"Without anyone knowing, BTS quietly visited our kids through their song and video. They delivered their unforgotten hearts. Yae Eun would`ve liked it a lot too..." - Father of one of the Sewol Ferry victims, Yae Eun - 🎗 The Italian Army went to Korea for a proper research and even met relatives of the victims and cried with them. And to think about that the sinking of the ship took more than 1 hrs........... The vice principal of the students who organized the trip commited suicide few days after the tragedy. He asked to bring his ashes to the place of the sinking so that he might be a teatcher in heaven for those whos bodies wont be found. And one of the civil divers took his life because he got haunted by the kids ghosts asking him to not leave them behind. There are so many innocent victims. And Spring Day reminds us to not forget them.
Worth saying that the donation to the families and the campaign was made before BTS became really successful. I believe the amount was almost a third of their income for 2015. The song and the mv are not exact equivalents - the song is beautiful, poignant and universal, while the mv is more easily related to a specific event. RM and Suga originally wrote from their own experiences of separation from friends and family, loss of relationships and the grief that brings. The song was slightly adapted to include references which are also in the video.
Yes, it was before BTS get famous and I was also there with BTS around that time too. It’s just hurtful for the victims and families and also BTS had to hide the messages.
"I don't trust adults, do you think they will come here and save us?, we're just Students nothing else" - Namra (All of Us are dead series) Korean Netflix series.
Another Explanation: -The scene were Jin was looking up at the others climbing up the stairs symbolizes of him being dead and stuck uderwater unable to climb while he's watching others growing. -The scene were Jungkook running away alone to confront injustices just like what Namjoon did in the first scene, he thought he was running alone but then the other members show up to team up with him to confront injustices means "You Never Walk Alone". -The scene were the other members throwing something on Namjoons face symbolized Goverment treating a person who confront their corruption. -The scene were Jungkook lights up a Match refers to an old farytale called "Little Match Girl" were in the first scene he was alone but then when he lights up the match other members showed up. -And the scene were Jimin step out of the train, was also reffered to the "Snowpiercer" Movie when one Man decided to go out of the train as he saw a snowpiece enter the train for the first time in a long time, he think that the world outside was slowly getting back to normal, so Jimin symbolizes the man who walk out of the train. -The Tree at the last scene means "A new life, new hope, a Spring Day"
and the dozen of clothes outside of the train (not that one where suga sitting ) which left behind are pointing the persons who are dead are outside of the entire living world left behind and don't know what is going on . also the part when JK seeing himself in train crossing him it also says that no matter what we do , protest or justice who are gone will never come back
I was a public school teacher in southern Seoul when this occurred and Ansan is not too far. It was a huge junior class trip and these kids go through so much that this trip would be one of their only moments of fun before the severe stress of senior year. We even go to work late or turn off all sound near high schools on the day seniors take the SATs because that daybcan determine their whole future. When Sewol happened the whole country shut down for 5 weeks. Not the town. The country. 43 million people mourning then deaths of these kids. No events, I went to a baseball game and there was no music or cheering, music shows and festivals were canceled, nothing loud or joyful despite the major holidays in early May. Most school events were canceled for the entire year with no trips even the next year because parents and schools were so terrified of further loss. As an American even going through 9/11 I was stunned seeing a whole country go silent and just stop. 2 winters later it was felt again because the students and everyone reposted the graduation pics of just classrooms with a few kids surrounded by empty chairs with the pictures and flowers. It was very haunting. Even more so that most of the survivors posted these pics with quotes that their biggest regret was surviving. If you ever venture on twitter that day you will see the yellow ribbon on Korean twitter and even kpop twitter still. This song and Akdong Musician have a huge association with this event and Sungkyu kind of...
another sad note. One of the voulenteer rescue divers committed suicide out of guilt and trauma. He was one that pulled out many of the kid's bodies. He said he carried guilt for not being able to save more. One of the fishermen that was first on the scene was attacked by the media why he didnt save more kids... even though HE pulled more kids out of that water than the coast guard did... and the fisherman struggle with severe trauma and guilt for not saving more! Instead of being celebrated as heroes for going out and doing what they can, doing more than the coast guard who's job it was to actually go and do the resquing. They are being belittled by the media and government. Its disgusting.
BTS are silent heroes....they do so much without telling anyone! Only because people uncover these things we get to know what these guys do for other people and the world!! And to think about the fact that they gave so much in the past when they struggled themself!!!
You said all with common senses of human. Honestly, as a Korean I didn't like K-pop idol music, and I didn't know about BTS. I got to know them last year with 'Spring Day'. Just watching the MV, I cried a lot actually not knowing anything behind the MV. There was no expanation needed to see what it tells us. There's a documentary movie currently open, "My Candle", which recorded the candle movement around that time, and I'm taking a train (virtually now) to go to Seoul to watch it. This is because many theaters avoid inviting the movie since a presidential election is coming in this March. The same power (the shit people) is still here to regain the power with the help of corrupted media (know that Korean media/press got the worst rate in reliability in the world though their freedom of speech got high ranked all thanks to the current government). Under the Park's regime, there was a blacklist of artists who are against the government, and I think BTS had to hide the message really deep. The future of Korea may go back to that regime depending on the result in this March. Hope it doesn't happen... When politicians are corrupted, anything can happen in anywhere in this world. So, let's be awake.
I'll be on the lookout for My Candle. Can I see it in the States? I immediately thought of RM's song, Vote. So powerful. I even made a bumper sticker which says: Vote...or shut up. Thanks for the prompt to re-read the lyrics. Spring Day is so powerful and reading about the need to "hide the message" makes it even more so. I really appreciate your comment.
