Eight Ft Yoongi

Full Article:정국에게 남은 것과 변한 것 | 보그 코리아 (Vogue Korea)

Those who work in the public eye come under a lot of different influences, making it hard for them to formulate their own worldviews. The same is true of those who have had to mold themselves from a young age to achieve a certain goal. But Jung Kook is different. His pursuits outside BTS suggest that he has very clear ideas about what he wants to do and show that he can seal himself off from outside influences. This is one of the things we like about Jung Kook.

How has he managed to foster his own ideas? Jung Kook, who listens attentively while making eye contact, replies, “I don’t have clear answers like, ‘This is how I’ll live!’ But what’s clear is that I want to decide for myself how to live my life. Perhaps there will be an afterlife, but who knows? This is the only life I’ve got, and it’s short. I’d never do something that everybody agrees is wrong, but where various ways are acceptable, I want to live on my own terms. I settled on this fairly early on.” Curious about Jung Kook’s thoughts on life’s fleeting nature, I respond, “They say that life is short, but art is eternal. What is eternal to you?” Jung Kook says, “Let’s assume that what I do is art. Would this be the most important thing? Isn’t life itself more important? The time I’ve lived is distilled in me. So, life is finite but also eternal.”

Jung Kook is preoccupied with all sorts of art, not just music. Some fans want Jung Kook, the Golden Mangnae (youngest of the family) of BTS, to showcase his talents in other areas more, such as painting, photography and video editing. Jung Kook humbly says, “These are just some of my other interests, and I don’t feel the need to develop all of them.” But multitalented individuals must surely hear an inner voice urging them to make use of such talents. It must be difficult to ignore the desire to express oneself in various ways besides music.

“I have realistic as well as idealistic goals,” says Jung Kook. “I used to be greedy and did what I wanted to do without giving it much thought. But the way one thinks changes over time, as does life in general, and relationships, too. These days, I’m more realistic. What I need to do is more important than what I want to do.” On top of this, Jung Kook doesn’t like to reveal his creations until he is fully satisfied with them. “They’ll never be perfect, but they at least have to be at a level I’m happy with,” he tells me. “I’ll work hard, and one day I’ll be able to unveil them to the public. Right now, I don’t have the mental energy to spend on improving them.”

Over the past couple of years, it has not been easy for Jung Kook to work — even on his hobbies, like painting and photography. “If the stage set is the same every time one performs, there’ll be less excitement for the performing artist and the spectator alike,” he says. “I need to keep seeking change and challenge myself. The same goes for photography and painting. I carried a camera with me when we worked, but we couldn’t move around much due to Covid-19, so the photos all looked pretty similar. And going on risky trips that weren’t really necessary wasn’t an option.” Instead, Jung Kook found joy in books, portals into other worlds. He is making an effort to read more books in his spare time in order to become better at writing lyrics. His current fascination with writing lyrics links up with his other artistic pursuits. “My lyrics reflect my speech and individuality,” he explains. “This is another area where I can express myself.”

Hopefully, Jung Kook will soon be enjoying a change of scenery. He was thrilled by the chance to visit the UN General Assembly to sing “Permission to Dance” in September 2021. “Every time we prepare an album and record a performance on stage, I have the same mindset,” he says. “But there was something extra when we filmed a video with dancers on the lawn in front of the UN General Assembly. Having fun dancing and singing together outdoors made me feel that better days were on the way. I felt that the day was drawing near when we’d be able to meet ARMY up close, or the day when I could go out alone at dawn and enjoy tasty snacks.” I ask whether it is even possible for a superstar to go to a late-night restaurant alone, but Jung Kook smiles and says, “There’s always a way.”

BTS has changed Jung Kook’s life dramatically. In 2014, BTS went out on the street in Los Angeles and invited random passersby to attend their free concert. This was being filmed as part of a TV show, but they worked hard to promote their group by handing out flyers. Since then, BTS have skyrocketed: In 2021, tickets for their concert at SoFi Stadium, near LA, sold out in minutes. Comparing then to now, Jung Kook is tongue-tied. “I always wonder why people love and adore us,” he admits. “I’ve thought a lot about how I arrived at this point. Firstly, I was lucky to have talented team members! Secondly, we have a CEO who really loves music. Apart from that, perhaps the synergy of BTS’ songs, lyrics, messages, performances and public appearances attracted more and more fans? Lately, it’s become even more difficult for me to wrap my mind around the situation. I guess it’s because I’m unable to meet the audience members in person. I need to work harder to prove that I’m worth their support.”

