#'someday when these cheers die down stay/you are my soulmate/forever keep staying there/you are my soulmate

[sunsetsover]

khaotung is like if jimin and hoseok had a baby. jungkook created first via osmosis. but firstkhao is 100% vmin coded.

[thoughts-on-bangtan]

Let’s talk about ‘Friends’ by BTS

by Admin 1

Friends is the subunit song by Jimin and Taehyung (co-written and co-produced by Jimin) from Map of the Soul : 7 which was released in February 2020. Interestingly enough, the Korean title is actually 친구, a word that is only used for friends of the same age, which is how ARMY figured out that it had to be their subunit prior to the release of the album.

On a very surface level, Friends is about the bond between Jimin and Taehyung recounting different little stories over the years, including the now famous dumpling incident which was first presented to us as a conflict that merely took up a few hours. Actually though it was a conflict that grew big enough that Jimin and Taehyung barely spoke to each other for two weeks and it culminated in Jimin getting drunk with Yoongi and then meeting Taehyung at a park at 4 am to make up. Yes, the same park at 4 am that Taehyung and Namjoon sing about in 4 O’Clock. That song, like many suspected, really was about Jimin and Taehyung as well.

But, while Friends might seem simple and fun on the outside, especially due to the upbeat melody and anthem like chorus, I think there is far more to it than meets the eye. Stella Jang, who co-wrote the lyrics, said in an interview with K-Pop Herald that BigHit sent her an email which contained the song as well as long stories about Jimin’s and Taehyung’s bond and based on that she was supposed to write short lyrics. She also had a friend, who is an ARMY, help her truly understand the depth of their bond. That alone to me shows that this goes far deeper than most might assume, and others wish for it.

Hello my alien We’re each other’s mystery Would it be why it’s more special

This verse for me is very interesting, especially since Jimin reclaims a nickname that people used to call Taehyung by which he hated. Instead Jimin turned it into something endearing, something that now belongs to them instead of others. It’s also noteworthy that that specific line is in English, not Korean, and he says my alien, so basically telling the listener that he takes some kind of claim over Taehyung, connects them in a way that anyone would understand, and unmistakably highlights that he’s the only one to call him like this because Taehyung is special to him, much the way you’d call someone dear to you/someone you love by an endearment such as ‘my darling’ or ‘my love’. 

More below the cut:

The mystery part could refer to the early days of their friendship, the times when they were just getting to know each other and trying to figure out their dynamic and each other in a more general sense. We know they almost instantly became friends, stuck to each other and spent a lot of time together, despite constantly getting in little fights, but perhaps those struggles were what made the end result that much more special to them. Interesting to note is also how Jimin once said that when he saw Tae for the first time he experienced many different emotions (he didn’t specify which ones though), and how to this day he remembers Tae only wearing those red shorts and snapback and how even then he already looked like an idol/celebrity. 

But the line could also refer to something more recent, or something more overarching, like a secret about themselves that only they know about, that they share and guard together.

Someday, when these cheers die down, stay hey Stay with me by my side Forever, keep staying here, hey

and

Someday, when these cheers die down, stay hey You are my soulmate Forever, keep staying here, hey You are my soulmate

These two might just be the most important parts of the song, and the ones that seem to be the hardest to swallow for some. This is basically Jimin and Taehyung asking each other to stay together forever, even when (or especially when) their careers will be over and BTS won’t be such a main and overarching reason for them to stay by each other anymore, so to speak. It implies that what they have is something they want to last forever, that it reaches far beyond them just being two best friends inside a group, but that they are rather two people who found ‘their person’ in each other. They know they’ve found something one of a kind, once in a lifetime, and want to hold on to it, to each other. It’s also them proclaiming and reminding everyone once again that they are soulmates, that this isn’t just something ARMY made up, some shipping agenda or anything like it, but that it is truly the title they see most fit for each other, that it basically feels like their bond was destiny and they were always meant to be together. You are my soulmate is also in English, something that every listener will understand, something so important they specifically made it this way so you wouldn’t need to look up translations from Korean to get it.

