From Demian by Hermann Hesse to Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto, the members of BTS offer a wide variety of reading materials, ranging from novels to poems to short stories. Several of these have impacted the boys’ music, both as a group and as solo artists, seeing as each of the members have read them to some extent. RM is a prolific reader with tastes leaning heavily towards philosophical literature that reflects into his lyrics and music.
Some of the members lean more towards the visual side of things — having recommended movies, TV shows, and anime — but today we will be discussing recommended literature. In this first piece of a three-part blog series, let’s take a peek!
Demian by Hermann Hesse
If you have been an ARMY for a while, you have surely heard of Demian. The book shares several themes and even a few scenes with BTS’ WINGS album, particularly the song “Blood Sweat & Tears.”
Image credit: Big Hit Entertainment
The story follows a young boy teetering on the line between good and evil. It presents several philosophical questions about the two entities that are often seen as black and white. This theme is heavily reflected in the WINGS album, most notably, in the “Blood Sweat & Tears” music video. As seen in the picture above, Jin, representing the young boy, stands between the black and white archways that represent ‘good’ and ‘evil’ respectively.
“He, too, was a tempter. He, too, was a link to the other second, the evil world with which I no longer wanted to have anything to do.”
—Demian, as referenced in the “Blood Sweat & Tears” MV
In addition to this, several other references are made throughout the album and in the solo songs of each of the members.
Overall, Demian is certainly an interesting read and has been recommended by RM, too.
Kafka On the Shore by Haruki Murakami
Another one of RM’s recommendations, Kafka on the Shore, was referenced in “Butterfly” from the HYYH album. It has been suggested that, in the context of Murakami’s work, “Butterfly” is a song written for someone with suicidal tendencies, or at the very least, someone wanting to escape the realities of life.
The book itself centers around strange, magical realism and touches on several philosophical questions. Kafka on the Shore is largely a metaphorical book that leaves the reader to create their own interpretations of its content, as it explores several realities of life. And the featured talking cats come as icing on this metaphorical cake.
“My Kafka on the seaside, don't go to those woods over there.”
—Kafka on the Shore, as referenced in “Butterfly”
Please Look After Mom by Shin Kyung-sook
This is a deeply moving story that revolves around women being taken for granted within society, particularly family members like mothers. The story follows a family’s search for their lost mother, during which they discover all the suffering that she had endured for the sake of her family. Truly, Please Look After Mom brings to light the silent efforts and sacrifices made by women in society, most of which have been trivialized.
Though this book hasn’t been referenced in any of BTS’ songs, RM has recommended it for reading.
The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas by Ursula K. Le Guin
Unlike the others on this list, The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas is a short story, available for free online. It has been referenced in the “Spring Day” music video from the You Never Walk Alone album. In the music video, two to three shots depict the members approaching or interacting in a motel with a sign that says “Omelas.”
Image credit: Big Hit Entertainment
The narrative itself depicts Omelas as the “perfect” society; its citizens are content and comfortable, living what they believe to be their best lives. Some however, unable to accept the condition upon which this perfect lifestyle exists, choose to ‘walk away.’ While it seems like a peculiar story, it is worth reading for sure!
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
This non-fiction memoir by a neurosurgeon battling a terminal cancer diagnosis was another book recommended by RM. The story follows said neurosurgeon as he contemplates what exactly makes life worth living. One day, he exists as an aspiring doctor; the next, he finds himself as a patient struggling to survive — Paul wrestles with numerous questions while trying to find meaning in life when it is fading away.
It can be concluded that the story speaks of the value of life, however ephemeral it may be, and that humans, more often than not, seem to overlook their own mortality.
Many of the books recommended or read by BTS members are written in Korean and have yet to be translated into English. Examples of these would be The Power of Words by Shin Do-hyun & Yoon Na-ru (recommended by V), Between Calm and Passion by Kaori Ekuni, which was also made into a Japanese movie (recommended by Jimin), and I Want to Die But I Also Want to Eat Tteokpokki by Baek Se-hee (recommended by RM). Other recommendations include The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, which was recommended by Jungkook, The Miracles of the Namiya General Store by Keigo Higashino, which was recommended by Jin, and The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, which was recommended by Suga. Jimin’s solo from Love Yourself: Her, “Serendipity,” gained its lyrical inspiration from a poem called “The Flower” by Kim Chun-soo, as well.
If the list above is anything to go by, the members are fond of reading, some more than others. It is also apparent that they pay close attention to the messages the authors try to deliver, taking inspiration from literary works for their music and videos, as well as for their personal learning. Countless other books have been recommended by the boys and, unfortunately, cannot be listed in one blog. However, in part two of this blog series, we will explore more recommendations from our boys!
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Written By LP
Edit by Vera
Checked by Clare
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