WEEK 35 | What if the Moment’s Right Now?
August 26 - September 1, 2024
Identity.
When we’re on the journey to find ourselves, one of the crucial steps is realizing there are many pieces to the puzzle, and then figuring out how to fit them all together. MAP OF THE SOUL: PERSONA was about the introspection that comes along with learning to love ourselves. The next step for BTS was taking the sense of self gained from that introspection and reconciling it with the world around them. How could they remain true to themselves while dealing with burnout, lack of inspiration, and the trappings of fame?
That’s what we’ll talk about this week as we begin our trip through their next album, MAP OF THE SOUL: 7. Released on February 21st, 2020, the album was meant to serve as a bookend to the first chapter of BTS’ career. They had spent the months before the release planning and practicing for an accompanying world tour, their biggest yet. They were set to have shows in more countries than they ever had before, and were massively excited about sharing it with ARMY. Their intention was (though they wouldn’t share this information until a few years later) to do the tour and then all of them go in to serve their mandatory military service after it was over.
But that plan didn’t come to fruition. What they, and all of us, didn’t know was that the entire world was about to turn upside down. The COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe in the early months of 2020, but seemed isolated until late February, early March. Just a couple weeks after MAP OF THE SOUL: 7 dropped the world came to a screeching halt. Everything was canceled—businesses closed and people were laid off from their jobs. We all went into lockdown mode.
BTS was included in this. The remainder of their comeback promotions were canceled. And as the situation worsened, the tour dates started to disappear as well. They saw all the plans they’d made for the next couple of years vanishing before their eyes. What were they going to do now?
The answer? Adjust. If there is one thing that BTS is good at above anything else, it’s learning, adapting, and growing. As we begin exploring MAP OF THE SOUL: 7, an album that is about reconciling one’s self to the surrounding world, we’ll see how the members applied that lesson in real-time while navigating how to stay connected with, and reassure their fans during a global pandemic. The results of their efforts would have far more impact than they could have imagined—in fact, they would soon be launched into global super stardom.
Playlists & Lyrics
BTS: MAP OF THE SOUL: 7 ALBUM SPOTIFY PLAYLIST (also embedded at bottom of post)
BTS: MAP OF THE SOUL: 7 LYRICS TRANSLATION COMPILATION (pdf)
ARMY PROJECT 529 WEEK 35 VIDEO PLAYLIST (all YouTube links)
DAY ONE:
I’ve said before that when I first began my journey down the BTS rabbit hole, I didn’t understand the concept of having a bias. It felt like “picking a favorite” was somehow immature, like the behavior of teenagers with posters plastered all over their bedroom. (*resolutely ignores the large poster of V now hanging up next to her desk*) However, the farther I went down the hole, the more I dived into their lyrics and learned each of their stories, my attention kept coming back to one member over and over again—SUGA. When D-DAY was released, it felt like a punch in the face… in the best way possible.
"Interlude: Shadow" M/V
That’s right. Min Yoongi made me understand what it meant to have a bias, and although he now shares that title with V and RM, he’ll always be my first. While it was D-DAY that solidified my decision, I had been resonating with his lyrics for months before that. The song that first began my hard fall for SUGA was none other than “Interlude: Shadow” from MAP OF THE SOUL: 7.
The song was co written by a veritable dream team—RM, SUGA, Pdogg (long-time Big Hit producer), GHSTLOOP (he’s worked with Jimin on both FACE and MUSE), and EL CAPITXN (SUGA’s longtime friend, and writing/producing partner). It doesn’t get much better. The song frankly discusses how SUGA feels about becoming a famous artist, and all the ups and downs that have come along with it.
