2 MINUS 1

SEVENTEEN's '2 MINUS 1' is a poignant exploration of the aftermath of a breakup, where the arithmetic metaphor of subtraction is used to represent the loss of a partner and the resulting emotional void. The song's repeated question, 'What's two minus one?' rhetorically asks what remains when one person is subtracted from a pair, highlighting the loneliness and incompleteness felt by the narrator. Despite the bravado of claiming to be 'doing right just fine' and the assertion of independence, there's a palpable sense of struggle to truly move on, as evidenced by the recurring line 'I can't get you out of my head, yeah.'

The lyrics oscillate between assertions of being fine and admissions of lingering attachment, suggesting a facade of strength to mask the pain of separation. The narrator mentions being able to 'go out and drink all day and night,' which could be an attempt to distract from the heartache. The mention of seeing the ex-partner 'doing really good without me' and the insistence on not being 'lonely' further reveal the internal conflict between the desire to appear unaffected and the reality of still caring deeply. The song captures the complexity of emotions in the wake of a breakup, where one may simultaneously wish to forget and yearn for the past connection.

The song concludes with a twist, as the narrator admits, 'I need you,' after repeatedly claiming the opposite. This stark confession underscores the difficulty of letting go and the duality of human emotions during the healing process. SEVENTEEN, known for their emotive lyrics and dynamic K-pop sound, encapsulates the bittersweet experience of trying to reconcile the past with the present, and the longing for someone who is no longer there.