BTS EPISODE: Jin's Coldplay Concert Guest Appearance Shoot Sketch

FINALLY!!! I've seen fan videos of this concert all over my social media, but I have been waiting for official behind-the-scenes footage of Jin's guest appearance at Coldplay's concerts in Korea and it's everything I hoped for. You know, if you told me even five years ago that BTS and Coldplay would have a collaboration, I would never have believed you. BUT IT'S BECOME THE MOST WHOLESOME MUSICIAN FRIENDSHIP I HAVE EVER SEEN AND I AM LIVING FOR IT.

Jin on Dingo Music: "Don't Say You Love Me" and "Loser (feat. Yena)" Live Performance

Oooooh, my two favourite songs off of Echo! I had never heard of Yena before this collaboration, but she sounds so good on this track. (Jin's collabs are always incredible — with Coldplay, with Wendy, and now with Yena — and end up being some of my favourite tracks, I think more than any other BTS member.) You know, I never appreciated how just how much falsetto Jin needs to use in his songs and he kills it every damn time. I cannot wait to see him live in July!

Tablo x RM — "Stop the Rain" Official MV

Hello, rainy day

TABLO

RM

[Tablo]

I'm all in with a losing hand

Teachers called me rebel

Parents called me lost

Pastors called me devil

Had me kneelin' at the cross

Since I was a young'un, I was called names and bossed around

Back to the wall so long, call me pain's poster child

Religious home, times were different

They told me I was gifted

But to unwrap my mind was wicked

I was raised by guilt, raised by shame, raised by the rod

(Bloody calves sacrificed in the name of their God)

They claimed it was love, felt like heartbreak to me

Later they'd say, "Baby, all your scars are to teach and remind you, you can soar higher"

What good's a bird's eye view when you're in a hunter's crossfire?

Sometimes I wished I got crushed in the womb

Turned to dust in the womb

My scent of youth, an ungodly perfume

No wonder I've always hated the adults in the room

[RM]

The rain, the rain will fall

And tomorrow may not come

But maybe the tears will fall to wash the pain away

I'm tryna stop the rain

(I know what it feel like)

[Tablo & RM]

Can't run away from the pain

I feel like I'm goin' insane

Bad thoughts fillin' up my brain

Demons swimmin' inside my veins

Two seconds from fallin' into nothing

Can't run away from the pain

I'm tryna stop the rain

[RM]

When I was a kid

I was convinced that I was destined for the 27 Club

I'm 29, sinkin' in the bathtub, sippin' gin, lookin' for another club

All the lost was a lust, dust into dust

Stray after stable, one trap after another

And every night, I put my shadows on

But you know how much I hate my status quo

("Be positive") 

I know, but you gotta know my life is out of love

[Tablo] 

All the lessons learned already, comin' out of trust

Keep my mind steady but it's hard to readjust

Nothing stops time but the clock will turn to rust

[Tablo & RM] 

Pain and rain, they still stay the same

Got me lookin' for the exit just to entertain

Pain and rain, think I'm goin' insane

Gotta turn off my phone tonight

[Tablo & RM]

Can't run away from the pain

I feel like I'm goin' insane

Bad thoughts fillin' up my brain

Demons swimmin' inside my veins

Two seconds from fallin' into nothing

Can't run away from the pain

I'm tryna stop the rain

[RM]

I'm tryna stop the rain

I'm tryna stop the rain

This is perhaps the most vulnerable song I've ever heard from both RM or Tablo — and there is no shortage of painful, emotional songs from either artist. There's no hiding under superfluous metaphors or innuendos — these lyrics are raw, real, and dark. I'm glad that they were able to collaborate on this and share these stories with us, and I genuinely, desperately hope it was cathartic for them.

J-Hope on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Interview and "Sweet Dreams (feat. Miguel)" Live Performance

God, this song sounds so fucking amazing live. Miguel's vocals are incredible and I'm so glad he was able to perform live with J-Hope, especially for the television debut of this song! (Also, love to see bunny slippers and robes as parts of official stage outfits. This is the very definition of "pajama chic.") 

TWO MORE DAYS UNTIL I SEE HIM IN PERSON!