I wanna be
I wanna be a rap star
I wanna be the top
I wanna be a rockstar
I want it all mine
I wanna be rich
I wanna be the king
I wanna be me
We know that SUGA did not grow up wealthy, and we also know that when he began songwriting and rapping in his early teens, his parents were not supportive. When he wrote songs for other artists while still in Daegu, sometimes they ripped him off and didn’t pay him. This led to him often having to choose between having money for food or having money for transportation. In other words, he struggled. By the time he arrived in Seoul and joined Big Hit, he had a chip on his shoulder and an overwhelming desire to prove to everyone exactly what he was capable of.
"Interlude: Shadow" M/V
After BTS debuted, and he (along with RM) began to receive backlash from the underground rap scene they’d previously been part of, his hunger to be successful and “be the top” increased exponentially. And with a lot of determination and hard work—it happened. BTS proved everyone wrong time and time again. They broke barriers, set records, and became bigger than any of them ever dreamed they would. Their success brought them money, awards, adoration, influence, and so much love. But it also brought them criticism, scrutiny, heightened expectations, and quite a lot of haters.
I’m scared of flying high
No one told me
how lonely it is here
That my leap can be my fall
Now I know
that sometimes running away is the second best
People say, in that bright light, it’s splendor
But my shadow rather grows even bigger,
swallows me, and becomes a monster
SUGA is afraid of losing himself. He compares BTS’ growing fame with a shadow, and worries that he will be consumed by it. We can’t outrun our shadows, no matter how hard we try, because they are a part of us. There is a part in the song when he becomes his shadow, and starts talking back to himself: “We’re one body, and sometimes we will crash, You will never be able to take me off of you, you get it, right?” In other words, for better or worse—fame is what he wanted. And now that he has it, he has to figure out how to accept and deal with what that means for him.
MAP OF THE SOUL: 7 Concept Photos (2:49 - as shown below)
BANGTAN BOMB: 3J Unit Photo Shooting Behind | MOTS:7 JACKET SHOOT (2:55)
BANGTAN BOMB: Jin and JK Boxing with a Squeaky Hammer | MOTS:7 JACKET SHOOT (1:13)
BANGTAN BOMB: Jin, SUGA, JK Let's Play Hopscotch | MOTS:7 JACKET SHOOT (1:58)
BANGTAN BOMB: Jin's Selfie Time | MOTS:7 JACKET SHOOT (2:27)
BANGTAN BOMB: Who's This Unexpected Guest? | MOTS:7 JACKET SHOOT (1:55 - as shown below)
BANGTAN BOMB: Professional Photobomber Jin | MOTS:7 JACKET SHOOT (1:42)
MAP OF THE SOUL: 7 “Interlude: Shadow” Comeback Trailer (3:00)
EPISODE: “Interlude: Shadow” Comeback Trailer Shooting (4:27)
BONUS: BANGTAN BOMB - 7 Different Poses for 7 | MOTS:7 PRESS CONFERENCE (1:40)
BONUS: BTS Global Press Conference MAP OF THE SOUL : 7 (1:19:05)
Author’s Note:
Sometimes life imitates art, and it’s not always enjoyable.
As I research and make notes while working on the blog, I often find myself wrapped up in my own BTS-sponsored mini therapy sessions. Exploring the entirety of their discography from a creative writing standpoint has given me more opportunity for self-reflection than some of my years in therapy did.
Writing the blog this week, particularly writing about “Interlude: Shadow” and SUGA’s struggle with fame, was particularly difficult for me, given everything that has been going on with Yoongi the past few weeks (August 2024).
In the M/V for the song, SUGA is running from a mob. (They’re faceless, so they could represent many things—reporters, netizens, zealous fans, etc.) He is surrounded by mirrors and the flashing lights from cameras as he sings about being scared of flying too high because he doesn’t want to fall.
It hits a bit too close to home right now. As ARMY rallies around Yoongi and the rest of BTS, wishing that we could shield them from every bit of negativity that’s out there, I would like to remind you of Yoongi finally walking through that door on the last day of his “D-DAY: The Final” concert last year in Seoul. That moment was years in the making, and he worked hard to reach that point.
