Okay, we know the boys always kill their choreo, but this is clearly a back-up dancers appreciation video and I'm here for it. We definitely don't see their full impact in the MV, but they're front and centre in the live performances and they are such an essential part of bringing the 'hooligan' concept to life.
Okay, I was not expecting another music video so soon after "2.0" was released — but I'm not complaining because after a nearly four-year starvation, WE ARE FEASTING. I didn't think we'd get "Hooligan" as their next single, though — I was fully convinced it was going to be "Body to Body" for some reason — and while I still find the repetitive laughter in this song somewhat jarring after many listens (I'm pretty sure it's meant to mimic shooting bullets?), there is still something very addictive about this song. It's certainly the most viral of all the songs off Arirang.
Watch this, watch this beat goin' hooligan
We pop out, actin' a fool again
Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha, hooligan
Watch this, watch this beat goin' hooligan
Why this bassline slappin' so rude?
Drop it lower than chopped and screwed
Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha, hooligan
Watch this, watch this beat goin' hooligan
Man, I'm 'bout to blow a fuse
Can't be tamed, my head be bangin'
Jumpin' wild like a madman
Me everywhere, 얼쑤
Somebody move, somebody move
Everyone gather here, one by one
I can never ever choose
Every one o' you a muse
Crowd lookin' like a campus
Beat drop, we still dancin'
Watch this, watch this beat goin' hooligan
We pop out, actin' a fool again
Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha, hooligan
Watch this, watch this beat goin' hooligan
Why this bassline slappin' so rude?
Drop it lower than chopped and screwed
Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha, hooligan
Watch this, watch this beat goin' hooligan
I go cuckoo, crazy, loco, save me
Like El Cucuy, I don't need to explain, you already know
Hooligan, like hooligan
Smash it up like hooligan
It's time now, get out of my way
All clear, no issues here
Take you out
Take you out
What's the future?
Where's the now?
This is international
Make it unforgettable
Watch this, watch this beat goin' hooligan
We pop out, actin' a fool again
Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha, hooligan
Watch this, watch this beat goin' hooligan
Yeah, we the mess, gonna get a bigger mop here
This that K, gotta get a better pop here
you gon' hear this one playin' round the clock, yeah
Round the clock, clock, clock, clock
Why this bassline slappin' so rude?
Drop it lower than chopped and screwed
Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha, hooligan
Watch this, watch this beat goin' hooligan
Why this bassline slappin' so rude?
Drop it lower than chopped and screwed
Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha, hooligan
Watch this, watch this beat goin' hooligan
This is giving "Not Today" vibes, but like, gothic. I didn't know I needed BTS as leather-clad anime ninja villains (hooligans?), but here we are, because I find them ATROCIOUSLY ATTRACTIVE.
I AM OBSESSED. It's sharp, precise, sexy, badass — pure swag and charisma. It's the type of choreo that needs to be watched at least seven times to focus on each member and also revel in the glory that is their synchronized footsteps. I need more live performances of this ASAP. (But the idea to film this masterpiece with a fisheye lens was terrible. Sorry, but it makes it so much harder for me to focus on the actual choreography because it's so warped.)
The most chaotic of shenanigans. I feel like there would've been about 20 takes for every scene. I don't even know how the MV got finished, to be honest.
As I said, this one of my Top 5 tracks from ARIRANG. As understated and lo-fi as "SWIM" is, "2.0" is bad-ass and anthemic, a melodramatic play on rhythm and repetition — it's this album's true comeback song in every sense of the word. A middle finger to the haters, the doubters, all those little fuckers that thought BTS wouldn't survive a hiatus and spouted so much shit about them in the last four years, saying their faves have surpassed them, that BTS will never rise again — when they should've shut up and acknowledged that their faves are just riding on BTS' coattails. BTS and ARMY know their power. For context, BTS wrote this song last summer after a four-year hiatus, but they were all over the news just yesterday, making headlines for being the best-selling group in the last DECADE, of having a 7th #1 song on the Billboard Hot 100. Basically: Bangtan's back, and don't you fucking forget it.
"Yeah, just like BTS," sure sounds easy
We're like a vault, who's gonna jump over us
It's kinda funny, but not really
10 years, man, not even close
Stop, ride
Yuh, yuh, yuh, yuh, yeah
Pull up at your block
We gonna knock, knock, knock, knock, yeah
Had your little fun, fella?
Pop, pop, pop, pop, yeah
Came back for what's mine, we don't
Stop, ride
You know how I do, do, do, do, do, do
You know how I do, do, do, do, do
Set a fire, brand new
On fire, brand new
Yeah, we on that brand new
You know how we do
Ay, ay, ay
Yeah, the feeling's kinda brand new
Spectacular step, no runnin' step two
2, 2.0, when the update's through
Stirrin' things up here and there again
10 out of 10, 10
Now throw out that useless old junk
Go pick it up
Get nice and easy again and kick it up
Stop, ride
Yuh, yuh, yuh, yuh, yeah
Pull up at your block
We gonna knock, knock, knock, knock, yeah
Had your little fun, fella?
