Months ago I made a series of poems inspired by types of people I saw in tumblr, last christmas I started a series of poems inspired by BTS’ solos in their love yourself series. When I say inspired, I mostly meant their outfits and choreography than the actual song just to change things up, so here’s the first poem inspired by Jungkook’s Euphoria:
I think I’ve been diving slightly deeper into k-pop these past few days because I just can’t get IU’s voice out of my head, and she has collaborated with plenty of artists that I end up listening to some as well. I’m not a KookU/IKook shipper though (I need proof of the chemistry) but I can honestly tell you that when watching THOSE videos, I feel like my heart is torn apart. One is protective of IU and one is protective of Jungkook (bias wrecker), but if that duet does come true I have this inking feeling that I will explode, and I’d be biting my lip to try not to smile so wide and I’d also be furiously blushing. Those two have the most calming voices in my k-pop library, and calm is an important word to me so…
So, I have finally heard the whole Palette album but, I haven’t read all the lyrics yet, mind you, it gave me a lot of musical theater vibes (trans: I LOVE IT), my favorite so far is Through the Night for some unknown reason and now, I’m comparing my love for the song to my love for Butterfly. (these song duos are becoming a thing in my head now…)
*I think Jungkook will let IU go first so…*
*JK, I’m going to shuffle my playlist*
Through the Night
It’s one thing to talk about the details of a song that you find beautiful and another thing to point out the reason why it became your favorite; it’s even another thing to feel proud about that reason because somehow, they never seem to be enough.
I’ve heard the entire album and Through the Night has a special place in my heart and I don’t know why. It could be because she said it’s a folk ballad, and I have a love for good folk music, it could be the mix of sorrow, longing, and happiness that covers the song, it could be the firefly visiting me because the lyrics are also so beautiful, or it could be that part of the song that goes “always, I miss you, I miss you, I miss you” which had me recalling that I miss you in Korean is bogo sipo and it’s different here and I just don’t know anymore, and I mean, after all I just typed there, I seriously don’t know.
I’ve never been in love before, but I’m still a romantic. I’ll admit that for the past few nights, this has been the theme song of an imaginary situation where I am in a long-distance relationship with someone and he asked me to sing for him and this is what I’ll sing (or hum because I don’t know Korean…yet). I’ll also admit that said imaginary situation’s leading man is from a band that I’ve been geeking out to (which band could that be?), and my God do I wish I could portray that role now if just for the purpose of singing this song because it is so beautiful.
It is such a big deal for me to fall in love with songs that I can’t relate to, but I can feel, and the next song is the same thing.
Butterfly
I think I mentioned that Butterfly and Rain are my top two BTS songs. Well, scratch that, they’re all beautiful that it’s so difficult to mark their places.
Butterfly is in the same situation I’m having with Through the Night, I don’t know why I love it.
Let’s do it again.
It could be their ultra-emotional stages, whether they’re standing still or dancing, it could be the lyrics that are so open for interpretation and poetic that somehow wormed its way into my heart, it could be the fact that I could dive into Jungkook’s emotional eyes whenever they perform this live, or it could be the theories I’ve read that surround this song that just somehow made the hole and the scar deeper and more painful. I just don’t know
All I know is that when I listen to this, and really listen to this, I cry. But that’s not what was in my head earlier when I was mussing through the scattered thoughts in my messy brain. A certain fan theory stuck in my mind.
Like Through the Night, I can’t relate to this. The situation is on the other side of a situation I find myself in. When I recall this I think, I’ve never thought of that, and that’s a big deal because I think a lot. The biggest reason as to how I’m still alive today is because there are many things I love that I know could love me back but sometimes you don’t notice that there are people that know what you’re going through but don’t entirely know what to do about it. I thought this was some sort of love song, I was already inlove with it before I even read that, but after reading it, I always think, how painful must that feel?
And that concludes my thoughts for this moment. *bows*
Seriously though, have you seen the stages for these songs, Jungkook’s eyes are brimming with emotions, is it just me or are those tears I see.
P.S.: I spoke/wrote to soon…I’m becoming a KookU shipper…calm down heartu…
I have only been an Army for six months and I want to dive in as deep as I can to deserve the title, so this is sort of my way of diving into their music: by lists.
My choice of lyrics can come from anything: personal choice, a summary of the song, choice of words, impact, etc.. It’s just a little game I play because I love words so much. Along with the lyrics, I added in the times I’ve listened to the song just for the sake of it.
I repeat, I do this because I love words, and it is my way of understanding BTS better.
