[♪ upbeat music playing, BTS "FAKE LOVE"]
[SUGA] We originally weren't supposed to be an idol group.
[Jin] They said it was supposed to be a group that only rapped.
[Jung Kook] Hardship was an expectation at that time.
- Bangtan, Bangtan. Bang Bangtan! - Bang Bangtan!
[Jin] We thought our lives were going to change somehow.
[RM] We'd finish at 10 or 11 p.m., and go to the practice room
to practice "Danger" until 3 or 4 a.m.
[groaning]
When I first heard the song, I thought,
"This is it."
[RM] But being able to perform in the Olympic Gymnastics Arena…
[Jin] …a dream for idols, the peak.
[Jimin] The sound was piercing through my earbuds.
[Jin] But we had a glimmer of hope.
The Artist of the Year was our last chance.
- [presenter 1] BTS. - [fans cheering]
[SUGA] If this were a movie, this would be its ending scene.
But then, they wanted us to go to the US.
[RM] It was the start of raising people's awareness of us as the group BTS.
You should find ways to be happy.
[SUGA] It feels like we've compacted 20 years' worth of experiences
into our seven years of experience.
[Jin] It's hard psychologically.
I don't have the confidence to endure this pressure.
[V] So I think I wanted to stop for a moment.
[SUGA] We should destroy it ourselves since we built it.
[♪ upbeat music playing, BTS "FAKE LOVE"]
I've changed a lot.
I've heard a lot of people say that I've changed as a person since then.
From 2018 and going into 2019,
that's when I finally started to understand
what position we were in.
I had an opportunity to look back on
how much more I could enjoy the process.
We were on a break at the time.
And I started making music again.
[♪ upbeat music playing, BTS "Magic Shop"]
As we're moving into the year 2018,
I think I had…
a lot of worries.
Because the only people
whom I believed I could rely on and did rely on
were having a really tough time.
I don't know what to do these days.
[Jimin] We had an opportunity to feel a little better.
We were able to go on a trip together
and had such a fun time then.
It made me feel better
watching the people who are always by my side
enjoy themselves.
If we feel like we're too on edge from work,
we start planning a trip ahead of time.
"You need a break, right?"
"All right, no problem. Just wait. I'll make you happy."
We laugh, laugh, laugh, and laugh again until the end of the trip.
Every trip ended as a happy one.
And when we come back, we're happy and feel closer to one another.
[♪ upbeat music playing, BTS "Magic Shop"]
[V] I really want our members to smile
and be happy.
Regardless of the relationship with the agency,
I signed my contract to see them smile.
I wanted to see them smile even a little bit
since they're all so sad right now.
I think our bond has grown stronger.
I think our mental capacities have increased as well.
It was one of the most important processes,
one of the moments that allowed this team to grow.
The thought that comes to mind the most this year
is that our fans
have really become our reason
to get through these hard times.
[Jimin] We'll continue to be together
as we sing and perform
because they've become
our reason to do so.
[host 1] BTS!
- [crowd cheering] - [host 2] Congratulations, BTS.
Recently, all of us took the time
to discuss the reasons why
we perform and make music.
[RM] And we always came back to you guys as our reason.
Yes.
[fans cheering]
I just want to
thank all of you for being our reason to continue this work.
We hope to become a reason
that helps you through your own life, even just a little bit.
Thank you.
[♪ upbeat music playing, BTS "Magic Shop"]
Every moment together is a "Spring Day"
[plane engine whirring]
[V] Is this it?
[gear rattles]
A private jet!
We're finally going to Oakland. Let's go!
[Jung Kook] I feel like I've become a world-class star.
I actually feel like an artist
who topped the Billboard Hot 200 chart twice in four months.
[♪ upbeat music playing, BTS "Pied Piper"]
[Jimin] It felt like everything kept changing constantly.
We no longer flew commercial.
Each of us had a couple more security guards too.
[laughs]
[Jimin] The size of the stadiums changed.
People treated us differently.
The things around us were changing so quickly,
and it was so noticeable.