Pop, pop, pop, pop, yeah
Came back for what's mine, we don't
Stop, ride
You know how I do, do, do, do, do, do
You know how I do, do, do, do, do
Set a fire, brand new
On fire, brand new
Yeah, we on that brand new
You know how we do
Pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop
Baby gettin' too lit, rah, rah, rah, rah, rah, rah
Hit 'em up like pop
Hit 'em with the truth like rah
Time to pay your debt
Fear me or fear me not
Let it be
Let it bleed
Hit a lick
In a split
Stop, ride
Yuh, yuh, yuh, yuh, yeah
Pull up at your block
We gonna knock, knock, knock, knock, yeah
Had your little fun, fella?
Pop, pop, pop, pop, yeah
Came back for what's mine, we don't
Stop, ride
You know how I do, do, do, do, do, do
You know how I do, do, do, do, do
Set a fire, brand new
On fire, brand new
Yeah, we on that brand new
You know how we do
You know how I do, do, do, do, do, do
You know how I do, do, do, do, do
Set a fire, brand new
On fire, brand new
Yeah, we on that brand new
You know how we do
Definitely the most random and unhinged MV they've ever released and I'm obsessed with it. Only BTS could make an ode to Oldboy with synchronized choreography. And include an elevator wardrobe change intermission in an official MV. I'm not sure what the hell I just watched, actually.This video explains the parallels of Oldboy to BTS, and it's actually quite genius. I'm impressed. And mildly turned on. And holy shit, this choreography is wild. Like, almost "Run BTS" level wild. I can see why a whole load of gangsters would be intimidated by it. God, I hope they release the dance practice.
I have been listening to nothing but ARIRANG on repeat since its release, both in order and on shuffle, and I don't give a shit what critics or select ARMYs (some of which are whining about how this album doesn't sound like "the old BTS" as if artists can't grow or change — as if experimenting with sound is not the entire fucking point of being a musician) or GP are saying — this album is genuinely fucking spectacular. For me, there's not a skippable song on ARIRANG, with the exception of "No. 29," which is really just the sound of a gong fading into silence, acting as a sort of meditation moment or a small intermission between the first high-energy half of the record and the softer, more understated second half of the record (and is miraculously charting on Spotify regardless of containing no music and no lyrics).
I said this at its release, but I'm so glad they chose "SWIM" to be the title track despite it being a gentler, more low-key song, because even listening to it — and the 7 other remixes (I might be biased because it's so Denise-coded, but Jin's "Alternative Rock" remix is INSANELY GOOD) — constantly, I'm not sick of it. Every single new song they performed during their live comeback on Netflix and all the consequent new live performances we've seen so far (which includes their appearances on Jimmy Fallon and this clip here) sound and look incredible. God, I can't wait to see them in person. 5 months to go!
This choreography is low-key and incredibly simple by all BTS standards, but it will work so perfectly on a 360° stage. I can't fucking wait to see this live on tour. (Also they all look SO DEVASTATINGLY HANDSOME, it's almost upsetting.)
"Don't care what you talk about; you're the one comin' runnin' back here every time."
A yoga class, a (gorgeous) drag queen, a spaghetti food truck, swimming in a pool of spaghetti sauce with an asparagus pool noodle, dancing in a giant plate of spaghetti, eating spaghetti with chopsticks in a maze... This MV is WILD. I mean, I know the song's called "Spaghetti," and there's a whole lot of spaghetti imagery, and spaghetti is being used as a metaphor for the band itself (spaghetti is literally blowing people's minds at 3:04), but it's essentially a "FUCK YOU" anthem to Le Sserafim's haters and I'm kinda obsessed. This might be their sassiest song yet (is that actual PROFANITY I hear?), and J-Hope's brand of bad-ass quirkiness fits perfectly here. (He's the king of Chicken Noodle Soup, after all.) It's not an entirely unexpected collab, since Huh Yunjin featured on J-Hope's Hope on the Street album (and they're both on the same label), but his verse really brings out Le Sserafim's peppy cheekiness. And, honestly, "Spaghetti" is just catchy AF.
"I just need to do a good job myself. The other performances are coming along but we still need to do this live so we've got a long way to go. There are still so many things left to check… This is not good… Whatever the case, I'll do it and I'll stand before you ARMY and show you guys an amazing performance. I'll get through it. So come to the shows with high expectations. This is just the process. Results are what matter."
I know it's his job, but I can't imagine having to re-memorize over 25 songs' worth of choreographies and lyrics in three months to perform live. Globally. In front of hundreds of thousands of people. After being in the military for 1.5 years. But his hard work really paid off because Hope on the Stage was fucking flawless.
How was he not satisfied with his performance here?! This was honestly one of the most energetic, charismatic, and damn near flawless stages I've seen from J-Hope. Like, I know he's a perfectionist but he's being a little too humble here...
