Red Lights (강박) (Bang Chan & Hyunjin)

Stray Kids' 'Red Lights' is a song that delves into the depths of intense desire and the inability to control one's emotions. The lyrics, performed by Bang Chan and Hyunjin, members of the South Korean boy group Stray Kids, express a sense of urgency and desperation for closeness with someone they cannot seem to let go of. The repeated line 'I cannot breathe without you being right by my side' sets the tone for a love that feels as necessary as air, highlighting the dependency the speaker feels towards the object of their affection.

The use of 'red lights' as a metaphor is particularly striking. Red lights are often associated with danger, stopping, or caution, but in the context of this song, they seem to symbolize a state of alertness or heightened emotion that the speaker experiences when they close their eyes. This could imply that the thought of the loved one is so overpowering that it disrupts peace and brings a sense of alarm. The phrase 'All I see is red lights' suggests an overwhelming presence that cannot be ignored or escaped, even in the darkness of night or the solitude of one's mind.

The song's Korean lyrics add another layer of complexity, with lines like '벗어나기 위해 몸부림쳐 봐야, there’s no answer' and '도저히 널 가만히 둘 수 없는,' which translate to struggling to escape but finding no answer, and being unable to leave the other alone, respectively. These lines reinforce the theme of compulsion and the struggle against an irresistible force. Stray Kids are known for their intense and powerful music, often exploring themes of identity, struggle, and self-expression, and 'Red Lights' is a testament to their ability to convey deep emotions through evocative lyrics and dynamic performances.