WEEK 34 | Just Wanted to Make You Smile

Monday Muster
Written By Quince

August 19 - 25, 2024

Belonging.

It’s warm, and comforting, when you feel like you’ve found the place you’re supposed to be, and the person (or people) you’re supposed to be with. Last week, as we began our look into MAP OF THE SOUL: PERSONA, I discussed that BTS wanted to use this album to not only explore the path that led them to self love and finding themselves, but also to celebrate ARMY, who helped them navigate that path.

V & SUGA MOTS: P Concept Photo Sketch

Jin, Jung Kook, and RM MOTS: P Concept Photo Sketch

j-hope & Jimin MOTS: P Concept Photo Sketch

This week is about recognizing when you’ve found what is important, and what you need to do to celebrate and protect it—whatever that “it” might be for you. Maybe it’s the right house to settle down in, that job you’ve been working toward for years, or even a person you’ve connected with deeply. It can be different for us all.


For BTS, it was reaching the point in their career when they could see the impact they were making around the world. ARMY was lifting them up everywhere they went, and they realized they were beyond proving anything to their haters. I won’t say it was as simple as them thinking, “We made it!”, but it’s safe to say that after speaking at the United Nations, receiving the Order of Cultural Merit from the South Korean government, and debuting at #1 on the Billboard Global 200, BTS realized they had achieved far more than they ever thought they would.


In the midst of them skyrocketing past the confines of K-Pop, they still took the time to consider what had made it possible, and what made their sacrifices and hard work worth it. It was their fans. None of it—money, fame, awards, travel, etc.—none of it meant anything without ARMY. To BTS, we were (and are) the most important part of their career. We’re their touchstone… where they belong.

 
 
 

Skip to Content: Day One | Day Two | Day Three | Day Four | Day Five

 

DAY ONE:

Okay. We all love BTS’ music videos. We love when they’re on cool set locations, dressed amazingly, and performing jaw-dropping choreography, yeah? Of course we do. But can I be honest for a moment? The M/V for “Make it Right (Feat. Lauv)” might be my favorite BTS video of all-time. Actually… let’s scratch the ‘might’. It is my favorite—even though it doesn’t really include much of what I mentioned above.

M/V for “Make it Right (Feat. Lauv)”


The lyrics of the song talk about finding that ‘someone’ who changes your life for the better and wanting to do the same for them by ‘making it right’. Half of the M/V is an animation that depicts a character who appears to be traveling on some sort of hero’s quest. The hero meets a girl and they become friends and travel together. At night, he falls asleep, shivering by the fire, so she covers him with her cloak but then disappears. When he wakes and finds her gone, his quest then becomes to find her.

M/V for “Make it Right (Feat. Lauv)”

Me, who wasn’t invited,

me, who wasn’t welcomed —

The one person who recognized me

In the eternal night for which I was unable to see the end,

it was you who gifted me the morning

Would it be okay that I hold that hand now?



The hero is determined to find his friend, because without the cloak she covered him in, he would not have made it through the night. We see flashbacks to all the different ways she supported him, and it becomes clear that the hero is BTS, and the friend he is looking for is ARMY. He travels across deserts, and there might even be a dragon. It’s epic and it gets me right in my little nerdy feels.

Through the tears... M/V for “Make it Right (Feat. Lauv)”

And the smiles...M/V for “Make it Right (Feat. Lauv)”

The story is interspersed with footage of the group performing the song at various concerts, doing what they love to do most in the world—performing for and spending time with ARMY. They travel around the globe to find us and “make it better” with their concerts and their music because they want to repay us for all we’ve given them.


I never make it to the end of that video without crying. Let me know if you do…

"Make it Right" Stage Mix

 
 

Bangtan Bomb: j-hope & Jimin "Let's Exercise"

 

Fun Fact:

You know what time it is. It’s time to listen to our leader talking about making music again. Let’s tune in to RM’s journey through MAP OF THE SOUL: PERSONA.

First things first. A moment of appreciation for a platinum blonde RM. Definitely one of my weaknesses. Second, I know I’ve said it before, but there really is nothing better than when he talks about the process of making an album. I know we got a recent in-depth look at the wilds of Namjoon’s brain with Right Place, Wrong Person, but I could seriously live there forever.

Grab a snack and enjoy RM going in depth about Carl Jung, and disclosing how wrote the bulk of the lyrics for MOTS:P (mostly because he wanted to and was given the opportunity). He says he wants the music industry to focus more on making albums again and less on streaming, and then admits that most of PERSONA is, in fact, a love letter to ARMY.

