Common Metaphors in BTS Songs

Particularly in recent albums, BTS lyrics often include metaphors that reference past songs. In this way, they build on existing concepts and are able to convey a richer meaning.


Common metaphors

Spring / Winter
Spring represents reuniting with someone you miss, after a long time. In this context, winter represents the period you're separated from someone and missing them. This metaphor was first explored in depth in Spring Day.

Wings / Flying
Growing wings and flying represents achieving your dreams. The imagery largely began in the Wings era. More recent songs often mention ARMY giving BTS wings (enabling BTS to manifest their dreams) and BTS flying higher and higher (gaining greater global success).

Sea
The sea represents BTS's dreams coming to fruition, in contrast to being in the desert when they were at risk of failing as a k-pop group. One notable reference is in Black Swan. They discuss being at the bottom of the sea, meaning they're successful but feel emotionally disconnected from music (my interpretation). The sea doesn't always represent their success, as an earlier love song uses it to represent a love interest's affection.

Hero
BTS is ARMY's hero in Anpanman, which talks about how BTS doesn't have special powers but is committed to helping ARMY whenever they need it. (In press and in lyrics, BTS has expressed a broader sentiment of 'if we're not the ones providing fans with comfort, hope and happiness through our work, who else is going to do it?')

Galaxy
BTS songs have always included a lot of imagery about galaxies, stars and planets. In more recent albums, the galaxy represents ARMY. This was notably the central metaphor in Mikrokosmos, which is about how BTS and ARMY are individual mini-universes that make up one big universe.

Rain
Though rain is a common literary metaphor, it is also the central theme of the song Rain (Dark & Wild album) and mentioned in several other songs to express a prolonged feeling of melancholy or hardship.

Crow-tit
Crow-tit is a small bird that represents underdogs or those coming from less privilege, often with the subtext in BTS songs that they were able to succeed in spite of this unfair system. As mentioned in the song Silver Spoon, crow-tit is contrasted with storks, who are the privileged members of society and in a sense, the oppressors who uphold this unfair system. Based on my understanding, this metaphor of the crow-tit is derived from a Korean proverb.


References that indicate BTS's growth and maturation
In addition to metaphors, BTS also echoes past lyrics using similar sentence or verse structure, but changed to an opposite meaning to highlight growth and progression. Most of these connections are fairly common knowledge / official interpretations. 

Best of Me / Magic Shop
Best of Me talks about loving someone so much that you give them the best of you. Magic Shop inspires you to take care of yourself, as they say "You gave me the best of me / So you'll give you the best of you".

Boy in Luv / Boy with Luv 
Boy in Luv is about obsessive love and Boy with Luv conveys a calmer love that is able to appreciate the little things about someone.

N.O / ON
N.O and No More Dream both talk about rejecting societal pressures to take standard paths of success and to insist on pursuing your dreams instead. ON is about enduring the challenges and pain that come with achieving their dreams, and to insist on continuing to live their dream anyway.

BTS Cypher Pt.1 / BTS Cypher 4
The Cypher series are general responses to people who try to put them down. As BTS has gotten more successful, we can see them feeling more secure and softening their anger between the first and the last Cypher. While Cypher Pt.1 says "I’m going to cut you one by one", Cypher 4 says "[The insults are] making me bored". Even the pace and general sound of Cypher 4 is calmer.

Save Me / I'm Fine
Save Me is about desperately needing someone's love. I'm Fine is about being fine without it. Each verse of I'm Fine corresponds to a verse in Save Me, but saying the opposite.
     Save Me: "Gimme your hand, save me save me"
     I'm Fine: "I'll let go of your hand now"

BE

The purpose of this album is to provide comfort to listeners during the pandemic. The album is about finding acceptance in the new circumstance and to maintain hope, even as the pandemic has caused great difficulty and struggle.


Song Meaning – Summaries

Life Goes On
Everything got shut down due to the pandemic. Pandemic-life seems endless, but we're still together so let's keep going.

Fly To My Room
I feel trapped in my room, so I imagine that my room becomes anywhere I want to go. Though I'm stuck here, it's also my place of comfort. (You can't change the situation, but you can change your perception of it.)

Blue & Grey
I feel a deep melancholy and heaviness. Everything is colorless.

