Motion Picture
The previous edition of “Bangtan Says” covered literary recommendations from the boys and instances where it has influenced their music. While the boys work hard, they also like some R&R time, whether that be reading, watching a good movie, listening to some music, going to a museum or watching an episode of anime daily like V! So, in this month’s edition of “Bangtan Says,” we’re talking visuals: movies, anime and the like.
Snowpiercer
Image credit: Wikipedia
The Korean-directed 2013 film is based on a French graphic novel called Le Transperceneige, co-written by Jacques Lob, Benjamin Legrand and Jean-Marc Rochette. This science-fiction/action was directed by a Korean director Bong Joon-ho; the movie was filmed in Prague, Czech Republic. It revolves around a train, Snowpiercer, which carries the last remaining humans after a global warming experiment had turned the Earth into a giant snowball.
The survivors are compartmentalized by social classes, with the front of the train being occupied by the upper class, leading to the tail occupied by the lower class. At one point, the people are faced with a revolt from the lower class passengers.
Snowpiercer has been referred to in the lyrics of “Spring Day” from the You Never Walk Alone album. Numerous parts of the “Spring Day” music video have also been filmed on a train as well as snowy scenery, further hinting towards the movie.
“Like a Snowpiercer left alone, I wanna hold your hand and go to the other side of the Earth.”
—Snowpiercer as referenced in Spring Day
Me Before You
Image credits: Wikipedia
Based on a novel of the same name by Jojo Moyes, Me Before You is a romantic tragedy. It circles around Louisa Clark, an innocent and almost naive young lady, and William Traynor, an adventurous spirit physically crippled in an accident. While several reviews have criticized the movie’s themes, it is a tale of sacrifice and knowing when to let go.
While the movie hasn’t been referenced in any of Bangtan’s songs or music videos, it has been recommended by V!
About Time
Image credits: Wikipedia
Another one of V’s recommendations, About Time, features a man who discovers that the men in his family have the ability to time travel. With this newly discovered power, he attempts to change his past in order to woo the woman he loves but, alas, time travel cannot solve all his problems.
In a VLive stream after the release of the song, “Winter Bear,” V stated that he took inspiration from the movie, particularly from a scene in which the main character, Tim, proposes to his fiancé. About Time, as the title might suggest, delivers a message to appreciate each day as if it will be lived twice.
Black Swan
Image credits: Wikipedia
The name of the movie has given it away; it was indeed a source of inspiration for BTS’ song “Black Swan” from the Map of the Soul: 7 album. The story in this psychological thriller revolves around similar themes of dance, depicting a ballerina slowly descending into madness as she tries to become perfect for her dance roles as both the white and black swan.
“A dancer dies twice – once when they stop dancing, and this first death is the more painful one.”
—Martha Graham as referenced in Black Swan
Before we move on to discuss some anime, there are several other movies that have either been recommended by the boys or inspired their music, such as Old Boy— music from this movie was sampled in “N.O” from the O!RUL8,2? album—, Singin’ in the Rain referenced in “Boy with Luv” from Map of the Soul: Persona, Scarface referenced in “Tony Montana” from Agust D, King’s Man: The Secret Service referenced in “Dionysus”from Map of the Soul: Persona, and numerous others!
My Hero Academia
Image credit: Rotten tomatoes
Recommended by V, My Hero Academia follows Izuku Midoriya, who dreams of becoming a superhero, idolizing All Might — one of the greatest superheroes in his world. However, All Might has been hiding his injuries in order to keep morale high. Upon seeing Midoriya’s determination, he passes on his powers to him.
Attack on Titan
Image credits: europosters.eu
“Attack on Bangtan!” Yes, the title of the song from O!RUL8,2? was indeed inspired by the English title of the anime Attack on Titan, which is set in an apocalypse. Humanity has nearly been driven to extinction at the hands of giant, cannibalistic creatures called the Titan — or is it?
Slam Dunk
Image credits: Wikipedia
One of two sports-themed animes in this blog, Slam Dunk, has been recommended by SUGA & Jung Kook! It centers around a delinquent gang leader, Hanamichi Sakuragi, being introduced to the school’s basketball team by the girl of his dreams after being rejected a whooping fifty times. He’s not quite popular with girls even though he’d asked quite a few out but, and regardless of not having any experience in sports, goes on to become a vital member of the basketball team.
SUGA, too, has played basketball both in school and as a trainee. So, perhaps his love for Slam Dunk stems from his passion for basketball.
Haikyuu!!
Image credit: IMDb
The second sports anime in this blog, Haikyuu!!, is loved by all members of BTS. The story follows a high school student, Shoyo Hinata, who joins the volleyball club in school despite his short stature. The anime, based on the manga of the same name, has quite a few notable animation scenes as well!
In addition to the above, the members have also recommended animes, such as Piano in the Forest — recommended by SUGA who can also play the piano; The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, recommended by Jin, and One Piece, which was recommended by Jimin! Jung Kook once said he wants to meet his bride with the ring of a bell, like in the anime movie Your Name.
With that adorable confession, this blog reaches its conclusion. There are several other movies and animes, as well as dramas, that the boys have mentioned or referenced which are not listed here. However, after skimming through some summaries of films that were recommended or astutely referenced in their work, it can be said that their competence in the motion picture world is one worth commending.
DISCLAIMER: We do not own any audio & visual content in this video except for the editing. ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO THE RIGHTFUL OWNERS. No copyright infringement intended.
Written by LP
Edited by Vera
Checked by Esma
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