WEEK 8 | A Wild Ride
February 19 - 23, 2024
Appreciation.
Last week we ended on a somber note. We were left with the taste of heartbreak, wondering… had we been broken up with? The winter of DARK & WILD was feeling bleak indeed.
As 2015 began, however, and BTS continued to go through the awards season, the cold seemed to thaw a bit. They walked away with prizes from the Golden Disc Awards, the Gaon Chart Awards, and the Seoul Music Awards. They also continued to hold successful fanmeets and planned the second half of their “Red Bullet” world tour. Momentum was carrying the members on an upward trajectory once more. Time to come out of the “dark” and get hit with the “wild”...
As they moved toward spring, a manic sort of energy seemed to fill the air. This feeling is reflected in the second half of DARK & WILD. We come in hot with the next addition to the cypher series, “Cypher Pt. 3: Killer,” and revel in the Rap Line’s crazy flow as they decimate their haters. SUGA, promising to take us all to Hong Kong (look it up, trust us) in his verse, sets us up for the wild ride that follows. BTS spends the rest of the album realizing what they lost and subsequently trying to woo and win us back.
Even in the midst of back-to-back promotions, random aegyo, and backstage craziness (as usual), the members of Bangtan Sonyeondan always take time to bring it back to what’s most important: the music and their fans. They take every opportunity possible to talk about their growing involvement in the production process of their albums and to let ARMY know how hard they’re always working to continually show us something even better next time.
Playlists & Lyrics
BTS DARK & WILD ALBUM SPOTIFY PLAYLIST (also embedded at bottom of post)
ARMY PROJECT 529 WEEK 8 VIDEO PLAYLIST (all YouTube links)
DAY ONE:
BTS j-hope holding a Bongsangs in 2015
Another new year brought even more ARMY for the members of BTS to send their well wishes to. DARK & WILD was taking us on a tumultuous journey of the heart, but we would not let BTS down. The beginning of 2015 saw numerous awards coming in for the group, including numerous Bongsangs (“major award”)—a step up from all of the “Rookie” awards they had won the year previously.
“Cypher Pt. 3: Killer,” as mentioned above, is another explosive entry in the Rap Line’s cypher series. This is another clear message to anyone who tries to call them out. BTS is taking care of business, and they’re doing it well—and if you try to say differently, you should probably take a look in the mirror first. The complicated switch-ups in both beat and flow styles perfectly showcase the continually evolving talent of Rap Monster, SUGA, and j-hope (as well as their co-production team). The difference between the first in the cypher series and “Cypher Pt. 3: Killer” is monumental.
“CYPHER PT. 3: KILLER” - LIVE PERFORMANCE (shown above)
MEMBERS RECOMMEND THEIR FAVORITE D&W SONGS (of course V picks “Cypher Pt. 3”)
BANGTAN BOMB: MODELING SUNGLASSES FROM MPD (Feat. Jimin’s reenactment of “The Matrix”)
FLASH FORWARD: “CYPHER PT. 3: KILLER” - LIVE IN BUSAN (2022)
BANGTAN BOMB: BTS AT THE 4TH GAON CHART AWARDS (winning the “World Rookie Award” - shown below)
BANGTAN BOMB: THE 29TH GOLDEN DISC AWARDS (BEIJING) (winning a Bongsang)
Fun Fact
As ARMY, we might think that we are BTS’ biggest fans. But we’re not. Nobody loves BTS as much as BTS loves BTS.
The Rap Line, in particular, has a #1 Fanboy. He goes by the name of Kim Taehyung, also known as V.
Over the years, we’ve seen members of the Rap Line sing, and we’ve even seen members of the Vocal Line rap (especially Jung Kook), but no other member has shown quite the same devotion to hyping up the Rap Line as V has. He has (not so) secretly been training hard over the years just in case his hyungs suddenly need to include him in a performance, and occasionally we’ve been lucky enough to witness it happen.
Please enjoy the following examples of V being the biggest BTS Cypher fan on this earth and him doing his absolute, and most adorable, best to audition for a spot in the Rap Line.
