BTS Talks About Billboard Top 100, Sewol Ferry Tragedy & "Glass Ceiling"

[happydirections.livejournal.com]

Group BTS kicks off their world tour. On the 18th afternoon at 3PM, BTS held "2017 BTS LIVE TRILOGY EPISODE III in Seoul" press conference at Gocheok Sky Dome.

On this day, J Hope stated, "The choreography of Spring Day is energetic yet detailed and delicate. We planned our moves philosophically to fit the sentiments of contemporary dance.". He continued, "We could say that "Not Today" is going to be great. The biggest characteristics of this song is that its powerful and energetic but  it's amazing because there's a story in hit.", he emphasized, "It's the greatest.". He then added, "I think you'll be able to watch the new song performances in 1 hour on Gocheok stage.  I think our fans will enjoy.".

Regarding the 700,000 in pre-order for "WINGS Extension", BTS replied, "Pre-order for "WINGS" was 500,000 copies and until last year, we recorded 770,000 copies in sale but we were very surprised when we heard that we received 700,000 copies in pre-order. We think we are able to have high album sales because of the love they give us. We think it's right for us to repay them with better music."

They expressed their happiness for the great love they received. BTS said, "We don't know if we deserve all this love. We received love from around the world. We even entered the Billboard Chart 200 and UK Chart. We learned that many happy moments like this can exist.".

Jin talked about their secret behind popularity. He said, "We have grown/improved continuously. There's no one who hasn't grown/improved.", he then joked," Some of our members have improved a lot visually. But I've been good looking from the beginning.". He continued, "We have great chemistry between our members. Recently, we were asked what was the strength of our members and all 7 of us wrote "our chemistry" which surprised us all.".

BTS said with a smile, "Our personal goal for 2017 would be to enter the Billboard Hot 100 and that is our biggest goal. Billboard Hot 100 is the "100" that's dreamed by every artist." When they were asked about the secret behind their popularity in the US and around the world, they replied, "We believe familiar sound is the secret. We think the message that's beyond the emotions and language which connects the youths are conveyed well."

Regarding the interpretation of "Spring Day" music video talks about the Sewol Ferry tragedy, Rap Monster revealed, "I'm careful to talk about the Sewol Ferry tragedy but as a citizen of the country, I do believe we should feel responsible.", he continued, "We thought we could send our condolences if we could. We donated because we wanted to help the Sewol Ferry tragedy projects, psychology consultations for the victim families, etc.".

Rap Monster also explained, "I did read a post that said the music video of "Spring Day" reminded them of Sewol Ferry Tragedy. As for the music video of "Spring Day", every viewer can have a different interpretation of the music or the music video because it depends on their mind so we wish to leave this open."

They also answered to the "Glass Ceiling" controversy. Rap Monster first explained the meaning they tried to convey with "Glass ceiling" and emphasized that they did not use "Glass Ceiling" without proper understanding. He replied, "I read "Does BTS have the right to talk about "glass ceiling" when they are a successful idol group?". We used the word to state that we won't stay silent about the social and unreasonable matters and we will join them in breaking these problems and problem-posing." He added, "We read books together and discuss the problems together with experts from each field. It's true that we still lack a lot but we believe that we can grow by listening to criticisms and by thinking. We will humbly accept criticisms and accept to improve."

BTS who holds different records as an idol group, Rap Monster said, "The most meaningful record was entering the Billboard 200 at No. 26 but we also believe that being the first Korean artist to enter the UK Chart is very meaningful. "Spring Day" entered "iTunes Song Chart" at No. 8 and we heard we're the first Korean artist after PSY senior."

BTS smiled and said, "We would like to stand in the stadiums performed by the US top singers like Madonna and Maroon 5. As a result, our another goal is to do a stadium tour. We also want to meet the fans in Africa.".

1. As expected from BTS who we trust listening to +2737 -494

2. BTS fighting! I really love Spring Day and Not Today +2146 -338

3. Spring Day is so mellow and nice +2000 -301

4. Should they be criticized and judged for mentioning the irrationalities of the society and voicing out to make changes just because they're popular, well off and loved by the people? They're actually in the position to lose more things by making such remarks but they're thinking about these issues with us at a young age so shouldn't they be clapped for supporting? +1961 -302

5. Let's end the concert successfully! +1929 -305

6. I can feel how thoughtful they are from their words. I can't believe they're so young... kids like them should succeed no matter what +491 -43

7. Looks like they are a thoughtful group. It's cool +454 -37

8. As a person who supports the families of Sewol tragedy, I'm very grateful when idols support like this.. there are so many people who say public figures shouldn't make such statements but it's nice to see them supporting and I support you +416 -37

9. They are a mature group that's not like an idol group +431 -43

10. Rap Monster talks well.. I'm enjoying all the nice songs by BTS ^^ I hope you will end your tour safely. +384 -28

Source: naver | peachisoda | bts_bighit

Comments

[mc1a.livejournal.com]

I like that they are sort of taking this role of bringing light to various issues that surround their country and people in general and don't just offer empty lyrics that at the end of the day don't mean much. I saw some people here on Omona saying they should stop with the fake deep stuff, but I don't know why they consider it fake when they are talking about real personal and social problems that they are actually going through or have gone through. Idk maybe I'm too biased and I can't see the light.

