BTS isn’t pulling any punches. They have officially released the music video for 2.0, a visual experience that marks a sophisticated evolution for the group.
The video’s standout moment arrives early: a meticulously crafted one-take sequence that pays direct homage to the legendary hallway fight from the cult classic film Oldboy.
Trading microphones for high-intensity stunt work, the members take on a horde of rivals in a seamless, side-scrolling brawl.
Fans were quick to spot “Easter eggs” tucked within the chaos, cleverly integrated choreography snippets from their 2015 hit DOPE that bridge the gap between their rookie energy and their current “upgraded” status.
The release of “2.0” serves as the visual spearhead for their 5th full-length album, ARIRANG. While the music video is trending worldwide, the numbers are doing the talking on the charts: Achievement Status Billboard 200 #1 Debut Billboard HOT 100 Multiple entries, including 2.0 Global Charts Real-time “All-Kill” across major platforms With this latest project, BTS continues to redefine their global star power, proving that even after years at the top, they can still find new ways to surprise.
My Reaction
I love the grittiness of the music video, no questions about it. And as a fan of OldBoy, I appreciate them for giving homage to one of the best films that ever came out in the universe. However, I’m quite disappointed that 2.0 was what they chose to release as a single and music video to come. ARIRANG is already getting a lot of flak from many of their fans and haters, and I think releasing that song puts fuel to the fire.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not the one to shun an almost avante-garde release. I’m one of the fans who embrace BTS’s evolution. I disagree with people who say that the group is committing cultural appropriation or that they want to kiss the assess of Western people. That’s not it at all. As what I wrote in my ARIRANG review, it’s apparent that BTS wants to penetrate a new audience with their new album, and I respect that. With all their popularity and an army of loyal fans, there’s really no other way but to pervade new ones who haven’t heard of them yet.
However, I don’t think it was a wise decision to choose 2.0. They could’ve gone with Body to Body, or Hooligan might fit the gritiness of the Oldboy-inspired music video better. When I reviewed their album, I couldn’t say a lot of words about 2.0 because its excessively devoid of melody. I like the dark rap parts of the song, but it won’t just do with what it is now. If almost all of the songs in ARIRANG were like 2.0, then I would hate the album in an instant.
If they decide to release another song from ARIRANG, I hope it’s anything else but FYA. But I really thought that 2.0 was a bad song. Grrr.
NeP-C Ledesma is a millennial writer and entrepreneur full of curiosity about our abstract world. She devours Psychology, food, Philosophy, and prefer cats as her all-time company. Pop Culture is her kryptonite.