WEEK 22 | So, Show Me…
May 27 - 31, 2024
Reciprocity.
We’ve talked recently about how 2017 was a tough year for BTS. All of the slander and allegations of plagiarism and sajaegi being thrown at them—on top of an eleven month—tour meant only one thing for them: burnout. They were exhausted both physically and emotionally.
BTS 2018 photoshoot
As 2018 rolled around, the members were, quite literally, at a breaking point. The mental anguish, along with their non-stop schedule from the previous year, had all of them wondering—at least to some degree—”Do I still want to do this?”
We’ll go into this subject more in depth later in the blog, but suffice it to say that early in 2018, BTS was considering calling it a day. Each member did a lot of soul searching, and they had many heart-to-hearts within the group. In the end, it was their love for each other, and for ARMY, that helped them make the decision to keep going. In fact, more than a year ahead of schedule, they went ahead and renewed their contracts with Big Hit for another seven years.
2018 was also the group’s fifth anniversary. They were no longer rookies, and groups that had debuted after them were looking up to them as sunbaenims. They were continuing to break records in the music world, leading to rapidly increasing global success. Festa that year and the next felt like more than just celebrations. They staged elaborate Musters (fanmeet concerts) and had introspective dinner parties. It truly felt like recognition for the fire they’d walked through together, as BTS.
Playlists & Lyrics
ARMY PROJECT 529 WEEK 22 VIDEO PLAYLIST (all YouTube links)
DAY ONE:
In many ways, 2018 felt like a reckoning for BTS. They’d looked down the barrel of a (metaphorical) gun and stood their ground. So it’s no surprise that a lot of the content they dropped to celebrate Festa that June felt… cathartic.
Probably one of the best examples of this is “Ddaeng”. This Rap Line track was released on Sound Cloud during Festa and uses intricate wordplay to send a scathing message to all of BTS’ haters, particularly—but not limited to—those who may have been behind the allegations of sajaegi and the smear campaign that followed. It’s no secret that BTS was making huge waves, and they were NOT a group from one of the “Big Three” companies (YG Ent., SM Ent., and JYPE) that had held the K-Pop industry in a chokehold for many years. With the way things were going for BTS and Big Hit, it was looking like it was about to become the “Big Four” companies. Needless to say, there were probably a lot of people who didn’t want that to happen.
In the song, the word ddaeng is used in several different ways (see today’s Fun Fact for more info), including both “wrong” and “the best”. In SUGA’s verse, he says that no matter who has the most power or influence (a probable reference to those companies mentioned above), he (BTS) is still ddaeng (the best). This was, of course, before Big Hit Entertainment incorporated HYBE (with the music label becoming Big Hit Music), so it feels a little prophetic, right?
“Ddaeng” has become one of ARMY’s absolute favorites over the years (we NEED it on major streaming platforms, PLEASE) due to its clever lyrics and cool, unbothered sound. The Rap Line performs it like they’re just having a day at the spa—not a care in the world—which probably pissed the haters off even more. But as much as ARMY loves the song, no one loves it more than BTS… in particular, V. For this episode of “Kim Taehyung Really Wants to be a Rapper”, make sure you check out the Vocal Line performance of “Ddaeng” in today’s links, as well as the behind-the-scenes rehearsals for the “BTS Prom Party” which is linked on Day Two.
MAY 29: 2018 BTS FESTA TEASER (00:20)
JUNE 4: OPENING CEREMONY - “SPRING DAY” (BRIT ROCK REMIX) (06:58)
JUNE 5: BTS NEWS (00:55)
JUNE 8: JIN COVER - “IN FRONT OF THE POST OFFICE IN AUTUMN” (04:31, Orig. by Yoon Do Hyun)
JUNE 9: BTS MANUAL GUIDE (01:33)
BTS FINAL BROADCAST LIVE - VLIVE 06/10/18 (21:11, An attack from multiple fronts… most notably: MIN YOONGI!)
