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Early Access: SKZ - Bang Chan 'Railway' (Patreon)

Published:
2024-12-29 23:32:59
Imported:
2026-06
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Content

Here's our reaction to SKZ Bang Chan's Railway! :D

SO MUCH LAYERS.

Enjoy <3

Files

Previews only

Musicians react & analyze ♡ SKZ - Bang Chan 'Railway'

The Music. The Vampire. The SYMBOLISM!!! Are we finally getting the dark Bang Chan we've all been waiting for? Is this track an extension of Drive? Connected? Red Lights? Turns out, it's all of the above and a lot more. When we initially heard Railway from their DominATE concert, we got an impression that it may comparably have lesser to offer musically. But over the course of the past few weeks, as we got fed information about the album and how the songs were born, we realized that Bang Chan may be aiming to give us a full package—as in, a piece of art that needs to be seen from every angle all at once. Not just the music, but the lyrics, the story, and the visuals. We have a LOT to talk about in this one, so we'll cut it short here. Let's talk about this incredible final solo track from our one and only leader of SKZ, Bang Chan! And as usual, if you liked what you saw here today and want more SKZ related contents earlier than others, contents like SKZ Code, Survival Show, Two Kids Room, SKZ night livestreams and more, then HOP on and join the party at http://patreon.com/handsomesausages !! :D Kpop producer and singer-songwriter react to SKZ Bang Chan's 'Railway' (Music Video). Enjoy! Sound at http://soundcloud.com/hsausages Follow us on IG: @handsomesausages Timestamp 0:00 - Intro 1:36 - Reaction 4:46 - Initial Thoughts 5:36 - It's all about WETNESS 7:09 - Chords & Structure 8:22 - MV Analysis Begins 9:04 - Layer 1: Surface Meaning 9:23 - Layer 2: MV Narrative 12:28 - Layer 3: Bang Chan's POV 14:19 - Fencing Dogs 15:40 - Shirts Kept On XD 16:32 - Writing Shown in the MV 17:00 - This SURPASSED our expectations 18:09 - SHOUTOUT #skz #straykids #kpopreaction

Comments

Kwestleo

Yay. I was quite literally just talking about this music video with my partner and then I got this notification. Best timing ever. It was impactful because it's not something that we ever thought he would actually do. I immediately noticed the 15 symbol in the top right corner. And I was also confused as to why that was there. But after watching the video I definitely understood. Not d'some saying it's about respecting railway workers 😹. No, you're not ready for it. It is horror. But spelled whore-er 🤣. The way the prisoners? Are dressed reminds me of teen Wolf every time I watch it and it makes me laugh. I would have completely understand it if y'all need it to watch this music video a couple more times before y'all can talk about it. Because I could not understand it from just one watch. D'SOME?! NOT LONGER AND BIGGER!! Definitely the most cinematic. Like this is a whole story. Lol not wet, wide, and penetrate. Im crying 😂. Yhere is A LOT of subtext here. No, I completely understand why he chose vampire to be honest with you. It has a lot to do with internal struggles. Which you could do werewolf for but vampire is more fitting. Also he was Vampchan way before he was wolfchan so maybe this is him going back to his roots and showing the cycle that he used to be in. Or still is in 🤷🏾‍♀️. I absolutely love that everybody gets the dprian Vibes. Because somebody was showing side by sides of it and I definitely see the correlations. OH it does look like fencing gear. Sick. Yea it pretty much was a slaughter house. Lol. He is literally the most dressed person out of all of their videos other than Seungmin and that's crazy. But if we'll be an honest, be kind of thought that he was going to do that. Oh he definitely planned it to be a full experience. 1000%. But if we're going off of that sign that says the evil deed commit, it will always come back to the person who did it or whatever the light Channie is considered the dark chan's evil deed coming back to haunt him or kill him I guess in this case or lock him up cuz I don't know if he's dead. But it did sound like he was gurgling so maybe gurgling blood at the end. My favorite video is once again very biased so it's going to be youth by Lee know, railway by Bang Chan and hold my hand by Han.

NittaLove

Loving the theory in and out !!! Well said🔥

Chrissyy89

My fav solo tracks are in this order: railway > youth > hold my hand > ultra > hallucination > as we are > so good > unfair 👌but all are amazing 🫶

bttlerocket

I have been thinking about this music video since it came out. It genuinely disturbed me and I’m a little obsessed with it. It also made me love the song way more.

J.A. Moore

The same guy that directed Red Lights, Hyunjin's "Play with Fire" solo dance video, Maknae on Top and several other SKZ videos also directed "Railway." I think he's done at least 10, maybe closer to 15 M/Vs and teaser videos for them over the years. He's pretty much their go-to video director. EDIT: I just counted and he's done closer to 20 videos for SKZ. Here's his IG: https://www.instagram.com/novvkim/

Merenwene

This man tells us to go touch grass and then releases this. Not that I'm complaining...

