BTS Dropped Their "On" Music Video, So Here Are 13 Things You Might've Missed

If you see me with random words on my face, I'm totally fine.

HAPPY BTS RELEASE DAY! HAPPY BIRTH TO MAP OF THE SOUL: 7! I'M NOT OK AT ALL!!!

BTS / Giphy / Via giphy.com

But you know what's more than OK? Incredible and mesmerizing, even? The music video for their lead single, "On!" Watch it and revel in the greatness of this ~kinetic manifesto film~.

Big Hit Entertainment / Via youtube.com

Which I watched for the first time half-asleep and bleary-eyed at 5 a.m., lol, and then about 100 more times later, when I was much more coherent.

1. Since "On" is a reflection of their seven-year career, it's very appropriate that its name mirrors that of their 2013 single, "N.O." They also made a direct reference in this M Countdown comeback teaser!

Mnet

In case you forgot, BTS debuted in 2013, so this song came out when they were angsty, hip-hop bbs singing about the hardships of being teens and feeling the pressure to be perfect students by their parents and society.

Also! In "N.O" there's a "In Seoul to the Sky" lyric, but in "On" they sing "Maybe Seoul, or New York, or Paris" — which (to me) signifies their growth from underdogs to respected artists constantly traveling and touring the world, and their overall 🌏 global domination 🌎.

2. And! Both "On" and "N.O" music videos used black-and-white color palettes.

Big Hit Entertainment

Some of the dancers are wearing gas masks, and while none of the "guards" in "N.O" are wearing those, their faces are basically totally obscured and they're armed with riot shields — so all in all, very similar vibes.

And whereas "N.O" was filmed indoors (which gives off a feeling of being ~trapped~), "On" was filmed out in the open, which obviously let more colors into the mix. In fact, there were even solo shots of the clear blue sky! And not to mention, there's also Jimin's blue hair and Jin's blue denim jacket!

3. They tapped the talents of The Blue Devils, a famous competitive drum and bugle corps, and dancers from creative agency The Lab (choreographed and led by Sienna Lalau*).

Big Hit Entertainment

*Who is a total boss and deservedly got a solo shot at the beginning of the music video! And, if that wasn't impressive enough, Sienna also helped choreograph "Dionysus!"

The Lab as a whole also danced with BTS during their Speak Yourself world tour. And can we also appreciate the diversity of the dancers?? 🥺

4. The aerial shots of BTS and the dance crew are definitely reminiscent of the aerial group shots in "Not Today."

Big Hit Entertainment

Even the songs (and especially the choruses) have similar vibes! "Today we will survive" vs. "Bring on the pain" — we love powerful messages.

5. According to Reddit, they filmed the video at the Sepulveda Dam.

Big Hit Entertainment / Via youtube.com

6. V has "The Shadow Like Me" written on his face, which alludes to Suga's "Interlude: Shadow" (which was initially released prior to the full album).

Big Hit Entertainment

In "Shadow," Suga raps, "But my growing shadow swallows me and becomes a monster." I guess BTS and their shadows are one and the same!

P.S. This look is so iconic that his friend — actor and singer Park Hyung-sik — even Instagrammed it!

7. He also has a mysterious neck tattoo that reminds me of the shattered glass present throughout many moments of the Interlude: Shadow comeback trailer.

Big Hit Entertainment

8. Jimin gave a nod to his iconic, shoulder-bearing move from the "Blood, Sweat, and Tears" era, and needless to say, it didn't go unnoticed!!

Big Hit Entertainment

9. That's not the only "Blood, Sweat, and Tears" reference — in the bridge, Jungkook sings, "My blood and tears / Got no fears."

Big Hit Entertainment

I got the shivers listening to this part!

10. And right before Jungkook goes into his beautiful high notes, the members walk away, one by one, from oldest to youngest.

Big Hit Entertainment

Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and our golden maknae, Jungkook.

11. V and Jimin are the only two members wearing all-white outfits, which probably symbolizes their ~soulmate~ status that they sing about in their duet, "Friends."

Big Hit Entertainment

They literally sing, "One day when this cheer dies down, stay hey / You are my soulmate / For eternity, keep staying here hey / You are my soulmate."

They don't even use the word "friend" in the lyrics! So why not just call the song "Soulmates"?

12. They ended "On" facing away from the camera, just like they did in "Boy With Luv."*

Big Hit Entertainment

*which, as you probably know, was also a mirror for the ending pose in "Boy In Luv."

I felt such joy seeing them all hug each other after such a physically and lyrically intense song! 💜💜💜

13. And, as if this magical video wasn't enough, BTS is hitting us with a SECOND music video for "On" sometime next week!!!

Big Hit Entertainment

I mean, there's a digital version of "On" featuring Sia...so it adds up.

And while the details are a little fuzzy (aka I haven't heard Big Hit confirm it), The Ringer and AV Club have both reported on it. So let's keep our fingers crossed! And prepare your dang hearts to explode all over again!

Anyway, if anyone wants to know how I'm doing in this post-"On" (and Map of the Soul: 7) age...

CBS / Via giphy.com