It’s Not His “Last Scene” After All As Chen Comes Back From Hiatus

After being postponed due to the Itaewon tragedy in South Korea, Chen released his new single “Last Scene” on November 14 alongside his third mini-album of the same name. The album has a total of six tracks, with “Last Scene” as the title track. The single was written, composed, and arranged by Honey Jar. In Korean, the song is officially titled “사라지고 있어” (Sarajigo Isseo), which means “disappearing” in English. 

With a beautiful piano melody accompanied by a string quartet and Chen’s vocals, the track is truly fit to be an OST, not just a regular track. From the lyrics to the music to the actual “Last Scene,” there’s more emotion packed into this one song than in a lifetime. 

Set in autumn, the single depicts a heart-wrenching tale about a woman falling out of love with a man and their breakup. The lyrics leave the audience tearing up as the ex-couple’s actions, features, and feelings are described so well that it almost feels like it’s happening to us. But it’s nothing in comparison to the heartbreak felt by the main character, as the leading lady struggles to break up with her partner while he listens quietly. 

The music video shows the main character driving away and seeing misery in the place he once loved while the lyrics tell us the story of the actual breakup. He doesn’t want to believe it’s real. He wants to act as if she never said anything, but it’s too late as he holds in his emotions when she turns away, hoping she might change her mind and come back to him. The further she walks away, the more he breaks down. As the memories fade, he only longs for her; he doesn’t feel angry. 

“I used to believe in forever / It all fades away.” In a case of unrequited love, the main character never saw the breakup coming. It’s as if everything was okay for him, but for her, she just fell out of love. But what we really want to know is this: when the man walks closer to the shore as the sun sets, does that represent his “Last Scene”?

Three years after Chen’s second mini-album, we wonder if these lyrics are the words of someone who’s survived being away from his family while being in the army and listening quietly to the people who didn’t support him through his decisions as he debated leaving EXO. But if there’s one thing we know for sure, it’s that “Last Scene” is also a story about what could’ve been if Chen had chosen to take back his decisions and live differently. So, let’s be grateful that we finally have our idol back for good, and we look forward to seeing not only him grow but also his family.

Edited by Aleena Faisal