BTS Reveal The Differences Between Their “Personas” And True Selves
Just how different are BTS‘s “true selves” from the “personas” we know and love?
On June 13, BTS released “Bangtan Attic”, their 2019 FESTA dinner video, to celebrate their sixth anniversary. The members answered questions about their past and present selves, including this one:
Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook each described how the BTS version of themselves differ from Kim Seokjin, Kim Namjoon, Jung Hoseok, Park Jimin, Kim Taehyung, and Jeon Jungkook.
Jungkook’s answer focused on his studying habits.
Jungkook of BTS shines bright, but Jeon Jungkook is insignificant. I didn’t study much when I was little…and I think I’m slower than others.
— Jungkook
His members were quick to point out that there are other ways to learn things aside from books. RM also said that Jungkook could study more later…but he just doesn’t want to!
RM didn’t have much to say that he hasn’t already said in his songs.
Honestly, I’ve already talked about this in my lyrics, so I want to hear what others say.
— RM
Jin talked about cheerful, on-camera Jin versus the dark side he tries to keep out of the spotlight.
The difference is Jin tries to always be cheerful on camera. I don’t want to show my dark side. But as Kim Seokjin, many tell me I’m different from how I appear to be as Jin.
— Jin
“Kim Seokjin should evolve,” he said, like a Pokemon.
According to V, there’s really no difference between V and Kim Taehyung.
I don’t really know how I’m different.
— V
Jimin, on the other hand, feels that his true self and persona are very different, and he struggles with how to coexist with them.
I think I’m very different. As BTS, I tend to be assertive and I’m a very confident guy. But what troubles me is whether Jimin as BTS and Park Jimin should be more alike or different. That’s always on my mind. I don’t know whether to separate that, or whether to be more same.
— Jimin
In reply, RM said that there isn’t an answer to Jimin’s question because their personas and selves have become so entwined.
J-Hope says his stage name made him the person he is today, but that positive change also comes with pressures.
My BTS stage name is J-Hope. I think my name made me…And I think that’s made me afraid? No afraid. Yeah, I feel pressured. I can get tired and lose my energy. But that makes people worry so much. That’s why I feel pressured at times.
— J-Hope
J-Hope doesn’t have to worry though. As RM says, BTS is always there to help him out if he’s feeling down.
Suga’s answer was, perhaps, the wisest of all. He explained how people have more than one side to them and how one of these sides is no less true or fake than the others.
We can’t always be the same. “FAKE LOVE” was about that. About hiding behind masks. People might say we’re pretentious, or maybe that we’re two-faced, but that goes for everyone, not just celebrities. We don’t have to worry about behaving a certain way to someone then differently to someone else.
— Suga
Watch BTS’s whole FESTA celebration video here.