“DDAENG” LIVE PERFORMANCE (04:07, The Rap Line is here to destroy us. - shown above)
FLASH FORWARD: “DDAENG” - LIVE VOCAL LINE VERSION (04:22, In which Kim Taehyung raps his little heart out and loves every second of it. So do we. - shown below)
JUNE 12: FESTA 2018 DINNER PARTY (55:07)
Fun Fact
While the crazy, in-your-face vibes of all four BTS cypher tracks are amazing, I have to admit that my favorite “eff you” from the Rap Line to BTS’ haters is “Ddaeng”—a song that was never even released on an album.
It is a “diss” track, but the oriental-inspired trap beat, and the clever wordplay in the lyrics sound playful, and fun. The title itself—the word ddaeng is used in many different ways throughout the song, including references from a traditional Korean card game called ‘Seotda’ (‘Hwatu’).
Every line in this song is a goldmine of double entendre. I explained a small portion of the lyrics above, but they really deserve a deep dive, which is what you can get from the explanation video linked below from YouTube channel “DKDKTV”.
We’ve included their break-down videos in the blog before, and for good reason. While we can translate and read lyrics to interpret meaning ourselves, having a full analysis from native Korean speakers is invaluable when it comes to understanding the true genius of this song.
“DDAENG” EXPLAINED BY A KOREAN (08:55)
DAY TWO:
Another moment from 2018’s Festa that felt like a sigh of relief for BTS, as well as a big middle finger to their haters, was their Festa Dinner Party. It is linked above, on Day One (since we’re presenting each Festa’s releases in chronological order), but I felt it was important enough to talk about on it’s own, after “Ddaeng”.
BTS Festa 2018 Dinner Party
Over the years, we’ve seen the tradition of BTS having some sort of meal together to commemorate the anniversary of their Debut. In 2014, they threw the party and cooked for themselves. Another year it was an Eat Jin broadcast. In 2018, they held a dinner party at a restaurant, and no one was “hosting”. Instead of facing each other at the table, they were all facing out, toward the camera. The mood was a bit more subdued than during previous Festa dinners—the members were still having a good time, but they seemed to be feeling more introspective than celebratory.
As they ate, the members were also having drinks—something they’d never done on camera for Festa before. They answered questions that had been prepared beforehand, and the topics felt deeper and more personal than in previous years. The alcohol seemed to loosen their tongues, and we got glimpses of how difficult the past year had been for them. Both V and Jung Kook mentioned a long, rambling text message they’d received from SUGA in which the sometimes-stoic rapper told them he loved them. Much to Yoongi’s embarrassment, everyone made a big deal over it, prompting Jimin to ask for his own “I love you” text message.
Years later, this same text would be brought up during Taehyung’s episode of Suchwita, and he credited that message with being one of the biggest motivating factors for him (and perhaps Jung Kook as well) persevering and continuing on in BTS through 2018 and beyond.
JUNE 13: “SMALL, BUT DEFINITE HAPPINESS” LIST - RM (05:37, He’s so poetic.)
JUNE 13: “SMALL, BUT DEFINITE HAPPINESS” LIST - SUGA (02:10)
JUNE 13: “SMALL, BUT DEFINITE HAPPINESS” LIST - J-HOPE (03:21)
JUNE 13: “SMALL, BUT DEFINITE HAPPINESS” LIST - JIMIN (06:38)
JUNE 13: “SMALL, BUT DEFINITE HAPPINESS” LIST - JUNG KOOK (05:26, His SMILE at the end!)
JUNE 13: BTS 2018 FESTA PROM PARTY (2:12:13 - as shown)
JULY 6: BTS PROM PARTY 2018 - UNIT STAGE - JIMIN & JUNG KOOK “BLACK OR WHITE” DANCE COVER (03:56 - as shown)
JULY 6: BTS PROM PARTY 2018 - UNIT STAGE - JIN & V “IT’S DEFINITELY YOU” (OST FROM HWARANG) (03:51 - as shown)
JULY 6: BTS PROM PARTY 2018 - UNIT STAGE - RAP LINE “DDAENG” (03:56)
JULY 6: BTS PROM PARTY 2018 (BEHIND) - JIMIN & JUNG KOOK “BLACK OR WHITE” DANCE COVER (09:36)
JULY 6: BTS PROM PARTY 2018 (BEHIND) - RAP LINE “DDAENG” (10:39, My favorite Bangtan Bomb of ALL-TIME)
JULY 6: BTS PROM PARTY 2018 (BEHIND) - JIN & V “IT’S DEFINITELY YOU” (OST FROM HWARANG) (10:11- as shown)
Bangtan Bubble: What’s one thing on your “Small, but Definite Happiness” list?
