Eve, Psyche & The Bluebeard’s wife

"Eve, Psyche & The Bluebeard’s wife" is a powerful anthem of female empowerment, rebellion against societal constraints, and the celebration of curiosity. The song's title itself is a thesis, referencing three female figures from different cultural narratives—Eve from the Bible, Psyche from Greek mythology, and the wife from the French folktale "Bluebeard"—who were all punished or condemned for breaking taboos driven by their curiosity.

• Eve ate the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge.
• Psyche, despite being warned not to, looked upon her forbidden husband, Cupid, and later opened Persephone's box out of curiosity.
• Bluebeard's wife unlocked a forbidden room, discovering the corpses of her husband's previous wives.

By invoking these figures, LE SSERAFIM reframes their acts of disobedience not as sins or failures, but as courageous steps towards self-discovery and liberation. The song's core message is encapsulated in the theme "I wish for what is forbidden to me." It encourages listeners to reject conformity, challenge oppressive norms, and set their own rules for life. The lyrics express a defiant attitude towards societal expectations of women to be obedient and perfect, as seen in lines like "Fearless, say yes, we don't dress to impress" and "My rules are for me to set." Ultimately, the song transforms these tales of transgression into a modern-day anthem about breaking free, embracing one's imperfections ("I'm a mess"), and finding growth and strength in the act of rebellion.

The narrative begins with a bold declaration of embracing imperfection, repeating the phrase "I'm a mess, mess, mess." This isn't a cry for help but a statement of fact, immediately followed by the confident assertion, "but we're still the best dressed." This juxtaposition establishes a core theme: the acceptance of one's flaws while simultaneously claiming ultimate self-worth and style. The protagonists are fearless, rejecting the need for external validation with the line, "we don't dress to impress." They see through the insincere reassurances of a society that demands conformity. The lyrics express skepticism towards hollow words like "it's okay," recognizing them as lies meant to keep them obedient and agreeable. This polite facade is something they refuse to maintain, deciding instead that they are the sole creators of their own rules.

This decision sparks a desire to explore the forbidden, to cross boundaries that have been set for them. The song conveys a sense of exhilaration and liberation in this transgression. The recurring percussive chant of "Boom, boom, boom, my heart is racing" mimics the sound of a quickening pulse, symbolizing the excitement and thrill of breaking free. This is not a quiet rebellion but a loud, heart-pounding charge into a new world of possibilities. The desire for what is forbidden is not portrayed as a weakness or a sin, but as a catalyst for growth and a path to a more authentic self.

The song continues by challenging traditional notions of femininity and identity. The lyrics question the expectation to always smile and be doll-like, pushing back against the idea of suppressing genuine emotions. They proclaim that even a scowl is a valid part of their identity. The narrative voice feels a powerful, almost chemical reaction to this newfound freedom, a surge of energy that they embrace. They are no longer passive figures; they are active creators of their own destiny, pushing boundaries and inviting others to join them in this descent into a more liberated state of being. The invitation "If you want it now, we fall, we fall, we fall" re-frames the concept of 'falling' not as a failure, but as a conscious, shared choice to abandon restrictive norms and enter a space of exhilarating freedom. It's a call to action, urging listeners to question what they're waiting for and to embrace the power that comes from defining one's own existence.

"Eve, Psyche & The Bluebeard’s wife" was released on May 1, 2023, as the tenth track on LE SSERAFIM's first studio album, UNFORGIVEN. It was later promoted as the album's second single, with a music video released on May 24, 2023. The song was written and produced by a large team, including the production collective 13 (Score and Megatone), Hybe's founder "Hitman" Bang Si-hyuk, and rapper Supreme Boi. Notably, LE SSERAFIM member Huh Yunjin is also credited as a songwriter, contributing to the song's lyrical depth and personal touch. The track was recorded at DCH Studios in Tokyo, Japan, and HYBE Studios in Seoul, South Korea. Following its release, the song's popularity led to several collaborations and remixes, including an English version released on July 6, 2023, and subsequent remixes featuring artists like Upsahl, Rina Sawayama, and Demi Lovato, which expanded its global reach.

The song's rhythmic structure is its most prominent feature, driven by an insistent and fast-paced Jersey Club beat. The tempo is approximately 143 BPM (Beats Per Minute), creating an energetic and very danceable feel. The time signature is a standard 4/4. The song's power comes from the interplay between the musical rhythm and the lyrical rhythm. The lyrics are often delivered in a staccato, percussive manner that aligns perfectly with the pounding beat, especially in the iconic chant, "I'm a mess, mess, mess, mess, mess, mess, mess." This creates a hypnotic and highly memorable hook. The rhyme scheme is not strictly formal but utilizes internal and end rhymes to maintain flow, such as the pairing of "distress" and "best dressed." The repetition of the "Boom, boom, boom" phrase acts as a rhythmic motif, mimicking a racing heartbeat and enhancing the lyrical theme of excitement and transgression. The overall structure is built for the dance floor, with the rhythm providing a constant sense of forward momentum that reinforces the song's message of breaking free and pushing forward.

