WEEK 25 | Let Me Love You

Monday Muster
Written By Quince

June 17 - 21, 2024

Destiny.

Over the past few months, I’ve heard many stories from the AP529 community about how they discovered BTS and became ARMY. One of the most recurring themes among them is that of “fate”. A lot of us, myself included, feel that we were meant to have BTS in our lives, like it was destined.

You don’t find BTS, they find you—when you need them the most, and can appreciate them the best.

And honestly—that can happen at any moment. They are always evolving, never satisfied to stay stagnant in the same style for too long. It might seem crazy to most other artists that they decided to release a new album while still in the middle of a world tour for their last two, but… that’s BTS.

BTS - Love Yourself: Her album cover

Love Yourself 承 ‘HER’ came out on September 18, 2017. The title track, “DNA” was an instant hit, and in fact, BTS made their U.S. television debut with a performance of it at the 2017 American Music Awards. That song talks about a love that is ‘meant to be’... a theme echoed on the rest of the album. BTS had obviously written about love before, but this was a far cry from the sweet and/or immature love songs we heard in the School Trilogy. With LYS: Her we were finally getting to hear BTS talk about love, and all of the emotions that come with it, from a truly adult perspective. It was exciting, and served to further capture the attention of audiences around the world.

After the album’s release, its songs were added to the set list of the WINGS tour, and BTS threw themselves into performing even harder as they closed out that year. Their success was climbing, but as the tour came to an end, they found themselves exhausted—both physically and mentally. 

BTS (방탄소년단) LOVE YOURSELF 承 “HER” JACKET SHOOTING SKETCH (04:16) 

 

Playlists & Lyrics

 
 

Skip to Content: Day One | Day Two | Day Three | Day Four | Day Five

 

DAY ONE:

Jimin LYS:Her photo shoot

Up until Love Yourself 承 ‘HER’, intro songs had only been done by members of the Rap Line. But a change in focus and message also called for a change in structure. So, it was time for the Vocal Line to start us off, and first up was Jimin, with “Intro: Serendipity”. 


The song is co-written by RM and the lyrics explore themes of destiny, along with the exhilaration one feels in the discovery of love, then accepting it and letting it happen. Jimin sings about how love has the power to change everything—though it can be unpredictable—when we open our hearts, we can find real happiness. 

Perhaps it is the providence of the universe

It just had to be like this

U know I know

You’re me, I’m you 

The word ‘serendipity’ was coined in 1754 by Horace Walpole, who was a writer, an art historian, a politician, and the 4th Earl of Oxford. It refers to an “unexpected, but fortuitous discovery”. Or, if you want to think about it in terms of Bob Ross—”a happy accident”. In the song, though Jimin ponders the various reasons that love may have found him, he is glad that it has.


The song sounds sweetly romantic, carried by Jimin’s distinctively high, clear vocal on top of a beautifully slow R&B beat, as he pleads with us to accept him.

LYS: Her - 'Serendipity' Comeback Trailer

Love me now touch me now

Just let me love you

Just let me love you

Ever since the universe was first created,

everything has been destined

Just let me love you


I mean, if you insist, Jimin…

 

SUGA VLOG - 9/18/2017 before the release of LYS:Her

LYS: Her - Highlight Reel

 

Fun Fact

In the lyrics of “Intro: Serendipity”, Jimin calls himself a calico cat. Our calico cat.

I’m your calico cat

that came to meet you…

Obviously, cats are cute. And so is Jimin. But is there more to this lyric than just that? In many cultures, calico cats are believed to be harbingers of good luck and fortune. As Jimin is singing to us (because of course he is), is he saying “I’ll be your source of good fortune”?

Also, did you know that calico is not a breed of cat, it is actually a color variation? Calicos are almost always female because the locus (the physical location) of the gene for the orange/non-orange coloring is on the X chromosome. Females have XX chromosomes, while males have XY.

While he was promoting for FACE, Jimin spoke about the girl who appeared in his “Like Crazy” video. He said she represented another part of himself, a part that feels lost, and that’s why he appears to be looking for her.