DAY TWO:
These days, most of us can’t picture life without our cell phones, even if we didn’t grow up with them. Carrying them with us and having them in our hands is second nature now. But do you remember what it was like before they were common (if you’re old enough)?
In “Can You Turn Off Your Cell Phone?”, BTS bemoans the lack of human connection we experience now because of technology. “Look at my face and give me a mention / I don’t need a ‘like.’” They ask us to be present in the moment and enjoy spending time with someone else without constantly being on our phones.
The song is structured as a bit of an argument between a couple of friends getting together for the first time in a while. One wants to really connect (Rap Monster), and one wants to document the occasion (SUGA). Social media has overtaken our lives—so much so that it can be easy to fall into a habit of ‘curating’ everything we do into content in order to present a certain image online. This image might conflict 100% with how we are in real life. “Why are you pretending to be popular?” Rap Monster asks. SUGA responds: “Talking face to face is an old story now.”
Swooping in to mediate, j-hope asks, “You haven’t seen each other for awhile and you’re fighting again?” Social media has become a valuable tool in our society, but at what cost? Is there a right answer here, or are there just varying shades of gray?
“CAN YOU TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONE?” - COLOR-CODED LYRICS (shown above)
BANGTAN BOMB: BACKSTAGE MULTIPLICATION GAME (j-hope can’t math)
BANGTAN BOMB: J-HOPE AND JIMIN GET “UP DOWN UP DOWN” (BY EXID) (more sexy girl group choreo, Rap Monster adorably tries to join in)
BANGTAN BOMB: RAP MONSTER TEACHES JIMIN HOW TO EMOTE WHILE DANCING (shown below)
BTS ON IDOL TRUE COLOURS CRADIO (BTS appears from 7:28 until 41:18; without Rap Monster who was in L.A. at the time)
BANGTAN BOMB: SING ALONG WITH THE MAKNAES IN BEIJING (“Forest of Dreams” by Kinetic Soul)
Fun Fact
We’ve mentioned before that BTS (and most K-Pop groups in general) release music in Japan along with their regular discography. Of course these groups release their music in many countries, but the Japanese releases are different because they feature translated songs. In other countries, BTS just releases their Korean music.
Wake Up was BTS’ first Japanese album release (on Dec. 24, 2014) and their second full-length studio album. It featured Japanese versions of previously released Korean tracks as well as two brand-new songs written in Japanese. “No More Dream,” “Boy In Luv,” and “Danger” were released as singles in Japan ahead of the album’s debut. (The other translated songs were “Just One Day,” “Jump,” “I Like It Pt. 2,” “Attack on Bangtan,” and “N.O.”)
The two new songs were “The Stars” and “Wake Up.” Check out some fun content from the Wake Up album below:
DAY THREE:
Human connection was something still very much on BTS’ mind with the next few songs on DARK & WILD. Have you ever done or said something embarrassing in front of a crush (or someone important in your life) or maybe lost your nerve and missed an opportunity with them? Then later you go home and try to put it behind you, only to suddenly remember what happened once you lie down in bed? Suddenly, those feelings come rushing back again so you kick the blankets out of frustration?
That’s what the song “Embarrassed,” also known as “Blanket Kick,” is about. It explores the very relatable feelings we all have sometimes when we try to connect with someone we like, but feel self-conscious and can’t follow through.
It’s easy to imagine the members of BTS dealing with these kinds of feelings. They often, especially during the early days of their career, get asked personal questions about their “dating lives” or are requested to act “cute” or “manly” for their fans. We have a few examples for you below, and it’s likely that some of the members got into bed afterwards and did a “blanket kick” out of embarrassment.
“EMBARRASSED/BLANKET KICK” - LIVE PERFORMANCE (shown above)
BANGTAN BOMB: J-HOPE DANCES “SUGAR FREE” (but SUGA is the only one who plays along)
BANGTAN BOMB: V PRACTICES TO BE A “SPECIAL MC” ON MUSIC CORE (Spoiler Alert: it’s adorable)
BANGTAN BOMB: 3J RANDOM DANCING IN THE GREENROOM (a peek into future choreo?)
