Innocuous Sign or Commentary on Modern Love?

Written by Kyle about Korea, Republic of. Feelin' thoughtful
Kyle_thoughtful
Just outside the entrance and surrounding the outdoor viewing entrance of the Namsan tower, there is a fence convered with locks.  These aren't just any locks.  They're not designed to keep you out (or keep you in); instead they're there because lovers put them there.

Seoul Tower, Korea-9

If you look closely, you can see that all of the locks are connected in pairs, usually with some love notes scribbled on them.  The symbolism here is quite blatant.  The locks represent each partner in a pair of lovers.  They are locked together forever, representing their eternal bonds of love that will forever link the couple together.

But, as we walk a little more trying to guess at what the writings on the locks mean, we see this sign:

Seoul Tower, Korea-13

Interesting.  This sign could be totally innocuous.  Maybe once a year, people are asked to get their locks such as to not clutter the fence with too much metal.  That would make sense, given that every inch of the fence is covered at the present moment.

But, what if it's not innocuous?  What if these locks are meant to be there forever in support of the loving couples and this sign is a statement agains this purpose?  Buoyed by the possibilities, I started thinking about what kind of person would put up a sign like this and what it could really mean.  I came up with several possibilities:

The heartbroken -You better keep that key.  She's just going to break up with you anyway.  This way, at least you can get your lock back.

The player - Keep the key, man.  When she's not looking, you can move your lock to be with another lock, if you catch my drift.  Make sure you put it back when you're done, though!

The super feminist - The locks are next to a giant tower.  A huge phallic symbol.  Are you going to entrust your love next to a huge penis?  No?  Me neither.  Keep that key.

The nihilist - Why do you believe in love?  Why does it really matter?  This is just a selfish expression of a bastardized concept, so you should probably just take off the lock tomorrow.

The cynic - Really?  Can you be any more lame?  Keep the key, you're going to realize how rediculous this thing is when you get home.

The klepto -That key probably works in some other locks.  It's like stealing love!  And it's less noticable than bolt cutters.

The parent - You're to good for him anyway.  Why don't you just give me the key?

The pycho ex-lover - Please keep it so that I can steal it and take your lock back.  I need to put it under your picture and in the middle of my circle of candles to make my shrine complete.

Am I being overly analytical here?  Either way, did I miss any possibilities?

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