"Hesitating Because of Perfectionism" — PENTAGON Defines the Meaning of 'Coward'

The production behind-the-scenes, capturing the musical direction and work process of the new song 'Coward' which the group PENTAGON is preparing for their 10th anniversary, has been released. This project was planned considering the timing of PENTAGON's 10th anniversary and the seasonal feeling of autumn.

"PENTAGON's identity is being pathetic"... 'Coward' containing a 10-year narrative

In the video, the members chose 'being pathetic' as the core keyword for this new song. The members reached a consensus that 'being pathetic' is the keyword that penetrates the musical color, lyrics, and personality traits that PENTAGON has shown so far. In particular, while this song 'Coward' sounds like an ordinary love song, it aimed to convey a message metaphorically about the story that PENTAGON and their fans have built together over 10 years.

Specific interpretations were also exchanged regarding the song title 'Coward'. Rather than simply meaning a state of being very fearful, it projects the image of people with 'perfectionist traits' who hesitate or procrastinate because they want to accomplish something perfectly. This was utilized as an important psychological device that penetrates the theme of the song.

Harmony of lyrical melody and exciting beat... details of the lyric writing process

In terms of musical composition, the key is the combination of an 'exciting beat' and a 'lyrical melody'. The members aimed for simple and easy melodies to create music that the public can enjoy for a long time. Based on a nostalgic chord progression that suits the autumn mood, they aimed for an overall framework that can be enjoyed excitedly.

In the lyric writing process, they were seen finely adjusting the pronunciation and meaning of every single word. Through phrases such as "I tried doing well without you" and "Saying let's meet again someday," they built a narrative reminiscing about the past, and through expressions like "Even though I am afraid," they materialized the feeling of hesitation. In particular, work was carried out to increase the delivery of emotions through colloquial expressions such as "Finally becoming honest."

10th anniversary targeting and stage production direction

PENTAGON set 'nostalgia' that K-pop listeners can feel as the first goal of this project. The key is to show their current selves, having grown from their clear and mischievous appearance 10 years ago, while maintaining the unique lyrical sensibility of PENTAGON that fans loved.

Regarding stage production, they are also contemplating the direction of the choreography to match the atmosphere of the song. While performing exciting dances, they plan to focus on perfectly implementing the mood and message of the song so that the song's sensibility does not inadvertently become tacky. The members continued discussions to increase the perfection of the songs by voting on their preferences for the three songs being worked on.

Source: original video (YouTube)