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Themes, motifs and Leitmotifs - Parallel Storytelling in a Universal Language
A long-awaited
#startup thread.
#StartUpEp11
A long-awaited
#startup thread.#StartUpEp11
I have so much respect for creative professionals. Because for a drama to come together and be beautifully shot and look as vibrant and sound as alive as this one does, it takes a lot of coordination a lot of planning and a lot of intention.
We give scriptwriting and scene direction and costumes a lot of credit, but there are many other elements at play here.
One intentional but often undervalued part of most films and TV shows is the score.
One intentional but often undervalued part of most films and TV shows is the score.
The score is original music written specifically to accompany a film or drama.
A score forms part of the film/show soundtrack, but songs such as pop and rock songs are usually not considered part of the score.
A score forms part of the film/show soundtrack, but songs such as pop and rock songs are usually not considered part of the score.
In my opinion, one of the reasons melo or romantic kdramas can be so emotionally captivating is because they are scored very similarly to films.
Here is Hans Zimmer, a Golden Globe, Grammy & Oscar winning composer of the scores for The Lion King, Dark Knight, Gladiator, Pirates of the Caribbean, Inception etc
In his Masterclass, he explains the role of a score in storytelling.
In his Masterclass, he explains the role of a score in storytelling.
And how composers and directors approach a score:
Usually a score will be made up of individual songs or themes.
The theme is the primary melodic subject of a piece of music.
Themes can be specific to a character, situation or emotion. So the same music for every sad scene, or every time the FL is thinking deeply etc.
The theme is the primary melodic subject of a piece of music.
Themes can be specific to a character, situation or emotion. So the same music for every sad scene, or every time the FL is thinking deeply etc.
Romance genres almost always have a love theme that can sometimes be a combination of the individual themes of both characters in the couple.
Love themes are exclusive to the couple and cannot be used to add emotion to a scene where other characters are the subject.
Love themes are exclusive to the couple and cannot be used to add emotion to a scene where other characters are the subject.
Just as Hans Zimmer mentioned, it’s important to note that the composer always needs to know exactly where the story is going, so that they can be very intentional about how they use the score.
Their process usually starts with something called Spotting:
Their process usually starts with something called Spotting:
I searched high and low to identify the score themes in startup. There are surprisingly many! 
Startup seems to have themes that describe situations and circumstances more than individual characters.
And I will highlight some
Startup seems to have themes that describe situations and circumstances more than individual characters.
And I will highlight some
I recommend finding a quiet place to enjoy the rest of this thread.
For each clip, close your eyes, try to ignore the dialogue and focus on the music
For each clip, close your eyes, try to ignore the dialogue and focus on the music
Let’s start with Dodal.
I (painfully) combed through every notable Dodal moment and surprisingly most of them are backed by OST, not score.
But I found a few recurring score examples. Starting with this moment in Ep 6:
I (painfully) combed through every notable Dodal moment and surprisingly most of them are backed by OST, not score.
But I found a few recurring score examples. Starting with this moment in Ep 6:
Then in Ep 9:
But remember how I said the love theme must be centered around on only the couple?
Here is a clip from Ep 1:
Here is a clip from Ep 1:
After examining this theme, I realized it is a "Dalmi" character theme. It usually appears when she needs reassurance or inspiration:
Ep 10
Ep 10
Or when she is reassuring or inspiring someone else. (see also earlier dodal clips):
Here is the next candidate for Dodal love theme:
Ep 8
Ep 8
Continuing into the next scene:
This theme shows up A LOT.
Once again in Ep 8:
Once again in Ep 8:
And once more in Ep 9:
Seems like the most likely candidate for Dodal love theme, right?...
WRONG!
Let's find out where we are first introduced to this theme:
Ep 1:
(These are the beginning notes. Check the full beach scene to confirm it's the same song)
Let's find out where we are first introduced to this theme:
Ep 1:
(These are the beginning notes. Check the full beach scene to confirm it's the same song)
It turns out that this is a "Family" theme for Dalmi and sometimes for Jipyeong too. Notice in earlier Dodal scenes, the conversations all center around Grandma.