The Sewol ferry sank very slowly too. It took hours to sink, and the Coast Guard was there for hours and did almost nothing. The kids even called their parents on their cell phones to let them know they were OK and were staying in their rooms as they were told. I saw an interview with a mom who said her biggest regret was she had told her child to listen to what the crew told them to do. There are audio recordings of the Coast Guard talking with government officials about waiting for a camera crew to get there so that they could be filmed rescuing the passengers. They were more concerned with getting their "heroism" on film than with actually saving people.
You know, the most heartbreaking and frustrating part is, the President who was sentenced to 25 years in prison, was just pardoned by President Moon, just last month, because she was in back pain in prison. So after serving 3 years into her sentence she is returning to her mansion in Daegu, to live her comfy life of freedom. How about all the people who spoke out against her handling and cover up, and were blacklisted and imprisoned ? Did they get dismissed prison sentences, just for speaking out against this ? This pisses me off, so much. So what if her fucking back gave her pain? How about the pain of the children, fighting for their lives, while drowning ? How about the pain of the families, and the entire nation ? This is awful, but I hope something tragic happens to that bitch, so she can feel just 1% of the pain she caused. I’ll stop. I said too much.
Everyone who was blacklisted and imprisoned needs to be released, and she should give a formal apology. Moon should never have the option of working in a public office, and her fortune should be donated to the families.
I think President Moon follow Kim Dae-jung path. It's a beautiful and kind idea about peace and forgivness, but for me : it's no. They don't deserved peace after what they did. President Park let hundred of student died and Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo let thousand of people died and slaved a lot of people. But Kim Dae-jung open a more peacefull path when He did what he did and Moon was a good president too (Iteawon was after him, and a lot of scandal was now taking seriously by the gouvernment like the Burning Sun and the Nth Room.
Xcelest does an explanation that goes deeper into the symbolism in the video, whereas Italian army goes deeper into the social/ political side of things.
The tragedy is still very present in the Korean people. The professor who organized the trip managed to survive, but shortly after he committed suicide; they mention that the other teachers who survived changed their residence since they were singled out. The surviving students faced guilt for not following directions and getting rescued. Among the volunteers think there was also at least one suicide. The former President is the daughter of another former president who they point out was very authoritarian and her mother was killed in an attack. As indicated, it was not attentive to the rescue situation, even in the first reports the Government indicated that everyone had been rescued. In the last days of December of last year, she received a presidential pardon due to health problems, for which she was released before the end of the year. This tragedy happened in 2014 when BTS was not even a year old and together with the company they faced different obstacles. The donation by BTS and Big Hit that was mentioned in the video was discovered by the press and released in early 2017 but had been in the works for some time. For the anniversary, in 2020 they conducted an interview with some parents, who revealed that 6 or 7 months after the shipwreck, BTS and Bang Si Hyuk visited them and lit incense with them (Korean custom), an action that moved them so they decided keep quiet to avoid problems with the government.
Even though a child must suffer so that others can live happily people don't actually walk away from "Omelas" thus the "no vacancy" sign in my opinion. Even though others suffer, people are not willing to put aside their happiness and choose bliss. The incident is tragic beyond comprehension. I can not imagine what people went and still going through. Thank you for the reaction and many thanks to BTS. I did not know but now i will not forget. Deepest condolences to all people affected..🎗️
Been watching you since you first discovered BTS. I'm glad you started from the beginning and experience their growth as artists. I'm excited for the rest of your journey!! On Spring Day, although the MV seem to focus on the Sewol Tragedy, the song itself was written by RM about his personal experiences about losing friendships. Suga's part talks about his personal experiences as well. He once said "Doesn’t everyone have an experience in which they parted ways with their friends?” This song hits people hard even if they don't know about this MV theory. I myself was drawn to this song for months because of the live performances without watching any MV explanation. Just want to share a different perspective why Spring Day is relatable.
I can't imagine what those poor parents and relatives are going through... they were literally forced to wait and watch their babies slowly dying inside the ship, while the rescuers didn't do ANYTHING... the amount of anger, frustration and helplessness those people were forced to go through is inhumane.. i can't even begin to understand how anyone could be that cruel, that they are willing to let 300+ children die, because they don't want their corruption to be exposed...Every single person who was involved in causing this tragedy should be in prison. i hope these families will be able find some sort of peace and comfort, knowing that there are millions of people who will remember their loved ones and that they won't be forgotten. I hope those innocent victims will rest in peace 🤍
I remember when this happened. There were so many different things being said and reported. It was chaotic. K-pop idols and actors cancelled tv shows and concerts, debuts ect. The industry came to a standstill. They donated to relief funds and supported the yellow ribbon campaign. Really supported solidarity and the families of the victims. The kids were recording videos and texting and calling their parents while it was sinking. Some of the parents have uploaded those videos to RUclips. Some parents even told their kids to sit and wait and do what they were being told to do, instead of evacuating. They believed what they were being told by the media and government. I just kept going back and forth between anger and sadness.
