BTS are no strangers to soundtracks. Whether it be for TV shows, games, or movies, their catalog of OSTs is vast and ever-expanding. The newest addition to this illustrious collection – one that includes the likes of “All Night” and “Your Eyes Tell”, known fan favorites – is the song “Stay Alive,” a ballad produced by SUGA and sung by Jung Kook for the webtoon 7 Fates: Chakho, an online comic book which integrates the scrolling motion into part of its artwork and style.
The story of Chakho is available in both e-book and webtoon versions with Korean, English, Spanish, French, German, Indonesian, Thai, and Japanese translations. It is set in a fantasy city named Sin-si, which is regularly attacked by otherworldly monsters named “beom” – meaning tiger in Korean. The story, then, is about seven young men who come together to hunt the “beoms” and protect humans, starting with Zeha, an orphan approached by a mysterious man offering answers regarding the boy’s parents. The word “chakho” refers to the expression 착호 갑사 (chakho gabsa), the special tiger hunting forces that existed during the Joseon Dynasty, and the characters are inspired by the members of BTS.
Although it’s not the first time the group has gotten involved with the webtoon platform, this is the first time they have made an original soundtrack dedicated to one. The first snippet of the song was played during episode 4 – setting the ambiance for a sad and dramatic backstory – and the whole piece was released a week later on February 11. Building on the epic and mythical nature of the Chakho story, the song combines a powerful set of strings with Jung Kook’s emotional vocals, creating an experience that builds up feeling throughout its verses. Subsequently, the chorus explodes in an almost fantastical sentimentality, representing the suffering but also the perseverance of the characters we are accompanying.
The lyrics follow a similar path, as they are a mix of melancholy and hope. In the beginning images of darkness, blood and night paint a bleak picture of someone who is first and foremost in pain. “There is no such thing as miracles” (trans. by @btsinthemoment), it goes, showing that even faith can’t survive in this rock bottom state. However, as the chorus approaches, there is a switch, a flicker of belief that comes in the form of a person. “You’re my fate / The salvation that saved this tired me.” Two can sustain what only one person can’t – or even seven, as the characters in the webtoon seem to meet by fate. Finally, the emotional climax of the music ends with the heartfelt plea that ended up becoming the title of the song: stay alive.
The collaboration between SUGA and Jung Kook had been a topic of great discussion and expectation among ARMY – all of which were met, judging by how well received the song was. SUGA’s ability as a producer to adapt to different genres and singers while still maintaining an original and recognizable style worked in perfect synergy with Jung Kook’s distinct vocal color and expressiveness in singing. SUGA himself has already mentioned Jung Kook is one of the most talented musicians he has ever worked with (Special Talk Show – Let’s BTS Ep. 1) and this song only serves to showcase it.
And so, as ARMY keeps following the Chakho team in their adventures against the “beoms,” “Stay Alive” will stay in their ears, allowing the fans to add another layer in the experience of this story and its telling through music.
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Written By: Carol
Edit By: Aury
Checked By: Juju
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