“These wings sprouted from my pain
But these wings are going towards the light
Even if it’s tiring and painful
I will fly if I can
Will you hold my hand,
So I won’t be afraid anymore?
If you and I are together
I can smile.”
How many times have I listened to it: Too many to count
A great way to start my listening spree
I’ve never actually read the lyrics among all those times I’ve listened to this except for the purpose of this blog post but it was a BTS anthem for me because the last part of the song is inspiring and, well, “Hey, I never walk alone”, is enough to make my heart swell. But diving into the lyrics, as usual, never disappoints.
I chose these words initially from the bottom up because the bottom, to me, is necessary, and the imagery of the upper part is beautiful (I’ll be saying this word a lot).
49. Don’t Leave Me
“No matter what, rain falls.
No matter what, darkness erases,
Keep your eyes open and feel it
You are not alone.”
How many times have I listened to it: 3 (it’s on my phone now though)
This is the first Japanese song on my phone.
It is obvious that it is a plea for a lover to stay, but these are my favorite lyrics because of the hope laced into it, no matter how sad that hope is.
“Love is so painful,
Goodbyes are even more painful,
I can’t go on if you’re not here.
Love me, love me,
Come back to my arms.”
How many times have I listened to it: 2
I have heard the full version plenty of times but this is the first time I heard this one.
I chose those lyrics because I think it summarizes the feeling of the whole song.
“Cuz we got fire fire fire
Get higher higher higher
If you don’t know us, get to know us well.”
How many times have I listened to it: 2
And dominate they did, though if I listened to this then as my intro to BTS I still wouldn’t have stanned them, however, I would definitely keep track of them, judging by the way my fingers were dancing to the beat.
Overflowing with confidence their lyrics are here, but I chose those as a kick on their then-and-now haters because they have no choice but to see and hear BTS everywhere now.
“Let’s meet when lilies bloom
And say goodbye when they wither.”
How many times have I listened to it: not as few as I thought
My choice of lyrics is personal because this part of the song reminds me of a poem I wrote when I was a 9th grader, except in that poem I was telling ‘him’ to say goodbye and then meet again later when the time is right and we still miss each other.
“I do it I do it, you’re a tasteless ratatouille
If you’re so jealous and it hurts then find a lawsuit and sue me.”
How many times have I listened to it: between the often and the not-so-much spectrum
Ladies and gentlemen, the first diss song I have heard from BTS.
My choice is both personal and not because I am a Suga bias and because this is one of the best insults I have ever heard (I’d totally be speechless if someone said that to me).
“If you feel like you’ll crash
Then accelerate more you idiot.
We’re too young and immature to give up.”
How many times have I listened to it: Too many than I should
One of my favorite rap songs in music history
My reason: I am young and immature and I don’t accelerate more as I should, thanks for the push Min Yoongi.
“Tell me if my voice isn’t real
If I shouldn’t have thrown myself away
Tell me if even this pain isn’t real
What was I supposed to do back then.”
How many times have I listened to it: not sure
I think the whole song covers the pain and confusion of a love not going so well that it was hard to pick a distinct lyric, they just blend so well together like an expertly directed choir. I chose this mainly because it feels right.
“Our first date was sweet, a caramel macchiato
Wherever we went, we wanted to go together
But as time went by,
Those feelings went down like dripping espresso
My insides ache for no reason,
We used to be so good.
Breaking up was like a bitter Americano
My memories still go to that café.”
How many times have I listened to it: too many to count
My reason is simple: coffee similes and metaphors, I wish I could ask my mom, a coffee addict, if she’ll agree to this, but I’m the only ARMY in the family so…
“I contemplate, should I like it or not
It repeats many times.
Your heart is like a guillotine,
It severely cut me out but
Like an ogre, I secretly go to you
And I look at your daily life every day.”
How many times have I listened to it: too many to count
My love affair with this song started when they performed this on a comeback, I couldn’t get the chorus out of my head, and it still succeeds in making me swoon until now.
I initially thought that the lyrics were cheesy (back in the day) but upon further analyzation, I now find it to be witty. Maybe it’s because I am in the social media age that it didn’t seem new to me and that I’ve never experienced a romantic love that’s why I found it cheesy.
The “like it or not” and “look at your daily life every day” are the social media touches in this beguiling romance story while the other parts of the stanza are my nod to the unique similes. (I need to work on MY similes)
“This world sprinkled with my creations,
I’ve tasted sweetness and bitterness and even shit.
From that time when I tried to sleep on the floor of a bathroom,
Now it’s a memory,
It’s become a memory.”
How many times have I listened to this song: 1
I have only read the lyrics on some of the songs on this mixtape and never dived into it for fear of being caught in the wave of emotions visible on all of the songs, and get caught in it I was.
