The Hidden Story Behind NewJeans' Cool With You Music Video

NewJeans' "Cool With You" quickly captured global attention after its July 2023 release, reaching number 22 on the Global 200 chart while securing impressive positions across Asia. Behind the catchy UK garage and bedroom pop blend lies a sophisticated visual narrative inspired by ancient Greek mythology, specifically the myth of Cupid and Psyche.

Released as part of their second EP "Get Up," the song features a unique dual music video format filmed in Barcelona, Spain. The concept draws directly from François-Édouard Picot's 1817 painting "L'Amour et Psyché," with acclaimed actors HoYeon Jung and Tony Leung bringing the story to life. In fact, Leung reportedly declined payment for his cameo, calling it "a small gift for my fans in Korea." Additionally, the music video's mythological elements sparked extensive discussions among fans, contributing to the song's critical acclaim and ninth-place ranking on Time Out's list of best songs of 2023.

The release and concept behind 'Cool With You'

Released on July 21, 2023, by ADOR, "Cool With You" emerged as a standout track from NewJeans' second extended play Get Up. The song exemplifies the group's growing artistic confidence and willingness to experiment with diverse musical styles.

How the song fits into the 'Get Up' EP

Get Up comprises six tracks spanning approximately 12 minutes, drawing from R&B and eclectic dance music styles. "Cool With You" serves as one of the EP's three lead singles alongside "Super Shy" and "ETA," with each receiving full promotional treatment. This strategy represents a departure from traditional K-pop release patterns where only one title track receives major promotion.

The track itself stands out for its UK garage foundation, featuring the members' falsetto vocals creating a restrained tone alongside sophisticated late 90s garage/house rhythms. Teen Vogue praised the song's "individual runs and beautifully layered harmonies," comparing it stylistically to "Hurt" from their debut EP. Paste magazine alternatively described the genre as bedroom pop.

The early release of Side A and B videos

Prior to the song's availability on streaming platforms, ADOR released dual music videos – Side A and Side B – on July 19, 2023. This two-day early release strategy generated significant anticipation. ADOR strategically stated that "The 'Cool With You' music video was produced in two parts, A and B. Two unexpected global stars will also appear in the video".

Both videos were shot in Barcelona, Spain, under director Wooseok Shin, who previously worked with NewJeans on "Ditto". The visual narrative continues into the EP's interlude and title track "Get Up," with choreography and thematic elements connecting the videos.

NewJeans' evolving musical identity

NewJeans has established a distinctive approach to music releases. Furthermore, their strategy of releasing multiple music videos close together demonstrates their philosophy that all songs deserve equal importance rather than focusing solely on a traditional title track.

The group's musical identity continues evolving through strategic genre exploration. Consequently, "Cool With You" represents their venture into UK garage, furthering their reputation for blending nostalgic sounds with contemporary production. This approach demonstrates how NewJeans consistently positions themselves outside current K-pop trends.

Breaking down the dual music videos

Director Shin Wooseok crafted an intricate narrative through the dual music videos for "Cool With You," creating what many fans describe as essentially a short film with a soundtrack. The videos tell a poignant story inspired by Greek mythology while showcasing NewJeans' evolving artistic vision.

Side A: Invisibility and emotional distance

Side A introduces HoYeon Jung's character, widely interpreted as a Cupid-like figure who brings couples together while remaining invisible to mortals. Throughout the video, she follows people, observes couples forming, and experiences the emotional weight of her isolation. Her invisibility is emphasized when she enters spaces where others interact normally but cannot see her.

The narrative incorporates François-Édouard Picot's painting "L'Amour et Psyché" (Cupid and Psyche), which appears multiple times as a symbolic reference point. Interestingly, the gender roles from the original myth appear reversed, with HoYeon embodying a female Cupid figure who becomes infatuated with a mortal man she encounters at an art exhibition.

Side B: Transformation and human connection

In Side B, a dramatic shift occurs as HoYeon's character becomes visible to her love interest. She transforms her appearance with a floral dress and wavy hair, adding a smile to complete her new look. The couple enjoys several dates, presenting a seemingly perfect romance.

The storyline takes a heartbreaking turn when Tony Leung appears. His character, interpreted by many as representing a higher authority figure (potentially Aphrodite from the myth), causes HoYeon's love interest to suddenly stop seeing her. This moment is powerfully portrayed through the subtle "melting of the guy's smile from recognition and affection to neutral indifference."

Filming location and visual style

The videos were filmed throughout Barcelona, Spain, with specific locations including Poble Espanyol at Montjuic, the Gothic Quarter, and areas near Tetuan. The European setting provides a romantic, timeless backdrop that enhances the mythological undertones.

