Behind the Scenes: The Making of “I Miss You (Reimagined)” Music Video
“I Miss You” is one of the most significant works in my creative journey—not just as a musician, but as a poet learning to bring emotional truths into sound. It was the very first track I produced based on one of my poems—a milestone that marked the true beginning of my transition from poet to recording artist. Because of how personal it is, I didn’t want to release it prematurely or include it in an album where it would feel like just another track. It needed space to breathe, to lead. When I curated the songs for Volume One (I Left You Before You Could Leave Me), I deliberately left “I Miss You” out—not because it didn’t fit emotionally, but because I knew it had its own journey to tell, one that would later evolve into the centerpiece of an entire volume.
Each of my music albums is structured as a narrative arc—almost like emotional chapters in a story about love, loss, and self-discovery. Volume One served as the beginning of that story, exploring the heartbreak and courage it takes to walk away from a connection that, while intense, lacked the stability for long-term commitment. It represented a departure from something beautiful yet flawed. Volume Two (I Miss You), on the other hand, dives into the emotional aftermath—the stage where the separation begins to weigh heavily on the soul. This is where denial meets longing, and where the possibility of reconciliation begins to haunt the heart. “I Miss You” naturally became the thematic anchor of this volume, reflecting a deeper truth about soul ties—connections that seem nearly impossible to sever, no matter how much time or distance comes between two people. In that way, the track didn’t just belong in Volume Two—it defined it.
Lyrically, “I Miss You” gives voice to the internal struggle of someone who can’t let go. The poem and lyrics explore an individual’s unwavering love for someone who is no longer physically present in their life. Despite the passage of time, the love doesn’t fade—it deepens, intensifies, almost to the point of torment. The narrator is haunted by memories and sleepless nights, emotionally trapped in a cycle of yearning. There’s a sense of melancholy that permeates every line, coupled with a reflection on karmic consequences, as if the pain they feel is tied to a larger spiritual reckoning. Ultimately, there’s a plea—a silent hope that, despite the silence and the unknown, there’s still a chance for the bond to be revived. At the same time, there’s also a quiet acceptance that maybe the other person has already moved on. That emotional duality—hope and heartbreak—runs through every beat of the song.
Over time, “I Miss You” has gone through several incarnations, each one an attempt to refine and express the emotional heartbeat of the piece more clearly. The original version of the song debuted as the lead track on the Volume Two album earlier this year. The first music video was a stylized, animation-based project, using cartoonish illustrations and imagery to emphasize mood over realism. It was more symbolic than literal—every frame was chosen to enhance the emotional landscape of the song, reinforcing the vulnerability and sentiment woven into the melody. At the time, this approach felt appropriate. It gave the audience space to interpret the meaning in their own way without anchoring the story too firmly in visual realism.
Later, I created another music video specifically for release on the Vevo platform. This version took a different approach—one grounded in photorealistic images to make the emotional experience more relatable and human. I wanted viewers to not just feel the narrative, but to see it in a way that felt real and immediate. The visuals became more tactile, more immersive—pulling the story into a recognizable human world while still retaining the poetic essence of the song. Both versions served their purpose: the animated video captured abstraction and longing, while the Vevo version brought intimacy and visual weight.
Now that the track has been fully reimagined, I wanted the visual counterpart to evolve with it—while still honoring the emotional tone and structure of the original. “I Miss You (Reimagined)” retains the same melody and core arrangement as its predecessor, so it was important to me that the new music video didn’t completely diverge from the official version previously released on Vevo. That version captured something intimate and honest through its photorealistic imagery, and I didn’t want to lose that emotional thread. At the same time, I knew this reimagined release needed something more—something that pushed the visual storytelling further.
Change, in this case, felt inevitable. The reimagined version of the song demanded new life—movement, expression, and emotion that couldn’t be fully conveyed through static imagery alone. That’s what this updated music video sets out to do: take the still images that once illustrated the emotional arc and breathe motion into them. Every scene that was once frozen in time has now been animated and brought to life with subtle gestures, facial expressions, and cinematic pacing. The protagonist no longer stands in place—he moves, emotes, reflects, and reacts. These newly animated sequences add another layer of depth, transforming the visual narrative from a series of emotional snapshots into a continuous, flowing story that mirrors the evolving emotional heartbeat of the song itself.
In the opening scene, the male protagonist is shown standing alone, surrounded by a snowy landscape. His expression is heavy with sadness and longing. Unlike before, he now moves. He looks up at the sky, lost in thought, as if silently asking the universe for answers. He closes his eyes—just for a second—taking a deep breath to gather the strength to carry on. I wanted viewers to feel that moment: the quiet strength it takes to hold yourself together when all you want is to fall apart. Then, he slowly reaches into his pocket and pulls out a golden locket. He opens it to reveal a photo of her—an emotional anchor from their shared past. Of course, the locket could also be interpreted as a pocket watch—a symbol of time passing, of counting the days since she left, or perhaps a countdown to when fate might bring them back together again. I wanted the symbolism to be open-ended—allowing viewers to see their own story in his.
The video continues with scenes that explore his grief and emotional unrest. He is often shown looking downward, uncertain of his steps, as he walks aimlessly through the snow. There’s a sense that he’s lost—not just geographically, but spiritually. He’s disconnected from the world around him, wandering without direction, burdened by sorrow. Interspersed are warmer flashback scenes—him in a brightly colored sweater, laughing, alive, full of light when he was in her presence. These joyful memories serve as emotional contrasts, reminding the audience of what was lost and what he’s longing to reclaim.
There are also deeply personal nighttime sequences designed to reveal how separation affects the most private moments. In one scene, he’s wrapped in a blanket, sitting upright in bed. The room is dark and quiet, and he looks around as if expecting to see her—still sensing her presence. His eyes scan the space with hope before slowly dropping in disappointment, confirming she’s not there. In another poignant moment, he checks his phone, hoping to see a text message from her. When none appears, he sets it aside gently, a silent surrender to the loneliness that continues to shadow him.
Thematically, it was essential to establish a consistent visual setting throughout the video to reflect the depth of the character’s longing and emotional isolation. That’s why the narrative unfolds against a stark, wintry backdrop—snow-covered landscapes, frosted pine forests captured in sweeping aerial shots, and an icy lake that mirrors the frozen stillness of his heart. The water, though motionless, symbolizes the undercurrent of unresolved emotion—still, yet deeply charged with feeling. The winter setting not only amplifies the character’s sense of solitude, but also reinforces the emotional coldness that follows separation from someone deeply loved.
“I Miss You (Reimagined)” is more than just a visual upgrade or a musical tweak. It’s a resurrection. It breathes new life into a story that continues to evolve, much like the emotions that inspired it. For those who have ever loved and lost—and found themselves stuck in the in-between—I hope this video speaks to you. I hope it makes you feel seen.
Thank you for joining me on this behind-the-scenes journey. There’s much more to come. Be sure to visit ChristopherLouieBooks.com for updates on future releases, exclusive content, and more heartfelt stories expressed through music and poetry.