*cue Quince laying on her bed and kicking her heels in the air like a school girl*

 
 

DAY TWO:

Is there any better feeling in this world than coming home after a really long, exhausting day? When the world gets us down and feels big and scary, home is the place we most often want to be. Being in our own space is usually calming and helps us recharge. The next song on MAP OF THE SOUL: PERSONA talks about this very feeling.

Our Home

“Home” could really be considered a companion song to “Make It Right”; they have such similar themes and vibes, though the former definitely feels a bit more playful. In the lyrics BTS talks about the thrill of exploration (like in “Make It Right”), and feeling like they can take on anything. But eventually they realize that no matter how many exciting experiences they have, their greatest joy is in finding comfort and love in someone—someone who they feel safe and at home with, and who has supported them through all of their rough times. Someone like… you guessed it… ARMY.

The place where you are 

Perhaps that place is my home

With you I’mma feel rich

That very place is my home

Turn it on before (I come back), your switch

Yeah

Even if nothing is said, it will be comfortable

As long as I have you, anywhere will become my home

You know I want that

Home

It’s a beautiful thing when we are able to find someone who feels like ‘home’ to us, no matter where we are. Having a place and/or a person to come back to when the world becomes too much to bear is essential, and feeling loved and secured makes us richer than material wealth in the long run. Of course, since we’re recent graduates of the Bangtan Sonyeondan Love Yourself self-improvement course, we also know that first finding these qualities within ourselves is paramount before being able to allow someone else to be that person.

 
 
 
 
 

Bangtan Bubble: What, or who, makes you feel most ‘at home’?

 
 

Let us know your answer in the comments below or on social media (include #BangtanBubble)!

 

DAY THREE:

Sub-unit for "Jamais Vu" (Jin, Jung Kook, and j-hope)

It doesn’t matter how much of a risk-taker you might consider yourself, chances are that like everyone else in this world, you have been afraid of failing at least a few times in your life, am I right? I know that when I’m about to do something big and new I’m sometimes guilty of focusing on every possible thing that could go wrong and psyching myself out before I even get started. Change always comes with risk—the fear of which can overshadow the desire for any perceived reward. But when we persevere, even in the face of this fear, it makes success seem all the sweeter in the end.


The next track on MAP OF THE SOUL: PERSONA, “Jamais Vu” explores this. The song features a sub-unit performance from Jin, j-hope, and Jung Kook, and the title comes from a French psychology term meaning “never seen”. It refers to the phenomenon of experiencing a situation that one might somewhat recognize, but still find very unfamiliar. (If you’re a nerd like I am, think of Gandalf looking around the mines of Moria and musing to himself, “I have no memory of this place.”)


If I stop at this point,

if I turn it off, will everything be at ease?

Though I’m okay, I’m not okay

Though I’ve been telling myself that I’m used to this,

it hurts every time as if it’s the first time

BTS often acknowledges their fear of failure. The members have always honestly discussed their “imperfections” with us, and we know most, if not all, of them have struggled in various ways over the years with body image and a perceived lack of talent. We can all relate to feeling unworthy sometimes. And when being on the receiving end of an insane amount of love and adoration from so many people on a daily basis, it’s not surprising that the members found themselves often wondering if they were deserving.

"Jamais Vu" Bang Bang Con

Please give me a

(Remedy)

I run again and fall again

(Honestly)

Even if this repeats countlessly,

I’ll run again

So give me a remedy


However, despite their fears, they’ve shown us since their Debut that they won’t give up in the face of adversity. This message of turning negatives into positives by always looking for a new solution encourages us to be brave and to find beauty in the difficult moments. And as we look to them for encouragement, they also look to us. They’ve said time and time again that (aside from each other) ARMY is the biggest reason they’ve been able to keep going, no matter what.

 
 

Bangtan Bomb: V Dances "Mic Drop" @ BTS Pop-up: House of BTS

 

I Really Trusted You...Jung Kook, Jin, and Jimin VLIVE 5/19/19

 

Fun Fact

August 11, 2019. A day that will truly live in infamy in ARMY’s memory. A day that gave us so many legendary Bangtan looks, moments, and performances.

The Lotte Family Concert.

BTS has been a brand ambassador for Lotte Duty Free (a division of Hotel Lotte) since November 13, 2017, and over the years they’ve endorsed various products for the travel retail company.

Since 2006, Lotte has organized and held a multi-day cultural event in South Korea that includes a concert at which top Korean artists (including those with brand deals) perform.