Purr-Kim

The best thing I read about the MV is how it ties in to the stage performance in an infinity loop. At the end of the MV Chan is dragging the chair which is start of the stage show. At end of the stage show he falls off the top and at the start of the MV he's falling and wakes up as a vampire. As STAYS continue to come up with interpretations the music video becomes even more insane with double, triple and quadruple meanings. Sorry, I dont remember the STAY who first mentioned this theory.

Jenni Heath

I love how the MV flows into the concert performance. The beginning of the MV the black Chan puts on the jacket then goes crazy white Chan then comes and defeats him and then takes the jacket and walks away with the chair. The beginning of the concert performance he is dragging the chair and then takes the jacket off in the end.

Lari

Ohhh the wet count 🤣🤣 I also agree with your interpretation.. It's like he is fighting with himself (inner demons maybe).. a battle between "good" Chan (Channie) and "bad" Chan (Christopher) 🤣🤣🤣 and at the end he is both 🤣 about the second phrase, i herad it was romanian "My castle is a dark place".. Romania = Drácula.. I love it!

Lari
>>159710983

"D'SOME?! NOT LONGER AND BIGGER!!" I'm pretty sure that everytime I see a train I'll remember this!

Chrissyy89

I’ve shared this dumping of my thoughts under a few reactions already, so I’m just copy and pasting it here because my theories are the same, and I’m too lazy to type it all back out organically 😂 Ok, my theory is: obviously he’s fighting against himself—he had a dream and the passion to go after it, to the point it consumed him and took over his everything. He NEEDED to keep going, losing sleep to work, sacrificing himself to make others happy no matter how much they stepped over him to do so, or how much he’d have to step on others to make the dreams come true. Maybe he got a bit cocky and obsessed with the success of it all/with his need to be loved and accepted by fans, and/or his constant need for control (aka the minions he’s creating in mv) and the chan at the end is him NOW—tired but accepting and telling himself to chill the fuck out and enjoy it all. Near the end, the video rewound to the beginning (2:12 of official mv), where “good but tired chan” (in white) stopped himself (the obsession fueled vampire) before he became a power hungry monster…… And he leaves him behind at the end—still alive and twitching on the floor—knowing that this darker part of himself will always be there, it will never go away. But he (good chan) will always be in control, and stronger than the insatiable desire and greed he has within himself. What’s crazy about the eye change is: vampire chan has the white left eye, but the “hunter” chans eyes are brown/dark before he attacks his demon-self. Once he defeats the vampire, his right eye changes and turns white—which basically symbolizes him reclaiming his darker self, reigning it back in and his constant need for control, until the next time his obsessions take over. The vampire is a physical representation and metaphor for his drive, passion, and obsessive compulsive tendencies—especially with how toxic they can manifest for himself and for those around him. It’s a vicious cycle. The video is also filmed in a prison setting because he’s literally inside his own mind—we’re seeing inside his mind-prison, where the cycle and constant battle within himself repeats over and over and over again… Wild. So hot of him and so psychologically interpretive my GOD. My song theory is: What if the lyrics are about an always approaching burn out? and his constant warring with himself over his perfectionism vs expectations? ie: “This train never sleeps.” “Don’t you care about the casualties.” “It’s safe when it’s just you and me.” “It’s only us but somethings saying “more please” 🤔 it’s an inner struggle. Idk, I might be reaching and please ignore my lack of grammar and shit, I’m brain dumping lol.

Ericka

It is a three-way tie for me with Railway, Hallucination, and Youth for favorite solo. I love your interpretation. I think him taking his shirt off during the concert was him saying I am literally giving you the shirt off my back and exposing myself to your scrutiny. He conveyed the message differently but still effectively in the mv. Also, lol at the wet counter!

J.A. Moore
>>159714019

ROFL!! It's weird how he just couldn't think of it right off the top of his head.....

Emmalee

Something is wrong with me because sign me up. In all seriousness, this video was a cinematic masterpiece. I loved it and think Bang Chan is just amazing. He’s a genius with music, an amazing vocalist, a top tier actor because omg this video. There is nothing our leader can’t do.

Jenni Heath
>>159713418

Oooh also I don't know if anyone remembers it but Bang Chans nickname was Vampire Chan before SKZOO came out.