- The ferry was in fact carrying more than six times the weight it was originally designed for to make extra money per trip. The three times the weight was what it had been wrongly approved for. Most of the illegal modifications placed the weight at the top and when it shifted it made the ferry tip over. - It wasn't the usual captain that day. He had raised concerns about the safety onboard and had been removed for it. - The captain on the day is currently serving 36 years for murder and several crew members were convicted of murder, negligence, violating marine laws, etc. The owner committed suicide. - It's important (to me) to remember that three crew members actually died trying to save the kids. RIP 💜 - The footage from inside the ferry - including the air pockets - absolutely kills me since it was mostly recorded and sent by students with mobile phones before they perrished. 💔 (This info is all from the very detailed and graphic Wikipedia page on the tragedy) *And noone is ever ready for Spring Day!*
I watched this live on twitch but I’m watching again! I’m also on Patreon and have been catching up to your journey. My own BTS journey just stated in September! So I’m learning too
@@JimGames thank you for sharing your journey! It’s showing me things I haven’t found yet. Rise of bangtan was one of the first things I started watching. They just came out with a new episode today and I can’t wait until you get to it.
Welcome to the rabbit hole. I’m a baby ARMY, just under two years in and having a blast. Go back and learn about their early days following debut to really understand them.
This is the true backstory of this song. The sinking of MV Sewol also called the Sewol ferry disaster, occurred on the morning of 16 April 2014, when the ferry MV Sewol was en route from Incheon towards Jeju in South Korea. The 6,825-ton vessel sent a distress signal from about 2.7 kilometres north of Byeongpungdo at 08:58 KST. Out of 476 passengers and crew, 304 died in the disaster, including around 250 students from Danwon High School (Ansan City). Of the approximately 172 survivors, more than half were rescued by fishing boats and other commercial vessels that arrived at the scene approximately forty minutes before the Korea Coast Guard.
I’m not sure “like” is a way to describe the way fans feel about this. I think it’s that it stands for not staying silent in the face of corruption, it stands for social justice, it stands for grief, and we know that the full impact of this MV can hit like a truck of empathy and horror and anger. It’s a song that leaves a stronger impression that you’d ever expect from a semi simple sounding sad song. But depths man. The depths they hit.
Jim, I'm glad you watched Italian ARMY's video, because out of all the explanation videos, this was best suited to you considering your background. It's a lot to take in. Thank you for taking the time to learn, because it means a lot to those who were affected in the tragedy.
Sorry for a 2nd comment Jim, The parents didn't just have the "thought" of their kids alive in the air pockets, they had proof! It was in the age of smartphones and their kids were texting them to say their goodbyes and to tell them how scared they were. That knowledge alone broke my heart as a parent.
You’re right, it is a train horn not a ship’s horn unless, of course, they sound alike in Korea. The Sewol Ferry tragedy is unforgivable. So many would’ve been saved if those in charge and those supposedly rescuing the passengers had done their job. I find it incredible that the captain abandoned his ship with no regard for the passengers in his care.
This is one of their songs that truely makes me cry everytime i hear it, this song reminds me of my nana i lost a couple of years back but i know that ill see her again and this song brings me that comfort and Vs line “ you know it all your my best friend” pulls at my heart strings so much and it makes me cry alot. This so is so full of emotion and you can here it in their voice and the way they move and sing. Also this song is not only about missing and loosing someone but also reminds people of the sewol tragedy and how all this school kids lost their lifes
Because of this... a lot of people who watched "All of us are dead" a Netflix drama, are saying that there are similar themes. The adults have failed these kids. Much love to those who have suffered the tragedies around the world. The ones we know about and the ones we don't where adults have failed to protect children. 💜
The gov didn't want the public to know the ship was modified. that's why they don't want the fishboats to approach the ship to save the victims. The sinking ship was only recovered much later and only then the public found out it had been modified.
I just binged watched all your videos of BTS. I am 43 years old and absolutely love them. I have enjoyed watching your journey into them. Thank you for being so open minded with them, and enjoying them. This song tears me up everytime I hear it.
You made an incredible point about Korean culture, Jim. This whole tragedy is even more sorrowful because Korean citizens are (for the most part, collectively, culturally, and nationally) very obedient people when it comes to their elders or anyone older than them (especially Korean children). The fact that these beautiful KIDS, beautiful souls, listened obediently 'til their death is what makes this event all the more tragic... RIP to the beautiful children who lost their souls in the Sewol Ferry tragedy.
I am proud to be an army , I literally can't imagine my life without them and their songs . They have literally became my life that my blood boils when someone say bad about bts without even hearing a fu*king song or without even knowing what they have done to society . Now I just don't care , like let them miss out on bts . They don't deserve these 7 angels at all
Spring Day is the queen of all BTS songs. It has a very strong, beautiful, so full of emotions and meaningful message that we all can relate. It's still up in the Korean hit chart since it's released. I so admire how brilliant their minds work to come up with a good music like this. Though they never really mentioned directly anything about the tragedy, the gestures they showed in support to the victims families is enough. I was waiting for your opinion and reaction about this song. They performed this live at Dear Class 2020 where they send a message to the graduates of Class 2020. Performing on stage they also has a dance choreography for this song. I 'm always fascinated how BTS dances to their songs like it's so danceable, sometimes fun to watch but behind those lyrics (when you get to learn the explanations) are actually strong and powerful messages that would make you realized a thing or two. Every time they releases a song in Korean I would always look for the explanations of their songs mostly at DKDKTV channel. They always amazes me every time and I can't help but admire, respect, love and stan these boys more. They really deserve all those recognitions.
