There are so many blessings we could’ve gotten for these eight years, but I guess for the whole journey the best luck we ever had is that we all have you guys all over the world. So please don’t forget that, whether we get the Grammys or not, we already got what we wanted, and we got you, so that means we got everything. — RM, USA Today

The Grammys weekend was not the cause for celebration that BTS and their ARMY were hoping it would be. Once again, the Grammys proved that their desperation for engagement outweighs the integrity of how the Recording Academy chooses its winners. Nominations are always controversial enough as it is, an issue I covered in a previous piece in November when we first learned BTS was up for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for their hit single Dynamite. It felt like a slap in the face to their art when only one of seven submissions were accepted. Not even Map of the Soul: 7 made it onto the nominee roster for Best Album or Best Pop Vocal Album, a record that was arguably one of the greatest to drop last year as it chronicled where BTS were at as people and as artists seven years into their career. But ARMY took this all as a sign that, at the very least, Dynamite would be a sure win given that it’s not only been one of the biggest songs of the latter half of 2020, breaking YouTube records and even receiving multiple number 1s on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, but there were over 30 different unique stages performed before and leading up to the awards night. It was a devastating blow when it was announced that the Grammy was given to the Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande collaboration, Rain On Me — a song that notably has had one single performance since its release nearly a year ago. This is not to denounce the artists and winners of this award, but just like with the nominations it’s hard to ignore the feeling that BTS were never given a fair shot in the first place.

The result feels a lot more disappointing than it should be, considering ARMY and fans of other artists have grown used to not expecting much from the Recording Academy anyway. Artists themselves have even taken to social media to call out an unjust evaluation of musicality. The Weeknd has gone as far as boycotting the award show moving forward, after being snubbed and given no nominations despite the successful year After Hours had. Zayn recently took to Twitter to express his frustrations, and even Halsey has previously criticised the behind the scenes favouritism that influences the decision making processes. But perhaps for a second we allowed ourselves to believe the hype, that the incessant hard work and undeniable talent from our beloved group would win out over an outdated and prejudiced institution. It’s not something BTS or ARMY should feel guilty for, though. There continues to exist a tension between acknowledging the flawed concept of upholding the Grammys as a marker of legitimacy for an artist’s legacy, and still aspiring to one day receive one at some point in their careers. It’s more than fair to celebrate well-deserved acknowledgements for artists of colour, especially Black women making history who took home their trophies in their respective categories. But more than several artists worthy of one have never secured a win, and that hasn’t taken precedence over their impact and artistry. The same can and will be said of BTS as they’ve already cemented their place in global music history.

Still, BTS having consistently mentioned this as a goal of theirs and staying up with ARMY as they anticipated the announcement, despite it being 5AM their time in Korea, just made it hurt that much more. Adding insult to injury, their performance came second to last and it did not go unnoticed that it was a shorter rendition of Dynamite than usual. Regardless, BTS made history as the first K-Pop act to perform their own song, with a healthily recovered SUGA finally rejoining them. They delivered a spectacular show on a replicated Grammys stage and red carpet for their set, closing out the number on a building rooftop and setting the night alight over Seoul.

The overall lack of proper recognition for the biggest group in the world is just another thinly-veiled example of the xenophobia and overall fear that lurks behind the music industry’s ruling entities in the Western world. It’s a tired act to constantly hone in on the incredulous phenomenon of it all when it comes to BTS’ success, as if it’s not years of dedication to their craft and sincere outpouring of love to their fans that got them here. And ARMY is well aware that Dynamite is just the cherry on top of a discography of music that exceeds any criteria for a Grammy win, let alone nomination. We’re talking about a group that sweeps in every major category in award shows back in their home country. That breaks records with just about every new release, including physical sales of albums at a time when CDs are obsolete. That can sell out stadium world tours in hours. A group with a fandom that is millions upon millions strong worldwide, that pore over every detail of their music, theorise with every reference in a music video, that create charity projects in their name or art in their image, that start businesses, conferences, publications, you name it. We know BTS don’t need the Grammy, we show up because they want one, having earned it long before Dynamite even touched their catalog. Western award shows like the Grammys can only talk in circles so much before it becomes embarrassingly obvious that there’s no weight behind seemingly giving the group their flowers. And to circle back to viewership, not even a misused BTS appearance could prevent the show from hitting historically low numbers, diving from 18.7 million viewers last year to just 8.8 million for this year’s ceremony. Notably, the latter number is a near easy feat on any given time of day a BTS member randomly decides to do a livestream.

As for BTS’ response to the loss, they unsurprisingly took it with grace and candor, sharing the exact moment on their Twitter page and comforting ARMY throughout the afternoon and evening with individual tweets and posts on Weverse, including a short livestream to discuss the outcome of the night’s events. It seems they understood that perhaps we were more upset than they were. Some of their comments included seeing this as a sign that they’re meant to perform and receive their first win in person. RM seemed to hint at knowing this would be the outcome, and SUGA expressed they would only work harder. While our admiration for their humility never ceases, it’s still a shame that it’s not their lack of efforts that lost them this award. What more could they have given?

BTS are truly class acts. And if they do decide to submit for nominations next year there’s no doubt ARMY will rally faithfully behind them because it’s what we do. But make no mistake that it remains solely in their honor and not for any semblance of respect to the Recording Academy. For now we press on and look forward to what’s next for our seven stars, our biggest prize, because Grammy or no Grammy, we have BTS so that means we have everything.

We don’t need The Grammys, we have BTS was originally published in Bulletproof on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

There is no denying that BTS, the seven-member group, have taken the world by storm. The septet, which consists of RM (Kim Namjoon), Jin (Kim Seokjin), Suga (Min Yoongi), J-Hope (Jung Hoseok), Jimin (Park Jimin), V (Kim Taehyung), and Jung Kook (Jeon Jungkook) have overcome many barriers to reach where they are today. Based in South Korea and working under the label Big Hit Entertainment, the group has become popular for their insightful lyrics, intricate dances, and genuine personalities.

In this article, through a study of certain key aspects of their music, I show that BTS is subtly redefining the way music is consumed. This is achieved by placing a strong emphasis on using music as a tool to focus on oneself, eventually leading the way in creating a world that encourages individuals to value and accept not just themselves but, ultimately, all others. Primarily, I consider the following to examine their impact: a unique perspective on music, the need for self-reflection, and the most important message of all — love yourself, speak yourself, and be yourself.

While each song sung by BTS can be examined in its own context, what is striking is the connectivity of their repertoire. The concept of a story running across several videos, also incorporating webtoons and books that contribute to the theme, is one of the most interesting aspects of their music. For instance, the “Bangtan Universe,” which is a fictional alternate universe where BTS are just friends and not the global superstars we know today, highlights the importance of mental health; something that is very relevant, and even more so when a pandemic is redefining and reshaping the contours of the world as we know it. BTS’ music both overtly and through other narratives provides a message to remain positive during trying times.

