But You

iKON's song 'But You' delves into the depths of lingering love and the struggle to move on from a past relationship. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of someone who is trying to find solace in new relationships but finds themselves constantly drawn back to their former lover. The opening lines, 'I’m in love again / 지금 옆에 그 사람은 어때?' (How is the person next to you now?), set the tone for the song, highlighting the protagonist's internal conflict and the futility of trying to replace their ex.

The recurring theme of meeting new people but feeling an unfulfilled void is poignantly expressed in lines like '낯선 사람을 만나고 / 다 이젠 듯이 품에 안겨 봐도 / 왜 이럴까 난 왜 / 너라는 이유' (Meeting strangers and embracing them as if it's all over, but why do I feel this way? Because of you). This suggests that the protagonist's heart remains tethered to their past love, making it impossible to fully invest in new relationships. The song's chorus, 'I need you, baby / 혹시나 우리가 또다시 / 시작한다면 사랑한다면 / 오로지 난 you, you-ooh' (I need you, baby / If we start again, if we love again / Only you, you-ooh), underscores the yearning and hope for a possible reunion.

The emotional turmoil is further emphasized by the protagonist's friends' observations, '친구들은 이런 내가 처럽대 / 아무렇지 않은 척 / 잘 지냈다는 말도 / 감정 없는 사람처럼 보인대' (My friends say I look pitiful / Pretending to be okay / Saying I’ve been well / I look like a person without emotions). Despite trying to appear unaffected, the protagonist's true feelings are evident, revealing a deep-seated longing for their past lover. The song concludes with a reaffirmation of this undying love, 'Don’t want no one but you, you,' encapsulating the essence of the song—a heartfelt ode to an irreplaceable love.