Song Reviews: 3 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Miss ‘Loved’ - An Emotional Heartbreak Song From B.I's Latest Album "Love Or Loved Part.2"

"Love or Loved" (also known as ‘L.O.L’) is a part of B.I's global album project which he separated into 2 EPs. This includes "Love or Loved Part. 1" and "Love or Loved Part. 2". Both parts have a unique concept on each as well as creates different moods while you’re listening.

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"Part 1 is all about ‘Love’," B.I explained, making the five songs in 'Love or Loved Part. 1' into stories. The songs include 'BTBT', 'Keep Me Up', 'Middle With You', 'Tangerine', and 'Endless Summer'. Each song tells us about different aspects of youthful love. The opening song of the global EP is ‘BTBT’ which came from Korean lyrics "비틀비틀 (Biteul-Biteul)" means ‘to stagger’.

This is used to clearly explain that when you’re falling in love with someone, you feel drunk with love and can’t stop thinking about him/her, you will lose control and stagger with your feelings like 'BTBT'. With the unique and fluid dance choreography and upbeat rhythm, this song became widely popular and known as the B.I anthem among all IDs.

'BTBT' - B.I X Soulja Boy (Feat. DeVita) Official MV (Performance Ver.)

The title track of "Love or Loved Part.1" is ‘Keep Me Up’. This song expresses the fierce feeling when you are looking for love to fill your empty heart, leading to being stuck in loops like a circle and keeping you up every time. B.I described the feeling of ‘Keep Me Up’ as an instinctual desire that all we have.

'Keep Me Up' - B.I Official MV

Let's Talk About "Love or Loved Part. 2"

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"Part 2 is all about 'Loved'," B.I explained, stating that the five songs in 'Love or Loved Part. 2' are also split into stories like Part 1. Nevertheless, the main story of part 2 represents the feeling of breaking up after being in love. Those songs describe the feelings associated with loneliness, sadness, and emptiness including 'Loved', '4 Letters', 'Alone', 'S.O.S', and 'All Shook Up'. B.I masterfully navigates a range of music styles, from soulful ballads to more upbeat and rhythmic tracks, each song seems to be a chapter in the larger story of heartbroken love. "Love or Loved Part. 2" is not just an album but every song invites listeners to reflect on their own experiences with love.

The title track of Love or Loved Part.2 is 'Loved', the main song that depicts all stages and feelings after breaking up with someone. This song came up with an aesthetic cinematographic music video that enhances the emotional resonance of the lyrics very well.

3 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Miss 'Loved'

1. Captivating Melodies And Poetic Lyrics

On September 10, 2023, B.I unveiled the title track 'Loved' during his pre-listening stage performance at "Lollapalooza" in Berlin. This was the first time I heard this song via all the fancams, catching my interest with only one listen. He also performed 'Loved' and the unreleased song from "Love or Loved Pt. 2" on his first Europe tour, "Love or Die" between September 19 to October 19 in 2023. I almost couldn't wait for the release date of his new global EP. I wanted time to pass quickly so that I could officially listen to his new song.

Finally, the day I had been waiting for had come. On October 27, 2023, B.I released the 'Loved' official music video on YouTube and music on all the streaming platforms. After clearly listening, 'Loved' is a song that perfectly represents a heartbroken love story with melodic elements and evocative lyrics that make you reflect in-depth on your own experience about love. The lonely guitar tune, gentle drum, and subtle instrumental create an intimate backdrop, allowing B.I's raw and emotive vocals to take center stage. His voice, filled with sincerity, effortlessly carries the weight of the emotions embedded in the lyrics, creating a connection with the listener that is both poignant and powerful. In addition, the chorus, with its melodic crescendo, serves as the emotional climax of the song.

The best lyrics that touched my heart is "I had a love but I lost it". That sentence unfolds as a poignant narrative of love gained and subsequently lost. Also, "I just need a look in the mirror" and "I need to learn to be honest" weaving a story that resonates with emotional depth and introspection. He crafts a narrative that is both relatable and deeply personal in the lyrics.

