BTS’s RM Reveals Stories Behind “Map Of The Soul: Persona” on Vlive

[revedesnuages.livejournal.com]

Click the picture or here to watch the full video on vlive.

On April 23, RM held a live broadcast to dive deep with fans into their new mini album “Map of the Soul: Persona.” It recently became their third release to hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and has also reached No. 1 in the United Kingdom and more, as well as set a new all-time sales record on Hanteo with over 2.1 million copies sold. The BTS leader has made it a tradition to chat with fans on V Live about his personal thoughts on their albums each time they make a comeback.

RM said that he’d been a “lyrics bot” for the group’s new mini album, and he wrote more lyrics for it than he ever had for a release before. “I wrote 80 to 90 percent of the lyrics, excluding Suga and J-Hope’s rap parts,” he explained. He shared that while working on his intro “Persona” had been a bit tiring, he’s glad that it came out well.

He went on to talk about the story of the concept of “Map of the Soul: Persona,” which is the first release in their new series. RM said, “To me, a ‘persona’ is a mask used in society. A mask can be a bad thing or a good thing, but it’s something you need when you’re living within in a society. My ‘persona’ is RM.”

RM continued, “I thought it was time for us to talk about small things, rather than topics that are too large. I felt like our plate had become too big and no longer manageable, so I thought that we should talk about small things. When I was talking to Bang Shi Hyuk, I told him that I wanted to go back a bit now.”

Another important part of “Persona” is BTS’s fans ARMY, said RM. “When I was trying to talk about the things I’ve gained, the masks, the shadows, and the good things, it was inevitable that I’d talk about ARMY. Other than the intro and the final song ‘Dionysus,’ everything seems like a dedication, a serenade, a confession to you. While working on the songs, I was able to write organically with a clear emotion. I was able to express my gratitude to the people who’ve made me who I am so far. I’m glad that it seems to have turned out well.”

RM shared that he’s noticed that lately there are many people who don’t listen to lyrics, but he aims to run counter to that. He said, “In this age when the melody and the vibe of a song are important, I’m someone who originally wanted to be a poet and writer, so I wanted to focus on the auditory texture and the beauty of language through the lyrics. Since they’re songs that I’m presenting to you, aren’t the lyrics really important? I felt pressured, but at the same time I was really happy while I was writing. I’ll be grateful if you focus on the lyrics when you listen to the album. I think this is an album where the lyrics are even more important than usual.”

He then went on to talk about each of the mini album’s seven tracks. He said about his intro “Persona,” “It was my first solo intro in five years, so I really felt so much pressure. I changed the lyrics a few times. ‘mono.’ had a chill and calm feeling, so I really wanted the more wild style that I’ve always liked. When we were filming the music video, I kept fixing it on set.”

RM revealed that he’d recorded the song five times, and that he ended up using his first recording. “If I perform it live one day, I want to do it in a really cool way,” he said. “After it came out, Tablo and Gaeko sent me messages on KakaoTalk to say that they were inspired by it and it was cool. I was really grateful, and I thought that it must have turned out well.”

Next up was the group’s title track “Boy With Luv,” which RM explained had used the English title originally but he had pushed for the current Korean title to be used, which is literally translated as “A Poem for Small Things.” At the same time, he also expressed the importance of having both titles together for the full meaning to be conveyed.

“It became really refreshing when we added Halsey’s voice,” he said. “I listened to it on a drive, and it sounded really great.” RM also shared that it was hard to create lyrics that would match with the melody, but he said he’s pleased with them now.

The third track “Mikrokosmos” also originally used only that title, but the members were vocal about adding the title in Korean (which is the Korean translation of the word microcosm or miniature universe). He shared that he was disappointed that they hadn’t ended up adding in a line where “Hey!” is shouted before “You got me.” He said, “I hope you’ll add in the ‘Hey!’ whenever you listen to it.”

The next song is “Make It Right,” which was co-written by Ed Sheeran, and RM described it as another song that’s great to listen to while taking a drive. He explained, “As a songwriter, Ed Sheeran asked us to keep in the part that goes ‘I could make it better, I could hold you tighter.’ Now that it’s out, I think it was a good choice to do it in English.” RM also shared that while he worked on the lyrics, he imagined a lonely cowboy on a journey who wasn’t able to receive a welcome.

“The song almost became a vocal line unit track, but Ed Sheeran said that he hoped it would have all of us on it, with a feeling like ‘Spring Day,’ so we added the rap,” said RM.

The mini album’s fifth track “HOME” includes a lot of RM’s ad-libs throughout because RM felt it was a shame that the group’s songs usually have the vocal and rap parts separated. RM also described how all of the songs on the mini album work together, explaining that the order was on purpose.

He said, “A person begins to worry in ‘Persona’ and realizes that they should focus on the trivial things and love,” he said. “After they talk about the trivial things and love, they realize that we’re a miniature universe [‘Mikrokosmos’] made up of all these trivial things coming together. However, although they’re in this miniature universe, they don’t find themselves welcomed there, so they realize in the end, ‘My home isn’t my home. My home is the miniature universe where you exist, the one that is you,’ so they come back. That’s what I think it’s about.”

