Chained Up

VIXX's 'Chained Up' delves into the complex and often paradoxical nature of love, portraying it as both a source of pleasure and pain. The lyrics describe a relationship where the protagonist feels both captivated and tormented by their partner. The imagery of chains and being 'chained up' serves as a powerful metaphor for the emotional bondage that love can create. The protagonist is depicted as being unable to break free, despite the pain and suffering they endure. This duality is further emphasized by the repeated phrases 'Eenie meenie minie moe,' which juxtapose the roles of the lover as both a 'master' and a 'prey,' a 'lover' and a 'dictator.'

The song's chorus, with lines like '손을 들어 난 freeze! Armor down!' (Raise your hands, I freeze! Armor down!), highlights the protagonist's submission and vulnerability. Despite being treated coldly and harshly ('날 차갑게 내쳐도 괜찮아' - Even if you coldly push me away, it's okay), they cannot leave ('떠날 수 없어 chained up chained up' - I can't leave, chained up, chained up). This reflects a deep emotional dependency and a sense of inevitability in their attachment, suggesting that the protagonist is resigned to their fate, no matter how painful it may be.

The bridge of the song introduces a sense of permanence to this emotional state. The protagonist acknowledges that they are 'not ready to go' and might never be ('아마 영원히 그렇겠지' - Maybe it will be like this forever). This acceptance of eternal bondage ('영원히 네게 chained up chained up' - Forever chained up to you) underscores the theme of inescapable love. The use of animalistic imagery, such as being tamed like a beast, further intensifies the sense of primal, uncontrollable emotions at play. Ultimately, 'Chained Up' is a poignant exploration of the darker, more obsessive side of love, where the lines between affection and domination blur, leaving the protagonist in a state of perpetual emotional captivity.