First of all, a disclaimer. I know my name appeared as Dian up there, but let me give you my alt name just for this post – Written by: An Unhinged STAY Who Hasn’t Recovered Since Red Lights (And Probably Never Will). Now, a lot of YouTubers and singers, even fans, have dissected the meaning of both of the Stray Kids’ songs “Escape” and “Red Lights”. Saving each other, blah blah blah. But no! It’s actually deeper than you think. Since no one has said what I’m about to say, I’ll take the liberty of STAYplaning it to you. Read and digest.
Brace yourselves, fellow STAYs—Chan and Hyunjin are back at it again, wrecking us emotionally, spiritually, and aesthetically with Escape, and it’s giving Red Lights 2.0… but deeper, darker, and a tad more dangerous. If Red Lights was a sultry whisper in the dark, Escape is a fever dream laced in silk, fire, and unspoken obsessions.
So, let’s dive in. And by “dive,” I mean free-fall screaming into the abyss of Bang Chan and Hyunjin’s artistry (and abs, respectfully).
The True Concepts: Hardworking, Losing Control… or Self-Sabotaging?
The first thing you notice in Escape—after your soul returns from its brief trip outside your body—is the emotional push-and-pull. On the surface, it’s a song about wanting to run away with someone. But dig deeper, and it’s about wanting to run away from YOURSELF. Yes, STAY, the duality is real. Starting from here onwards, keep this in mind: THE SONG IS ABOUT ONE PERSON BATTLING HIMSELF. (Choose your fighter, Hyunjin or Chan.)
<Red Lights Concept>
Since Red Lights, the majority of people had thought that it was about 2 characters tied to each other and unable to escape. Red Lights on the surface might be understood as a ‘Red Flag’, but I am sure some of us fans had known that Chan did explain while he was writing the lyrics, ‘Red Light’ literally means his studio recording light. Long story short, the song is about how his conscience traps him into keeping on working non-stop.
What about Hyunjin, then? He’s not one of the producers. Does the ‘Red Lights’ apply to him as well? Of course it does. The ‘recording’ red lights in the recording room aren’t just for producers but also for the recording artist behind it as well. It symbolises how he’s always working as one of the SKZ members. Let’s be honest here. It’s good for them, and I am 100% grateful, but they are working SOOO SOOO SOOOOO HARD.
<Red Lights MV>
The red strings in the MV also carry deep symbolism. You know how Koreans, Japanese, and Chinese see ‘red strings’ as the line of fate or destiny. They believe that each living person in this world is tied to his/her own destiny. You see where I’m going? The MV is to show how fame, the career and the responsibilities as an entertainer in the industry tied Hyunjin in a very sexy uncomfortable way. However, it ties them down, and they are surrendering themselves in the ‘destiny’ thinking they’ve already lost control of themselves – hence, the repetitive ‘lost control‘ sentence in the lyrics.
Lastly, you MUST remember, although there are 2 people in the MV, it’s always 2 of the SAME people. It’s the Duality/Split Self technique used in a lot of films out there to symbolise how a person can have 2 lives or identities based on the situation. In Red Lights (and Escape), too, Hyunjin is his conscious self, and Chan is Hyunjin’s inner self (of what Hyunjin really thinks and feels). And vice versa – Chan is his conscious self, and Hyunjin is Chan’s inner self. (I hope you get what I’m trying to say).
So all the action of choking (cue blushing), lifting each other up, shooting each other with arrows, fighting each other, etc – all of those are actually what Hyunjin/Chan does to himself. Hence, the MV scenes always show only one face at a time. During the dance break, even though they’re dancing side-by-side, the choreo is mirror-like. Hence, it’s like dancing and your inner self mirroring your move.
<Escape Concept>
You’re ready for this? The song is NOT about Bang Chan and Hyunjin trying to save each other. Again, it’s the Duality/Split Self technique! The whole song is their inner self literally talking and coaxing their conscious mind to escape. It’s a monologue! Like, “Enough is enough, Bang Chan! Cut it and have mercy to yourself! Live a bit and escape your responsible and conscience! Love yourself more! Come with me let’s escape now!” said himself to himself. So now, go and listen back to the song, but this time, tell yourself that the song is a monologue of himself (whoever you pick – Chan or Hyunjin). It makes much more sense, huh?
<Escape MV>
Continuing from above, it’s also why in both MVs, it’s never a full shot of both faces in a frame. It will always be whether the scene is too short, like a jump cut or only half the face of the second person shown. I’ll explain more later.
You might come to me with, “Then what about the scene in the MV where Chan gives Hyunjin the mirror pieces to cut his chain?” “What about the scene of Romeo and Juliet parody with the aquarium?” “What about the scene where they run away together?” “What about the end scene where both ferret and wolf run towards each other and reveal that Hyunjin and Chan are facing a monster truck headfirst?” Okay, I’ll tell you one by one;
The scene where they bump into each other in the beginning – It shows how our conscience and inner self sometimes clash in our life. Say, how many times have you fought your guts and emotion, weighing between logical and realistic reasoning instead of following your heart?
The scene where Chan gives Hyunjin the mirror fragments – The mirror here should not be seen as a literal weapon to cut the chains. It is metaphorically – Chan (in the scene, Hyunjin’s inner self) is giving himself a ‘way’ to escape. Did you think a broken mirror could sever the chain in the MV? They’re chained by galvanized chains, for God’s sake.
