K-pop super boy group SEVENTEEN's popularity is growing! Their newest single "Maestro" has garnered a whopping 46 million views on YouTube in two weeks! We break down why this single and SEVENTEEN has seen so much success!
From their latest album "17 Is Right Here", their title song, "Maestro" was the first to be released. Let's break down the music video! (This is our interpretation of the song, feel free to comment with yours below!)
AI AI AI World
Set in a post-apocalyptic themed world, "Maestro" puts SEVENTEEN in the middle of a world where everything can be created by artificial intelligence (AI). We see a combination of classical instruments surrounded by "machines" and it begs the question, "Where is the real creation coming from?" With all the AI content out now, when does it become exploitation, and when does it become a violation?
"Maestro" is a single that is one-of-a-kind for SEVENTEEN. Set in a dystopia with dark and deep tones, it is hard to determine who is the real "conductor"/ song writer/ producer of the music industry these days.
Who is the real "Maestro"?
A maestro is a conductor and is someone who is recognized by everyone in a certain field (music). This music video is set to ask the burning question, "Who is the real maestro?"
Set in a dystopian future
As the music video starts, we see at the center of the screen, a gigantic stationary metronome. A metronome measures the tempo of the music and is the basis of any piece of music. As you look further, two red circles on the metronome could signify the "recording" button on any musical device.
Nine seconds into the video, we see a star surrounded by "soldiers". If you look closely, you can see the red record button on the soldiers' masks and uniforms. Can SEVENTEEN save themselves from being cloned by "AI"? We guess that is the mission of this music video!
SEVENTEEN Teams are separated!
As the video continues, SEVENTEEN is separated by their specialties: The Hip Hop team — Wangwoo, Vernon, Mingyu, without leader S. Coups; 2nd floor The Vocal team — DK, Seungkwan, Joshua, Jeonghan, without vocal leader Woozi; the upper floor The Dance team — Jun, Hoshi, The8, Dino. The SEVENTEEN members are being scanned for information from AI computers, which brings us back to the first scene with Hoshi surrounded by AI soldiers.
The team leaders are revealed!
Vocal team leader, Woozi, is playing a piano on the rooftop. You can see two red dots on either side, representing the "record" button again. As the roof shatters, we dive into the building finding hip-hop leader, S. Coups sitting on top of a car. As another car crashes through the building, we can see the license plate "MA3ST40". Supposed to spell "MAESTRO", the AI has replicated the name incorrectly.
As the scene now moves to S. Coups dancing with hand gestures, we can see the robots behind him, trying to copy his movements.
The common theme
Throughout the whole music video, the common theme of AI trying to record and replicate what SEVENTEEN is doing, but unsuccessfully. As SEVENTEEN begins to showcase their individual charms and skills through their performance, it is easily seen that they are like no other and not even AI can compete with them!
Adapt not eradicate
At the end of the music video, SEVENTEEN bursts out of the building and performs in front of a cheering audience. It seems that their goal is not to leave AI in the dust, but to find faults and improve on their existing programs. Could this be the new wave of K-pop? Is SEVENTEEN hinting at creating new music with the help of AI? Let us know your thoughts and interpretations on "Maestro"!
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