Sidenote--somehow soulmate has become a very debated term in connection to vmin so lets look at the definition for soulmate that wikipedia gives us: A soulmate is a person with whom one has a feeling of deep or natural affinity. This may involve similarity, love, romance, platonic relationships, comfort, intimacy, sexuality, sexual activity, spirituality, compatibility and trust. Most of these are rather connected to the most traditional way in which people imagine soulmates, as in two people destined for each other, lovers perfect for one another. Of course there are friendship type soulmates, but those are far more rare in peoples minds. The point I’m getting at is that Jimin and Taehyung never defined which type of soulmate they are, and until I saw non-vminies have a fight about how they’re definitely just platonic ones, I never even really saw the word soulmate in connection with ‘platonic’. In a way you could argue that both sides are right, that they are both friendship soulmates but also romantic ones as well, their bond encompassing both. But in the end, of course, that’s something only they can confirm yet I thought I’ll mention it anyway.

Like your pinky, we’re still the same I know your everything We must trust each other Don’t forget Instead of an obvious thank-you, you and I — let’s promise that we won’t fight tomorrow, for real

These lines may seem so simple, short and sweet, but I think there is a lot of meaning to them, a lot that’s written between the lines and potentially only something they understand the true extent of. I know your everything is another reminder that they are each others secret keepers, each others closest confidants, their person to go to and laugh or cry or celebrate with. Jimin and Taehyung have something that is rare, one of a kind, and it’s something beautiful that should be regarded with respect and wonder since it’s close to a miracle that they met and formed their bond in such a manner. After all Jimin is from Busan and Taehyung from Daegu, chances are, if BTS hadn’t happened, they might’ve never met, though looking at everything BTS have said about each other, they seem to believe they were all destined to meet regardless if as members of BTS or as normal people. The same most likely would’ve also have been the case for Jimin and Taehyung, and Friends is a beautiful piece of proof of that.

Many dismiss Friends as just a song about their friendship, but I think once you truly think about the lyrics and the thoughts that must’ve gone into it, you might change your mind. Even more so when you take into account what Namjoon said about Friends in his MOTS:7 vlive, how he wouldn’t even dare try writing any of the lyrics because he could never, ever do them justice, and how just thinking about the bond Taehyung and Jimin have, he gets goosebumps. That alone already says a lot, implies a lot of different things, very deep and (in my opinion) potentially more than just friends type things. There was also a moment during Bon Voyage 3 in Malta where Namjoon and Seokjin were at a restaurant together and somehow they brought up Taehyung and Jimin and both just shook their heads at how they are just--something, something apparently meaningful enough neither dared to voice it.

Friends might not be something you’d call a traditionally romantic or love song by any means, at least sound wise, but I’d argue the lyrics tell a completely different story, one of a bond that binds two souls, that combines friendship and love (both the love you have for a cherished friend, but also the one you feel for a romantic partner, I’d argue). The song, as well as 4 O’Clock are far more than meets the eye, you just have to be open and willing enough to see it.

After all Taehyung did say: “95z is love.” The biggest clue of them all.

(Lyric snippets taken from 친구 (Friends))

[ggukpout]

my favourite lyrics from ‘friends’

I’m from the moon, you’re from the star

↳난 달에서, 넌 별에서

Hello my alien, we’re each other’s mystery

↳Hello my alien, 우린 서로의 mystery

Someday, when these cheers die down, stay hey, stay with me by my side 

↳언젠가 이 함성 멎을 때 stay hey, 내 옆에 함께 있어줘

Forever, keep staying here, hey, like your tiny pinky

↳영원히 계속 이곳에 stay hey, 네 작은 새끼손가락처럼

Seven summers and cold winters, and more to come

↳일곱 번의 여름과 추운 겨울보다, 오래

The dreamcatcher in my room, the history of 7 years, would it be why it’s more special

↳내 방의 드림캐쳐, 7년간의 history, 그래서 더 특별한 걸까

YOU ARE MY SOULMATE

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i actually screamed when they said that line ^^ 

weird random fact my pinky is less than 4 cm long some ppl think part of my pinkies were cut off

[yoong-i]

Favorite BTS Lyrics, Pt 2

Hello! If you’re reading this, hey. I don’t think anyone particularly reads these but I have fun doing them sooooooooooooooo. Part two. Here is a link to my part 1 if you’d like. This post is mostly gonna be MOTS7 but my last post had earlier songs. Here goes! As always, message me if you wanna chat and all translations/credit is linked.

“Do you know now? That doing your best every time is the best (option).”