J.A. Moore

The thing that's really interesting to me is......both Red Lights and Railway can be interpreted in a number of ways. The first impression for both songs is that they are sexual in nature. Which is a fair assumption considering the lyrics. But I think each song actually does a psychological deep dive into obsession that might not necessarily be sexual at all. As @Chrissyy89 says in her own comment about Railway: "My song theory is: What if the lyrics are about an always approaching burn out? and his constant warring with himself over his perfectionism vs expectations? ie: “This train never sleeps.” “Don’t you care about the casualties.” “It’s safe when it’s just you and me.” “It’s only us but somethings saying “more please” 🤔 it’s an inner struggle." I wonder if, in the line "It's safe when it's just you and me," the "you and me" might refer to the members and himself? Not just a one-person "you" but a collective "you," meaning SKZ? "It's only us but something's saying "More Please" might mean they, as a team, are always hungry (represented by Chan's always hungry vampire) and want more. And the "dark vs light struggle" represented by dark Chan and light Chan might be the constraints he feels from the company as well as ones he puts on himself to conform to the K-pop ideal.....whereas in contrast, he might personally want to just BLOW that shit out of the water and really let loose as far as harder / more provocative sounds, lyrics, visuals, and more in-your-face meanings? I also see that Chan's video received a 15-rating. I LOVE how dark it is. <---- that, in itself, is a non-conformist act in the K-pop world. Awesome.

shazzattack

The "why a vampire" question is really interesting... no joke, this has been rotating in my head since the MV dropped and I think I have my interpretation. To me this is a continuation / mirror of Red Lights - where Red Lights was from Chan's perspective about his obsessions and inner demons. Like Red Lights is Chan saying "I know this is unhealthy but I need this, I know I'm losing control and I'm going crazy but it has to be like this". And if Red Lights is Chan addressing his "dark side", then Railway is from the POV of his dark side and his obsession - where it's saying "It's okay, just let go, enjoy the ride, don't worry, trust me, you're safe with me". It's seductive and dangerous. Because it ISN'T safe, and it ISN'T healthy. So it makes sense why he's a vampire - this is his obsessive side, the one that comes alive at night, so to speak. And how the MV ends with him dragging the chair away like the beginning of his stage performance!! It's like a representation of the vicious cycle of Chan fighting his demons at night, managing some semblance of peace during the day, before starting the cycle all over again the following night. Also notice that at the end, even though the "light side" Bang Chan walks away, he does take the black trenchcoat with him... maybe signifying how he can never fully shake off the obsessive side of him, even if it's (temporarily) defeated? And it also brings to mind Up All Night - another song where he's a vampire wreaking havoc at night because he's unable to sleep and obsessing over his work. It's almost like he did this entire concept but very whimsically years ago - and now years later he came back and was like "Actually you know what? let's do it but for real this time". What a masterpiece!!!!

Hypatia

I normally comment when i'm done watching a video but dear lord i nearly died from your editing during the Wet segment omg i need a moment to catch my breath and stop laughing.

Beeeeebz

I was quite shocked when I first watched this MV. It's actually hard for me to rewatch--probably because I get a little squeamish at the "blood" scenes and the mummy-like characters wig me out a bit. BUT I can't deny that it's a masterpiece. There are so many nuances to dissect. The levels of genius inside Chan are astounding and as a STAY, I am so grateful that his parents recognized that and allowed him to pursue and grow this talent even at such a young age. Also, JYPE should be counting their lucky stars that he came to audition for them. (But props to them for allowing him his space to create his art).

Mikayla

There's no such thing as favourite for me, it's too hard to choose when they're all so good ! I think I have a few favourites which become my number one depending on the mood I'm in and the time of day . It's between Hold my hand, as we are, youth and railway. Hold my hand and as we are, are both really great driving songs so i love them for that , railway is awesome at night and youth is great when getting ready or doing chores

Hayy

I'm getting a Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde vibes from the mv but it also has some Vampire origin kinda thing. I don't know. I feel like the mv and the lyrics are connected but also not at the same time. I totally tuned out the music the first time I watched the mv because I was so invested in the story, the second listen was focused on the lyrics of the song, then I finally started "listening" to the music and its elements on the third play. This is a great song to listen to anytime of the day 😂😅

Handsome Sausages
>>159712928

I thought so too! I was like 'isn't that the same chair drag thing?' sounds pretty intentional, though I never realized it could be a LOOP! Fun stuff :)

Hypatia

I agree with everything everyone in the comments has said so far, and i want to add a layer to everything that i haven't seen anyone else talk about and that's how much the public perception of the song plays further into the narrative. At least to me. Because it's so easy for some people to only look on the surface and not dig further, same with Red Lights, you get caught up in the seductive nature of everything and you miss how complicated and dark things are becoming. If you lose yourself to the feeling you don't see the struggle happening underneath or you don't realise how toxic things are getting until they're potentially too late. I think that's an extra layer of what's beautiful about wrapping these concepts in something seductive and tantalizing. Others have said it but the loop between the stage performance and the music video is incredible and really makes this feel like a never ending battle. Also i think i saw on twitter someone talking about how the very start is a shot of neurons, really showing us that this is all happening internally. Also also sign me the heck up for more dark concepts, this went way darker and harder than i expected it to go and i'm in love. Picking a favourite still feels impossible, they all fit different moods so well.

