Sophia Michaels
On March 4, Big Hit Entertainment shocked the world by releasing a surprise music video for BTS’s song “Black Swan.” The song was the first single released from their new album Map of the Soul: 7, and its release was accompanied with an art film performed by MN Dance Company. In a Bangtan Bomb released on March 17, the BTS members reacted to the official “Black Swan” music video.
The members of BTS are huge fans of Jimin
Back in January 2020, the BTS members watched the art film for “Black Swan” for another Bangtan Bomb. During the Bangtan Bomb, the members of BTS acknowledged that they could picture Jimin performing MN Dance Company’s choreography because of his contemporary dance background.
“I just pictured this as Jimin and the six black swans in my head,” RM said.
“Jimin, let’s get you shirtless and do a dance just like that,” Suga said.
Jimin replied, “I’m on it.”
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zR9q5iU-gJU?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281]
For the official music video, Jimin was able to showcase his contemporary dance skills. Shots with the members of BTS were interspersed with scenes of Jimin dancing, and his scenes showed him taking on the “black swan” persona. It’s clear from the new Bangtan Bomb that the BTS members were impressed with Jimin.
“Jimin’s just amazing,” J-Hope said at the start of the video.
Anytime Jimin showed up in the music video, the members of BTS would say “Whoa, Jimin” in unison.
J-Hope and Jimin were the dancing shadows
The music video opens with the BTS members wearing white suits similar to their outfits from the first set of concept photos from Map of the Soul: 7. This look represents “white swans” before their descent into the darkness. As the music video continues, BTS wear black outfits, signaling their transformation into “black swans.”
At multiple points in the video, large shadows danced behind the BTS members, referencing Carl Jung’s psychological theories about personality archetypes. In the Bangtan Bomb, J-Hope and Jimin revealed they were the dancing shadows.
“That’s me in the back,” Jimin said during Suga’s first verse.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQK7tF1vH2w?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281]
“I did Namjoon’s shadow,” J-Hope said.
He then pointed and said, “That’s me,” during RM’s verse.
At the end, Jungkook looked back out across the stage and a shadow fell away.
“That’s me too,” Jimin said excitedly.
What filming the ‘Black Swan’ music video was like
BTS’s “Black Swan” music video was filmed at the Los Angeles Theatre. In the Bangtan Bomb, the members of BTS discussed what it was like filming there.
“Wow the place looks huge,” Jin said at the beginning of the video.
“Right? And it was pretty small too,” RM said.
“That’s not a set, it’s a real building,” Jin said about the impressive backdrop during V’s verse.
“The location is important,” said RM.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lapF4DQPKQ?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281]
BTS then admitted that filming the music video was tiring.
“I was so sleepy then,” Jungkook said.
“Yeah this was tough,” Jin agreed.
Suga replied, “After this I went to watch a basketball game. I was nodding off.”
“Filming was really tough,” RM said.
Written by: CheatSheet