Musically, "Eve, Psyche & The Bluebeard’s wife" is defined by its use of the Jersey Club genre, a subgenre of electronic dance music. This is characterized by a driving, up-tempo beat with a distinctive triplet kick drum pattern and a pounding bassline, creating a high-energy, danceable foundation. The production employs a rhythmic and often monotonous vocal delivery, particularly in the recurring "I'm a mess" chant and the "Boom, boom, boom" hook, which complements the relentless beat and enhances the song's catchy, hypnotic quality. This stylistic choice creates a sense of urgency and insistence that mirrors the song's lyrical themes of rebellion. There's a deliberate contrast between these chanted, rhythmic sections and the more melodic vocal lines, which adds texture to the song. Lyrically, the song uses direct address and declarative statements (e.g., "My rules are for me to set") to create a tone of confidence and defiance. The most significant literary technique is allusion, with the entire song's framework built upon the symbolic stories of Eve, Psyche, and Bluebeard's wife, which enriches the lyrical meaning without needing to be explicitly detailed in the verses.

"Eve, Psyche & The Bluebeard’s wife" achieved significant cultural impact shortly after its release, becoming a viral sensation in South Korea and internationally. Initially a B-side track from the album UNFORGIVEN, its popularity surged following the release of its music video and promotional performances, a rare feat for a non-title track. The song peaked at number two on South Korea's Circle Digital Chart, demonstrating its massive domestic success. Its catchy Jersey Club beat and memorable choreography sparked numerous dance challenges across social media platforms like TikTok, further amplifying its reach. The song's influence was also broadened through a series of high-profile remixes with a diverse lineup of international artists, including American singers UPSAHL and Demi Lovato, and Japanese-British singer Rina Sawayama, which introduced the track to new global audiences. The song's embrace of mythological and folkloric figures to convey a modern feminist message was widely praised and analyzed, cementing LE SSERAFIM's reputation for creating intellectually engaging and empowering music. The beat itself is noted for being inspired by the subcultures of Jersey House and Ballroom culture, founded by Black Queer musicians and performers.

The central symbolism of the song lies in its title, which unites three distinct female figures who share a common narrative thread: they were all punished for their curiosity and for transgressing boundaries set by a patriarchal power.

• Eve: Represents the archetypal 'first sinner' in Abrahamic religions, who defied God's command by eating the forbidden fruit, leading to expulsion from paradise. In the song, she symbolizes the desire for forbidden knowledge and the rejection of imposed ignorance.
• Psyche: From Greco-Roman myth, her name means 'soul'. Her story involves breaking a promise to her lover, Cupid, by looking at him, and later opening a forbidden box from the underworld. She symbolizes the soul's journey through trials fueled by a desire to understand love and the divine, facing punishment for her curiosity before ultimately achieving immortality.
• Bluebeard's wife: A figure from a French folktale who is told not to enter a specific room in her husband's castle. Her disobedience reveals his murderous secret—the bodies of his former wives—and she narrowly escapes death herself. She symbolizes the act of uncovering hidden male violence and the courage to expose the truth, even at great personal risk.

Together, these figures are reclaimed as feminist icons of rebellion. Their 'sins' are reinterpreted as acts of courage and self-liberation. The recurring lyric, "I'm a mess," serves as a metaphor for embracing imperfection and rejecting the pressure to be flawless. It's a defiant acceptance of complexity and a challenge to the neat, tidy boxes society often puts women in.

The song is built around several powerful, recurring phrases and motifs that anchor its message and structure.

• "I'm a mess, mess, mess": This is the most iconic lyrical motif. Repeated hypnotically, it functions as a defiant anthem of self-acceptance. Instead of being a negative admission of fault, it's a reclamation of imperfection. This phrase was cleverly incorporated from the trailer for LE SSERAFIM's previous mini-album, ANTIFRAGILE, adding a layer of familiarity for fans and connecting their discography thematically.
• "Boom, boom, boom, my heart is racing": This phrase serves as both a lyrical and rhythmic motif. It sonically represents the thrill, excitement, and perhaps the fear of breaking taboos and stepping into the unknown. The percussive sound of "boom" ties directly into the Jersey Club beat, fusing the song's sound and message.
• "I wish for what's forbidden": This line, often appearing as a climactic statement in the chorus, is the song's central thesis. It encapsulates the core idea of seeking knowledge, freedom, and experience beyond the boundaries prescribed by society. Its repetition reinforces the unwavering commitment to this rebellious pursuit.
• "Fearless, say yes, we don't dress to impress": This recurring line establishes the group's defiant and confident attitude. It directly challenges the notion that women's choices are made for external validation, particularly from a male gaze, and links back to LE SSERAFIM's core concept of being 'fearless'.