I started watching this series exactly how I started k-dramas: by chance!
I already knew BTS and I have a few of their songs on my iPod. I don't consider myself a fan but I've been mindblown by the amount of love and success they've gathered around the globe ever since they debuted and became a worldwide phenomenon, so I decided to keep watching this 6 episodes series to try to understand why they have such an extended fandom...
The six episodes are divided by themes like Energy, Influence, Cordiality, and so on, and it's basically a "behind the scene" of their 2018 North American and European tour.
It has been quite interesting because you get to see how the tour life really is: a (private) plane after another, a new hotel room every two or three days and the pressure they feel because they don't want to disappoint the fans.
This last point is a silent presence more or less in every episode and, while I understand that they have a responsibility towards the people who pay to watch them, a solid portion of the anxiety they feel is given by BTS themselves. At some point, they sounded like a broken record and I had the feeling they've been told to stress about it: I applaud the work ethic and the fact that they want to give an outstanding performance, still...
Another aspect that surprised me was the members' need for some alone time. They all have their personal rooms and whenever they have some time off they do different activities, usually alone: V is the stereotype of the Asian tourist, always taking pictures of the weirdest things (which I guess is what Asian thinks of westerns when we go to their countries!), while RM and J-Hope like to stay by themselves and just relax or create new music.
The only one who seems to struggle with this is poor Jimin, who's always seeking for company and someone to drink with! Seriously, at a first glance, J-Hope would strike as the funny one, but from this series is actually Jimin the social one...he almost looks like a vulnerable puppy, scared to be left alone. It was so much fun seeing him overstaying his welcome in other members' rooms and always finding an excuse to drink soju....hilarious!
On the other hand, J-Hope is far more serious then what I initially gave him credit for and I was left surprised by how grave he is...not all the times, but at least during the majority of the documentary, he sounded almost philosophical...up until he was on the set of the TIME's shooting and asks if it is for the cover. How could you not know is you're doing a photoshoot for the cover of TIME?? 😂
Let's be honest here: they don't only sing but dance this complicated, athletes-level choreographies as well and it's statistically impossible not to get injured at least once and when that happens they feel a strong sense of powerlessness, beating themselves for not being able to be on stage with the group.
Thank goodness, they all look out for one another and support whoever is having a 'no' moment.
RM's speech he gave at the UN last year is also shown and I couldn't agree more with the choices of showing it integrally as its message couldn't be more appropriate for the times we're living now.
Whether you like BTS or not, it is undeniable that their messages of loving yourself and of mutual respect gave its fruits: for RM's birthdays, for example, the fandom got together from both South Korea and abroad and planted trees to support the singer's commitment to preserving the environment.
So, ultimately, what I gather from this docu-series is that BTS are well aware of the impact they have on their fans and do not take it lightly, they're passionate about what they do, worked hard to arrive where they're are and will keep working hard to stay on top.
They're both the 'boys next doors' and reserved at the same time, trying to spread positiveness and joy. I also liked that the viewer gets to see a different side of their personality and maybe see some traits of their own character in them.
This retrospective has been really interesting and, talking as someone who doesn't know them well, it satisfied my curiosity about them.
This last point is a silent presence more or less in every episode and, while I understand that they have a responsibility towards the people who pay to watch them, a solid portion of the anxiety they feel is given by BTS themselves. At some point, they sounded like a broken record and I had the feeling they've been told to stress about it: I applaud the work ethic and the fact that they want to give an outstanding performance, still...
Another aspect that surprised me was the members' need for some alone time. They all have their personal rooms and whenever they have some time off they do different activities, usually alone: V is the stereotype of the Asian tourist, always taking pictures of the weirdest things (which I guess is what Asian thinks of westerns when we go to their countries!), while RM and J-Hope like to stay by themselves and just relax or create new music.
The only one who seems to struggle with this is poor Jimin, who's always seeking for company and someone to drink with! Seriously, at a first glance, J-Hope would strike as the funny one, but from this series is actually Jimin the social one...he almost looks like a vulnerable puppy, scared to be left alone. It was so much fun seeing him overstaying his welcome in other members' rooms and always finding an excuse to drink soju....hilarious!
On the other hand, J-Hope is far more serious then what I initially gave him credit for and I was left surprised by how grave he is...not all the times, but at least during the majority of the documentary, he sounded almost philosophical...up until he was on the set of the TIME's shooting and asks if it is for the cover. How could you not know is you're doing a photoshoot for the cover of TIME?? 😂
Being on an overseas tour is both mentally and physically challenging and it's shown extremely well here: they're constantly getting treated by osteopaths and the medical staff is on duty basically 24/7!
Thank goodness, they all look out for one another and support whoever is having a 'no' moment.
RM's speech he gave at the UN last year is also shown and I couldn't agree more with the choices of showing it integrally as its message couldn't be more appropriate for the times we're living now.
Whether you like BTS or not, it is undeniable that their messages of loving yourself and of mutual respect gave its fruits: for RM's birthdays, for example, the fandom got together from both South Korea and abroad and planted trees to support the singer's commitment to preserving the environment.
So, ultimately, what I gather from this docu-series is that BTS are well aware of the impact they have on their fans and do not take it lightly, they're passionate about what they do, worked hard to arrive where they're are and will keep working hard to stay on top.
They're both the 'boys next doors' and reserved at the same time, trying to spread positiveness and joy. I also liked that the viewer gets to see a different side of their personality and maybe see some traits of their own character in them.
This retrospective has been really interesting and, talking as someone who doesn't know them well, it satisfied my curiosity about them.
Did you watch it as well?
What are your thoughts?
Ph: BIG HIT Entertainment & screenshot
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