Another key aspect of the lyrics is the use of psychology and other literary sources, turning their music into something cerebral, thus nudging listeners to think about various aspects of life. For pop music, under which BTS is typically grouped, the general focus has been on love and its associated issues. By including the theme of love and yet moving beyond it to incorporate a wider range of topics, the group is providing listeners with a medium to connect with a lot of different cultures, and encouraging them to think beyond the obvious. For instance, the song Blood Sweat and Tears, which is based on the novel Demian by Hermann Hess, has utilized concepts from the book and shed light on German literature, and the song Sea that draws inspiration from Murakami’s IQ84, motivates fans to delve into Murakami’s illusive works. By drawing on other forms, BTS’ songs lead the listeners to introspect.

BTS use different sources to focus on the importance of self-reflection, a theme that is threaded throughout their music. In a world that is full of competition and hardships, BTS’ music emphasizes the message of always reflecting on oneself and taking stock of oneself. For example, Fake Love appears to be a love song at face value, but delving deeper into the lyrics reveals that BTS are talking about themselves and what they did to change who they are, which ultimately led to unhappiness in the relationship. As RM says, “I changed everything just for you, But I don’t know me, who are you?” There is a focus on oneself and what I have done; yes I changed for you, but I was responsible for that change because I believed that was what you wanted. The song could be interpreted as an important indicator of taking onus for one’s actions. It’s easy to blame others but it is more important to be aware of the impact of your own actions.

This song leads up to an ‘epiphany,’ which indicates the need to ‘love oneself’ and ‘understand oneself’ before expecting other people to love you or before loving someone else. This is a very relevant concept as it states that it is essential to create respect for yourself in order to ensure that other people learn to respect you. A powerful theme that is the crux of their ability to connect with people the world over, by ‘being yourself’ and ‘speaking yourself.’

Through music BTS is continuously encouraging listeners to evaluate themselves and the various personas they take on in life. Helping people with the most important construct in life — accepting oneself — has particularly resonated with the youth. Unless you can be kind to yourself, it might prove difficult to be kind to others. A very relevant and much needed philosophy for the youth who are conflicted by various pressures to conform and whose worth is judged by increasingly complicated societal standards. Beneath the music, BTS is creating a kinder, more thoughtful, and accepting generation of people to make the world a more inclusive place.

BTS — MUSIC TO CHANGE THE WORLD was originally published in Bulletproof on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Filter was introduced on BTS’ 2020 album, Map of the Soul: 7, as Jimin’s solo track — his pride and joy. When Jimin performed the song live during their Map of the Soul ON:E online concert in October of the same year, he blew ARMY away with his intricate choreography, focus, and varying color schemes.

When Map of the Soul: 7 was released, Filter quickly shot up the charts. It ranked #1 on Amazon US for three consecutive days. As of April 2020, Filter set another record by being the fastest Korean solo song to surpass 40 million streams in Spotify’s history. It achieved this feat in only 65 days after its release. There was also a #FilterChallenge on TikTok inspired by this track.

Musically, the track has a groovy vibe. Filter allows us to see a different side of Jimin. When he was asked about producing this track during BTS’ Spotify feature, Jimin shared:

Filters can be the things within a camera application or social media, but it can also mean people’s perspective or prejudice. I took these various meanings and expressed it into the song of how I want to present myself to the world in many different ways. I think I’ll be able to show a new side of me that’s very different from my previous tracks Serendipity and Lie.

“Let me know your type, You can choose and use me.” When I first heard Filter, I was confused. I couldn’t seem to wrap my head around the song; it didn’t make sense to me that it was a ‘Jimin ready to find love’ narrative, an idea that was eagerly presented by media sites. A friend of mine shared that Filter could depict Jimin’s journey in finding himself amidst what others perceive him to be. Taking into account the choreography, Jimin fluttering around a mannequin, trying on the different pieces it displayed — these actions instead emphasize the narrative that he is versatile and eager to try different things.

“I’ll take you to a brand new world.” When we use filters on our selfies, the way we look changes: a blurry effect, adding hearts to our cheeks, different colors, flowers, animal filters — you name it, you got it. This time, Jimin is taking your hand and leading you to explore. He is “the one who’s going to change your world.” Singing “I’m your filter, Cover it over your heart,” Jimin allows us to explore a new perspective: whatever you wish or hope for.

“Mix the colors of the palette, pick your filter, Which me do you want?” In reference to Jimin specifically, the term ‘Palette’ is derived from ‘Almighty Palette’ (광개토팔레트); a nickname that ARMY gave him due to his ability to rock all hair colors and make-up looks. In other words, Jimin invites fans to customize him in any way they wish — because he can, and will, rock those looks. Many were shocked during his Map of the Soul ON:E performance when he was able to quickly change outfits in between dancing.

“How is it, do you feel it a bit? Is it still not enough?” This lyric makes me think of BTS’ song Fake Love. Is transforming to the wants of their audience still not sufficient? If I adapt to you, will I be enough? “Girl, you have your chance,” Jimin croons. Teasingly, might I add, after seeing the intense eye contact he had during his live performances on both days.

“I can be your Genie, How ‘bout Aladdin?” Jimin presents himself as a filter that accommodates and adapts to society’s wants. “I’ll become anything (for you).” ARMY often joke about Jimin’s duality: transforming from being sweet and cute, to annihilating the stage with his presence and dance moves. “I’m going to be new for you every day.” Life is a journey; we can be different versions of ourselves each day. We as people are different from each other as well: “It’s no fun always being the same.”

“The very person that made me is you.” BTS often credits ARMY for giving them the opportunity to carry on and do what they love to do. The different sides of them that we love, the different sides they are willing to share with us — we are responding to them in the same manner that they respond to us.

“I’m a brand new filter you’ve never seen before, Leave you to me, So that you can see more exciting things, pick your filter.”

It is no secret that Jimin struggles with a lot of self-criticism, evidenced in the way he reacts when he makes a mistake or when he berates himself for not doing as well as he hoped. In BTS’ Burn The Stage documentary, Jimin was extremely stressed over his voice cracking and his microphone falling off.

Fast forward to episode 5 of their Break The Silence documentary, Jimin admits that he was not in his best condition, but strives to do better for future performances rather than blaming himself: “It’s true that I didn’t do a good job, but I don’t think I was overcome with despair or regretful or self-critical. I just accepted the circumstances. I want to grow further and faster so I can show them a really great performance,” he shared.

“We’re going to become a new ‘us’, Cover me over your heart.” Filter helps to amplify the progression of Jimin’s growth, transformation, and confidence from being self-critical to practicing self-love. This is an upbeat track that reminds us to have fun on our own journey of discovering who we are. However, it also serves as an important reminder that despite the changes we make or how we choose to adapt, we should never lose sight of ourselves.

Despite Jimin admitting he was distracted on one of the days of Map of the Soul ON:E, his performances of Filter exudes a radiant confidence — a confidence in his art, his body, and himself. As we continue on our own journey towards self-love, let us learn to confront and embrace all sides of ourselves.

