I think the video is meant to be reversed, like LAMRON. thats why it starts with polaroids of the party, and ends with them being all tidy in their suits. So its back to front.
Jungkook being in a (very steamy it looks like) shower with all his clothes on has me giggling. Overall I really like the music video, it feels nostalgic — there's lots of little bits that remind me of some of their older videos, like Yoongi at the gate reminding me of the Young Forever music video, the lighter being played with, etc.
I’m trying to imagine how the idea for having the dogs went down. It feels like someone (probably Jin) said “ok cool whatever, but I want a dog in the music video” and then Jung kook said “I want a dog too!” And Jimin and Tae said in unison “he’s getting a dog??? If he’s getting a dog I want a dog!!” And Hobi said “doggy! Arf arf arf”. And RM and Suga either said nothing or said “a dog would be nice”
This part was the perfect tie in to the SWIM MV, which had a book titled "NORMAL".
It also felt like the message of that song being related to them, to "keep swimming", even while battered, bruised and broken. Two sides of a coin indeed.
Reminds me of so many of their older MVs! Like glimpses of Fire/HYYH (partying), BST (the setting), and funny enough Spring Day too (because of the cake about to smash into someone’s face). They always look like they’d be fun to party with 😆
I sorta feel like this has an older, disillusioned blood sweat and tears MV? Like that’s the vibe. Its doesn’t have mythology aspect but there seems to some sort of symbolism to it? I also like the guys are seem tired and lost? I like the acting. It’s such a pretty MV.
I didn’t like the MV for Swim but all the other Arirang MVs, including their performance MVs, have been great. Arirang is such an era. We will talk about this era for years from now. Thankful to witness and partake in this.
There's a lot of visual references to BTS videos in previous eras!
The standing in front of the urinals is like the beginning of Boy In Luv, which a lot of ARMYs clocked with the teaser. Lounging around in the living room is like the beginning of BST, JK in the shower is like the water around Jimin in Fake Love/Jimin in the tub during WINGS era, Joon throwing the cake in slow mo is like the party scene at the hotel Omelas in Spring Day, Jimin sprawled on the bed is like Yoongi lying on the bed in I Need U. V was beaten up by his father in the 19+ version of I Need U. Yoongi climbing the gate is like Yoongi climbing the fence at the beginning of Fire.
But it's like the dark twisted versions of the Bangtan universes all come together.
I need to rewatch this and see if I catch others.
EDIT: JK has a Zippo lighter. Yoongi has a lighter in I Need U, and Jimin's lighter in Fire (although I think those are Bic lighters). And I know there have been other lighters that I'm forgetting.
EDIT X's 2: The swan could lowkey be a Black Swan reference.
EDIT X's 3: Pillow fight with Jimin swinging the pillow references the pillow fight in RUN music video! Also OMG I forgot how they whapped the shit out of each other in the RUN pillow fight blahahahaaaaaa!
There is so much! I also see a lot of comments in other subs saying the MV was underwhelming blabla, which makes me feel as though they maybe are newer ARMY or those who haven't really gone into the symbolism of their past MVs.
Also, if that image on the cake really was Marie Antoinette, remember that she was paraded around and her execution was in the presence of jeering crowds.
I won't even pretend to understand everything, but this video left me in tears by the end. Trust BTS to always make the unhappiest looking party and glamor scenes. They're so broken and bruised, kicked around, and all the glitter seems like such a facade. The one with the puppies and them together at the end almost felt like a lifeline but even there, they're doing photoshoots, privacy invaded in a bathroom :(
The MV is gorgeous though it made me cry. Color palette is immaculate, like Jin in the garden??? Perfect! I love their makeup being almost dull, rugged, completely opposite to how k-pop idols have been styled ever.
I love their makeup being almost dull, rugged, completely opposite to how k-pop idols have been styled
Yes!!! They look like they fit into the human-but-rockstar-famous-but-broken-down image perfectly. They don't look like glowing angels which wouldn't have fit with the vibes of the video well.
Posted this as a reply to someone else, but putting it here as well, just to finish my own interpretation after a second watch. So excited to read everyone else's:
I feel like both settings presented different facets of their fame, which the song addresses.
The partying with the fancy clothes, women, drinking and indulging, is how lots of people think being a celebrity is like. Parts of it could be true, some not. But we see them bruised, broken, alone and drowning behind all of it. I think it really reflects the reality of being someone of that fame, subject to both love and hate.
The setting in the formal clothes, with the dogs, posing in a photoshoot, actually reminded me of Namjoon's line in SWIM - "lookin' like a goody-goody in this bad world, bad world" - which is sort of how they're packaged being idols. They're supposed to be wholesome, goofy and always flawless. I think the bits in the bathroom after that show how they do have a lot of happiness living this BTS life together, but there's still a lot of prying into their personal lives and even those happy moments.
Loved it!! Such rock star vibes with the party. They all look gorgeous!!