Let us know your answer in the comments below or on social media (include #BangtanBubble)!
DAY THREE:
Having moved past the uncertainty and heavy emotions from the previous two years, as well as now being more than half a decade into their career, 2019’s Festa showed us a BTS who appeared to be feeling lighter, freer, and full of overwhelming gratitude.
BTS 2019 photoshoot
In the months leading up to the celebrations, they launched a project aimed at celebrating not themselves, but ARMY. They wanted to thank their fans for all of their support and dedication by inviting them to participate in something that would commemorate BTS’s journey with ARMY thus far...
ARMYPEDIA
In February, the ARMYPEDIA website launched with no prior announcement. The description on the site was “a digital archive of all things BTS, made by ARMY”. BTS was sending ARMY on a worldwide scavenger hunt. Over 2,000 clues had been hidden in cities around the world, as well as on the internet, and each puzzle piece would correspond to a date in BTS’ and ARMY’s shared history. Each piece would have a scannable QR code and a quiz attached.
Any puzzle could be discovered and solved multiple times by different people. Each time one was completed, the ARMY could upload a memory of BTS that related to that day in their history. ARMYs could see contributions and leave a “purple heart” if they liked them. Once all of the dates had been unlocked, ARMYPEDIA would be complete and special rewards would be given to those who had contributed, depending on their level of participation.
It was a great initiative encouraging ARMYs to work together, and BTS rewarded them by taking the time to look at some of the memories that were collected and reflecting on how far they’d come in six years. (A peak highlight is watching them laugh and cringe over their outfits and attitudes from their debut era.)
FMV EXPLAINING “ARMYPEDIA” (02:41 - shown above)
ARMYPEDIA: TEASER CODES FOUND IN 7 CITIES (01:23 - shown below)
ARMYPEDIA: TEASER CODES FOUND IN 112 DIGITAL LOCATIONS (05:44)
BTS SHARING ARMYPEDIA (00:51, shown below)
ARMYPEDIA: BTS - “BTS TALK SHOW” (54:29 - shown below)
Fun Fact
It’s a bit hard to watch all of the ARMYPEDIA content from 2019 and NOT feel just a little wistful that I was not an ARMY myself when it was happening. We all know “BTS finds you when you need them the most”, but… I think most of us probably have a few moments here or there we watch from BTS’ career that we wish we could have been there for.
ARMYPEDIA is definitely one of those moments. Recently, when the MONOCHROME website popped up and we all scrambled trying to figure out the clues, and made videos about how to navigate the site, it was so exciting to be trying to solve puzzles with fellow ARMY. I imagine that the ‘scavenger hunt’ to find the QR codes for ARMYPEDIA felt very similar.
Our research team tried to find some good quality videos from ARMY documenting their experiences finding QR codes and/or working out the puzzles from them, but did not have much luck. However, they did find a few really good vlogs from the event that was held in Seoul to wrap up the entire project.
It was called “ARMY United in Seoul” and it was held at Oil Tank Cultural Park on March 23, 2019 with a crowd of 10,000 ARMY in attendance. (Tickets sold out in minutes, by the way.) The “BTS Talk Show” we linked above was debuted at the event, and ARMYs got to sing along and play games while there.
Below we have included two different ARMY experiences, one from a Korean Vlogger who got a ticket at the last minute, and one from a couple of global ARMYs (seemingly in SK for school) who didn’t have tickets but decided to go check out the event anyway just for fun. Both Vlogs are super cute and a great look at what it felt like to be there. Enjoy!
