THE COUGH– the Yangban, a traditional ruling class of dynastic Korea during the Joseon Dynasty, would cough instead of saying anything out loud to let people know their appearance, to silence the audience, to indicate that something bothers them, etc.
Regarded by many as the divine spirit that guards the West, people in Korea consider the white tiger as a sacred creature in local folklore.
A tiger that has overcome trials and tribulations and understands the world is known to turn white, becoming a white tiger. Although it is a sacred creature that doesn’t harm people, it becomes angry when the ruler of the country conducts evil and inhumane deeds. Therefore, it has been told that powerful people become humble and rich people become generous when a white tiger appears. Can it be a controversial song about politics and the recent events that occurred in south Korea?
As such, in Korean history and culture, a tiger is regarded as a guardian that drives away evil spirit and a sacred creature that brings good luck – the symbol of courage and absolute power.
THE SUN
The first thing you might wonder is, “Is this a sunrise? Or is this a sunset?” The answer is yes! And by ‘yes’ I”m not just being a wiseacre. What I mean is that this is a dual symbol. It actually represents both a sunrise and a sunset.
Considering that life on our planet depends upon the sun, it’s no wonder than so many ancient cultures worshiped it. Even today, in Christianity and other religions, the sun remains an important symbol.
The sun represents eternal life, aswell as the eternal light of heaven. When you think of it as a sunset, it symbolizes the end of our earthly life. On the other hand, as a sunrise it also reminds us of the promise of new beginnings in the afterlife. Here BTS are saying that they are no more humans but in their path as IDOLS they became GODS.
THE FLOATING HOUSE
BTS here are somewhere in the sky. They are no more human beings but rulers of their own world. Then why is this house yellow? None of this is a coincidence.
There is something called Yin-Yang and the Five Elements of the Universe
There is a belief originated from China and shared in the Orient called “yin-yang and the five elements theory”, or eumyangohaeng in Korean. Old East Asian culture and its people’s lives were deeply based on nature, and the theory explains the natural system which the world is founded on. Yin-yang or eumyang means light and darkness, which are represented by the sun and the moon. Ohaeng means the five elements; fire, water, tree, metal or gold, and earth, which compose the world we live in.
Yin-yang and the five elements theory symbolize and provides interpretations for parts of the universe, such as colors, positions, and time (weather). The five basic colors, called obangsaek – red, black, blue, white, and yellow – are colors that represent each of the five elements from fire to earth, in order. These colors also symbolize five positions – south, north, east, west, and the center. Then, the four positions – east, south, west, and north – correspond to each season- spring, summer, fall, and winter. Though the basic five colors are also the traditional colors of China and Japan, they have different hues, meanings, and usages in Korea.
BTS are indeed here the rulers of the earth with their music.
THE COUGH
According to this post HERE: When a yangban (member of the upper class of Korean society in the past) let’s out a fake cough, it means “I’m here so stop talking about me”
I looooved Ddaeng, so of course I’m loving the Korean-y vibe of IDOL so far too. It’s a cool way for them to rep Korea with actions instead of just “herp di derp we don’t wanna release stuff in English because we’re Korean even though we release stuff in Japanese”.
They’ve been previewing the actual real song in their teasers these days instead of beautiful lies, so I’m assuming this is how it’s actually going to sound. Fingers crossed, because I am here for it. Jimin sounds great as usual, you get them high notes boy 🤩
Interesting styling choice mixing sneakers with more traditional Korean style clothing, but somehow that’s just very them. I like RM and Hobi’s outfits the best because I’m a baby goth like that 💀
What I’m not loving is the low budget green screen background… stuff. Didn’t like it with DNA, not liking it now. Clearly they liked it enough to repeat it though, so to each their own I guess. Hopefully it doesn’t quite dominate the video as much as it did with DNA.
Also not loving the fact that this looks like it’s gonna have nothing to do with the BU Universe. Big Hit better deliver at some point during this comeback. I want answers!! 😠😠😠😠😠😠😠
no. i get it. at the end of the day, their appearances are still a commodity they sell. i know that sounds bad… but it’s true. part and parcel with the whole idol package.
ive also wondered about that whole concept. the “boyish image”. even girl groups who do the whole “baby girl” thing. i mean if the market shows that it is something the public wants… i worry about why and what the public sees with it? “fresh faced” “school boy/school girl” and they end up looking a bit… sexualized, as you put it. that is kind of a bothering idea.
personally i’ve never really liked it as much as the more mature or creative concepts. what do you guys think?
looks like bts will be calling out the whole “idol” system rn. proving they can be different and still go back to their roots. but that keeping true to who they are doesnt mean they need to play by all the already “established” rules.
What a year for Asians. First we have 2 movies with a full Asian cast that did really well in America “Crazy Rich Asians” and “To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before.” and now we have BTS’s new MV that’s incorporating so many traditional Asian elements that they’re going to be promoting to THE WHOLE WORLD. I love the feeling of being represented.
@paticle 