Recently, on his episode of Suchwita, Taemin (from the group SHINee, and also a very good friend of Jimin’s) said that both he and Jimin present a “gender-neutral” image to the public—neither masculine, nor feminine—or maybe, both. Could the calico cat be a representation of this for Jimin? We don’t know, but it’s interesting to think about, isn’t it?

Jimin Stage Mix - "Serendipity"

 
 

DAY TWO:

You know when you are newly in love and everything feels really intense and exciting, and just completely right? That’s the sentiment evoked by the next song on Love Yourself: Her, the title track, “DNA”.

BTS performing “DNA” and creating a DNA molecule strand with their bodies

In fact, it could be considered as a loose follow-up to “Intro: Serendipity”, with lyrics that further the themes of a destined love. The song not only references connections through past lives, but also science, specifically one’s biological makeup—one’s DNA.

Because in the past life and maybe in the next one as well,

we’re forever together

I recognized you at first sight

as if we were calling each other

The DNA in my blood vessel tells me

that it’s you that I’ve been looking all over for


If you’re not already familiar, DNA is an acronym that stands for “Deoxyribonucleic Acid” and it is the molecule inside our cells that contains genetic information responsible for the development and function of an organism. These molecules also allow for that genetic information to be passed onto future generations of that bloodline. So the lyric here implies that the love BTS is singing about in the song was predetermined by the genetic information passed along through DNA. It’s very clever, right?

There are several other references made in the song to express the inevitability of this love—it’s compared to a mathematical formula, chalked up to religious design, or that of the entire universe. SUGA’s verse goes one step further and claims there’s no such thing as coincidence, only destiny playing its part.

Official "DNA" M/V

 

Bonus: BTS Special [2017 KBS Song Festival]

 

BTS "DNA" M/V shooting

BTS reacts to "DNA" M/V

BTS "DNA" 2x Dance Time at BTS Countdown

 
 
 

Bangtan Bubble: Do you think that love, any kind of love, can be destined?

 
 

Let us know your answer in the comments below or on social media (include #BangtanBubble)!

 

DAY THREE:

BTS also found themselves experimenting with new sounds on “DNA”. The track features acoustic guitars, synthesizers, and autotune effects. It found immediate success at home in South Korea, with the group winning 1st place on various music shows ten times—even when they weren’t present to perform!

It caught on internationally as well, landing on Billboard’s “100 Best Songs of 2017”. BTS was the only Korean group on that list. They also became the first K-Pop group to enter the “Global Top 50” on Spotify that year. “DNA” was also the most watched M/V of 2017, and remains extremely popular to this day. It recently reached 1.5 BILLION streams on YouTube. 

The song’s successful performance in America also gave BTS an opportunity to perform at the AMAs, marking their performance debut on American television that fall. They were also invited to be guests on “The Late Late Show with James Corden”—the first K-Pop act to ever do so. “DNA” and Love Yourself 承 ‘HER’ definitely heralded BTS’ breakthrough into the American mainstream music industry. 

BTS performing "DNA" on Show Champion

 

"DNA" Special Stage (BTS Focus) at MMA

BTS Won 1st place on MCountdown

 

Fun Fact

Is there anything better than when Kim Namjoon goes LIVE in his studio to talk to ARMY and describe the process behind his songwriting on a BTS album?

The answer is no, of course there isn’t.

Nothing makes RM more animated than talking about the behind-the-scenes of putting an album together. (Well, maybe catching crabs at the beach…) His eyes get huge and sparkly, his smile becomes a mile wide (with the dimples on full display), and he typically becomes increasingly more and more excited as the livestream continues.

His LIVE discussion of Love Yourself 承 ‘HER’ is no different—except he FINALLY learned to put the camera on a tripod instead of holding it and giving us all motion sickness. He, of course, spends the first few minutes trying to fix the livestream (which is already working), and then goes right into his rapid fire explanation of each song on the album.