Then there is this moment in Ep 4:
Then there is this moment in Ep 4:
And this in Ep 7:
Even this moment in Ep 4 where Dalmi looks at her dad's business plan and photo:
Important to note that the Family theme still follows Dodal even into Episode 10, after the truth is out:
I won't add a clip for this, but I'm sure you all noticed that the kiss had no background music. It was eerily silent.
Then when they kiss again, it’s OST music.
Then when they kiss again, it’s OST music.
They have many OST scenes - I haven’t analyzed any lyrics, but I’ve seen other theories imply that there is a glossy haze around Dodal moments.
The OST reinforces this sparkling glossiness, while the score feels deeper, more sincere and grounded in reality.
The OST reinforces this sparkling glossiness, while the score feels deeper, more sincere and grounded in reality.
Among others, the bus handhold, and the Hackathon hug scene are notable OST moments.
They have had many different OST songs for their scenes.
They have had many different OST songs for their scenes.
Overall, I searched high and low, but there is no single unique, recognizable and consistent love theme for Dodal in the score.
Other notable score themes I found are:
Dalmi and grandma relationship theme
Dalmi and grandma relationship theme
appears again in Ep 8:
At this point, I think it's worth mentioning that Dalmi is the common denominator in all the themes I identified. I love that for her!! 
The next notable theme is subtle, but in my opinion, MAJOR!
In Ep 8:
In Ep 8:
Does it sound familiar?
That's because it's the sound from the music box given to Dalmi by her father.
Ep 2:
That's because it's the sound from the music box given to Dalmi by her father.
Ep 2:
The major thing about the music box theme is that it is a representation of Fate / Divine influence, or a higher power.
So when Jipyeong threw away the plant, which was sent back to him by Fate.
And again, playing on organ during the two church scenes where Dalmi goes to pray.
So when Jipyeong threw away the plant, which was sent back to him by Fate.
And again, playing on organ during the two church scenes where Dalmi goes to pray.
So we've covered some notable themes.
Does that mean Dalmi has no love theme?!!
Well hold on to your hats, as we revisit Hans Zimmer one more time to learn about the language of conversation and Q&A in music.
Does that mean Dalmi has no love theme?!!
Well hold on to your hats, as we revisit Hans Zimmer one more time to learn about the language of conversation and Q&A in music.
All right! Now, let's get into the fun stuff!! 
I'd like to introduce a theme that is unique to one particular situation, and is never used anywhere else.
We hear the beginning piano notes of the theme at the networking party, but it stops abruptly and interrupted by the Fate theme.
Ep 2:
We hear the beginning piano notes of the theme at the networking party, but it stops abruptly and interrupted by the Fate theme.
Ep 2:
Those few beautiful piano notes mark the beginning of what I like to call the Tentative Love theme. Aka Love theme 1 (yes, I said 1 
)
It was a theme that started with Jipyeong approaching Dalmi, but stops when Dosan enters the room and meets her.
)It was a theme that started with Jipyeong approaching Dalmi, but stops when Dosan enters the room and meets her.
We hear the Tentative Love theme again after the hackathon and this time it progresses a bit further but is once again interrupted. It ends on a tense and suspenseful note.
Hmm, do we see a pattern here?....
Ep 5:
Hmm, do we see a pattern here?....
Ep 5:
Once more, the Tentative Love theme shows up during the rooftop scene, after Dalmi chooses Jipyeong as a mentor.
This theme represents a bond of trust and closeness slowly being built between them.
No interruptions this time, but it ends on a slight question...
Ep 6:
This theme represents a bond of trust and closeness slowly being built between them.
No interruptions this time, but it ends on a slight question...
Ep 6:
Then, when Dalmi solidifies her intention of drawing closer to Jipyeong, the Tentative Love theme is allowed to play in full and ends on a more resolved note.
Ep 7:
Ep 7:
But Jipyeong is still at war with his feelings.
So what happens with the Tentative Love theme?...
So what happens with the Tentative Love theme?...
At this point, I'd like to introduce another musical concept called the Leitmotif (pronounced light-motif).