Chrissyy89
>>159713814

Exactly! Thank you for taking the time to read all that lolll 😂 to add: I also think the video rewinds at the end because it’s almost as if “good chan” is there to stop “bad chan” before he can get out of control—before he gets to a [self] destructive point (like we see unfold in the mv up until that point) that he can’t return from (ie. like a burn out or some sort of self-sabotage). But then at the end, we see good chan grab bad chans jacket, and sling it over his shoulder, bringing it out with him. Because he’ll always be both parts, and will always be fighting for balance.

Sandy Cai

I love the wet counter hahahahahahha and then the flames 🔥 🤣

FAD

What if it’s not light and dark, but outer and inner? I’m thinking the stage performance and the video are a loop. During the stage performance we’re looking into the shadows of his outer public persona that’s always in front of us. At the end his jacket comes off and his torso/back is usually marked and scarred. No idol makes this K-pop journey unscathed. Then he drops off the stage and into the video. I think the video gives us a peek into his mind and internal struggles. The “fencing dogs” lol are inner demons and struggles, but they’re also his talents, drive, ambitions and desires. All the things that make him who he is. We see him warring with some, reining some under his control, and some others he’s blatantly feeding. The outer courtyard looks very Vlad the Impaler. Perfect for a vampire theme. I saw that the Hungarian(?) sign translates to “my castle is dark”. Both signs serve as a warning against unchecked chaos and darkness. If stage Chan is the person we see and video Chan is his inner self, they are creating the constant battle and the loop. At the end of the video inner Chan is caged and outer Chan proceeds to the stage (public) and neither ever truly wins…this train never sleeps. Inner Chan isn’t evil. He’s just doing all the things an unchecked psyche would do. The reality of outer Chan, the idol, is what keeps him in check.

Hazel

Our boy Chan loves his vampires XD I've seen sooo many theories on this, and I also think its about internal struggles (with what, could be interpreted differently depending on who's watching). The ending scene being him walking away with the chair, fits so well with the beginning of the stage performance, and the end of the stage being him falling fits perfectly with the beginning of the MV. Showing the cyclical nature of his feelings. While I don't have a favourite song, this is my favourite MV. It's stuck with me, I've rewatched so many times, to see what else I could take from it. Love it!

Hazel
>>159712576

He steps on the hands of the ONE person trying to touch grass 😂

Nuuie

I just noticed that Bokkari is in the back now too!!! omg, am I slow.

♡ Bludreamgirl ♡

I only recently noticed the hungry tummy growls at the very very very end... he's not done. The way I NEED to know who produced this MV!!! ( my opinion, the fencing dogs = us)