"I just need a look in the mirror
Need a wish in my pocket
Always stretching the truth and
I need to learn to be honest
억지로 숨죽일 뿐 (I force myself to suppress it all)
허탈함에 갇혔네 (Trapped in a void)
I had a love but I lost it"

Another one that impacted me is the Korean lyrics "오늘이 빨리 지나갔으면 해내일을 기대하는 건 아닌데" which means "I want the day to pass by quickly, that doesn't mean I’m looking forward to tomorrow". This sentence in the simplicity of the language enhances the emotional impact, allowing listeners to immerse themselves in the shared experience of heartache. B.I also went on to explain the track through a lyrics lecture content on his official YouTube channel. The lyrics express a painful thing: you live on day by day without any excitement for tomorrow and want the day to pass quickly because you get hurt.

If you want to know more deeply about his beautiful lyrics, let's check out the lyrics lecture by 'Kim HanBin T' (Teacher B.I) below!

2. Aesthetic Music Video

'Loved' came with an official music video on YouTube on October 27, 2023. It's a visually stunning music video, creating a harmony of audio and visual aesthetics. The music video, directed with finesse and artistic sensibility, elevates the emotional impact of the song, offering a cinematic experience that is both elegant and emotionally resonant. Furthermore, the cinematography and blue tone of the storytelling made this music video more interesting, with each frame carefully composed to evoke a sense of melancholic beauty. The use of blue lighting, sea, and set designs creates an atmosphere that mirrors the introspective nature of the song. B.I himself takes center stage in the video, his expressive gestures and nuanced facial expressions adding depth to the storytelling in MV. 

Meanwhile, the 'Loved' music video uses "film" as a main symbol of storytelling. The symbolism embedded in the video adds another layer to the narrative. Elements like sea, water, door, maze, mirror, and film serve as metaphors for the complexities and loneliness of love. The attention to detail in the visual storytelling reflects a meticulous artistry, inviting viewers to interpret and connect with the story of music video on a personal level. Leading to the results that the MV is both visually captivating and emotionally evocative.

'Loved' Official Music Video Screenshot

'Loved' Official Music Video Screenshot

3. B.I's Undeniable Visuals In Both Face And Choregraphy

Besides his visual face card in the music video, the dance choreography also enhances the perfection of this song significantly. The choreography in 'Loved' is a visual spectacle in itself, with B.I's movements mirroring the heartache of being loved. The dance sequences, choreographed with precision, complement the emotional intensity of the song, adding a dynamic layer to the overall visual experience.

The fluidity and precision of B.I's movements were shown in his 'Loved' dance performance film. His dance style has expressiveness and emotional depth, is likely to shine in the performance film as well as merge emotive storytelling with dynamic choreography, creating an immersive experience for viewers.

During his first Europe tour, "Love or Die", B.I also performed 'Loved' and his stage presence contributes to the overall energy of his live shows and engages the audience very well. He uses movement to convey the emotions of the music, adding another layer of storytelling of being 'Loved' to his performances. Whether through subtle gestures or dynamic choreography, his expressiveness on stage enhances the overall impact of the song.

Check out a sample clip of his 'Loved' live performance during his Europe tour in London below!

"Love or Loved Part. 2" also has another 4 songs which includes '4 Letters', 'Alone', 'S.O.S', and 'All Shook Up'. Immerse yourself in the profound melodies and charming voice of B.I in "Love or Loved Pt. 2". Experience the evolution of love through captivating beats and heartfelt lyrics. Your emotional journey starts here. Listen now! Stream Now on your preferred music service: 'Loved' the single, or "Love or Loved Part.2" the entire album.

From Writer

Last but not least, if you are reading this thank you so much for reading my song reviews. Although this song was released in October 2023, I haven't had much time to arrange my thoughts and write them down in a long article. However, today I did it and I want to share my opinion after listening to his new album as a review memory. After listening to the song, you will fall in love with his sweet voice and sincere lyrics like me for sure! Thank you for supporting my beloved artist B.I. Hope you have a great day and find happy little things in your everyday life. From Bam Bam, a Thai ID.