BANGTAN BOMB: DANCE #1 DROP THAT “NAENAE” (“In Da Club” Rap Monster and “Velociraptor” Jung Kook)
BANGTAN BOMB: DANCE #2 V TEACHES US HOW TO “WIGGLE WIGGLE” (unsurprisingly, Jimin turns it into body rolls)
A-PORT EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW FOR RED BULLET IN BANGKOK (they get teddy bears and V immediately undresses his)
Fun Fact
“Blanket Kick” is an ARMY favorite for a few reasons. It’s a very cute song with relatable lyrics, and it has some of the most adorable choreography BTS has ever had during their career.
But the biggest reason the song is a fan favorite probably has to do with the live performances we’ve seen of it. The choreo involves some props (like a bed), and the members have some interactive moments that are cute and funny.
As BTS was performing “Blanket Kick” regularly in concert after its release, their…interpretations of the choreography got progressively crazier as their tour went on. It seemed like maybe they had written a whole storyline out in their heads and were acting it out for ARMY’s amusement.
Bangtan Bubble: What’s the most embarrassing thing you’ve ever done in front of a crush?
Answer in the comments below or on social media (be sure to tag @ARMYProject529 and mention #BangtanBubble)!
DAY FOUR:
Have we recovered from the awkward feelings that inspired “Blanket Kick”? Confidence is key. And the members of BTS have it in spades. They might blush and hide their faces, but it’s only for a moment. They're infinitely more comfortable looking us in the eye and telling us how much they like us. Take a look at the footage of the members as they go through individual photoshoots for a magazine spread below. It is obvious, even with Jung Kook, just how much they have matured in the year since they debuted. It’s youthful, but there is something in their eyes that hints at the cusp of adulthood.
Continuing to ride that wild line between adolescent enthusiasm and adult relationships that is so prevalent throughout the album, we move on to “24/7=Heaven” and “Look Here.” Both songs talk about the heady feeling of expressing appreciation and attraction toward their person of interest. The members also want to make sure ARMY knows how much they love us outside of the music as well. Take, for example, SUGA executing a plan to spoil some lucky fans by giving gifts and hand-written notes TO them for his birthday, instead of wanting to receive gifts FROM them. He pays for and puts all the packages together himself (with some help from Jimin and V) and takes the time to personalize them as well.
Maybe BTS didn’t appreciate us enough before, and that’s why the relationship got rocky. But now it’s like our first date all over again. They want to tell us how sexy we are, how often they think of us. The back and forth feels crazy, but almost intentionally so. The message is both playful and serious—just like young love. How could we not be charmed and intrigued?
“24/7=HEAVEN” LIVE STAGE MIX (as shown)
BANGTAN BOMB: JIN AND JIMIN PUSH UP TIME (as shown)
BTS IN TAIWAN (fans at the airport acting a fool; not in YouTube playlist)
Fun Fact:
February 18 is a very special day in ‘Boraland’—it’s j-hope’s birthday! Jung Hoseok was born on February 18, 1994, which means our beloved Hobi turned 30 this year!
Ever since the beginning of their career, the members of BTS have understood that ARMY loves to recognize their birthdays and that we love to celebrate with them, even if it’s just for a little while. They have always made sure to release a video for us, make a post online, or go LIVE (if they’re able) to show their appreciation and thank us for all of the well wishes.
Ten years ago, in 2014, on j-hope’s 20th birthday, BigHit set up a special, and very touching, surprise for him. It included messages from some of their staff, the other members, and his family. Please enjoy this heartwarming moment (and also some of the members needing to tell j-hope how pretty his sister is while he was crying):
BANGTAN BOMB: IT’S A J-HOPE-FUL DAY!
And even though we knew j-hope wouldn't be able to go LIVE with us this year on his birthday, he still made sure ARMYs got a gift—the teaser for his long-awaited dance documentary: “HOPE ON THE STREET”.
DAY FIVE:
As they reached the one-year anniversary of their debut, BTS had a lot to reflect on. They’d won many awards and had numerous opportunities to travel and collaborate with people they’d admired. They’d performed many times for ARMY, and they’d released four albums in Korea and one in Japan. That’s quite a lot for one year.
