WEEK 12 | Changing Colors
March 18 - 22, 2024
Perception.
Change is a funny thing, isn’t it? It can happen so suddenly, and when it does, we are usually caught off guard, scrambling to adjust—afraid of what’s to come next. These quick changes always seem monumental, but it’s really the small, incremental shifts that have the biggest impact, right?
When we look at ourselves in the mirror every day, we don’t necessarily notice a change each time. Maybe a little more (or less) weight, a new gray hair, a small smile line around our eyes. But we can’t use a mirror to see the small ways we’re constantly changing inside. As we move through life and interact with those around us, our perceptions can shift—altering the way we think and feel. We don’t often notice the small steps on the journey to change. We only see the outcome.
Take this short clip of the members teasing Jung Kook as he shops online for new clothes. They express surprise that he’s looking to buy a coat, and not t-shirts or baggy pants. They’re laughing and calling him cute, but the implication is that they are surprised to see him shopping online for outerwear—something they consider “adult-like”. We can see them realizing their maknae was growing up right before their eyes. This small moment is a microcosm of the changes in mindset they were all going through every day. The biggest result of this can be found in their lyrics, as they turned their introspective thoughts outward and into their music.
With The Most Beautiful Moment in Life Pt. 2, BTS shows us the beginnings of their journey toward change. Last week we talked about the metaphor of a caterpillar’s chrysalis—the transformation into a butterfly. As we look at the second half of the album, that theme continues, and we begin to see the cracks forming in the cocoon. How will they emerge? What will have changed as the butterfly unfurls its wings for the first time and flutters toward adulthood?
Playlists & Lyrics
BTS HYYH PT. 2 ALBUM SPOTIFY PLAYLIST (also embedded at bottom of post)
ARMY PROJECT 529 WEEK 12 VIDEO PLAYLIST (all YouTube links)
DAY ONE:
When we’re young, we might feel trapped by our home town—resentful toward where we’re growing up. A lot of that can most likely be attributed to youthful bravado and hormones. Young people idolize the idea of becoming an adult and moving on to something bigger and better. “I can’t wait to get out of this town.”
BTS RM with his dog Rapmon in 2016
Typically, with time and perspective (and perhaps also an actual change in location), we grow to feel differently about where we come from. Reflection can make us realize that part of what shapes who we become is the place it all started for us.
The song “Ma City” explores one’s relationship with that realization, and the pride that can come from it. The members mention their hometowns and places that have been pivotal in shaping who they are. And when they’re feeling lost, they can look back and be reminded. Rap Monster encapsulates this perfectly with his verse about Ilsan:
“Though it’s small, it embraces me much more warmly
When I feel like I’m losing myself
I find my old, faded self there”
BTS shows us that while embracing change is a necessary part of life, we should also never forget where we came from. Self-reflection on where we’ve been is a key component in growing and moving forward successfully.
“MA CITY” LIVE STAGE MIX (04:24 - as shown above)
BANGTAN BOMB: BTS TALKS ABOUT KCON IN ABU DHABI (01:47, Namjoon in glasses!)
“DOPE” LIVE AT KCON (04:03 - shown below)
“RUN” LIVE AT KCON (03:56)
JIN EXACTING SWEET REVENGE ON HIS MEMBERS: VLOG 11/29/15 (08:14 - shown below)
VLIVE WITH JIMIN & V (feat. other members, 3/6/16, PARIS) (08:24, JK: “Merci beaucoup!”)
BONUS: KKUL FM 03.09 RADIO - DJ SUGA CELEBRATING BTS’ 1,000 DAYS WITH ARMY (32:01, feat. j-hope, Jimin, and V)
Fun Fact
As ARMY, we have MANY inside jokes about BTS and the individual members based on their media (especially the things they do or say during their lives and in interviews), or even just based on pictures they take sometimes. We know, despite what Taehyung teasingly proclaimed once, that ARMY is extremely funny.
But so are the members of BTS themselves. They each have a unique and fun sense of humor, and nothing makes us happier than when they share it with us. Especially when they turn it on each other. ARMY loves it when BTS trolls themselves; it truly is something that makes them so unique and relatable.