BTS has appeared at more than one Lotte Duty Free Concert, but arguably the most memorable time was in 2019. Something seemed to be in the air that day. Maybe they made a wish with a fairy godmother, or got a particularly good fortune cookie with their Chinese takeout—whatever it was, magic definitely seemed to be involved. Because the members were on another level that day.

Especially the Golden Maknae. Mention “190811 Jung Kook” to any ARMY and their eyes will immediately glaze over as they picture the reference. I know I personally think of this concert as when I really noticed that our little JK was not so little anymore… enjoy!

 

DAY FOUR:

190420 Music Core Show:  "Dionysus" Stage Cam

BTS loves to wrap up their albums in a dramatic way and MAP OF THE SOUL: PERSONA is no exception. The final song, “Dionysus” features heavy guitars and blistering drum beats that set a high-energy pace from the jump. It celebrates… well, celebrating, actually. Or, being in a position to celebrate reaching a point where criticism over trivial things fuels rather than worries you.

MOTS:P Concept Photos - RM

Drink it up (the pain of creating)

One sip (the scolding of society)

Drink it up (the communication with myself)

One sip (Okay now I’m ready to show)


Dionysus is the name of the Ancient Greek god of wine and wine-making, revelry, madness, and many other things. As BTS was first considered an outcast amongst Idol groups because they debuted under a small company, so too was Dionysus treated as an outsider in the Greek pantheon. He was a bit of a loner; he established a group of followers separate from his fellow Olympians and they tended toward cult-like behavior in the practice of his worship. He is also the god of theatre and inspiration, which fits the entire album’s theme of character and self discovery (‘persona’). This is reflected in some of the concept photos BTS shot for MOTS:P.

The above lyrics acknowledge the criticism I mentioned earlier. The process of artistic creation, especially when pursuing it as a career, is not easy. BTS uses the metaphor of taking shots of all the pain they have to endure in order to fortify themselves against future challenges, so they’ll be ready to continue putting on a good show. It’s a brilliant comparison, and definitely one we can all learn from and apply to our lives as well.

 
 

Bangtan Bomb: Let's Pizza Party!

 

Bangtan Bomb: V's Idea of Loving Art

Fun Fact:

At the end of every year since 1997, SBS (Seoul Broadcasting System) holds the SBS Gayo Daejeon music festival, and broadcasts it on television as well. BTS has participated numerous times during their career, but their 2019 appearance was their last (to date).


They performed “Dionysus”, but also a beautiful medley of Christmas carols, which they were excited for, having never done a proper Christmas broadcast before. Some of the members paired up to sing songs together (Jin and j-hope’s “Feliz Navidad” is a highlight), and Jung Kook performed “O, Holy Night” on his own. 


The best part is the “Behind” episode which shows them backstage practicing their carols and hyping each other up. SUGA laments that he didn’t get a chance to choose a song because V, his song partner, wanted to do “Jingle Bell Rock”. Why? Because he saw it in a movie. (He doesn’t specifically name “Mean Girls”, but it’s pretty clear from context clues that’s the movie he was talking about.) Jimin laughs endlessly as RM keeps getting the lyrics for “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” wrong, and it’s an instant dopamine hit to the brain. 


Later, they watch their “nephews”, TXT perform a cover of their song “Boy In Luv” and then gush proudly over them when they come backstage again afterwards. j-hope teases Taehyun, “Oh, you looked tense when you were about to do my part!” and V even gives Beomgyu a hug. (Daegu boys gotta stick together!) 

Enjoy!

 

SBS Gayo DaeJeon Music Festival - "Dionysus"

 
 

DAY FIVE:

2019 MMA "Dionysus" Performance

The first time you ever heard “Dionysus”—was it while listening to MAP OF THE SOUL: PERSONA, or a playlist on your streaming service of choice? Or, like me, was your first time experiencing the song watching one of their many crazy, over-the-top live performances on YouTube? I would guess that most of you have a similar story to mine: your jaw on the floor as you watched huge introduction spectacles, beautiful displays of individual artistry, and a non-stop performance from seven amazingly talented men.

BTS revels in their creativity, just as Dionysus’ followers reveled in their worship. The song itself embraces the transformative power of art. In the first verse, RM compares getting drunk to the feeling of losing yourself in art. The lyrics suggest that art, like alcohol, has the ability to intoxicate us, and free our minds from the constraints of reality and/or society.

