup overflow as it is overpowered by everything being added to it. By covering the bitterness with an overwhelming amount of cream and sugar it has now made the coffee something neither one wants to drink. So in other words, making hasty decisions without considering others feelings, viewpoints and opinions will ruin relationships in the process.
The story seems to primarily focus on Suho, Chanyeol, and Sehun. Some theories say that it looks as though Suho and Chanyeol are not on good terms. Which is thought to be a continuation of how we saw Chanyeol and Suho fighting in "Sing For You," but instead of solving the conflict by talking it out, they turn their backs and build a wall around the problem. At one point you see Chanyeol with his back turned and his cup sitting upside down, and he is staring blankly at an empty spot, which is thought to be Suho's place.
The conflict is affecting their friendship as a group and Sehun wants to help his friends. But it is unclear what Suho and Chanyeol are really fighting about because they are hiding their true feelings and are passivagressivly pretending like everything is OK.
This is where Kai, Baekhyun, Chen and Xiumin enter the plot. Some theories have interpreted the teaser images from "Universe" as showing the members split into two groups. It is thought that Chen, Baekhyun, Xiumin and Kai represent the internal struggles of the group because we see them in the MV and in the teaser images for "Universe" sitting at the table almost as if they are restless and struggling to come up with an answer for how to fix things or to smooth things over, etc. And the other members -- Suho, Chanyeol, D.O. and Sehun -- represent the physical manifestation of that conflict.
Sehun figures that if he understands his friends' (Suho and Chanyeol) internal struggles he can figure out how to fix things. Sehun's internal struggle is depicted by Xiumin who contemplates how he can fix his friends’ mistakes (Kai and Baekhyun). You see Xiumin sitting at the table with a glass of water and tissue paper. Mirroring the problems caused by Chanyeol and Suho, we see Baekhyun add too much sugar to the coffee and Kai adds too much milk to the cup and spills the coffee.
However, Xiumin seems to have come up with a solution: water can dilute the sugar and make it less sweet and the tissue can clean up the spilled coffee.
D.O. and Chen are the two that are thought to represent the bitterness of the coffee in their parallel groups.
Chen scribbles on the paper almost as if this represents the internal struggle that the group is going through, as if the pain, emotion and conflict is just a big mess that they are struggling to work out. Kai (who is representing Suho's internal struggles) blames himself as the reason for Chen's scribbles (Chen represents the coffee's bitterness, which is the problems within the group). Kai's (Suho's internal struggle) guilt becomes so encompassing that it turned those scribbles into physical ropes that tied him up and traped him.
At one point you see Kai sitting at the table covered with cups of coffee. Each cup is different and that is thought to represent a different memory of moments in their friendship. Each memory is unique and special, but Kai seems to be overwhelmed by it all. He sits with his head on the table trying to sort out all his feelings and emotions, etc. But if you notice, what he is focused on the entire time is the plate of sugar cubes.
But before Kai's guilt (Suho's internal struggle) can really consume him, Sehun steps in and gives him a new cup of coffee. Allowing Kai to have the chance to start over. Sehun also handed Kai a saucer with sugar cubes. He knows that Kai's (Suho's) regret is rooted in the fact that he was not able to give his friend Baekhyun (Chanyeol) the simple taste of sweet coffee. Which is a metaphor for not being able to provide a simple fix to their problems. If Kai (Suho) can make the coffee the perfect amount of sweet for Baekhyun (Chanyeol) this time he may be able to move on and stop holding on to the guilt, regret and anger, etc. which will help to resolve the conflict within the group.
Also, it seems as though parts of the story are being told from Kai's point of view. Some theories think that this connects to the story in their "Sing For You" MV as well. In "Sing For You," Kai was the one that seemed to be interpreting the emotions in that MV through his dance, so some say he is also the interpreter of what is happening in "Universe."
Next you see that the table becomes empty and the only things remaining are the sugar cubes, the cup of coffee and the glass of water. Some say the sugar represents their ability to carefully create a sweeter future, while the water is a reminder not to repeat past mistakes.
In the end, Kai decides not to add anything to the coffee, and instead, he gives Baekhyun the coffee in its pure black bitter form. Because he has now learned that there is no reason for them to keep trying to change each other. As bitter as life can be, they come to the conclusion that they should accept its imperfections -- that in friendships, there will be struggles and misunderstandings, but sugarcoating it or pretending that everything is watered down or milky good, isn't being honest with themselves. Which is what is really happening within Suho and Chanyeol -- they may be sitting next to each other but deep inside, they're opposing one another as shown through Kai and Baekhyun's actions.
On the surface it seems as though the members are all talking about their friendships and the struggles they had over the past few years. But, as we have discovered with many of EXO's songs, SM has actually been planning their song releases and MV storylines since their pre-debut days, way back in 2012, as we hear in EXO's pre-debut teasers. So, if that is the case, then that was before EXO had even gone through any of their major struggles as a group, so I think the meaning of "Universe" may have evolved only because we as listeners have reinterpreted it to fit a new narrative. That's the beauty of songs like this, you can interpret it however you want and make it fit whatever story you want or need it to.
I'm always fascinated by these theories. I wonder if Exo themselves know how there storyline is shaping up or being interpreted
I've actually never dug deep enough into their storyline, I think I stopped right when ,,Obsession" came out. :') Thank u for this explanation!! I shall now drink some latte in your honor. ☕🖤☺
@@zuzannabrzeszczak1578 LOL, thanks. :D
I think you guys have a fantastic section, EXO-Mas , how clever . ❤❤❤❤
You have to listen to the whole album, it's one of my favorites, it's a delight for the ears...
You have to do Fall!!! If you liked this one then Fall is a total MUST!!!!!!!!!!
Yeay exo winter
Plis next reaction exo album univers B side song is so good
It's such a beautiful song. Love the look from Sehun, since he gas announced his military time.
Thank you guys you are my faves❤❤EXO forever
IM CRYING😭😭😭 THROWING BACK TO THIS ERA I REMEMBERED😢😢
EXO winter albums are something else 💙💙 the bsides of this album are all masterpieces
Universe album reaction pleaseee
Tienen que reaccionar al álbum completo, es uno de mis favoritos. React to winter album "Universe" pleaseeeee 🤗👐
fun fact about the universe album, the whole album is gender neutral. they dont use the words boy or girl etc. in any of the songs. seems like a small detail but i find it interesting :)
Ahhh Universe is the song and mv that got me into EXO and that made me an EXOL. Love it so much!
Sehun,chanyeol,xumin &suho are my guys I love them but Chen and baekhyunn vocals are leathal
EXO's winter albums are usually a slower pace
Universe adalah lagu yang sangat aku suka n selalu ada diplaylistku sebelum aku jadi EXO L...dan Monster yg membuatku jadi EXO L setelah dengar Chanyeol rap...❤❤
React live this song
The whole album is so beautiful ~ thank you for the Exo reaction ~~
Yesss more EXO! Also, what happened to your friend? Is he okay?
They said he started his own channel but they are still on good terms. Probably couldn't manage to always make a trip
Have you guys react to what you do from exo yet
I like it❤reaction pls EXO 'Miracle in December🖤🖤💗💗'
And please please react to Chanyeol,s Live performance in Music bank Song Wind of Change ,His movie "The Box",s song With out you, Break your box,Sky etc.❤❤❤from -Nepal
So good!❤