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BTS’s music about social and political issues - a thread
BTS have always spoken about social and political issues through their music. Here are a few examples.
Change - RM (ft. Wale)
About issues within Korean society and police brutality in America.
“Oh, fuck the school / All we got is mad teachers and some visible classes / Divided spaces, and forever-lastin' stresses / Everybody's mad / Kill people with fingers on Twitter.”
About issues within Korean society and police brutality in America.
“Oh, fuck the school / All we got is mad teachers and some visible classes / Divided spaces, and forever-lastin' stresses / Everybody's mad / Kill people with fingers on Twitter.”
Strange - Agust D (ft. RM)
About the perils of capitalistic society and social classes.
“The world is a giant system / In it, either opposition, war, or survival is inserted... / With dreams as its collateral, the capitalism injects the morphine called 'hope”
About the perils of capitalistic society and social classes.
“The world is a giant system / In it, either opposition, war, or survival is inserted... / With dreams as its collateral, the capitalism injects the morphine called 'hope”
Vote Or Just Shut Up - RM (Pre-debut)
A call to action for Koreans to use their voting privilege to create change and a call-out for those who don’t to “shut up.” Especially to those who complain about the people in power, but don’t vote themselves.
A call to action for Koreans to use their voting privilege to create change and a call-out for those who don’t to “shut up.” Especially to those who complain about the people in power, but don’t vote themselves.
“So giving up your vote isn’t making things neutral / It’s just an undeclared vote / Go vote or do something, before you make any blames and criticisms.”
Not Today - BTS
A song dedicated to “all the underdogs of the world” to stand up for themselves, fight against oppressive societal structures, and to not blindly accept everything they are told.
A song dedicated to “all the underdogs of the world” to stand up for themselves, fight against oppressive societal structures, and to not blindly accept everything they are told.
“Forget about the fear in your eyes… / Break the glass ceiling that cages you… / Burn it up! (Burn it up!) / Until the day of victory (fight!) / Don’t kneel, don’t collapse.”
518-062 - SUGA (Pre-debut)
About the Gwangju Uprising, a protest in Korea that resulted in the massacre of thousands of civilians. It’s a song that serves as a reminder for the Korean public to not forget this atrocity and has been played at the annual remembrance ceremony.
About the Gwangju Uprising, a protest in Korea that resulted in the massacre of thousands of civilians. It’s a song that serves as a reminder for the Korean public to not forget this atrocity and has been played at the annual remembrance ceremony.
“In this place, 062 [the zip code for Gwangju], the suffering for human rights record their courage in history, through their volition.”
N.O. - BTS
A discussion about students being overwhelmed by the expectations placed on them by elders, and the effect it has on their mental wellbeing.
A discussion about students being overwhelmed by the expectations placed on them by elders, and the effect it has on their mental wellbeing.
“Adults say that we have it so easy / They say I'm on my way to happiness / Then how do you explain my unhappiness? / There's no conversation topics other than studying / Outside, there are so many kids like me, living the life of a puppet / Who will take responsibility?”
School of Tears - BTS
Talks about the dark sides of the school system, rampant bullying, bystanderism, and society that turns a blind eye to the plight of the youth.
Talks about the dark sides of the school system, rampant bullying, bystanderism, and society that turns a blind eye to the plight of the youth.
“This is the ring called classroom / This is a stadium without any referee, only an audience / You know there will never be victor everyone will lose.”
Dope - BTS
About the treatment of youth in society.
“The media and adults say we don't have willpower, condemning us like stocks/Why are they killing us before we can even try?”
About the treatment of youth in society.
“The media and adults say we don't have willpower, condemning us like stocks/Why are they killing us before we can even try?”
Silver Spoon (Baepsae)
A call-out of the older generation, this song is a rallying cry for young people who work hard and face the obstacles put in place by the people who came before them.
A call-out of the older generation, this song is a rallying cry for young people who work hard and face the obstacles put in place by the people who came before them.
“Change the rules, change change / The ones' that came before us want to,want to maintain.”
No More Dream - BTS
A song about how society suppresses the dreams of youth and tries to fit them into a mold.
“Boring same day, every day repeats / Adults and parents tell us the same dream.”
A song about how society suppresses the dreams of youth and tries to fit them into a mold.
“Boring same day, every day repeats / Adults and parents tell us the same dream.”
Am I Wrong
A call out to people who willfully ignore social issues.
“If what you see on the news is nothing to you... you're not normal"
A call out to people who willfully ignore social issues.
“If what you see on the news is nothing to you... you're not normal"
21st Century Girl
A song to motivate and empower women to live their lives unapologetically.
“To the 20th century girls / Live your life… / Tell them that you’re strong / Tell them you’re enough.”
A song to motivate and empower women to live their lives unapologetically.
“To the 20th century girls / Live your life… / Tell them that you’re strong / Tell them you’re enough.”
Spring Day - BTS
Although the lyrics do not directly address it, they music video alludes to the Sewol Ferry Tragedy, an incident that resulted in the needless deaths of hundreds of Korean high schoolers and resulted in the SK president being impeached.
Although the lyrics do not directly address it, they music video alludes to the Sewol Ferry Tragedy, an incident that resulted in the needless deaths of hundreds of Korean high schoolers and resulted in the SK president being impeached.
Spine Breaker - BTS
A discussion of class systems and social hierarchy.
"The class system of the 21st century is divided into two/those who have and those who haven't"
A discussion of class systems and social hierarchy.
"The class system of the 21st century is divided into two/those who have and those who haven't"
check out this blog for lyrics translations of these songs into english becuase you should read more than the selected snippets of lyrics that i’ve chosen https://doolsetbangtan.wordpress.com/
if you have questions for me, drop them below :) https://curiouscat.qa/thejoonmoon