[saemcrh.livejournal.com]

No, I agree with you. People automatically calling them fake-deep for things like that sounds like the "celebrities need to stay in their lane" line of thought tbh. Maybe it's me projecting bc they're my age-group, but we can be pretentious sometimes but it doesn't mean we don't actually care/it's not honest?

I also think some people just aren't used to many idols approaching things the way BTS do. Not to try and elevate them beyond, but there's an openness from the boys themselves that isn't 'usual' for k-pop imo.

[happydirections.livejournal.com]

i've always thought the "fake deep" comments referred to using literature as the base for their stories/ the whole theories thing during HYYH that just went to lead it's own life because of the way fans kept interjecting it in everything so people probably started projecting their annoyance over it onto the group? but then again, those stories do deal with serious subjects like depression, domestic violence etc. so i still don't get those comments. everyone has their own interpretation i guess.

[ironicmustache.livejournal.com]

i think the fake deep is more about mvs than songs.

[schizofragile.livejournal.com]

lmao this comm has such bitterness against bangtan's mv for being ~fake deep~ when we have the usual schtick from 9324928 MVs they can watch instead tbh. but w/e.

[citrine047.livejournal.com]

a lot of the 'fake deep' comments are also directed towards RM which he sometimes is, so im really not that bothered lol.
and then the rest are mostly just people who are not fans of bts' attempts to daw inspiration from literature, preferring to see it as merely a gimmick

i appreciate bangtan's authenticity and commitment to their own stories, although sometimes the execution of their concepts is a hit and miss. but to that i say at least they are pushing their own artistry and are actively pursuing growth (it gets tricky though when they have to balance that with bighit's quick turnover of comeback schedules)

[callherblondie.livejournal.com]

I think the issue with the "fake deep" stuff is the overly long mv for BST complete with philosophical ramblings, overly dramatic teaser vids, the drawing on inspiration from Hesse's work and now on the short story Omelas. I would prefer a return to the BTS of before who brought it down to the level of "the people" and talked more about social problems like what they do in songs such as Bapsae and NO. It's true that there is philosophical underpinnings and universal themes in work like Hesse's and Omelas that relate to what people are going through today, but I think BTS comes across best when they focus more on the practical manifestations that young people, particularly in a society like South Korea's, face rather than taking a "high-level" approach to it.

[saemcrh.livejournal.com]

The discussion of social issues and responsibility is my kind of dirty talk.

[donaldjdrumpf.livejournal.com]

Mte, I'm a YUUGE SJW!

[scionofawhisper.livejournal.com]

Wow... I'm so glad they put that kind of depth into their songs and creations. <3
T_t

[kanji00.livejournal.com]

i really appreciate bts for talking about political issues, but i'm always confused when people applaud them for being 'surprisingly mature for their age' like... their ages from debut til now have cycled through late teens/early 20s?? it's not like you're an idiot at those ages lol

[purekpopology.livejournal.com]

their ages from debut til now have cycled through late teens/early 20s?? it's not like you're an idiot at those ages lol

I agree. imo most people start contemplating social/cultural issues in their late teens thru their twenties, and if they don't it's unlikely they ever will. Of course there are exceptions to everything, and I may be biased because that was my experience, but I really don't think it's unusual for their age.

[supersunshiner.livejournal.com]

i love them all


& i dont understand the fake deep thing? isn't every idol artistic in some way? when they're expressing themselves or telling a story through imagery to connect with their fans despite a language barrier then how is that being fake deep? is g-dragon not considered fake deep with all of his "poetic" words and aesthetics? what about zico?

[sethelaezekiel.livejournal.com]

We think it's right for us to repay them with better music

I've been liking their music less since wings I hope they take time with the next album instead of feeling they have to rush and comeback but I'm happy they're doing so well they deserve it and seeing the crowd for their concert last night got me a lil teary

And I've been listening to dark and wild a lot lately that album is seriously underrated their best full album fight me!

[happydirections.livejournal.com]

And I've been listening to dark and wild a lot lately that album is seriously underrated their best full album fight me!

tell it like it is, sis!!! dark & wild brought us the iconic RAIN, 2nd grade and everything else. that album still remains my favorite overall.

[happydirections.livejournal.com]

this post went a different way then i thought it would... oh well

[purekpopology.livejournal.com]

lol same here. I was checking back on the comments and was surprised to see 45+... then I saw people were debating/arguing and it all made sense. Of course, that didn't stop me from responding to some people...

