Writer: Shweta (Delhi, India)

Editor: Arpita Jena (Baripada, Odisha, India)

Whenever I hear any BTS song from 2013-2016 or hear anyone talk about them, there’s always one thought that comes to my mind, “I hope this gets the same hype as the BTS songs that are released recently”.

^{Picture Credit: WALLPAPERS.COM}

I always think about how these songs should be re-released so that they get noticed by everyone and get the love and appreciation that they deserve.

When I tell you that BTS discography, from whichever year, is no joke, I mean it. From lyrics to music, to meaning, to beats, to MVs, to everything, songs by BTS are just chef’s kisses.

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Seeing a lot of people not being aware of the “not so worldwide famous BTS of 2013-2016” era’s songs make me feel that people don’t know the full potential of BTS and that they should know about it, not only to learn about BTS but also to hear and know about some amazing mind-blowing songs.

Introducing BTS involves saying a lot of “first group ever”, “greatest”, “amazing”, “talented”, “world record holder” and every other adjective that we use for the best of people. BTS is the world-famous septet from South Korea that debuted in 2013 under Big Hit Entertainment.

^{Picture Credit: TWITTER}

The group consists of the leader RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, Jungkook. BTS aka Bangtan Sonyeondan needs no introduction as they are not only popular among K-pop listeners but they have now made their names famous in the whole world.

Having received a Grammy Nomination, Order of Cultural Merit by the Korean Government, addressing the United Nations at their 73rd General Assembly, being regarded as the “biggest boy band of all time”.

^{Picture Credit: US BTS ARMY}

Being in the Time’s list of the 25 most influential people on the internet and the list going on and on. There’s no doubt that they’re immensely talented and popular, all while singing in Korean.

We are aware of how popular BTS are now but let’s go back to the year 2013 when they just debuted. A lot different from today’s BTS, the group debuted as a hip-hop group. They talked about issues of society in their music, which was not quite talked about in K-pop.

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One such song is ‘N.O.’ from the album ‘O, RUL8 2? (Oh? Are You Late Too?)’, which was released on 11 September 2013. The song is written by RM, Suga, Pdogg, “Hitman” Bang and, Supreme Boi and produced by Pdogg.

This song hits deep with its lyrics, music and, video, especially if a person is a student or someone who has always criticized how society and the educational system works. When I first heard the song and saw the Music Video, it felt so relatable, as if someone had put all of my issues in a song!

I’m not lying when I say that at some point in time I and most people around me felt like puppets in school when we were told to “suffer now, so that life will get better later” or being compared to a friend or classmate about our marks. ‘N.O.’ tackled exactly these and much more. The song starts with – 

A good house,

A good car,

Will these things bring happiness?

In Seoul

To the SKY,

Will parents really be happy?

^{Picture Credit: IMDb}

These lines focus on things we’re always told, the expectations put on the students by society. “SKY” here refers to the Seoul National University, Korea University, and Yonsei University, which are considered the top three universities in Korea.

A lot of parents want their children to get into SKY or any of the “in-Seoul” universities because these are not only the best universities but getting into these will also make the person be seen as “successful” in society. It’s a societal ideology that all these things will make a person happy.

^{Picture Credit: US BTS ARMY}

When it comes to the Music Video of ‘N.O.’, we see that it is based in a dystopia. The song opens in a classroom that has white walls which probably means that it doesn’t promote creativity in students.

We see all the BTS members in similar uniforms with almost similar hairstyles and sitting straight as if they are being controlled. The teacher is seen giving all of them a red pill, which symbolizes the oppressive ideology of the society. That is supposed to control their desires and also to make them learn whatever is taught to them in red ink and the teacher whose eyes are covered in red paint.

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The math formulas are also seen in the white desks, and they keep looking at both the things in a cycle which is similar to the school, cram school and, then homework cycle of the students.

Dreams disappeared,

There was no time to rest

It’s a cycle of school,

Home or an Internet cafe

Everyone lives the same life

Students who are pressured to be number

One live in between dreams and reality.

^{Video Credit: LEMORING}

The scene is changed and we see Bangtan in different casual clothes which symbolizes their true self. The video then comes back to the classroom, the teacher is teaching behind riot police which symbolizes society.

We see that Jungkook is distracted and his hand forming a fist which means that the pill didn’t give the desired results. Soon all of the members break free from the control and are seen clashing with the riot police.

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They say “NO” because standing up for themselves “can’t be any later” and “It has to be now or never” because they “still haven’t done anything”. When the oppressed start fighting the oppressor, the oppressor tends to get scared and that’s why we can see the scared look on the teacher’s face and drops his stick which symbolizes the power he had over them.

^{Picture Credit: SPOTIFY}

BTS gives a message “Don’t be trapped in someone else’s dream”. BTS breaks through the classroom and ascends down the white stairs to more of a common area symbolizing them leaving the idea of “prestigious”.

I want to play and eat,

I want to tear my uniform.

They say that they want to be free to be able to do anything, even if they earn money their bank account is filled with uncertainties and their unhappiness is increasing. BTS also tackles how the only thing most parents talk about is studies and keeps saying how the younger generation has it easy as compared to them.

BTS is not scared to talk about how the whole situation makes the students unhappy and feel like puppets, which leads them to take drastic actions. BTS questions, “Who is going to take responsibility for our lives?” 

‘N.O.’ by BTS questions stereotypes, expectations (which turns into pressure), rigidity, criticism of society towards young people especially students. The song has a lot of symbolism in the MV. They are not shy to talk about how society has made the world a jungle where only the fittest will survive, how it’s only being a number 1 or a failure, how the students have to go against even the closest of friends.

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The line “Adults tell me that hardships are only momentary, endure a little more” is very relatable and explains a lot about how only studying seems to be the focus of society. This song gives voice to students, people like me and, you who must have suffered in the hands of the education system and society.

BTS at the end of the MV is able to overcome these hardships and pursue their dreams and likes and so can you.

You can watch the video here on 

^{Video Credit: HYBE LABELS}

Which song of BTS is your favorite? Do let us know in comments.