K-Movie Review: BTS’ Break the Silence

Madhavi Sutar, Kolhapur, Maharashtra

BTS, a well-known boy-band from South Korea, internationally recognized around the globe for their remarkable performances; whose music echoes throughout the world always replenishing audiences with a sense of optimism, courage and enthusiasm that accentuates the significance of self-love within lives through the medium of their captivating music. The seven-membered much-loved boy-band perpetuates liveliness through their music. The meaning & lyrics of their songs are always energetic and encouraging to listen to. BTS, enthralled the fans globally when they announced the release of their docu-series based movie, Break the Silence, last year in September, 2020. During these reeling times of pandemic and lockdown being imposed in several countries, fans finally got a chance to get a glimpse of BTS and to know more about every member. This movie brings their raw and vulnerable self more closer for fans to connect to.

So far, there are a total of 3 series of the documentary, Burn the Stage, Bring the Soul & the most recent Break the Silence. Break the Silence is a movie that captures behind the stage moments and performance footage of the members during the Love Yourself: Speak Yourself tour as a part of Love Yourself World Tour embarked in 2018-2019. The film not only focuses on the aspects of life on stage, rather it dwells on the ideas of loneliness, hardships, freedom, and satisfaction that came along the way of each member and how they dealt with the same in their own way. The interview footage features each member of the band discussing their lives on and off stage.

The movie takes the viewers on a virtual world tour with the much-adored members to New York, Chicago, Brazil, London, France, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Japan. The movie shows several moments of reflection and thoughts of each member when they were performing on stage and when they were not. The movie also shows the chairman of Big Hit Entertainment, now HYBE; Bang PD attending the concert & watching their performances live from backstage at celebrated Wembley stadium, and the members watching ARMYs and fireworks after every concert that leaves them overwhelmed with emotions; as it reminds them of a time when they used to watch the fireworks standing outside the stadium several years back and wishing for getting a chance to be able to perform at such a place once in their lifetime. Many more of such endearing and emotional moments have been presented in the movie along with some never discussed before topics and fears.

Experience

This wholesome experience for me was much delightful, I booked a morning show to watch the film to avoid any disruption or rush. After months of lockdown and cinemas being shut for nearly four months, I was more than joyous to be a part of the first day, first show after the reopening of the theatres in my city. We were welcomed with red roses and a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the entry gate to celebrate the occasion of the reopening of theatres. The movie started with the course of the National Anthem at the beginning followed by the band’s English single ‘Dynamite‘.

Finally, the much-awaited moment arrived and the movie began. Its opening scene is shot at a dining table, where all members were having a meal with a sense of contentment on their faces. Their expression at that very moment breaks the barrier of language. Expressions were enough to feel that moment for their ARMY, right? This movie reflects the hard work and the amount of determination put in by the idols and it is not at all easy as it seems to be. As the leader of the group, RM said that they have a bond of brotherhood among all the members, as they share similar will and are connected to each other by destiny. According to Jin if you don’t love yourself, you can’t devote yourself to anything else. J-Hope described himself as a free bird on the stage and that the real-life of Jung Hoseok is far different from the persona of J-Hope.

Jimin said that they are full of ambitions and it would be early to conclude that their journey is anywhere close to be complete. Kim Taehyung, also known by his stage name V told about how he wrote Winter bear for the worldwide ARMYs, despite not being well-versed in English. Suga said making music is a part of our life & when fans feel happy to listen to our music, that moment imparts us with satisfaction. Jungkook expressed that it feels tremendous when fans get positive vibes by looking at them.

After watching the movie, I realised the reason behind its title the Untold Stories of BTS. I feel fortunate to get a chance to watch this movie in my country. I’ll never forget this precious moment of my life. I also hope to get a chance to attend a BTS concert here in India soon.

What do you think of this movie? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.