In the “ARMY Corner Store” Q&A released for BTS’ 2021 fan event FEST A, you said you had a habit of having trivial thoughts. When asked what your hobby was, you said it was lying down. I found these responses interesting. The combination of having all sorts of thoughts while lying down lends itself perfectly to daydreaming. Are you still doing a lot of daydreaming these days?
I’ve changed a little, Maybe I’ve found a sense of calm? I used to think it would be nice to spend some time alone, letting time drift by like flowing water, but I think I’m able to do that now I’m enjoying my time alone without doing much
How did you get there?
I like pushing my body physically and sweating it out. I’m really into running these days. I usually run at night. When I run, taking in the cool breeze and the smell of grass, all my trivial thoughts disappear
This past summer, you uploaded a message on social media saying, “Taking in the pretty scenery as I run and sweat helped me undergo a lot of change. I was able to think less and become more positive.”
I remember. I had just discovered the joy of running. When I stop to catch my breath after a hard run, I listen to music for ten, even thirty, minutes. Then I run back home, wash up, and go to sleep feeling refreshed. This has become something of a routine for me, so now I only feel like the day is finished if I’ve gone for a night run. Did I do this last night? Yes, of course
It sounds like you’ve found a healthy, active way to maintain balance and inner calm. On that note, you also revealed in the “ARMY Corner Store” that you tried CrossFit, in order to build muscle strength. Has that changed your dancing in any way?
I did some CrossFit before focusing on cardio, and I actually feel stronger. It’s also brought greater stability to my dancing. Perhaps it’s because of my increased core strength, but I’ve noticed that I have better balance now
I bring this up because of what we said about daydreaming before, but when I reflect on everything that BTS has achieved so far, I can’t help thinking that you once had dreams that could have only felt vague and impossible. However, you’ve witnessed them turn into reality, one by one. What does that feel like?
There are so many moments that are unbelievable to me, even now. I still remember so clearly how our concert venues got bigger and bigger, how our international fans would sing along with us in our language, and even how we’d fly through the air on stage. There was also a particular moment that really moved me. It’s harder than you think to see people’s faces when you’re on stage. But it’s such a thrill when you can see those who hadn’t looked happy at the beginning of the concert laughing by the end. It’s very moving. These are the kinds of experiences that motivate me to keep performing
Is there something you realized after having experienced one unbelievable moment after another?
You shouldn’t stop after coming close to your dream, or even after fully achieving it. If we’d been satisfied after performing in the Olympic Gymnastics Arena for the first time [in 2016] and thought, “That’s enough,” we wouldn’t have been able to come this far. I believe we’re able to keep growing and evolving because we’re constantly pushing ourselves to show all that we want to do
Is there something that you currently want or want to be good at?
I prefer making specific goals over general ones, but these days I’m not thinking too far ahead. After all, we don’t know what changes are coming or when they’ll take place. The most important thing for now is making sure we’re ready for our upcoming concert, our first physical concert in two years
When I watch past interviews, you strike me as a person who sincerely loves to perform. It makes me think that the word “performance” must have taken on a deeper significance in the past two years when you weren’t able to stand on stage
It would be more right to say that I miss performing. Truly
What do you miss the most?
“Sharing” is the first word that comes to mind when I think of performing. A performance isn’t just something to be seen. I share a wide range of feelings that can’t fully be expressed in words, and I’m not the only one doing the sharing. The rest of the members, the audience, the staff – we’re all sharing at the moment. It’s truly fascinating. Because we haven’t been able to do this for a long time, I have really high expectations for our upcoming concert. I’m so curious how I’ll feel when I finally stand on stage
You’ve spoken about how the same song can feel different, depending on the clothes you wear. If you had to wear one of today’s photoshoot outfits on stage, what would it be and which song would it suit?
The moment I saw the clean-cut black shirt and pants I’m currently wearing, I thought immediately of “Black Swan.” And I think the striking pink ensemble could be used for “Dynamite” or “Filter.”
If you created a musical of your life using BTS’ songs, which song would you use in the opening scene?
It would, of course, be our debut song, “No More Dream.” I’m sure our fans would agree
If you think back to your debut era, it’s very different from now, isn’t it? What motivated you back then?
It couldn’t have been anything else but the rest of the members and the dream we shared. We didn’t receive the attention we do now and neither did we have these many fans, so we came together with just one goal in mind, telling ourselves, “We want this. We need this.”
I’m not sure how you’ll take this, but many people around me say they receive a lot of comfort and strength from your solo track, “Serendipity.” One described it as a “balm for the soul.”
Oh, it makes me so happy to hear that
The work you share has such a positive influence on people. Can you talk about how that influences your own life?
It influences my thoughts, words, and actions. Positively, of course. It makes me think once more before I speak my mind, and when I hear good things from our fans, I share it with those around me. When we were preparing for our UN speech [delivered at the 2021 United Nations General Assembly], I was able to think more deeply about environmental issues. I was challenged by the realization that some of our fans younger than me are more invested in environmental issues. I had the chance to reflect on my own actions and I asked myself what I could do to protect the environment, and even whether I’m correctly sorting my trash and recycling
It’s a time when a person’s words can become a great source of strength, perhaps more than ever before. What would you like to tell people?
I’m not sure if this will help, but I want to say that whatever you’re doing, wherever you are, there will come a day when the world will recognize all of your hard work.
They’re heartwarming words.
To be honest, it’s hard to express things like this
Maybe you know the meaning behind these words more than others. As an example, we keep hearing how your solo tracks are breaking records on global music platforms. I’m curious to know how you feel about your success and how you’ve come to accept it
I don’t think I should accept it. Accepting it feels arrogant. I still have a long way to go. The only right response seems to be to say I’ll keep working hard
Are you working on your music?
I get a lot of inspiration from my everyday life and the conversations I have with those I’m close to. However, I was quite isolated this past while, so I haven’t been able to work on my music as much. These days, I’ve been trying some new things while I receive some vocal coaching from Jung Kook
I only asked so that I can receive a clue regarding your future releases. What is your world filled with these days?
Hmm, I think it’s become filled with a lot of abstract things. For example, I’m curious about human relationships, something many people are interested in. I want to explore the nature of relationships. I like talking about topics like this
What about dance? In a previous interview, you said, “Dance is a world of my own and a space of my own.” Are you aware of what “dance” means to you?
Yes, that phrase “a world of my own” is exactly right. Just as I felt when I first learned to dance, I realized that whenever I’m dancing, I’m happy and free, unburdened by other thoughts. Dance has the power to make me feel that way
When was the last time you felt that way?
When I was rehearsing for the online concert we did a few days ago. I was sweating, dancing with the other members for the first time in ages, and it made me really happy.
By the way, your hair’s grown really long.
I like trying new things and I wanted to show a new side to myself, so I started growing it out. I guess it was a kind of challenge
Well, you pulled it off. It looks great.
It’s annoying that hair keeps poking into my ears, but other than that, I like it. I like how it feels when I move my head, and it also makes it easier to push my hair back, which I’m always doing.
That’s your specialty, right? If we talk about you, we have to talk about the way you run your hand through your hair when you’re performing.
[Laughs] I’m sure you’ll be seeing a lot more of that
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