sysrae

Oh man, I have a lot of thoughts about this MV - I might even film a TikTok about it - but the more I watch, the more I'm convinced that the struggle between the two Chans has nothing to do with good vs evil or darkness vs light, and everything to do with honesty vs politeness - or, more specifically, with how Chan wants to respond to people who mistreat him vs what he's actually allowed to say. The visual details that particularly stand out to me in this regard are: 1. The red fabric flowing behind Chan, which looks both like blood and like a red carpet; 2. The faceless nature of the zombies/thralls who first attack him, and are then subdued or pacified by his blood, and yet whose presence he cannot escape; 3. The fact that said thralls are, like the final Chan, dressed in white; 4. The mismatched eyes and the ways they change sides; and 5. The banners in the prison, which alternately read "my Castle is in the dark" and "the evil deed committed always returns to the one who committed it." The thing this MV does in its visual language - and I think does very intentionally - is plays on our implicit colour associations and the biases we bring with them. Namely: when we see someone clad all in black pitted against white-clad adversaries, we're culturally primed to see black as bad, white as good, which is intensified by the bloodiness with which the "dark" Chan acts. But if we were to reverse the colour scheme - if it was the "light" Chan breaking out of a prison by fighting black-clad adversaries, even bloodily - I think we'd generally have a different reaction, because of how we're used to those colours telling us who we're meant to root both for and against. And the thing I can't help but notice is that, if you remove the colour language entirely, then what you have is someone who has been chained, abused and branded as monstrous breaking out of a prison where they're being held against their will, and in which the guards themselves are both inhuman and inhumane. In other words: I think the prison is fame, the bloody fabric is the red carpet Chan walks, and the faceless guards are trolls/haters that he wants, in his darkest fantasies, to revenge himself against - to treat them as violently as they've treated him. But the desire for revenge makes him feel monstrous, and so even if he manages to convert or conquer his faceless attackers by turning their own tactics back on them, it only sees him stuck in a different prison of his own making - which is why, even when he imagines himself in the light, both he and the guards are still stuck together, behind a different chain-link fence, with only themselves for company. In this reading, then, Chan's escape from the prison is imaginary: he's fantasising about how he wants to break free, what he'd do if he only didn't care (or could afford not to care) about his image. But before he can act, the fantasy unwinds and reverses, bringing him back to the moment of choice - the moment we glimpse in flashes at the beginning, in which he's already been subdued - to show him face to face with, not his *better* self, but the part of him that's responsible: the "light" Chan. And yet, because both figures are ultimately both *him*, the fate of "dark" Chan - the brutal, dispassionate violence with which his other half dispatches him - can ultimately be read as abnegation. "Light" Chan inhabits the same prison; he wears "dark" Chan's clothes, and is, in a very yin-yang sense (especially given the colour language) his inverse, with their mistmatched eyes reversed. The evil deed committed always returns to the one who committed it: this refers both to the imagined catharsis of Chan attacking his enemies, and the fact that, were he to do so, he'd have committed a new evil, one that would likewise come back to haunt him. But at the same time, the abnegation of his anger is its own kind of sin, and one for which "dark" Chan - not dead, but instead left caged, wounded and snarling - will eventually seek revenge against his other half. It's a cycle of fame and violence, and I'm particularly inclined to think that, in this reading, the facelessness of the prison guards reflects the anonymity of online trolls. Similarly, it's notable how often we see the red carpet imagery, and in how many different ways: as something flowing behind him that can evaporate in a moment; as a path forged in blood; as spilled blood solidifying into bright colour that serves to conceal the chains beneath; as a burden dragged behind him; and then, at the end, as a path ahead, the chains now lying in view. Anyway sorry for rambling again, but that's my interpretation and I'm sticking to it!

sysrae
>>159725935

To be clear, though, I don’t think the MV’s narrative has anything to do with the lyrics, which are simply and nakedly horny 😂

Jimika Shuler

"The evil deed committed always returns to the person who committed it." Left eye white/black clothing = Bang Chan The mummy like characters = STAY He feeds off us, and we keep asking for more. Right eye white/white clothing = Christopher Brings balance back to the chaos. Not necessarily killing Bang Chan but subduing him cause the operation is beginning to get out of hand The wrapped characters are free to roam about. I think they want to be locked up or within the fence. There are some outside the fence as well. We gravite to his energy and maybe we're confused as to why we are lust locked. Just my interpretation.

Kacey Miller

This song is…. Something else. I’ve had a hard time articulating exactly what I think it means, but I don’t think he’s talking about trains.

Tuli
>>159725935

I think this is an awesome analogy. I read a few other interpretations that automatically say the “dark” Chan is evil, but my first thought was the opposite. The “light” Chan is so dispassionate that it’s kinda scary in its own way

Stacy Marie

I genuinely cannot choose a favorite. They're all just so different and personal to each member, if anything I'm glad they were given the opportunity to express themselves individually and that makes this album insanely special. Separately, I love the direction Bang Chan went with this MV. It tells such a deep story, like it ending the way the performance begins. He's in a vicious cycle that is doomed to repeat itself, no way out. It's also just so creepy and 'gorey' in a way i've never seen from SKZ as a whole so it's pretty amazing. Now we wait for the Making Of videos 👀

Rina

I am in awe, reading all the comments and the theories, and how every single one feels like it makes sense, no matter how different they are from eachother. And I think that's a part of his genius, actually. When he, so specifically, asked us to make up our own minds in the intro. To interpret it as we want. I remember watching that part of the intro, and how people kept commenting that he was just playing coy and didn't want to say out loud that Railway is really just a horny track filled with innuendos - which it might seem like if you're dead set at not looking any closer at it than surface level. I think there's so much symbolism in even the smallest details of this. Nothing is left to chance - interpretation, absolutely - but not chance. Like the bit with him stepping on the hands that are touching grass. To me, it depicts the constant, internal, warring between his rational mind/public persona that needs to follow the rules and "represent" at all times, and his creative, obsessed, workaholic side, which needs our obsession in turn, both personally and artistically, in order to push through. People, including himself, needs to touch grass and to keep in line with reality. At the same time, he needs that drive that he gets from us, the way we're eating out of his hands and his lap. He feeds off of it. Both perspnally and creatively. The cycle is constant, and he might want it to stop sometimes, or at the very least keep it in check, but then he, too, recognises just how important of a part that plays into what he does. He toes that line constantly. There are. So many. Layers. Consider me completely gobsmacked by this MV.