He got through the emotions that led him to write “Interlude: Shadow” once before. He will do it again. Min Yoongi is strong. BTS is strong. ARMY is strong.
Let’s never forget: “Future’s gonna be okay…”
DAY TWO:
Inspiration is a fickle mistress. It can be both the greatest joy and bane for creative people. When the inspiration is flowing, magic happens, and the world makes sense. But when it is elusive, the resulting despair can feel cataclysmic.
"Black Swan" Official M/V
“Black Swan” perfectly encompasses these contradictory feelings. It features a heavy trap beat layered over a gorgeous orchestral melody. The lyrics speak of fear and despair, while the visuals showcase breath-taking choreography and passionate expression. It is also the BTS song that finally sent me down the rabbit hole. I had heard of BTS before, here and there. And then when they blew up with “Dynamite” and “Butter”, they were everywhere. Pop music isn’t my main bag, so I heard them and bopped my head, but wasn’t inspired to delve further. However, the first time I saw the M/V for “Black Swan”, I was speechless. And I immediately had to know more.
Throughout the song, the members of BTS express their fear of what would happen if music suddenly no longer resonated with them. What if inspiration deserted them completely and they felt like they had nothing left to contribute? I think we can all relate to this feeling, whether our life passion lies in a creative pursuit or not.
It feels like time has stopped
Oh that would be my first death
I’ve been always afraid of
If this can no longer make me cry
If this can no longer make my heart flutter
Perhaps, this will be how I die once
But what if that moment’s right now
Right now
In the above lyrics, SUGA and RM both say they’re afraid of what would happen if they suddenly lost their passion to create music. In the M/V we see a lot of examples of ‘forced perspective’ which is a technique that employs optical illusion to make an object appear farther away, closer, larger or smaller than it actually is. This suggests that the fears we feel often seem bigger than they actually are. We also get a lot of mirror and shadow imagery in the video. This, along with the song’s title and the obvious usage of wings throughout, are a direct reference to the 2010 Natalie Portman movie, Black Swan. The film chronicles a ballerina’s descent into madness caused by crippling self-doubt and the pressures of competition in the ballet world.
"Black Swan" Performance on the Late Late Show with James Corden
Bangtan Bubble: Have you ever given up something that once fulfilled you creatively?
Let us know your answer in the comments below or on social media (include #BangtanBubble)!
DAY THREE:
“A dancer dies twice—once, when they stop dancing—and this first death is the more painful.”
“Black Swan” Art Film performed by MN Dance Company
The above is a quote from famed choreographer, Martha Graham. It references that moment when a dancer comes to realize their body has changed and they are no longer able to perform as they want to. When “Black Swan” was first released, it was not alongside the M/V we all know so well today. It was actually accompanied by an art film (linked below) that featured a dance company performing to an all orchestral version of the song. In the choreography of this performance, the principal dancer repeatedly tries to break free and escape, but the rest of the dancers keep pulling him back into their fold.
To me, this seems to represent the idea that we can never completely let go of our passion. We might have to change the way we explore it, but if it is something that is truly an ingrained part of ourselves, we’ll likely never be able to erase it completely from our lives. For dancers, even when they reach the point when they need to retire from performing, they often transition into teaching or choreographing for other dancers. This idea applies to musicians as well. When they can no longer perform themselves, they often move into songwriting and producing more. Many of the members of BTS—most notably SUGA and j-hope—have said they would still be involved in music/dance in some way even if they were not a part of the group.
Slowly, I open my eyes
This is my workroom, my studio
Even if harsh waves brush against me in the darkness,
I will never get dragged away again
Inside
I saw myself myself
In the above lyrics, SUGA wakes from the nightmare of this fear to find himself in his studio—a place that is his touchstone—where he feels most at home. No matter if the inspiration is still there or not, and despite the constant worry that it could all come to an end at any moment, he is determined to carry on. He knows the studio is where he belongs.