[Jung Kook] The scale of everything was getting bigger.
It was more exciting. [Jung Kook chuckles]
You can't help but get excited.
[crowd cheering]
[V] I close my eyes right before the lift ascends,
and then I open them after it's raised up.
That's when I get goosebumps.
It's unbelievable. It sends a shiver down my spine.
[Jung Kook] When we ascend and open our eyes,
the lights, ARMY, and the cheers all become one.
It's such a great synergy.
It's a sight that just gives us strength.
[♪ upbeat music playing, BTS "Pied Piper"]
I'm on a plane.
When I first heard
that we were giving a performance at the Billboard Music Awards,
I wasn't sure if it was really possible.
[Jimin] I'm very nervous
and in disbelief.
Are we really…
doing this?
[fans cheering]
[fans chanting] BTS!
[interviewer in English] So, obviously, you guys have fans
from all around the world.
You have a lot of famous fans too.
John Cena is a member of ARMY.
- John Cena. - Wow, John Cena.
[RM in English] He's the best, for sure.
[Jimin in English] John Cena, are you ARMY?
- [interviewer] He is ARMY. - [laughter]
I think everybody's ARMY.
Everyone loves you guys.
[fans chanting] BTS!
[Jimin in Korean] I think the response we get overseas is fascinating.
We speak different languages and look different.
Even our skin color is different.
They must know that we're different in many ways.
Oftentimes, I'm confused about why they like us so much.
The gratitude from it is very different.
There are many other artists at the Billboard Music Awards.
There are so many famous artists that we know.
I think I really wanted the fans
to see us stand, dance, and sing in front of those big artists.
Regardless of how good or bad our performance is,
I think our fans would consider it
a great pride for us to perform there.
I wanted to show them that their artists performed at the Billboard Music Awards
in front of these famous people.
[♪ upbeat music playing, BTS "FAKE LOVE"]
[Jin exclaims]
Why is our first performance at the Billboard Music Awards?
- Why? I'm so nervous. - [RM] We can wait a bit.
Let's show them what we've got.
- Bang Bangtan, Bangtan. - Bangtan!
[host in English] Let's welcome the biggest boy band in the world!
Here, with the world premiere of "FAKE LOVE"
is BTS!
[crowd cheering]
[♪ upbeat music playing, BTS "FAKE LOVE"]
[RM] It's not because we sing better,
are more handsome, or dance better than anyone else.
To be honest, there are a lot of things we lack
when it comes to physicality.
I believe there isn't really a reason that we're at the top.
Any special sincerity or situations that we have
are hard to express in words.
Even the people here don't know what they are,
but there's a special sentiment
that only we possess and share.
[presenter 1 in English] So the Billboard Music Award goes to…
[presenter 2] What have we got?
- [presenter 1] BTS! - [fans cheering]
[RM] I tried many times to describe this in a word.
But in the end, I couldn't describe it.
I think the closest word is "sincerity."
How do we get people to understand our sincerity?
[in English] Some of our fans told us that our music really changed their lives.
[crowd cheering]
And now, we realize
that our words truly carry weight, thanks to you guys.
ARMYs out there!
[crowd cheering]
[RM in Korean] We found the best answer to this problem.
If people understand our sincerity,
then we've sincerely shown them that nationality, race, age,
and gender do not hinder anything.
In the end, ARMY is deeply immersed in BTS.
It's beyond just liking them as artists.
"BTS's work is my work,
and I want to do something as I watch BTS grow."
And this good energy sends a message, an even better message.
I think it definitely influenced many people's direction in life.
[RM in English] Tell me your story.
I want to hear your voice, and I want to hear your conviction.
No matter who you are, where you're from,
your skin color, your gender identity.
Just speak yourself.
- [camera shutter clicking] - Thank you very much.
[applause]
[RM in Korean] What made us special wasn't necessarily ourselves.
It was that we really drew
a lot of sincerity from all over the world
in a situation and in a time when unity was important.
That's the only reason why we should go down in history.