i left this comment about spring day on one of your videos thinking you had already heard the song LOL. you gave it a heart but i also know you said that you haven't been reading long comments about the song so i'll just leave it here again hahah. also i love how versatile the song is. it could be applied to so many forms of loss. and the MV being connected to that tragedy makes it even more heartbreaking. namjoon's mind amazes me :') my comment from a few days ago: i really recommend the spring day cover done on the korean show “immortal songs” by song so hee. she’s a traditional singer and the way she delivers spring day is just… it’s amazing. maybe listening to that in addition to reading the lyrics can help you understand why the song is seen as so special :) something about missing someone as “snowflakes fall and melt away”, wondering if “i was the dust in the air, maybe i could get to you faster” and then the heartache of “maybe those snowflakes have become cherry blossoms… but i still miss you” . that bittersweet hope of waiting possibly forever until you’re reunited with that person you desperately need to see again. i listened to spring day a lot after my grandpa passed away. it also makes me think a lot about my family in afghanistan who i don’t know when i’ll get to see in person again. it’s just a very well written and well composed song that really touches your heart. i also really love the choreography:) sorry for the long comment, spring day is just something special and i know there are some people who might think the hype is overrated but i think when the song clicks for you, it really hits you and never let’s go. 🌸💜
the Queen is still in the charts! though not number 1 but it never left the chart since its release. the song is about losing someone whatever the circumstances may be. it may be friendship, relationship etc... but the MV delved more about tragedy.
The vice principal of the school where the kids went, visited the dock on the 1 or 2 year anniversary and committed suicide. He was so distraught about the situation.
Spring day is the Queen. And you must remember that BTS were young men and they were not that famous or rich when they did the MV and the donation. I love them so much. 💜
Im crying at work now .. and this is like the 4th time im watching this explained video. I really appreciated your attitude when apologising for the joke you made unknowingly; I love your genuine reactions! looking forward to more
I was in Korea when this tragedy happened. How it was handled was disgusting, for want of a better word. A tragedy that did not need to happen if not for greed and the corruption of the Park administration. Her impeachment was one of the best things to ever happen to Korean politics. The current administration is like the complete flip side of the previous administration. Seeing you getting angrier is so understandable. I was also back in the country about 2 years later and to this day I remember standing on the side of a road in Seoul watching family members and friends silently demonstrate, carrying pictures of their deceased children, begging for answers. It was so heartbreaking to see, knowing that I could do nothing to help. I cried like a baby that day and I think about that scene every time I hear Spring Day. Oh and by the way - if you think Italians talk fast, Koreans go at twice that speed!
Now any time that you hear that song, it will hit you differently. I have so much respect for BTS. They are unique, incredible, and humble human beings. This is why us ARMY is so protective of them.
This video reveals the hearts of BTS.💜 In the beginning, Taehyung ["V"] puts his ear to a railroad rail, seemingly listening for a train. He seems isolated and worried. In this scene, does V represent the children who drowned, awaiting rescue from their darkened cabins in the capsized ferry? Snowpiercer, Legend of the Omela, and the Sewol ferry disaster - key to everything here. 😥😥😭😭😭💜 The dead passengers were betrayed by the Korean government and the ferry company, which had warnings that the Sewol was an inherently unstable vessel, overloaded the vessel - and that vehicles and freight shifted, causing the loss of the boat and 304 people, most of whom were high school-aged children, betrayed by everyone but their parents and civilian volunteers. The Korean government's criminal performance following the capsizing and the ferry crew's shameful conduct KILLED people. Thank you for your superb tribute, BTS. Borahae.💜😪😪🎗
I was in Korea a couple of months after this, and the grief was still palpable - grief on a national scale and the people who were supposed to protect you mostly responsible. It was incredibly moving.
You may check also the explanation of Spring Day by bulletproof channel. It was just a shorter video but still the same exact content. It mentioned some parts that wasn't mentioned in the Italian army channel. Like Jin watching his friends grow up without him, the jungkook saw jungkook scene was a goosebump. The members coming all together to fight for something. The lighting of the matchstick scene. The suitcases and a lot more.
Its ok Jim 💜 you did capture the idea that its about losing a loved one - this song is really close Army's hearts - and dont worry many reactors got the meaning wrong before watching the explanation - i appreciate ur reaction 💜
I cried so hard when I saw the documentary of Sewol Tragedy , some surviver and diver who voluntary help them, kill themself due to trauma and guilt... sooo heart breaking.
💖Your reaction, Mr Jim even though you sounded angry & upset. Everytime I hear the song, tears starts falling again. As a mother & a teacher, I couldn't comprehend what the parents went through & the final moments of the students who perished. In our culture, younger people were taught that you must follow what the elders said as a sign of respect. I taught my students to ask questions to confirm, clarify and give opinion. This song also reminded me about my best friend who lost her battle with breast cancer in 2017.As RM said, I miss you for his first verse., I missed her too & hoping I'll meet again in my afterlife. So, thank you for reacting to the song.
When this happened it was so stomped down that it was barely mentioned in the states. I was couldn’t believe it was happening. I watched K-Dramas and shows that I liked with my girls and we had already fallen love with Korea and it’s culture. So before it sank we were talking and I remember saying don’t worry this is Korea, they will get those kids out. As time went on we couldn’t get information and I couldn’t believe what was happening. This shook me to my core. We it was happening in real time it was so confusing and I couldn’t get information. I’ll never forget where I was much like 911 here. This mv is what made me Army. Thank you for taking the time to understand. Borahae 💜💜💜
BTS also has sung this for ARMY during the pandemic. Corruption is world wide, when dealing with facts about the pandemic. As well as deaths occurring world wide. So again they are consoling ARMYS and those who now have empty chairs at their dinner table. They also sing it to express their longing and missing ARMY. But they always remind us that Spring always comes. (That there is a light at the end of this dark tunnel) God Bless all the families of those lost to the Sewol Tragedy and also all those lost during the pandemic. Most of all God Bless BTS for having the courage to always speak on difficult and important topics. 🙏🤗🇺🇲💜
spring day became the most streams song on melon (main chart in korea) in chart history and never out of top 100 chart. This song became the classic bts song for every ages. I love that they always speak about social phenomenon or represent thei culture on their music. I think this is the reason why korean people always raise bts and why bts became proud of korean or symbolic of young people and new generation of korean.