With this message, BTS are clearly saying that while they acknowledge their fears (which is healthy), they also will never give up on their passion for music because it’s an intrinsic part of who they are as human beings.
"Black Swan" Official M/V
“Black Swan” | Music Bank (3:46)
BANGTAN BOMB: BTS' Mukbang! (2:32)
“Black Swan” | Stage Mix (3:29)
“Black Swan” | 2020 MMA (2:27)
BANGTAN BOMB: Jimin's Short and Sweet Impersonation (1:02 - as shown below)
“Black Swan” Intro Performance Dance Practice | 2020 MMA (2:01)
BANGTAN BOMB: “Black Swan” Intro Performance (BTS Focus) | 2020 MMA (2:21)
BONUS: Jin, SUGA, Jungkook - ARMY, we miss you💜| VLIVE (6:34)
BONUS: j-hope, Jimin - Live Before Last Performance~💜 | VLIVE (14:01)
Fun Fact
I’ve mentioned before that the MAP OF THE SOUL series is based on the psychological theories of Swiss psychologist, Carl Jung.
In particular, the concepts of the collective unconscious (including the persona, ego, and shadow) play a large role in the themes of the album—see the Intro, Interlude, and Outro songs.
In 1998, Dr. Murray Stein published a book on these concepts called Jung’s Map of the Soul: An Introduction, thus coining the phrase “Map of the Soul”, which is obviously what BTS’ album series is named for.
Below we’ve provided some links to more information on Jung, Stein, and the “Map of the Soul” ideology, so that you can explore all of the concepts further. Also, please stay tuned as our very own Patricia will have a new blog series coming soon on this very topic!
DAY FOUR:
Purple Suit Filter Jimin?
We’ve heard of moments being described as ‘cultural resets’, right? The widely accepted definition of the term is “when something big in well known pop culture changes or is added causing people to change the way they look at things or to have a lot of people hop on the trend”. Think of Michael Jackson’s moonwalk across the stage during his performance of “Billie Jean” at the “Motown 25” concert in 1983. It’s safe to say that one dance move changed the landscape of pop performance instantly.
As ARMY, I think we can agree that we have cultural reset moments within the landscape of Bangtan Sonyeondan, and one of the most significant is Park Jimin performing “Filter” during their online concert, “MAP OF THE SOUL ON:E”. The two-day concert came about, of course, because their physical tour had been canceled due to the Pandemic. While that was unfortunate, holding the online concert allowed BTS to be even more creative and ambitious with their staging. Jimin took full advantage of it. Putting aside how amazing he looks during both performances, the way it was staged—with clothing and props woven so seamlessly into the choreography—is nothing short of mind-boggling.
The song sounds cheeky, playfully flirty even, which fits Jimin perfectly. And I think the lyrics have many meanings, some more subtle than the others. On the surface, Jimin is talking about himself—telling us he can be anything we’d like him to be, all we have to do is pick the version we want. This is an obvious nod to his career—anyone who performs for an audience must be able to inhabit different roles and evoke different emotions, whether they’re singing, dancing, or acting.
Or Red Suit Filter Jimin? There is no wrong answer...
Oh, I place my hands onto your eyes
Oh, I come closer to the secret
I will bring you to a completely new world
Yeah, open your closed eyes now, go!
Mix the colors in the palette, pick your filter
Which of me do you want
Will change your world, I’m your filter
Apply to your heart
The deeper meaning, which I find more interesting, seems to imply that he wants to offer us a different perspective on life. In today’s society the word ‘filter’ is often used to talk about a camera setting or an editing tool used on social media in order to change the appearance of a picture or video. Filters alter our perception of what we’re seeing by making it look slightly different. This can create prejudice or give us a skewed perspective of reality. In an interview with Spotify, Jimin said that he wanted to challenge these perspectives by showing how he wants to present himself to the world in many different ways.