[♪ upbeat music playing, BTS "IDOL"]
We're ready for the interview.
- Are we ready? - We'll move to the other room then.
[indistinct chatter]
[♪ upbeat music playing, BTS "IDOL"]
[reporter in English] Scenes like this aren't totally unique.
But BTS are different from other manufactured,
highly-controlled K-pop bands.
They write a lot of their own music,
and they talk openly about pressures facing teenagers
as well as their own struggles with fame.
[♪ upbeat music playing, BTS "IDOL"]
[fans screaming]
So show me!
[all] I'll show you!
-So show me! - [all] I'll show you!
[in English] "Just loving yourself" is not rare these days now.
But I think just reminding these words…
So we thought that true love first begins with loving ourselves,
and we're trying to love ourselves too.
And I hope that ARMYs could do the same too.
I tell you what. We love that method.
[audience cheering]
[♪ upbeat music playing, BTS "IDOL"]
[photographer] One, two, three.
[host 1] This is an award given
to those who have contributed to national development.
[host 2] Yes, that's right.
Which individuals will be awarded the Order of Cultural Merit?
We'll start with awarding the Fifth Order of Cultural Merit first.
[host 1] Yes.
[♪ epic music playing]
2018 Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards
[fans cheering]
[host 2] The Fifth Order of Cultural Merit goes to BTS.
We sincerely congratulate you.
Wherever they go,
they record many firsts for the Republic of Korea.
"You have contributed greatly
to the improvement of national culture through cultural activities."
"I award you the following medal
in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Korea."
"The Fifth Order of Cultural Merit. October 24, 2018."
"President Moon Jaein."
[fans cheering]
[host 1] Mr. Kim Namjoon, the main rapper of BTS and…
[j-hope] To be transparent, we grew up watching
a lot of K-pop artists who came before us.
And it was fascinating to go overseas
to the famous Billboard Music Awards and AMAs
when considering that fact.
We were the first ones to accomplish this too.
There was no precedent.
Let me join in.
[laughter]
- All of a sudden? - Are you going crazy?
- Raise your glasses, everyone. - Here.
[SUGA] But it's not like we got an award.
We didn't get any award.
- But… - We didn't even perform or anything.
Isn't it an honor just to be here, SUGA?
Who opens a bottle of champagne
- for presenting a Grammy? - It's fine. Let's drink.
It's only us here.
- It's worth it. - We're just celebrating.
- Let's do it together. - Are you guys watching?
- We should do it together. - A party for us and ARMY.
- Then… - You should say a line.
- Okay. - Let me
- make a toast. - A line? The 95 liners?
- And… - [all in English] The Grammy goes to
BTS!
- [in Korean] Thank you, everyone! - [whooping]
[j-hope] In that situation,
it was so fun being at the start of something new.
I enjoyed every moment of it.
[groans]
I stayed up all night to sleep on the plane.
[Jin] I'll sleep well on the plane since I stayed up, right?
I believe I'll sleep well.
[V] We experienced puberty on how to face difficult situations,
not the work itself.
The same tour, the same performance.
And the hotels… We never went out.
From the plane to the hotel,
to the concert hall, the hotel, the hall, the hotel, the hall,
then back to the plane.
And it's the same process in the next country.
It became so repetitive.
Of course, you can consider it,
um, an organized lifestyle.
It is organized,
but our personal lives were so boring.
[Jimin] We're so high up.
There's nothing to do all day when we get to the hotel,
especially on free days.
There's nothing to do.
So I used to sit around listlessly
and have strange thoughts.
I think that was one of the biggest factors
that made me feel down during the tour.
[♪ calm music playing]
[forced laugh]
[rustling]
It looks good.
Yukgaejang.
Kimchi jeon.
[Jin] The word "idol" means an object of admiration.
There are a lot of people who see these idols
and are inspired to do what they do.
But most of the people I've seen
forget about all of the many good comments
and compliments they get
because of a couple of bad comments.
They become solely focused on those bad, criticizing comments.
A lot of people aren't able to endure it.