DAY FOUR:
BTS on stage performing Boy with Love on MCountdown
The more content that was released during 2019’s Festa, the more obvious it became that the good times truly were back. Fully in the midst of the “Love Yourself” era, BTS and ARMY were having so much fun together.
Linked below you’ll find the ever-hilarious annual Festa family portraits, as well as new profiles of the members. There are dance practices, covers, and alternate versions of BTS songs, all as expected. We also got some selfie-cam performances and behind-the-scenes moments from when the members shot their Festa content.
It’s a lot to take in and digest, but it feels very needed. The “Bangtan Attic” Dinner is a 180° change in mood from the previous year’s dinner party. As the members hang out and snack (with no booze this time, as Jung Kook points out in a slightly disappointed tone), they answer pre-written questions like they had done in 2018, but the vibe is completely different. Instead of prompting deep introspection (and maybe a bit of melancholy), this time the questions were more centered on things they’d done when they were younger, sparking a wave of nostalgia amongst the members. The mood remained fond and light-hearted throughout, but still meaningful.
FESTA 2019 TRAILER (00:24)
JUNE 3: OPENING CEREMONY (02:43)
JUNE 10: “FAMILY PORTRAIT” (02:01)
JUNE 11: “EUPHORIA” (DJ SWIVEL FOREVER MIX) BY JUNG KOOK (04:05)
JUNE 12: BTS FESTA “BANGTAN ATTIC” DINNER 2019 (55:11- shown above)
JUNE 13: “[EPISODE] 2019 FESTA FAMILY PORTRAIT SHOOTING 1” (06:10, Very attack-y… feet FOR FREE!)
JUNE 13: “[EPISODE] 2019 FESTA FAMILY PORTRAIT SHOOTING 2” (05:50, They’re all out for blood here… BEWARE!)
JUNE 15: 이 밤 “THIS NIGHT/TONIGHT” BY JIN (02:51, absolutely gorgeous)
JUNE 16: BTS (방탄소년단) “MIC DROP” DANCE PRACTICE (MAMA DANCE BREAK VER.) (05:06 - shown below)
JUNE 19: BTS (방탄소년단) “봄날 “SPRING DAY” DANCE PRACTICE (LOVELY VER.) (04:33 - shown below)
Fun Fact:
ARMY loves teasers and spoilers from BTS, right? It’s almost like they’re playing a little game with us by building anticipation.
With Festa, it’s even more exciting. Every year, a few days before the festa-vities (I’m not going to get tired of that joke, you’ve been warned) begin, BTS gives us an official Release Schedule.
The Release Schedule is like a road map to all things Festa. It lets us know the dates and times everything will be dropping for us, so we can make sure we’re ready. (Although, are we ever really ready? Sometimes we know what things are right away by the description, and other times they leave us with a few questions.
No matter what, it’s always exciting when the new Festa Release Schedule drops. And we’ll be getting 2024’s very soon—in about a week or so. Then Festa will begin… and then…
JIN WILL COME HOME!!!!
DAY FIVE:
I mentioned earlier how 2019’s Festa was mostly BTS expressing profound gratitude to ARMY. I think nothing embodies that more than the culmination of the celebrations that year… the “Magic Shop” 5th Muster.
It was performed in both Korea and Japan—and both concerts are legendary. Below we’ve linked to the Japanese concert as well as to behind-the-scenes footage from both Japan and Seoul.
BTS Jin and V performing Pied Piper
In the wake of making it through the hardships they’d experienced in their previous years, the 5th Muster shows us a BTS far more comfortable with their place in the world and secure in the knowledge that ARMY would always be there with them through thick and thin.
They performed songs they’d never done live but that now live in infamy, like “Dimple” and “Pied Piper”. Seeing the 5th Muster performances of those two songs is truly an ARMY rite of passage, and once you have experienced it, you’ll never be the same again. Please feel free to check in in the comments and let us know if you’re okay after—and who attacked you the most during. (The entire maknae line was on another level during those songs. Who told them they could act like that?)