Which is exactly what he does as he struts across the stage during MOTS ON:E. He puts on and then takes off various accessories and articles of clothing, teasing us through the choreography, before he finally tears off everything at the end to reveal a brightly iridescent suit of a different color that had been hiding underneath the whole time. (Are you Team Red or Team Purple? Let us know in the comments!)
It’s a brilliant commentary on how we should never take anything, or anyone, at face value only. We all have layers—oftentimes the things we see on social media have been put through many different “filters” in order to present the subject in the best light for the audience. We should all be willing to not only dig deeper beyond surface level meanings, but also to be honest, and show the many different sides of ourselves.
Jimin’s “Filter” Rehearsal | MOTS ON:E PRACTICE MAKING FILM (2:33)
BTS MEMBERS REACTION TO JIMIN'S “Filter” STAGE | MOTS ON:E PRACTICE MAKING FILM (1:04)
Behind the scenes of Jimin “Filter” performance. | MOTS ON:E PRACTICE MAKING FILM (2:21)
“Filter” | FMV (3:14)
“Filter” | STAGE MIX (3:00 - as shown below)
BTS 7-Second Interview (10:26)
BTS Previews Their Hair and Music for the Next 7 Years | AUDACY (1:44 - as shown below)
BTS Talks MAP OF THE SOUL: 7, Their Tour & 'Carpool Karaoke' | EXTRA (5:54)
BONUS: BTS Carpool Karaoke | The Late Late Show with James Corden (16:50)
Fun Fact:
BTS didn’t think that they were going to be invited to perform at the 2020 Grammys, because they weren’t nominated for any awards. But, lucky for us, the universe had a different plan and it took shape in the form of Lil Nas X.
In 2019, RM had collaborated with Lil Nas X on a remix of his song “Old Town Road”, entitled “Seoul Town Road Remix”. He was nominated in multiple categories that year and was asked to perform. BTS (not just RM), along with other collaborators were invited to perform with him.
Not only was the performance itself amazing, with each member getting a part of the song to perform themselves, but it gave us the origin of “Kitty Gang Jimin”, and for that, we will ALWAYS be grateful.
All of the interviews and behind-the-scenes footage are full of funny and endearing moments. The other members swearing vehemently on the red carpet that they NEVER disagree with any of Namjoon’s translations and him quietly saying “They’re going to beat me up backstage” is one of my favorites.
Enjoy!
DAY FIVE:
“MAP OF THE SOUL ON:E" Performance of "My Time"
And speaking of performances from “MAP OF THE SOUL ON:E”… Jeon Jung Kook, if you could come to the front of the class for a moment, please?
Last week in the blog I mentioned that the Jung Kook we see on 190811 (the date of that year’s “Lotte Family Concert”) is the Jung Kook that made me sit up and say, “Oh, ok. He’s not such a little Kookie anymore.” When I saw him perform his solo song “My Time” from MAP OF THE SOUL: 7, this thought was solidified even further.
“My Time” is a reflective song about growing up, and realizing that life, and adulthood, is not as simple as it seems to be when you’re looking at it as a child. Especially when you add in fame on top of that. It’s the story of Jung Kook’s emotional journey from the time he was a trainee, all the way up until the song’s release. The lyrics use the metaphors of time and jet-setting to describe the craziness of his adolescent years.
“MAP OF THE SOUL ON:E" Performance of "My Time"
24, It feels as if I became an adult quicker than anyone
My life has been a movie all the time
I ran to where the sun rises, every single night
It feels like maybe I’ve been to someone’s tomorrow
That boy to whom the whole world felt so big
Keep on runnin’ errday mic, I grab it up
Friends ridin’ subway, I’ll be in the airplane mode
Rock on the whole world, I made my own lotto
But, perhaps I was too fast, there are traces of what I missed
Don’t know what to do with
Am I livin’ this right?
Why am I the only one in a different spacetime?