Telepathy
I'm happiest when I'm with ARMY. Even though we're not physically together, we're in this together.

Dis-ease
I feel uneasy about resting and not working; I wish I didn't have these types of worries. But most people have worries or mental challenges that they're dealing with. Let's solve these challenges, trust ourselves and keep going.

Stay
(To ARMY) I hope you will always stay with us, ARMY. We will be together again soon.

Dynamite
We'll lift you up and be your light.



Album release date: November 2020

Map of the Soul: 7

This is the second and final album in the Map of the Soul series, exploring the question of "who am I?" using Carl Jung's theory of the mind.

Song Meaning – Summaries

Interlude: Shadow
(SUGA's solo) I hide more of myself as I gain more success. I'm internally conflicted: this life is what my ambitious self wanted so why am I complaining? But the hidden parts of me demand to be acknowledged. I must accept that both the outward and hidden parts of me are both me.

Black Swan
I fear the possibility that I've lost my passion for music, my calling. I can't feel the music anymore. But I push through and ultimately reclaim my love for music.

Filter
(Jimin's solo) Pick the version of me that you want to see. I'll keep you entertained; just keep your eyes on me.

My Time
(Jungkook's solo) I grew up so quickly and so differently from everyone else. Sometimes it's too much. I'm missing out on getting to experience a relationship. Someday I'll be able to reclaim my own time.

Louder than Bombs
(To ARMY) We know you carry pain and that affects us. You're not alone. We'll keep singing for you, to lift you up.

ON
This kind of life comes with fear, pain and darkness. But I'm a fighter and ARMY gives me power, so bring on the pain.

UGH!
(To internet trolls) You make malicious comments that have no value. The anger you spark actually does harm. It hurts people and it desensitizes / draws away energy from constructive anger that can create positive change. Stop!

00:00 (Zero O'Clock)
There are days when you may feel down and 'off' for no reason, unsuccessful at combatting your negative thoughts. But every night at midnight is a reset. I hope to be a little happier tomorrow.

Inner Child
(V's solo) The younger me put up walls, (not daring to dream). I want to go back and tell my younger self to have hope. 'We'll experience the wonder of ARMY and of what we will become', I'd tell myself.

Friends
(About Jimin and V's friendship, including many inside references) Our friendship is precious to me; let's stay in each others' lives forever even after we're out of the spotlight.

Moon
(Jin's solo to ARMY) You're my earth and I'm your moon. You stay with me, even as you see the other sides of me. You bring out my bright side, so I'll be a small light for you.

Respect
The term respect is used too lightly. We should reserve it for the highest level of admiration, and only use it genuinely on each other once it's earned.

We Are Bulletproof: the Eternal
We went through hardships starting out, but nothing can impede us now because you, ARMY, are with us. It's no longer just the seven of us, because we have you.

Outro: Ego
(J-Hope's solo) I wonder whether it was the right choice to take this path. I realize that there's no going back, and that I would have deeply regretted it had I not pursued my dream. This path is my fate. So I will go forward confidently.



Album release date: February 2020
Watched a few explanation videos on Youtube to help with interpretations. 

Map of the Soul: Persona

This is the first album in the Map of the Soul series, which is based on Carl Jung's theory that the mind is made up of separate but interacting components:
  1. Persona (the outward face we present to the world) – Map of the Soul: Persona album
  2. Shadow (the side we suppress or are not aware of) – Map of the Soul: 7 album
  3. Ego (the thoughts and feelings we are aware of) – Map of the Soul: 7 album
It's interesting to notice that since the theme is very personal, most of the songs are about BTS's journey or about ARMY, rather than more general songs about love.


Song Meaning – Summaries

Intro: Persona
(RM ponders) Who am I? People see my facade and praise me, but part of me wonders whether I'm worthy. After some reflection, I realize that both the facade and the self-doubt are part of me, so I'll live as my whole self.

Boy with Luv
(A love letter to ARMY) Even the small details about you are special to me and I want to know all about them. Though we've gotten more successful, we got here because of ARMY and we'll keep our focus on you going forward. (Includes several references to past songs, which in my opinion reinforces the message that "we will not forget who we are".)

Mikrokosmos
Each of you are individual universes, bright and unique. Together, we make up a larger universe and light up the world.

