BTS is coming back with new music but this time it’ll be their most BTS-eque music yet and Jimin in one interview stated that they have put a lot of their selves in this.
BTS is known to make songs that have a societal impact on them or reflective that contributes a lot to our well being. And this album might be, for the first time, speaks about who they really are as a person. Those things we overlooked, those small details about them. So a lot is anticipating that this new album is going to be emotionally raw and honest.
Concept Photos
This comeback is different from the previous ones since BTS didn’t release a comeback map like they normally do, and ARMYs are surprised when the group dropped their OT7 teaser photo. It was seen that BTS is wearing formal tops with pajamas as their bottom. Fans speculated that this is the groups’ take into this pandemic where most people are stuck at home doing online classes and working from home.
However, as each members’ concept photo dropped, it’s starting to make sense to me — their outfit. Formal wears are seen on their outside appearance, and their “pajamas” or comfort clothes are their inner-wear. Their formal wear could represent how people look at them, and how they have probably look at their selves before. While their pajamas may represent who they really are or the other side of them — as these are worn most of the time in the comfort of our bedrooms when we’re alone. These outfits could possibly symbolize their reflection.
Taehyung
I would describe Taehyung’s room as intricate. Since BTS has dropped teaser videos which are mirror and reflection version, many may have thought that his room is exactly that — mirrored. However, I looked at certain pieces like the patterns in the vases and the color of the violin which are different, it's a great deal of fine detail. What appears to our eyes may look the same, but there are fine details that set us apart.
“Comfortable yet not very comfortable” are the words that resonate in me on his voice recording about his outfit and the first thing that comes to my mind is their life as global superstars. It’s both comfortable and not, as you get to have enough of the materials things or see the fruit of your hard work but it can also be stressful as one lives in front of the public eyes where they can be scrutinized to almost everything. This leads to Taehyung’s favorite object in his room, the photo in which he captured himself. He explained that he is able to express how he sees the world and his self within that space, through his lens. In reality, we can only control what we think but not others, and looking at what he said as a third person, the lenses of fame may capture his beauty but not how he feels that may or can explain “comfortable yet not very comfortable”.
Jimin
Delicate, that’s how I saw Jimin’s room. It felt sensitive in which I thought of who Jimin is. Some fans have pointed out that the flowers look like that of what he made during Run BTS and his Serendipity stage which are probably hints, however, it’s worth noting that BTS has always been involved in their music and have a say in their stage production like when Jungkook wanted to fly during Europhia. Everything we have seen prior has a touch of BTS, and now with BE, it’s themselves. It felt like a coincidence but we can assume that it’s because everything we saw is them, they aren’t just highlighted enough because we normally look only at what our eyes could reach.
These tiny details are part and parcel of what makes Jimin that we have overlooked, probably. I can interpret how the flowers around him made him stood out more, which can represent the people around him, even ARMYs. And knowing even just a small percentage of how sensitive Jimin is about other people, it’s coming to light how he perceived that contrasting objects can both co-exist, at the same place, at the same time.
Namjoon
At first glance, Namjoon’s room is utterly calming and healing because of the earth tones in it. And ARMYs have guessed how his room would look like — wood, bonsai, and calm. Probably because Namjoon has given a part of himself to us through the lyrics that he writes and through his posts. Rkive and Namjooning are great parts of it.
Namjoon further explained that what best describes him in this room is the wood elements. “The wood element is one that seeks ways to grow and expand” — his outlook contributed to his wisdom and we have witnessed his character development which I have tackled in a separate article which is very worthy to note. Wood needs moisture to thrive and this thrive can be considered as changes that Namjoon has embraced through his journey of self-discovery and acceptance. Wood element fits just right into his persona, calming to the eye, it seeks growth, it’s attributes are considered to be strength and flexibility which is evident by the way he adapts to certain changes in his life as he speaks himself eloquently about them. And he is giving the same vibe, that of earth tones — calming, healing, consoling, and pleasing.
Jungkook
Jungkook’s room is a bit expected maybe because he grew up in front of our eyes, starting at an early age. From how he always carries speakers with him which are also captured by the media and how he has tons of black clothing.
Jungkook, among them seven, has the most expressive eyes if I can say. You can probably tell his emotions by looking at them and he is an empath — he is able to feel other people’s energy or emotions. Jimin also said that Jungkook can easily cry just by watching movies which is a trait of an empath that can be easily overwhelmed by feelings, including the negative ones. These characteristics can be highly sensitive or “dark” as this can be taken advantage of by others and yourself too, and this I can relate to.
I would always remember every time Jungkook says “I am nothing without ARMY” or he doesn’t know what he’ll become if he’s not part of BTS (of course, a pro-gamer is out there). These feelings of sensitivity give a dark contrast to his outer persona which are bubbly and competitive — these are apparent in the songs he released that I have written separately. As Jungkook didn’t have much time to spend in his teenage years, instead, he spent them in front of the camera, I think that probably explains these “dark” emotions, and now he is grabbing the wheel slowly trying to figure out himself on his own — and through music, he can freely elaborate them.