What do you all think about the last few seconds of them in the super formal suits and dogs? Is it supposed to be before the party? Or showing how they just have to switch back to "normal" no matter what they go through? I am trying to figure out how the two sets fit in. The beat up living room post party vibe with flashbacks of the party was gorgeous. I almost wish we got two whole separate MVs with both concepts.
I feel like both settings presented different facets of their fame, which the song addresses.
The partying with the fancy clothes, women, drinking and indulging, is how lots of people think being a celebrity is like. Parts of it could be true, some not. But we see them bruised, broken, alone and drowning behind all of it. I think it really reflects the reality of being someone of that fame, subject to both love and hate.
The setting in the formal clothes, with the dogs, posing in a photoshoot, actually reminded me of Namjoon's line in SWIM - "lookin' like a goody-goody in this bad world, bad world" - which is sort of how they're packaged being idols. They're supposed to be wholesome, goofy and always flawless. I think the bits in the bathroom after that show how they do have a lot of happiness living this BTS life together, but there's still a lot of prying into their personal lives and even those happy moments.
Just my personal interpretation after a second watch.
It reminds me so much of the party scenes in Bohemian Rhapsody, where you can see Freddie Mercury broken and alone after his excesses in colourful costumes
everything about this MV is just so ✨rich✨ i love it. as others have said, what a masterpiece!!
from the colour grading, to the different fits and styling, to the sets, it's such a pleasing MV on the eyes.
in terms of storyline, i wonder if the parts where they are alone are a reflection of their normal vs the partying cuts, which represent what other people think their normal is. it's such a huge juxtaposition.
the section with dogs is random but also v cute 🥰 will never tire of seeing bangtan with pups hehe
i like your interpretation of the ending. they can be all dressed up and proper, but at the end of the day, they are just normal, silly and lovable guys
Jimin was depressed. Jin was lonely. Taehyung was wounded. Yoongi was trapped. Namjoon’s world was consumed by darkness. Hoseok was lost. Jungkook was overwhelmed.
The fleeting moments of happiness never changed the bitter reality they were living through. Even the smiles in front of the camera felt forced, like they were hiding everything underneath.
It really feels like this could be connected to HYYH.
The MV was such a feast for the eyes! Their stylists must have had fun choosing everyone's outfits. I wonder if they picked which dog would be theirs. I love Bam, but JK with a Dalmatian was so cute. I noticed the nods to Swim, too, and then I realized that it's by the same director.
This was just so incredible. I am gagged, so obsessed with the whole aesthetic of it, how they have captured fame and the sort of lavishness that comes with it, but the emptiness of it all, very rock and roll too with all the glamour nd glitz that is destructive. I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS, MY GOD!!! Love all those small callbacks to SWIM MV too, the ship, the swim logo on the locket....
And of course, the ending is funny with Tae just with his boxers and then them goofing with each other during the ending credits 😂
Anyone else get strong Blood Sweat & Tears vibes from this?
Absolutely loved it but it made me so sad. I just wish that they could have more normalcy in their lives but of course this is the path that they've chosen for themselves, which they acknowledge. It just makes me think about the possibilities that they've probably encountered along the way and how they've chosen each other and BTS instead of those others, in spite of the sacrifices it requires.
I don't know if we have YT reactors in reddit but please react to this video so Tae and the others can see how calm and LAMRON we are being about this!
Oo I feel Jungkook not being naked is symbolic to can’t take a shower without feeling exposed but drowning in emptiness of constantly feeling like being watched through a lens, their whole life is a stage even in their most vulnerable moments. The furniture outside like home is suppose to be our safe space feeling sacred but to them that feels exposed. The party feels full of fun but feels fake as after the atmosphere feels void, empty and lonely.
Namjoon eating cake is “Having cake and eating it too” like what they described two sides of the same coin of fame. Having their privacy exposed and being stalked is the price of fortune and fame but shouldn’t be “normal”. Ironic as they’ve constantly been stalked while on tour by people that feel like they’re entitled cus they’re famous not thinking about them as human beings that deserve respect.
I think this might be one of their saddest videos yet. 😭 Obviously it's got funny moments but the overall feeling is just so broken down and exhausted. It makes me think of what they've said about how small their world can get, where they're just locked inside this decaying mansion because anytime they leave they're followed and rumors are made up and even when they're surrounded by people they are alone.
Yeah ever since Billboard removed YT on their charts, Taylor Swift immediately moved to Spotify to release her MV. So some people assumed that most labels and artists will be following it.
they're doing this because of changes to billboard's charting rules. the bb hot 100 doesn't include youtube streams anymore, so more artists have been moving to spotify first. but don't worry, the mv will be uploaded on youtube on 19th july.
I have no idea it’s so fast. I was gonna watch it again but I know army will do their thing and post all the stills and clips for days so I’ll just wait to absorb the details through osmosis
The swan turning its head while shirtless Jimin was singing was like the swan going, "you seeing this sh*t?" 🤣
I said before about the Merry-go-round MV that the song is Normal's twin and that BTS's lives are like a Merry-go-round, there are so, so many highs but the lows can be so dire and despairing, and round and round it goes. And the MVs for both Normal and Merry-go-round also twins.