Lyric translation credits to @Studio_0613 Twitter account

“Filter”: Examining Our Ever-Changing Masks in Society was originally published in Bulletproof on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

The BTS rap line performance of UGH! staged as a part of their Map of the Soul ON:E concert was everything fans had hoped for — and more. This analysis explores the highly anticipated first performance of UGH!, and discusses the strong connection between the lyrics and staging, showing how the two compliment each other and work in unison to create a powerful performance.

The backstory of UGH!

RM, Suga, and j-hope use UGH! to criticize a society where people hide behind anonymity while using their anger against others. UGH! represents their frustration with malice-filled anger.

When RM starred on his own episode of MNet’s 4 Things Show, he was shown hate comments about himself. This was filmed during a time when he was still struggling to find a balance between his underground rapper identity and idol identity. In response, he said that he vowed to prove them wrong.

Another frustration that BTS faces is the difficulty of breaking into and being accepted by the Western market. From regularly receiving their fair share of xenophobic comments, with RM sharing in an interview that they are still seen as “aliens to the music industry in America”, to multiple experiences between the BTS ARMY and anonymous haters online — the members of BTS are no stranger to being on the receiving end of anger.

The performance of UGH!

Intense red stage-lights set the scene. The first sound we hear — an echoing gunshot, followed by the hard beat of the track. Neon green laser-lights create a border around the stage, emulating a boxing ring. Sparkler-style fireworks ignite the background. Men dressed in all-black clothing hold signs of support, seemingly trapped behind jail-like gates. UGH! begins.

Suga kicks off the performance, confidently striding into the makeshift boxing ring in his red robes.

Those embers flaring up again. Fire is associated with many emotions, including anger, passion, power, or danger. Once a fire starts — it consumes.

Before getting touched by the oil, they are swallowed. Fire has the ability to consume all in its path and travel with speed: this description reminds me of the premise of ‘cancel culture’. On one hand, it is incredibly enthralling how news can become viral and travel with speed through the power of the internet. On the other hand, it is scary that once news, information, or a rumor is out there — regardless of evidence or lack thereof — it has the power to spread, grow, and potentially destroy a person’s career. Once he starts latching onto a prey, It becomes everyone’s punching bag.

RM joins Suga in his leopard-print robes for the next verse.

In this place, everyone becomes someone with perfect moral thinking and judgment. Though creating awareness is important, it is dangerous if we advocate for something we do not educate ourselves on. Just as the truth can be distorted, we can be manipulated into believing a lie. When something suddenly becomes a trend, everyone is jumping in to speak up — but do we actually know what we are speaking out for?

Anger? Sure, it’s necessary. Anger is an emotion we all go through. Over time, we learn how to gain control and manoeuvre around it with more ease. However, suppressing an emotion entirely simply because it is viewed negatively, is toxic to ourselves.

Tens of thousands of reasons to get angry, Sure, you can get angry. Suppressing anger does not make it go away. The first step in moving forward and healing is acknowledging this emotion. The second step is to question why we are feeling it.

When something burns, it’s with purpose. Good-intent, ill-intent, they are all the same. I believe these lyrics add even further depth into this already insightful track. When we experience emotions with negative connotations, we tend to create justifications for feeling it: “I deserve to be upset because they were not doing their job right!”; “I’m mad because I could have done a better job.”; “I had to express my frustration because they were doing something wrong.” This highlights that the difference in our emotions often depends on the way we respond or react.

The third step is to question and be aware of the impact that our actions and words can have on those around us. In one split second, whether intentional or not, we have the power to hurt someone. If it causes harm to someone’s life, I don’t like it.

UGH! addresses mindless and spiteful anger. You kill, pretending it’s out of anger, driving me real angry. The rap line admit to having been the brunt of this type of anger as well. You’re not just killing me; For us, we’re used to stepping on shit. They lament on how society has become desensitized. Human waste and indifference, you’re a team.

I go UGH, UGH
I get outraged at the malicious anger, at the anger that had to be put down.

j-hope kicks off the energetic chorus of increasingly intensifying yells of “UGH!” He makes a dramatic entrance in his blue robes, dangling his boxing gloves. The men in all-black clothing join the rap line, waving their white flags. I was taken aback and amused when RM was repeatedly pushed around by Suga — either away from himself or j-hope — as though mimicking the people who get into confrontations for no reason. Anger governs this world, and just like that, get crazy.

The rappers acknowledge the position of privilege they have. Especially for public figures, the unsympathetic point of view that ‘you signed up for this lifestyle,’ unfortunately still exists. The Map of the Soul ON:E concert providing a multi-view option, as well as the three screens present as a part of the staging of UGH! itself, serves a stark reminder that every single moment is recorded and streamed online for millions to see. Though BTS has 7 years’ worth of experience behind them, they acknowledge that being a public figure is still something that is difficult to be accustomed to. The rap line addresses this satirically.

You make bank, why are you whining again; You should be willing to put up with that. Just because they have been able to make a name for themselves, bagging countless titles and accolades, they are still young men with human feelings and struggles.

After loud choruses of “Ahem’s,” RM, Suga, and j-hope are joined by their dancers in some powerful choreography. The boxing ring now removed, BTS and their dancers stand and move together as one. There is no more ‘us’ and ‘them.’ No more division or barriers. Instead we see a collective moving together. Aggressive steps, fire in their eyes, strong shoulder rolls. Following the sequence of Map of the Soul ON:E, our anger is then simmered down with the vocal line’s Zero O’ Clock.

Reflecting on their stage performance, the boxing ring setting was extremely apt in expressing the anger that is talked about in UGH!. Another thought that comes to mind was the trend of several popular YouTubers challenging each other to boxing matches in the last few years. Are we really angry, or are we stirring up drama for attention? Is there a justifiable cause, or are we all just hopping on the hate bandwagon? UGH! encourages us to pause and reflect, and to ask the question —

What is the impact of our anger?

___

UGH! translation credits to Doolset Bangtan. I would recommend reading the full translation, as they also explained the onomatopoeia and wordplays in this track.

UGH! — an experience and lyrical exploration was originally published in Bulletproof on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

There are a variety of reasons why BTS appeal to people all over the world. Bringing to light the most obvious: they are seven young, attractive men; they are extremely talented at what they do; their work has grown a large and diverse fandom; they have experimented with a variety of genres and messages during the last seven years, and this is just to begin with. Looking beyond this, we can see the bond they have with each other as well as the bond they share with ARMY. There is the message of self-love they preach, as well as how genuine they are about their craft and the effort that goes into making each song.

Nine months ago, I clicked on a music video for BTS’ latest song. The beat was catchy. The choreography was satisfying to watch. The song quickly got stuck in my head and I watched that video multiple times before deciding I wanted to learn the names of these seven men. The video was BTS’ ON Kinetic Manifesto Film : Come Prima.

