7 Things You Need To Know About BTS' Dynamite 

Korean boy band BTS, released their first single ‘Dynamite’ completely sung in English on Friday, August 21st and in 24 hours it became the most viewed video in the history of YouTube. The video with pastel and candy coloured backdrops and some cool dance moves was watched 101.1 million times in 24 hours and has topped music charts across the globe. The unprecedented success of the video can be attributed to a number of factors. Here are 7 things that you need to know about Dynamite.

1. The song was a surprise release. The album is slated for a release later this year. Explaining the early release, the pop group’s leader RM told The Korea Herald: “While recording for our upcoming album, we thought this track’s energy was so fun and fitting, and considering the ongoing situation around the world, we wanted to enjoy it as quickly as possible with as many people as possible.” The group had released its fourth studio album, ‘Map of Soul: 7’ approximately six months ago in February. 

2. ‘Dynamite’ is the band’s first entirely English single. All their previous songs have been a mix of Korean and English. With this song they plan to connect in a big way with their international audience. The band will also showcase this new single at their upcoming performance at the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards on August 30.

 

3. The vibrant pop-disco track is written by David Stewart and Jessica Agombar, who also wrote the track for Jonas Brothers' hit, "What a Man Gotta Do".

4. "Dynamite" has interesting visuals. Plenty of pastels and candy colours have been used in the music video’s set design. There’s also a refreshing retro vibe to the fun video. The set design also serves as a collection of easter eggs that will intrigue fans to look for symbolic visual cues in each frame of the video. Also, the name of the song "Dynamite" is a recurring motif is a recurring visual motif throughout the song--it appears as a decorative sign and then reappears as a label for an ice-cream truck.

5. Through the song, BTS wanted to send out a positive message to people caught amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. In their interview to The Korea Herald, band member V said: “Everyone, not just us, is having a hard time. The reason we are releasing a song that wasn‘t a part of our plan was because of this crisis”. He added:  “Through this period, we again have reaffirmed our love for music. But most importantly, we realised the importance of people who listen to our music. We need them to do music. We sincerely hope “Dynamite” will deliver them the strength needed.” 

6. The song that is targeted at an international audience, deviated from the norms of the K-pop industry. Instead of being released at the usual 6pm Korean Standard Time slot, it was released at 1pm to ensure it did well on international music charts. And the song did live up to the group’s expectations by quickly soaring up music charts.

7. Dynamite shattered the record, set by fellow K-Pop band Blackpink, whose song "How You Like That" racked up 86.3 million views in 24 hours in June. Now Blackpink is all set to challenge the group's YouTube record this Friday, as they plan to release a new single, "Ice Cream" in collaboration with pop icon Selena Gomez.