This stanza for me is a combination of the good and bad aspects of life written with a promise that hopefully soon they will all only be a memory.
“I’m ready to be cut by your rose-like embrace,
As I hold you again.”
How many times have I listened to this song: too many to count
This line is not my favorite but the panic I felt at the thought of hugging a rose when I read this was definitely distinct. Because a rose is not without its thorns which makes this song more emotional.
“Breathe or dream
Row the oars along with your heartbeat,
If you are trapped in the others’ thin judgments
Then the sun will set on your life”
How many times have I listened to this song: Too little, regretfully too little
I have read the lyrics many times and even saved on my phone’s gallery but reading is different from listening and listening to this song while reading the lyrics doubles the impact.
I love the “row the oars along with your heartbeat” but the latter couplet brings the most impact in this stanza.
“(Fire) All you with a lot of fears, come here
(Fire) All you who are suffering, come here
(Fire) Lift up your fists, all night long
(Fire) With marching footsteps, run and go crazy.”
How many times have I listened to this song: too many to count yet it’s still not on my phone (I gotta get on that) get it?)
Everybody needs company, and if the start of the song doesn’t rev you up already, then let’s join them and go crazy.
“The fun boys go until the dawn moon sets,
This is so fun, all fakeness has gone home
So even if you’re tone-deaf or rhythm-deaf, it doesn’t matter,
Throw your timidness away”
How many times have I listened to this song: too little
This could be another way of telling someone to be themselves, because how can anybody have fun if they don’t like being themselves.
“You used up my heart before the fire even started”
How many times have I listened to this song: plenty but not enough
Basically the summary of the entire song, I confess that I love it but I did not know what the song meant, it just has the smoothest dance moves.
“To lose your path
Is the way to find that path”
How many times have I listened to this song: too many to count
Another song that I fell in love with without reading the lyrics to
I chose those lines because the song seemed to be built around it, and it serves as a reminder to me when I panic for not knowing what to do in the future.
“What is this?
I became like dust in front of you”
How many times have I listened to this song: too many to count
I have read too many romance one-shots to not be accustomed to these songs, but as bad-boyish as it sounds, the lyrics underneath challenge that impression, like the girl that is teasing them.
“I thought I was alone but I’ve learned that we are seven.
No longer barefoot, wearing shoes called Bangtan”
How many times have I listened to this song: 2
I need no explanation.
“Deeper, the wound just gets deeper
Like pieces of broken glass that I can’t reverse”
How many times have I listened to this song: 3
V’s solos always leave me clueless when choosing distinct lyrics, I have no idea why I chose this but the song in itself left a wound on my soul, somebody save him.
“Everybody wanna love you bae
Everybody gonna love you bae
You deserve to be loved”
How many times have I listened to this song: not enough
This is the only time I allow anyone to call me bae.
I chose this in dedication to everyone who deserves it. (We all deserve it)
“It’s a rainy night,
The rain knocks on my window,
It hits my heart.”
How many times have I listened to this song; too many to count but never enough
The lyrics speak for the overall melancholy feel of the song. A song that I still consider calming despite the mood and is still one of my favorites.
“When you call me
I am your flower
Like I’ve been waiting for it
We bloomed dazzlingly”
How many times have I listened to this song: too many to count but never enough
If somebody were to give me a love letter, this would be the ideal script. Like a flower, this song blooms dazzlingly.
“But I don’t care
You can’t control my shit
I became a ninja who overcame disbelief and returned.”
How many times have I listened to this song: 1 hehehehehe…
There are way too many rhymes to choose from and way too many clever combinations in those rhymes, so I just opted for this. But I agree with Billboard, the rappers shine individually here.
“Your words break the silence,
‘I got a boyfriend’, that place starts freezing
Of course, you changed
Even that expression of yours is different”
How many times have I listened to this song: 2
This song definitely sounds like a past revisited because it still hurts for a bit, but this time I decided on a more direct sounding stanza.
“Crossing our paths is like a formula of math
Commandments of religion, the providence of the universe.
The evidence of destiny given to me.
You’re the source of my dream.”
How many times have I listened to this song: too many to count
I got hooked to the song initially because of these lyrics, maybe it’s the STEM student inside of me but the first line in this stanza led me to think that this is a good love song for a STEM nerd.
“I don’t want to cry
I don’t want to rest
(No, how about resting for a bit? No no no)
I don’t want to lose
It was originally a dessert
(Then let them know everything
We have to achieve more)”
How many times have I listened to this song: too little
Kim Namjoon mentioned that these tracks are hidden for the true ARMYs to find, and I confess that when I found it I wasn’t a true fan yet and I hope I am now.