As a storyteller, I was fascinated by the lengths they went to tell a story; their story. In essence, they are musicians and their songs tell stories of their own. However, with BTS, it isn’t simply just that. Each album has a narrative of its own. Their albums, some in trilogies, tell a much larger story. Their MV’s, their concept art, the Save Me webtoon, as well as the bigger Bangtan Universe story that was explored in BTS World and BTS Universe, the games. BTS and their company, Big Hit Entertainment, have shown through various channels, that the story is what connects it all.

This kind of intertextuality by one band within one medium might have been done before, but the way in which BTS paves their own unique way in a variety of platforms — you can tell that no one has done it quite like them.

What is intertextuality? Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines it as the complex interrelationship between a text and other texts taken as basic to the creation or interpretation of the text. While this concept can be applied to the multiple narratives that weave through all of BTS’ work, it is specifically well suited in describing their lyrics. In particular, the lyrics of Min Yoongi, also known as BTS’ Suga, also known as Agust D in his solo productions.

Earlier this year, IU released a single, Eight (Prod and Feat Suga of BTS). Being a deeply personal song for her, combined with the genius of Suga’s producing skills, it quickly became one of my favourites. The following lyrics in Suga’s verse caught my attention: “The word forever is a sandcastle.” This sparked introspection in me and many other fans. Later on in the year, BTS did a remix of Jawsh 685 and Jason Derulo’s song Savage Love. Jungkook turned on his magical vocals for the song and Suga and j-hope added in their verses. In this song, Suga again includes the lines “Perhaps the word forever is a sandcastle.”

In the song Heartbeat, created for the game BTS World, Suga raps “You are my light, my saviour.” In the highly-anticipated collaboration with MAX, Blueberry Eyes feat Suga of BTS, Suga has the line “u AR e MY light” spelling out ‘ARMY’ in a unique way that delights fans. BTS go above and beyond to connect with their fans and this little tidbit shows just how deep and meaningful that connection is.

Quite possibly the most prominent element of intertextuality in Suga’s lyrics is his famous ‘big house, big cars and big rings’ line. Starting right from their debut song No More Dream, he raps “I wanna big house, big cars and big rings.” In NO, he asks the question “A nice house, a nice car, could such things bring happiness?” In the intro of their second mini-album, Skool Luv Affair, he answers “A nice house, a nice car, although things like those cannot bring happiness, I really want to give them to you.”

With BTS, it’s always about growth. They are no longer the teenage boys who wore gold chains around their necks and wrote songs about chasing their dreams. They’ve grown from teenagers to young adults, to now fully grown men who show the world just how passionate they are about what they do, as well as the importance of continuing to grow as we move through life.

In the song HOME, from their 6th mini album Map of the Soul: Persona, Suga brings back the previously mentioned lyrics, changing them to “Big house, big cars, big rings that I dreamed about, though I have everything I’ve ever wanted, I feel something is missing now — the feeling of unfamiliarity, of someone who achieved everything.”

In Interlude: Shadow from Map of the Soul: 7, he raps, “On top of that, you have a big house, big cars, big rings, you have everything you wanted then what’s the problem, enjoy or let it go, you don’t want to?”

Suga has been asked in multiple interviews about the difference between Agust D and Suga. Mostly he laughs as says that they’re all him, but through Agust D, he can share a raw, more intimate version of himself. In May 2020, he came out with his second mixtape D-2, which not only showed his growth from his first mixtape Agust D, but also his growth as the rapper-songwriter-producer he is known as today. In his song What do you think? he raps, “I got a big house big car big ring, bring me anything, I’ll give you my black card.” He returns back to the same theme, but now with the emphasis on his achievements. In his first mixtape from the song Give it to me, he raps “Born a tiger, I can’t live like a dog.” In Daechwita, it becomes “I was born a tiger, I’m not weak like you at least.”

D-2 brought out several other intertextual themes, such as one of my favourite lyrics from the song Intro: Never Mind from BTS’s 4th mini-album The Most Beautiful Moment in Life Part 2. Suga bridges an unseen gap between Suga of BTS to his alter ego Agust D with the line — originally from Intro: Never Mind — in Moonlight: “If you think you’re going to crash, accelerate even harder, you idiot.”

The wonderful thing about intertextuality and BTS is that you will never run out of theories to connect to while looking at the big all-encompassing story they set out to create. Whether it is something as small as a word or a colour theme or even an obvious throwback to something in their past as trainees or rookies, when it comes to BTS, they work hard to prove to the world that they are brilliant at what they do.

1. IU prod and feat SUGA. (2020). Eight [Song]. EDAM Entertainment.; Doolset Bangtan. (2020). 내 방을 여행하는 법 (eight (에잇) (Prod. & Feat. SUGA)). https://doolsetbangtan.wordpress.com/2020/05/06/iu-eight-prod-feat-suga/
2. Jawsh 685, Jason Derulo, BTS. (2020). Savage Love (Laxed — Siren Beat) [BTS Remix] [Song]; Doolset Bangtan. (2020). Savage Love (Laxed — Siren Beat) [BTS Remix]. https://doolsetbangtan.wordpress.com/2020/10/02/jawsh-685-jason-derulo-bts-savage-love-laxed-siren-beat-bts-remix/
3. BTS. (2019). Heartbeat [Song]. On BTS WORLD OST. Big Hit Entertainment.; Doolset Bangtan. (2019). Heartbeat. https://doolsetbangtan.wordpress.com/2020/01/07/bts-heartbeat-bts-world-ost/
4. MAX feat SUGA. (2020). Blueberry Eyes [Song]. On Colour Vision. Colour Vision, RED Music.; Doolset Bangtan. (2020). Blueberry Eyes (feat. SUGA). https://doolsetbangtan.wordpress.com/2020/09/15/max-blueberry-eyes-feat-suga/
5. BTS. (2013). No More Dream [Song]. On 2 COOL 4 SKOOL. Big Hit Entertainment.; Doolset Bangtan. (2018). No More Dream. https://doolsetbangtan.wordpress.com/2018/06/21/no-more-dream/
6. BTS. (2013). N.O [Song]. On O!RUL8,2?. Big Hit Entertainment.; Doolset Bangtan. (2018). N.O. https://doolsetbangtan.wordpress.com/2018/12/15/n-o/
7. BTS. (2014). Intro: Skool Luv Affair [Song]. On SKOOL LUV AFFAIR. Big Hit Entertainment.; Doolset Bangtan. (2019). Intro: Skool Luv Affair. https://doolsetbangtan.wordpress.com/2019/03/04/intro-skool-luv-affair/
8. BTS. (2019). HOME [Song]. On Map of the Soul: Persona. Big Hit Entertainment.; Doolset Bangtan. (2019). HOME. https://doolsetbangtan.wordpress.com/2019/04/13/home/
9. BTS. (2020). Interlude : Shadow [Song]. On MAP OF THE SOUL: 7. Big Hit Entertainment.; Doolset Bangtan. (2020). Interlude : Shadow. https://doolsetbangtan.wordpress.com/2020/01/09/interlude-shadow/
10. AGUST D. (2020). 어떻게 생각해? (What do you think?) [Song]. On D-2. Big Hit Entertainment.; Doolset Bangtan. (2020). 어떻게 생각해? (What do you think?). https://doolsetbangtan.wordpress.com/2020/05/22/what-do-you-think/
11. AGUST D. (2016). give it to me [Song]. On AGUST D. Big Hit Entertainment.; Doolset Bangtan. (2018). give it to me. https://doolsetbangtan.wordpress.com/2018/11/11/give-it-to-me/
12. AGUST D. (2020). 대취타 (Daechwita) [Song]. On D-2. Big Hit Entertainment.; Doolset Bangtan. (2020). 대취타 (Daechwita). https://doolsetbangtan.wordpress.com/2020/05/22/daechwita/
13. BTS. (2015). Intro: Never Mind [Song]. On THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MOMENT IN LIFE Pt.2. Big Hit Entertainment.; Doolset Bangtan. (2018). Intro: Never Mind. https://doolsetbangtan.wordpress.com/2018/06/07/intro-never-mind/
14. AGUST D. (2020). 저 달 (Moonlight) [Song]. On D-2. Big Hit Entertainment.; Doolset Bangtan. (2020). 저 달 (Moonlight). https://doolsetbangtan.wordpress.com/2020/05/22/moonlight/

