Ghosting

⋆ Genre: Nu Gaze, Indie Rock

⋆ Producing Credits: EL CAPITXN

⋆ Writing/Composing Credits: EL CAPITXN, danke, Kyler Niko, David Charles Fischer, Taehyun, Lee Su-ran, Lennon Stella, Erin McCarley, Slow Rabbit, Soobin,  Kim Bo-sun, Ruuth, Chris James

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ABOUT/MEANING: ‘Ghosting’ captures the eerie void left when someone important is abruptly cut off, conveying the boys’* confusion and hurt as they navigate the emotional emptiness of being ghosted by a friend or loved one. The song reflects feelings of disconnection and loss which are common during adolescence, as friendships evolve and life becomes more complex. The metaphor of "ghosting" mirrors the fear of abandonment and the struggle to cope with the emotional void that arises from missed connections. This sense of isolation and longing resonates with TXT’s own experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic when they were unable to connect with MOA. It also reflects a time earlier in their career when health issues delayed their first comeback, leaving the members to face the void left by these missed interactions and many "fans" withdrawing their support. ‘Ghosting’ sets the tone for the boys’ emotional journey through this album, addressing fractured connections and the uncertainty that comes with the transition into young adulthood.

*For further context on the song check out the 'Minisode 1: Blue Hour' album summary

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LYRICS - ENGLISH TRANSLATION (translations by @translatingTXT)

You disappeared, dis-disappeared

Like a faint ghost, dis-disappeared

You disappeared, dis-disappeared

Like a faint ghost, dis-disappeared

In a room where only echoes remain

CONTEXT/EXPLANATION:  While this could refer to a literal, empty physical room, in the context of the song, it likely symbolizes a chatroom on KakaoTalk, a popular messaging app in Korea.

I wander alone all the time

I’m like a ghost

Like a ghost

Messages filling up the rectangular screen

Our tiki-taka was so good

CONTEXT/EXPLANATION: The term tiki-taka originated in Spanish football, where it describes a style of play characterized by short, quick passes and maintaining possession of the ball. The term is onomatopoeic, mimicking the sound of fast passing. In Korean, it has been adopted to describe good chemistry or seamless interactions between people, where communication and collaboration are effortless - much like the fluid passing in football.

But something is strange

It's already been a week

Still, only the number greets me, just a 1

CONTEXT/EXPLANATION: This line refers to the familiar indicator on KakaoTalk, a popular messaging app in Korea. When you send a message and it hasn't been read by the recipient, a small '1' appears next to the message, indicating that the message is still unread.

Staring blankly at the lonely floating window

To the right, only my words roll around alone

CONTEXT/EXPLANATION: This line refers to the layout of KakaoTalk (and most messaging apps), where the sender's messages are displayed on the right-hand side of the screen (sometimes referred to as a window), while the recipient's messages appear on the left.

I'm getting more and more anxious

All day all day all day all day

All of a sudden you disappeared, dis-disappeared

Like a faint ghost, dis-disappeared

I ask into the void

What am I to you? (What am I?)

All of a sudden you disappeared, dis-disappeared

Like a faint ghost, dis-disappeared

In this room where only echoes remain

I wander alone all the time

I’m like a ghost

I stare blankly at your new post

Hashtag 'Today_the_sky_is_so_pretty'

I can’t believe it

From my world, you've already logged out

Now I finally realize

Staying up all night again, eyes wide open, like a zombie

I'm searching for a sign of a goodbye in our conversations

But I still don't get it

All day all day all day all day

All of a sudden you disappeared, dis-disappeared

Like a faint ghost, dis-disappeared

I ask into the void

What am I to you? (What am I?)

All of a sudden you disappeared, dis-disappeared

Like a faint ghost, dis-disappeared

In this room where only echoes remain

I wander alone all the time

I’m like a ghost

Honestly, I know that

‘No answer’ is your answer

But I can’t get used to this (oh)

The fact that I’m alone (oh)

Like the ‘us’ in the picture (like that)

We have to go back

I’m still here (I'm still here)

I’m still here

All of a sudden you disappeared, dis-disappeared

Like a faint ghost, dis-disappeared

I ask into the void

What am I to you? (What am I?)

All of a sudden you disappeared, dis-disappeared

Like a faint ghost, dis-disappeared

In this room where only echoes remain

I wander alone all the time

Like a ghost

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Helpful Context (Album Summary): 'Minisode 1: Blue Hour' captures a reflective pause between The Dream and The Chaos Chapters. Centered on the “blue hour” - the twilight between day and night - it delves into themes of uncertainty, nostalgia, and emotional distance. This metaphor reflects the bittersweet confusion of adolescence, as the boys* try to hold onto fading moments while the world around them shifts. As friendships wane and the familiar becomes unfamiliar, they confront isolation and the fear of growing up. Partly inspired by the emotional disorientation of the COVID-19 era, the album encapsulates the surreal feeling of holding on amid inevitable change. Though not yet ready to fully embrace it, the boys begin to recognize the bittersweet beauty in letting go.

Helpful Context (Album Series Summary): In between each series of chapters in TXT's discography,  'minisodes' are released. Minisodes serve as transitional bridges, between chapters, guiding the listener from one era to the next while introducing new themes and emotional turning points.

*In the context of TXT’s discography, the term ‘boy’/‘boys’ are used to represent both the members themselves as well as serve as generalized protagonists embodying the universal experiences of youth.