Hot Ones: Sean Evans Interviews BTS

Jin: "It's my first time hearing that question, so it's a little intense right now…"

V: "These questions! They're amazing!"

RM: "Crazy questions. So good."

Love that everyone is sweating and crying and quite literally screaming, and then we have Jimin and Jungkook just having a casual meal, calmly discussing the spice levels, taking more bites even after getting through to the last wing, and commenting on how delicious the vanilla ice cream is as if it's just dessert and not an aid to calm their burning mouths and esophaguses. I have been waiting for BTS to show up on Hot Ones for YEARS and this was everything I expected and more. Sean Evans proves once again what a phenomenal interviewer he is and how much research and thought goes into his questions. So, so, so happy we finally got this. 

ChooSungHoon: Choo Sung Hoon with BTS Jimin and Jungkook

I've been watching all of the BTS promo interviews on various YouTube shows, but this one is just too cute and wholesome not to re-post. A BTS ear cleaning with a 50-year-old Japanese MMA fighter was not on my bingo card this year but it's, like, outrageously adorable?

Epikase: Epik High with BTS RM and SUGA

Namjoon: "I'm just watching to see how far they'll take this."

Yoongi: "You seriously sound like a grandfather, what do we do?!"

Namjoon: "Your YouTube is seriously…"

Epikase is the one YouTube show that I have watched weekly since its inception (especially since Run BTS and Run Jin ended), and I have been waiting patiently for the day BTS would guest on it. And my god, they did not disappoint. The very best "interviews" are the ones with friends, and only Tablo could ask these kinds of unhinged questions and actually get honest answers. I only wish this was, like, three hours longer.

BTS on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Interview, "SWIM" Live Performance, and "2.0" Live Performance

Jimmy: "I gotta ask you, what was the moment like when the seven of you were together in a room for the first time after all these years?"

Tae: "Wow, finally!"

Other members, nodding: "Finally!"

Namjoon: "In military, time stops… And after, time just flows by. We just can't believe that it's been nine months that we were all discharged."

Jimmy: "Did it get emotional? Did you know what to say? Did it get quiet?"

Jin: "I felt like I had reunited with family."

To see them all together again like this is just… magical. Also, just as Grand Central Station was the perfect place to perform "ON," the spiral structure of the Guggenheim is such a perfect venue to perform "SWIM."

BTS on Apple Music with Zane Lowe: The ARIRANG Interview

"For this album, we didn't care about any 'templates,' we just did what we wanted. We just worked freely, exploring what we wanted to say."

As usual, Zane Lowe is impeccable. Frankly, this will be the only interview that matters in this comeback. 

Jin — Echo North America Promotions Behind

Jin: "I heard the [Vanity Fair] lie detector test is pretty popular in the U.S. right now, so I'm going to get a test done. It'll probably go like, 'Are you BTS?' 'Yes!' [pauses] What if it says it's a lie?! Then I'll say, 'I'm Bangtan Sonyeondan.' 'Are you a man?' 'Yes!' [pauses] What if it says that's a lie, too?! I don't know what kind of questions I'll get, but I'll try my best to lie in a way that works in my favour. It'll be a lie but I'll convince myself it's not. Yes, I'll lie, but I'll trick even myself so that even the lie detector won't detect my lies…"

Jin's thought process is fascinating.

Jin on Buzzfeed: The Puppy Interview

"I feel like I barely have any charisma. I'm probably last place out of all the members. My members are scarily rizzy."

"I still don't think I'm super famous or anything. So I'm able to do everything I wanna do. There's nothing I can't do."

"I look in the mirror and say, 'You're handsome.' If I say this, I start believing it for real. Then I think my genes listen and actually make me look better."

You know, I think Jin is simultaneously the most humble and most confident person I've ever seen in my life.

Jin on Vanity Fair: Lie Detector Test

Interviewer: "When is the last time you did your laundry?"

Jin, looking thoroughly embarrassed: "About… two weeks ago…"

Lie Detector Operator: "He's telling the truth."

I wonder what list of subjects that HYBE had to veto for this interview...

Jin on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Interview and "Don't Say You Love Me" Live Performance

"It was great to be alone, but when [the BTS members] come back [from military service], since they worked so hard, I'm going to honour them and give them great respect. They are my lifesavers, so I need to show my appreciation and take care of them."