As recently as this month a Korean drama involving trapped high school students in jeopardy makes some pretty overt allusions to the Sewol tragedy -specifically the government being on the verge of rescuing the trapped students but instead leaving them to their fate. This story still deeply resonates in Korea.
*Spring Day* is one of _those_ songs. The ones known by everyone in the Korean general public, even by those who didn't know BTS before (or didn't know it was by BTS now).
You probably didn't know about this tragedy because it was only reported for a couple of minutes on the national news in the U.S. The New York Time made a documentary about this. It's on RUclips but so hard to watch. I can't forget a student in a video from inside the ship when it was sinking. He wonders about his family and if this is when he's going to die. Then he says, "I don't want to die yet. I'm still young." I'm crying again just thinking about it😭.
I don't know a word of Korean, but the first time I heard Spring Day I felt somewhat mellow. Sorry even my English is not good, but the music and voices made me feel longing for something I couldn't quite understand. Then I read the lyrics and thought "oh I get it", but no I didn't get shit. When I discovered about this interpretation of the song I cried sooo much. It was like I finally finally understood the feeling I first had. BTS has this power for me. I can feel before knowing. Edit: Maybe mellow is not the word I wanted. As I said, my English is not that great, sorry. Em português eu diria saudade. Uma saudade sem nome ou rosto... Só um vazio sem saber do que estou realmente sentindo falta.
Also, sorry that I laughed when you said "I'm ready" at the beginning. Nobody ever is ready for the Italian army explanation showing all the families sorrow.
Every country has their pros and cons ... some more than others and some are subjective. Some people will not view certain things as a pro or a con. My heart still hurts thinking about the Sewol ferry, but even more I think about all the tragedy's and corruptions that dont go highlighted, not just in Korea, but in my own country Jamaica, and countries all around the world. This world really cannot be saved by man, once there are people that have greed, hate and other negative emotions.
47:40 you said that it's the culture to listen to olders, kids to adults etc. but in specific it was also professional staff giving people, who didn't really know what to do, instructions. it's messed up. for real. like we trust that people won't put us in danger. that drivers know driving lows and can drive. that doctors know what they're doing, that teachers aren't teaching kids shit they made up on the spot. so when a ship captain says to stay where we are and everything would be fine, a lot of people would listen
The scene where they are throwing things at RM. They start the scene with a picture of RM with a crown, he's the king/leader and then the camera pulls back and we see people throwing things at the king. The people are rebelling. There is also a picture of RM with the crown where he is asleep. Like you said, every detail.
i feel like you will like this video essay by baby gang mag called BTS: More Than Kpop where it talks about BTS politcal songs and those with underlying meanings
That government is no longer there. BTS has a very good relationship with the actual presidential couple. Still trying to change mentalities and making thoses changes through their music and influence.
Yeah, and President Moon just pardoned Ex President Park, and released her from prison. She is returning to her mansion in Daegu this weekend! I have lost all respect for him.
But her allies are still there. Being the opposite party. Some of them even still controlling some of the biggest national broadcasts (& that broadcast still try to bring down not only BTS, but also TXT & ENHYPEN --- basically artists under Big Hit company). That's the politicians. One got arrested, but the others still remain in their thrones, controlling behind the mask.
thats not true please try to look into whats happening in korea only a few ppl in the former government were removed theres still many people who've been there for a long time that are still in power. reminder presidents hold the least power within government theyre only the face this goes for all countries. im not sure how dictators work but for democracy countries thats how it works even if a president is removed theres still many bad people within the government in power.
I don't think I can get through this once again, at least not the explanation video. I saw you uploaded what went wrong in the Sewol tragedy on Patreon. I’ll better go there to get more pissed. I love this song!
I came across your reaction video this morning. I still cry every time I hear this song... from the 1st day that I knew the story behind the song. It's emotional and a hard song but I can't stop listening to it. One thing that I do take away is that BTS is reminding us of the hope also. Yes this is tragic but we are hopeful.... BTS has a unique talent of doing this!! I so respect them so much, on so many different levels.... They make us aware of all the negative issues but tell us to still be hopeful and be positive for the future! BTS forever!!! It's really sad that not more people know/appreciate them like we do!!! Thank you, and you are right about every little detail... I felt it every step of the way with you all over again. Fighting!
I don't know if anyone mentioned it, but the italian ARMY also went to Korea and visited/spoke to the families who lost their loved ones due to this tragedy. I also think you could like bby gang's new-ish video (if you haven't seen it already; I think it's called something like "BTS more than kpop") where they break down 3 very important songs in BTS' catalogue. Spring Day is not one of them, but it's mentioned there. It's quite politically focused, but in relation to Spring Day it shows more cases in which BTS went against the government/the older generation by speaking about and standing up for what they feel is right.
The video is more about "Spring Day" connecting to it but when you know the story of WHY it started to flip over.... The more stories you hear about the victims, their teachers, the survivors, the rescuers, and their families... it makes your blood boil. Drowning is my biggest fear and imaging what it must of been like for all of those people trapped, waiting for the adults and realizing too late that they weren't coming... What makes me the most angry is that the captain told them to wait and he was the first one off the doomed ship without telling them to escape. On a beautifully tragic note, it's important to say that there were three crew members who stayed behind to save the students. All three perished, but they were commemorated as heroes. The students also had teachers who stayed and went down with them in the end. Stories that his me the most personally were the vice principal, the young couple who were tied together, and the six year old boy. When I sit down and recall all of the events, my heart breaks. I was 19 when this happened, too. They would all be about 25 years old now. A lot of artists did tributes to the Sewol Ferry or performed stages for the victims, being put on that infamous "Blacklist" by the government. The whole country was at a sober standstill for a very long time, and the school of the victims still holds a memorial service every year.