In 2016, on April Fool’s Day, BTS went all out with a series of crazy interactions with each other on Twitter that lasted for most of the day. From them changing their background, name, and bio multiple times, to SOPE’s epic lip-syncing, to Jin and Namjoon spamming each other with animal doppelganger pictures, it was extremely hilarious. Here’s a fun video that puts together everything that transpired that day, enjoy!
APRIL FOOL’S 2016 TWITTER COMPILATION (05:58 - shown below)
DAY TWO:
Early on in our journey we talked about the meaning of Bangtan Sonyeondan: “Bulletproof Boy Scouts”. BTS have always wanted to be a shield for their generation. To protect them from the ills that plague them… and sometimes, that includes calling out those ills.
“Baepsae” has many names—”Silver Spoon” and also “Crow-Tit”. It’s a song that has a lot of layers as well. On the surface, it sounds like just a fun dance bop. The choreography is sometimes silly, other times very cocky and suggestive. It doesn’t make sense until you dive into the context of the lyrics. Suddenly, we realize that this fun dance song is actually a very pointed jab at Korean politics and society.
Picture of a crow-tit bird
A crow-tit is a small bird that has very short legs. BTS relates their generation, essentially Millennials, to this bird and an older generation, the Boomers (Baby Boomers) to storks. Storks have very long legs and can move much faster and more easily, so a crow-tit would need to expend twice as much effort just to catch up to the stork, much less keep pace. According to the explanation video we’ve linked below, what came much easier to older generations (being able to afford housing, getting married and having kids), has proven to be a lot harder for Millennials due to the current economic situation—not only in Korea, but around the whole globe as well. Millennials have found themselves having to work twice as hard to achieve half as much.
They ‘call me’ a crow-tit
This generation has suffered
Hurry and ‘chase ‘em’
Thanks to the storks, my legs are all swollen
This metaphor is potent. While BTS had taken shots at societal pressures before (“N.O” was a blast to the stringent Korean Education System), “Baepsae” was their most direct and in-your-face message so far. The choreography and the dazzling wordplay used throughout the song give a very clear message to anyone who wants to lay blame at the feet of their generation: “Fuck you.”
“BAEPSAE” MUSIC BANK PERFORMANCE (02:50 - shown above)
“BAEPSAE” DANCE PRACTICE (04:37, the LEGENDARY practice, including “rock paper scissors” for the ending dance break - as shown)
COMPILATION OF J-HOPE’S “BAEPSAE” DANCE BREAKS (03:35, You’re Welcome.)
FLASH FORWARD: LYS ERA 2021 TOUR “DOPE” & “BAEPSAE” (04:45, We repeat: You’re Welcome.)
“BAEPSAE” EXPLAINED BY A KOREAN (06:14 - as shown)
V DRINKS A LOT OF WATER IN HONG KONG: VLIVE 12/01/15 (09:45)
SUGA SHOWS ARMY THAT HE DOES EAT: VLIVE 11/29/15 (11:33, feat. a purring Mint Yoongi)
BONUS: “HOPE ON THE STREET” WITH J-HOPE & JK: VLIVE 01/26/16 (41:23)
Bangtan Bubble: Which is your favorite performance of “Baepsae”?
Answer in the comments below or on social media (be sure to tag @ARMYProject529 and mention #BangtanBubble)!
DAY THREE:
As BTS was deep in promotions for The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Pt. 2, as well as traveling to perform at many different events (including KCON in various countries), they began settling into their new, softer images.
They also became more accustomed to using the VLIVE app to communicate with ARMY all around the globe in real time. Previously, they had been filming Vlogs with tidbits from their daily lives and promotion schedules to upload to YouTube or to their Fan Cafe.
VLIVE gave the members the opportunity not only to connect with ARMY anywhere they wanted to and at any time, but it also allowed them to interact via the comments viewers left while watching the live broadcast. Suddenly, BTS could actually chat with ARMY in an unscripted and spontaneous way. Some of the members were more at ease in this format than others. But they always made sure to take time to make ARMY feel special.
This new form of communication became the source of many cherished memes and inside jokes that have come about over the years. First through VLIVE, and now Weverse, ARMY can depend on a BTS LIVE to be amazing. Whether it’s all of them on a LIVE, a few, or just one, it will always be unexpected and entertaining.