Make It Right
Amidst my journey to find myself and become successful, I recognized that you're the one that makes any of this special. I'll make it right between us.

HOME
Even though this is what I dreamed of, this level of success feels uncomfortable, as if I'm unfulfilled or don't belong. ARMY is our home, where I feel truly comfortable.

Jamais Vu
I'm tensing up from noticing my mistakes, and (doing performances) that were once familiar now scare me. Please help me overcome this. But I won't stop trying.

Dionysus
We get drunk on art all night long. As artists, we experience the pain in creating music and the thrill in performing. 



Album release date: April 2019

Overlapping Albums - Explanation of BTS Discography

Navigating BTS albums can be a little confusing for people who are unfamiliar, as there appear to be overlapping songs across albums. 

In short, albums typically come in series of threes, starting with two mini albums followed by a compilation album that also includes new songs. Therefore, mini albums do not contain repeated songs while compilation albums (and repackaged albums) do.


Discography by Era

Skool Luv Affair era
     2 Cool 4 Skool – MINI ALBUM
     O!RUL8,2? – MINI ALBUM
     Skool Luv Affair – MINI ALBUM
     Skool Luv Affair: Special Addition – REPACKAGING of Skool Luv Affair
             Includes all songs in Skool Luv Affair
             Plus new song Miss Right

Dark & Wild  standalone album

The Most Beautiful Moment in Life era
     The Most Beautiful Moment in Life Pt.1 – MINI ALBUM
     The Most Beautiful Moment in Life Pt.2 – MINI ALBUM
     The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Young Forever – COMPILATION of Pt. 1 & 2
             Includes all songs in Pt.1 except Boyz with Fun
             Includes all songs in Pt.2 except Intro: Never Mind
             Plus new songs Dope, Fire, Save Me, and Epilogue: Young Forever

Wings era albums
     Wings – MINI ALBUM
     You Never Walk Alone – REPACKAGING of Wings
             Includes all songs in Wings (Interlude: Wings is replaced with a longer version)
             Plus new songs Spring Day, Not Today, and A Supplementary Story: You Never Walk Alone

Love Yourself era
     Love Yourself 'Her' – MINI ALBUM
     Love Yourself 'Tear' – MINI ALBUM
     Love Yourself 'Answer' – Partial COMPILATION of 'Her' and 'Tear'
             Includes all songs in 'Her' except Pied Piper, Outro: Her, and hidden track Sea
              (Intro: Serendipity is replaced with a full version)
             Includes all songs in 'Tear' except 134340, Paradise, Love Maze, and So What
              (Outro: Tear is replaced with a full version)
             Plus seven new songs Euphoria, Trivia: Just Dance, Trivia: Love, Trivia: Seesaw, Epiphany, 
              I'm Fine, Idol, and Answer: Love Myself

Map of the Soul era – Intended to come in three parts, but the latter two were combined
     Map of the Soul: Persona – MINI ALBUM
     Map of the Soul: 7 – COMPILATION of Persona
             Includes all songs in Persona except Mikrokosmos and HOME
             Plus 14 new songs, not including remixes

BE  latest album

______________________________________________________________

Other potentially complicating aspects of BTS's portfolio are that some songs have alternative English names. BTS has also released many songs outside of their official Korean albums.

Alternative song names
     2 Cool 4 Skool
             Like  a.k.a. Like It or I Like It
     O!RUL8,2?
             Paldogangsan – a.k.a. Satoori Rap
     Dark & Wild
             Embarassed – a.k.a. Blanket Kick
     The Most Beautiful Moment in Life Pt.1
             Intro: The Most Beautiful Moment in Life – a.k.a. Intro: Blooming Youth
             Boyz with Fun – a.k.a. Fun Boys
     The Most Beautiful Moment in Life Pt.2
             Silver Spoon – a.k.a. Crow-Tit or Baepsae
             Autumn Leaves – a.k.a. Dead Leaves
     The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Young Forever
             Fire – a.k.a. Burning Up