Thank you, Jim 🙏💜 this always makes me brake out in tears, but listening to "spring day" always brings me comfort in knowing that no matter how bad things get, spring WILL come. Ps. They hardly ever talk about romantic love 😊 but however you receive the message is good. That's the great thing about art. You can interpret it wich ever way that suits you
Me too, I watched this in twitch and I watched it again. I just want to see James reaction again . He never disappoints 😄 My hats off to the dream team for organizing everything for you James . They do an amazing job 💜💜💜
once you go down the deep explainations of many of their songs, you really wouldn't forget it. you might not understand the lyrics fully but the meanings and the emotions remain. this is why i love these ARMYs that laboured to make these kinds of videos. edit: you can also watch xcelest's video about this. also, if you haven't seen it, their performance in Class of 2020 is said to be an ode to the victims too. bcoz those kids should've been graduating in highschool that year.
I still remember this tragedy, and it still angers me even to this day, and I just can't help but cry every single time I see this video. I will never understand why in the world the rescue teams even needed a feedback from the government in order to save the people. I mean, when a house is on fire, firefighters don't wait for the higher-ups to give an order. They do everything possible to save people. I am not a hateful person, but I wish those who are at fault will suffer twice as much as the victims and their families did.
Thanks to you and your dream team. I never got such a good breakdown of the incident until now. I totally get your anger. I felt the sadness when hearing the song with you the 2nd time but the fury I felt when watching the explanation video was next level. I need to find the documentary too. This song is perfect for plausible deniability. They can say it's about anything and never have to admit to anyone in power that it has that other, very specific meaning. It's a clever way to show solidarity while protecting yourself at least a little while also supporting the families and organizations quietly.
I watched the full documentary of the incident and recordings of the communications between the coast guards and the blue house were included. I couldn't believe some things they said... At some point when the ship was almost under water a coast guard said "we should have landed on the ship earlier, and made a good scene it's a shame." "pretend to do it at least because the president is watching"-coast guard diver The captain said that he "couldn't remember" if there was a rescue plan if the ferry ever sinks A coast guard diver who was supposed to pump the ship with air clammed that he was successful but he just attached the air hose somewhere under water outside the ship. (it was a stage) "this is the president's office. Is the boat with a camera not there yet?" The coast guards were not once instructed to save any of the passengers but staged many interventions and the blue house kept asking to send more boats for different camera angles.
Another very heartbreaking thing, was the students sending videos to their families, while they were in their cabins, and eventually drowning. Can you imagine ?
The song is beautiful in and of itself but the MV is what has all these messages. The fact that they’re so disguised and deep is because of the restrictions by the government to talk about the ferry disaster. Just crazy. Art and music still finds a way though. Korean citizens really stood up and impeached the president and the government responsible for making the tragic situation 1000% worse. Amazing! Queen Spring Day reigns! The song is not responsible for the uprising but it’s one of the examples of artists supporting the movement and delivering the feeling and support (despite the censorship) that the youth and the people needed at the time! Spring Day helps the whole world remember this tragedy. Truly “NEVER FORGET”. The song itself has more general lyrics about missing people and breaking up as well as death of loved ones, it’s the MV that connects it to the tragedy as well as the optimistic message of a spring day coming after a tragedy. 😭 You haven’t seen it but the MV has more messages: message of survivor guilt(the ferry) and the connection to movie Snow-piercer where it’s a snowflake that alerts the passengers that “Spring” has come ie the atmosphere is warm enough to form snowflakes so it is survivable for humans to leave the train-> corruption has lessened.
everytime i watch this my heart breaks so much like, i could feel the cries and the desperation of the people/ students who are left inside slowly dying, its really hard to watch cuz i see myself inside the ferry being abandoned and suffering even before dying.. im rlly so speechless with this tradegy..
You are amazing. Thankful for this entire reaction. You did great covering this! 🙏💜 ~ 49 year old ARMY Please watch the many live performances of Spring Day, especially Tiny Desk Concert....Watch all of that please, thank you 💜💜💜💜
If you do a deep dive into the articles and documentaries one thing that stands out for me was the government did not keep up to date supplies for the coastguard. The equipment supplied did not allow them to safely dive and try to rescue the passengers. Then it was made worse when the coastguard kept the properly supplied civilian divers from their rescue attempts. Apparently this was at the behest of the government in power at the time, the government isn't want to look bad and lose power..