We also get an adorable cameo from Jimin in this video, who makes his presence known to Namjoon and the viewers in the most charming way possible. I dare you not to crack up when Namjoon just sighs and looks into the camera as Jimin plasters himself against the studio door in the background.

It’s peak comedy gold. Enjoy!

 
 

DAY FOUR:

When we covered BTS’ appearance at the 2017 Billboard Awards and their win for “Top Social Artist”, we linked to a Bangtan Bomb that showed their entire experience there, including all of the behind-the-scenes footage, which included them geeking out backstage over all the western artists they had been sitting next to out in the audience. 

(L to R) - Jung Kook, V, Drew, RM, Alex, Jin, Jimin, SUGA, and j-hope

BTS selfie with Alex and Drew of The Chainsmokers

One of those artists—The Chainsmokers—was mentioned multiple times by various members, in a voice of reverence. And at some point that night, BTS got to meet them. The appreciation was clearly mutual, as the electronic duo later posted a message on their social media that hinted at a possible collaboration. 

A few months later, The Chainsmokers played in South Korea, and BTS appeared at their show and joined them on their song “Closer” (orig. featuring Halsey… foreshadowing?). A week or so later, Love Yourself 承 ‘HER’ dropped, and it included “Best of Me”, a track featuring samples written by The Chainsmokers. This song, aside from being absolutely amazing, is historically important as well. It marks the first time BTS (as a group) collaborated with an American artist, opening the gates to so many more amazing collaborations down the line. 

“Best of Me” has, of course, an electronic dance sound, but it is also a sweet love song. It could be interpreted to be about romantic love, or perhaps even the love between BTS and ARMY. The lyrics invoke that feeling of invincibility we can get from being told “I love you”—we never want that feeling to end.

When you say that you love me

I walk on the sky 

Tell me about forever, just one more time

When you say that you love me

One single sentence is enough for me                                                                                      


There is no official M/V for “Best of Me”, but the live performances of the song are some of the best I’ve ever seen from BTS. The choreography is high-energy organized chaos, which matches the feel of the song and its message perfectly. Jimin and Jung Kook’s solo dance break in the middle of the song is especially not to be missed!

"Best of Me" Comeback Stage

 

"Best of Me" Stage Mix

BTS talk about famous people, fav Apps, Karaoke songs, and America Pt 1

BTS talk about texting, shopping, what they would steal from each other. Pt 2

 

Fun Fact:

We know RM’s lyrics are often extremely poetic. In fact he once said that, had he not become a rapper/idol, he might have been a poet.

Sometimes his when he makes a cryptic post online, or when he rambles while on LIVE with us, it might seem really random, but what we hear/read always has the potential to end up in song lyrics.

During the VLive linked above in the previous Fun Fact, when talking about writing the lyrics for “Best of Me”, Namjoon references a post he had made months before, on BTS’ official Fan Cafe, on July 8th.

I wanted to be gentle waves

but why didn’t I know you are the sea

These lyrics can be directly traced back to that message on Fan Cafe, in which RM had been reflecting on his feelings after the groups fourth Festa, and the wrap-up of the Japanese leg of their WINGS tour. He said he felt adrift, equating the pressures of fame to sometimes be like a cold and dark ocean, in which he’d rather be kind-hearted an warm.

To read the entire quote and get a bit more context, check out the link below of an analyzation of “Best of Me”. And let’s all be grateful once again for the fact that we benefit so often from Namjoon’s stream of consciousness ramblings…

 
 

DAY FIVE:

BTS on the Magenta Carpet of the AMAs

As I mentioned earlier this week, “DNA” performed very well in the United States after it’s release as the title track for Love Yourself 承 ‘HER’ and that led to BTS catching the western music industry’s attention more so than they ever had before.

The group was invited to perform the song that November at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles. They’d made headlines back in May with their win at the BBMAs, but they hadn’t performed, so many still had no idea what they were capable of. The AMAs had not nominated BTS in any categories, nor asked them to present an award, but they DID offer them the opportunity to make their debut on American television. And for many in the western audience, this was their first time seeing BTS do their thing on stage. 