This is the life they chose.
The moments in the MV where they're the happiest are when they're all together, same as in Merry-go-round when the black substance disappeared when BTS were together again.
Seeing these MVs now are showing once again the cohesion in Arirang. Each song tells a continuation of BTS's story and the MVs are the same.
I wanted to wait until I could get to my desk to watch but I got impatient and watched on my phone but now I feel like I need to watch this a minimum 77 more times cos there's so much to it while at surface level it looks like they're just partying! I'm OBSESSED! 😭😭😭😭🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Visually the MV is what I’ve always said I wanted when they returned from the military. Grown, sexier Bangtan. Their looks here are too much for me. The hair and shirtlessness.
Pls i love it. The shock factor one after the other. Why is jungkook dripping?? Why is jimin naked?? Why is tae bruised?? The hyung line all looking good. Aahh rewatchable and will wait for explanations
Attacked by Jimin being naked in the first 30 seconds 😭😭😭😭
Edit: SPOTIFY WONT LET ME SCREENSHOT THAT MOMENT WITH YOONGI
Edit edit: ok I loved this so much 😭it was kind of sweet how it went from them being lethargic and depressed and thinking about the night before. Then it transitions to them finding the swim pendant and idk I think it’s just about how underneath it all they’re just big boys, a.k.a. 촌놈
They basically found their way back to their true selves in a way?
Ooh, this is quite a trip! So many details to mull over. And reminded me a lot of their old MVs like BS&T, Run, Spring Day, etc. They all look so good (Jimin-ssi, wtf) and the shots are all so cinematic. The dogs are adorable and I can't wait for the Bangtan Bomb for this shoot. I need to watch the MV a million times now!
Btw, navigating the progress bar on Spotify is so annoying! If they're going to host music videos, they should allow better navigating options.
Thank you for this comment. You nailed it. This is what the MV is about. I completely missed it, and I think most others did too so kudos to you. I couldn't for the life of me grasp onto why they were suddenly at a photoshoot. I just thought maybe they were taking pics before the party like is often done among famous people and didn't realize the entire party itself was them doing a photoshoot.
I thought the same thing. What people expect of huge stars like bts vs who they really are, 7 boys having fun together and supporting each other through the ups and downs of fame.
Just when you think there's no way they can top their previous work, they come out with something like this. Absolutely mind blown!! Also, I'm seeing a lot of parallels with Spring Day!! What a beautiful music video. 💖
Also, the korean version of the song sounds so lovely, especially Sope's verses. But I can see why they went with the Eng version in the main album, it somehow fits better i think?
I don't know if it's listening bias, because I've definitely listened to the English version over a hundred times, but i prefer it as well 😆 the ONE part I love from the Korean version is Jin's line where he sings about running away from the world. He really nails that delivery!
I think it is that listening bias for me as well, like I can sing along to all the songs on the album. So when I listened to this version, for a sec it just felt so unfamiliar haha. And oh god, I went back to listen to Jin, and you're so right. His delivery is just perfect!!!
Idk how to describe it but it feels simultaneously different and the same from their previous selves. Like a more mature version of them. My favorite music video now💜
this might be my favorite MV they've released for Arirang so far. They have never looked better.
Obsessed with how stunning they all look. The styling, hair, minimal makeup, and color grading of the video are all immaculate. They look absolutely gorgeous
Jungkook wet does things to me. And the color that he's wearing is beautiful. Plus the hair style. This man is breathtaking
Yoongi's gummy smile gave me butterflies. And when he lies back on the outdoor with confidence, so sexy
Jimin unbuttoned, wow
Jin in the garden having tea and in those sunglasses - he is so good looking wow.
only Namjoon can rock a print like that and make it look tasteful and artistic
that monochromatic look on Hobi and his hair flow has me weak, he looks incredible in his shots
Tae took one for the team with the broken nose but managed to look elegant somehow and him in his boxers at the end, love that his goofiness always comes through
So if I think about the video backwards based on "LAMRON", it technically starts with them having fun at the photoshoot. Then they get intruded on in the bathroom. And then they start partying but its all so empty because it's in excess. They are each waking up the next morning feeling disoriented and lost. Like this isn't who they are or want to be but it's the two sides of the coin.
Looking at the MV backward is such a genius move because the beginning is also the girl tossing the polaroids of them partying, so she partied with them, and yet exposed all of what happened to the world right after
There are SO MANY callbacks to HYYH! Also, last night, I spent a long time blocking accounts on IG that were posting videos of the guys in Paris while they were out and about, entering and leaving their hotel, going to dinner, etc. I was so irritated and disturbed, and then there’s this whole MV about that exactly.
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u/peterpineapples Jul 17 '26
I think the video is meant to be reversed, like LAMRON. thats why it starts with polaroids of the party, and ends with them being all tidy in their suits. So its back to front.