Here are the set of assumptions I work with when I am analysing a song/the albums:
- The BTS members are not lying that Namjoon is a lyrical genius;
- Namjoon is amazing at puzzles;
- The songs reflect the feelings and thoughts of the author (and Namjoon is the sole BTS author or co-BTS author in most of their songs). Hence, I analyse from the author’s perspective for the same reason when one is analysing Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet in English/Literature class. It is about what the author Shakespeare is trying to convey, not about what the actor Leonardo DiCaprio is trying to convey.;
- Order matters;
- Everything about the songs, the lyrics, the names, etc are chosen very carefully and with great thought;
- A single word or line can carry multiple meanings; and
- The lyrics are about their real lives unless told otherwise.
Edit 8 May 2021:
It has been 14 months since I first laid my eyes on BTS and 11 months since I’ve started this blog and my goodness, I’ve discovered so much along the way!
Looking back now on the assumptions I’ve listed above with the hindsight I have… I am so happy to say that my assumptions have been on point! 🥳
Since I started the blog, I’ve discovered that:
- Jimin confirms it is not appropriate to be analysing Serendipity and other songs from the actor’s perspective. Jimin (who is the actor of Serendipity) can empathise with the lyrics, but that story is not his. I’ve discussed this in more detail here and this is consistent with point 3 of my assumptions.
- Namjoon said it himself in his Vlive that each and every track of the Love Yourself albums matters to tell the story. This is consistent with point 4 and 5 of my assumptions.
- Pdogg said that BTS write about 90% of the lyrics themselves because they believe that they should be the ones to tell their stories. They do not tell stories that they don’t know or didn’t experience themselves. This is consistent with point 7 of my assumptions.
- BTS said it themselves that almost all of their songs are from their personal experience. I’ve discussed this in more detail here and this is consistent with point 7 of my assumptions.