WEEK 26 | I’m Taking Over You
June 24 - 28, 2024
Obsession.
After the WINGS tour ended, and they began to transition into 2018, BTS found themselves at a crossroads. It wasn’t obvious to everyone at the time, but they were at the end of their metaphorical rope—mentally and physically. Though 2017 had brought the group continued success, it had been a taxing grind on them also, to say the least.
BTS LYS:Her photo shoot
Touring for eleven months while continuing to release albums and maintaining a regular promotion schedule would have been tiring enough, but they had to deal with the mental anguish from the rumors and accusations of plagiarism and sajaegi (chart manipulation) that had been hurled at them during that time as well.
On camera, they were all confident smiles and brilliant performances as they promoted their new album. But behind the scenes, the members were struggling. They were burnt out, and questioning whether they should continue… or disband. One thing was for sure, they knew they couldn’t continue the grueling pace at which they had been going. Things were going to have to change, or they wouldn’t survive.
And speaking of… as we further our exploration into the Love Yourself 承 ‘HER’ album, I must warn you before proceeding that YOU may not survive this week’s blog. Our theme of love continues, along with all of the intense emotions it inspires—some of which can be unhealthy—like fixation, envy, and hatred. But also… romance, compliments, and seduction. Be prepared for Bangtan to swing you off your feet, and then gently scold you for spending too much time thinking about them. Even though they’re constantly asking for ARMY to love them forever and never forget about them.
Talk about mixed signals, right?
Playlists & Lyrics
BTS: LYS: HER ALBUM SPOTIFY PLAYLIST (also embedded at bottom of post)
ARMY PROJECT 529 WEEK 26 VIDEO PLAYLIST (all YouTube links)
DAY ONE:
BTS RM at LYS: Her fansign event
In the VLIVE RM did about the process of making Love Yourself 承 ‘HER’, he mentions that it’s a shame none of the members who sing “Dimple” actually have dimples. He thought at one point maybe he should sing the song himself, but then realized that would feel weird… since he basically wrote the lyrics about his own dimples (and the compliments he’d received about them over the years).
Were they a mistake left by an angel
Or were they a deep kiss
Those dimples are illegal
But I love it anyway anyway anyway
Eventually, it was settled that the Vocal Line would perform “Dimple”, with each member contributing in their unique style to make the song a fun and playful B side. ARMY loved it, and immediately wanted to see it performed live. They wouldn’t get the chance, however, until June of 2019 at the “Magic Shop” 5th Muster fan meeting.
But, boy, was it ever worth the wait…
While the song is sweet and endearing, the choreography is… something else. In one moment, Jin, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook are smiling and pointing cutely at their cheeks, and then suddenly it’s all body rolls, hip thrusts, and deadly amounts of eye contact. And all of that is juxtaposed with lyrics crooned so softly your spine will tingle, followed by high notes that make you ascend to another plane of existence.
My heart gets more dangerous every time I see you
It gets more dangerous every time I see you
Oh baby no hey
Oh baby no hey
You’re too dangerous to exist in this world
“Dimple” isn’t just a song—it’s an experience. And one that should probably be ‘illegal’... for ARMY’s sanity.
DIMPLE COLOR LYRICS (03:18)
DIMPLE STAGE MIX (03:18 - as shown above)
THE CUTEST BOY IN THE WORLD IS HAWAII-KKOJILI (SUNTANNED JK IN HAWAII) (00:57)
“보조개” SPECIAL STAGE (VOCAL LINE FOCUS) @ 2020 GDA (03:20 - shown below)
171208 JM & JK LIVE! 🐶🐰 (12:49, No one loves BTS like BTS loves BTS.)
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2018! (09:07 - shown below)
“DIMPLE” @ JAPAN OFFICIAL FANMEETING VOL. 5 2019 (STAGE MIX) (04:56 - shown below)
BONUS: BTS “KNOWING BROTHERS” EPISODE 94 | MEN ON A MISSION (1:44:27, not in YT playlist)
BONUS: KBS SONG FESTIVAL 2017 (INTERVIEWS, INTRO+SPRING DAY+LOST+CYPHER 4+DNA+NOT TODAY+ (03:06)
Fun Fact
Most of us have heard the Lotte name mentioned around BTS and South Korea in general, especially if we also watch K-Dramas as well.
