With K-pop sensations BTS recently announcing that the members would be taking a break to pursue solo projects, fans have been diving further into their catalog for some hidden gems.
LISTEN NOW: Pop Culture Happy Hour: BTS
Although the group has had massive success in the U.S. with hit songs like "Dynamite," "Butter," and "Spring Day" -- to name just a few -- their discography is further-reaching than casual fans might think. This week, NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour showcases some of the best deep cuts in the BTS catalog.
Podcast host Stephen Thompson is joined by Lenika Cruz, author of the forthcoming book On BTS: Pop Music, Fandom, Sincerity, as well as entertainment writer Regina Kim this week to discuss not only the group's well-earned break, but also the members' upcoming side projects, their official Disney collab, and much more.
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Diving deeper into the crevasses of BTS' discog, Kim first suggests "ANPANMAN" from their third compilation album, 2018's Love Yourself: Answer. The track is based on an unconventional '90s Japanese superhero made of pastry.
"What 'ANPANMAN' basically does is," Kim explains, "he helps people in need by breaking off pieces of his face off for them to eat and he's highly vulnerable... He's called the 'world's weakest superhero.' But he has a very big heart and he's also very kind, and brave, and forgiving. This whole 'ANPANMAN' series is about teaching kids to help others. So, I think it's very telling that in this song BTS chose to compare themselves not to Superman or to Spider-Man, but to 'ANPANMAN,' the 'world's weakest superhero.'"
Cruz followed up with her choice, 2015's The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Part 2 track "RUN," because of how she sees the word and motif of running "recur throughout their music and outside of it." Cruz adds, "lyrically, many of their songs mention this impulse to run ahead; this almost mindless drive to strive and achieve, and succeed at all costs. Most of the group's members are credited as producers on this track... 'Run' is a mix of Alternative and Hip Hop; it swerves from intense rapping to sentimental vocals; from shouting to singing that sounds almost like a whisper or a plea. And the song itself is just incredibly catchy, and you might be surprised to learn it's extremely good for running to!"
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Listen for more BTS deep-cut choices on the latest episode of NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour -- now streaming on Audacy -- serving you recommendations and commentary on the buzziest movies, TV, music, books, video games, and more. Join arts journalists Linda Holmes, Glen Weldon, Stephen Thompson, and Aisha Harris, plus a rotating cast of guest pop culture aficionados, as the Happy Hour team leaves room at the table for exploring a range of reactions and opinions on every bit of the pop universe. From lowbrow to highbrow to the stuff in between, they take it all with a shot of cheer.
Listen to your favorite music on our all-new stations curated for fans, by fans like Audacy's BTS Radio, Let's Get Social, K-Bops, Boy Band Nation, Beach Beats, Collabornation, and so much more!
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