Jung Kook is also very mindful of BTS’ positive influence. “As I get older, I feel more pressure,” he confesses. “I’m not particularly great; and I’m not that good and virtuous. I’m a very ordinary person, and I’m often scolded by the other members for my immature behavior. If the world sees us as having a positive influence, then I need to try to adjust and match my actions and thoughts to those values.”

ARMY has been putting BTS’ positive messages into action. Their environmental projects, like saving rainforests and whales, and their fundraising for vulnerable groups such as refugees and LGBTQ people have been astonishing in terms of their scope and speed. ARMY seems to have become a global cultural movement that goes beyond the fandom. Jung Kook is amazed and intrigued by ARMY. “I’m just someone who loves to sing and dance, but ARMY is achieving greater things for us,” he says. “I can’t thank them enough for their support for us, but they’re also doing such wonderful things. I’m deeply moved by ARMY, which started as a group of BTS supporters but has evolved into a real force for good. I’m inspired by them.” Jung Kook wanted to find a way to repay ARMY, the group’s proud flagbearers, but found himself at a loss. “It seemed there was nothing special I could do,” he says. “I’ve come to the conclusion that being good at my job, as I’ve been doing, is what I can do for ARMY.”

Jung Kook has approached his work with excitement rather than apprehension. It’s not that he’s been free of anxiety because each album was a success or because he is loved by the fans, but because he has believed in himself and his groupmates. “We did our best with every album and on every stage,” Jung Kook says. “Nobody can be perfect, but I’ve been able to enjoy it because I do everything that’s required of me. That’s why I can accept an occasional poor result.” This seems to be Jung Kook’s attitude toward life. “I understand that hard work and the outcome are two separate things,” he explains. “I’ve learned how to accept the result. Of course, having the ambition to improve myself is another matter.”

As Jung Kook debuted at age 15, he must surely have matured more than any other BTS member. On the other hand, they tell him, “It’s great that you haven’t changed at all.” What about him has changed the most and how has he remained the same over the past decade? “I was warmhearted and trusting as a child, and I still am,” he admits. “Until they break my heart, I give my all to those I love. My groupmates all acknowledge this. Sometimes, I worry about what’s going to happen, but I’m lucky enough to have my groupmates beside me, which is reassuring. But if I depended on them too much, it would be like hiding behind them, so I need to be able to stand on my own.” Except for this, he adds, everything from the way he speaks to the way he thinks has changed. I believe that another thing that remains the same is his energy. Jung Kook shows no signs of tiring during the photo shoot for Vogue , which proceeds at a fast pace and without a break. He raises the energy of the set, moving with the rhythm of the background music and approaching groupmates to massage their shoulders or straighten their clothes.

As Jung Kook puts it, after an incredible 10 years, what will the next 10 be like? “Permission to Dance” contains the words, “We don’t need to worry. ’Cause when we fall, we know how to land.” I ask Jung Kook if he has thought much about how to land. “Obviously, many people are more successful than me, and as I get older and time goes by, my career is bound to taper off,” he reflects. “But I don’t think about landing. There are lots of things I still want to do. I want to continue expanding as an artist and achieve even greater things.”

During spare moments during BTS’ world travels, j-hope works on songwriting. He is the type of person who gets his inspiration from daily life rather than his imagination. His candid, sincere songs bring fans joy and comfort. Now that he has achieved all his aims and dreams, what more does he want? “As I always say, I learn a lot working on albums,” he admits. “I think I came to like myself a little more and was able to grow as a person while working on the Love Yourself album. These days, I muse about what happiness means. Sometimes, I receive less comfort from human beings than from animals like dogs — small creatures that I can’t even talk to. Small interactions like that give me lots of happiness.”

He says that when there is a pause in his schedule, he spends most of his time at home. For someone who is one of the busiest people in the world, these are precious chances to rest. “Actually, I don’t do anything special when I’m alone at home,” he says. “When I take a break, I tend to veg out and watch TV because I do too much when I’m working. I have a regular routine, but now and then I sleep till noon.” Of course, music is always on his mind; creating music has become such a large part of his life that he even works on music while taking a break. “That’s the only thing I can do” It is the sort of answer you would expect from a workaholic.