The Lotte Group as a company dates back to 1948, started by a Korean business man named Shin Kyuk-ho. Over the years it has become one of the largest, most globally well-known brands ever. (We even have Lotte Market stores in the United States.) They have holdings in food, manufacturing, tourism, retail, finance, and several other industries. They even own two baseball teams and have an amusement park in South Korea.
One of their biggest subsidiaries in the tourism industry is Lotte Duty Free (LDF), and they specialize in travel retail. They have more than 20 duty-free shops in seven territories around the world. They often contract major celebrities to model for them, and in 2017 they signed on BTS to do so.
Several things eventually came of this partnership (including a very iconic concert), but one of the first was a song called “You’re So Beautiful”. It was originally written in 2012, but was reworked and released in conjunction with LDF in 2017. BTS also made a music video to go with it, and several remixed versions. Enjoy!
BTS at the Lotte Duty Free concert
DAY TWO:
RM in a LYS: Her photoshoot
If you thought BTS would give us a break after the onslaught of “Dimple”, you thought VERY wrong. The next track following it on Love Yourself 承 ‘HER’ is “Pied Piper”, also mostly (and lovingly) written by RM. In the same VLIVE I mentioned on Day One, he said he meant for the song to be a fun expression of gratitude toward their fans, and that he hoped ARMY would take it that way and not be offended.
Now stop watching and study for your exam
Your parents and boss hate me
Videos you’ve already watched, photos, Twitter,
V App, Bon Voyage-
I know, you like them so much that you can’t help
Stop, analyze the music video later
You already have a lot of my photos in your room anyway
Not just an hour but a year or two would just fly away
This song is a prize that I’m giving to you
Good girl
(or Good boy, or Good fan, …)
Offended? Why would we be offended? He only called us out for being a little too preoccupied with BTS… no big deal! [starts hiding all of her albums and merchandise] Who’s offended? Not me. Not you, right? It’s fine. Everything’s FINE.
Seriously though, It’s hard to be offended when he’s completely right. And it’s all meant in good humor. They’re poking gentle fun at us for how much we analyze everything they do, and for all the photo cards and posters we have of them, but they also know it’s the music they’re creating that does it—it’s so good, how can we help ourselves?
K-Pop leans heavily into creating parasocial relationships between artists and their fans. When treated as they are meant to be treated—a fun hobby based around a love of an artist’s music and content, it is a great way to express one’s self, and also to find friends and community (see ARMY Project 529, for example). But, as RM points out in the lyrics above, if you dive too deeply into it and let it take over every aspect of your life, it can become unhealthy. There’s a reason the song is called “Pied Piper”, after all. (See today’s Fun Fact for more info.)
BTS (방탄소년단) - “PIED PIPER” LIVE (04:04, HOLD ON TO SOMETHING WHILE YOU WATCH THIS.)
BTS FULL LIVE PERFORMANCE - “PIED PIPER” HAPPY EVER AFTER (04:01 - shown below)
“PIED PIPER” STAGE MIX (04:08)
"PIED PIPER” DANCE PRACTICE (01:03, Did they really even NEED to add a dance?)
BANGTAN BOMB: JIN’S SURPRISE BIRTHDAY PARTY (06:54, Jimin singing while lighting the candles is everything.)
BTS ONE-TAKE INTERVIEW (WORLDWIDE VER.) IN MAMA, EP 1 (06:19)
BTS ONE-TAKE INTERVIEW (KIM ELLEN SEOKJIN SHOW VER.) IN MAMA, EP 2 (06:11, This is RUDE.)
BTS JUNGKOOK SINGING PIED PIPER ON VLIVE (01:47 - shown below)
BONUS: COMEBACK SHOW - UN-BROADCASTED SEOKJIN VCR (01:11, not in YT playlist)
Fun Fact
You might be vaguely aware of what the reference of a ‘Pied Piper’ means, or perhaps the moral that’s offered at the end of the tale, but have you ever really explored the story of The Pied Piper of Hamelin?