Storytelling and intertextuality with Min Yoongi was originally published in Bulletproof on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Earlier this year I moved into a new apartment. A seemingly mundane event had it been any other year; except it’s not any other year — it’s 2020 and the world has come to somewhat of a halt. At this time I was about five months into quarantine due to the current pandemic, and it’d been roughly two years since I last had my own room. Growing up, my room had always been an extension of my identity, a way to express who I was and what I liked. Having my own space wasn’t something I imagined would have a drastic effect on my mental health if I ever lost it. But it was quarantine that brought to my attention the negative impact that results in not having that sanctuary. I had been staying in my sister’s apartment, and I remember the first four months of this entire situation were the most difficult for me. It was hard to sleep, hard to stop falling in and out of despair feeling as though somehow time, which was arguably never mine in the first place, was slipping away from me day by day. And then there were spells where it felt like I was repeating the same day over and over.

Everyday
It’s so suffocating that I’m going crazy
Feel like it’s still day one
Somebody, please turn the clock back
The whole year got stolen
I’m still in bed,
feeling bloated in the stomach
It’s killin’ me slowly nah

Anyway,
I want to leave, any way
There’s no way
This room is all I have
Well, then I’ll just change this place to my world¹

Fly To My Room is simultaneously chill and upbeat, with a smart placing of both light and heavy instrumentals. It’s one of those songs that just sounds perfect for putting you in a good mood. So while this particular verse of the lyrics reflect the darker feelings I was experiencing, this is as bleak as the song gets, because the track is meant to be hopeful and imaginative. The original title of the song in Korean is 내 방을 여행하는 법 which translates to ‘the way to travel my room’ and fits perfectly with the theme of the lyrics.

In a piece I wrote about the significance of BTS releasing the new album BE, I briefly referenced how genius I thought the idea of each member having an individual room for the concept photos was. Genius because it’s so simple but it can have many meanings for the current moment. For me, it resonated with all the issues I’d been dealing with in regards to losing my sense of self with not having my own space, exacerbated even more so by living during a global pandemic. Turning one’s bedroom into a reflection of the personal has been studied as a behavior for exploring and constructing identity when we’re adolescents.² But this is something I would argue we continue to do beyond adolescence, and why BTS’ concept resonated with me and many others so well as we analysed the members’ personalities from each of their curated spaces.

Everywhere
I wonder if it’s been like this the whole time
This scenery that feels unfamiliar all of a sudden
Lost in memory for no reason,
even the old desk and the changing sunlight feel special
I’m little less lonely nah

Better way
I just found a better way
Sometimes we get to know
Broken is beautiful
My body feels lighter
I fly far, far away
This thing so surreal
Yeah¹

One of my favourite things about the musical dynamic of BTS is that just like in their relationships with each other as a group, trying to balance seven distinct personalities, they do an incredible job of capturing more than just one perspective in their work. Fly To My Room was one of two subunit tracks on the new album BE that included four of the members: Suga, Jimin, V, and j-hope. In line with BTS’ ability to share multiple perspectives, two shifting emotions are equally balanced throughout the song. I say two because it felt to me as though V / Jimin and Suga / j-hope stood somewhat in opposition to each other as units — a parallel I drew from some of the words they shared with us during the 75th UN General Assembly months ago, and in their recent Weverse Magazine interviews. Jimin talked about how his world of meeting fans and singing and dancing at concerts “had shrunk to a room” and the hopelessness that came with everything falling apart. V had lots of trouble with feelings of depression and isolation.

Suga, however, expressed that he was used to the world shrinking down like that in an instant when the group is on tour; the crowd and the cheers when he’s on stage all gone when he’s back alone in his small room at night. But in this small room, he could see that the world was a lot bigger and yet still reachable through technology and the connection with fans.³ On the other side of the same optimistic coin was j-hope who focused on changing one’s mindset. Allowing ourselves a little escapism could be an opportunity to be more adventurous in our approach to the current situation.⁴ This comes through much more in the following verse:

My bed, I land on it
This is the safest place
Happiness, sadness, whatever emotion it is,
this place just takes it in
Sometimes, even when this room becomes a trash can of emotions,
it holds me

And it welcomes me
The toys in my room that feel like people
The TV sound makes it feel busy and crowded as if I’m out in the downtown
Your mind can be changed by your mind
Here, this is a travel that only I can enjoy
Delivery food is ☆☆☆
Fill it optimistically, I’m full¹

A bedroom can be used to “deal with and meet the emotional needs such as being in a depressed state, or coping with anxiety or stress.”² This is how a room that reflects back our sense of self can be helpful in coping with difficult situations when we need a safe space to process our emotions. It’s probably why as soon as I had my own room again, BTS memorabilia quickly lined my walls and filled up my shelves since they’ve been my biggest source of comfort through this challenging time. To be able to extend that comfort into how I organise my space gives me a sense of control when everything outside of it feels like all too much for my already overwhelming anxiety and bouts of depressive symptoms. Here in this verse we can take Suga’s use of the slang term ‘emotion trash can,’ typically meant to describe a person being mistreated and consistently used by others to purge their negative emotions onto, as symbolising that our rooms are absorbing everything we feel as we deal with COVID-19.

When I reflect on the lack of mundanity in having to move during a pandemic, I also have to consider that it’s the mundane I circle back to when I am in my room and at home. Losing a sense of normalcy in these times means we begin to take notice of the little things we, for the most part, take for granted in our daily lives. A commute to work, dining in at a restaurant, whatever it may be — this verse spins that on its head and tries to convey that imagining these things as real just in a different sense, like j-hope suggests, is still something we can do. It’s like Suga and j-hope took V and Jimin — and ARMY — by the hand as we made our way to seeing the glass half full.