“BAEPSAE” STAGE MIX (4:05, Once again: You’re Welcome.)
THE MOST FAMOUS “BAEPSAE” FANCAM IN EXISTENCE (01:54, Just keep thanking us.)
SUGA REVIEWS HYYH ON STAGE PHOTOBOOK: VLIVE 11/27/15 (06:26, Mint Yoongi in glasses - shown above)
RAP MONSTER TALKS HYYH ON STAGE: VLIVE 11/28/15 (05:16, he changes his name to PinkMon)
V SHOWS US MORE OF THE HYYH ON STAGE PHOTOBOOK: VLIVE 11/29/15 (08:47, Taehyung shows us his first nude)
BANGTAN BOMB: THE MAKNAES “SHOW ME YOUR BBA SAE?” (02:13, feat. the secret 4th maknae - shown below)
“1VERSE” BY J-HOPE (02:54, sampled from “El Chapo” by The Game and Skrillex - as shown below)
“PAPER HEARTS” COVER BY JUNG KOOK (03:15, Original by Tori Kelly - shown below)
J-HOPE & JUNG KOOK IN THE DANCE STUDIO (02:04, “Manolo” and “Baepsae”)
BTS Official Light Stick (ARMY Bomb) Promotional Photo
Fun Fact
When we see footage of BTS in concert, and the camera pans out around the crowd, what’s one of the first images that pops into your head as you think about that scene? Is it a wave of lit up ARMY Bombs, moving in time to the music?
If it wasn’t, maybe you’re asking “What’s an ARMY Bomb?” now. In the K-Pop industry, when an artist or group has established themselves—when it’s clear they’re sticking around and not just a ‘one hit wonder’, they will usually release a light stick for their fans to purchase and use at their events or concerts. These light sticks will be designed personally to fit the theme of the artist and their fandom.
The ARMY Bomb is BTS’ official Fan Light Stick. The first version of the ARMY Bomb was unveiled on March 10, 2015. The name is a play on the fandom’s name, but the shape represents something different. According to BTS Wiki:
Having a translucent, rounded shape, this light stick mimics the pattern of a globe describing how the group has taken over the world with growing international popularity.
As technology has advanced, so have the capabilities of K-Pop light sticks. The first version of the ARMY Bomb lit up, but subsequent designs have enabled Bluetooth technology and can connect to a special app when you take one to a BTS event or concert. When an ARMY Bomb is synced up at an event, it will light up different colors and in specific beat patterns, depending on which song is playing.
Version Two was revealed on Feb. 10, 2017 and came with Bluetooth to enable color changes during concerts. A third version was released on July 27, 2018 along with an app that allowed users to control the settings manually if they wished, and also added seat synchronizing. Lastly, on April 14, 2020, the MAP OF THE SOUL Special Edition ARMY Bomb was released along with a new app for controlling the Bluetooth.
Do you think BTS will release another new ARMY Bomb design once they’re all back from their military service and are getting ready to go on their next world tour?
DAY FOUR:
The track “Autumn Leaves” is nothing like “Baepsae”, yet the two songs have something in common. At first listen, they both sound deceptively different than one would expect based on the messages they convey. “Autumn Leaves” isn’t political though—it covers a more familiar subject matter… love.
What comes to mind when you think of autumn? Crisp breezes, brilliant colors and falling leaves, right? It signals the end of growth for the year, and heralds a period of cold stasis. BTS uses this as a metaphor for a failing relationship on its last legs. The leaves dying and falling off the trees is a symbol of the fragility of love.