The original legend dates back to Germany, in the middle ages. There are several variations, but the most commonly known has become folklore, featured in the works of writers like the Brothers Grimm and Robert Browning.
The tale features the town of Hamelin, Germany. They are having a rat infestation problem (some speculate this part arose as a response to the Bubonic Plague epidemic) and so they hire a Piper to lure the rats away by playing his magic pipe. The plan works, but when the Piper returns to collect his payment, the town refuses to settle up. So, to teach them a lesson, he turns the power of his pipe on the village’s children and lures them all away never to be seen again.
The moral often associated with this tale is that we should honor our promises, or the decision could come back to affect us negatively. Also, the term ‘pied piper’ is now used to describe someone who can lure and influence others through charm and charisma. This is certainly the reference BTS is using, as they equate their song to the magic of the pipe in the story.
For more detailed information on the origin of the folklore and it’s influence throughout the ages, check out the Wikipedia article we’ve linked below for you.
DAY THREE:
Not only did “Pied Piper” immediately follow “Dimple” on the track list of Love Yourself 承 ‘HER’, but BTS decided that, for continuity’s sake obviously, they should perform the songs back to back on stage as well.
Cool.
It’s not heavy on choreography in the way “Dimple” is—there isn’t any until the very end, in fact—but that doesn’t make it any less dangerous to watch. The rest of the lyrics outside of RM’s tiny “lecture” are… suggestive, to say the least.
Follow the sound of the pipes, follow this song
Though I’m a bit dangerous, I’m too sweet
I came to rescue you, I came to ruin you
You’re the one who called me, see, I’m sweet
Follow the sound of the pipes
I’m takin’ over you…
As the chorus is sung, the members add in vocalizations that mimic the call of a pipe flute. It sounds very seductive alongside them telling us that we’re NOT being punished, but that they ARE here to ruin us. What? And while the Rap Line’s verses ever so lovingly chide us for our fixation on them, the Vocal Line slides in right behind them, singing “See, I’m sweet,” followed by staring into our souls for way too long to not be purposeful. And then at the end we get more body rolls and sexy spinning.
This song is the height of emotional whiplash. Honestly… we should write someone a strongly-worded letter about it. “Dear Kim Namjoon…”
”PIED PIPER” FROM BTS FESTA PROM PARTY 2018 (04:26 - shown above)
BTS - “PIED PIPER” @ JAPAN OFFICIAL FANMEETING VOL. 5 2019 (STAGE MIX) (04:27)
BTS - PIED PIPER “BTS ROOM LIVE” (FESTA 2021) (01:24 - as shown)
V SURPRISE BIRTHDAY PARTY - BTS (06:36 - as shown)
BTS TELL US WHAT THEY LOVE ABOUT EACH OTHER & AN UPDATE ON TONY & NATE FROM AMERICA HUSTLE LIFE (03:17)
170921 COMEBACK SHOW - BTS DNA 100-SECOND INTERVIEW (04:19, not in YT playlist)
VIVI MAGAZINE PHOTOSHOOT MAY 2018 EDITION (FEAT. J-HOPE, JIMIN, AND V) (01:33, not in YT playlist)
171023 PLEASE TAKE CARE OF MY REFRIGERATOR - EPISODE 153 WITH JIN & JIMIN (11:32 - shown below)
BONUS: 171117 TALK WITH HOBI! 😘 (47:15 - as shown)
Bangtan Bubble: So… what are YOUR thoughts on “Pied Piper”?
Let us know your answer in the comments below or on social media (include #BangtanBubble)!
DAY FOUR:
If someone asked “Name BTS’ top five MOST iconic songs”, I guarantee that most of us would include “MIC Drop” somewhere on that list. Its hip-hop sound, catchy chorus, and amazing choreography make it widely appealing, and it’s responsible for hooking many a casual first-time listener, and then sending them spiraling down the BTS rabbit hole.