He knows that fans are waiting for his mixtape, and he wants to make it worth the wait. Having a dedicated work ethic, he is strict about the deadlines he sets for himself. But more important are the results. j-hope says he has been in a bit of a slump. “I got into music through dancing, and I still need help when it comes to music. Not long ago, after meeting various producers to share my music and get some feedback, I faced a dilemma. I realized that the musical direction I’d chosen was tough, and I lost confidence. I’m anxious to move beyond this difficulty, but it’s been slow going, and this makes me feel ashamed. I couldn’t help but ask, ‘Is this my limit?’ But I’m in the process of gradually overcoming this challenge.” j-hope adds, fairly matter-of-factly, that he ended up scrapping the entire batch of songs and started over again. The way he overcomes a slump is to continue plowing forward! Obstacles don’t stop him. Nor do they faze BTS, either.

The first in-person BTS concert in two years is coming up soon, and j-hope concedes, “I’m nervous and excited.” Tickets sold out for all four performances of BTS Permission to Dance On Stage – LA, a milestone for SoFi Stadium, near Los Angeles. BTS were also part of the Jingle Ball Tour, the largest year-end music festival in the United States. The boy who left his hometown to become a singer 11 years ago is expecting to spend Christmas Eve as a nominee for the Grammy Awards, the world’s top music awards ceremony. “I don’t have many memories of Christmas since starting as a trainee,” j-hope says. “I always had something to prepare for or rehearse. And after our debut, I was busy with year-end TV appearances and performances. I have a small wish — to celebrate Christmas this year with my family privately and quietly. It’s becoming harder and harder to have these private moments of happiness.”

j-hope once said on a TV show that if he were to write a memoir, he would start it with “those who guided me.” These include his family members, namely his mother. “After all,” he reflects, “those who loved me were the ones who guided me to where I am today: my six groupmates, my family, our staff and the precious fans. It would’ve been impossible on my own. After taking on this role, I became more aware of what those around me were thinking and feeling. I tend to be heavily influenced by the people around me, and their warmth and sincerity have guided me to where I am today. I’m lucky to have these good people around me.” j-hope attributes his and BTS’ good fortune and success to the positive influence of those around him rather than to his own efforts. He believes that it is his turn now to give back the tremendous love and support he has received to as many people as possible. This could almost be described as a calling.

“When I go on stage and face my fans, I’m so glad to have become part of BTS. It makes me realize that I am where I am now because of those people who watch me dance and sing and who give me love,” he says earnestly. “That’s the moment when I can truly enjoy being myself, j-hope and Hoseok Jung (j-hope’s birth name).” When j-hope looks back on this time many years from now, I am sure he will still be saying the same thing. I ask him what he wants the last sentence of his memoir to be. “‘The people I guided’, It may sound cliché, but it’s true that21 I have guided many precious people.” The time allotted for our interview has run out, but j-hope’s story will continue. j-hope’s bright, towering world of hope, which will be created with the people he loves — it is all a sweet reverie that I don’t want to awake from.

Is this really still the case? Even now, when we would run out of space in Vogue if we listed all of BTS’ achievements? It is hard not to question Jin’s assertion, but at least he is frank. He transparently reveals what he is thinking and feeling. His confidence in saying that he is “handsome wherever he goes in the world” and, conversely, revealing his insecurities without making much of them reveals a healthy sense of self-esteem.

“Plenty of people are more handsome than me. ‘Worldwide Handsome’ is a joke I like to make for laughs,” he says with a laugh of his own. “And there are many people who can sing and dance better than me. I just try hard to achieve a better version of myself, which other people seem to see in me.” This sort of frankness turns into healthy self-love and, eventually, into unaffected positivity. “Everyone is born with a certain talent, right?” he asks. “I think mine is the ability to quickly forget negative things that have happened and recover from mental fatigue.” As to the source of his positive mindset, Jin says, “Well … If you go about your daily routine faithfully, you’ll soon be able to forget and move on.”

It is hard to imagine now, but in BTS’ early days, Jin had little to say. However, Jin gradually began shedding his image as “the ice prince” after being affected by a line from the song “Fire,” from the BTS album The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Young Forever , released in 2016: “Live however you want, it’s your life. Stop trying, it’s OK to lose.” He began to realize that “There will always be some people who love you and some who don’t” and that criticism is something all celebs have to deal with. “In the past,” he says, “I used to separate Jin, the BTS member, from the human being Seokjin Kim (Jin’ s birth name), to some extent. But now I don’t. How I come across on TV is how I live my life.” Jin says that looking back at his past self makes him wonder, “Why did I live like that?” However, he concedes, “I must have had some idea about how I wanted to live.”

