DATE: FEBRUARY 23, 2017
With top K-Pop act BTS preparing to launch a tour of North and South America this March, the leading global act sat down to share some thoughts about the group, touring and life. The nine-stop 2017 BTS LIVE TRILOGY EPISODE III THE WINGS TOUR will hit the U.S. for five shows starting March 23 and 24 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, make a stop in Chicago, IL on March 29 at the Allstate Arena and conclude with two shows (April 1 and 2) at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. BTS’ seven members are Rap Monster (Kim Namjun/Team Leader, Rapper), JIN (Kim Seokjin/Vocalist), SUGA (Min Yoonki/Rapper), J-HOPE (Jung Hoseok/Choreographer & Rapper), JIMIN (Park Jimin/Choreographer & Vocalist), V (Kim Taehyung/Vocalist) and JUNG KOOK (Jeon Jungkook/Vocalist, Rapper, Choreographer).
Rap Monster
Q: Last year WINGS debuted at No. 26 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart, in October of 2016, setting a new U.S. record for the highest peak on the chart for a K-pop album. What can fans expect from your new music?
A: I won’t promise anything fancy but I can tell you for sure that there will be great songs and well prepared performances The rest is up to you. Make us better.
Q. How do you feel your new material may differ from previous songs, musically and/or lyrically?
A: The new songs are all about us–friends and loved ones. I think of them as conversations with my close friends. It was a very unique experience for me and all the new tracks have distinctive colors and tones, with different emotions and stories in each song.
Q: You’ve been together for four years now, what does each of you bring to the mix?
All seven of us have clearly different personalities with strengths and weaknesses, which bring up the synergy among us. We try to mutually support one another, because everyone has his own talent. If you are a natural born dancer, you help other members with new dance moves. If you are a songwriter, like myself, you guide others to learn how to write a melody, etc. We make one another complete as a team.
Q: With seven distinct personalities, what is life on the road like?
We are seven distinct personalities with seven different styles on the road. I like to spend my spare time alone in my room writing music, reading and searching news online. Some play mobile games, while others prefer eating together in a hotel room mingling.
Q: What’s the one song lyric–of any song–that you can’t get out of your head?
“Lost.” I may add new songs from the new album: ”Spring Day” and “Not Today.”
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SUGA
Q: Last year WINGS debuted at No. 26 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart, in October of 2016, setting a new U.S. record for the highest peak on the chart for a K-pop album. What can fans expect from your new music?
A: I’d say the new music will still be very ‘BTS’ with a little bit more popular taste for general audience or listeners.
Q: How do you feel your new material may differ from previous songs, musically and/or lyrically?
The lyrics from the title, “Spring Day,” which is based on true stories of my friends, whom I don’t see anymore. It is very personal from my perspective.
Q: You’ve been together for four years now, what does each of you bring to the mix?
A: I like the fact that all seven members bring something different on the table, which makes the BTS special. Everyone has his own voice, color, and tone that when mixed become greater.
Q: Do you have any rituals before hitting the stage?
A: I brush my teeth before going up on the stage, if you can call it a ritual.
Q: What’s the one song lyric–of any song–that you can’t get out of your head?
A: “We Don’t Talk Anymore” by Charlie Puth. JungKook is always singing this song. He’s even been promising on Twitter to cover it.
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Jimin
Q: Can you walk us through the special chemistry of the group and exactly why it works?
A: The special chemistry comes naturally. We’re all very different, but so close to one another–like a family–since we’ve been living together for the last several years.
Q: You all are embarking on an extensive tour with sold-out shows in North and South America, what can fans expect from this live experience?
A: Most of the fans come to the show for the first time. Whatever you expect from BTS, it is going to be better and more special.
Q: Are there any cities/venues that you’re especially looking forward to visiting on tour?
A: I look forward to every city on the tour–the reaction should be different from city to city and from venue to venue.
Q: With seven distinct personalities, what is life on the road like?
A: All seven members do their own stuff before going up on the stage.. We also have different tastes in taking a rest after each stage. It is very busy and hectic on the road, but also very peaceful after each show.
Q: What do you look forward to most when you return home from touring?