Shall I leave, let me fly to my
Lower the eyes, wherever it would be, zoom
With me, now, let me fly to my
Get me outta my blues
And now I’m feelin’ brand new¹

Finally, we have the chorus: short and sweet but decisive in its hopeful resignation. While exploration of identity and using my room as a way to cope are just two ideas I extracted from this song for myself, it pushes us further by encouraging a more purposeful use of our imagination, making the room a vessel to travel in our own minds and within the environment we may be feeling stuck in. Just like every BTS song, it’s a creatively organised track that fits seamlessly with the theme of BE. The track, like the album itself, takes us on a ride through the heavier emotions and then to that lighter optimism as we continue this uncertain journey together. Never leaning too one-sided, since feelings constantly fluctuate and challenge each other, the song ultimately arrives at a simple conclusion: let’s focus on what we can control in a frustrating situation and fly to our room.

References

¹ BTS. (2020). 내 방을 여행하는 법 [Song]. On BE. Big Hit Entertainment.; Doolset Bangtan. (2020). 내 방을 여행하는 법 (Fly To My Room). https://doolsetbangtan.wordpress.com/2020/11/20/fly-to-my-room/

² Fidzani, L. C., & Read, M. A. (2013). Identity Expression and Bedroom Personalization by Urban Adolescents in Botswana. Journal of Adolescent Research, 29(6), 691–715. https://doi.org/10.1177/0743558413502533

³ BANGTANTV. (2020, September 23). BTS (방탄소년단) Speech at the 75th UN General Assembly [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aPe9Uy10n4&t=352s&ab_channel=BANGTANTV

⁴ Kang, M. (2020, November 24). j-hope: “Even just one, single love is beautiful, but we’re getting love from all over the world.” Weverse Magazine. https://magazine.weverse.io/article/view?num=57&lang=en

Fly To My Room: Curated Spaces as Coping Mechanisms was originally published in Bulletproof on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

While COVID-19 has seen the cancellation of many traditions, it hasn’t slowed down the production and spectacle of awards shows in both the Western and Eastern hemispheres. With award season now in full swing, some may be looking to these events for comfort in celebrating their favorite artists. However, the undeniably vast and varied impacts of COVID-19 on our world can be seen just as well in how these annual celebrations have had to undergo swift adaptations in their methods and measures of producing.

The U.S. alone has granted us many examples of how these eagerly awaited events have adjusted, from the MTV Video Music Awards to the American Music Awards many have taken the route of proceeding with minimal change, creating somewhat familiar ceremonies including a celebrity host, socially distanced or no live audience, and a combination of pre-recorded and live performances, with the same for nominee acceptance speeches. It’s subjective, really, how one might feel about the alterations and quality of these adapted events. On one hand, artists have had to take on more creative risks in their performances without the advantage of a giant stage and a responsive crowd. On the other, a more simple and raw performance without all the bells and whistles may now leave viewers unimpressed. We’ve also had to do without the highly sought-after celebrity interactions and reactions, and the overall bustling atmosphere of the arenas they take place in. The changing nature of award shows are simply one of the many new-normals we are learning to adjust to during the COVID-19 era.

As for how the other side of the world has been carrying out their productions, the 2020 Melon Music Awards and Mnet Asian Music Awards took place this past weekend on December 5 and December 6 respectively. Their adjustments due to COVID-19 looked very similar to U.S. shows: MMA was entirely pre-recorded; MAMA was live without an audience, while hosts and artists were present to perform and receive their awards. If you’ve ever witnessed these ceremonies, among others, at the end of the year award season in South Korea, they already stand out in extravagance in comparison to their western counterparts. One significant way in which they differ is in the longer time slots allocated to artists, and higher production value given to their performances. This is why expectations were high for one act in particular, who have used the shift to pre-recorded performances as an advantage rather than a setback. BTS once again stole the show with their phenomenal stages, all while setting new records as they took home the biggest accolades of each night.

Over the last few months the septet have been making waves in American media without even setting foot in the country. Their pre-recorded performances on talk shows and the entire line-up of major music awards ceremonies have absolutely been blowing audiences away with the gorgeous sets and artistic liberties they’ve taken. This gave BTS an edge going into MMA and MAMA, as ARMY in every time zone across the globe were anxiously awaiting to see what they had prepared this time.

There are very few artists who can outdo themselves after performing the same song more than a handful of times, and yet, not a single Dynamite stage has been identical. The same can be said about ON and now their most recent addition to the roster, Life Goes On. Both nights included these three tracks and yet both performances were entirely their own. However this is highly typical of BTS; take their nearly hour long performance at the 2019 MMA for example. Adding a bit of flair and new elements to each performance is how they consistently push the boundary in their art, and it’s absolutely mesmerizing to witness. Still, nothing could have prepared us for the orchestral rendition of Black Swan intro on the first night of this year’s MMA.

Against a deep blue set made to look like a lake at night, watery dance floor included, jaws dropped when Jung Kook lifted Jimin into the air and the entirety of the contemporary backup dance crew moved as one. Every delicate but aggressive step flowed into the next, closing the performance with a swan formation with Jin at the head. Jin then knelt down to release a holographic bird into the air that made way for the ON stage. The members all lined up at the top of white stairs, reminiscent of their N.O music video, before descending to break into the intense choreography number that somehow looks cleaner and fiercer every time. Life Goes On was more simple in comparison, the members in elegant suits separated by shimmering, geometric line art giving the appearance of rooms. The Dynamite performance was explosive as always and included a unique dance break, with j-hope taking the lead in a funky and bold homage to Michael Jackson. Clips in between each stage were dedicated to and incorporated ARMY, with the theme ‘BE THERE’ flowing into an image of a map that lit up in purple lights. Many recognised the similarities to the maps created by a dedicated fan account on Twitter that tracks trending ARMY activity across the globe, proving yet again that ARMY and BTS are closer than we imagine.¹

The ON performance on night two at MAMA was kicked up a notch from the first, as BTS took the field of Seoul Olympic Stadium with a full marching band, decked out in drum major attire. The Michael Jackson nod was also noticeable in the second Dynamite stage as the set was designed to resemble Jackson’s photoshoot in a rainbow tunnel at Epcot Center during his Victory/Off The Wall tour in 1984. The only disappointment shared by BTS and ARMY alike: Suga was unable to join his fellow members on both of these nights as he continues undergoing recovery from surgery on his shoulder. An already poignant Life Goes On stage teeming with extras frozen in an all white backdrop, representing the feeling of time being frozen due to the pandemic, had ARMY emotional when a hologram of Suga stepped out of a glowing doorway to take his place between the group. For every song on both nights a space had been left for Suga and no adjustment was made to have his verses sung by another member. The holographic moment was the peak of a series of meaningful gestures that served as a reminder that BTS is and always will be seven.

