In light of their 7-year anniversary celebrations, the Korean superstars BTS in their latest music video build on South Korea’s mainstream “newtro” trend, playfully presenting homages to Michael Jackson, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, Lebron James, among others.
Once again shattering the YouTube record for the most-viewed premiere and the fastest video to garner 100 million views (previously held by Blackpink’s “How You Like That”), BTS returned with an explosive first all-English track, “Dynamite,” a funky, upbeat disco-pop banger that boasts the group’s elastic dynamism.
“There is a part in the lyrics that reads ‘light it up.’ I hope many people will be able to listen to it and receive some encouragement,” BTS member Jimin said in a digital press conference in Seoul for the new stand-alone single.
Attempting to brighten up their pandemic-fatigued global listeners, BTS termed this release its “recharge project.” Compared to their former songs which have covered heavy-hitting themes such as depression (“The Last”), doubt and fear (“Black Swan” and “Zero O’Clock”), women’s empowerment (“21st Century Girl”), and a tribute to the Sewol Ferry tragedy (“Spring Day”), BTS in “Dynamite” enlivens light-hearted vibes of “happiness” and “confidence.” With well-polished choreography and a refreshing disco-funk refrain that reverberates all around, “Dynamite” is a feel-good palate cleanser.
The merry-go-round septet—RM, Suga, Jin, Jungkook, Jimin, V and J-Hope—sing about the simple pleasures and preciousness of everyday life: “Shoes on get up in the morn / Cup of milk let’s rock and roll / King Kong kick the drum / Rolling on like a rolling stone.”
The pastel-toned scenes in “Dynamite” swerve from a bedroom plastered with music posters, to a vinyl record shop, and an old-fashioned doughnut chain, recounting familiar scenes from the early 1970s. Deliberately youthful acts like sipping a cup of milk, hanging out on the basketball courts, and hopping on for a piggyback ride reinstate a warm flair of nostalgia.
The TV premiere of “Dynamite” will take place at the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards on August 30 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. BTS has also announced the theatrical release of their fourth film, Break The Silence: The Movie, on September 24.