J-Hope — "Sweet Dreams (feat. Miguel)" Official MV

This is Hobi's first love song and it is SO GODDAMN CUTE. AND CATCHY. And Miguel's voice is SO DREAMY. (No pun intended.) Like, that is a voice that CROONS. My god, this song is such a bop that even Mona Lisa is grooving to it. 

Yeah, sweet dreams come after hours

Nothin' that's not allowed

You should never sleep alone (sleep alone)

'Cause I'll always take you home (yeah, right)

When there's nothin' left but diamond necklace (uh-huh)

On you, girl

I just wanna love you like, love you like, love you like that, yeah

Love you like, love you like, love you like that, yeah

Then, you love me right, love me right, love me right back, yeah

Love mе right, love me right, love mе right back

You should never sleep alone

'Cause I'll always take you home

When there's nothin' left but diamond necklace

On you, girl

Any night, any time, you are my appetite

Double vision, Gemini, and it goes like this

Take you home, take it slow, 'til you bite your lip

Got a movie in my mind, and it goes like this

Closed curtains, open eyes

Lay down your skin on mine

Leave all the rest to me

Yeah, sweet dreams come after hours (that's what they do)

Nothin' that's not allowed (uh-huh)

You should never sleep alone (sleep alone)

'Cause I'll always take you home (yeah, right)

When there's nothin' left but diamond necklace

On you, girl

I just wanna love you like, love you like, love you like that, yeah

Love you like, love you like, love you like that, yeah

Then, you love me right, love me right, love me right back, yeah

Love me right, love me right, love me right back

You should never sleep alone

'Cause I'll always take you home

When there's nothing left but diamond necklace

On you, girl, oh

You're the only cover that I need when I'm cold (cold)

You can have my body with my heart and my soul (soul)

You light up my life, you're like a diamond

Shinin', shinin', shinin', yeah

And we might never get to sleep tonight

I'll give you everything you need tonight

This kind of love, I guarantee for life

Dreams gonna be sweet tonight

Sweet dreams come after hours

Nothin' that's not allowed

You should never sleep alone (sleep alone)

You should let me take you home (alright)

'Til there's nothing left but diamond necklace (Yeah) 

On you, girl

I just wanna love you like, love you like, love you like that, yeah

Love you like, love you like, love you like that, yeah

Then love me right, love me right, love me right back, yeah

Love me right, love me right, love me right back

You should never sleep alone

'Cause I'll always take you home

When there's nothing left but diamond necklace

On you, girl

I can't figure out what's happening at 3:11 with this construction worker, though. He looks at this couple photo, gives a serious look into the camera, then darkly sighs. And then the camera pans to the two drinks on the table. Is he thirsty? Did he just want to sneak a sip of that cola/iced Americano? Or did he find something out? I KNEW THOSE DRINKS WERE SINISTER.

J-Hope — "Sweet Dreams (feat. Miguel)" Release + Promotion Schedule

(Image source: BTS Weverse)
(Image source: BTS Weverse)
I cannot wait to hear this song and see the performance for it this Sunday. (And then in-person in 14 days!!!) We already know it's going to be the ultimate bop to bring us out of the winter blues.

Bing Crosby x V of BTS — "White Christmas" Official MV

I'm not into Christmas songs, but when Bing Crosby's estate decides to collaborate with V on "White Christmas" (his most famous song and the world's best-selling single), it's a pretty goddamn big deal. 

V (with Park Hyo Shin) — "Winter Ahead" Official MV

Oooooof, the combination of these two vocals is just GORGEOUS. Smooth, velvety, warm, and soothing — a perfect song to make you feel cozy on a cold winter night. (Or to play in the background of a really fancy, super expensive restaurant.)

Lie with me

By the fire

We can be

Safe from the storms up high

There's a winter ahead

If it's cold and wet

We're always warm here side by side

Come what may

Change of heart

Who can say

If you look in my eyes

For the moon and the stars

Hearing strumming guitars

Well, I admit that it'd be nice

I'll be with you

Until the spring runs by

And the summer starts to burn

I'll be with you

When the autumn wind returns

Don't you want to say you'll stay?