Unfortunately the seven could also not all be present during the reception of their awards, as BTS once again clean-swept in all major categories for both shows: Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year at both MMA and MAMA, as well as Icon of the Year at MAMA. Their accolades also included the subcategories for Top 10 Artist, Netizen Popularity Award, Best Dance Male, Best Pop, Best Rock at MMA, and Best Dance Performance Male Group, Best Collaboration, Worldwide Fan’s Choice, Best Music Video, Best Male Group at MAMA. BTS’ speeches were a mix of well-wishes for Suga and their always humble gratitude to ARMY for allowing them to celebrate their art even during difficult times for the world.

BTS also continues to break records with 2020 being the second year in a row they won all nominations at MAMA — a never before seen milestone they began during last year’s ceremony, being the first artist to ever do so in the entire show’s run. BTS now hold the most Daesangs in South Korean history, at over 50 in total — and they did all this in only 4 years. Making strides like this is not only significant for music history in South Korea and abroad, but for their own history as a group. During RM’s speech as they received the Artist of the Year award at MAMA, he noted that they did not receive invites to the show when they first made their debut. Citing how far they’ve come on the same stage that at one point made no room for them was a simple moment of reflection, but also a statement in favor of everything they have accomplished despite the naysayers and closed doors. Winning Artist of the Year may have seemed impossible then, but doing the impossible, and looking good while at it, is just a staple of who BTS are even seven years later. In a world full of change and uncertainty, it is reassuring to know that there are still some things that remain constant.

References

¹ BANGTANTV. (2020, December 6). BTS (방탄소년단) Black Swan Perf. + ON + Life Goes On + Dynamite @ 2020 MMA [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtaP4UkZKyc&ab_channel=BANGTANTV

2020 MMA & MAMA Award Shows: Another Year Another Daesang Sweep for BTS was originally published in Bulletproof on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

“You’ll come across BTS in the moment you need them the most.”

It’s something I’ve heard my friend tell me over and over again, whenever I told her I felt like I became a fan a little too late, despite already being familiar with the band for several years.

What did I need from BTS? What was the reason I came across them?

This is a recurring question for me, something I’ve been asking every time I come across another song, or BTS drops another bit of content, whether it be a simple Weverse post or another Dynamite promo video. It’s something I asked myself when I watched their Dear Class of 2020 Commencement Speech, and it’s something I often ask when I listen to their music that I’ve missed over the past few years.

The answer? My Time.

24, feels like I became a grown-up faster than everyone else

My life has been a movie, all the time

I ran to where the sun rises every single night

It’s like I’ve been to someone’s tomorrow

In My Time, Jung Kook shares the feeling that he has grown up too fast, being someone who has been held under the spotlight since such a young age. It is a sentiment he also briefly mentioned in their 2018 documentary Bring the Soul. Jung Kook said that although he is now able to help others through his music, he often wonders what life is like for people his age. He wonders what kind of struggles people in their early twenties experience, what their goals and dreams are, what kind of thoughts they have, and if he still aligns with what is ‘normal’ for people his age.

The sentiment, although said in passing, weighs heavily, and it means so much more now with his solo song, My Time.

To me, this song has become an anthem sung by somebody who, although having achieved his dreams and is successful where he is now, is still trying so desperately to grasp back the time he has lost as the years passed by. It was a song made by someone who ran too fast ahead of his time to reach where he wanted to be, and while he is happy where he is, he wonders whether he could get all the lost time back — whether he could hold or call back the opportunities he ran past to get to where he is now.

It is a song that speaks to me, made for someone like me, as if telling me I am not alone in what I am going through.

At 21, I am already about to embark on my second professional job. I’m a fresh college graduate, one of those students who never had a sense of closure from college, not being able to attend a live graduation, much less having the chance to say goodbye to the people I’ve encountered in university. Even before being given the chance to have a virtual graduation, I found myself already employed, having looked for opportunities prior to graduation and the pandemic.

Perhaps it’s a mindset I never grew out of — to continuously work and hustle in search for more, for greener pastures, to always be a notch above the others. But as I got closer and closer to reaching more, the more I realized that being ‘one step ahead of the rest’ would also mean running faster than everyone else, running ahead of my time, running faster than I should be running for someone who has only stepped into her early twenties.

But why am I even running? Where am I running to?

But is it too fast? There’re traces of losses

Don’t know what to do with, am I livin’ this right?

Why am I alone in a different time and space?

Though there are clear and stark differences between my own and Jung Kook’s stories, I could say it all boils down to the same narrative: if I am living my life too fast, am I living my life right, in such a way that I want to live it? I suppose that one of the clear differences between our narratives is the fact that he has already lived through these questions, or is perhaps still living through them now. On the other hand, these questions exist as a shadow for me, forever following, afraid that they will inevitably catch up to me. I am afraid of losing grasp of my own time, afraid of losing moments and opportunities I shouldn’t be losing as someone in her early twenties.

I am afraid that I am starting to lose all of these as early as now.

Oh, I can’t call ya, I can’t hol’ ya

Oh, I can’t

And yes you know, yes you know

Oh, I can’t call ya, I can’t touch ya

Oh, I can’t

Let me know

Can I someday finna find my time?

Finna find my time

Someday finna find my time

The song’s chorus perhaps emphasizes that type of loss, with Jung Kook singing “And yes you know, yes you know” as an affirmation of the fact that he is aware of how time has slipped from his hands, to the point that he can no longer hold, touch, or call these losses. To me it becomes a requiem, sung for someone who constantly feels like she’s running out of time, sung by someone who feels like he has already run out of time.

It holds a sense of comfort, as if telling me I’m not alone, telling me somebody understands the same kind of fear I have.

Yeah, I don’t gotta know where I go

Even if it’s opposite of sun

One time for the present

Two time for the past

Happy that we met each other

Now til’ the very end

Jung Kook’s conclusion to the bridge, ultimately leading to the chorus where he changes “I can’t” to “I will,” now gives a sense of hope. After lamenting for his lost time, for all the things he missed by running ahead of his time, he has come to the conclusion that perhaps all of it has been worth it. By losing time he has gained something else — he has met people who have become very dear and close to him — most likely including ARMY. The change of lyrics from “I can’t” to “I will” shows a firm resolve: even though he may feel as though he has lost time in the past, he would not let that stifle him from trying to get a hold of his time in the present. Though he may have lost a lot by running ahead of the others, it would not stop him from living his life happily without dwelling on the losses.

It’s a renewed sense of hope only someone like me could wish to have. And it makes me wonder — when will it be my turn to get a grasp of my time?