Throughout both videos, NewJeans members appear dressed in all-white outfits, performing choreography without lip-syncing. This artistic choice positions them as "otherworldly observers" or what some fans interpret as guardian angels or muses overseeing the unfolding drama. Their spectral presence and performance scenes create a distinctive visual contrast to the earthbound romance narrative.

The myth of Cupid and Psyche reimagined

At the heart of "Cool With You" lies a clever reimagining of Greek mythology that serves as the conceptual foundation for the music video's narrative. The ancient tale of forbidden love between Cupid and Psyche receives a modern, gender-swapped interpretation that resonates with contemporary audiences.

The painting 'L'Amour et Psyché' as a narrative device

François-Édouard Picot's 1817 oil painting "L'Amour et Psyché" appears repeatedly throughout both music videos, serving as a visual anchor for the narrative. Notably, in the opening scenes, Danielle presents this artwork to museum visitors, explaining how it depicts Cupid leaving Psyche's side before she awakens each morning. Throughout the video, HoYeon's character returns to gaze at this painting with evident longing, suggesting her desire to experience the love it portrays instead of merely facilitating it for others.

Gender reversal and modern storytelling

Cool With You boldly reverses the traditional gender roles from the original myth. In this contemporary retelling, HoYeon Jung portrays Cupid (or Eros), while the male character represents Psyche. Tony Leung embodies Aphrodite (Venus), continuing the gender-swapped approach. This reversal creates a fresh perspective on the ancient story, allowing for new interpretations of power dynamics and desire.

The narrative maintains core elements of the original myth—forbidden love between immortal and mortal—yet transforms them into a meditation on visibility, connection, and sacrifice. Unlike the original tale where Psyche cannot see Cupid, here the mortal cannot perceive Cupid until she undergoes transformation.

Symbolism of love, sacrifice, and memory

The poignant scene where HoYeon sheds her clothing in the rain symbolizes her willingness to sacrifice immortality for human connection. This powerful moment represents Cupid's transformation from divine matchmaker to vulnerable human experiencing love firsthand. Above all, it echoes the myth's central theme of transcending boundaries for love.

Simultaneously, NewJeans members function as silent witnesses—interpreted by some fans as nymphs, muses, or a Greek chorus—observing and empathizing with the unfolding tragedy. Their presence adds another layer of mythological significance, as they appear to understand and perhaps even influence the story's direction without directly participating in it.

Cast, symbolism, and fan interpretations

The casting choices for "Cool With You" proved instrumental in elevating the music video beyond typical K-pop visual offerings. Featuring globally recognized actors in meaningful roles, NewJeans created a cinematic experience that resonated deeply with viewers worldwide.

HoYeon Jung as Cupid and her emotional arc

"Squid Game" star HoYeon Jung portrays Eros (Cupid) in the dual videos, serving as the invisible protagonist who makes people fall in love with a mere glance—her gaze symbolizing Cupid's arrow. Throughout Side A, she observes couples forming after her intervention yet remains isolated from genuine connection. Her emotional journey shifts dramatically when she encounters a man at the museum and pursues him, abandoning her matchmaking duties. Jung's performance captures this transition from divine loneliness to human vulnerability with subtle expressions that convey her character's yearning for connection.

Tony Leung as Aphrodite and his symbolic role

Hong Kong cinema legend Tony Leung appears briefly yet powerfully as Aphrodite, functioning as the antagonist who "banishes love from Eros' life." Despite having only 30 seconds of screen time without dialogue, Leung creates a commanding presence. Moreover, he contributed creatively to his character, suggesting the white hair detail that enhanced his otherworldly aura. Remarkably, Leung declined payment for his appearance, describing it as "a small gift for my fans in Korea."

Fan theories and cultural parallels

Following the videos' release, viewers developed numerous interpretations. Many noticed parallels with the 1998 film City of Angels, where Nicholas Cage portrays an angel who falls in love with a human. Indeed, both stories explore supernatural beings sacrificing their nature for human connection. Fans particularly analyzed the gender reversal of the original myth, with female Cupid falling for male Psyche, creating fresh perspectives on the ancient tale.

How visuals enhanced the song's popularity

The sophisticated narrative approach yielded impressive results—within just 14 hours of release, the dual videos surpassed 6 million YouTube views. NewJeans members appear as Jung's "guardian angels" throughout, creating visual continuity while showcasing what Min Hee-jin described as "a matured version of NewJeans' performance" that prioritizes artistic expression over "well-aligned and catchy dance moves."