They struggle and get their feelings hurt.
I've seen a lot of people who become mentally unstable because of these things.
The duration of time an achievement can make a person happy
is shorter than you think.
Then after a certain point, you experience diminishing returns
on the sense of accomplishment that you feel.
You may think you're very happy now and that you'll continue to be happier,
but it's not true.
From now on, the pain will get bigger.
Because there are more risks as you grow,
and you have more to lose.
[electronic keyboard playing]
[SUGA] If you compare it to office work, it's like working on the weekends,
overtime, or working from home.
There's practically nothing to do.
I went outside for a bit,
but all I did was eat. There was nothing to do.
I don't really enjoy shopping, so…
[inhales deeply]
Well, there isn't much to do.
We don't go anywhere either.
I don't play games. The others do, but I don't.
[scoffs]
I don't play games. I have some, but I don't play them.
They're not really fun for me.
[electronic keyboard playing]
Hello.
[RM] I'm experiencing this feeling again.
My work is the only thing that's satisfying.
[clears throat] So I can live.
But it's definitely… I'd play a game every now and then.
I'd go shopping and do other activities,
but it wasn't satisfying, mentally or emotionally.
I know we can't do anything about the situation we're in…
[sighs]
…but it isn't easy.
[crowd cheering]
♪ We goin' from Mexico City ♪
♪ London to Paris ♪
♪ Party wherever we go ♪
[SUGA] We want to at least do this for the many people
who are by our side right now.
Unexpectedly, there are a lot more people
who have become invigorated
and found a reason to live through us.
I believe we have to
keep moving forward for those people.
The more success you have, the more worries accumulate.
I think people who are watching from the outside
believe they are as happy as they are successful.
But it's not possible.
You face many more problems and limitations the more you succeed.
You have personal conflicts, worries, and anguish.
I think they're changing as growing adults
in accordance with the conditions and circumstances.
[crowd cheering]
[V in English] Thank you, Texas!
- [in English] See you next time! - [Jimin] It's true that
we've endured a lot,
but I think we've found a new path.
We found another new path while doing the things
- that we're capable of. - [V in English] Have a good night!
[crowd cheering]
[♪ upbeat music playing, BTS "Boy With Luv"]
[j-hope] We're leaving again.
We're going on tour.
Are we really going now?
[RM] We spent the past two and a half years
on the "LOVE YOURSELF" series and spreading the message
that loving yourself is the beginning of true love.
This time, we wanted to talk about
the power of love that brought us up to this point
and allowed us to have these experiences.
I think that the process of talking about these things
is a process of getting to know our inner selves as well.
We adopted the keyword, "map of the soul."
And that's how this album series began.
[♪ upbeat music playing, BTS "Boy With Luv"]
[audience cheering]
[Jin] I couldn't tell when it was empty, but it's no joke when fully occupied.
It's like a festival.
It's like a soccer game.
I'm shocked.
[exclaims]
It's no joke.
I was shocked just now.
[♪ upbeat music playing, BTS "Boy With Luv"]
[j-hope] It was electrifying to receive cheers and support
this loud and grand in another country.
I was completely shocked during the Rose Bowl concert.
It was our tour's opening concert.
We traveled to different US cities after that.
We traveled to places like Chicago and New York.
[RM] We sold out a lot of stadiums in the US and Europe.
It won't be easy for a Korean artist to fill stadiums of those sizes again.
People will realize that later.
It feels like we might end up going to Mars.
[laughing]
[♪ upbeat music playing, BTS "Boy With Luv"]
[Jung Kook] It's such an honor to hold a concert
in a foreign country.
[SUGA] It's going to be broadcast live all over the world, so I'm very nervous.
But the thought of us leaving our mark again…
A lot of famous musicians
were from the United Kingdom.
[RM] It's an honor to be able to do something
in such a historic and symbolic place.
[V] We'll do our best to perform
without being nervous.
Thank you.
I think the red seats are cool.
Is there a specific reason?
Aren't we the first Korean artists to perform at Wembley Stadium?
