BTS‘s music videos are full of hidden details, references, and imagery for fans to decipher. Here are 10+ things you might not have noticed the first time around!
1. The laundromat windows in “Permission to Dance” MV
Seven is a significant number to BTS’s seven members. It can be seen here…
…written on the window behind Jin and J-Hope.
There is also a phone number made up of BTS’s June 13, 2013 debut date.
the telephone number ended with their debut date '06-13' </3#PermissiontoDance pic.twitter.com/nojN0AuHWl
— han⁷❆ (CLOSED) (@gyujikoo) July 6, 2021
2. Jin’s book
In “Stay Gold” MV, Jin reads A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a Shakesperean comedy about fairies meddling with human lovers. It adds a touch of mischievousness and magic to the video.
3. These friendship bracelets
In the “Stay Gold” MV, BTS appears to be wearing beaded friendship bracelets. They can be seen here on J-Hope…
…and RM.
Friendship bracelets? 🥺🥺@BTS_twt#StayGoldMV #StayGoldMusicVideo pic.twitter.com/coxmMRFaVw
— ⟭⟬ ᴮᴱDr. Omer Meroz⁷🧈 ⟬⟭ (@omermeroz) June 26, 2020
4. The inspiration for Suga’s doorways
In the music video for “Interlude: Shadow,” Suga raps in this unusual corridor.
It was possibly inspired by British Indian sculptor Anish Kapoor‘s installation art called “Svayambh”. In Sanskrit, this means “self-made” or “auto-generated.”
5. O!RUL8,2?
The “Interlude: Shadow” MV also features several references to BTS’s 2013 EP, O!RUL8,2?.
6. “Black Swan” vs Black Swan
In the “Black Swan” MV, wings unfurl from Jimin‘s back. This is one of several scenes that seems to pay homage to Black Swan, a psychological horror film about the dark side of ballet.
In another scene, Jin‘s reflections don’t follow his movements…
…and neither do Nina‘s in Black Swan.
7. All the film references in “ON” MV
In BTS’s dystopian world, fans spotted references to popular film and TV shows, including The Maze Runner…
…The Lion King…
…Game of Thrones…
…Bird Box…
…and The Handmaid’s Tale.
8. A blast from BTS’s “bulletproof” past
Past meets present in BTS’s “We Are Bulletproof: The Eternal” MV. This emotional rollercoaster takes ARMY through 7 years of BTS history, beginning with “No More Dream” MV…
…and ending with “Boy With Luv” MV.
9. Jungkook’s CD
In “Heartbeat” MV, the promotional music video for BTS’s BTS World game, Jungkook is listening to a CD…
…with Suga’s name on it.
10. This choreography
In “Heartbeat” MV, BTS are practicing “No More Dream,” the debut song that introduced them to the world.
11. The “Make It Right” sign
A sign in the “Dynamite” MV includes a tiny reference to BTS’s song “Make It Right”.
It’s difficult to see at first, but it appears in the background while Suga is at the basketball court.
12. Jin’s body double
In “Film Out” MV, Jin’s face is never shown when he is in the same room as the rest of his members.
In this room, he is only shown from behind and, in one scene, he is played by a body double. Some fans were quick to notice the difference between the actor’s physique and Jin’s.
