CHAPTERS
Intro: 0:00
Reaction: 2:37
First Impressions: 7:44
Beginning of Analysis: 11:42
Elements of Madhouse: 15:35
The Dream Must Eventually Fall Apart: 17:16
Dreams and Sleeplessness: 18:50
The Moment the Guard was Let Down: 19:52
Gravitating Towards Hope and Beauty: 23:30
The Origins of Illusion: 25:15
Reinitiating the Cycle: 28:02
Conclusion: 29:24

If you've missed any of my past Hua Chenyu reactions, you may find them in the following playlist:    • Hua Chenyu Reactions!  

If you wish to view footage of Hua's performance (+ subtitles) without my reaction, here is the direct link to the video I reacted to:    • [ENG/JPN/FR SUB] Official《Illusion an...  

As per usual, a big shoutout goes to Hua Chenyu English Subs. They provide great subtitles for these Hua Chenyu performances, which in turn allows me to analyze the lyrics and get a better understanding of the songs. I have included their subtitles in this video, which you can access through the Closed Caption feature!

They were also kind enough to provide Chinese subtitles for this video, which you can access through the 'Settings' button.

Here is their English translation for this song:
As a naive child who hates the ebbs and flows of tides
I pray for the moon to disappear
Tossing and turning incessantly till I'm weightless
The mattress crumbles into a black hole
Look at the endless space, how charming it is

In a spacetime of self-disguise
Exposing oneself is more respectful
Yet, the world continues undisturbed --
Putting on caky makeup is ingrained
There may be more than one person
Who are so "noble" that they use abject disguises
Then they easily accept
the crowd's salvation fantasies

Growing wildly in a gorgeous dreamland
Yet, in times of sleeplessness
It only leaves an empty hole in my chest

Dreams will wilt
because night will eventually end
After waking up, I indulge in the decay
Every day, a side of me vanishes
Reminding me of those purifications, those few greetings, and that tenderness
that were not pretended

Look here, the flowers are blooming
The greenery will never wilt
I might as well give you a few flowers to cover up the ugliness
Never has there been a wild land
which is comparable to this paradise
where any muddy and frightened beasts could ever exist

How many people were born with pure goodness
and hearts that were never stained by darkness
Then they can become radiant and genuine singers
Even if nobody can clearly see that splendid stamen
Yet they shall still loudly sing praises to that bright red rose

The dream has not wilted
even if the night will end
Once awake, enjoy everything wholeheartedly
That guard was let down at some point in time
Yet, those purifications, those few greetings,
and that tenderness still remained
which redeemed a certain side of me