Maybe, it might not be too late for me. And maybe it’s also not too late for me to attempt to get rid of the shadow chasing after me. As Paradise, a song from Love Yourself: Tear says, “Stop runnin’ for nothin’ my friend, now stop that foolish race; Stop runnin’ for nothin’ my friend, all the breaths you breathe are already in paradise.” Where I am is already enough, and where I am is already paradise — the green pastures I’ve been looking for — as long as I am living how I want to live. It’s a reminder that sometimes not taking a step at all, instead of taking extra steps to get ahead, can ultimately help me someday find my time.

Someday finna find my time was originally published in Bulletproof on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

With BTS’ groundbreaking success being spread through a variety of platforms and their name and message being shared globally, it is not at all surprising that they would be compared to other highly successful artists; such as The Beatles.

It’s highly likely that you’ve heard this comparison more than once — in the news, interview introductions, and even in written publications. But the question remains, are BTS really the 21st Century version of The Beatles? The answer is NO.

It truly is a great honor to be compared to The Beatles, as they are an icon of their generation and much more besides. But BTS simply aren’t the 21st Century Beatles. They are The BTS of this generation: they are Bangtan Sonyeondan.

While some may find this belief or argument amusing, I believe it’s time for people to credit BTS for their hard work created under their own persona, without having to compare them innumerable times to different artists. I understand that comparison is made to highlight and accentuate BTS’ achievements, however, BTS are more than capable of setting new records of their own. The comparison simply isn’t necessary, especially taking into account that the two bands' foresight and approach with their music are completely different.

It’s quite ironic how terms such as ‘innovators’ and ‘the next Beatles’ are often used to describe BTS, however the terms themselves are so contradictory. How can one be considered an innovator, when they are branded “the next” version of something that already exists? Innovators have an identity of their own, and so do BTS.

BTS has taken an innovative approach with their music, infusing their work with their own perspectives and interpretations, which provides us with insights into the identity of BTS. And this identity is different from The Beatles. In the words of Jungkook, the youngest member of BTS, shared candidly in their recent Love Yourself: Speak Yourself tour DVD: “people call us ‘the Beatles of the 21st Century’. It’s an incredible honor and I’m grateful to hear that. But I still want to be just BTS instead of the Beatles of the 21st Century. BTS like no other. I want to be something new, new people.”

The intention of being ‘something new’ is what marks BTS as music innovators. These comparisons are like tickets for BTS to be acknowledged by the western music industry — this gives the impression that BTS need to be regularly compared to western artists in order for their music to be validated. One such example is the repeated request for BTS to produce an all-English album. This should not be a measure of success or validity, and simply does not need to be asked.

BTS has had to regularly overcome stereotypes and xenophobia in the music industry — an industry they chose to be a part of while still feeling alienated within. BTS use their platform to address important societal issues with their songs. Despite this, they continue to receive backlash and inappropriate comments because their songs aren’t in English. They are regularly called names because of their use of makeup and how flawless their skin is. Through all the negativity, BTS has had to stand strong and simply accept this poor behavior. These circumstances are different from what other artists have experienced and the opportunities afforded to them.

It took BTS 3 years to receive a Daesang (in 2016), 4 years to receive worldwide recognition (in 2017), and it took them 7 years to receive full acknowledgment and prestige for their music, with BTS and their fans fighting for these accolades alongside each other the whole time. The timeline and circumstances that BTS have experienced are undeniably different from other artists.

I remember the feeling when BTS topped the Billboard Charts for the very first time with their song, Dynamite. Even non-fans were surprised by this feat, and I couldn’t help but wonder; why? Why were people so surprised that 7 talented and worthy artists topped the Billboard Charts? Their caliber is definitely deserving, so why the shock? The reactions received served to prove that the barrier BTS is trying to break does exist. While this is the first time that BTS has received official recognition at the top of the western music charts, ARMY have always believed in BTS as artists and in their capabilities, not seeing them simply as Asian singers with pretty faces. And that is what sets them apart from anybody else.

Being as humble as they are, BTS have always considered it an honor to be called the next Beatles. The the leader of the group, RM, said in their recent interview with the Wall Street Journal “we’ve never ever been like the Beatles or even like, more than them, we’re seven normal kids who love music and performance who have a dream to give hope and love.”

When asked what makes BTS special, Jimin shared “I think the members are what makes BTS special.” Noting this, it is exactly what makes BTS unique — BTS is BTS and like no other. Comparing them to other artists once or twice is sufficient enough, but to ask them the same questions repeatedly, every time they achieve something great should be stricken off the record. BTS’ achievements have been self-composed, and do not belong to anyone else.

Like the question in the Wall Street Journal Innovators Issue, Who are BTS? And how did they get famous?

“In the past, we had clear goals and a thirst. We had to do well — we were desperate”

— Jungkook, Wall Street Journal

Thirst and desperation are some of the qualities that have helped BTS obtain their success. Thirst and desperation have played a part in making BTS music innovators who use their artistry to discuss important aspects of life. This has led BTS to create a worldwide impact and share their revolutionary thoughts about loving yourself. This is one of the many reasons why it is fitting to accord BTS the recognition meant solely for them, without comparing them to artists of another generation. To love yourself is to realize your worth and potential without having to live in a shadow that people have created for you.

BTS is BTS because they are revolutionary and not like any other, and to compare them multiple times outshines their revolutionary value. It diminishes the value of their hard work especially their intentions, which often possess no similarity to other artists. It also washes away the identity BTS has taken the time and effort to build throughout the years.

The music BTS creates is thought provoking and ARMY are more than willing to engage in these kinds of conversations. BTS have used their musical influence to provide a platform for people to speak. They create songs that aren’t simply neutral, but instead carry a people-first theme. This gives an opportunity for interaction and involvement to happen on many levels.

I believe people should learn how to acknowledge others without having to rely on irrelevant comparisons with other people who have had nothing to do with their achievements. This is one of the reasons why ARMY have created their own platforms by launching various editorial blogs, magazines, research teams, etc — to reclaim our own narrative. The Beatles are in a league of their own and so is BTS. There will be no second BTS — because you simply cannot duplicate heart, intention, and passion.

In an ideal world the western music industry would start seeing BTS as their own kind: a first and not the next; artists with exceptional talents and hearts. While ARMY couldn’t be more proud of the success the septet has achieved, and realize the recognition that the group has been getting is outstanding — it is also worth noting how some mainstream media creates an image of BTS as artists that sometimes downgrades their potential in the eyes of the general public.

The take away is that BTS rose to fame with the thoughts of getting their music out there, getting out of a shadow that had dimmed the light of artists like them. They didn’t think to be the next anyone when they started — they thought to be BTS and to produce music that captures their emotions: and they are exactly just that.

Comparisons between BTS and other world-famous artists are often made to amplify and compliment BTS. While it’s an incredible honor to receive such praise, we must keep in mind that the achievements BTS have obtained have been hard-won in their own unique way, for their own individual purpose. BTS didn’t buy tickets to fame. Their success hasn’t happened overnight. BTS has had a full journey of self-discovery along with their music.

BTS is BTS, not any other.

BTS is BTS: Not Any Other was originally published in Bulletproof on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.