It is not easy to live your life the way you want to without giving in to outside pressure — especially if you are one of the most famous people in the world, receiving attention from fans across the planet and having to meet their expectations. Now, Jin is steadily working toward the goal he set in 2020 — “living without thinking.” “It’s definitely not an easy goal,” Jin explains, “because you’re filled with trivial thoughts, like ‘I have to do this tomorrow, I have to do that the day after tomorrow’ … I’ve always disliked planning. If you make a plan, you have to stick to it, but I find this difficult, so I tend to be spontaneous, whether going on a trip or whatever. You need to have a framework in your life, but I try to avoid making detailed plans. My head hurts,” he says with a laugh. Joking until the very end, Jin concludes, “I think I’m a little happier these days because I’m living without thinking.”

Full Article: 지민을 행복하게 하는 것들에 대하여 | 보그 코리아 (Vogue Korea)

Pop artists typically say that they want to be “unique” rather than be the best. But Jimin truly is one of a kind — it is impossible to forget him after seeing him and hearing him sing. The dancing of K-pop boy groups is usually a fusion of hip-hop and street dance. Jimin, however, adds the flexibility inherent in modern dance. Jimin’s incredible vocal range, which is rare even among female vocalists, is a weapon that enriches BTS’ songs. In addition, Jimin’s bold emotional expression, no matter what type of song he is singing, has played a big part in the evolution of BTS, whose songs originally centered on powerful hip-hop. Over time, BTS have expanded the focus of their lyrics, going from commenting on social issues to considering youth, love, existence itself and the hopefulness and harmony that can be arrived at through a positive daily outlook.

The longevity of a pop idol like Jimin depends on how much passion he stirs up among the public, and lyricism is what transforms that affection into enthusiasm and adoration. Jimin’s somewhat dreamy facial expressions and manner of speaking, even when laughing and joking, evoke a sense of longing in the hearts of fans, and Jimin himself may not even be fully aware of this. Some people are born with inexplicable qualities: Some deserve to be stars, some need a stage and some fascinating characters arouse both compassion and envy.

For the Vogue photo shoot, Jimin chooses a striking pink suit as his first outfit. It is an audacious choice, and it suits Jimin’s character perfectly. Though shy when speaking to us, he is daring and brimming with confidence on stage. “I usually prefer simple, solid colors, but this time I’ve gone for something more adventurous. It was fun. Difficult to get away with, though,” he says with a laugh. “I like clothes, but I tend to buy them for my fans’ enjoyment. I can’t go anywhere these days to show them off, so I only buy sweatsuits.”

Over the past two years, BTS have put together an amazing track record. The success of a string of recent singles culminated in BTS being named Artist of the Year at the American Music Awards. Ironically, though, Jimin felt he was creatively stagnant during this time. The pandemic hit when the stars were at their peak, and the long wait for restrictions to be lifted was painful for both BTS and ARMY. Vogue met with BTS soon after news dropped that BTS would hold their first in-person concert in two years. The concert would herald the end of the era of isolation, and the group members were both nervous and expectant.

“The past two years have turned out to be almost endless. I’m still young, but for most of my life all I’ve done is perform on stage,” Jimin reflects. “I worked really hard because I wanted to be good at it, but suddenly it was taken away from me, and this made me sad. I have limited life experience, and I don’t want to overstate things, but it felt like my whole life’s work was being negated. It was a time of stagnation. The lack of feedback from a live audience was discouraging. I worked hard, but nothing felt quite right, and everything seemed like a rehearsal. It just didn’t feel real. During our recent concerts, I kept thinking, ‘Is this OK? Can I keep on doing this? Is this what we’ve been working toward?’ Of course, I don’t consider an online concert to be a practice session, but it still made me think about these questions.”

Such agonizing is also related to the question, “What’s next?” (a question that BTS is constantly being bombarded with). Their music has developed through a series of genres, from hip-hop-style songs through to electronic, disco and pop. Their recent songs, including “Dynamite,” “Butter” and “Permission to Dance,” have seemed like an experimental attempt to broaden their appeal. Certain fans who love the raw, free-spirited feel of their early work worry that the global attention and the resulting pressure may limit the scope of their message. “Should we find something new, or should we refine what we’ve done?” Jimin ponders. “What kind of music, style and dancing should we focus on now? There’s a lot to untangle. But it’s good to have a lot to think about.”