Okay, not gonna lie, I didn't expect Jin to ask, "Do you think we have one butt or two?" in this interview, but it is indeed an important, philosophical question.

And on that thought-provoking note, I AM SO EXCITED TO SEE JIN LIVE IN JULY!!!

J-Hope on The Zach Sang Show: Interview

Zach Sang is the only other interviewer aside from Zane Lowe that I truly like and respect. While he does seem a little nervous at times, he still asks deeper, more insightful questions that lead into a great conversation. Zach Sang has been there from nearly the beginning of BTS' foray into North America, and he's always been genuine, kind, and thoughtful with his questions and the way he treats the members, and it's why they keep going back to be interviewed by him. He tells Hobi, "I really appreciate you very, very much, and what you've done for culture and music is immeasurable. And the fact that you've always shared your honesty and your truth — the whole thing — is just… thank you for being you." And Hobi replies, "I think you've become even more awesome! Since I saw you a while ago, you've become more amazing." You can tell they both really mean the words they say and have the utmost respect for one another. A truly great interview.

J-Hope on Apple Music with Zane Lowe: Interview

"... When BTS reunite and perform again, I feel that the response will be tremendous… I think it's important to respect each other's point of view, and it's really about the fact that we all want this. When each of us wants those things, that synergy will naturally come out. I think that energy is really important. So now it's time to respect each other, and I think we'll find common ground in what each of us wants. And that'll be the music that we'll make as BTS. We definitely want to see that since it's something we truly want. And because it's something we want to do, I think many people will feel the same and enjoy it, and I hope that our genuine intentions come through. The seven of us care about the same things in making this choice."

There is truly no interviewer like Zane Lowe. He asks in-depth questions that really get the artist thinking and responding with careful consideration about important topics. His interviews are for true fans of the artist, not just casual listeners, and this one is no different. It's why serious artists are willing to give Zane so much of their time. It's why J-Hope went out of his way to tell him, with the utmost sincerity, "You always give great interviews. And I really appreciate the great questions. You gave something to think about. About me and the team. About the music I can do. I really enjoy being interviewed by you, Zane."

Another truly outstanding interview.

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!

Jin on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Interview

Jimmy: "You're back! Over the summer, you completed your military service and you came back and your bandmates were waiting for you. *shows photo* Is RM playing the saxophone here? What is he playing? Is he playing 'Careless Whisper'? *starts singing*"

[Jin joins Jimmy in singing "Careless Whisper"]

Jimmy: "No, what is he playing?"

Jin: "Not this music. So at that time, it was very hectic because it was immediately after my discharge. I wasn't exactly sure what RM was doing, but he was playing something for me."

Jimmy: "You don't know what he was doing?"

Jin: "Honestly, I didn't even know that he was there."

Jimmy, laughing: "You were also, this summer, the torchbearer during the Olympics representing- *shows photo* What did that mean to you?"

Jin, looking at photo: "Oh, very handsome guy."

Jimmy, staring at Jin: "Yeah. Very handsome guy. Oh, wait, you're talking about the picture or me?"

Jin: "Picture."

Jimmy, laughing: "Yeah, yeah."

Jin: "Sorry."

Jimmy: "Yeah. 'Worldwide Handsome' is a nickname that is around for you. And who came up with that name?"

Jin: "Well, because I'm so handsome, I gave it to myself. I think it expresses me the best."

Jimmy, laughing: "So you came up with that nickname?"

Jin, nodding: "Yeah."

Jimmy: "Unbelievable."

Full confidence and shamelessness at all times. THIS IS WHY WE LOVE JIN.

Leemujin Service: Episode 141 feat. BTS Jin

One thing I love about Leemujin Service is that you hear the guest's vocals in the most clear, pure way. I also love his interpretations of the guest's songs because his voice is so unique. Jin's vocals are flawless here, of course, but I never thought Lee Mujin would get stumped by "Super Tuna."

RM: Right People, Wrong Place: Interview #1 — Intro

Got our tickets for the December 7 viewing! Given how raw and honest and unfiltered Right Place, Wrong Person is, I just know this film is going to be a work of art.

Salon Drip 2: Episode 64 feat. BTS Jin

Jang Doyeon: "Before we sit down, is there something you'd like to drink?"