Wow. Wow.
I don't know how many times I've said, "Wow."
♪ Let me fly ♪
♪ Oh my my my oh my my my ♪
♪ You got me high so fast ♪
♪ I want to be with you for everything ♪
♪ Oh my my my ♪
[Myung Seok] Performing at Wembley Stadium in the UK,
to put it simply, was like sharing the same stage as Queen.
It's something you can only accomplish
with the most powerful fandom of the times,
raging popularity,
and adequate performance skills.
It requires a lot of skills and effort.
It's a historic moment that proves their ability
to accomplish these things.
[♪ music stops]
[crowd cheering]
[Jin] Earlier, when I was singing Epiphany
and thinking that it was the last song…
[fans] Aw!
[Jung Kook] Jin…
Oh, gosh. Jin, you okay?
Jin!
I was so upset.
So I felt those emotions
as I was singing it,
but I smiled a bit near the end
when I looked at you all.
Because of you all,
I was able to live to this moment.
Please believe me.
I really hope
that any one of our words or a single line of lyrics
helped you to love yourself.
[fans whining]
No matter what form we take on our return,
let's stay strong together. [sobbing]
[fans exclaiming]
[Jung Kook] Do you know how it feels to have inexplicably tangled emotions?
That's what I experienced during our last concert.
I'm sad to let everything and everyone go.
We can't see them again.
We'll meet new friends and have new concerts.
It felt like letting go of a first love.
I'm going to be so sad
because we won't be doing any more concerts for our 2018
"LOVE YOURSELF: SPEAK YOURSELF TOUR."
[fans exclaiming]
I wish there were better words than "I love you,"
but I really love you all.
Please know that.
[fans cheering]
Will you please turn on your phones' flashlights and shine them on us?
[RM in English] Put your flashes up to the sky, please.
[fans] We love you!
- [RM in Korean] I love you too. - [fans] We love you!
[RM] We dedicate this last song to all of you
who gave us a lot of love, our small universe.
[crowd cheering]
[j-hope] Let's enjoy our last moments!
[♪ lively music playing, BTS "Mikrokosmos"]
♪ Twinkling stars ♪
♪ Flickering lights of buildings ♪
♪ We're shining ♪
♪ In each of our rooms, on each of our stars ♪
[RM] It was like a frame in time that would be on repeat
for the rest of my life.
It'll remain one of those moments.
I'm not sure how long I'll live,
but in life, I gained
a wonderful view.
[Jin] I've accomplished almost everything I've ever wanted.
I've felt a lot of happiness
that is hard to experience in life.
But I believe I couldn't have done
any of these things alone.
[Jimin] There's so much I've received
from people.
I wanted to be happy
because of the many people who were rooting for me,
but I wanted to share it too.
[♪ lively music playing, BTS "Mikrokosmos"]
♪ Stars shine brighter in the darkest night ♪
♪ Stars shine brighter as the night deepens ♪
♪ City lights, stars of this city ♪
[Jung Kook] We can sincerely approach people with music.
We can give people strength through concerts.
That's what makes us happy.
[SUGA] We make music and put on performances.
We believe that we've done our part
if you're happy listening to and watching us.
♪ Shine, dream, smile ♪
♪ Oh let us light up the night ♪
♪ We shine in our own ways ♪
♪ Shine, dream, smile ♪
[V] I may not have been able to see my own face,
but I believe I would have had
a really happy expression on it
while looking at ARMY's happy faces.
[j-hope] That's when I came to the conclusion that this is who I am.
I'm an artist who puts on concerts
to share my music and warm the hearts of the audience.
I receive love from a lot of people.
I felt that a lot
and gained that insight through our performances.
It was all coming together.
♪ Na na na na na na ♪
♪ Na na na na na na na ♪
♪ Na na na na na na ♪
♪ Na na na na na na na na ♪
[members in English] Thank you!
[j-hope in Portuguese] Thank you!
[♪ upbeat music playing, BTS "Magic Shop"]
Translated by Rebekah Kim