“Jamais Vu” is the next track on the mini album, and it’s by the new unit of J-Hope, Jin, and Jungkook. “This is the saddest song on the album,” said RM. “I was so emotional when I heard the guide version. Since it’s a unit song it doesn’t include my voice, but since I wrote the lyrics I get sad whenever I hear it.” He explained that the theme for him had been a game, with the lyrics about something happening in the world of a game. He said, “I thought about a game in which if you die then you lose your belongings like your equipment and have to start over again. I tried to include the sense of loss and emptiness that I felt when playing a game.”

“The unit was such a new combination,” he said, and shared that he thought it had worked out well. “It was the song that the members liked the most before it came out. It’s a song that I really like.”

The last song on the mini album is “Dionysus,” and RM described that the lyrics for it were written last. He shared that had struggled during the writing process with the lyrics and wished that someone else would write them instead, but he gathered up the strength and wrote them. He also praised J-Hope for his work on the song and described Suga’s rap as art. “The vocalists also did so well,” he went on to say. “It’s a song that makes me think that we’ve all improved in skill.”

RM wrapped up the live broadcast by thanking fans for listening to the mini album, and also thanked ARMY in English after the group reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the first time.

Source: BTS vlive channel, Naver, Soompi

Comments

[jyusou.livejournal.com]

Before I continue reading, just...I cackle thinking at how Ed Sheeran wanted a Spring Day style song but truly failed to deliver on the music to make it happen. He had some good songs but boy you truly ain’t shit here.

Okay, going back to it now.

[mallmouse.livejournal.com]

lol
Spring Day is such a good song. Music and lyrics-wise.

[alterlife.livejournal.com]

But how does he feel about his lyrics being ruined by auto tune filters

[rockerista03.livejournal.com]

Not to be that delusional fangirl but gurl...if I was dating Namjoon and he met with my dad, they'd deadass be having deepass conversations on philosophy and literature over beer. Like my philosophy and literature book collection and knowledge doesn't even compare to my dad and I'm pretty sure my dad would approve of this man in 5 minutes.

[pwrpuffgrl.livejournal.com]

As it's been said before, the lyrics are very Bangtan as this RM vlive describes perfectly, what's new and experimental is the music and the overused voice sounds.

I'm not watching an hour long vlive, as much as I adore my ~bias RM, so by this summary (great job op thanks), seems like this album wasn't easy to write and feels... rushed?

[revedesnuages.livejournal.com]

The summary is from a Soompi translation of a Naver article so I didn't write it. I couldn't make it through an hour long vlive either 😅

I heard their comeback date was pushed earlier than originally planned for the BBMAs, so that might explain why it feels a bit rushed. I hope they take a longer time to prepare for the next album.

[pwrpuffgrl.livejournal.com]

Hahaha well thanks anyway for the post

[katheli.livejournal.com]

can he do something about the excessive autotune? it's really the main gripe I have with the album. Mikrokosmos and Make it Right are both boring songs but at least they sound like human beings.

also totally unrelated, did you see Halsey's handshake twitter video? where those pretty girls hanging around really staff members? lol I feel like at least that tall one with Jimin was not. doesn't necessarily have to be Jimin's gf tho, cause he could be playful with another member's gf just as well.

[jyusou.livejournal.com]

I got curious about that as well hehe but honestly have no clue. She definitely looked too well-dressed and made-up to be staff tho.

[ty.livejournal.com]

I only noticed the kitty!

I think it is a kitty?
https://twitter.com/halsey/status/1118264906443186177

[mallmouse.livejournal.com]

isn't it Tae's dog?

[laranal.livejournal.com]

lol it's jungkook rocking v's dog like a babby

[ty.livejournal.com]

OHHH! Oopsie.

[mallmouse.livejournal.com]

meh, if she'd really been JM's gf they never would have posted it (and there are other reasons for me to doubt he has a gf, but anyway). YG checking out Helsey's butt though, lol

[katheli.livejournal.com]

Heh but they didn't post it, Halsey did. And they're trying hard to hide the girls when they notice they're filmed. Idk that one really didn't give staff member vibes. Jimin seems single tbh, the other two maknae line members otoh...

[mallmouse.livejournal.com]

I know that what they're letting us see is of course different from what really happens in their real lives, but isn't Jimin the one that's considered very flirtatious with men or something? Would be interesting to see the fans shocked if he's the one that turns out to be the one with a gf, ha!

[katheli.livejournal.com]

eh, Jimin's flirty shtick is a concept IMO. He does it with women too, just not in Korea cause he's careful. He's def acted very flirty towards girls as well. I don't think it's an indication of anything, that's who he's meant to be, the cute charmer.

[pwrpuffgrl.livejournal.com]

Jimin flirts with anyone who breathes tbh

[normanikordei.livejournal.com]

lmao the way jimin nudged her out the frame with quickness was suspect. idk tho, even if they’re staff who’s to say they’re not attracted to/flirting with/dating someone on their team. they’re legit always traveling and spend extended periods of time with these people so relationships (friendly or otherwise) def form. I know bighit’s stance is “we only hired married women” but how true is that and are they saying that so fans won’t freak out if they see the guys playing around with one of them?