Jin: "Is everything free?"

Jang Doyeon: *nods* "Of course!"

Jin: "Thank you! I love free food."

Jang Doyeon: "I heard it's your first time releasing a solo album?"

Jin: "Yes, it's my first!"

Jang Doyeon: "It's the first album of your name on it."

Jin: "That's right."

Jang Doyeon: "It must feel different since you don't have your members with you."

Jin: "Ah, I performed the day after I was discharged, on June 13th, and not being with my members made it more scary and nerve-wracking. I had a hard time because I didn't know how to fill the gap. I was so worried about what I should do. But once I got used to it, I loved it!"

Jang Doyeon, laughing: "What did you like about it?"

Jin: "When performing with my members, we have a lot of varying opinions, right? Like, the music should be like this and the choreography should be like this and stuff, right? But since I'm doing it by myself, I was like, 'Choreography? None!'"

Jang Doyeon, laughing: "So you could boldly omit certain things."

Jin: "'These schedules? Delete it!' 'But the fans want it…' 'Oh, really? Then include it!' I can decide on everything myself!"

Jin: "From the lyrics, there's a part that goes, 'Giving something greater than just the little things, that's what I live for.'"

Jang Doyeon: "That's the message you wanted everyone to hear?"

Jin: "I want to my fans to receive great happiness rather than small happiness when they see me and the others. So that part…"

Jang Doyeon: "It's all about your fans!"

Jin: "It can't be helped. My fans gave me everything I have. As long as I have this job, I have to live for my fans. That cannot be compromised."

I've watched Salon Drip once before, the episode featuring Byeon Wooseok and Kim Hyeyoon during their Lovely Runner promotions, and remember thinking what a great job this host did, and it's the same here. She makes the guest comfortable but has a great sense of humour; she'll tease the guest without making it feel awkward, but she'll also ask questions that make the guest more introspective and bring out personal stories. Now this was a great interview. 

The K-Star Next Door: Season 4, Episode 31 feat. BTS Jin

Okay, apparently the MC and Jin are friends (or at least acquaintances who have each other's phone numbers), but this interview seemed kind of... uncomfortable? Like, it was oddly cringy to watch? There were a few funny moments and Jin's live performance of "I'll Be There" was awesome, but I found their interactions kind of awkward in general. 

Suchwita: Episode 27 — SUGA with Jang Yi-jeong (EL CAPITXN)

A real, raw, and honest conversation between two best friends. The perfect ending to this first season of Suchwita. Thank you, Min Yoongi, for giving us such an amazing platform to learn more about you and such a diverse spectrum of people. Suchwita has really been a highlight of my life for the past year. I truly, truly, truly hope for more seasons to come.

Suchwita: Episode 26 — SUGA with Lee Sung-kyung

My Korean worlds are colliding (especially because I just re-watched Shooting Stars for the 3rd time.) This might be one of the most unexpected yet harmonious friendships I've ever seen. I WOULD KILL TO BE APART OF THIS GROUP.

Suchwita: Episode 25 — SUGA with Jung Yong-hwa

Yonghwa: "When I was living with the members, we'd talk about BTS, saying, "Hey, isn't there something different about them?" So I got curious since we were promoting at the same time. I got really curious about you guys. So i just went up to you and asked, 'What do you do on days off?' And you said, 'We write songs.'"

Yoongi: "'We work.'"

Yonghwa: "'We work.' Younger artists don't usually say that. Usually, it's something like, 'The agency doesn't give us days off…' or 'We can't go out to hang out.' 90% of answers are like that. But you guys… I just knew you'd make it big. So I figured I should get closer to you."

Yoongi: "Being hot can't last forever."

Yonghwa: "Right, right."

Yoongi: "And that's true. Because the career of a singer is shorter than you think. That's why when singers quit, they go into acting or do something else. I always think about it. BTS is so hot and doing great right now, but I know it won't last forever."

Yonghwa, seriously: "No! No! BTS forever! BTS FOREVER."

Outside of the Suchwita episodes with the other BTS members, I think this might be the funniest and most entertaining episode so far. I'm not that familiar with CNBLUE, but Jung Yonghwa is JOKES. (And also really, really good-looking.)