BTS’s First English Single ‘Dynamite’ Aims To Reenergize Those Struggling In 2020

BTS is hoping to ignite happy emotions and energy within listeners who hear their new song, “Dynamite.” Their first original English-language single, the disco pop tune dropped at midnight EST on August 21, just in time to ring out the summer of 2020 on a high note.

“A lot of people are going through some tough times right now. I hope that ‘Dynamite’ will be a healing song, a therapeutic song to make lots of people happy,” said Jungkook during a press conference held in Seoul on August 21, held digitally due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Throughout the event, BTS’s seven members referred to the hardships faced by many people across the globe this year, and how they hoped the new single would restore people’s energy and happiness while listening to it. “When things were difficult for us, things were challenging for us, this was sort of a ray of light, a sip of sweet water to overcome some of this,” recalled RM. “We call this our own recharge project, and we hope this will recharge your own batteries, even if for a moment. We hope to restore some of this energy to anyone who listens to this song.”

“Dynamite” arrives a head of a currently in-the-works album from the group, planned for the second half of the year. They decided to release it as a single after hearing it while amid the recording process for the upcoming album. “When we were recording the guide version, we thought the English lyrics fit the melody better and it felt new, different than what we tried before,” revealed V. “So considering the song and the melody, we all agreed that singing in English would be better.”

“When I first heard the demo version, I really liked the vibe, I really liked the message,” said J-Hope. “I thought the message fit the direction we wanted to go. When we were recording, it made us feel good and energized us so we wanted to share this feeling with many people. The release of this digital single is a new challenge, a new try for us, I think it’s more meaningful.”

Jimin similarly agreed. “Everyone in the world is going through tough times right now, nobody has expected this. We ourselves couldn’t do a lot of things we had planned. We really wanted to be onstage, we really wanted to meet the fans. As an artist [unable] to meet the fans, we also felt empty as well. We also felt helpless. We needed a breakthrough to overcome this emptiness and helplessness, and we came across this opportunity to try something new. It’s a song that lifts people’s spirits.”

As the group’s first original all-English single, and one released at midnight EST on a Friday as is typical for American releases, “Dynamite” is expected to chart well in Western music markets, especially in the U.S. where BTS has had Top 10 singles before on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart but has yet to land the coveted No. 1.

When asked about their expectations, Suga said that, while they watch charts, for “Dynamite” they’re considering the desired response of strengthening listeners to be the ultimate goal. “Chart rankings are always something we watch with a lot of nervousness and excitement. Rather than a result we have as a target, I think it’s better to do our best so that we can repay the attention and the love our fans always show us. I think for our new single ‘Dynamite,’ I think our goal is a little different, a little bit special. Everybody is going through hard times and we built this song to give a little bit of strength to people who listen to it. So our goal is for as many people as possible to hear and get a little bit of reassurance and healing for it. We hope it is very meaningful for the fans as well as to us.” He also described the song as being one “for all the people who feel like they’ve fallen down while running a marathon.”  

“Whenever we hear about, learn about any record, it’s always, always an honor,” Jin later said. “It means many people listen to our song, many people like our song. Every time we see this report card, it always excites us, we’re always thankful. That doesn’t change, whether that rank may be or what that result may be. We always feel that same thanks and honor. If there is a new record, it will be very encouraging and very moving, and give us strength to keep going and grow even more.” He also described “Dynamite” as showing a new side to BTS, being both in English and something very different from songs the group released in the past.

The group also spoke briefly about their upcoming album, with Jimin adding that it has the highest amount of member participation of any BTS album yet, though the group was reluctant to share spoilers.

BTS ended off the press conference imploring people to wear masks, and sending well wishes so that everyone stays healthy. “We are releasing Dynamite because we want people to be happy,” concluded Jimin. “And to be happy, you have to take care of your health. So I hope our fans will keep wearing masks and won’t get sick.”

Watch BTS’s music video for “Dynamite” here.