Divine is probably my favorite song on this album. The layers to the lyrics, the singing, the rapping, the musicality, the dance, the music video… It’s all so beautiful and fascinating.
Now, I am not an expert or anything close in Korean culture, history, religion, etc. All of this comes from my own simple research and efforts to learn about the culture behind this song specifically.
The Korean title for Divine is 신선놀음 (Shinseon Noreum – I’ve seen it romanized a couple different ways). From what I’ve been able to find, the Shinseon are Divine beings, legendary Taoist hermits who are said to live on high mountains or above the clouds, detached from the worries of human life. Sort of like Greek Gods, they occasionally descend to earth to intervene or work miracles. Shineon noreum means “divine play,” playing like a Shinseon, living above the clouds without agony, becoming an existence beyond time. It also literally translates to “fresh play” – new, original.
With that in mind, let’s look at the lyrics. Here is the audio to listen to as you read.
Disclaimer: I don’t speak Korean. I am using my Stray Kids knowledge and the English translations from the official YouTube video captions, Genius, or Google Translate. These are my own thoughts based on those translations and not meant to be a definitive interpretation.
Just as in Do It, this is riddled with confidence and pride in what they have accomplished. “We’ve done it our way. We’re making a new sound. And it works. And we’re going to keep doing it. And keep having fun with it.” It has references to earlier songs, like God’s Menu. They claim “new pop” and “making it right” and “teaching the rules.” All while referencing traditional Korean legends and musical elements in the lyrics.
It’s also playful – divine play. They talked about it in the intro video. This is a song about playing with music, having fun with it. They wanted each member to shine in their own way. This shows musically as well. R&B and old school hip hop. The vocals stand out along with the rappers. This perfect fusion, give and take, and flow to make it all fit together.
The track itself just makes you want to dance. The sounds are so interesting. We have the squeaky toy, of course. An amazing nod to playfulness – a literal toy. But there are other unique sounds, too. The very beginning starts with record scratches and pops. In the middle of Han’s rap in verse 2, there’s this distinctly cartoonish sound that’s almost like a top taking off (ascending). Throughout, there are what sounds like a kazoo (I don’t know how else to describe it). And other things I can’t begin to describe in words. I highly recommend listening to just the instrumentals of this song so you can pick up some of those awesome sounds.
All pointing to this playful, cartoonish, fun, unique sound alongside the traditional hip hop, R&B, and Korean elements.
The choreography and staging fit the vibe so, so well. Popping, sharp moves right into smooth grooving moves. Han and I.N lifted up and moved around like they’re flying. Confident and fun and little bit sexy. Hanboks made modern. Mountains. Clouds. Magic and teleportation visual effects.
All comes together even more in the music video. I’m not even going to try to break down all of the Korean elements here, because I don’t have the expertise to do so. Others have done breakdowns, but I’ll touch on the basics: Ink, scrolls, and brushes. Tigers. Dokkaebi. Fans. Hanbok. Architecture. The procession at the very beginning that I don’t have a name for. Instruments. Dragon.
And it tells the story. Stray Kids come down from the mountains and clouds dressed uniquely from the other people in the procession/cast. And they stir things up. They literally blow people away with fans and even with Changbin’s voice. A nod to their “noise” and the power of their music. They dethrone a king and crown another. They are divine beings meddling in earthly matters and “making it right.”
Again, so much more here that I can’t begin to lay out here.
Stray Kids whole thing is mixing sounds and genres, putting a million things together in a blender and somehow getting the most delicious musical smoothie you’ve ever tasted in your entire life. They take from the old – beats, samples, Korean legends and culture, rhythms, turns of phrases – and mix with the new. And not just in their music. They have always done things a little different while showing respect and acknowledging the groups who have paved the way before them.
Just like Do It, this is mix of confidence and humility. This is how the last few months have felt as a Stray Kids fan. SKZ has won so many awards – so many huge awards – and broken so many records. In all of it, they are excited (of course!) and infinitely grateful. They are at this amazing spot in their careers where they are seeing the fruits of their efforts on a very large scale. They’re looking to the past, to the struggle and the pain and the joy of eight years since debut. They’re savoring it and seeing how far they’ve come, the success they’re seeing, the people who paved the way. And they’re moving forward into the future – into more struggle and pain and joy – now with experience and each other.
And with us. Their STAY. What a time to be a Stray Kids fan.
Sources:
You can find the other “Do It” posts here:
Softly Judgmental Motivation | “Do It” by Stray Kids
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