With BTS’s Netflix documentary BTS: The Return, set to release on March 27, the members opened up about what they experienced while preparing for this album, along with the pressures of becoming “world-class idols.”
The members recently opened their second chapter after releasing their new album, Arirang, and performing at Gwanghwamun Square.
The documentary starts last summer, when they held their BTS songwriting camp in L.A.
The members are seen discussing the album production.
The framework is in place, but I’m worried there might be better songs out there. I haven’t been able to decide on what to change and what to keep, as I’m trying to figure out what makes us BTS.
— RM
While contemplating between “BTS-ness” and “novelty,” they reveal the pressure of the crown that is “BTS.”
Jimin adds, “I don’t want to hear people say that BTS has been washed up. I want people to say, ‘BTS is different.’”
Regarding this, BigHit Music’s VP Kim Hyun Jung stated, “Both the artists and internal departments discussed extensively about what image to show as we opened a new chapter. We made this decision to show a more authentic and upgraded version of BTS.”
HYBE Chairman Bang Si Hyuk stated that they were “iconic artists emerging after decades” and that they were the “target of the global audience.”
The documentary, directed by producer Bao Nguyen, revealed that the members spoke often about the “heavy BTS crown” and that ”we sometimes overlook what BTS means and the responsibility they bear as both Korean and global artists.”
However, K-Netizens felt the group had been outdated for some time.
| theqoo
- “I’m tired of the English lyrics.”
- “So holy.”
- “It’s been a while since they’ve been washed out. I wish they’d just accept it and slowly step down.”
- “They started from a house built on sand anyway…”
- “They’ve been long outdated in Korea…but people still like them overseas. I guess they should target overseas fans and stop making Koreans angry.”
- “They’ve lost it a while ago.”
- “They really need a reality check.”