Kuwentong Bangtan: Dionysus

BTS' makes use of literature in their songs and Music Videos. Here is my take on the group's metaphorical adaptation of Dionysus.

Dionysus, in Greek mythology, is the god of wine, revelry and festivities, and viticulture, the process involved in the planting and growing of grapes. He is known to be present during merriment, partying and the inevitable consumption of wine. In such cases, the creation of art, music, the singing of songs and the dances follow. This is the reason he became the patron of arts, music and performances.

It is interesting to note that Dionysus is a “foreign” god among the Olympians. He is the son of Zeus from the mortal Semele but he traveled far and wide for a long while. Upon his return to Olympus, he is less Greek but more of a god who has acquired the taste, attitude and garb of different cultures from all over. Another fascinating aspect of his story is that, he was disliked by the major gods that he was killed twice. Thanks to Rhea, the titan, and Zeus, his father for aiding him back to life.

Dionysus, the BTS song in the MOTS Persona album, is an entire metaphor of Bangtan’s artistic style and identity.

It is a rock hiphop masterpiece that only the likes of J-hope, RM and Suga can conjure along with mentor Pdogg, Supreme Boi and Roman Campolo. It begins right away with buzzing synthesizers and strong percussions. RM’s cadence is firm and steady prompting anyone to sit up and listen until the vocal line harmonizes with J-hope’s melodic rapping. That is when the layering of sounds becomes intoxicating.

If the music lures the listener to dizzying headbanging or to dance in a frenzy of movements, the lyrics of the song involve word play and repetition that are both confusing and profound. This is the duality of BTS that leaves the fandom in awe. It is at the bridge where Suga’s verses come in evoking introspection of the group’s collective persona versus their real selves.

“If we pop up/ Anywhere in the world, stadium party ay

Born as a K-pop idol/ Reborn as an artist

Reborn as an artist, reborn as an artist

What does it matter if I’m an idol or an artist, cheers

Art at this level is over-drinking, over-drinking yeah

The new record is the fight against oneself, a fight yeah

Toast to this, one shot / But I‘m still thirsty”

Many Kpop idols succumb to the drunken stupor of fame. A reality that Suga struggled with for a while. A reality that many idols fall into. Some die and never get the chance to be born again. In Suga’s case, he was able to reconcile with this cycle of death and rebirth as evidenced in his mixtape and the verses that he raps and sings in Dynamite, Butter and PTD (which deserves another Tunesday post).

Like Dionysus, BTS started out as outsiders in the music industry of South Korea. While they have a stable fanbase at home, they went on tour and traveled to countries where their popularity increased and their immense talent was recognized. They have achieved a great amount of success through hard work and harbored haters along the way. The Tannies are selling out stadiums in seconds and the fandom’s adoration for them is unparalleled. Yet, the Western music industry has denied them the golden gramophone twice in a row.

We saw it happen yesterday.

Then again, BTS is the modern Dionysus who can get drunk with art and music – and love for ARMY, that they will continue crafting, performing and telling stories in ways only they can muster. They are so creative they can turn failures into doors of opportunities. Just look at the BTS logo. The door is open. Move forward. Continuously grow!