While we know that JK loves his life in BTS and would not give up being a performer for anything, it is a fact that he became famous at a very young age. He started training for his career when he was 13, and BTS debuted when he was 15. He spent the most formative years of his life in the public eye. BTS worked tirelessly, and were always on the go. It’s only natural that while he’d probably do it all over again if given the chance, he also laments a bit on missing out on some of the normal teenage experiences his classmates at school undoubtedly got to have.
So, back to that MOTS ON:E performance… YEAH. As Jung Kook slides and body rolls his way across that stage during both performances (again, “Team Red” or “Team Black”?) we can’t help but think how appropriate the choreography is for someone singing about leaving the emotions of childhood behind and embracing being an adult. He is mesmerizing throughout, ensuring our eyes never leave him—truly telling us that he has finally reached “my time”.
Jungkook "My Time" shoot and rehearsal, FEAT MEMBER REACTIONS | MOTS ON:E PRACTICE MAKING FILM (3:25)
"My Time" | FMV (4:03)
"My Time" | STAGE MIX (4:59 - as shown)
BTS Explain Why MAP OF THE SOUL: 7 is a Love Song to Their Career | Billboard (3:55)
BTS on MAP OF THE SOUL: 7 Inspiration & the BTS Army Camping for Days | ACCESS HOLLYWOOD (6:30)
BTS reacts to BTS debut+5 Days (6:06 - as shown)
Bangtan Bubble: Do you have a teenage experience you regret missing out on?
Let us know your answer in the comments below or on social media (include #BangtanBubble)!
FINAL THOUGHTS:
It’s not easy to navigate our way through life and find out how we fit into this world. Much like the journey toward loving ourselves, there is no one simple answer to figuring it all out. How we reconcile our past to our present, and apply lessons learned to our future is an ongoing process. MAP OF THE SOUL: 7 is a brilliant reminder of this fact. What’s your favorite song so far?
Next week we’ll continue the exploration of the soul with a look at the futility of rage without purpose, and how finding connection can be the soothing balm we all need…
Side Quest
We need to laugh right now, am I right? Run BTS! Season 3 to the rescue! I submit the following highlights for review:
Taehyung does his best as a Rookie MC.
Jimin’s arms aren’t short, okay? They’re just lengthily-challenged.
I still haven’t figured out where this so-called “marble” comes in.
Jin continues to be the MC King.
Taehyung continues to practice the art of subterfuge.
ROCK BISON.
Jimin Sock Art.
Namjoon Yeets Cooky (RIP).
BTS Swoons over a Florist.
Part …2,013 of Rapline vs Vocal Line.
Not even a trampoline can make Yoongi and Jin better at the Photo Jump.
Who knew the sound of a shuttlecock being hit with a frying pan could be such fun?
Laser tag stakes have never been higher.
Run BTS! - Ep.93 [BTS Marble 1] (30:34)
Run BTS! - Ep.94 [BTS Marble 2] (34:51)
Run BTS! - Ep.99 [Florist] (33:07)
RUN BTS! Ep. 101
CREDITS:
YouTube/Web
BTSxARMY Entertainment, BANGTAN SUBS, BANGTANTV, HYBE LABELS, 보라색 BTS NINE, DKDKTV, SBSKPOP X INKIGAYO, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, KBS WORLD TV, Ayberk Music, SBS Entertainment, Brilliant, BANGTANXSave ME, Krystalz Videos, BTS LIVE ARCHIVE, Lemoring, 바카라 고딩TV15, BTS CAROUSEL, STORIES, itsprodjm, BANGTAN CRACK, RM channel 1994💜, BANGTANFMTV, seesaw._. sugar, Audacy Music, EXTRATV, The Late Late Show with James Corden, Jaeguchi, KookieMy, KookTaeMin, 일도아니지, BILLBOARD, ACCESS HOLLYWOOD, E! Insider, KPOP HEART, RUN BTS Web: wikipedia.org, ok.ru (Video Bangtan Subs), billboard.com, medium.com (@kyehannaway), murraystein.com
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)
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