Lauren Nichols

“Is that us? Is that Stay?” 😂

Courtney Spurlin

All of these videos are so wildly different, but I think my favorite is Youth. The song is a bop, the music video was so fun, and Lee Know looks like he's having a blast. One thing I did notice in looking at the concert performances alongside the videos, there was a bit of a theme of the context for each wasn't necessarily the same, which I feel like could potentially muddy the intended meaning of the songs, but I think it actually deepened my appreciation for both.

Tristana Keauna

Things I learned watching this; 1. I don't know if it's been said, but I don't think this is about trains. I could be wrong. (let us ask VERSACHOI, who, according to Chris, wrote these lyrics lol). 2. Sure, everything Han-C is saying sounds perverted, but do you ever notice that it's on the side of D'some that we're keeping a 'wet' count.... A coincidence? Maybe... But who is to say from Felix's grandfather/mother...? *shrugs* I recently watched the Oct Livestream, and did HAN ever come home to Daddy Sausage?!?! 3. I am an older STAY. Nearly 45 years on this Earth, though only almost 3 in STAY years... so like... I'm glad (!?) that 'my' eldest kid didn't get half naked for this MV. I've seen the live concert clips, and he performs amazingly!! I LOVE that he went a different route for the MV (probably giggling the entire time at what STAY thought they would be getting), 4. I don't think this song is about trains, nor do I think/have ever thought, that it was about... Wet (insert word counter here). I very much think of this in the terms of 'Red Lights II". I think he wrote it to be ambiguous, and perhaps the lyrics etc changed/adapted depending on how he so inclined that day, but I really think/have always thought of this song as yet another interpretation of His Art/Need to Create Art VS His Need to Survive. I love how be battles himself (?) in the MV. I especially love that he leaves it to Us to decipher. Due to the tragic events that happened in his country, I don't blame him at all for not going live yesterday/today. I think he will still, just as soon as he can, but I don't think he'll explain this MV/his song. I think he's going to still leave it to us. The MV is semi-graphic. The lyrics semi-...uh....yeah... but overall, there is something about this song that just makes me want to give Him a Big Hug. It's time to let the train pull into station and take a maintenance rest. (One of the things I've really come to notice about Chan this past year or so, is that he's really been working to put himself first, and I love that! I hope he continues to do so). Even if his self-care means tormenting STAY, their libido and overactive imagination lol. He's still just a 'kid' really (to me at least), in his prime and like... just let him do his thing! In the meantime I'll happily be here watching Han-C utter words without real thought to the innuendos, and D'some, happily add them to his counter as fodder for later. =D TBH; this isn't my favorite of the SKZ Solo tracks, but it is the most 'shocking' in terms of what I thought it would be vs what it was. Great thing about SKZ is that you never come away disappointed. Also, my favorite solo track... oh it's hard to decide. Depends on my mood. They all did such a wonderful job of just being/giving themselves. Lee Know's track still gives me the most joy, Hyunjin's track is what I listen to when I just want to groove, Changbin's track is my go-to for getting stuff done but... I.N maybe is the 'all rounder' can fit in any playlist sort... They're all so authentically 'them' though. I love them all! "Bounce Back" is still my go to "F the World"/"I own this Shi...sausage", gonna get stuff done today sorta song.

EL Knox

Don't think I could choose a fav... they are all so different! this very min it is Railway .... but ask me in an hour and it with be Unfair ... then Youth, then tomorrow it will be Life is So Good and Hold my Hand ..... ahhhhhhhh I need them alllllllllllll

Finican Mwa

I loved this song when I heard it and the m/v is amazing. This is my favorite of the solo songs. All the solo songs are great and they put such thought into the m/v's to show their own style and what they want to show as an individual. Love that they are able to do their own thing while still being active as a group.

Rina
>>159731016

Imo he's gone with the vampire because of how it illustrates obsession and compulsion. How the cycle of creation and consumption of his art is akin to an addiction, how both him and his fans just wants more and more and more. And the significance of them being faceless and uniform, I believe, is that it can be extremely difficult to separate fan from foe, as not only does haters and netizens and media lie in wait in order to twist everything he says and does, taking things (sometimes willfully) out of context, but even some of his own fans have proven time and again that they'll turn on a dime, and launch full out online attacks for the slightest, perceived, misstep. The lines then becomes blurred to the extent that in the end, it doesn't even matter who's what. We all consume him anyway and the cost, to him, remains the same. So, as he's stepping on these faceless, mindless creatures feeding off of him, he's destroying them, and they in turn take his humanity. He literally feed on them, but then he also feed them his own blood - bites himself and spits his blood directly into their mouths. In the consumption of his art, we're essentially devouring him, with no regard to who he is, and while he wants to retain his humanity, he cannot escape how that specifically is also sustaining him, and how it enables him to create even more. It can also be seen as an image of the toxicity of the codependency of the parasocial aspects of being an idol, that, while it in a large part enables him to have this creative outlet as an artist, it also takes away from the authenticity of the art he wants to present. And yeah... this is barely touching on parts of the MV for me. The more I think about this track and it's MV, the deeper I dig and the harder i find it to actually articulate a coherent string of thoughts. I don't even know if I make sense at this point, so excuse the ramblings 😅