A glass in one hand, a thyrsus in the other hand

In a transparent crystal glass, art that sloshes

Well, art is also alcohol, you get drunk when you drink it, fool

You dunno you dunno you dunno what to do with

Let me show you, I’m pushing forward with something completely different

A mic that is made of ivy vines and rough wood

There is never a sound that comes out in just one breath

 

2019 MMA Performance of "Dionysius"

During their live performances, RM actually carries a ‘thyrsus’, a representation of the scepter (decorated with ivy, sometimes grapes or honey) used by Dionysus. It could be either a beneficent wand or a weapon to be used against anyone who opposed the freedom of self he represented for his followers. As RM stalks around the stage with the ‘thyrsus’, the rest of the members dance and wind each other up as though they’re at a party. We’re pulled into their revelry immediately, heart rate increasing and breaths held, caught up in the artistry of the display.

SUGA, in the song’s bridge, tells us that it doesn’t matter where in the world BTS goes, where ever they show up, it will be a party. (A stadium party, nonetheless.) It doesn’t matter if they’re K-Pop Idols—art is art. They create beauty and they break records. The two don’t have to be mutually exclusive. They’re not worried about what anyone thinks of them being Idols any longer, because they know who they are now.

This is where their journey through the soul’s ‘persona’ brought them to—acceptance and celebration. It brought them to realizing what ARMY knew all along—that they were (and are still) worthy of the love they’d received and capable of contributing great work to the world. They invite us to share in this with them, and to look for it for ourselves as well. Keep going, keep creating (whatever that looks like for each of us), and know that what we’re doing is worthy.

Now, where’s the party at?

 
 
 

"Dionysus" 2019 KBS Song Festival

 

Bangtan Bomb: Happy New Year 2020!

 
 
 
 

Bangtan Bubble: What creative pursuit, hobby, or passion project do you revel in?

 

Let us know your answer in the comments below or on social media (include #BangtanBubble)!

 
 

FINAL THOUGHTS:

The journey to finding out who we are is so intrinsically linked to the process of learning to love ourselves, it seems a foregone conclusion that BTS would have released these two concept eras back to back. Really what else could they have done? I mean, I suppose they could have said “Well, the Love Yourself trilogy was pretty heavy, maybe we should lighten up for the next album and just give them a bunch of empty pop songs.”

But that’s not BTS. When have they ever done that? Even their brightest, most innocuous-sounding songs always serve a purpose. And that purpose is almost always to encourage and inspire others. When we return next week, we’ll continue along our journey mapping out the soul and see how seven normal boys from Korea navigated their way through crushing disappointment caused by a global pandemic right on the heels of releasing their most ambitious album to date.

 
 
 

Side Quest

What’s that? You want MORE Run BTS! Season 3? Your wish is my command. Please enjoy the following:

  • Kim Seokjin operating at PEAK Kim Seokjin

  • Hobi getting teased endlessly but taking it like a champ and still being hilarious.

  • Lots of wet, giggling Bangtan. THIGHS as far as the eye can see.

  • Jin and Taehyung once again proving that they are diabolical masterminds who are not to be trusted when it comes to Run BTS!

  • Jimin STILL trusting Taehyung, and paying the price. THE BETRAY.

  • Did I mention the THIGHS already? Well, they’re worth mentioning again.

  • The maknaes trouncing the hyungs mercilessly in a shooting game.

  • Jung Kook unsurprisingly out-manuevering everyone on the water obstacle course.

  • Taehyung: “BTS FOR……. EVER!”

  • Chairs: 1,013,000, Jimin: 0

  • Yoongi using his secondary form of “a stone on the ground” to his advantage.

  • Hobi having physical copies of Jimin’s single “Promise” made, and gifting them to him. Jimin giving Taehyung the bear figurines he ends up using for his “Winter Bear” cover.

  • So much laughter and Bangtan love.

 
 
 
 

Watching their brother fly through the air into the water on RUN BTS! Episode 84

Poor Jimin was on the struggle bus this whole episode!  RUN BTS! Episode 85

 
 
 

CREDITS:

YouTube/Web

HYBE LABELS, BANGTANTV, Bangtan Subs, Kpop iMi, KOREA NOW, Mnet K-POP, KBS WORLD TV, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, SBS Entertainment, Ayberk MusiC, KBS Kpop, MBCkpop, Anna McBerthon, Apple Music, Yesenia Curreao, ctc0128, Tae Tae, Jaeguchi, bts_update.moonchild, K-contents Voyage, STATV, Ai Jiminily, KOCOWA TV, bangtanluv8, SISSY TRIOS, SBSKPOP X INKIGAYO, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, BTS Live Archive, 비몽비몽, 레몬지민 JM🍋; Web: ok.ru (Video Bangtan Subs, Выступления разных групп)

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 blog and current BTS events/releases. It’s hosted by the AP529 Admin Team on Stefne’s 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).

Quince
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