With their new album Be, popular K-pop band BTS sends out a message of hope

Mona

It may seem that the world has stopped, but life goes on — this is the message of popular K-pop band BTS’s new album Be. While the pandemic has hit everyone hard, the biggest blow to this seven-member boy band is that they cannot meet their fans. But as they say no lock comes without a key, BTS engaged their fans in their process of their latest album. Sharing bits and pieces and how they went about it, they termed the decision just right to beat the current mood.

Their global conference on Friday had the media in attendance, virtually and physically. All dressed in smart suits, while RM, Jin, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook took to the stage, Suga couldn’t join in as he is recovering from an injury. Be, which was released on November 20, has seven songs that touch upon different feelings, including emptiness and uncertainty, but, in their own fun way, they try to inject hope amidst the despair. The album includes Life Goes On, Fly to My Room, Blue & Grey, Skit, Telepathy, Dis-sease and Stay, as also the hit Dynamite. Within a day of its release, Life Goes On’s video garnered more than 7.6 crore views!

Soaring high

BTS made it to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 with their song Dynamite in the US. As for the future, they are eyeing the Grammys, the nominations for which will be announced soon.

Covid-19 has taught multitasking to everyone. BTS members too decided to click pictures and take on direction, of course, with the able assistance of their ARMY (the acronym ‘Adorable Representative M.C. for Youth’, which stands for their fans who are always by their side). “We took the pictures of us hanging out, just like boys having fun; they came out well,” says V, who for the first time was the in-charge of the visuals. “Though we are not together physically, we are connected deeply. And we hope to continue this bond in future as well.”

The future sure holds much promise!

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The album itself is about how many people were troubled by this unexpected situation and regardless of that how life will go on. That was the story we wanted to tell. Hope it cheers up many people. — Jimin

There was a time when we fostered our dreams while looking up to someone. We didn’t follow their direction, but paved our own path. I’m sure younger artistes will do an even better job. — Jin

The name BTS stands for Bangtan Sonyeondan in Korean, Bulletproof Boy Scouts in English. Also, known as Bangstan Boys, they prefer being identified as ‘Beyond the Scene’ lately.