K-pop sensation BTS is back with a brand-new single for their fourth full-length album “Map of the Soul: 7,” and it’s a mix of everything in your emo dreams. With its thumping bass and introspective lyrics, the release of “Black Swan” has the global superstars coming into the new year on the right foot.
To accompany the single, the group collaborated with Slovenian dance troop MN Dance Company, whose team interpreted the lyrics with a haunting contemporary choreography film. The art film was shot in an abandoned mall, which adds to its eerie mood.
The video begins with a quote by dancer Martha Graham: “A dancer dies twice — once they stop dancing, and this first death is more painful.”
This quote ties into the overall message of the song. The main idea of the track speaks on the struggles of the relationship between art and artist, and how the worry of losing passion for their work is always looming. This relationship is explained specifically in the lyrics rapped by leader Kim Namjoon,
“If this can no longer resonate
No longer make my heart vibrate
The dance film is something new compared to what the South Korean band has tried before, as this comeback has been filled with an overall theme of how art connects to one’s persona. An additional way they’ve achieved this concept is through their collaborations with modern artists to display exhibitions in a variety of cities such as Seoul, New York City, London and more before the release of their new album.
Since the release of this single, the group has released a music video with main rapper Jung Hoseok titled “Outro: EGO,” which continues to tie into the theme of the work that goes into being a creative.
“Map of the Soul: 7” was released February 21 on all streaming platforms.