BTS kicked off Thanksgiving week by landing on the cover of Esquire on Monday (Nov. 23), dishing on everything from the success of “Dynamite” to their brand-new album Be.
In the interview, done over Zoom all the way from Big Hit Entertainment headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, the K-pop boy band revealed that the direction of their latest music actually took its cue in response to the ongoing global pandemic.
“‘Dynamite’ wouldn’t be here if there was no COVID-19,” RM revealed about the creation of the band’s first-ever No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. “For this song, we wanted to go easy and simple and positive. Not some, like, deep vibes or shadows. We just wanted to go easy.”
“We were trying to convey the message of healing and comfort to our fans. World domination wasn’t actually our plan when we were releasing ‘Dynamite,” added Jin.
With the sit-down conducted weeks before its release, the band mates also reflected on the tone of their fifth Korean-language studio album Be, which was released Nov. 20. “I don’t think this album will have any songs that criticize social issues. Everybody is going through very trying times right now. So I don’t think there will be any songs that will be that aggressive,” RM said of the eight-track set, which includes follow-up single “Life Goes On” as well as album tracks “Blue & Grey,” “Stay,” “Fly To My Room” and more.
And yet, even with their groundbreaking accomplishments as of late, the septet — who took home the awards for favorite duo/group, pop rock and top social artist at the 2020 American Music Awards on Sunday night (Nov. 22) — still admit to struggling with imposter syndrome (or “mask complex,” as RM calls it) and gaining further respect in America. One milestone still on BTS’ radar? The validation that would come with earning their first Grammy.
“I think the Grammys are the last part, like the final part of the whole American journey,” RM concluded. “So yeah, we’ll see.”
Check out BTS’ Esquire cover, as well as the band reacting to their own music videos, memes and other contributions to internet culture, below.