BTS Reclaiming their Identity as Artists and Curators through Art Film Release

BTS's art film for "Black Swan released on January 17, 2020, showcases the art of dance in an introspective story about realizing one's passions.

(Credit: Big Hit Music)

As part of their 2020 comeback, BTS released their first single "Black Swan" off their album Map of the Soul: 7 in the form of an art dance film. Off the bat, the start of the video is immediately striking, as it opens with an iconic quote by Martha Graham — a renowned American dancer and choreographer.

"A dancer dies twice—once when they stop dancing, and this first death is the more painful."

- Martha Graham

The quote tells of the haunting tale of a dancer who loses their passion for dance. Hence, the "first death" they experience in this lifetime.

(Credit: Big Hit Music)

The artistic film makes a point of showcasing exactly this. With an eerie contemporary performance by MN Dance Company of Slovenia, the performers visualize the story of an artist who loses their way and thus begins to fear the end of their career.

These fears arrive at a time in which the band is grappling with their growing fame and success and combatting the struggles, or shadows, of their chosen career path. "Shadows" that were likewise discussed in the lyrics of their Map of the Soul: 7 "Shadow" comeback trailer, released just a week before the art film's reveal.

(Credit: Big Hit Music)

However, "Black Swan" acts as their affirming call to face these hidden shadows and to confront the Black Swan that lies within themselves.

"They are stricken with a paradoxical retaliation that music is all they have. It is a confession of an artist who has truly learned what music means to himself."

- BTS, Official Press Release

The Reactions

With such an inspiring message behind the song, the release of "Black Swan" unsurprisingly left quite an impact on fans of the South Korean musical group, otherwise known as the BTS ARMY.

As an ARMY myself, news of the song release came to me as I had just woken up on a Friday morning in my sophomore dorm. And though I had checked BTS's Comeback Map the night before, the nervous excitement of seeing a new video notification from the group's Youtube channel was more than enough to get me excited for the day.

(My Spotify 2020 Wrapped)

Sparing the details, I spent most of my morning just replaying the music video over and over again. And, well, I just didn't stop listening.

I streamed the song on Spotify almost 100 times in just that one day and the song likewise became my most played song of the year. And even as a fan of the boys' music already, I myself was surprised by the numbers.

But I'll let my "Spotify 2020 Wrapped" tell you exactly how much of a fan I genuinely was, and still am, of both the song and BTS's music.

(My Spotify 2020 Wrapped)

Connecting the Dots

Yet, I was glad to know that I wasn't the only one who felt such attachments to the song.

For theorist ARMY — fans who piece together bits of BTS's fictional storyline known as the BTS Universe — on Twitter, the track was highly reminiscent of BTS's Love Yourself: Tear comeback in May 2018. Specifically, "Black Swan" reminded fans of that era's haunting title track "Fake Love" and its eerily similar background instrumentals and musical production. For fans alike, it was clear that "Black Swan" was the continuation of "Fake Love," with "Black Swan" acting as the realization of its deep reflective sentiments — or, its shadow.

(Credit: Big Hit Music)

These explorations of both the body and mind are significant in BTS's contributions as musical artists, as almost the entirety of their music discography is self-reflective. Through their music, they ingrain concepts of philosophy, discuss issues of mental health, speak of loving oneself — refer to their successful UNICEF LOVE MYSELF Campaign — and overall promote a message of healing.

As one expects, BTS are continually solidifying their impact as global music superstars and advocates for the arts and youth.

An Extension of a Broader Art Movement

Along such lines, the unveiling of "Black Swan" as a performance art film actually aligns with the group's efforts to spotlight artists beyond just music.

(Credit: Big Hit Music)

As part of their 2020 Comeback Map, BTS announced their collaboration with artists all over the world for CONNECT, BTS, a global public art project connecting Berlin, Buenos Aires, London, New York City, and Seoul.

Showcasing the work of 22 artists and over 20 contemporary art pieces, the project aimed to provide a unique experience connecting art, music, and people.

For BTS, the release of "Black Swan" is just one part of these efforts to bring art closer to both their fans and the general public.

And for all of us here, we couldn't be any more appreciative of how BTS is choosing to use their platform.

"Thank you for promoting art of dance and bringing it closer to people. Thank you to all the people for your beautiful reactions. You warm our hearts. With Love, MN.”

- MN Dance Company on Instagram