Artist Close-Up: How BTS’ Dynamite Is Launching Their Most Powerful Era
The excitement over BTS’s Dynamite, and the records it has broken, goes beyond its 7 members. Seeing the press junket for the release of what would be their biggest record so far, I witnessed how aware they are of their own meaning. They are an invitation to the Korean diaspora to link in youth and exuberance, while also a global welcome to a truth that is too ignored: music is universal, which means anyone can enter and dominate that universe.
With America being one of, if not, the most powerful culture to globalize, often, it can forget it isn’t the only culture that exists. Moreover, its diversity means all cultures be, in some ways, American, i.e. Latin- American, African- American, and, of course, Korean- American. It is a feeling I understand when I see Band Bunny or Lin Manuel Miranda grow into global/ national notice; they are Latin- Caribbean Americans whose art expands people’s acceptance of our community’s existence and talents. BTS does the same; they are beacons of K-POWER, (KOREAN-POWER) and highlight beautiful, human qualities that are often stereotyped out of Asian- Americans: positivity, emotionality, and a determination to FEEL life as largely as it is.
BTS (방탄소년단) ‘Dynamite’ Official MV
Throughout the junket, BTS responses were filled with comfort and the desire for viewers/ fans to understand they really do want you to love them because you love yourself. Their music is all about putting on multi-colored boot straps, grabbing life by the disco balls, and never forgetting that no material worst can stop your spiritual best. It was recurring theme as they honestly spoke about COVID as a disruption to life as it was and what they felt was “their time to shine.” In essence, you can be in a rut, but it doesn’t mean you are bad and can’t feel better. This message was LOUD AND CLEAR at the Dynamite press junket, which is why they held confidence in the record and, once again, awareness that it would give hope to fans.
BTS Performs “Dynamite” | 2020 MTV VMAs
Usually, BTS is compared to bands like, The Beatles or even N-SYNC. These record-breaking bands that changed the landscapes of POP by proving a whole world can be listening, at the same time, to a groups of guys singing to love. Yet, though similar, there is a difference that is not just because of their significance in having the Asian community invited and dominating American mainstream music markets. The distinction comes in that BTS treats hope like love; this immense virtue that just when we think we have it, we have to earn her again. They sing to the love your carry for yourself and the world, which is positivity. The whole conference could be summed up in two words: cheerful energy. They just wanted you to BE HAPPY, which leads me to the VMA’s.
[ENGSUB] BTS Global Press Conference ‘Dynamite’ 방탄소년단 ‘Dynamite’ 글로벌기자간담회 [통통TV]
With a behind-the-scenes concert film coming to VOD on September 10 and an album to be released before they year’s end, the group went into the VMA”s like one would the Holy Grail. It was their opportunity to show that, in song and dance, they could do anything. If they have to break into a cha-cha or do disco choreo on a green-screen of a city, THEY WILL! The performance was vibrant, crisp, and went without any hitch. In essence, it was perfect; a 3 minute display of all they could do and left us wanting more. GET HYPED, PEOPLE! If you think BTS is big now, the BANGTAN GANG is about to become a cosmic power for the next few years.