Lie with me

By the fire

We can be

Safe from the storms up high

There's a winter ahead

Whether it's cold and wet

We're always warm in paradise

Paradise

I'll be with you

Until the spring runs by

And the summer starts to burn

And I'll be with you

Whena utumn returns

Yes, when all the seasons turn

Come what may

Change of heart

Who can say

If you look in my eyes

For the truth in my heart

From a world far apart

You'll realize where you can find

Paradise

Paradise

Paradise

Anyway, I wasn't wrong; this music video is about love gone wrong, just with a little more delusion and a sprinkle of schizophrenia… I'm actually getting "Blood Sweat & Tears" MV vibes from this but, like, after the main character gets fully lead into temptation. You know, with the creepy clay sculptures and the ink (blood?) dripping down his face and the cracked mirror? I'm sure there will be many ARMYs coming out with hundreds of theories about this video in the upcoming days...

V (feat. Park Hyo Shin) — "Winter Ahead" Poster + Official Teaser

(Image source: BTS Weverse)

Okay, the poster makes it seem like it's gonna be a sweet love song and the teaser looks like it's gonna be a horror story, so it's obviously going to be about LOVE GONE WRONG.

Megan Thee Stallion (feat. RM) — "Neva Play" Official MV

Ooof, the beat and their flows are fucking fire. RM's tone here is like nothing I've ever heard before — deep, almost gritty — and suits this track perfectly. Badass vibes all around. Added to the daily rotation.

Megan Thee Stallion (feat. RM) — "Neva Play" Release

(Image source: BTS Official X)

I don't listen to Megan Thee Stallion's music, but her verse in the "Butter" remix fucking slaps, so I'm actually quite excited to listen to this collab. Who knows, it might be the hip hop track of the year.

Jimin — "Rebirth" + "Slow Dance (feat. Sofia Carson)" Live Clip

Oooof, this is fucking gorgeous. I actually had no idea no Sofia Carson is until hearing her feature on "Slow Dance," but her live vocals are stunning, maybe even more than on the recording.

RM (feat. Little Simz) — "Domodachi" Official MV

Not gonna lie, out of all the tracks on Right Place, Wrong Person, this one is the hardest for me to get into. The tempo and the placement of the instrumentals are just a little too chaotic for my liking, but there is a genius behind it when putting it in context with the lyrics.

Mu'fuckas want a bigger growl

Mu'fuckas need a damn patrol

I been slippin' through all kinda bullshit

I've forgotten where I came from

All suckers wanna get it

Take a sip, silently pour it in that glass

All the suckers wanna hit it

I'ma lead you to the heaven, play the pipe

All my friends wanna get around in O's

All my friends wanna take another pose

Yeah, I'm knocked out, what a bullshit 

(Get the fuck down)

Mu'fucka, want a doom shit

No more goofin' around, I want cool shit

I'ma stay calm when they come up with that new shit

Just stick to the embers of this bonfire

My friends gather around me, one by one

Get high, gеt fire, we in Saudi

Let mе go ape, get down with the party

Yeah, I'm knocked out, mu'fucka, what a bullshit 

(Get the fuck down)

Break in unannounced

We're all friends, let's dance here (I'll dance right now)

We're all friends, let's dance here

We're all friends, let's dance here (I'll dance right now)

We're all friends, let's dance here

Mu'fuckas want a bigger growl

Mu'fuckas want to take control

All my friends cryin' in a row, you won't get it

Free soul, you betta come up with it

[Little Simz]

Look, I step on the place and they yell, "Go figure"

Watch, I'ma go all out for my hitta

I already told them, I'ma gorilla

Simz and RM, man, it don't get bigger

Catch me in the back with my G's dem

Greet them with respect when you see them

Run me up a check, I'ma need that

And give my co dee a stack

'Cause that's my dawg, that's my homie

You and I know I don't do phoney

I set the tone, listen up closely

You know my name but you do not know me

I got, got my broski's back til the end

You can't put one hand on my friend

We just here for a good time everyday

I can't cross my line

[End Verse]

We're all friends, let's dance here (I'll dance right now)

We're all friends, let's dance here 

We're all friends, let's dance here (I'll dance right now)

We're all friends, let's dance here

We're all friends, let's dance here

We're all friends, let's dance here

Given the pure bedlam in the sounds, lyrics, and MV imagery, I think the question at the end of the day is: who can you count as your true friend in the midst of it all?

J-Hope (feat. Gaeko and Yoonmirae) — "NEURON" Visualizer

I am waiting until all the episodes of the documentary are released before binge watching, but I'm still playing the shit out of the Hope on the Street EP. I've literally added this track to all of my regular rotation playlists and it is especially excellent to listen to when driving to work in the morning because it significantly decreases my road rage.