I would like to thank you, you are the first person I have reacted to and I have watched alot of them. I have been a big fan of BTS and when I first watched spring day my eyes leaked 😭 after watching some of the tragedy never could finish watching the rest of that tragic episode, until now and like you I am so angry with that so called government, guess I'm a big fan of yours now, you went into so much depth about Spring Day.🥰 Will be watching more of you👍
I always need to suck in air many times to not cry even though i cried so much the first two times i watched this video. The corruptions are always like this, I am sure at least one part of it is something that many nation goes through in one way or another. And i relate so much to what happened after the tragedy because we have the same level of corruption, similar things happened here starting with with train "accidents" where many kids died and many other disgusting things that i am not sure if i am happy or sad that they were not heard. And the worse thing is that just like the Sewol tragedy, the foreign press can be silent so well especially for Eastern countries and because many don't read about what happens outside of their countries, no one hears of these for many years, showcasing just how wrong this whole world is in a way. When a person gets to be the head through wrong doings or by chance and has nothing originally that can keep them there, some level of corruption is bound to happen. We personally can't shake 'em off because for 20 years, people that tried (especially young people) have been called many things including terrorists, just like the BTS song "Am I Wrong" and many have become numb just like the song "UGH". Those two songs and Spring Day are what always resonated with me and they are the songs that got me into BTS (which i wanted to check out after our government deemed them, in a nice way "wrong") So, I am really glad for Korea that they were impeached and i hope for the good of the people, the same kind of people won't get the power back again after this march so that the history won't repeat itself. Although it does, history always repeats itself sadly sooner or later in a different place and a different time.
the song was written and produced prior to the sewol incident. the song is more about generic loss and grieving. the MV really focused in on the high-schoolers and their tragedy they went through/surviors going through.
Since the impeachment of Park Geun Hye, the new president is so much better. He totally respects BTS/ARMY, he gave them (ALL 7 members) "the Hwagwan Order of Cultural Merit" which is the highest award given by the president. He even gave them each a wrist watch with his signature on the back of it. Last yr, he made them Presidential Envoys & gave them Ambassador/diplomatic passports & traveled together to the UN & he was proud to introduce them to the UN General Assembly tho it wasn't their 1st time speaking there. This time was their 3rd time speaking at the UN & this time not only did they speak there, they also performed their latest song, Permission to Dance! They made yet another moment to be recorded in the "1st ever to happen" in the history book of the whole planet!
First, this is now my favorite reaction from you. It’s raw and so real. I love how meticulous you are on getting the screen/view correct. The cussing is a show of passionate reaction so thank you! 💜💜💜😀🙏
Wow. The Italian Army analysis was very interesting. BTS fan base, worldwide, rocks. Jim, you weren't wrong about the meaning...everyone will have different interpretations depending on their current situation. You were spot on when you said it must be deeper because BTS MV are full of symbolism. This song also became an anthem, of sorts, for the class of 2020 and for others affected by the pandemic... a lot of loss. Check out BTS Tiny Desk Concert (NPR). Also check out the ON official MV if you want more symbolism from BTS (you may have already done a reaction).
"Without anyone knowing, BTS quietly visited our kids through their song and video. They delivered their unforgotten hearts. Yae Eun would`ve liked it a lot too..." - Father of one of the Sewol Ferry victims, Yae Eun - 🎗
The Italian Army went to Korea for a proper research and even met relatives of the victims and cried with them.
And to think about that the sinking of the ship took more than 1 hrs...........
The vice principal of the students who organized the trip commited suicide few days after the tragedy. He asked to bring his ashes to the place of the sinking so that he might be a teatcher in heaven for those whos bodies wont be found.
And one of the civil divers took his life because he got haunted by the kids ghosts asking him to not leave them behind.
There are so many innocent victims. And Spring Day reminds us to not forget them.
😭
Noooo😭😭😭😭😭
up
🎗️
😭😭😭😭💔💔🎗️
"don't forget" isn't it amazing how BTS has kept this promise and made us all aware about it.
This! You said exactly what I was thinking! Because of BTS people all around the world remember it together! Amazing!
@@marigamNot just because of BTS, but they do play a big part as well.
Worth saying that the donation to the families and the campaign was made before BTS became really successful. I believe the amount was almost a third of their income for 2015.
The song and the mv are not exact equivalents - the song is beautiful, poignant and universal, while the mv is more easily related to a specific event. RM and Suga originally wrote from their own experiences of separation from friends and family, loss of relationships and the grief that brings. The song was slightly adapted to include references which are also in the video.
Yes, it was before BTS get famous and I was also there with BTS around that time too. It’s just hurtful for the victims and families and also BTS had to hide the messages.
"I don't trust adults, do you think they will come here and save us?, we're just Students nothing else"
- Namra (All of Us are dead series) Korean Netflix series.
💔
Another Explanation:
-The scene were Jin was looking up at the others climbing up the stairs symbolizes of him being dead and stuck uderwater unable to climb while he's watching others growing.
-The scene were Jungkook running away alone to confront injustices just like what Namjoon did in the first scene, he thought he was running alone but then the other members show up to team up with him to confront injustices means "You Never Walk Alone".
-The scene were the other members throwing something on Namjoons face symbolized Goverment treating a person who confront their corruption.
-The scene were Jungkook lights up a Match refers to an old farytale called "Little Match Girl" were in the first scene he was alone but then when he lights up the match other members showed up.
-And the scene were Jimin step out of the train, was also reffered to the "Snowpiercer" Movie when one Man decided to go out of the train as he saw a snowpiece enter the train for the first time in a long time, he think that the world outside was slowly getting back to normal, so Jimin symbolizes the man who walk out of the train.
-The Tree at the last scene means "A new life, new hope, a Spring Day"
and the dozen of clothes outside of the train (not that one where suga sitting ) which left behind are pointing the persons who are dead are outside of the entire living world left behind and don't know what is going on . also the part when JK seeing himself in train crossing him it also says that no matter what we do , protest or justice who are gone will never come back
I was a public school teacher in southern Seoul when this occurred and Ansan is not too far. It was a huge junior class trip and these kids go through so much that this trip would be one of their only moments of fun before the severe stress of senior year. We even go to work late or turn off all sound near high schools on the day seniors take the SATs because that daybcan determine their whole future. When Sewol happened the whole country shut down for 5 weeks. Not the town. The country. 43 million people mourning then deaths of these kids. No events, I went to a baseball game and there was no music or cheering, music shows and festivals were canceled, nothing loud or joyful despite the major holidays in early May. Most school events were canceled for the entire year with no trips even the next year because parents and schools were so terrified of further loss. As an American even going through 9/11 I was stunned seeing a whole country go silent and just stop. 2 winters later it was felt again because the students and everyone reposted the graduation pics of just classrooms with a few kids surrounded by empty chairs with the pictures and flowers. It was very haunting. Even more so that most of the survivors posted these pics with quotes that their biggest regret was surviving. If you ever venture on twitter that day you will see the yellow ribbon on Korean twitter and even kpop twitter still. This song and Akdong Musician have a huge association with this event and Sungkyu kind of...
another sad note.