Seokjin
During these comeback concept photos, I realized how mysterious Seokjin is. And his fun self in front of ARMYs isn’t enough to figure him out. Jin has said in one interview that he chooses to give a fun image of him to people. That’s why every time he speaks, his words are like bolts of lightning targeting you — they are deep, concise, well thought of and mature. So a fine gem would definitely be fitting into his room. A gem is polished by friction and so is a man with trials. He acknowledges that he has to do twice as the other members to make up for it which hones his well-being and this journey made him appreciate himself more.
Gems are considered to be of high value, and Seokjin is the same which is way beyond his worldwide handsome looks. Noting his speeches during MAMA 2019, Class of 2020, UNGA 2020, their 2020 Global Press Conference, him addressing important topics like their military enlistment and contract status, shows his value — he seldom speaks but when he does, it's decent, formal, level-headed, and with respect. And his message of self-love “the best to represent you, is yourself” is a message finer than diamond, ruby, or emerald.
Yoongi
It’s quite a stunner (at least for me) that Yoongi’s color is blue. I often thought it’s black or gray as that is what is portrayed in my head. Personally, I love blue especially dark blues and there is no specific meaning to me, they just look nice and sophisticated.
“I wonder what these blues will mean to you?” is a question he left. Blue is often associated with stability, honesty, truth, and tranquility. It can be a calming color and symbolize reliability — which I saw a lot in Yoongi. As what appeared to be cold is a reliable person that knows your truth even without talking, it’s Yoongi. While Yoongi stated that the object that represents him is the mirror as this shows the reflection of one's self, I found the below.
Blue is the reflection of skies in the waters of the earth. While neither the sky nor the water is actually blue, the game of light gives us an impression that both of them are blue. That is why blue is also a very mysterious color.
If you dwell on his songs, most of them are reflections of his thoughts. It is safe to say that they’re the perfect balance of his duality — aggressive and calming. I’ve always seen Yoongi as my subconscious, a part of me that I have repressed, and seeing him stepping on the mirror instead of hanging it on the wall, is a representation I took of the self I know existed by don’t acknowledge.
Hoseok
Hope world and “hobicore” are the key concepts if you heard about J-Hope. His bright personality and his smile would be the greatest hints. He’s the living quote “life is about using all the box of crayons”.
J-Hope found his identity in BTS, as he said before if he is not in BTS — “I am just Hoseok”. One thing that adds weight to his personality is he takes the wheel. Besides the fact that the members listen to him and treat him with respect (seen on their behind the scene contents) — evident in his Ego music video are the words “My Way”, “Future”, “Follow Your Dream” and “Trust Myself” which can also be seen in his concept photo but this time, with an assurance, “do it for yourself”. And interestingly, he chooses shoes to represent him, like what Marilyn Monroe said “give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world” — with Hoseok’s character, all things are possible.
BE an Interlude album?
I would like to refer BE as BTS’ interlude album — an album that came as a surprise probably. Since this is the most BTS-esque album yet, it felt like a breathing space and an interval from their usual music but still has the same significance. The cameras that some of them are holding might represent how others view them through their lenses, or them reclaiming their narratives of who they are that mainstream media lose focus.
The interlude began as a transitional moment for audiences to catch their breath between the acts of a play or a movie. Today, interludes are most commonly employed as a pit stop; an opportunity to recalibrate and refocus our ears on the bigger picture. Artists have taken to using this space as a means of creating momentum and connecting thematic dots.
— Dylan Green, djbooth.net
And probably, these momentums are those areas where we get to leave for ourselves, to pause and take a breath. A pit stop where I can just “BE ME”, nothing more and nothing less. A resting phase where we can look at the mirror and reflect, “is this the person I’ve always wanted” or to just appreciate who you are at the moment and all your efforts. An interlude to acknowledge the version of yourself with your messy hair in your pajamas, with your favorite drink on one hand rather than the person in your outerwear — slacks, formal attire, all chinned up because life is fast pace, it goes by quickly and we fail to notice the self we have when we’re alone because even in our solitude, our minds wander in chaos.
You have to live in your own shoes to be able to #CarryOn — you have to be you. A lot has been saying that this album would become their friend, but for me, I felt like this album is going to be ME. I feel like I am going to be seeing myself in their music. If not a reflection, but an extension of my emotions.
Life goes on, it even changes, and one thing that’s constant to me is myself no matter how much I change — it is still ME, I need to BE ME to have ME. So even if this world flicker, it is ME who I have. I am the one who’s staying for me. That’s why I have to take deep breaths to BE ME. Taking all the options, retreating a battle, no matter how unpleasant these are, it’s me. I might ignore myself, but I can never turn away from who am I. And their brand new music might show us, ourselves and BTS.
Here’s Jungkook’s GCF in Helsinki, the closest we can get to their new music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgTwJQ2CUqI
BE ME. BE YOURSELF.
BTS Comeback: November 20, 2020
Pre-save: https://www.bts-be.com/
BTS’ BE Promotional Video: https://twitter.com/redmontxbts/status/1320447013943558144?s=20