Rina
>>159731016

Also, the vampire is definitley also a teeny little nod to Vampire-Chan of the debut days, which was how he'd introduce himself on shows - together with "Dancing jewel LeeKnow" and "Dandy boy Seungmin" and "Dark-Changbin", to name a few .... *giggles in nostalgia*

Ann Canovill

Captivating!!! All parts individually in it's own way. Chans voice, the lyrics, MV cinematics and the stage performace. Taking numerous interpretations into consideration, I feel somewhat sad and guilty to be a part of the constant loop feeding of each other SKZ, the Industry and STAYs. I do mind the casualties, if it's SKZ, and hope their ingenious creative minds can keep sane in this insane world.

romimood

I love to see this from Bang Chan. The artistry ✨✨

J.A. Moore
>>159725217

The same guy that directed Red Lights, Hyunjin's "Play with Fire" solo dance video, Maknae on Top and several other SKZ videos also directed "Railway." I think he's done at least 10, maybe closer to 15 M/Vs and teaser videos for them over the years. He's pretty much their go-to video director. EDIT: I just counted and he's done closer to 20 videos for SKZ. Here's his IG: https://www.instagram.com/novvkim/

Neuter Lover

I believe this MV is the prequel to Chan’s solo stage. The white Chan destroyed the Black Chan and carried the chair to the stage. Oh! I watched MV and also think the lyrics are talking to himself. Thanks for sharing your interpretation, interesting points. My favorite one is Felix’s “Unfair” because of the aesthetic of MV and the stage performance which I could 100% into his performance without worrying about the lack of singing parts. (While other members except Chan used too much AR in the Hook part while dancing/playing guitar. They could improve this in the future, I hope.

FAD
>>159731016

I’m also awed by all the theories and interpretations. I think my theory is correct (LOL) but I can’t honestly disagree with the many differing takes I read either. I can see truth in all of the takes. I really want to thank Chan for this unexpected bit of analytical & interpretative fun. Love the video and the side quest.

Sherri Morgan

Okay, hear me out...I think the song and MV are about Stay. In the MV, the dark Bang Chan is feeding on the "fencing dogs" but he's also turning them into slaves (depicted in the scenes where he's controlling them and feeding them his blood). So, he's feeding on the love/admiration fans give him and bending them to his will. If he wanted to, he could direct Stay to attack other idols/groups. This is prior to me becoming a Stay but an example would be when Woojin left and there was perceived bad blood. Some fans did attack him on social media and to this day, I still see some Stay say they don't support him or don't want to see/hear about him. So, should he desire, Bang Chan could wield his fandom like a sword against whoever he wanted. The light Bang Chan is portraying his better nature/self that knows what is right and wrong. He knows that Stay adore him and that's in part because of who he is as a person. He genuinely cares about the other members, those around him, and his fans. His better nature doesn't allow him to delve into evil deeds because he knows he would lose the respect of fans and others in the industry. That quote in the MV becomes significantly more meaningful because should he attack others then he would be attacked himself. I think the lyrics also connect to Stay. While on the surface you can take them in a sexual way, I think it also describes the relationship between idols and fans. Idols keep an eye on their fans reactions. We know all of the members but especially Bang Chan and I.N watch reaction videos and fan edits. They're all humans just like us and I'm sure that receiving love and support from their fans makes them feel amazing. Getting on the train together with a one way ticket is fans becoming Stay and going on the journey with Stray Kids as they create their music. They've always described themselves as "spicy" (for good reason) which is why Stay need to brace themselves. They are also competitive and when someone wins, another loses. Them winning awards and competitions creates casualties. That's not a concern for Stay because we're safe with Stray Kids because they push ahead no matter what. It is a "rough ride" because they've gotten hate their entire career. It's just my theory, but it makes sense in my head. Also, the edits with the wet counter and highlighting certain words were absolutely hilarious! I would say that I can't choose just one favorite of the solo MVs. I will say I am completely addicted to I.N's Hallucination. I love the aesthetics of Felix's Unfair and Changbin's Ultra. The emotional journey of Seungmin's As we are gets me every time. Bang Chan's Railway is the most thought provoking of them. Lee Know's Youth, Hyunjin's Life is So Good, and Han's Hold My Hand are all just fun. I'm proud of all of them.

