Lights

Okay, so BTS' latest Japanese single album was released today, and with it, the music video for "Lights." First of all, the song is very much in-line with the Japanese pop aesthetic. It's light, easy-listening, relaxed, with no big drops. It's the same with 2017's "Crystal Snow" and last year's "Let Go." It reminds me a lot of late '90s boy band pop ballad songs. "Lights" has the beautiful vocals that we expect from BTS, of course, but quite frankly, the video is what impresses me here. The visuals, the effects, and most importantly, the storyline. I have no real set theories yet, but there has to be some connections here to the Bangtan Universe. Jungkook being alone in the theatre, Tae not being able to enter the theatre until Jimin gets there, the rapline glaring at Jin (who's alone) as they're walking by him, Jin walking into the theatre alone after the boys are all seated.

The freeze frames in the background with the tickets and popcorn and whatnot insinuate that Jin may have time traveled or that time is frozen... But what does it mean that Yoongi is separated from the boys in the parking lot? And Namjoon being able to unfreeze all the objects that are floating in the freeze frames? Most importantly, why are they watching a movie of themselves? Is it their past selves or their future selves? SO MANY QUESTIONS. I will wait to see what other ARMY theorists have come up with, but BTS' Japanese music videos are known to include many hints and foreshadowing to the Bangtan Universe, so there are probably some really elaborate theories brewing. In the meantime, I will enjoy the stunning visuals these boys are providing (didn't think they could get any prettier, but they prove me wrong every damn day) and an entire scene of just Jimin and Jungkook gazing into each other's eyes and singing to each other (oh, my Jikook heart!).