BTS’ ‘Life Goes On’ is a warm hug and comforting embrace with a hopeful message

By Monica Yadav -

November 20, 2020 - 12:01 PM IST

What a world would we be living in if we could still feel the warm embrace of someone and hugs from loved ones? Life is not the same as it used to be but if you need some kind of escape from everything, BTS' album 'BE (Deluxe Edition)' is perfect for that. After months of anticipation, BTS has released their eight-track album that consists of seven original tracks with the addition of their chart-topping single 'Dynamite'. Along with the album, the title track 'Life Goes On', will take you down the memory lane of little joys that everyone has experienced in their lives.

BTS’ ‘Life Goes On’ is a warm hug and comforting embrace with a hopeful message

The lead single 'Life Goes On' belongs to the Alternative Hip Hop genre with sentimental acoustic guitar sounds captivating the ears of the listeners. The lyrics echo a comforting message in the face of unexpected turns and abrupt disruption: “Life goes on”. Anyone who has been through 2020 can easily relate to this song delivered through BTS’ emotional voice.

The music video starts with V driving down the streets of South Korea as the scene cuts to Jungkook embracing the sunny weather from his bedroom as Jimin is starting his day while brushing his teeth. RM is looking out of the balcony as dust is settled on his bicycle. It seems like the scene is from their home as they live together. The multiple scenes show them playing games on the couch, dressed in night suits, eating, goofing around just like a bunch of men in their 20s, and having the fun of being with each other amid the pandemic that led the world to a standstill. The scenes slowly move in the direction of having a very on-the-go lifestyle with a packed schedule to stay & work from home. The high and probably the most point in the music video comes when the shot pans to Jin, the scene turns black and white and you see the septet (RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook) in an empty stadium singing the song. It showcases the reality we now live in, virtual concerts with no audience.

"One day the world stopped / Without warning / Spring doesn't know how to wait / He came here senseless / A street with erased footprints / I'm falling down here / Time goes by itself / I'm sorry Without saying anything," Embracing the change in their lives, BTS reflects on the past on how suddenly their whole lifestyle changed in a span of months from prepping for a world tour to postponing it amid pandemic.

"Like an echo in the forest / The day will come / As if nothing had happened / Yeah life goes on / Like an arrow in the blue sky / We're flying another day / On my pillow, on my table / Yeah life goes on / Like this again," these lyrics perfectly sums up the sentiments, not just BTS but for the fans too that one day, there will come a point when times will be different but we all have the opportunity to meet each other.

'Life Goes On' marks the directorial debut of Jungkook, the youngest member of BTS. The 23-year-old has often shown keen interest in making aesthetically pleasing videos, has even released his personal clips via GCF videos. But, this is the first time he was helming a BTS music video and he truly proved why he is called the 'golden maknae (youngest)' of the group. To capture the essence of emptiness, feeling restless, joy, happiness, brotherhood, and life as stars and the people beyond their stage names, is truly a work of art. He puts his creativity into this video by connecting the reality of BTS members' lives to the lives of everyone around the world.

BTS held a Global Press Conference live stream worldwide to talk about their album on Friday morning on November 20, 2020. RM said how they wanted to impart the message of comfort through this piece of work that they worked on diligently. "[It is] our way of providing healing and consolation that life continues to go on. It is a simple message but it is also a profound truth."

'Life Goes On' is a warm hug with a hopeful message that even if the world has come to standstill, finding joy in the smallest of things can completely change the way you perceive life. At the end of the day, life is all about ups and downs and we need to find a way to gather all our strength together and move ahead.

"I remember" V croons in the title track. Once again, BTS is very clear with their message that you need to understand the importance of life, the people around you and embrace love. They showcased their album making since the beginning of April as all members participated in the creative process from scratch. This is a hard-work of them that beautifully narrates the story of seven artists feeling the same sentiments as the rest of us. Their album is a comforting poem, a ray of light that gives so much positivity and hope.