In most circumstances, I would probably regret waking up at 4 a.m. When BTS releases an album, though, there is no such circumstance. There is no regret. It's just what you do.
Wiping the sleep from my eyes, I adjusted the brightness on my phone just enough so that I could watch the explosive music video for "ON," read the lyrics for the brand new singles and simply enjoy the vulnerable story BTS tells during their latest album, "Map of the Soul : 7."
The album is an unfiltered glimpse into each member’s heart.
BTS posing in Antony Gormley's art in New York, a part of their CONNECT BTS project that highlights artists from all over the world. Photo courtesy of Big Hit Entertainment.
This long-awaited album takes on a raw, self-reflective tone, holding up a mirror to listeners as if to say, "Hey. The members of BTS are human, too." In the midst of fame and great success, it may be easy to assume that wealth and popularity are all the members need to have a secure, happy life. This album demonstrates that this couldn't be farther from the truth. Each member has faced unique challenges: missing out on time as a normal teenager, wrestling with the anger of criticism, and fearing that the passion for music and performance may one day fade away.
I've grown fond of BTS' natural talent, work ethic and genuine motivations. They write and perform from their hearts to thank the fans who support their messages of self-love and campaigns against bullying. Their path to success has not been without struggle, though, and this album functions as a ripping of the veil, so to speak. They've all had time to reflect on the cost of their great success. Do they regret where they are? No, I don't think so. I believe they just want to use this album to do what they do best: utilize music to express what's weighing on their hearts.
RM, the leader of the group, said it best during the group's interview with Variety: "We didn't know we'd ever reach this kind of position. Of course, we dreamed. We wanted to get big. We wanted to go high, as high as we could. But we never expected this kind of energy, and this kind of reaction of the world … Someday, we woke up and were like, 'Where are we?' So, you know, when you don't know where to go, I think the best way is to walk down the road that you've been walking on. So … we thought this was the best way to reflect ourselves and to figure out ourselves again. Like, where are we, what are we doing, who were we in the past and right now?"
Several songs resonated with me.
My best friends from home, Liz (left) and Sara (right), came to mind when I listened to the song, "Friends."
V's song, "Inner Child," reminds me of the value of nostalgia and remembering the younger version of myself that's gotten me to this point. Right now, I dream of reporting about music and entertainment, giving coverage to artists and creators in East Asia, specifically. My motivations to do so come from a vulnerable place: 10-year-old Katelynn growing fascinated with cartoons and eventually discovering anime. I felt like a complete weirdo for enjoying animation as much as I did. I still do.
Being a black girl, I often felt that my interests revoked my black card, making me too 'geeky' to hang around a lot of black kids, and too 'black' to truly feel accepted with white kids. I think of my past self as Tae-hyung did in his song, and I wish I could say to her, "You're not weird for liking what you like. Sure, you're a little unique. But you're going to find your place." I'm not sure if I've found that place yet. But, I hope that writing on platforms like this one will be a good start.
I also enjoyed the song V and Jimin's song, "Friends." It displays a wholesome friendship between the two members, and in doing so, debunks the perception that K-pop groups are manufactured robots who are forced to perform and work hard. The chorus of the song begins with, "One day when the cheer dies down, stay." It's a simple plea to one another to maintain their bond even after the music that brought them together comes to an end. I often make similar pleas to my two best friends from back home.
We're all at different universities now, but we often remind each other of the value we bring to each other's lives. We eagerly await coming home so that we can spend hours telling stories and laughing at nothing. When things at college get tough, we share our struggles and promise each other that everything will be alright. I miss them like crazy. It's hard not being able to see them everyday like I used to. But my sincere hope is that after we graduate and settle into our lives in who knows where, we'll also "stay," loving each other and caring for each other no matter the distance.
Simply put, they did it again
BTS posing for their concept photo sketch. Photo courtesy of Big Hit Entertainment.
Beyond the deep insight, this album has too many musical treats to pass up. "ON" features the music and vocals of UCLA's marching band and jazz department, showing once again BTS' commitment to showcasing talented artists of all kinds, all languages, and all backgrounds.
"UGH!" is a song exclusive to the rap line, and I'm pretty sure it was in RM's mind when he teased at the Grammy's that this album would be "better and harder" than the fans expect. The flow is so aggressive that I almost feel as if I need to apologize to them. For what? I don't know. It's just that exhilarating and raw. Jimin's "Filter" gives me so many "Pied Piper" vibes and the Latin sound it has is intoxicating. When he says, "I can be your genie, how about Aladdin?" all I can say is "Yep. You got it."
"We are Bulletproof : the Eternal" ends the album with a heartfelt realization that "we are not seven with you." BTS is committed to including everyone in their journey, and this commitment really hits home when you consider that within this year, some of the members will have to begin fulfilling their military enlistments. The next few years of BTS are going to be very different, and that's hard to chew for fans who've only known BTS as a complete band of seven. However, BTS knows that this journey of theirs could not have been possible without the support of the fans who love them. That love and support will never change, no matter how much the circumstances do. We are bulletproof.