^^ Interlude: Shadow. I have to be careful with this song lately because if I pay too much attention while listening to it/reading the lyrics I will legit cry LOL. But, I love this line because it addresses the pressure of feeling that doing your best is your only option ever, all the time.

“When the second hand and the minute hand overlap, the world for a very brief moment holds its breath.”

^^ 00:00. This was one of the first songs on this album that grabbed me and it was because of this line specifically. Time is scary, and I love the concept of everything just stopping for a brief moment.

“Someday, when the cheers die down, stay, you are my soulmate”

^^ Friends. Aaaaaand, the next line that grabbed me. The first part because, damn, I don’t want to think about the day cheers die down. But also, yes, please be friends forever. The second part because this song makes me think of my best friend and that line always makes me sentimental about her.

“It’ll be okay, for the me of today is doing okay.”

^^ Inner Child. I think we’d all like to be able to go back and tell our old selves it will be alright and you will be fine.

“I make a promise to you and me, whatever waves crash over us, we’ll forever sing towards you.” 

^^ Louder than Bombs. I think I’m just starting to realize that I am just a sucker for any lyric that is about them and ARMY. Something about it is just very grounding, especially considering that they’re the biggest group on the planet.  

“Suddenly I wonder whether you really know yourself, whether you really know how pretty your existence is”

and

“Rather than using any other words, or words of thanks, I’ll make sure to be by your side in the dark, dark night so that it’s much brighter, I’ll watch over you”

^^ Moon. Another fan song. I always love these.

“Fleetingly, the life of Jung Hoseok rather than j-hope passes in my mind. It would have been full of regret rather than hope till I die.”

^^ Outro: Ego. I’m not sure this line needs much explanation, but just makes you think of how much different things could be if he wasn’t in BTS. Except, from his POV. I love this moment of self-reflection and (as I will say for pretty much every song on this album) I love this song a LOT.

“Who am I?” The question I’ve been asking my entire life –

the question that I’ll probably never be able to find the answer for”

^^ Intro: Persona. I want to be impressed that they opened the album with this line, but really, it’s Namjoon so I’m not surprised. Either way, its fitting and it sets the tone for this whole album. It’s applicable to anyone, famous or not.

“ Re-spect – as the word itself says, it’s to look and look again*  

If one keeps looking at another, their flaws can be seen

But that one wants to keep looking, despite all that,

means that it’s necessary to have complete faith in that someone

And so, I can’t speak of it easily –

it’s immeasurable, the weight and depth of it

I hope that, someday, I’d be able say it confidently,

wholeheartedly – to me, and to you”

^^ Respect. Not to, like, pull a whole freakin verse. But, shit. I absolutely love Joonie and Yoongi together so this song excites me. I especially like the part with flaws/complete faith, and I’m not quite sure how to explain it properly. I would definitely take a look at this translation I linked, because they provide certain explanations at the end that add to the lyrics. (Also, does everything these two touch just have to be lyric gold?)

“Here, everyone becomes a person with moral reasoning and perfect judgement.

What a laugh.”

^^ UGH!. Everyone thinks they’re right and they know best. I just love this line because we’re all guilty of it and most of us don’t even realize it. (P.S. I CANNOT RECOMMEND THIS TRANSLATION OF UGH! ENOUGH!!(!) Please read it thanks.)

And also from UGH!,

“Someone’s split second becomes someone’s moment, someone’s fury becomes someone’s life.”

^^ UGH!. “This line means that the thing one does impulsively in a very brief moment can become a significant something that another will have to remember for a long time.” - ktaebwi on Twitter.

I have read multiple different translations of UGH! and I can’t find an exact wording that I feel justifiably represents the sentiment behind this lyric. This translation felt the closest. Everyone seems to universally agree what the line means, but I’m finding that no wording is doing the translation enough justice, and I think that just might come down to the power of language.

I have endless love for this song. In my opinion, it is art and it is a masterpiece. UGH! has such a deep meaning to it and I think the sound of the song hits the nail on the head. It’s partially the sound, partially all the different messages/meanings in the different verses, and definitely the fact that this song makes you want to punch someone in the face. This song isn’t just about anger but is an angry song. 

Part of me also feels the only way to truly appreciate this song is in Korean. I don’t feel like translating the lyrics to English does it as much justice. (But also, I don’t speak Korean so.... who knows.)

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These have been way longer than they were supposed to be. Oops. But if you’ve made it here thanks for reading :)