BTS returned with a noir sensibility.
BTS released the music video for "2.0," a track from their fifth studio album Arirang (ARIRANG), at 12 a.m. on the HYBE Labels YouTube channel on the 2nd. The music video pays homage to a famous scene from director Park Chan-wook's film Oldboy. The members' playful acting and makeup, combined with direction that complements the song's message, stand out.
As the rusty elevator doors open, suit-clad BTS appear. The members step out of the elevator and, facing off against the rough-looking figures gathered in the hallway, exude the presence of protagonists from a noir film with their sharp suits and sunglasses. But props that clash with the attire—a back scratcher, a taegeuk fan, a danso flute, a newspaper held upside down—and fake beards quickly elicit laughter. The members move forward to the music, evoking the famous one-take "hammer action" scene from the film Oldboy shot in a narrow corridor. The lights flashing to the beat and the surrounding characters' comical movements blend with BTS's performance to create a distinct sense of fun.
The core of this music video is the "2.0 LOADING" sequence that unfolds inside the elevator. In the confined space, the members hurriedly change clothes and, with the words "finally arrived," transform into the BTS the public knows. They then perform throughout an abandoned building, expressing the team's present state as it enters a new phase called "BTS 2.0."
The structure, which begins with a shabby elevator and ends in a lavish penthouse, is also striking. The rough feeling in the early part of the video evokes BTS's journey, built solidly from the bottom up. The scenes that unfold after changes in attire and space feel like watching those who, through hard work, have become icons of the era. In this way, the "2.0" music video metaphorically reveals BTS's more solidified identity and the start of a new era.
The performances in the video are also a major attraction. The choreography for "2.0" is characterized by weighty movements, precise control of tempo, and a clear arc. It also departs from performance patterns that symbolized the team's past to create a fresh feeling, signaling that they have entered a new stage.
BTS showed particular affection for the music video for "2.0." They recalled, "It feels like a video that shows our evolved performance. Because it's a work that pays homage to a film, the shooting process was fun. Above all, the memory of the makeup used to portray the 'old BTS' in the early part remains long. During filming, we kept looking at each other and laughing, so it was chaotic."
"2.0" is a hip-hop and trap track notable for its irregular rhythm. It sings about BTS now entering a new phase after change and growth. Lyrics such as "Yeah, like BTS, it's easier said than done / Who is always jumping over the vault" reveal their confidence and the effort they have poured in. The song entered the latest Billboard main song chart Hot 100 at No. 50 on the April 4 chart.
[Photo] BigHit Music
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