GREATEST HITS:: NU'EST W (NU'EST): HELP ME

 Sentimentality here. The fifteenth was their anniversary, and Baekho left Pledis on the fourteenth, and I had my car accident on the thirteenth. It has been a rough few days emotionally and while I had a plan to do another group, the car accident confirmed for me that I should just do this for their anniversary, even though typing for long periods of time (such as doing this) hurts my wrist. And I picked a NU'EST W song, because the W stands for waiting, and that's what we're doing: waiting for them to come back. And I'm not masochistic enough to do Where You At, which got them their first win at all since debut, or Deja Vu, which is so beloved that it also got performed as five later.

NU'EST W is the subunit formed after their appearance on Produce 101 S2 until 2019 with the return of Minhyun to the group. The album, Wake, N, hit number on the Korean charts, and this song got a win on Music Bank, which makes it the subunit's fourth win. In 2018. In December of 2018. Four months before that important seventh anniversary. It's fine. I'm fine. We're all fine here. Also, fun fact, all of their mini albums they released have a W in them.

• Group: NU'EST W
• Debut Date: 2017 July 25
• Company: Pledis Entertainment
• Status: Disbanded (2018 December 31)
• Album: Wake, N
• Song: HELP ME
• Release Date: 2018 November 26

The funny thing is that with the addition of Baekho to the songwriting/composing/producing team, NU'EST ended up with the absolute sappiest of songs. I've heard it complained that the second part of NU'EST's career (post Produce 101 until disbandment) sounds a lot like Seventeen's at the time, and that makes sense because they share a producer. But Seventeen doesn't go for so many consecutive sappy love songs, and they really don't do many break-up songs at all. 

NU'EST W's trio of title tracks are pining love songs. 

Shocking from a group that their own fans lovingly memes them for how much and often they say "I love you" (in both Korean and English) to each other. I am flabbergasted.

This one in particular is a burst of desperate, longing emotion, and has to be classified as a break-up song. The lyrics are enough to make you cry, but it's got the epic drama of an anime opening song.

I really love how JR and Ren open the song by going back and forth with each other. It's one of those things where I like being able to see the leader and maknae interact with each other, even if the leader isn't also the eldest. But the combo of JR's low voice and Ren's higher voice is a gorgeous way to start the song. And then Ren gets the proper start of the song, which is something that makes me so happy for him.

And JR sings. I know it's not his favorite, and I want him to be comfortable. But his singing voice has that delicious rapper rasp that I love hearing every time I run into it, that I want to hear it more. Can't hear it at all right now because someone is doing an excellent job as an assistant instructor, and I'm very proud of him. And even when he's rapping in his song, it's very melodic while also sounding like he in particular is going through five divorces at once.

Like. Baekho's voice is so incredibly distinct and gorgeous, which is why he's the main vocalist. Those high notes? Inimitable. But you know who you shouldn't sleep on either? Aron. He doesn't get nearly as many parts as he deserves, but he absolutely kills what he does get with his very pure voice, and he, like JR, gets to rap.

And before I start sharing anything else, I adore the section where the instrumentals just go to a solo piano. Really elevates the melancholy and pain. Also, there's a freaking cello and audience participation snapping. Be still my soul.

One last thing. JR looks so good in the music video with his fluffy, long (for him) hair. I am trying to limit how much I'm fangirling over my ult bias, because they all deserve to be acknowledged, but genuinely, I think this is one of my favorite looks for him. The eyeliner. The eyeshadow. The long, fluffy hair. He's so pretty here I almost want to throw my shoe. And that one outfit that makes the four of them look like vampire princes? What is that? Ren honestly looks like he walked out of an anime (or Final Fantasy, and I'm in awe of Pledis's ability to scout anime boys with the voices of angels). Baekho is incredibly sexy with his ribbons crossing at the base of his throat. And Aron, the only hyung the group has, looks scholarly and refined. All he's really missing is some spectacles. Actually, he looks a lot like I imagine the character Elend from Mistborn to be like, but it would have to be Well of Ascension or later.

And I've never looked at the comment sections of this music video before and I'm trying not to cry at the support. Y'all, I would not have been able to emotionally survive being a fan back then. This would have put me six feet under in gratitude. The number of different fandoms showing support. Carats. VIPs. EXO-Ls. Wannables. ELFs. NCTZENs. Monbebes. ARMYs. Shawols. Ahgases. Ikonics. I know that this is late, but thank you all for supporting them back then. Thank you for supporting my boys before I could. (And thank you, V, for your kindness during the AAAs).

I'm just kidding. I'm not done yet, because I need to talk about some details, although I think I need to go get my wrist brace on. First of all, when I do Where You At, I'll comment on something specific related to this thing I'm about to mention. Second of all, that door opening at the end with the members turning expectantly towards the door, that's symbolism for the end of their waiting because their lost member is returning soon. It's a beautiful moment that simply and gently ties the threads of searching found throughout the music video together into a final meaning, where they've finally found what [who] they've been looking for. Third of all, the Morse code spells either "H-E-L-P-M-E" or just "H-E-L-P".

I think I'm done with the basic fangirling for the moment.

So! On with the specific fangirling.

One thing I will always compliment Pledis groups for as a testament to their training and the focus that the company has on choreography is their very sharp, very synchronized, very clean movements. And there's a spot at the beginning where that is the most on display. Those hand movements are incredibly precise. JR does a magic trick where he vanishes into the backup dancers (shout out to them!). 

Ren fully looks like a prince when he's almost lounging there.

Can we also take a moment to appreciate how amazingly solid Baekho is? As well as how fine he looks in a pair of jeans?

Okay, but that part with the piano? I love how the choreography mimics that.

However, the best part of the whole set of choreography, is the EDM dance break at the end of the song.

It's a masterpiece. Just look at that.

This particular performance is very special because it's the performance they did the day they got their win with the song. Listen to that fanchant, dear readers. It's so loud! That makes me so happy!

This choreography seems like it could have been designed with a camera in mind, because the way it unfolds and moves on camera is a work of art with members seeming to trade places or just straight up teleport. And it's clearly not easy because Baekho is practically dripping with sweat and JR is nearly as sweaty. To be fair, they are the sweaty line (which makes it funny because Baekho has no problem with taking his clothes off, though maybe not at this point, and JR would rather perform in a turtleneck), but it's impressive. And it's cute that JR got the ending shot, even if he is a little shiny.

Shout out to the LOVEs for that glowing pink ocean.

There's a little bit of thirsting after Aron (or, as they call him, Father Aron) in the comments for this performance (which, fair) and I'm delighted by the love that he's being shown. He needs it. Always. Also, some thirsting after the aforementioned sweaty Baekho. 

I kind of love that Inkigayo was like "Yeah, I can't decide who looks best, so I'll just include them all in the thumbnail."

So what's cool about this performance is Baekho's shirt that exposes his pec tattoos just for a quick flash, something the fans will always go feral for because it's like a Victorian man seeing an ankle. Does he show them off often now? Yes. But there's something intriguing and flirtatious about the tattoos when they're playing peek-a-boo. The stylist(s) did an incredible job of just making the four of them look like princes. They're incredible. The camera work is incredible.

They're just incredible performers. Look at this.

I could share more but this thing is already long.

Anyway, happy anniversary, NU'EST. We'll be waiting for you and for spring to come again.