Emily in Paris: Mindy and Benoît Song "Mon Soleil"
Emily in Paris: I Can't Be the Only One Who Has Mindy and Benoît's Song on Repeat
Help: it's not even noon and I've already busted into song belting out the lyrics to "Mon Soleil" at least three times. Since season two of Emily in Paris hit Netflix on 22 Dec., Mindy and Benoît's song has truly lived in my head rent free. It's undoubtedly one of the most moving scenes of the series thus far, when Mindy (Ashley Park) and Benoît (Kevin Dias) perform their original song "Mon Soleil" at a Chinese supper club in the finale, highlighting their chemistry, their group's incredible talent, and Mindy's reluctant return to the spotlight as a pop star.
While the soundtrack for season two includes covers performed by Mindy, Benoît, and Étienne (Jin Xuan Mao), "Mon Soleil" is their only original song, and it was created specifically for Park and her onscreen love interest. In an interview with Vogue, Park opened up about how the idea to include an original song came to life during a conversation she had with series creator Darren Star. Although Park doesn't write music, she tapped friend Freddy Wexler (known for writing songs like Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande's "Stuck With U") for some help.
"It was very important to us that the song really is a story piece," she said. "As the song is being sung, the characters are going through something. Mindy and her love interest start writing the song, and they don't finish it. It's a big storyline moment." That's exactly what makes that scene so poignant for Mindy. Leading up to the finale, Mindy and Benoît worked on the lyrics together, but it came to a halt when Benoît found out Mindy had been hiding her past from him. When Mindy surprises viewers and Benoît with some stunning high notes and completed verses in the finale, it's a flawless "awww"-inducing moment.
"It's a very different sound than we've heard from Mindy."
"It's Stevie Wonder vibes, but French, romantic and very pop," Park explained. "It's a very different sound than we've heard from Mindy." Translating to "my sun," "Mon Soleil" is symbolic of Mindy's arc and how Benoît helped her reignite and reconnect with her passion for singing. And of course, it's an extremely romantic bop. "I tell you I want you, but you don't listen to me / I guess all I can do is whisper in your ear / Ooh, your kisses taste so sweet / Can't resist it, stay with me / And promise not to wake me if it's all part of a dream / 'Cause baby it feels like heaven, mon chéri," she sings.
Emily Cooper's dating faux pas may have fans divided (Team Alfie), but rooting for Mindy and Benoît's relationship is something everyone can get behind. Watch their stunning performance of "Mon Soleil" above.
