It’s widely known that BTS has splendid and diverse choreography that separates them from other artists. Having several members adept at different dance styles - including hip-hop and contemporary, they are able to bring many unique, flourishing colors to their dances.
As many people also know, making a good dance choreography isn’t simply jumbling many cool moves into one. The moves have to portray the message of the song or mirror the song’s lyrics. Dance can also tell what the lyrics left unsaid. Sometimes, in order to indirectly call someone out, dance is needed to emphasize the vagueness of the lyrics. An example of this can be seen in the choreography of “Am I Wrong.”
This song is one of BTS’ most political songs. Back when the song was just released, Koreans, in general, were very jaded and cynical about the politicians and government officials, who were involved in numerous controversies and scandals.
Let’s take a look at this one specific move when the members split into two groups. The members on the right seem to act like common people, and the members on the left represent the officials. As the common people ask to be heard, the officials refuse by fighting back. And when the common people “accuse” them of something, the officials act as if they did nothing wrong.
Credit: MBC World Youtube
As SUGA sings about the classification system in society where people are divided into dogs, pigs, and crow-tits (the youth) versus storks (the older generation), the members dance as if they are animals.
Credit: MBC World Youtube
When RM sings about the officials’ ignorance and their abnormal reaction towards horrific news, the online comments, and the complaints of their people, the members portray the apathy by “playing” with their phones.
Credit: MBC World Youtube
One special thing about BTS’ songs is that they can be interpreted in several ways to produce unique meanings for each listener. In “Spring Day,” for example, the song itself talks about the longing of loved ones, whether it’s a friend, best friend, family, or significant other. Heavily influenced by contemporary dance, the dance portrays the exact feeling of missing and trying to reach out to someone in vain.
The choreography consists of movements that indicate someone trying to run against time to meet their loved ones and trying to reach out for something they can’t grasp, often interpreted as snow or dust flying in the air.
At the end of the dance, Jimin, who was reaching for something at the beginning but failed, finally found Jin and embraced him. But, if we read the whole lyrics of the song, Jin at the end can represent something more than that one person that Jimin was trying to reach. Jin can also be hope, a dream, and possibly even an acceptance of the loss of loved ones.
People have been talking about “Spring Day” as a tribute song to a tragedy that traumatized South Korea—the sinking of the Sewol Ferry in 2014. But when BTS was asked about this in an interview with Esquire, Jin answered: “It is about a sad event, as you said, but it is also about longing.”
“Fake Love” also has several highlight moves. The first one was during the part “try to erase myself and become your doll,” where the members pretended to be fallen marionette dolls after their strings were cut off.
Credit: BANGTANTV
The other highlight is the moves during “I’m so sick of this fake love,” where the members are doing the famous “See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil” moves. These gestures echo a proverb of Japanese origin, usually in the form of the “Three Wise Monkeys.” In the past, these moves were the symbols of keeping oneself pure from doing any evil intention and wrongdoings. However, this proverb has flipped the meanings into turning blind eyes to any evil and wrongdoings.
Credit: BANGTANTV
Now, the interesting part is that these moves can be interpreted in several ways. Take some time to remember that “Fake Love” is about losing and hiding one’s true self to meet the expectations of a loved one. Now, these moves can be seen as:
The members decided to ignore the evil and the dark side of themselves as it becomes painful to be remembered.
The members desire to remain pure as they are aware how, in the process of loving someone and meeting their expectations, they have started to lose themselves. Despite that, they are still too afraid to let go, or...
The members try to ignore their true self just to love someone, declining the desire to remain pure and true to themselves.
Credit: BANGTANTV
Of course, those were only several theories and each ARMY may have their own standpoint. Unfortunately, this blog has to stop here before spiraling into thousands of more words, as we can all agree that BTS’ artistry has many layers and perspectives that we can peel through endlessly. If you have any thoughts and different interpretations about the moves above, or any personal theories about other dances, feel free to share your thoughts with us!
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Written By: RAM
Edit By: Esma
Checked By: Clare
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