Because those precarious dead leaves over there look like us
Because they look like they’ll crumble at any slightest touch
I just gazed at them like the autumn wind
The way of talking and looking that had already turned cold
I can see our relationship only being withered away
Our relationship that is empty like the autumn sky
The lyrics are sad, but the song itself has a beat that makes you want to move, and the vocals soar, making us feel uplifted, rather than depressed. As they’ve told us many times before, it’s okay to be sad, but we shouldn’t dwell too long. With every ending there has to be a new beginning. Autumn and winter must happen so that spring, and new life, can come again. “Yeah, my love falls in order to rise…”
“SKIT: ON NIGHT IN A STRANGE CITY” COLOR-CODED LYRICS (04:25)
CONGRATS ON 2 MILLION VLIVE AND TWT FOLLOWERS: VLIVE 03/10/16 (08:46, j-hope sits upon a throne of lies - shown below)
“AUTUMN LEAVES” LIVE PERFORMANCE (04:23 - shown above)
FLASH FORWARD: JUNG KOOK “AUTUMN LEAVES” BIRTHDAY KARAOKE: VLIVE 08/31/21 (02:31)
BANGTAN BOMB: JIN TRIES TO HELP SUGA WITH HIS CONTACTS (0:33)
BANGTAN BOMB: JIMIN STARTS A SNOWBALL FIGHT HE CAN’T FINISH (03:15)
JIMIN IS ADORABLE, SMILES AT US, & SPILLS TEA ON THE MEMBERS: VLIVE 11/27/15 (02:07)
JIN STEALS FROM BIG HIT & DEMONSTRATES HIS SLEEP HABITS: VLIVE 11/28/15 (03:09)
BANGTAN BOMB: THE MAKNAES AND J-HOPE CONTINUE THEIR DOMINATION AT ISAC (01:46, another 400M relay win)
SUGA AND JIMIN & ARCHERY AT ISAC (10:48)
“HAND IN HAND” AT ISAC (03:49, someone gave Namjoon caffeine)
BONUS: BACKSTAGE AT SHOW CHAMPION (17:19, they are exhausted and punch-drunk, feat. Jin’s goofy laugh, not on YouTube playlist)
Fun Fact:
We first mentioned the Bangtan Universe during the first week of exploring The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Pt. 1 and the video for “I NEED U”. The lore in the BU goes very deep, and as we said before, we don’t plan on rewriting the whole story here, but we do want to provide links to supplemental information when it is helpful.
Flowers are a recurring theme in the BU, and most often in relation to Jin’s character. In 2017, just before BTS’ Love Yourself: Her comeback was released, a blog was created on the Naver site called “Smeraldo”. Nine fictional stories were posted on that blog, all centered around the background of the fictional smeraldo flower, which was featured in the BU.
Below we have linked to the same site (thebtseffect.com) which explained the Save Me webtoon to us a couple of weeks ago, and here she summarizes not only all of the blog posts and stories about the smeraldo flower, but also provides the timeline in which everything was posted.
DAY FIVE:
If “Autumn Leaves” is about a relationship ending, then maybe the final song on The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Pt. 2 is how we got there. “Outro: House of Cards” is sung only by the Vocal Line of BTS (Jin, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook) and it features a sultry, slow-moving beat that almost hypnotizes you as you listen.
Thematically, the song is linked to tracks that have come before, like “I NEED U” and, as mentioned above, “Autumn Leaves”. It concerns a relationship doomed to fail, no matter the feelings of those involved.
No way, no way, no way it falls
As time passes,
It keeps getting ruined more and more
No way, no way it’s collapsing again ah
Inside a house made of cards we are
The ‘lovers’ keep trying, even though they know that what the have is now as precarious as a house built with playing cards. They know it’s futile, but they also don’t want to give up. When you watch the performance linked below, the passion and conviction displayed by the Vocal Line is mesmerizing. They really make us feel the lyrics. You can hear the desperation in Jimin’s voice as he sings, “Please baby, calm down!”
BTS Jimin.
The members of BTS were no strangers to feeling like their efforts were inadequate. They’ve often expressed feeling unworthy, and said don’t deserve the accolades they’ve received, or ARMY’s unwavering devotion. In a Vlog from April of 2016 (linked below) Jimin speaks openly about struggling with thinking he is “not good enough” in his singing capabilities. He talks about practicing over and over with a vocal coach, even though he “knows” he can’t do it. He says he isn’t worthy of BTS or ARMY—the same Jimin who hits that devastating high note in “House of Cards”.
It’s difficult to watch him talk about himself this way… to hear the emotion in his voice and see his eyes get glassy with unshed tears. We want to shout at him: “You ARE good enough; you’re amazing and we love you!” But Imposter Syndrome is real. We all have that voice in our head, at least to a degree, that tells us we’re not worth it. That we never will be, no matter what we do.