BTS RM in “MIC Drop (Steve Aoki Remix)” Official M/V
Having Steve Aoki, a well-known American DJ and record producer, not only remix their track but also appear in the music video with them was a stroke of brilliance. I think this M/V is probably one of the first BTS videos a lot of International ARMY ever saw. And when we saw RM bust out of that ambulance and say “Baby, watch your mouth!”, we knew we needed more. (Please make sure you watch the “making of” video for the M/V linked below so that you can also see the “God of Destruction” get stuck in that ambulance when he can’t get the doors to open.)
Baby, watch your mouth
It come back around
Once upon a time
We learnt how to fly
Go look at your mirror
Same damn clothes
BTS followed up this M/V with a string of amazing live performances, including one on “Saturday Night Live”. They also added in a dance break at the end of the song that made it hit a lot harder, and gave the members more of an opportunity to shine in a unique way. When they heard “DNA”, America sat up and paid attention… but “MIC Drop” kept them from turning away again.
“MIC DROP” (STEVE AOKI REMIX)” OFFICIAL M/V (03:35 - shown above)
“MIC DROP” MV SHOOTING (05:57 - shown below)
BTS “MIC DROP” MV REACTION (13:03)
”MIC DROP” LIVE ON SNL (04:30)
2017 MBC MUSIC FESTIVAL - “MIC DROP” (05:15)
FLASH FORWARD: BTS SURPRISES SUPERFANS & THEIR MOMS ON KIMMEL (03:29)
“MIC DROP” REMIX (04:23)
BEHIND THE STAGE OF “MIC DROP” @BTS DNA COMEBACK SHOW - BTS (04:51)
”MIC DROP” SPECIAL STAGE (BTS FOCUS.) @COMEBACK SHOW - BTS (04:02)
M!COUNTDOWN BACKSTAGE WITH BTS (17:16, not in YT playlist)
Fun Fact:
I think we can all agree that “MIC Drop” as a whole, belongs to j-hope. It’s definitely one of his most standout, iconic performances.
Even his fellow BTS members can’t help but sing his praises every time they see it, prompting their much-loved running joke of shouting of “j-hoooooooooope!”
From the opening moment of each performance, when j-hope steps forward, places his foot and drops into the starting position of the choreography—all while maintaining fierce eye contact with us—we know we’re in for something amazing. Both his rap and his dancing shine on this track, cementing it as one of his most memorable moments in BTS history.
However, while j-hope is effortlessly cool when he’s performing, he’s equally capable of being the complete opposite when he’s off stage. Please enjoy these moments below where he turned “MIC Drop” into the world’s cutest song, including a dance cameo from a very tiny, puppy version of V’s Pomeranian, Yeontan.
DAY FIVE:
As with any other BTS song, there’s more going on underneath the flashy choreography and surface-level catchiness of “MIC Drop”. At first listen, the message appears to merely be braggadocious, meant to put haters in their place—and it is—but if you look closer, you’ll get a deeper meaning. And that is that empty criticism is a worthless waste of time and energy.
RM has stated that the main inspiration for this song was the actual mic drop President Barack Obama did at the end of his speech at the White House Correspondents Dinner in 2016—SUGA even drops his own mic at the end of every performance of the song. But he was also inspired by his and ARMY’s frustration over all of the pointless hate and negativity BTS had been receiving over the years, and in 2017 especially.
“Nobody is perfect in the world. Nobody is perfect… Therefore we must always be open to constructive criticism. But people who criticize or ridicule us… I feel sorry for them. Because there are so many good things in the world. There are so many good things to see and hear. Life is too short to appreciate all of them. But when people get rude, or threaten other people, I just… hmm… well, you can think of ‘MIC Drop’ then.”
RM’s words were not just lip service. BTS was spending their time appreciating the good things in the world. They were too busy winning awards, breaking records, and collaborating with new artists every day to pay real attention to any baseless accusations or needless hate people threw at them. So they just did what they always do—they put it in a song.
Haters gon’ hate
Players gon’ play
Live a life, man
Good luck
I don’t have any reason to see you again, this is my last goodbye
I don’t have anything to tell you, don’t even bother to apologize
Message received, BTS.