And yet, we know Bangtan Sonyeondan. Were they satisfied with where they were on June 13th, 2014, a year after their debut? Of course not. On that day, they released the song “So 4 More” as a gift to ARMY and to commemorate their anniversary. The track is a deep reflection of where they’ve come from and of how much farther they want to go.
But why is it that I can’t find the real me anywhere
(Who knows? You know? you don’t. I know I don’t)
It’s been already a year, but I can’t get used to it no matter how many time I try
Every night, standing in front of a mirror and touching the side of my lips, I ask myself,
Are you really the Kim Namjoon that you’ve known?
Rap Monster, and the rest of BTS, show us once again that they’re always committed to evolving, to searching for their better selves. Their company’s CEO, Bang PD, had encouraged them to always “write themselves” into their lyrics. They were growing up. And it was clear their music would need to as well…
“SO 4 MORE/SECOND GRADE” LIVE PERFORMANCE (shown above)
SUNNY FM RADIO - TAYEON & YURI (OF SNSD) TEASING V (for having to sit in between them on an airplane)
SUGA’S “DARK & WILD” ALBUM REVIEW (as shown; the hands are back!)
BANGTAN BOMB: LIP-SYNCING BACKSTAGE - JIMIN & JUNG KOOK (Jimin literally cannot help himself.)
BANGTAN BOMB: THROWBACK: JUNG KOOK LIP-SYNCING “A GUY LIKE ME” (TAE TAE CAM) (a video V found in his phone from 2013)
“SOMEONE LIKE YOU” - SUNG/PROD. BY V (Orig. by Adele)
BANGTAN BOMB: A TRIP TO NAMHANSANSEONG ( j-hope, Jimin & V talk their next album, and V sings some Trot music.
Bangtan Bubble: Look back at yourself one year ago. How are you different today?
Answer in the comments below or on social media (be sure to tag @ARMYProject529 and mention #BangtanBubble)!
FINAL THOUGHTS:
BTS The Most Beautiful Moment in Life pt. 1 Album, aka HYYH within the fandom
DARK & WILD was certainly that, wasn’t it? As we wrap up our look into this album, we’re also wrapping up the first year of BTS’ career. Can you believe how many milestones they achieved and how much they learned? Seeing their growth from “No More Dream” through “Danger” is mind-blowing enough, but it doesn’t even scratch the surface of what’s coming next.
When we come back next week, we’ll be entering ‘The Most Beautiful Moment in Life’, and from that point onward, nothing will ever be the same for BTS… or for ARMY. Get ready for a roller coaster of emotions as we formally enter the ‘Bangtan Universe’.
Side Quest
It’s time for the second half of BTS’ very first concert series (which is oddly named “Ep. 1”): Live Trilogy: Ep. 1 - “BTS Begins.”
This is the continuation of their Asian tour during promotions for DARK & WILD. Last week we showed you the first half, which took place at the end of 2014. This time, we bring you the next part, which happened in late spring/early summer of 2015.
Enjoy on your own time, and don’t forget to let us know what you think about it in the comments below!
BTS ANNOUNCES “BTS Begins” (as shown)
“BTS Begins” (1/4) (not in YouTube playlist)
“BTS Begins” (2/4) (not in YouTube playlist)
“BTS Begins” (3/4) (not in YouTube playlist)
“BTS Begins” (4/4) (not in YouTube playlist)
CREDITS:
YouTube/Web
HYBE LABELS, BANGTANTV, Bangtan Subs, ARMYGDALA, NReffects, Lemoring, des ree, Kpop For Life, Bangtxned Bullxtproof, Som Supawadee, THE STAR MAGAZINE, KY, Madboyjeffy, TAE BUN OFFICIAL, Brilliant, TT Karaoke Subs, Siti Nurain, farihan zin, Murmast, Diana TvSanders, soackward, M2, Koo Gyeom Fairy Baby, Jeon Songhan 전송한, Enjoy BTS More, 티비텐, dailymotion.com (CNTV, Milkykook), wikipedia.org
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).