I like to think that I am taking a peek inside their brains through this stanza (which is silly considering we see much inside their brains on all of their songs) but this particular stanza, sung by bias, struck a chord for its rawness as we listen to a possible mental dialogue happening inside their heads.
“I love, I love, I love myself
I know, I know, I know myself
Ya playa haters, you should love yourself”
How many times have I listened to this song: plenty, on live shows
“The rap-line barks DGAFs at ya playa haters on this blockbuster showcase of the group’s rap skills.” But what’s really amazing about this is how the crowd confidently shouts it back.
“This is different from the typical words like ‘fate’.
Your pained eyes see the same thing as me
Will you please stay in dreams?”
How many times have you listened to this song: WAY too many to count (I abused the replay button)
If Serendipity is a love letter, this song will be my wedding vows. This stanza differentiates the kind of romance this song has to Serendipity because here our hero is genuinely happy yet not unaware of the pain he has and will endure. This is the kind of romantic love that we all deserve, one with uncertainty yet acceptance resulting to euphoria.
“It’s alright to not have a dream
All the breaths you breathe are already in paradise.”
How many times have you listened to this song: too many to count
“You can be happy while achieving something”, happiness can be found wherever we go. As a kid who may or may not have a dream, I will hold on to these words in the hopes of finding contentment and happiness in my little paradise.
“A house full of cards and, stupidly us,
Even if you say it’s a useless dream,
Just stay a little more like this.”
How many times have I listened to this song: too little
Lines that may or may not summarize the (old?) reality of the boys; I’d say they simplify at the same time expound the drama they put in this “cinematic arrangement”.
“Brother let’s cry cry, let’s cry
I don’t know sadness, but I just want to cry
Because you made me again.”
How many times have I listened to this song: too many to count
I didn’t mention it in 21st Century Girls, but if I thought that copying the whole song is a good thing, I would. To me the lyrics are simple, but sometimes poetry is simple, it’s the underlying emotions sown in the words that make it echo, and I bet we all teared up a little bit when we think of Jungkook through this song.
“A weird kid, sang as if it’s breathing,
Anywhere is good, I wanted to make music.
Music, the only thing that made my heart beat.”
How many times have I listened to this song: “El Mariachi, El Mariachi”—sorry what?
The first line is personal for me because I love singing and performing but I have stage fright. Another reason is simply that this verse reminds me of them.
“I’m the crazy guy, the lunatic on the beat
Sending listeners to Hong Kong with my rap,
My tongue technology.”
How many times have I listened to it: more than I ever imagined I would
I admit to lip-syncing to this song in the shower, I will be fake shouting “A TO THE G TO THE U TO THE STD, I’M D BOY BECAUSE I’M FROM THE D ??????? LUNATIC????HONG KONG WITH MY TONGUE TECHNOLOGY. (I just had to do it)
He is our crazy, passionate lunatic on the beat.
“Please quit singing that try-try song,
It makes my hands and feet shrivel up”
How many times have I listened to this song: less than it deserves
There are stuff going on here that my non-Korean ass wouldn’t understand so thanks to the fans that explained.
I chose this line because I was cringing at the bitter reality.
“I am Pluto of numbers and darkness,
That may be hard for you to remember,
But would still revolve around you, damn”
How many times have I listened to this song: *aggressively sings the chorus*
I chose this verse because of the ‘damn’, but it would be incomplete without Pluto itself.
“Why are they killing us before we can even try? (enemy enemy enemy)
Why are you hanging your head and accepting already? (energy energy energy)
Don’t ever give up, you know you’re not lonely
Our dawn is prettier than the day”
How many times have I listened to this song: same with Fire, I need to get on this too
Six months into the fandom and I fell for this song mainly for the dance routine, then I did this “article” and thank God I did this article. I have to be honest though, the second line pains me.
“I used to rain
I used to snow
I stop every misfortune and bring heaven
Don’t speak of it so lightly
There’s no me without you”
How many times have I listened to this song: too many to count
This lightly reminds me of Magic Shop, and since I heard this five months ago, I have assumed it’s a fan song, and like all the other fan songs (except Pied Piper), these are words that anybody should relate to when comforting loved ones: “There’s no me without you”.
“Wings are made to fly
If my wings could fly”
How many times have I listened to this song: less than it deserves
I may have chosen better lyrics than this but I saw doubt on the second line, and the doubt stood out.