The scene with Romeo & Juliet parody – Now, what do we know about the symbolic meaning of Romeo & Juliet? The forbidden and far-fetched love, isn’t it? Our life indeed. To let yourself loose and love what you are doing nowadays is so far-fetched that we even think that it’s not the right thing to do. What happens if we adhere to our intrusive and impulsive thinking? Do you think people will bless our actions? Most of the time, no. Also, in the movie, the aquarium symbolizes what divided Romeo & Juliet – THEY ARE IN TWO DIFFERENT WORLDS. Even though they’re madly in love with each other to the point that they are half of each other’s life and considered as 1 entity, living with each other seems wrong in their situation. So, I think I’ve explained it clearly with the anecdote here. Chan/Hyunjin cannot be with their real self because they’re living in two different worlds – CONSCIENCE & INDULGENCE.
The scene where the ferret and wolf run towards each other and hold hands – you might hate me for this, but it is what it is – is the Duality/Split Self concept. Do you ever realize that the scene is only one animal in a frame? It’s never 2 animals running together in a frame. They have embraced themselves. They have decided to tie themselves – reality and innerself. They decided to always love themselves and whatever happens, come obstacles or blinding danger (the truck), they’ll face it together now, with both brain and heart. In addition, there’s a mirroring concept in this scene. Hyunjin running to the right side of the screen, and Chan is running to the left; ergo, when they hug each other, the frame cuts into a bright background and a blackout hugs so that we will only see 2 persons hugging (again, real self & inner self), and not Hyunjin & Chan hug each other as 2 real people reuniting.
Oh wait, I forgot to point out the scene of the shadow of the claws. Guess what it represents. Yeah, the people around them try to stop and limit their decisions. The people that controls their decision. It’s a ‘claw’ in the industry, the cartel.
Lyrical Layers: Obsession, Desperation… or Liberation?
Oh my god, they are a lot of word play in both Red Lights and Escape. You see, “Red Light” is their consciousness talking to their inner self, and “Escape” is their inner self replying to their real self. It’s not really important who sings which line because both carry the meaning of the real self talking to his inner self.
For example;
I cannot breathe without you being right by my side, I’ll die. So can you please come over closer? Hold me tight, right now
Red Lights
I’ll stand before you, let’s run away, hold my hand. By burning myself up, I’ll met your coldness.
Escape
Another example? Sure.
Now, tell me you hate me “I can’t handle you anymore“. But I know, you and me, there’s no other way
Red Lights
I can’t let you go, ’cause the world’s ’bout to break. Just follow me, I’ll lead, night and day (Escape now). In exchange for this pain, can you promise me. To show your love for me every day?
Escape
There are a lot of other examples, but it’s best for you to find that one on yourself for the discovery thrills. While the word “red light” isn’t just about being tied and stopped to love a life and self, the word “escape” isn’t just about physical freedom—it’s about emotional entrapment. It’s a confession. A plea. A seduction.
The chorus echoes a kind of twisted comfort in mutual destruction. “Let’s escape,” they sing, like a promise and a warning wrapped in velvet.
Honestly, Freud would have a field day.
Music Video Madness: Masks, Mirrors & Metaphors Galore
If Red Lights was all about being tied up—literally and metaphorically—then Escape is about trying to untie those knots, even if you secretly want to stay bound. The MV is an aesthetic masterpiece dripping in symbolism. We’ve got mirrors (hello, fractured identity), red veils (passion, danger, anyone?), and that recurring motif of being watched or stalked by shadows. And don’t even get me started on the running sequences—also, with their dystopian fashion? Giving us sooo much Aaron Warner’s vibes (IYKYK)
Every frame is loaded. When they’re together, it’s magnetic. When they’re apart, it’s agonising. And that final shot—don’t act like you didn’t replay it ten times—leaves us dangling in limbo, exactly where they want us.
Final Thoughts from This Emotionally Unstable STAY
Red Lights was raw. It was obsessive, toxic, hypnotic. It screamed, “I know this is bad for me, but I physically can’t stop.” Escape, on the other hand, asks: What happens after you realise you’re addicted?
Thematically, they’re (the songs) one entity — Red Lights is moody, intense, a bit dangerous — but Escape shows growth. If Red Lights was the high, Escape is the come-down. The clarity. The panic. The “we need to get out of here” moment.
There’s also a subtle shift in power dynamics. In Red Lights, they are chained involuntarily. But in Escape, the chains are voluntary. They’re psychological. And maybe that’s scarier.
It’s no secret that Bang Chan and Hyunjin are a lethal combo—visually, vocally, and in sheer stage presence. But Escape proves that they’re not just out to look good (though, let’s be honest, they do). They’re telling stories. They’re building worlds. And they’re inviting us to get lost in them—even if we never truly escape.
So here I am, spiralling once more, blasting Escape at full volume, pretending I’m being chased through a moody mansion with red lights flickering behind me.
10/10. No notes.
Except maybe: When is the Chanlix subunit album?
P/S: If you would like to read my other Stray Kids post, I have another about Chk Chk Boom and Walkin’ on Water.
STRAY KIDS EVERYWHERE ALL AROUND THE WORLD, YOU MAKE STRAY KIDS STAY!
Muzhameer Putra