A Deep Dive into ATEEZ's Haunting Ballad: "Empty Box"

Unveiling the Lyrics' Heartfelt Yearning

Verse 1

I've been searching for an empty box
That's what I need
Nae bang seorap soge namgin neoui gieogi
Bi naerineun nalcheoreom mandeureo yeojeonhi

Seonghwa: In this opening verse, the narrator expresses a longing for an "empty box." This metaphor represents a vessel to hold the memories of a past love. The narrator desires a place to safely store these precious moments, but they are confronted with the void left behind by their absence.

Chorus

San
Empty box
Wooyoung
Empty box
Empty box
Empty box

San and Wooyoung: The haunting repetition of "Empty box" in the chorus emphasizes the narrator's profound sense of loss. They repeatedly acknowledge the vacancy that consumes them, underscoring the magnitude of their heartache.

Verse 2

The memories you left in the drawer of my
Blown away by the wind
I'm chasing emptiness

San: The narrator vividly recalls the precious memories stored in the "drawer" of their heart. However, these memories are now fragmented and dispersed like windblown petals. The narrator's pursuit of these fading fragments becomes a futile chase, leaving them with a profound sense of emptiness.

Bridge

It's hard to breathe
A dream that's not a dream

Seonghwa: The narrator's emotional turmoil is palpable in this bridge. They struggle to find solace in their memories, as they realize that they have become a haunting reminder of what they have lost. The line "A dream that's not a dream" captures the surreal and bittersweet nature of these fragmented memories.

Chorus

San
Empty box
Wooyoung
Empty box
Empty box
Empty box

San and Wooyoung: The chorus returns with even greater emotional intensity, as the narrator's longing for closure becomes almost unbearable.

Outro

Empty box
Empty box

San and Wooyoung: The song fades out with the repeated invocation of "Empty box," leaving a lasting impression of the narrator's profound sense of loss and the emptiness that consumes them.