By Elizabeth Groening
Bangtan bops that’ll get you to close that computer and throw yourself a dance party! #1 Burning Up (Fire)
This moment from the “Burning Up (Fire)” music video encapsulates how I feel whenever I listen to this song. Even though the lyrics are mostly in Korean and all I can understand is, “Errbody say la, la, la, la, la” and “Bow wow wow,” it still gets me so hyped up. I throw on this BANGER whenever I’m feeling angsty and want to just...light a candle really aggressively.
I have to say that Jin (a.k.a. Mr. Worldwide Handsome) has never looked better than he does in the “Fire” M/V. His incessant lip-touching. His bleached blonde hair. His obliviousness to the car that’s burning up behind him. He has this bad boy energy that I can’t get enough of.
#2 Idol I knew I was in love with BTS when I listened to “Idol” for the first time because I’d never heard a song about self-love that wasn’t cheesy. What’s unique about it is how it manages to make loving yourself seem cool. Every time I listen to this song, I feel empowered and my crush on Jimin grows a teensy bit bigger. I STAN a king who knows his self-worth and who also happens to have the lips of an angel. This EDM bop will have you throwing some wild shapes around your room, while belting, “You can’t stop me loving myself!”
#3 Mic Drop
All versions of “Mic Drop” slap, but the Steve Aoki Remix hits different. From V’s headband to SUGA’s icy blue hair, the music video has become the most important part of my morning routine. The confidence that radiates out of them stays with me for the rest of the day. I’ll be walking to the library like, “DID YOU SEE MY BAG? IT’S HELLA TROPHIES AND IT’S HELLA THICK!” and I’m living for that vibe. My favorite part of “Mic Drop” has to be my boy, RM. His crimped hair and his autotuned “OooOOooOh!” o verwhelms me in the best way possible. Check out this behind the scenes footage for a good laugh. RM struggling to burst out of the ambulance really tickles me.
#4 Anpanman
My life hasn’t been the same since I happened upon BTS’ 2018 comeback performance of “Anpanman.” I dig the whole orange-superhero aesthetic that they’ve got going on and the comic book theme reminds me of good ol’ One Direction’s “Teenage Dirtbag” performance. In “Anpanman,” we get dope choreography and a shimmying SUGA. What more could we ask for?! Plus, the song itself is so upbeat and catchy that I always take a break from whatever I’m doing to jam out for those 3 minutes and 53 seconds.
#5 Boy in Luv “Boy in Luv” is a timeless, edgy track that expresses the tribulations of young love. Not to be confused with BTS’ 2019 Halsey collab, “Boy with Luv” (also a smash), this one was released way back in 2014, when our boys were still wearing loads of eyeliner. Whenever V, in his huskiest voice, sings, “Why are you shaking my heart?” I literally have no choice other than to move my body. Something about it is just electric. There’s a cute guy in one of my Zoom classes who doesn’t know I exist, but this song helps me work through those frustrated feelings. It’s so good, in fact, that they still perform it!
#6 Dynamite “Dynamite” gives me those elementary-school-birthday-feels. Back in the day, I’d whip up to th school on September 25 with chocolate chip cookies for my class, butterflies floating around in th my stomach, and curled hair. I remember feeling so hopeful. After graduating 5 grade, I didn’t think I’d ever get to experience that feeling ever again. Now, I have “Dynamite,” which brings that same level of joy and confidence into my adult life. I “light it up like dynamite” constantly, whether I’m folding laundry or getting ready for a Zoom class. BTS’ recent MTV Unplugged performance shows off this song’s undeniable charm.
#7 Home
To me, “Home” sounds like pillow talk. You know, when you’re laying down with bae, talking about all the fun you had together that day and you feel all content. This song reminds me of those little moments of bliss that we often take for granted when we’re in a relationship, which end up being the ones we miss the most when it’s over. It’s an ideal tune to listen to when you’re at home by yourself and you want to put on your cutest pajamas, dance around, and feel a little less alone.
Bye-bye! Now go get that BTS serotonin! Elizabeth Groening is a journalism graduate student at the University of Oregon. She writes lifestyle pieces about pop culture, women’s rights, music, and entertainment. Read more her work at elizabethgroening.com. Follow her Instagram @elizabethgroening.
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