Jimin has also thought long and hard about his singing. His style of singing has gone through many changes, from the soft ballad style of “Serendipity” to the dreamy falsetto of “Filter” to the clean high notes of recent pop tunes. For a singer, changing one’s singing style is like erasing one’s fingerprints. Though he has already gone through this difficult process several times, he is still hungry for change. When asked which song he is most attached to in terms of his vocals, he says, “It’s difficult for me to be satisfied with my voice. Songs that require a lot of technique, which I like, are difficult to nail and hard to sing when performing live, so I’m trying to find an alternative. I was focusing on having my own unique style before developing a solid foundation. So, I’m going back to the beginning. I’m trying to keep it simple and straightforward. This process is tough but also enjoyable because I’m able to go over everything with Jung Kook, who’s doing an excellent job as the main vocalist. I’m happy to have these conversations with him and happy to be able to develop and push myself further.”

There have been many attempts to pin down the secret to BTS’ success. However, even if their formula were figured out, it would be difficult to emulate. There is something more than intimacy between BTS members. In one scene from an official BTS video, the members argue, debate and eventually come to an agreement on how to choreograph certain moves on stage. In another scene, they continue working on their moves in a dance studio until they reach the point of exhaustion and everyone is satisfied. They don’t sacrifice results for the sake of maintaining good relationships, nor do they sacrifice relationships for the sake of achieving a goal. Their relationships are based on an agreement to grow and develop together by prodding one another on. They share a common trust because they share the same goals. “Whether we’re dancing, singing or performing, we all influence one another,” explains Jimin. “It’s like, ‘Oh, he’s good. I’ll try that, too.’ When there are difficulties, I ask myself, ‘What is this team for? What did we start this team for?’ and it helps me refocus. We had a hard time at first — we argued. We weren’t used to the work. But now I feel fortunate to be part of the group.”

Living as superstars in Korea, where celebrities are not supposed to show off, BTS lack opportunities to enjoy their success in public. And there are many things they can’t share with others. “It might just be because I’m young, but I find it hard to open up to friends other than fellow BTS members,” says Jimin. “I often feel pretentious, and I don’t like it. It’s nice to be able to be completely honest when talking to other members.”

During the interview, Jimin often prefaces his sentences with “I’m happy,” “It’s good” and “I’m glad.” This shows that, as an ordinary person, Jimin Park has made the most of his downtime during the pandemic. He says, “I thought about myself, what I liked, what I didn’t like, what my preferences were. I had a lot of time for reflection, and I learned a lot. These days, I’m more than just fine. I feel I’m allowed to be happy.” When asked what exactly he discovered about himself, he smiles mischievously and says, “That I’m very lazy! Taking a shower feels like such a chore, so I take off one layer of clothing and walk around for half an hour before shedding another layer.”

While on the road to superstardom, he once mused, “What is it I really want to do apart from achieving perfection as a singer?” Recently, though, he seems to have learned to let things go. “I didn’t have any hobbies back then, and I was distressed whenever I left the stage,” he admits. “That was probably why. But now I don’t ask that question anymore. Instead, I work out every day and meet friends, and I’m content with that. I started running, and at first I felt like I was dying after 2.5km. But now I can run as far as 8km. The reason I got into running was that the sound of the breeze silenced my inner voice. I used to hate being alone because there were too many thoughts going around in my head, and it scared me, but now I feel I need time alone. Running helps clear my mind.”

On January 31, 2022 (local time), BTS will once again be up for contention at the Grammy Awards. BTS was nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for two straight years. Last time, the ceremony was downscaled due to the pandemic, and BTS went home empty-handed, much to the disappointment of the fans. “Winning a Grammy wasn’t something we’d ever thought about, and I can’t believe we’ve been nominated!” Jimin enthuses. “It would be great to win the award and make our fans happy. But just being nominated is wonderful. If possible, we want to be there, and we want to perform.”

There are many who criticize the Grammys for not nominating BTS in more categories. But at least BTS now has more goals to achieve in the future. Fans who have watched BTS fight racism, ageism and cultural snobbery on the world stage believe that it is bound to happen. BTS needs no further recognition, but the Grammy Awards Show needs BTS to prove its standing.

V’s exemplary answer reflects the worldview that BTS has established over the years. This extraordinary period of growth, with no end in sight, was created by seven ordinary boys. V continues to grow with BTS, and there seems to be no limit to how much stronger and resilient he can become. The driving force behind this growth is simply the pursuit of a sense of accomplishment. “When something eats away at me, I focus on it and try to conquer it. For example, if I’m overwhelmed by some emotion, I write a song about it. When the song is done, whether it’s a good song or not, the sense of achievement helps get rid of any pain or suffering I’m going through.”

