By Jae-Ha Kim
jaehakim.com
December 6, 2018
☆☆☆☆
Starring: Kim Seok-Jin (Jin), Min Yoon-Gi (Suga), Jeong Ho-Seok (J-Hope), Kim Nam-Joon (RM), Park Ji-Min (Jimin), Kim Tae-Hyung (V), Jeon Jung-Kook (Jungkook)
Directed by: Park Jun-Soo
Distributed by: Trafalgar Releasing
Running time: 85 minutes
↑Note: Korean names denote the surname followed by the given name.
“Burn the Stage: The Movie” is a taut, entertaining look at BTS — the world’s most famous boy band. While the music, choreography and comic elements will endear the group to moviegoers, it’s their kindness that I remembered long after I had left the theater.
Two scenes specifically stand out. The first takes place after a performance. The group walks over to their staff, who are enjoying a celebratory meal, and RM says, “All we did was sing and dance. You made it all happen.” The second takes place in New York City. One of the members has just bought some hot dogs to share. As he passes them out, one of his bandmates asks, “Did you get one for our bodyguard?” (And yes, he did.)
It’s this kindness that is palatable in how they conduct their lives and it’s part of the reason why their millions of fans adore and admire them. It’s evident in how they respect those who work for them. And it’s overflowing in how they treat their fans, who have been dismissed as “crazy” and “hysterical” by sexist critics who are too lazy to look beyond the group’s handsome faces.
Directed by Park Jun-Soo, the documentary has elements that are superior to the eight-part YouTube docu-series (“Burn the Stage”) that premiered in March. The cinematography is beautifully done and gives viewers a true sense of being there.
The weakest point, however, is the superfluous narration. Written by Kim Jae-Ho, the words indeed are very beautiful and poetic, presenting images of the ocean and the desert and how the symbolism relates to BTS’ career. But when an anonymous narrator speaks dialogue such as, “We seek to unfold dreams” — as if he is a member of BTS — it now takes on a K-Drama feel, which — in this case — is not a good thing.
Near the end of the film, Suga (and then RM) take over the narration and the difference is night and day. In their voices, you hear sincerity, whereas with the narrator, you hear an interloper pretending.
Suga starts his narration by saying all of the band members names, starting with Jin and ending with his own. This is an important distinction. They all acknowledge that RM is the leader of the group and that as such, his name will always be first in fan chants. But by putting Jin’s name first, Suga is paying homage to the eldest member. The group often jokes around about how playful Jin can be. But they also were raised in South Korea, where age plays a role in daily hierarchy.
Some of the documentary’s most fun moments center around Jin and Suga, the two eldest members of BTS. As Jin is receiving physical therapy, he cracks his Dad Jokes, which are so bad that they’re good. His therapist finally breaks down with laughter, falling over in stitches.
Jin’s job is done.
My favorite moments are those that show them relaxing during their down time. One takes place on a sunny day at a private home. Jin is poolside, barbecuing some mouth-watering beef, while Jimin arranges cans of beer and other refreshments on a tray. One by one, they dive into the pool, cracking each other up. Pan to Suga, who is lounging on a chaise, sipping a glass of red wine.
A close second occurs when V’s sassy Pomeranian, Yeontan, makes his appearance. Jungkook looks at him and begs the tiny dog not to urinate on the sofa. Next shot: the Golden Maknae dutifully cleaning up Yeontan’s mess. (Time to revisit RM’s “pup-pees” joke!)
This documentary is a good cinematic debut for BTS, but I would like to see them step outside of their comfort zone and star in their own version of something like “A Hard Day’s Night,” which was a fictionalized account of a day-in-the-life of the Beatles.
Yes, it could be risky. They might not be able to pull off a feature film that required acting.
But given what I’ve seen in all of the video content they produce for their fans, they most likely could. And should.
By popular demand, additional US screenings have been added for the record-breaking Burn the Stage: the Movie!
The film will return to 400 movie theaters nationwide on DECEMBER 5 & 6!
Book now on https://t.co/XDQD74hiAo.@bts_bighit #BTS pic.twitter.com/JQ7fgq3qSn
— Trafalgar Releasing (@TrafalgarRel) November 27, 2018
Original release date: November 15, 2018.
Read my reviews of YouTube Red’s docu-series,“BTS: Burn the Stage” here: Episode 1 & 2. Episode 3. Episode 4. Episode 5. Episode 6. Episode 7. Episode 8.
A special thanks to Marcus Theatres for inviting me to the screening.
What stuck w/me after I saw #BurnTheStageTheMovie was the kindness @BTS_twt exhibit to each other, their staff & their fans–and even to Yeontan (“pup-pees”). Suga also quietly paid homage to Jin being the eldest by saying his name 1st. My review⏭️https://t.co/kxVKG226e8 #BTS pic.twitter.com/4ETJV0DpSG
— Jae-Ha Kim 김재하 (@GoAwayWithJae) December 6, 2018
© 2018 JAE-HA KIM | All Rights Reserved
The reason I’m in a BTS hole now is the exact things that you have mentioned in the review….their bonds among members, the respects and love that they show towards each other and the people around them. But the real puller is non other than the leader whom I perceived as wise and intellectual that really binds the team tightly.
This feels like my experience. Love it Unni. BTS will continue to do great things. I am looking forward to the many ways they will show us their love.
Is there any site’s to download this movie? For free? I badly want to watch this 🙂