Video of the Day: SHINee's "1000 Years, Always By Your Side" PV

Today's Video of the Day is by none other than my faves, SHINee, who bring you their pv for "1000 Years, Always By Your Side".

I have to take a pause here because I have so many feels (and too many screencaps, aigoo!) to express about this incredible video.  Take a look:

Firstly, lets talk about the characters SHINee plays in this video, because that plays a huge role in really getting the story line.  A friend of mine informed me that they are playing Shinigami (click through for her point of view), or a "death god" or "death spirit".  As Wikipedia says, Shinigami:

is an entity in Japanese folklore that is responsible for seeing that a person dies at their appointed time and then guiding their spirit to be judged in the afterlife.  

I realized after watching it the first time that they were some sort of more benign version of the Grim Reaper, so learning about the Shinigami made a lot of sense.

So, a few days ago I let you know just how much I like this song.  Well, the mv has now dodged past all my other favorite SHINee videos and situated itself right at the top of the list.

Everything about this pv is on point, from the cinematography to the wardrobe to the smallest details imaginable.  Let's talk about the cinematography first.  I'm no expert but I think the cinematography here is so well done.  The sepia tint that is used to illustrate the difference between the realm that SHINee lives in and the "real" world is used skillfully.  It serves to really bring the Shinigami's world to life.

I thought that the juxtaposition of the modern and the old fashioned in their clothing was excellent.  This concept also served to highlight the differences between the living and the dead.  Even their accessories were chosen wisely.  I loved Key's keys and book, as well as Taemin's umbrella and Onew's cane, the watches and the monocles.  You got the sense that they were not just props but items that would be used in their day to day life as Shinigami.

Now about that story...  From the first few shots I was hooked.

Shinigami Taemin waits.

Those shots really set the tone and mood for the storyline, and what a storyline it is.  I was immediately drawn in to the world of these death spirits and the man they were waiting for.  I loved how this deceased man wanted so badly to make sure his son was ok as he went through his operation.  The director managed to convey a strong loving family bond with just a few scenes, which is pretty hard to do.

Some movies don't even manage to do that in 2 hours, so good job director.

I liked how the Shinigami kept watch on the family by shapeshifting into cats and that the boy could see them.  Just five black cats, out and about, chillin'... nothing odd about that.

The part with the balloons particularly made me stop and think about the message of hope and not giving up that the father was trying to impart to his son.  I'm not a sentimental person but it almost brought a tear to my eye.  The father was able to go on from this life knowing that he had been able to bring a smile to his son's face for the last time.  

The Shinigami were there to help him and the other spirits on their way.

"Fighting!"

Congrats, SHINee, on an excellent video and song.  I couldn't be happier and I'm sure many Shawols feel the same way.  

Stay tuned on the Oddness/Weirdness Facebook page for more edited screencaps (coming soon) and to the Oddness/Weirdness tumblr for gifs and extra goodies.  Be sure to leave me a comment with all your "1000 Years" feels below.  

Source: EMIMusicJapan.  Screencaps by Oddness/Weirdness.  Take out with full credit.