Thanks for the post though OP :)

Re: Top 5 bts songs ❣️

[dynamite-state.livejournal.com]

I'm a fake fan, I only like their (recent) singles lmao

1. Blood Sweat & Tears
2. Not Today
3. Fire
4. Dope
5. War Of Hormone

Their title tracks are usually killer, my faves only wish tbh.

[callherblondie.livejournal.com]

Looking at the debates up above, lol BTS is like the M. Night Shyamalan or Lost of kpop groups. I think the feelings of more critical fans re: the direction BTS has taken can be summed up with 'full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.' I think whether the criticisms are right kind of still remains to be seen, I'm looking forward to seeing what BTS does in the future which is more than I can say for a lot of other musical acts.

[digitalqueen.livejournal.com]

this post is irritating.

all the users commenting here are either fans or enjoy bts' music so its ridiculous to get angry at any type of criticism and/or dismiss it because "its just bitter haters upset about their success~" or that if someone doesnt like something they do then "they must not understand it cause they dont have deep thoughts or feelings~". it is possible to like a group and not enjoy or have to defend everything they do. you guys make it seem like anything other than continuous praise is just people being pressed.

[jaelissi.livejournal.com]

And of course no one has a reason to be irritated by random comments on the internet except such level headed individuals as yourself.

[queenhinata.livejournal.com]

Our personal goal for 2017 would be to enter the Billboard Hot 100 and that is our biggest goal. Billboard Hot 100 is the "100" that's dreamed by every artist.

i hope they can achieve this dream :D

last year, it was daesang and tbh i wasn't sure about that but they were able to reach that goal ❤

[donaldjdrumpf.livejournal.com]

I remember reading comments on here and people thought that Deaesangzwould beout of reach/cock-blocked by EXO, but they won two!

[mya13.livejournal.com]

i think ppl who stan and people who dislike bts BOTH take this group way more seriously than they should. and that aint bangtans fault... bts didnt ask for fans to look up every single damn spec of the mv on wikipedia... but here we are...

[jrt131n.livejournal.com]

guys.....

[welljustguess.livejournal.com]

lmao yes

[angela-derp-otp.livejournal.com]

bts posts are so entertaining lol.

I liked Wings and You never walk alone. It lines with my music taste and I find their visuals and art direction really interesting I love it.

[tsuyoi-hikari.livejournal.com]

I love Spring Day! I dont understand why people didnt like it. It is such a good song -- in term of lyrics and melody and the MV is very interesting. I dont think BTS wants to be deep but fans seemed to overly project that into their releases lol

[happydirections.livejournal.com]

after listening to spring day about three more times i all of a sudden fell in love with it. it's so good and well excuted in my opinion. the song does make me feel a bit sad so i can't listen to it every single time but it's still growing to become on of my favorite releases lead single wise.

1of1girl

[1of1girl.livejournal.com]

I love Spring Day, it has really grown on me since the release and I think that if we talk about the meaning of the video it's meant to be hopeful - even if things are bad it gets better. And as some other users said in that massive thread above I think that most of the really complicated theories/hidden meanings are just fans thinking that it's more deep than it is, although the members are encouraging the different theories/open interpretations which has been both good and bad. Of course it's better for fans if the interpretation is open bc then every person can interpret the song to their own circumstances/life and they feel certain closeness to the memebers bc they live through the same stuff. But the bad thing is that every time there will be countless fan theories that dissect the mv piece by piece and people are going to argue about the meanings and after every mv the main question is 'what does it mean?' or 'theories?'.

[burningleaf.livejournal.com]

Something about their releases just sounds more and more wistful from HYYH onwards, which is something I've always loved regardless of who releases such music.....

Rock on, BTS! Always anticipating what you bring to the table :D

[azurehook.livejournal.com]

Just loving the boys more and more! It's been so long since I've been into a group and I've been really enjoying watching them grow and mature. Didn't think I'd ever get back into kpop considering some personal things, but I'm glad to find a group I really like. Even if I'm the older side lol.

[arysthaeniru.livejournal.com]

I think though, about their MVs being too vague and not having a clear enough message....I can't defend BST (bc really BST??), but this cb in particular has to be vague, because they may or may not be critiquing the government? I mean. People had been blacklisted under Park Geunhye for it, and they're idols and need that cash. It's one thing to openly come out and say 'school sucks' because it's not a very targeted criticism towards the government, it's just society as a whole being bystandery or too pressuring towards their children. But when you're talking about Sewol, of course you need to be a bit vague and wishy-washy about it? Like BigHit aren't gonna take away their artists wanting to talk about a legitimate problem, bc BTS would mutiny, but they're also not gonna get rid of their cash cow, by letting them critique the government openly, without five-billion layers of obfuscation.

Spring Day's vagueness felt like plausible deniability in many ways and I think that's what people are forgetting. SK's government is still uncertain under Geunhye's party's rule.