J-Hope (feat. Gaeko and Yoonmirae) — "NEURON" Official Motion Picture

Hope on the Street was released just in time so I can play it on repeat on my flight back home because this whole EP fucking SLAPS. Not a single skip on this album.

I'll tell you again

We'll never ever give up, forever

I'll say it again

We'll always be alive to move us

(Your deep-rooted movement

Don't ever lose it

'Cause above all, it's priceless)

[Refrain: J-Hope]

N-E-U-R-O-N, attention

N-E-W-R-U-N, ain't enough

All my neurons respond

Get up, neu

Get up, ron

N-E-U-R-O-N, attention

N-E-W-R-U-N, ain't enough

My upright generosity begins

Better new

Better run

[Verse 1: J-Hope]

NEURON, it responds to my mind

NEURON, it responds to my life

New run, a time for myself, once again

Get my nerves working again, just like the younger me, dive

My body’s freestyle, still freestyle

My timeless soul, a whole new type

Such a deep-rooted tree, like deep-spring water

'Cause these neurons are the cells that awakened me

[Chorus: J-Hope]

I'll tell you again

We'll never ever give up, forever

I'll say it again

We'll always be alive to move us

I’ll tell you again

We'll never ever give up, forever

I'll say it again

We'll always be alive to move us

[Refrain: J-Hope]

N-E-U-R-O-N, attention

N-E-W-R-U-N, ain't enough

All my neurons respond

Get up, neu

Get up, ron

N-E-U-R-O-N, attention

N-E-W-R-U-N, ain't enough

My upright generosity begins

Better new

Better run

[Verse 2: Gaeko]

When the life I've lived is reflected on my face

I sneak a peek at the mirror, and what I see is not bad

I relaxed my shoulders, to be upright

Dozens of given motivation

At the intersection connecting each neuron

I carefully assemble the meaning and reason of life

The driving distance of a lightning delivery ball

Whether it be short or long is up to each's decision

I no longer embrace bombs

I've passed the ball on to my crew

While I play catchball with my look-alike son on weekends

Metro on the outskirts

The metronome next to my childhood piano

Matching it became my job, and the payout keeps pilin' up

Still on thin ice

Anxiety about the future lurks beneath the stage like a ghost

I scream, shout, then come back

To relax with a bland home-cooked meal

Make some white noise

[Chorus: J-Hope]

I'll tell you again

We'll never ever give up, forever

I'll say it again

We'll always be alive to move us

I’ll tell you again

We'll never ever give up, forever

I'll say it again

We'll always be alive to move us

[Verse 3: Yoonmirae]

J-Hope X Yoonmirae, we on a new level

Love and peace, the two letters roaming in my heart

Throw ya peace in the sky, with two fingers

But no, okie doke, yo, dark winged baby T

Little Miss with a fiery smile (Oh, no)

​J-Hope done gave T the beat drop

Look at ya, mad like, how she get the best spot

'Cause you can learn to flow

But passion it can't be taught

I got a passion for the game

Hustle, never stop

Music and family, that's what it's all about

They keep me going like day in and day out

Music and family, that's what it's all about

You keep me motivated on the days I hate it

Reminded that God created something special

Look at me, I made it

[Chorus: J-Hope]

I'll tell you again

We'll never ever give up, forever

I'll say it again

We'll always be alive to move us

I'll tell you again

We'll never ever give up, forever

I'll say it again

We'll always be alive to move us

[Refrain: J-Hope]

N-E-U-R-O-N, attention

N-E-W-R-U-N, ain't enough

All my neurons respond

Get up, neu

Get up, ron

N-E-U-R-O-N, attention

N-E-W-R-U-N, ain't enough

My upright generosity begins

Better new

Better run

[Outro: J-Hope]

I'll tell you again

We'll never ever give up, forever

I'll say it again

We'll always be alive to move us

I think "NEURON" might actually be my favourite track on this EP. Yoon Mirae KILLS IT here.

