Nikita Punia, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Flow in Psychology is defined as a state of mind in which one becomes fully immersed in the enjoyment of their activity and forgets about their surroundings. Sea, by BTS, has that very feeling of taking you into a state of flow and, for just a little over five minutes, rendering you feeling lifted. As a hidden track of BTS’ discography, Sea remains something private and personal between BTS and their fans, ARMYs. This song is fondly referred by ARMYs as the “hidden track” due to its nature of being quietly included on the physical CD version of Love Yourself: Her; in 2017, as for those who need to hear these words will find this song eventually and enjoy this lyrical and metaphorical masterpiece curated by BTS.
The song starts with the sound of sea waves crashing against the shore and the slow guitar riff makes its way to our ears. To match the uniquely sympathetic guitar, BTS’ main vocalist Jungkook harmonises with the melody for the next few seconds. In line with the group’s several other songs, this too starts with the leader, RM’s rap which immediately lets you feel that it is going to be a comforting and strength-giving song; even if you aren’t well versed in Korean.
In his verse, the rapper can be heard expressing the thoughts of someone who has lost his way and doesn’t know whether the image in front of him is that of an ocean or a desert. By now ARMYs know the significance of using the metaphors of the sea and the desert in BTS discography as both these elements are intricately weaved up in their music and message throughout years. His words talk about a phase of life we all go through; where we feel uncertainty and feel the pangs of unexplained sadness. But at the same time, we also experience small rays of hope now and then.
This is most evident when J-hope, the other rapper of the group mentions the words ‘hope’ and ‘despair’ which are used to represent the sea and the desert respectively. They talk of enduring life’s seemingly endless hardships, believing deep down that they will make it.
The inspiration behind the lyrics is revealed in Suga’s verse. If you’re an ARMY you’d already be aware of the fact that BTS’s television debut in the music industry happened because of an idol group that didn’t show up that particular day for their TV broadcast show and BTS was asked to fill in their spot. While making their way to the well-deserved pedestal that they are on now, they had to face an immense amount of criticism and degrading comments from the public as well as the industry. The versatile rapper, Suga aptly fits his feelings in a line that goes, “They say these kids can’t make it (big) because their agency is too small.” He further raps about the time when they had minimum resources which caused all seven of them to share a single room.
During those tiring training days when they thought that they will forever remain insignificant, they still strived to achieve their dream. The feeling of not being able to grasp the mirage in the desert, they prayed for that to not be their ultimate reality; and due to their persistent efforts, they were able to reach the mirage which once felt too far for them.
Pros and cons exist simultaneously, and it was the same case for the group. Once they began making their place in the industry, the unforeseen reality of becoming celebrities and public figures dawned upon them. It isn’t a hidden fact that artists who get a lot of love and support from their fans during shows and on social media tend to not only feel intimidated but also empty at times. Once again Suga’s verse gives way to this very impression, “In the end, we reached the mirage, and it became our reality. The scary desert became the ocean with our blood, sweat and tears…but why is there this fear in between the happiness? Because we know too well that this place is a desert.” We get a glimpse of the downside and the sadness that fame brings along with it and, it is also reflected in the line, “For idols there is no scope for rest, ever,” and this again becomes a reason for their continued despair.
“Where there is hope, there is always hardship,” is a sentence that one would most likely hear in the reverse order from their peers as a motivational quote, but BTS purposefully made it the chorus because they wanted to talk about the amount of effort it takes to not only reach the top but also remain there. It is not just hard work and practice that is required; one must have a strong mind and the ability to maintain composure under all circumstances.
Sea is the perfect representation of a conflicted and realistic state of mind, allowing you to feel determined and embrace any challenge that comes your way, as you flow with its encapsulating aura. In RM’s words, “Sea is more special, more closer, to our true hearts.” As there are several fan-made available versions of the song since it is a CD only song; you can still listen to it here: https://on.soundcloud.com/RyiT1ANUMf2SkUtc9
For idols there is no scope for rest, ever…very true but they made it. the best group with songs for your every mood. they really do hard work all of the idols, and we can see this through their journey…very well girl..😘
“Where there is hope, there is always hardships” It is true 💯 Sea is a beautiful song indeed 💜
Beautifully explained ✨ 💜
“Where there is hope, there is always hardship” 🥺💜
Thz songs is little bit close to my heart as it talks lot about hardships…. Sea is silent but has great power just like Bts… They r 1st band that welcomed me with open arms in thz KWORLD… nd Im always great full to them for that…. They are very close 2 my heart as their music represents life…
Sea is such a beautiful song🥺♥️ Love how well it’s expressed in this article💜💜
“Sea” is a magical song ..it’s close to every ARMY’S heart. I think the article captures the emotions shared between BTS and ARMY beautifully.
Such an amazing song 🥺 love BTS 💜
This is one of my go to songs when I’m feeling low. Such beautiful lyrics and the soothing melody. Absolutely love this song 💜
Beautifully written …really captures the emotions between BTS and ARMY.
I love this song a lot I think few of army’s dk about this song yet but I really want them to listen this once.the way this article has written that’s so touching as an army I can hear the song while writing this article.🥺💜
Sorry that would be while reading that article.
Even tho it was a “Hidden Gem” in my pov but it still shined both with its tune and lyrics.
Wowww..borahae ….so welll written 😍😍💜💜
It’s a very beautiful song. Wow! And the article is too good.
#btsarmyforever💜💜✨
Beautifully written 👌👏👏👏👏👏 and thanks for letting us know this beautiful song. I listened many songs of BTS but this is new to me. Few weeks back I also discovered another beautiful song of BTS which is called “Zero” and I liked that too.
Beautiful song indeed and beautifully written~🥰
They this article is written is just beautiful.
Very well written,one can feel the hope ,love, hardship and beautiful connection of army’s and BTS through reading this.
Sea is surely a masterpiece !! thankyou for this amazing review!
The article is amazing and extremely soothing. Most of BTS songs have the ability to soothe our mind in a strange way. I get that feeling from Film Out. It is a song I have listened to repeat.
Don’t even need to hear the song . Already sense a flow.❤️
Sea is just a very aesthetic and very deep song. And I really love to listen to it.
This is one those songs whenever I hear them I get goosebumps…. At first for the rhythm and after knowing the lyrics the feeling just amplified. Honestly speaking these are the songs that keep the ARMY going… Proud to be a part of their journey with music.
Sea is such a comforting song🎵💜
Wowwwwiiii!!!!! So well written 💜🦋
As sea isn’t a very well known song, it comforts me somehow. Its soothing as well. The article is very well written.
Beautifully written 🙌 ‘Sea’ is such a song which is very near to my heart. A song which keeps me going🎐 A song which says all the hardships as well as creates a deep bond between BTS & ARMY💜
Cannot explain how much this song means to me. It was already so exciting when it was announced as a hidden track. This song calms me down and gives very positive vibes.
“Where there is hope, there is always hardship”. I love Sea with every inch of my being, it’s one of those songs that crushes me with its vulnerability and frankness. It’s been my comfort song for so long.
This song is one of my most favourite song from BTS. The lyrics of this song are so true and it touches the heart as soon as you listen as well as read the lyrics. This song gives me motivation and inspiration to do something whenever I am having a hard time. I feel sad whenever I think about their past, they were strong and now they give us hope so that we can overcome our hardships. I am always grateful to them for giving me a shoulder to cry through their songs whenever I am down and whenever I think that I can’t do anything.
I’m blown after reading this review. Specially how it is related to psychology. Well written! want more like thiss