Korean boy band giants BTS released their latest single, Dynamite in August, making this the very first English song performed by the group. Their previous English hit, Waste It On Me, was a collaboration with EDM superstar Steve Aoki, and was primarily performed by BTS’ Jungkook and RM.
It was clear right off the mark that Dynamite was going to break records. Within the first 20 minutes, Dynamite‘s music video was watched 10 million times, and had hit the 100 million mark in just over 24 hours, making it the fastest time in Youtube history to do so. It also debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
According to The Atlantic, BTS’s ‘Dynamite’ could upend the music industry – its massive success not just a career milestone for the group, it’s also a reflection of America’s entertainment market. Thanks to BTS singing in English, American radio stations started to spin “Dynamite,” something that had been denied to previous Korean-language hit singles.
Band leader RM described Dynamite as a “new challenge” for BTS, since it’s the first time the group sang entirely in English. This feel-good song has a preppy retro-summer vibe to it, with a bright, pastel-toned SoCal Americana-style MV.
Watch RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, V, Jimin and Jungkook in Dynamite here:
In multiple interviews, the boys of BTS have said that this song was released especially to cheer up their fans during a difficult time in 2020 when concerts and live events have been cancelled.
This disco pop tune comes six months after their fourth studio album Map of the Soul : 7 was released – and is part of their upcoming album due to be released later this year.
Within a day of release, the hashtag #DynamiteBTS (and other variations of “Dynamite”) trended at #1 worldwide, and continues to trend today.
BigHit released a second official MV for Dynamite – the B-Side version which was a more playful and candid version, with behind-the-scenes shots showcasing all band members just having fun. Check out the MV here:
Upcoming BTS events
Earlier this month, BTS announced that their film Break the Silence: The Movie will roll out to theatres worldwide, including Singapore, on September 10.
Since its release, BTS also performed Dynamite at the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards on August 30 and for the Grammys’ Press Play Series on September 3.
Ever since the pandemic started, BTS has not been resting on their laurels indeed.
