Baekhyun. Photo: courtesy of the artist.
Baekhyun, EXO’s main vocalist and one of the K-pop industry’s most iconic singers, recently released the music video for his new track “Lemonade” from his latest [fifth] mini album, Essence of Reverie.
The video opens with a pensive Baekhyun gulping down a glass of lemonade in a dimly lit kitchen on a stormy night. As he begins to sing, “Lemonade, lemonade, baby, give in/Sweeter taste day by day, you’re my favorite/Here in me, you’re still getting deeper,” there’s a vacant look in his eyes that makes it clear his mind is elsewhere. He’s reliving the sweet and sour moments with a lover whose absence lingers, his inner storm mirroring the one raging just outside his window.
As the visuals unfold, it’s a whirlwind of nostalgia and heartache, as Baekhyun and his past love drift through memories of flirty texts, inside jokes and cozying up together. We see them wrapped up in everyday life, splitting household duties, taking turns to record each other on a camcorder and squeezing lemons. There’s even a fun exchange about lemons being vital vitamins, although it’s more likely that lemons in this scene symbolize the spark in their relationship and the desire for more of it.
Baekhyun’s vocals get all swoony as he sings about wanting to kiss his girl again. But things take a turn as the mood darkens—arguments, distance and long stretches of loneliness. Baekhyun’s still stuck on his ex, and the tiniest things, like lemon peels and seeds scattered around the house, become bittersweet reminders of their time together. He keeps these in a bottle, as if he’s trying to bottle up his memories.
“Lemonade” is a witty parallel for the kind of complex relationship depicted in the video. In essence, a glass of lemonade tries to balance the tartness of lemons with the sweetness of sugar, just like the mix of sweet and sour moments in romance. The lyrics “Sweeter taste day by day, you’re my favorite” hint at just that—that despite the sourness, the sweetness of love remains, comparing this bittersweet dynamic of pleasure and pain with the collision course of contrasting flavors in lemonade.
The muted tones, grainy textures, and analog film-inspired visuals give the video a retro throwback vibe. There’s a cinematic nostalgia to it that makes you feel like you’re flipping through old family videos you stumbled upon while cleaning out the basement. In its entirety, the mise-en-scènes and the aesthetic perfectly capture the laid-back, soulful vibe of the song.
Musically speaking, “Lemonade” is a chill R&B track. Baekhyun’s effortless singing, which easily switches between soft tones and powerful, emotive lines, adds depth and character to both the music and its story. The tune’s beautiful string melodies blend with Baekhyun’s expressive voice, making “Lemonade” hit close to home. It’s definitely an impressive addition to his solo catalog, which includes hits like “UN Village” (2019), “Candy” (2020), “Bambi” (2021), “Pineapple Slice” (2024) and “Elevator” (2025).
Leave a Reply