A: I tend to look forward to other new fans and also to a ‘new and upgraded myself’ for next tour.
Q: What’s the one song lyric–of any song–that you can’t get out of your head?
A: Our own song “FIRE.”
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V
Q: Can you walk us through the special chemistry of the group and exactly why it works?
A: We have the best team chemistry in the world. I don’t know how to compare with that of other bands but I take a great pride in BTS teamwork and chemistry.
Q: You all are embarking on an extensive tour with sold-out shows in North and South America, what can fans expect from this live experience
A: Fans should look forward to active and fun interaction with BTS members and an awesome performance on the stage.
Q: Are there any cities/venues that you’re especially looking forward to visiting on tour?
A: I love doing shows in the U.S. I cannot wait to get back there in March!
Q: What do you look forward to most when you return home from touring?
A: Rest and Korean food!
Q: What’s the one song lyric–of any song–that you can’t get out of your head?
A: Our song, “Save ME.”
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Jin
Q: Can you walk us through the special chemistry of the group and exactly why it works?
A: We’re made for one another and together we have perfect chemistry. Everyone in the group eats fast to save time for more practice. Practice makes perfect.
Q: You all are embarking on an extensive tour with sold-out shows in North and South America, what can fans expect from this live experience?
A: Fans in America are always the most passionate, which makes us more passionate on stage. You can expect the hottest BTS ever!
Q: Are there any cities/venues that you’re especially looking forward to visiting on tour?
A: I love all the cities and venues we go to because every show is different and equally important to us.
Q: What has surprised you most in your career?
A: When the audience at the show knows every lyric of BTS’ songs. Even I tend to forget the lyrics from time to time. Isn’t that just amazing?
Q: What’s the one song lyric–of any song–that you can’t get out of your head?
A: The first phrase of our newest song, “Spring Day.” It starts with ‘I miss you’ and I can’t get it out of my head.
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JungKook
Q: Can you walk us through the special chemistry of the group and exactly why it works?
A: We share the same goals for the future and try to stay focused on those goals together. Most importantly, we’re so close to one another–like real brothers. Each member is ambitious and passionate, but everyone puts the team first before our personal interests.
Q: You all are embarking on an extensive tour with sold-out shows in North and South America, what can fans expect from this live experience?
A: We’ll show the fans a better, newer BTS with a top-notch performance and great everything. I’m so excited to go on a tour!
Q: Are there any cities/venues that you’re especially looking forward to visiting on tour?
A: Everywhere! Every place we go. I just want to go on a stage to show every part of me. More or less, BTS promises the best show in the world for the fans.
Q: If you were to record a duet with an artist outside the genre of music for which you are known, who might that be and which song would you cover?
A: Justin Bieber. That’s why I’ve got to study English!
Q: What has surprised you most in your career?
A: Every moment in our career surprises me. I cannot believe how fast we’re advancing to the next level.
Q: What’s the one song lyric–of any song–that you can’t get out of your head?
A: “Save ME.”
The choreography is very intense and the song belongs to my favorite genre, Tropical house. It just keeps ringing in my mind.
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j-hope
Q: Last year WINGS debuted at No. 26 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart, in October of 2016, setting a new U.S. record for the highest peak on the chart for a K-pop album. What can fans expect from your new music?
A: BTS’ new, most updated music paired with top-class performance.
Q: How do you feel your new material may differ from previous songs, musically and/or lyrically?
A: We’ve added new tracks with different BTS touches, so it sounds fairly new. We also tried to add our own stories to the lyrics which are always loved and welcomed by our fans.
Q: You’ve been together for four years now, what does each of you bring to the mix?
A: We know exactly what we want and what we should do in terms of the roles and contributions to the group. We understand each other by just looking each other in the eyes. We don’t need to talk about all the details in most cases. This is what makes us ‘the BTS.’
Q: If you were to record a duet with an artist outside the genre of music for which you are known, who might that be and which song would you cover?
A: I’d love to do a duet with a female vocalist. Anyone with a great voice!
Q: What’s the one song lyric–of any song–that you can’t get out of your head?
A: Our song “FIRE.” The most intense song ever!
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