It was invented by Vagner and popularized in operas before moving into other forms of music composition,
It was invented by Vagner and popularized in operas before moving into other forms of music composition,
The Leitmotif is unique because it HAS to specifically represent something within the narrative.
Take a look at this explanation. (Credit to "Sideways" on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi7l9chXMljpUft67vw78qw)
Take a look at this explanation. (Credit to "Sideways" on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi7l9chXMljpUft67vw78qw)
I isolated the Leitmotif for Jidal (but Twitter won't accept the file huhuhuuu 
. I'll upload later, but you know what i'm talking about!)
Those few notes within the climax of the theme are always a signal that the two of them are taking one step closer to each other.
. I'll upload later, but you know what i'm talking about!)Those few notes within the climax of the theme are always a signal that the two of them are taking one step closer to each other.
Leitmotif 1
I finessed it by screen recording with my phone 
HAHA
HAHA
Now, where were we?
The beauty of a Leitmotif is that it can evolve along with whatever it represents. So as the relationship changes, the theme can change, but the Leitmotif is an evolution of what it was before.
Here is Leitmotif two (
)
The beauty of a Leitmotif is that it can evolve along with whatever it represents. So as the relationship changes, the theme can change, but the Leitmotif is an evolution of what it was before.
Here is Leitmotif two (
)
Leitmotif 2 features in what I call Love Theme 2
This theme starts to play only AFTER Jipyeong has accepted his feelings for Dalmi.
Ep 8:
This theme starts to play only AFTER Jipyeong has accepted his feelings for Dalmi.
Ep 8:
It's also worth noting that the Cafeteria scene ends on a huge question? The confusion is all over Dalmi's face too.
Love theme 2 is actually the OG love theme. Why?
This is the theme that plays when the first letter is written, and the first confession is made
Love theme 2 is actually the OG love theme. Why?
This is the theme that plays when the first letter is written, and the first confession is made
While the Tentative Love leitmotif represented curiosity as they grow closer, the Letters leitmotif represents trust and familiarity gradually coming back.
The same trust and familiarity they had when they were penpals.
Leitmotif 1 is GEGB
Leitmotif 2 is GDEB
The same trust and familiarity they had when they were penpals.
Leitmotif 1 is GEGB
Leitmotif 2 is GDEB
Even though the theme has evolved, we do see the Tentative Love theme make one reappearance.
When Jipyeong must decide whether to finally reveal the truth. This is something that could break the trust they have built so far.
Ep 9:
When Jipyeong must decide whether to finally reveal the truth. This is something that could break the trust they have built so far.
Ep 9:
I also want to give a shoutout to the composers ability to build tension through music. This sequence felt intense!
After the truth comes out, amazingly, Letters/Love theme 2 returns!!
This time it plays completely from start to finish, ending on a resolved note as Jipyeong opens up to Dalmi with full honesty, taking responsibility for his actions
This signals hope that trust can be rebuilt.
This time it plays completely from start to finish, ending on a resolved note as Jipyeong opens up to Dalmi with full honesty, taking responsibility for his actions
This signals hope that trust can be rebuilt.
But I still think both leitmotifs sound like questions, don't you?
I wonder what the next evolution will sound like?
Perhaps an answer...
I wonder what the next evolution will sound like?
Perhaps an answer...
I can't end this thread without giving a couple of shoutouts.
Firstly to @ltung23 who informed me that "ancestors" could mean anyone who has passed away.
This makes complete sense as the Fate theme is from the music box given to Dalmi by her dad!
Firstly to @ltung23 who informed me that "ancestors" could mean anyone who has passed away.
This makes complete sense as the Fate theme is from the music box given to Dalmi by her dad!
Also a shoutout to my awesome friend @Lui_Cortt who noted this delightful detail:
After Dalmi chooses "Dosan from 15 years ago", we see for the first time "Future" by Red Velvet plays with Jipyeong shown on screen!
After Dalmi chooses "Dosan from 15 years ago", we see for the first time "Future" by Red Velvet plays with Jipyeong shown on screen!
Some adjustments to the theory! https://twitter.com/jeonggal_/status/1329912481565773832
