[theqoo] "THERE IS NO 'PERFORMANCE' IN SWIM, RIGHT?"... BTS, THE WORRIES OF 2.0

"What makes us BTS?" (RM)

As soon as BTS finished their military service, they began thinking about the next chapter as a team. They were fully aware of the weight behind a full-group comeback, it meant they had to surpass their past selves once again.

No one knew how to do that. No K-pop idol had ever reached the same position as BTS. On top of that, there was a nearly four-year hiatus due to military service, something even major global pop stars rarely experience.

The Netflix documentary "BTS: The Return" shows the process of them searching for that answer. The members went back to their roots and reflected on their identity as a group, using that as a foundation to shape the direction of their next music.

The weight of the crown they carried was condensed into a single album. It captured their identity as Koreans, their musical evolution fitting their age, and the unique color of BTS. Once again, they made their presence known worldwide and opened a new chapter.

Director Bao Nguyen said, "I could truly feel the weight of the crown the members were carrying. Watching them turn that pressure into something beautiful was deeply admirable."

◆ We are Bulletproof

The documentary captures the members working on music in LA last summer. It begins with Jin returning to the dorm after finishing his solo tour, greeted by the members rushing out with bright smiles.

Their life together was simple and warm. They lounged around in casual clothes, played in the pool, worked out, and gathered in the evenings to eat samgyeopsal and drink soju.

At times, they filmed each other with camcorders, creating a retro, home-video-style atmosphere. Their bond felt like that of a family.

They also revisited old memories, watching footage from their debut days. From Jin as a 20-year-old eldest member to Jimin doing bold backflips, their playful waiting-room moments passed by.

Clips from their 2014 reality show American Hustle Life were also shown, including their small theater showcase in LA. The sweat they shed back then was a reminder that their success was no coincidence.

They had worked harder than anyone. RM reflected, "When we say we want to rest, it feels like we're committing a sin..." hinting at the pressure and responsibility they carried.

◆ Arirang of the 21st Century

The story draws a parallel to seven Korean youths who once set foot in America and communicated through music when language failed, recording 'Arirang.' It mirrors the meaning behind BTS's full-group comeback.

However, blending traditional Korean music with modern pop wasn't easy. It often felt like mixing oil and water. The members struggled daily, even wanting to give up on the 'Arirang' concept at times.

That raw pressure is captured vividly in the documentary. The members openly expressed their frustration and complex emotions, showing a deeply human side that viewers could relate to.

In the end, they pushed forward with the belief: "If we hesitate here, there is no next time." Their interpretation of Arirang centered on solidarity, people holding hands and dancing together beyond language barriers.

Most importantly, they held onto their Korean identity. While the A&R team suggested going fully in English for global appeal, the members insisted on including Korean lyrics, even in rap parts.

With lines expressing "the rising spirit of our people" and messages like "empty out hatred," they created a song that was both deeply Korean and globally resonant. That's how 'Body to Body' was completed.

◆ The Wave of Change, Swim

Thanks to Suga holding down the base camp, most of the album tracks were completed early. The final challenge was the most important one, the title track.

The members debated intensely for days and nights.

Now in their 30s, they wanted to show a more mature musical direction. During this process, Jimin expressed concerns about the reduced emphasis on performance, sharing outside perspectives as well.

In the end, teamwork prevailed. After intense discussions, they agreed that 'Swim' was the best choice. Their unity stood out as they concluded, "Now is the right time to change."

'Swim' is a calm, alternative pop track. V noted, "I thought it was the kind of song the public could keep listening to for a long time," showing their effort to balance musical evolution with accessibility.

RM, who led the lyrics, focused on honesty. He confronted the emptiness of not knowing what comes after finishing a song, while capturing their determination to keep moving forward.

He paid close attention to even the smallest nuances of words, constantly consulting lyricists to refine whether English expressions matched the intended emotion, pushing the song's quality to its peak.

◆ The Era of 2.0

The result of pouring all their concerns into this album was explosive global success.

BTS once again dominated global charts. On the first day alone, the album sold about 3.98 million copies.

It also topped iTunes "Top Album" charts in 88 countries. The title track 'Swim' hit No.1 on "Top Song" charts in 90 countries and regions, including the U.S., Japan, the U.K., Germany, and France, immediately after release.

https://m.entertain.naver.com/home/article/433/0000126056

original post: here

1. Seems like their company is just telling them what to do since they can't write nor compose their own songs

2. I was expecting something like ON, Dynamite or Butter... I wanted to see them do a hard dance

3. HYBE has no senseㅠㅠ

4. No matter if they did this or that, the result was a fail. There aren't any artists over there who know how to write their own songs, they just have to do whatever the company tells them to do. What else can they do?

5. They just did what their company told them to do. They can see how they failed and come up with something new now...

6. So they are not artists but just a company's puppets?

7. I really liked how this album went back to the early Bangtan style with fresh beats and rap though? Anyway, famous tracks like Mic Drop, Not Today, Dionysus, and Dope aren't even title tracks. BTS albums are fine as long as Bang Sihyuk isn't involved

8. I wanted something like Mic Dropㅠ

9. I liked Jungkook's Seven

10. Jungkook's solo was totally good, but why is the group's activity like this.....

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