i’ve been thinking a lot about the conversation between bulletproof pt 2 and bulletproof the eternal lately. the way bangtan’s sound has evolved, the way their lyrics and outlook have evolved.

obviously there’s going to be a difference, but setting them back to back really makes me emotional. the sirens in pt 2 moving into the soft piano melodies of the eternal, the fast paced and hard beat moving into a slower, lighter one. rap moving into singing.

it really shows you how the direction of their music has shifted, how they as artists have grown. but then you get to the lyrics and they deal with the same exact things. struggle, proving yourself, staying together and bulletproof, chasing your dreams & staying true to yourself.

many moments converse directly. “sharpening our blades” vs “the dulling blade”, “throw stones at me .. we are not afraid” vs “throw stones at me we’re not afraid anymore”, themes of reaching a dream, of working hard to prove yourself are present in both.

they both urge to keep going, keep pursuing your dream, keep walking and fighting because the end is worth it.

there are so many parallels of living in the struggle vs looking back on the struggle, proud of the perseverance, glad to have kept going. while bangtan in pt 2 is aware of their work, aware they are good, bangtan in the eternal has gained success unlike any they dreamed of.

the difference is someone trying to prove their name vs someone who has established their name as an artist, someone who has reached that dream. but even looking back they don’t flaunt that growth or brag about it.

it’s a softer acknowledgment. part of that is the addition of “together” to the motto we are bulletproof. because bangtan isn’t bangtan without army and we aren’t army without them.

it’s why this progression makes me cry. the 7 boys in pt 2 feeling abandoned by the world, feeling like they need to prove themselves vs the 7 boys in eternal who have the world, have someone who accepts their music and message, who loves what they do.