While the reactions were overwhelmingly positive, it’s also clear that there were a lot of people in the industry and surrounding it who had no idea how to deal with a group like BTS. The label of “boy band” was thrown around liberally, and a lot of focus was put on how they looked, and their screaming fans. Most American interviews from this time period are painful to watch, because the hosts often didn’t really know who they were, and did the absolute bare minimum of research before talking to them. As always, when we source material to show you, we try to stick to the least cringey interviews—the ones that were actually insightful and allowed the members to talk about what’s important to them, like their music and their “Love Yourself” campaign with UNICEF.

And, despite some of their interviews and appearances lacking depth or being somewhat silly, they did also offer the members chances to show off their personalities. We know that BTS is often hilarious, but when there is a language barrier in place, it can be difficult for those who don’t know them as well as ARMY does to see that. Moments from the “Flinch” segment from their first appearance on the “Late Late Show with James Corden”—like Jin’s false bravado, j-hope immediately being so scared he fell down, or V never flinching or breaking character for even a second—showed American audiences how naturally funny and charismatic BTS is, and made them want to get to know them more.

Flinch with BTS on the "Late Show with James Corden"

 
 

"Bangtan Bomb" - BTS at the AMAs 2017

BTS on their upcoming AMAs performance "It's unbelievable!" - Access Hollywood

Korean Pop Sensation BTS Appears on the KTLA 5 Morning News

BTS on Mario Lopez

 
 
 
 

Bangtan Bubble: Why do you think it was LY: HER that finally got BTS recognition in America?

 

Let us know your answer in the comments below or on social media (include #BangtanBubble)!

 
 

FINAL THOUGHTS:

It feels good to deep dive back into the discography, doesn’t it? I don’t know if the haze from Festa has completely worn off yet (I still can’t believe Jin is back!!!), but writing this week’s blog felt like stretching a tight muscle—uncomfortable at first, but then familiar and relieving.

We’ve got two more weeks to spend with Love Yourself 承 ‘HER’, and next week is a BIG one. If you’re already familiar with the track list… well, you know what’s coming. If you’re not… just prepare yourself to be completely and thoroughly wrecked by BTS as they scold us for obsessing over them in one breath, and then give another middle finger to their haters with the next one. Stay tuned!

LYS: Her Album cover

 
 
 

Side Quest

BTS’ 4th Muster fan meet was called “Happy Ever After” and was held over two days (January 13 & 14, 2018) at the Gocheok Sky Dome in South Korea.

40,000 ARMYs were in attendance. That’s a far cry from the 3,000 who came in 2014 to the very 1st Muster.

There are many absolutely epic moments in this Muster. Some highlights include the amazing OT7 rendition of Seo Taiji’s “Come Back Home”, some standout contributions from their wardrobe department (soooo many harnesses), and a continuation of their “House of ARMY” drama. This one is called “Guardians of the ARMY Bomb, and features some of the members dressed up as actual ARMY Bombs.

 
 

  1. 4TH MUSTER: HAPPY EVER AFTER, DISC 1 (1:24:07, not in YT playlist - shown above) 

  2. 4TH MUSTER: HAPPY EVER AFTER, DISC 2.1 (57:59, not in YT playlist)

  3. 4TH MUSTER: HAPPY EVER AFTER, DISC 2.2 (t50:38, not in YT playlist)

  4. 4TH MUSTER: HAPPY EVER AFTER, DISC 3.1 (1:03:07, not in YT playlist)

  5. 4TH MUSTER: HAPPY EVER AFTER, DISC 3.2 (48:27, not in YT playlist)  

 
 
 

CREDITS:

YouTube/Web

HYBE LABELS, BANGTANTV, Bangtan Subs, Bangtan Subs, 104KRBEFM, Access Hollywood, Adam Bomb, AskAnythingChat, Billboard, BTS being BTS, BTS Live Archive, Friz프리즈, KBSWORLD TV, Kookies and Cream, KTLA 5, L PJM, "NIAPI ⟭⟬ ⟬⟭", ONWithMarioLopez, The Late Show

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).

Quince
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