“BTS: Bring the Soul”: Episode 6

By Jae-Ha Kim
jaehakim.com
October 1, 2019

The finale of “Bring the Soul” coincides with the end of the European leg of BTS’ 2018 “Love Yourself” world tour. Each member is given his moment in the spotlight, but this episode was almost a coming-of-age tribute to Jungkook (who had just turned 21 on tour).

It begins with Jungkook enjoying a night out in Germany with his manager and security detail. Saying that he would’ve gone crazy being penned up in his hotel room, he thanks his staff for going out with him and insists they each order a liter of beer. After finishing their dinner and drinks, he greets a Korean fan outside who is giddy to have met him. Jungkook tells his manager, “She’s Korean. I should at least shake her hand.”

You can take the boy out of Korea, but Korean etiquette is ingrained in him. As much as they want to greet all their fans, they can’t (due to time constraints and safety issues). But there is a common bond between Koreans when we spot each other in countries where we are definitely the minorities. This isn’t unique to just pop stars. It’s an acknowledgment that we traveled from a tiny country and have run into each other again halfway around the world. We’re family.

And in Korean culture, family members feel free to point out a person’s looks — both the good and the bad — which is considered rude by many Westerners. The next day, Suga casually mentions to Jungkook that his face has become rounder on tour. He’s not calling the Golden Maknae fat or saying he eats too much. If anything, it’s a compliment from an older brother to his sibling that the child is getting enough to eat. Jungkook clarifies, though, that his face is swollen not from too much food, but from a night out drinking. Turns out he indulged in two liters of beer (and he sounds pretty pleased with himself about it).

A running theme throughout this series has been how hard the band has to workout to maintain their energy level on stage and how they have to continually work through physical pain during their three-hour concerts. The camera pans to a shot of Jin and Jungkook laughing and working out together in their hotel gym. The drills look effortless to them, but that’s a testament to how hard they train. And it also shows that the demands are more manageable when they have their friend with them.

“It’s not all pain, all the time,” RM says. “At the end of this pain, it’s also the end of this euphoria, so we want to enjoy everything. I don’t mean to brag, but I would say this tour has been a success.”

Jin is quick to make jokes and turn himself into the clown to cheer up the others. But the jovial attitude he presents to fans belies his wisdom and maturity. As I listened to him create imaginary dialogue between the animals he saw at the zoo, I thought, “I wish he’d write a children’s book.” It would be magical. I always got the impression that he is far from the scaredy cat he presents himself as. That said, I laughed out loud when he was startled by a bicyclist zooming past him. “I thought that was a wild animal,” he said.

Near the end of this finale, RM relates a story from his youth. He had asked his mother for a $50 microphone for his rapping. She said no. But later, she surprised him with it. More important than the actual gift was her encouragement: “Do what makes you happy.” For a Korean mother to tell that to her only son — an academically-gifted student with a genius-level IQ — truly was a show of faith in him. Parents want what’s best for their children, but it’s often difficult for us to align our wants with their needs.

“Everyone has snapshots in their memories,” he says. “That moment was the start of my happiness.”

Airdates: The six-part docuseries debuted on August 27, 2019 on the group’s Weverse app. Read more of my reviews of “BTS: Bring the Soul” here: (Episode 1) (Episode 2) (Episodes 3 & 4) (Episode 5)

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