“MIC DROP” ORIGINAL VER (04:09 - shown above)
[2017 MAMA IN HONG KONG] BTS_BTS CYPHER 4 + MIC DROP (STEVE AOKI REMIX VER.) (08:13 - as shown)
SMA (INTRO, MIC DROP, DNA) (10:12 - as shown)
SEOUL MUSIC AWARDS 2018 - BTS BONSANG AWARD (01:56 - as shown)
BTS DAESANG WIN SPEECH AT SEOUL MUSIC AWARDS (SMA) 2018 (04:42)
OUR ARMY 💕 YOU GOT A DAESANG! 🏆 (03:23)
“MIC DROP” STEVE AOKI REMIX 무대 교차편집(DANCE BREAK)(STAGE MIX) (05:15)
“MIC DROP” SPECIAL STAGE (BTS FOCUS) @2017 MBC 가요대제전 (05:10)
BTS STANDBY TIME @ MCOUNTDOWN FOR “DNA” & “MIC DROP” COMEBACK STAGE (07:02)
BTS FULL PERFORMANCE - “MIC DROP” + “DNA” + “NOT TODAY” | SBS GAYO DEJUN 2017 (14:01)
BTS @2017 SBS GAYO DAEJEON (17:37 - shown below)
Bangtan Bubble: Tell us about a good ‘mic drop’ moment you’ve had in your life
Let us know your answer in the comments below or on social media (include #BangtanBubble)!
FINAL THOUGHTS:
LYS: Her album
No thoughts… just “Pied Piper” on a loop, continuously. The End.
I’M FINE. EVERYTHING’S FINE.
Tune in next week (if all of this didn’t cause you to shuffle off of this mortal coil) for the conclusion of Love Yourself 承 ‘HER’, when BTS will teach us how to “Floss” and we’ll revisit the joys of “YOLO”...
Side Quest
It’s been awhile, but it’s time we returned to “Run BTS!” And we’re still in Season Two, believe it or not.
A few of the following episodes are some of the most iconic in the series. I would hazard a guess that just as “MIC Drop” is one of BTS’ most recognizable songs, so too is “BTS Vs. Zombie” one of the most widely-known episodes of “Run BTS!” Is there anything else funnier than a startled SUGA squaring up like he’s prepared to fight all of them?
Also included is the hilarious holiday-themed “Please Take Care of Santa” episode which includes V pretending to be a mannequin in a display case and RM being adorably baffled upon discovering him.
RUN BTS! - EP. 22 screen shot
RUN BTS! - EP. 22 [HANGAWI FESTIVAL] (29:54 - shown above)
RUN BTS! - EP. 23 [PET FRIENDS] (25:21)
RUN BTS! - EP. 25 [GAME KING] (25:49)
RUN BTS! - EP. 26 [SECRET AGENT] (32:47)
RUN BTS! - EP. 27 [WELCOME TO YOUR FIRST MT - 1ST EPISODE-] (29:23)
RUN BTS! - EP. 28 [WELCOME TO YOUR FIRST MT - 2ND EPISODE-] (21:49)
RUN BTS! - EP. 29 [PROMISE FOR THEIR BB HOT 100 HIT: BEING STYLISTS TO EACH OTHER](32:12)
RUN BTS! - EP. 30 [VARIETY SHOWS OF MEMORIES EPISODE 1] (28:15)
RUN BTS! - EP. 31 [VARIETY SHOWS OF MEMORIES EPISODE 2] (31:04)
CREDITS:
YouTube/Web
HYBE LABELS, BANGTANTV, Bangtan Subs, AskAnythingChat, babykook, bella, BlackSwanChim, Brilliant, BTS Live Archive, Enjoy BTS More, Jenowski, Jeon Kookie, Jimmy Kimmel Live, KBS WORLD TV, K-contents Voyage, kthvren, LDF TV by lottedutyfree, Lemoring, M2, Mnet Kpop, Pibitaneul, TrapMusicHDTV, Trinh's' ARMY's', TSN1995, Video Drama Channel, zoldckbf, Wall Street Journal
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).