And on another note, I know Justin Timberlake is a 2000s icon, but frankly, in this day and age, BTS is significantly more popular, multi-faceted, and talented (and way less problematic)… but it seemed like J-Hope was way more excited to meet him? And that JT forgot he collaborated with Jungkook until J-Hope reminded him?
PSY: "Wow… that was such a 'celebrity' thing to say."
J-Hope: "No, seriously!"
PSY: "Of course they'll recognize you!"
J-Hope: "I'm really worried. It'll be the general public."
PSY: "Geez… Tomorrow's going to be something to remember."
I can't believe J-Hope was worried that the Korean general public wouldn't recognize him. Did he really think PSY would invite him to perform there if he didn't think J-Hope has that kind of impact? J-Hope has proven himself time and time again that he is an insanely talented, incredibly popular solo artist — on top of being apart of the biggest band in the world. J-HOPE, AREN'T YOU BEING A LITTLE TOO HUMBLE?
(On another note, that blingy pizza pendant necklace is basically the best thing I've ever seen in my life.)
I obviously couldn't be there in person, but I'm so glad I got to watch this on livestream. This will forever mark the day BTS was officially reunited in public after their three-year hiatus — so fitting that it was also on the day of their 12th anniversary. God, I can't wait to see the great things they will do together again.
Okay, I don't know like, half of these 4th gen groups but I love how excited and eager and starstruck they are when working with Hobi. So freaking cute! (Also, ENHYPEN killed this challenge.)
You know, the effort behind creating all these sets at Korean music shows never fails to amaze me. I still wonder why these types of music shows do so well in Asia, but there's nothing like this in North America. I guess the closest we have are those talent competition shows like The Voice, but there's nothing for already-established artists to perform live stages every week and have fans vote on which group wins best new release. I wonder if it's because North America is too physically big? I mean, to be fair, you could fit like, 12 Koreas inside Ontario alone, so logistics would be a nightmare…
Anyway, big congrats to J-Hope for all his music show wins. Truly well-deserved!
So glad BigHit got the rights to livestream this because everything about this performance was IN-FUCKING-CREDIBLE. The set list, his (very naked) fit, his live vocals, his dancing, the live band... Pardon the pun, but Hobi KILLED IT.
The amount of hard work, planning, practice, dedication, endurance, creativity, and stamina — not just from J-Hope, but also the dancers and staff — that went into this tour is just remarkable. I am so glad that I got to witness a part of it in person.
I've been following BTS for nine years and I never take the members' energy, commitment, and consistency for granted. I know practice makes perfect, but the sheer amount of elements involved in being a K-pop idol — live and recorded vocals, live and filmed choreography, singing in tune while dancing, dynamic facial expressions, stage placement and positions, charisma and stage presence, media training, face and body aesthetics — is, frankly, beyond exhausting. I will never not be impressed and in awe of the amount of effort going into these performances, but the outcome is so, so worth it.
Okay, I know filming this MV was pretty brutal for them, but there's something about dancing in the rain that makes this choreography even sexier…?
(Also, I want to point out that it is actually hotter in Toronto than it is in Bangkok today — it is 37℃ and with a humidex of 43℃, with a heat warning across the entire metropolitan area — lest non-Canadians think we all live in snow year round. So I can attest to the brutality of being outside in this kind of stifling humidity. And I'm not even doing physical exercise.)
Denise, '86 liner. Chinese-Canadian, born, raised, and still living in the Greater Toronto Area. Professional make-up artist turned office manager. Introvert with brilliant extrovert skills. BTS ARMY since 2016, OT7, Jungkook and Jimin biased. BTS and BT21 merch collector, amateur foodie, skincare fiend, mascara connoisseur, shopaholic, teetotaler, Scorpio, avid The Sims 4 player, K-drama addict, and Potterhead since 1997. Penchant for live concerts, collecting figures, dining out, building LEGO, and food photography.
About the Site
Circuits of Fever is a personal blog and a hobby only. It mainly features my interests in BTS, food, beauty, music, photography, travel, lifestyle, and culture. The name "Circuits of Fever" is a song by Thursday from their 2009 album, Common Existence. The title of this blog has no relevance to the actual purpose of or topics discussed within the blog.
All photos since November 2023 have been taken with an Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max. All photos are taken by me, unless otherwise noted. Please do not use my photos or blog content without permission. Photos are edited by me using Adobe Photoshop 2024. This blog is written and edited by me using Blogger through Google Chrome, on an Apple MacBook Pro.
Note: None of these posts are sponsored. All products reviewed or shown on this blog are purchased by me for personal use only.
Playlist (March 2026)
BTS - 2.0
BTS - Aliens
BTS - Body to Body
BTS - FYA
BTS - Hooligan
BTS - Into the Sun
BTS - Like Animals
BTS - Merry Go Round
BTS - NORMAL
BTS - One More Night
BTS - Please
BTS - SWIM
BTS - They Don't Know 'Bout Us
