As I have time to really absorb the core of @BTS_twt performance last night & juxtapose it against the rest of the BH label acts I realize several interesting points. BH’s BTS year end and award show performance follows a specific formula: theatrics, daunting stages & props, +

remixes that render itself to dance break whether unit or solo, massive flash mob type choreo, VCR inserts every performance. This was a formula that the other acts have finally experienced in full. They could normally not since they rarely have the length of stage they were+

given during the show. A gift I am happy they received, and a gift I am glad their fans have an opportunity to see.

True to form BTS deviated from this formula and focused on PEOPLE. A single VCR that focused on each of them looking out into the landscape outside +

the beautiful irony of a small stage for a massive song like Dynamite, collaboration stage w/ global acts they have worked with each performance showcasing the capability of @BTS_twt to take on any genre, intimate stage for LGO w/ backdrop of the year & that “message break” +

It was a performance that says “I have nothing to prove so let’s strip this down a bit and focus on us, on them and on you.”

Let’s flesh out a bit more.
1. VCR- the keyword here is LONGING. For RM to chase the moon, for Jimin to trek a forest, for Suga to touch the snow, +

for V to experience the nightlife and the cityscape, for JK to lie under the star, for Hobi to run through the desert, for Jin just a day under the sun. The focus was each of them & the longing they represent. No complex storyline but VCR that require you to sit & absorb +

what it is telling you.

2. Dynamite - key phrase here is “gigantic song.. small stage”. The irony and the pun which I think was intended was well played. The short shadow theatre intro was a highlight for me because it is the element that tied the Dynamite stage to the +

core theme of PEOPLE. If you rewatch that part it really draws you in. No faces, just silhouettes but strangely a very human experience, strip of color before it reveals the flashy outfits & performance flare of BTS. The contrast is a story in itself. The other thing I need to +

point out is the inflections & ad-libs introduced by BTS across all their performances make the texture of their performances very raw. Something I personally really appreciate. Keeps you hooked.+

3. Collaboration Stages - since the core theme of their stage is PEOPLE, they took this a notch & brought in reinforcements. Allowing the stage to focus on each of these individuals they have worked with but also displaying the diversity of the genre that BTS can take on+

4. LGO - this was my fave stage of all. It was very intimate. The backdrop was the year that was. You can even see Tae looking at some of the clips & at some part I felt he was close to tears. Clearly so was I. And that message break. Dance break normally breaks us [take the+

recent MMA Dynamite stage. If dance breaks could kill it would have taken so many of us already ], true to form the “message break” broke us too but in a different way.+

Over the course of the lock down we have seen all kinds of performance from BTS. I am still in awe with how they completely rose the bar for recorded performances with all the late night show, award and year end show & everything in between performances they have presented. +

I ended the year with @BTS_twt and started it with them as well.

My greatest fear is that 2021 will feel just like 2020. That we won’t wake up from this nightmare yet. But like RM in his letter I hold on to a glimmer of hope that spring, the real one will come.