Tying it all together at the end is the emotional “Magic Shop”. We’ll definitely talk about this more in a later blog, but can you name another song that puts you in your feels faster than this one? I don’t think I can. Sometimes it’s too overwhelming, and I can’t listen all the way through.
You gave me the best of me,
So you’ll give you the best of you…
These lyrics are BTS telling us that ARMY made their dreams come true. “Magic Shop” is their thank you and gratitude for receiving six years worth of love and support from their fans. And now that BTS’ dreams had been realized, they wanted the same for ARMY. We did it for them, now we needed to make the magic happen for ourselves.
If all of you are anything like me, you probably feel like you’re still a work in progress. And that’s why “Magic Shop” is both wonderful and terrible for me all at the same time. It’s daunting to think how far I am from my dreams sometimes, but there’s also no better motivation out there than hearing:
BTS: So, show me…
ARMY: I’ll show you!
Am I right? Let’s keep showing them…
5TH MUSTER “MAGIC SHOP” TEASER (01:33 - shown above)
JUNE 15: BTS SELF CAM “SPINE BREAKER” AT 5TH MUSTER (03:33 - as shown)
JUNE 15: 5TH MUSTER: “MAGIC SHOP” JAPAN, PT.1 (55:06, not in YT playlist - shown below)
JUNE 15: 5TH MUSTER: “MAGIC SHOP” JAPAN, PT.2 (55:27, not in YT playlist)
5TH MUSTER “MAGIC SHOP” FANMEETING PRACTICE MAKING FILM (24:12, not in YT playlist - as shown)
5TH MUSTER BUSAN REHEARSAL AND D-DAY MAKING FILM (56:02 - as shown, not in YT playlist)
5TH MUSTER MAGIC SHOP FANMEETING BUSAN REHEARSAL AND D-DAY MAKING FILM (55:53, not in YT playlist)
Bangtan Bubble: What does the “Magic Shop” mean to you?
Let us know your answer in the comments below or on social media (include #BangtanBubble)!
FINAL THOUGHTS:
What was your favorite Festa moment from 2018 or 2019? There are so many amazing memories that it’s hard to choose. And I know we’d probably all like to stick around in the “Magic Shop” a bit longer, but we’ve got more to cover. And more stormy seas ahead.
Next week, we dive into 2020 and 2021 and how BTS made Festa happen during a global pandemic. It wasn’t easy for anyone, but BTS, like always, found a way. See you next time!
Side Quest
BTS produced their final two Summer Packages in 2018 and 2019. That following winter, and the years after, they switched to Winter Packages. In 2018 they traveled to Saipan, the largest island (and the capital) of the Northern Mariana Islands, a Commonwealth of the United States located in the western part of the Pacific Ocean.
All the usual activities you’ve come to expect from the Summer Packages are here—a few highlights: Jin goes water skiing, Yoongi tries to eat his weight in lobster, and Namjoon goes crab-hunting (because of course he does). Last, but not least, four out of seven members are blonde, and it’s very rude. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
In 2019, they stayed in South Korea, choosing to shoot at the beautiful Awon Museum & Hotel, a centuries-old hanok (“our garden”) house in Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do. They also go to an amusement park and try paragliding. Their laughter is infectious, as always. Enjoy!
SUMMER PACKAGE 2018 (1:38:43, not in YT playlist - shown above)
SUMMER PACKAGE 2019, PT 1 (t30:29, not in YT playlist)
SUMMER PACKAGE 2019, PT 2 (48:28, not in YT playlist)
SUMMER PACKAGE 2019 BEHIND (14:37, not in YT playlist)
CREDITS:
YouTube/Web
HYBE LABELS, BANGTANTV, Bangtan Subs, smile withV, ARMYProject529, Enjoy BTS more, Zaty Farhani, BTS Live Archive, ashleygold25, DZENITA, Suga Is Life, Sandii, DKDKTV, Madeline Howland, Bradlizzy, BTSelf-Love, BTSPurpleYou, 안구정화티비 Your Korean Friend Angoo, dailymotion.com (Jung Hyun Ran, IKON FOR LIFE, MK Shows, Drama Heals)
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).