A look at K-Pop’s famous boy band’s journey during Pandemic
After the Covid-19 appeared in late 2019, it spread to all parts of the world and everyone got confined to their homes. With events being limited, depression and stress surged, destroying peace and halting the whole world. The youth, in particular, faced a lot of anxiety as their studies and activities came to a halt, but for some relief came in the form of K-Pop music, a seven-member boy band, BTS.
The boy band, consisting of, RM, Jin, Suga, J-hope, V, Jimin, and Jk, were rising in the blues of success. They were celebrating the immense popularity of their fourth studio album, “Map of the Soul: 7”. This album has songs for every mood. If you leave your mindset at ‘South Korean boy band’ you will miss out on the ‘multi-talented, versatile artists’ that BTS really are.
In April, BTS was gearing up for the World Tour 2020, set to commence on 11 April, but because of the pandemic, their tour got cancelled. Everyone was devastated to such an extent that in the online concert, 25-year-old dancer, Jimin, broke down into tears.
He opened up saying: “I wasn’t too focused on the encore performance, but there were a lot of things I felt were unfair before preparing for the concert. When Covid-19 became widespread, I wanted to perform with the members more than anything and hang out with you all and be happy. I don’t know why we have to go through this.”
To make things better, on August 21, 2020, BTS dropped their single “Dynamite”, surprising fans with their very first song fully recorded in English. The upbeat disco-pop song transported their fans back to 90’s music, filled with elements of hip hop, intended to soothe listeners during the Covid-19 pandemic. The song talks about happiness and gratitude for the little things that make life valuable.
Their fanbase, known as ARMY, held this track close to their hearts, reminiscing the good times before pandemic and hoping for better times in the future. The song became a worldwide hit when it debuted at №1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for two consecutive weeks. The song set several new records, for most viewed MV in 24 hours with 101.1 million on YouTube, reaching the #1 spot on iTunes’ Top Songs chart in 100 countries, and topping the main Global Top 50 chart on Spotify. The song, giving off party vibes, attracted many foreign fans, yet again being a reason for their immense popularity.
On September 23, 2020, BTS left heartfelt messages at the United Nations, UNICEF speech.
Suga, the rapper and songwriter of the group, summed up, “Life became simple, maybe for the first time. It was a valuable time, unwanted but welcomed. I’m used to an entire world shrinking in an instant. When I’m on tour, I stand in bright lights and loud cheers, but at night back in my room, my world becomes only a few paces wide. The room itself was small, but my world and our world reached far and wide. In this world, we had our instruments, phones and fans.”
Due to the tour cancellation, the group got together to work on their first self-produced album. The album mainly focused on the effects of this pandemic on the thoughts of people. BTS dropped their deluxe album “BE” on November 20, and said in an announcement, “The new album imparts a message of healing to the world by declaring, ‘Even in the face of this new normality, our life goes on’.”
The lead single “Life Goes On” is more thoughtful than the group’s summer hit “Dynamite”, and “our way of providing healing and consolation,” says RM.
The album featured eight songs, “Life Goes On”, “Dynamite”, “Blue and Grey”, “Telepathy”, “Fly To My Room”, “Skit”, “Dis-ease”, “Stay”. All the songs, even by their names, were somehow connected to the pandemic situation, making it relatable for the fans.
The biggest motivation in the life of an ARMY is BTS itself. BTS is seen as the motivational icons for GEN-Z and millennials. They actively discuss topics related healthy mindset such as self-appreciation, loving yourself, prioritization, class difference, mental health, as well as the troubles of school-age youth, stressing more on the struggles of young people. These goals, set from the day they debuted, are the main reasons for an ideal bond between BTS and the Army. When seen through the eyes of the ARMY itself, BTS indeed are an angel.
It won’t be wrong to call BTS as one of the 2020 heroes. In the time of this awful pandemic, they never left their fans side. They produced songs that provide inner peace and motivation in difficult times.
It is refreshing to see how music(regardless in any language) can spread such positivity in a world that seems gloomy, at best. Their motto of love yourself is exactly what is needed in a time of crisis for our younger generation.
As J-Hope said it best, “You will know when you listen to our new album and watch the performances; that liking BTS was the best decision ever!”
Whoever is a dedicated ARMY will know, what it meant to have BTS in their lives, to cope with the most devastating year, 2020, and I am sure they are still thankful for having come across this family at a time like this.