I think they’re all at least casually dating around tho for sure

[revedesnuages.livejournal.com]

I thought BigHit only hiring married women was an unsubstantiated rumour? I think there’s definitely unmarried staff members.

[normanikordei.livejournal.com]

I really don’t know, just what I’ve heard

[pwrpuffgrl.livejournal.com]

I really hope they are casually dating, they need some gd kissing/sex/hugs/affection normalcy but, do they even have time to do it?

I read somewhere Dispatch stopped following them because they were always hanging out together, and they never managed to get BTS on their way to a date or something like that. If it's true, that's funny.

[gigabytexx.livejournal.com]

The Dispatch stopped following them is more like a made-up delusional rumor for me. I think whats more plausible is BH paid Dispatch regularly, and also give them jobs to photoshoot the boys.

[pwrpuffgrl.livejournal.com]

Yes, that sounds more reasonable

[rainstormraider.livejournal.com]

I feel bad for everyone around BTS, their staff must go through hell because of all the hysterical scrutiny. In their position I too would be ducking out of shots as much as possible.

She could've been their translator for all we know and works with their international team or something. Idol culture is so strange because the level of entitlement to their private lives is crazy. When you see regular people having friendships across many different groups its strange how sanitized K-pop is. How does anyone expect these people to sing about love if they are also expected to be sexless?

I really wish idols would just admit to dating. Normalizing it might cut down some of the hysteria.

[gigabytexx.livejournal.com]

I also didnt think she was a staff, but it's just because she looked like she doesnt have anything to do lmaoo
But as Jimin's gf probably no... their body language doesn't look quite intimate.

[mallmouse.livejournal.com]

He's so intelligent. I often wonder about what it is that made BTS so successful globally (I don't really know that much about other groups), and I'm guessing RM's intelligence is def. a major factor. But aren't there any other kpop groups with such charismatic leaders? Maybe there are, but they can't speak English that well, which I'm sure has played a major part in BTS making the crossover?

[mallmouse.livejournal.com]

oh wow, thank you so much for this lengthy and very interesting reply. I didn't even know about the 'any Army here' thing (googling it rn). I've been completely ignorant about kpop, like, knew absolutely nothing about it, so I didn't even know Korean groups (and tv shows) were so popular in the Asian world. But the way BTS became so big in the west impressed me so much that I just had to find out more, about them, and about how they managed to achieve it (because, lbr, there is too much prejudism in the west). So it was hard for me to imagine them having an international fanbase before they became so big, as I personally hadn't heard of any Asian artist before, yk?

So the other artists don't have something like the bombs, i.e. behind the scenes footage that becomes available to the fans? Do they also post on the fancafe like BTS do (and RM's posts, I'm seriously impressed by his depth sometimes).

Also, I had read somewhere that the Korean fans they had in the beginning were too pissed off about BTS being 'really good', but not getting publicity because they had come from a small company, so they tried to get as many international fans as they could so that their home country 'couldn't ignore them anymore'. And their earlier vlogs are just so endearing, e.g. when they couldn't afford to buy a cake in their early days (and considering RM and Jin come from wealthy families, it is impressive how they'd leave a comfortable life and choose to sleep in the same bedroom. Not something you'd see in western cultures).

This also has to do with something Suga once said in press conference (I really like watching RM and Suga in press conferences. The rest, not so much lol), about how one major factor they're still together and accomplishing so much is that they had to go through many obstacles in the beginning (financial resources, promotion etc). This team work is also something that leaves an impression on Western audiences. In fact in their latest press conference he even said that people could relate to them much more and even become inspired because they could see that they had to go through many difficulties, and yet they would still manage to try and overcome them.

One thing that I've never seen anyone mention, and I was wondering if I'd get a reply to my comment on RM's intelligence that would bring this up, is that RM is not only a good speaker of English (and pronunciation plays a major role in Americans considering you 'one of them'. I've experienced this personally too), but seems very macho e.g. in his singing and this has resulted in BTS being appreciated by male audiences in the West as well. So you have the appeal to females (and not just young girls), and you have the appeal to many males, and all this during the Trump era, when many people want to show they're open minded enough to help the world overcome prejudices of the past. But anyway, it's really very very interesting to see how big of an impact they'll have (and young girls leading the way, well, that's even more impressive).

[rainstormraider.livejournal.com]

As someone who also writes songs, I appreciate someone emphasizing the lyrics in the process. The whole point of balladry was to tell a story through music.

His Vlives are always very interesting for those into the creative process.

[pwrpuffgrl.livejournal.com]

I love videos and interviews when they talk about creative processes and production of music.

An hour long video that I can't listen to while I'm doing stuff because it's in Korean tho... Never lol

[lightframes.livejournal.com]

It's cool that he wrote so many lyrics for the album.

I wish the ad libs at the end of Home could be a little bit louder. I still really love the song, though.

Jamais Vu is really sad. I like it. It calms things down between Home and Dionysus.