“Anti-Romantic” by TXT is a bittersweet confession wrapped in shimmering pop sounds. The narrator is caught between the sweetness of new love and a deep fear that every sugary beginning ends in heartbreak. He admits that even the happiest scenes feel like “the saddest movies,” so instead of diving head-first into romance, he labels himself an anti-romantic. It is not that he cannot feel love—his heart is already “burning like a small flame”—but he worries that trusting those feelings will leave only “black ashes” behind.
In essence, the song paints love as a beautiful firework that the singer is too scared to light. He keeps pushing the other person away to protect himself, apologizing again and again while secretly hoping the spark never goes out. The catchy chorus, repetitive apologies, and contrasting sweet-yet-dark imagery highlight the internal tug-of-war between desire and self-preservation. Listeners who have ever feared getting hurt will instantly relate to this modern anthem of cautious hearts.