Vanilla

In 'Vanilla,' KAI from EXO uses the metaphor of vanilla to describe the sweetness and allure of love. The song's lyrics are filled with imagery that evokes the creamy, soft, and irresistible nature of vanilla, drawing a parallel to the feelings of being in love. The repetition of 'Vanilla, vanilla, vanilla' emphasizes the addictive and captivating nature of this emotion, suggesting that love is something that one can never get enough of.

The lyrics describe moments of intimacy and connection, where time seems to stand still, and everything feels like a dream. Phrases like '공기마저 달아 너와 있을 땐' (Even the air is sweet when I'm with you) and '시간이 딱 멈춘 듯해 꿈결 같아' (Time seems to stop, it's like a dream) highlight the enchanting and almost surreal experience of being in love. The song also touches on the physical sensations of love, with lines like '부드러운 손길 좋은 기분이 자꾸 부르게 돼 너의 이름' (A soft touch, a good feeling, makes me keep calling your name) and '혀끝에 맴도는 나른한 노래' (A languid song lingering on the tip of my tongue).

KAI's smooth vocals and the song's mellow, dreamy production further enhance the theme of love as a sweet, almost intoxicating experience. The use of vanilla as a central metaphor is particularly effective because it is a flavor that is universally associated with comfort, pleasure, and simplicity. By comparing love to vanilla, KAI conveys that love, while simple and pure, is also deeply satisfying and endlessly desirable. The song captures the essence of being in love, where every moment feels sweet and every touch is cherished.