Thankfully, Jimin and the other members have each other (and ARMY) to help build them up when those internal voices are trying to take over. BTS has always been humble, but in recent years, they seem to have embraced their worth more, along with the huge impact they’ve had on the world around them.
“OUTRO: HOUSE OF CARDS” LIVE EPILOGUE JAPAN 2016 (04:21, YOU’RE WELCOME. - shown above)
V EATS FRUIT & LISTENS TO JAZZ IN JAPAN: VLIVE 03/22/16 (05:03 - as shown)
BTS IN VIETNAM: VLIVE 01/19/16 (06:59, feat. Jin on the ukulele)
HIGHLIGHTS FROM BTS PERFORMING IN VIETNAM ON VLIVE TV (14:47)
“I LOVE YOU 난 너를 사랑해” COVER BY JIN (02:48, original by Mate - as shown)
Bangtan Bubble: Do you struggle with Imposter Syndrome and how do you beat it?
Answer in the comments below or on social media (be sure to tag @ARMYProject529 and mention #BangtanBubble)!
FINAL THOUGHTS:
As we wrap up The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Pt. 2, what’s your biggest take away from this album? It sums up perfectly the fleeting and transitory nature of youth, and the difficult and often complex issues we find ourselves facing as we run toward that next big step in life. It’s terrifying, but worth it all the same.
When we come back next week, we’ll be beginning the final chapter in the HYYH series, The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Young Forever, and we’ll find out what happens when we finally stop running, and take a look at what’s in front of us.
BTS The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Young Forever
Side Quest
Remember in Week Six when we told you about BTS’ Fan Concert Events known as “Musters”?
The first one was held at the Seoul Olympic Hall in 2014. The 2nd Muster happened almost two years later, in January 2016, at the Hwajung Gymnasium. It was called “Zip Code 22920” and the attendance tripled from 3,000 back in 2014 to 9,000 ARMYs in 2016.
BTS 2ND Muster Promotional Image
2ND MUSTER TEASER (02:45 - shown above)
2ND MUSTER, PT. 1 (25:43, not in YouTube playlist)
2ND MUSTER, PT. 2 (26:06, not in YouTube playlist)
2ND MUSTER, PT. 3 (26:19, not in YouTube playlist)
2ND MUSTER, PT. 4 (26:52, not in YouTube playlist)
2ND MUSTER, PT. 5 (22:45, not in YouTube playlist)
2ND MUSTER, PT. 6 (19:12, not in YouTube playlist)
2ND MUSTER: PRACTICE AND MAKING OF (33:26, not in YouTube playlist)
CREDITS:
YouTube/Web
HYBE LABELS, BANGTANTV, Bangtan Subs, Brilliant, Bangtanie Subs, KBS Kpop, theultimatedodo, BTS ARMY Tunisia, BTS Live Archive, Candlelight, Old Peppy Grace, jhopestudio, SISSY TRIOS, DKDKTV, Mnet K-POP, btslovelyarmys, Army Vweng, Lynn Eksonyeondan, Ana Luiza, joselina, TSN1995, BANGTAN VLIVE, seokmos, 비밀해죠TV, dailymotion.com (Kim taehyungie태태, ENTERTAINMENT STUDIOS), thebtseffect.com, twitter.com (@BTStranslation_)
ARMY Project 529 Volunteers
Research Team: Angel (TikTok: Lilangel2828), Leslie Day (TikTok: Leslie Day), Merry (TikTok: merryj67), Sam T (TikTok: samt_26), Shelley (TikTok: shels167), Trudy (TikTok: theeducationmommy), Viv (TikTok: VivEliz); Video Team: Leslie Day (TikTok: Leslie Day); Editing Team: Kendra (Discord: Mudskipper); Website Team: Colette (TikTok: voicesinmyhead2)
Join us on TikTok every Sunday evening at 8pm ET for #the529live, a wrap up of each week's The 529 Connection. It’s hosted by AP529 Founder, Stefne, on her channel (@StefARMYProject529). If you can't watch live and want to watch later, Lives will be recorded and posted to our YouTube (@ARMY Project 529).