IU — "Love Wins All" Official MV

I have never had this many tears run uncontrollably down my face from watching a music video. I went into this without any expectations, without reading any commentary or spoilers, and this ended up being the most beautifully heartbreaking short film I've ever seen. I don't listen to a lot of IU's music, but I've always appreciated her as a singer-songwriter and as an actress (Hotel del Luna remains one of my favourite K-dramas of all time), and this MV really showcases her impeccable skills at both. Her unexpectedly spectacular chemistry with V, who shows off his acting chops again after an 8-year hiatus since 2016's Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth, also somehow surpasses the majority of couples I've watched in dramas. This is truly a 5-minute cinematic masterpiece, and if there was a category in the Academy Awards for music videos, this would undoubtedly win.

Unboxing: Funko POP! BTS PROOF Vinyl Figures

On Boxing Day, my friend Ronsee texted me to see if I was interested in any of the new BTS Funko POP! figures because he was at the mall and Funko figures were on sale for Buy 3, Get 1 Free. He had sent me a photo and I saw that the new figures were themed after BTS' PROOF album. I was genuinely surprised because I didn't even know Funko had come out with new BTS figures after the "Butter" ones launched in 2022. (To be fair, I haven't really been paying attention to Twitter recently, which is where I would get all of my BTS merch news.) So I asked Ronsee if they had all seven members available because I buy all seven or none. Unfortunately, the store he was at was missing two of the members, so I immediately went online to do some searching and found them all available through Amazon.

Funko POP! BTS PROOF Vinyl Figures
Funko POP! BTS PROOF Vinyl Figure — Outer Box (Back)

These mark the fourth official Funko POP! BTS figure collaboration, with "Dynamite," "IDOL," and "Butter" preceding it. This is the first BTS collaboration with Funko that is themed after an album rather than a single. All seven figures come individually packaged in black and red boxes with clear cellophane windows in the front. The BTS logo is on the front of the box and the PROOF logo is on the back. These should be available for sale now at all retailers selling Funko figures both offline and online, however, I got mine for $17.89 CAD each on Amazon.ca. (For reference, the cheapest I've seen them here is $16.99 CAD each and the most expensive is $29.99 CAD each.)

Funko POP! BTS PROOF Vinyl Figure — RM
Funko POP! BTS PROOF Vinyl Figure — Jin
Funko POP! BTS PROOF Vinyl Figure — Suga
Funko POP! BTS PROOF Vinyl Figure — J-Hope
Funko POP! BTS PROOF Vinyl Figure — Jimin
Funko POP! BTS PROOF Vinyl Figure — V
Funko POP! BTS PROOF Vinyl Figure — Jungkook

As I mentioned, these are the first figures in the BTS x Funko collaboration to be themed after a full album rather than a single. While the "Dynamite" and "Butter" figures were styled from their respective music videos, these figures feature the same hair colours, poses, and outfits from the Door concept from BTS' PROOF album.

Funko POP! BTS PROOF Vinyl Figures

Most Funko retailers, both offline and online, that are carrying these figures seem to be missing or are sold out of at least one member. So if looking to collect these and live in Canada but you're OT7 like me, your best bet to find all seven at a fair price is actually Amazon. (However, if you live in the US, you can find order them easily off the official Funko website without paying atrocious exchange rates, shipping prices, or duties.)

UMI (feat. V) — "Wherever U R" Official Lyric Video

This song is, in a word, LOVELY. I'd never heard of Umi before this collaboration, but her voice is beautiful — light and sweet — and pairs so beautifully with V's deep, soulful tone. Already added to both my mellow and night time playlists. What an amazing holiday gift!

Jungkook (feat. Usher) — "Standing Next to You (Usher Remix)" Official Performance Video

Oooof, have you ever seen so much swag in one single performance? Love that Usher gets to do his own thing for his verse but also compliments JK so well in both tone and dance. 10/10, surpasses all expectations. A legendary collaboration. (Also, can I just say how fucking good they both look here?)

Jungkook (feat. Usher) — "Standing Next to You (Usher Remix)" Official Performance Video Teaser

This remix has been in my regular rotation just over a week and I still think it's one of the best collaborations anyone in BTS — including the group as a whole — has done. I haven't followed Usher's career outside of the '90s and early 2000s, but I know this performance video is going to prove why Usher's been the King of R&B for the last 25 years and why he chose to collaborate with Jungkook (and vice versa).

(Also, I know that they decided to release this video after they all enlisted to distract us from the fact that we won't see them for a long time but, for the record, I'm still fucking sad.)