V continues to release his own songs. Since putting out his first song, “4 O’Clock” (a collaboration with RM), V has released “Scenery,” “Winter Bear,” “Sweet Night” and others. Currently, 15 of his songs are registered with the Korea Music Copyright Association. He is admired for his poetic lyrics and outstanding musical sensibilities — the result of honing in on quotidian moments and subtle emotions. “I try to get inspiration from everyday life,” V muses. “I think my daily life is already special, to say nothing of going on trips or experiencing special events. These days, I get a lot of inspiration from the work of others. Yesterday, I watched Forrest Gump for the first time in a while, and it made me cry a little. At the end of the film, Forrest says, ‘I don’t know if we each have a destiny, or if we’re all just floating around accidental-like on a breeze,’ and I really felt for him. It was sad.”

Forrest Gump, which was released a year before V was born, depicts the life of Forrest, who is born with subnormal intelligence and a curved spine. It is the story of a man who’s selflessness verges on foolishness and who’s honesty verges on stupidity. Although Forrest is born with disabilities, a talent discovered by chance brings him riches and fame. It also comes down to hard work and good luck — a fate ordained by heaven. V insists that his success and achievements as part of BTS all boil down to luck. “Yes, I believe in fate, but if I could turn back the clock, would I be able to become a singer again?” he ponders. “It wouldn’t be guaranteed. So I think it’s all down to the luck of the gods.”

Born in 1995, Taehyung Kim (V’s birth name) had a lucky break when he first met the members of what would go on to become BTS. The next turning point was when they debuted together after a long training period. “We formed a solid rapport because we got our start with a small agency,” V says. “My mindset was also very different. From that point on, I thought of my group as a new family.” He also gained ARMY, staunch allies who sent him unconditional love and support. When the Covid-19 pandemic put a stop to offline performances, BTS began meeting fans more frequently through their own platform, Weverse. They share aspects of their daily lives through this platform, and V doesn’t like to call this “communication” because somehow that feels too businesslike. “I want to be close friends with the members of ARMY, and I talk to them on Weverse whenever I have a problem or something I want to share,” he explains. “This is how I want to interact all the time — I don’t like a businesslike approach to anything. I take photos because I like to, I do things because I like them and I approach people because I like them. I accept that you sometimes need a business mindset, but I’m not very good at that. That’s my weakness.”

Clichés such as “sincerity prevails” and “who has been loved knows how to give love” are not just words for V. It is well-known that he once bought a piece of artwork from an unknown artist at a gallery he happened to walk into during one of BTS’ overseas tours, and he touched the artist’s heart by holding the artist’s hand and saying, “May your days shine brightly.” He maintains this attitude for one simple reason: “Because I’m loved by many, I want to share that love.” Then what words does V hold onto when going through a tough time? “Many people already know this, but what my father used to say is, ‘It’s no big deal!’ and that still gives me strength to this day,” he relates. “Also, my groupmates tell me that I can lean on them and talk to them whenever I’m having a hard time. When I’m struggling, they comfort me as Taehyung Kim, not V.”

When I mention that the song that best highlights V’s charm as a vocalist is the performance of “My Universe,” BTS’ collaboration with Coldplay, at the American Music Awards, on November 22, he smiles as if in agreement. A behind-the-scenes video of BTS and Coldplay recording this song was widely shared. (In one scene, Chris Martin praises BTS for their voices outside the recording booth. More obviously than any footage of glittering stage performances, this scene shows that BTS have become “stars to the stars.”) “It doesn’t appear in the video, but actually, when the vocal guide demo came out in English, I sang it from beginning to end. The Coldplay members listened and complimented me, saying I was like the second Chris Martin. I’ve listened to that recording a lot since!” V says with a laugh.

To V, BTS is the source of light. “Since I was in elementary school, I dreamed of becoming a singer, but nobody took me seriously. Everyone just said, ‘Get real.’ BTS made my dream come true,” he says. I ask if he feels weighed down by such lofty labels as “the first” or “the best,” and if he has any regrets. “Some say that you should keep your first love as a hobby, and not turn it into your job. But I disagree, because I do what I love professionally,” V reflects. “When I feel it’s not good enough, I’m able to devote more time to practicing, and this helps me develop and improve. Also, the fact that people seem to like what I do makes it very satisfying and meaningful to me.”

V sees the world without disaffection, and Taehyung Kim, V and BTS have proved that it is OK to do so — right through from their debut to the present day.