“Even the whales who are far from me
Will eventually see me
I sing again today”
How many times have I listened to this song: too many to count
I wasn’t unaware of BTS then but this is a friend’s favorite song and she had me listen to it a long time ago and I regret not following up on it.
My reason: because hope is important.
“I wish love was perfect as love itself
I wish all my weaknesses could be hidden
I grew a flower that can’t be bloomed in a dream that can’t come true”
How many times have I listened to this song: too many to count ( I sing this while looking like a try-hard pitiful dancer like every time I sing this)
I look back to these lyrics every time I listen to this song, needless to say, it’s my favorite part.
“Like tiny dust, tiny dust floating in the air
Will I get to you a little faster if I was snow in the air?”
How many times have I listened to this song: too many times, you have to count my tears to be certain
This is the song that fully led me to them, I listened and read this when I was making a customized playlist for my friends as a Christmas present, two of them are Armys. This line to me was so beautiful at the time, now though, the whole song makes me cry.
“Cause you
When you smile, I get dizzy (true)
Will you please be careful (you)
Actually what’s really dangerous, only you have it”
How many times have I listened to this song: I also gotta get on this
Just imagine your bias saying this. My second bias is in the vocal line, my heart is sprouting butterflies.
“If you can’t fly, then run
If you can’t run, then walk
If you can’t walk, then crawl
Even if you have to crawl, gear up
Aim your gun! Ready! Fire!”
How many times have I listened to this song: honey, this is an anthem
Picking up where I left off in ‘You Never Walk Alone’, these lyrics have been repeated twice but are ever still so important.
“Follow the sound of the flute, follow this song
It may be dangerous but I’m very sweet
I’m here to save you, I’m here to ruin you
You’re the one who called me, see how I’m sweet.”
How many times have I heard this song: too little, too little
I chose this because it’s true. It is so true that it is painful (is it though?), but they really are sweet.
“Will you stay by my side?
Will you promise me?
I’m afraid that if I let go of your hand
You’ll fly away, you’ll shatter.”
How many times have I heard this song: I am loyal to this, this holds a special place in my heart.
When I have a favorite song, I don’t usually have a favorite lyric, just past experiences that wove themselves into the said songs’ verses, while I haven’t identified what experience I have that I just more-than-love this song, like I said, I am loyal to this, this is my favorite. It is sad and almost painful to listen to sometimes but it has a unique ability to calm me down.
“Listen to the sounds of my heart,
It’s calling you, all by itself.
In this black darkness
You shine this much”
How many times have I heard this song: My BTS playlist is incomplete without them
It’s heart-wrenching, that’s why I chose it.
“Memories crumble like dried flower petals
At the tip of my fingers,
Under my feet,
Right behind your back
I’m chasing butterflies,
So lost in dreams”
How many times have I heard this song: My BTS playlist is incomplete without them
There go the butterflies again…
“I need you girl
Why am I in love alone?
Why am I hurting alone?”
How many times have I heard this song: My BTS playlist is incomplete without them
This is my go-to song to sing if somebody asks me to sing a BTS song.
“Kill me softly
Close my eyes with your caress
I can’t reject it anyway
I can’t even escape anymore
You are too sweet, too sweet
Because you are too sweet.”
How many times have I heard this song: My BTS playlist is incomplete without them
An Army friend gave me a poetry prompt similar to the likes of this, and I built the poem with this song as its foundation.
A critic in Billboard said that BTS music requires a deeper exploration than a casual listening, to be honest, my first check into their music was a casual listening. Hip-hop isn’t my genre and I rarely listen to rap and my k-pop library at the time only consisted of three IU songs and the rest are AKMU. When I listened to BTS, it was to Blood, Sweat and Tears, I didn’t get them (I didn’t know there were captions), I thought they were very talented but it was just not my music. My Christmas Project changed all that.
I have a habit of creating my Christmas gifts not buying them because I have no money. My idea last year was to buy a bunch of CDs and burn them customized playlists. At first, it was all from my library, till I decided to dive into each of my friends’ music and two of them are ARMY, and there goes my entrance to Spring Day and my insane fangirling to them the next day.
There is no accuracy in my post because I did this all for fun. I love diving into lyrics and making my own meanings out of them, and BTS have some of the most impactful lyrics in the music industry, and since I love lists too, I messed with this one and added my own flair.
Ehem..none of the pictures are mine, they belong to their respective owners, and the lyrics are all BTS.
I’ve been working on a personal project for six months now, it doesn’t have an official name but basically, I write poems loosely inspired by songs. I just posted about BTS previously, so now I’ll be posting poems inspired by their songs on their new album. Please enjoy!
Mehehehehe… yeah I just used the print screen to get that…
Daydream 