Other releases and where to find them
Songs outside of Korean album releases fall into these categories: 
     Individual mixtapes, singles, and covers – accessible on SoundCloud or Youtube BTS account
     Pre-debut releases – accessible on SoundCloud BTS account
     Group songs for special events – some are accessible on SoundCloud, some were only done live
     Remixes of album songs – accessible on SoundCloud BTS account
     Japanese songs – official album releases in Japanese, including re-recordings and new songs
     Hidden tracks – Sea and Path are only accessible on hardcopy CDs
     Collaborations – mostly available on streaming platforms under BTS or member profiles

The links below provide comprehensive lists of songs:
     List of all unofficial songs
     List of all official Korean and Japanese albums

A few favorite songs from outside of official Korean albums:
    • Ddaeng
    • 10,000 Hours (JK's cover)
    • Daechwita
    • Sweet Night
    • Waste It On Me

Love Yourself 'Answer'

This album compiles Love Yourself 'Her' and 'Tear' and closes out the album series with several new songs and the message that most important aspect of love is loving yourself.
  1. Introduction (起)
  2. Developing action (承) – Love Yourself 'Her' album – about falling in love
  3. Conflict (轉) – Love Yourself 'Tear' album – about getting hurt
  4. Resolution (結) – Love Yourself 'Answer' album – about focusing on loving yourself

Song summaries for Love Yourself 'Her'  Serendipity, DNA, Best of Me, dimple, Pied Piper, MIC DROP, Go go, Her, Sea


Song Meaning – Summaries

Euphoria
When you're with me, I'm in euphoria. Please don't ever leave me.

Trivia 起: Just Dance*
I like being with you, so let's just dance together.

Trivia 承: Love*
What is love? Loving you gives meaning to living.

Trivia 轉: Seesaw*
Our relationship is imbalanced like a dysfunctional seesaw, but neither one of us is taking the step to end it.

Epiphany
Though I'm imperfect, I should love myself.

I'm Fine
Even when there are hardships and even when we're not in a relationship anymore, I have it in me to be just fine.

Idol
(To those who try to put us down) I know that we're awesome, so I don't care what you say.

Answer: Love Myself
I'm hard on myself, but I'm learning to love myself.


*More about Trivia
The three Trivia songs follow the same narrative arc that the album series is structured by:
  1. Introduction  Trivia 起: Just Dance
  2. Developing action  Trivia 承: Love
  3. Conflict  Trivia 轉: Seesaw
  4. Resolution  Though not indicated by Chinese characters, I think Answer: Love Myself is the final song in this arc



Album release date: August 2018

Love Yourself 'Tear'

This is the second album in the Love Yourself series.
  1. Introduction (起)
  2. Developing action (承) – Love Yourself 'Her' album – about falling in love
  3. Conflict (轉) – Love Yourself 'Tear' album – about getting hurt from love
  4. Resolution (結) – Love Yourself 'Answer' album – about realizing the key to love

Song Meanings – Summaries

Intro: Singularity
I threw myself away for you. I'm in pain.

Fake Love
I pretend and hide my true self in order to make our love perfect, but this is no longer working.

The Truth Untold
(Inspired by the legend of Smeraldo) I didn't have the courage to show you myself without a mask on, and I ended up losing you.

134340
You broke up with me just like they demoted Pluto from a planet to asteroid number 1340340. Did you even care for me at any point? Yet even now, you're still the center of my world.

Paradise
You don't have to keep running in life. You don't have to have a dream. What you're doing now is just fine. Just catch a breath, as you're already in paradise.

Love Maze
Love is a maze of choices. Ignore the people who say our relationship won't work out. Keep holding my hand, and we'll go through this maze together.

Magic Shop
(Concept inspired by the book "Into the Magic Shop" by James R. Doty) Let me share my story of hope with you. ARMY came to us and became our galaxy. When you feel hopeless, I will help you open a door in your mind to a place of comfort. 

Airplane Pt.2
There was a boy who's only dream was to sing (BTS referring to themselves). We made it, and though we don't always know how to operate this new lifestyle, we'll keep going. 
(Sequel to "Airplane" from J-Hope's mixtape, which is about achieving his dreams.)

Anpanman
(To ARMY) We will be your anpanman (a particular hero that doesn't have superpowers). We dreamed of being a hero. Though we don't have special powers, we believe we can and should be your hero. We will come when you call.

So What
Let go of useless worries and just run.

Outro: Tear
I thought we had the same dream. You're ripping my heart. Just rip it quickly.



Album release date: May 2018