BTS I Need U Analysis
Note: Trigger Warnings (TW) Mental Health and Self-Harm discussed. Please read at your own risk.
I NEED U is a BTS Universe Story-based, Fictional music and music video created by BTS that was created for Most Beautiful Moment in Life Part 1 Album by BTS in 2015.
(BTS I need You MV Gif)
BTS is a 7 member K-pop group that has been one of the trendiest and one of the most famous artist groups. Their music continues to be popularly heard by BTS ARMY (BTS Fans) old and young, and talked about. In this post, I will briefly analyze and discuss the themes that were shown in BTS I Need You music video that came out 8 years ago during the Most Beautiful Moment in Life Part 1 Album release. BTS I Need You and Save Me (BTS, 2015) both have overlapping themes, holding the idea of saving oneself from problems or obstacles people, specifically youth encounter in life. I recommend those who are learning about mental health and are comfortable with the topics and content regarding mental health can watch this music video to understand.
The mental health-related and mature themes found throughout the music video are: anxiety, depression, abuse, self-harm, and suicide. These are the darker things some people can face or experience at some point in their lives.
Summary of MV
The opening begins with Suga sitting in a motel bed, with the BTS members singing "Fall, Every Fall..." (BTS, 2015). V is also sitting somewhere, contemplating life, Rm is seen with a lollipop at a convenience store by a gas station, Jimin is lighting something in the bathroom, while J Hope is also in a bathroom, looking at the medicine cabinet (1:14). Suga then lights a lighter, as if he is about to burn something. Meanwhile, BTS's oldest member Jin is seen placing BTS flowers (Smereldo flowers) on the floor.
V is then seen leaving his apartment.
The scene then switches to BTS gathered and running across a train.
The scene then switches again to Jungkook, who is being bullied and beaten on the street by some hooded men.
Suga, RM, and Jin are seen reminiscing about the good old days with their friends (BTS).
Analysis
Both anxiety and depression continue to be ongoing mental health subjects that are heavily researched and discussed, and people around the world are implementing strategies and ideas to overcome or help those who are struggling with this to reach out and learn more about this issue.
Suga (Min Yoongi) is seen struggling with anxiety and depression in the music video, which is based on his real-life experience (BTS, 2015, 1:00). Yoongi has shared with the fans in his music and during interviews that he has battled with depression in the past and how BTS (his members/hyungs), music, and hip-hop allowed him to overcome his struggles and hardships.
Rm and Jungkook's part seems to be the portrayal of anxiety and touches up on the issue of how youth struggle to find work in life. The gas station is RM's workplace while Jungkook is seen job searching and walking along a rather sketchy street (2015).
Both Jimin and J Hope portrayed themes of self-harm and suicide in their appearances in the music video. Jimin was shown crying, turning on the faucet of the tub, suggesting that he wants to drown himself from all the pain and problems (BTS, 2015, 1:14).
J Hope's acting is following the theme of mental health and drugs, the issue of overdose in the "I Need U" music video (BTS, 2015). Overdose has been one of the leading causes of death in youth and young adults, and J Hope in the mv has correctly shown (Acted out/depicted) the consequences of drug usage, where he is shown passing out and lying on a busy sidewalk of a bridge over Han river.
Meanwhile, V (Kim Taehyung) has a different theme, he is portrayed as someone who is dealing with an entirely different problem, which is abuse and alcoholism, he is seen trying to rescue his sister from his alcoholic father in the music video (BTS, 2015, 4:04).
Each of the members reaches their ultimate low point in the music video, ending with Jimin sinking in the tub, Jungkook being hit by a car from jaywalking because he stopped caring that he was being abused and bullied, Suga lighting his room on fire, Rm dropping his candy after an argument with a driver at the gas station and V ultimately jumping into the sea after he realized what he had done right in front of the BTS members.
As tragedy befalls the six BTS members, Jin places Smereldo flowers on the floor signifying that he wants to help his hyungs (brothers). This is where Save Me music and lyrics are understood, where Jin answers the members' call for help and travels back in an attempt to save each of them from their tragic endings.
The smeraldo flowers are blue-dyed white flowers based on a flower legend and the book City of Smeraldo by an Anonymous Italien writer from the 15th-16th century. Smeraldo flowers were created to represent love and truth in the Bts Universe (2015).
Reference: BTS. (2015) BTS (방탄소년단) 'I NEED U' Official MV (Original ver.) [Youtube]. Retrieved from: https://youtu.be/jjskoRh8GTE (Themes of Youth and Mental Health depicted please note entire video is fictional)