Ixaala
>>159755033

This is such an interesting take. I can totally see the psychology of artist/fan relationship working with the song. The lyrics are surface level sexual. But sex has power for good and bad, and some types of dynamics have different power levels- healthily or unhealthily. And if you are in a position with greater power you have to be extra careful not to slip for a moment because the damage could be immense. It's such a pressure to keep yourself cleaner than clean because one spot of damage can bloom into huge harm. But that must also create such a craving to just let loose, say whatever, do whatever, and feel safe when it's just with the people who get you. It's the paradox of the intimacy and exposed public nature of fans/artists, especially with how many Stays relate to Chan and him to us- for example his ability to say things without saying them when the fandom needs correcting sometimes. This is a really cool interpretation.

Bella Fontaine

I really love each and every solo song all for different reasons but I have to say Railway is my favorite. Completely aside from the fact that my bias is Chan, the depth of the song and how personal it is, with its ability to be related to by many people makes it my favorite. I agree with a lot of the interpretations I’ve read already. Many people face an internal struggle between who they truly are and what society expects from them, and there are times we all compromise who we are for what people want from us. This is part of what Chan struggles with, he wants to be completely himself but he runs the risk of haters picking him apart for it. Each piece of the song represents a different struggle that in the end all kind of relate to one another and most of them have been covered in a lot of the previous comments. I just love that this song is so real and personal, while being something so relatable. And the depth and realness of Chan is just one reason he’s my bias!

Vale

I loved the song and the mv so much, vampires are one of my favorites creatures, bc are so much info and different ways to portrait but this one all the desire, gore and struggle to control themselves is my favorite. About the chair yes is the one of the performance that’s how starts that’s why one of my fav theories is that, this is a circle, is a battle in himself trying to kill the dark side but bc is in him cant scape that’s why the white eye change and he takes the coat of the dark Chan bc know and again he resurge like the dark Chan, like in the begging of the video he awakes. And totally agree whit Dsome is about himself in this industry, and I think too is how he see himself in general we know sometimes he struggles with his confidents, about how he see himself, and I think this portraits this battle so well. Is difficult to me to just pick one song as my favorite bc I liked a lot, but if I need to just select one, is have to be Hold My Hand, I love the message is so important to me and the music is so me too, but in therms of mv Railway like how a say before is my favorite theme

Ideosycrat

I liked your analysis very much! It put a different interpretation into my mind than the one I had at first, and I like yours so much better… So, my thought was based on the thing that vampires feed on the blood of humans, so, often film directors are described as using the energy of their actors to shine themselves and feed their own narcissism… some could say, Bang Chan uses the members to feed his own appetite for fame by Stray Kids… But this doesn’t fit to Bang Chan, he isn‘t a ‚User‘ of anyone. Rather your interpretation hits it much more: him, being ‚white‘ most of the time, behave as it is expected of him by company and public. But sometimes, his inner self takes over, revealing itself, in spite of the consequences. Though, I don’t see his inner self as dark, rather as selfless, integer and upright. So, the ‚dirt‘ others are throwing is their dirt, not his, their issues, not his, so, why bother. He did so well in the lyrics, as well as it leaves so much space for different interpretations! That’s true art! He’s a master!

Erin Evans

I love all the songs on the "Hop" album. But, I totally agree with some earlier comments about the solo tracks, it depends on my mood during the day and which song would be my first "go-to" song. However, I did notice that in Railway lots of people may have seen it in the video, but didn't include it in their commentary and that is at the 0:16 mark where you can clearly see 2 set of feet separating from each other. I think that this is the point in the cycle that we are seeing Bang Chan splitting into two different personas and then we are witnessing the cycle that he goes through and the battle that is being fought over which personality is going to be the dominant one this time around. I love that he starts his stage performance where this video left off. Each music video definitely highlighted each members personality, music taste and ability to tell a story through lyrics and visuals.

Eng선생님

The phrase you asked about is in Romanian (my mom's Romanian). I'm pretty sure it says something like "My castle is a place of Darkness." Which makes me wonder, What REALLY goes on in Chan's head??? BTW, the director of this MV is the GENIUS @novvkim

jiyongchy

hold up! since when did you guys have the puppym and bbokari skzoos? 😮

Leaf

I just realized that Bang Chan was a vampire (albeit a cuter version) in **Up All Night**

Eileen

The innocence and confidence when you said "trains are longer and bigger" then the immediate regret made me laugh so hard.