One of the voulenteer rescue divers committed suicide out of guilt and trauma. He was one that pulled out many of the kid's bodies. He said he carried guilt for not being able to save more.
One of the fishermen that was first on the scene was attacked by the media why he didnt save more kids... even though HE pulled more kids out of that water than the coast guard did... and the fisherman struggle with severe trauma and guilt for not saving more!
Instead of being celebrated as heroes for going out and doing what they can, doing more than the coast guard who's job it was to actually go and do the resquing. They are being belittled by the media and government. Its disgusting.
BTS are silent heroes....they do so much without telling anyone! Only because people uncover these things we get to know what these guys do for other people and the world!! And to think about the fact that they gave so much in the past when they struggled themself!!!
You said all with common senses of human. Honestly, as a Korean I didn't like K-pop idol music, and I didn't know about BTS. I got to know them last year with 'Spring Day'. Just watching the MV, I cried a lot actually not knowing anything behind the MV. There was no expanation needed to see what it tells us. There's a documentary movie currently open, "My Candle", which recorded the candle movement around that time, and I'm taking a train (virtually now) to go to Seoul to watch it. This is because many theaters avoid inviting the movie since a presidential election is coming in this March. The same power (the shit people) is still here to regain the power with the help of corrupted media (know that Korean media/press got the worst rate in reliability in the world though their freedom of speech got high ranked all thanks to the current government). Under the Park's regime, there was a blacklist of artists who are against the government, and I think BTS had to hide the message really deep. The future of Korea may go back to that regime depending on the result in this March. Hope it doesn't happen... When politicians are corrupted, anything can happen in anywhere in this world. So, let's be awake.
I'll be on the lookout for My Candle. Can I see it in the States? I immediately thought of RM's song, Vote. So powerful. I even made a bumper sticker which says: Vote...or shut up. Thanks for the prompt to re-read the lyrics. Spring Day is so powerful and reading about the need to "hide the message" makes it even more so. I really appreciate your comment.
@@shookfoil
And Strange by Suga and RM
@@imajinallthepurple Okay, wow. Did not know about this one. Polarization is the ugliest flower in the world. What a line. Thank you.
@@shookfoil
I absolutely love that song. It's so underrated imo.
I'm shocked that the current leading candidate is from former President Park's party.
The Sewol ferry sank very slowly too. It took hours to sink, and the Coast Guard was there for hours and did almost nothing. The kids even called their parents on their cell phones to let them know they were OK and were staying in their rooms as they were told. I saw an interview with a mom who said her biggest regret was she had told her child to listen to what the crew told them to do. There are audio recordings of the Coast Guard talking with government officials about waiting for a camera crew to get there so that they could be filmed rescuing the passengers. They were more concerned with getting their "heroism" on film than with actually saving people.
You know, the most heartbreaking and frustrating part is, the President who was sentenced to 25 years in prison, was just pardoned by President Moon, just last month, because she was in back pain in prison. So after serving 3 years into her sentence she is returning to her mansion in Daegu, to live her comfy life of freedom. How about all the people who spoke out against her handling and cover up, and were blacklisted and imprisoned ? Did they get dismissed prison sentences, just for speaking out against this ? This pisses me off, so much. So what if her fucking back gave her pain? How about the pain of the children, fighting for their lives, while drowning ? How about the pain of the families, and the entire nation ? This is awful, but I hope something tragic happens to that bitch, so she can feel just 1% of the pain she caused. I’ll stop. I said too much.
Everyone who was blacklisted and imprisoned needs to be released, and she should give a formal apology. Moon should never have the option of working in a public office, and her fortune should be donated to the families.
뭔가잘못알고계시네요!
Somethings will never get justice but God never sleeps. God can never pardon the death of an innocent child.
I think President Moon follow Kim Dae-jung path. It's a beautiful and kind idea about peace and forgivness, but for me : it's no. They don't deserved peace after what they did. President Park let hundred of student died and Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo let thousand of people died and slaved a lot of people. But Kim Dae-jung open a more peacefull path when He did what he did and Moon was a good president too (Iteawon was after him, and a lot of scandal was now taking seriously by the gouvernment like the Burning Sun and the Nth Room.
Xcelest does an explanation that goes deeper into the symbolism in the video, whereas Italian army goes deeper into the social/ political side of things.
Well spoken
The tragedy is still very present in the Korean people.
The professor who organized the trip managed to survive, but shortly after he committed suicide; they mention that the other teachers who survived changed their residence since they were singled out.
The surviving students faced guilt for not following directions and getting rescued.
Among the volunteers think there was also at least one suicide.
The former President is the daughter of another former president who they point out was very authoritarian and her mother was killed in an attack. As indicated, it was not attentive to the rescue situation, even in the first reports the Government indicated that everyone had been rescued.
In the last days of December of last year, she received a presidential pardon due to health problems, for which she was released before the end of the year.
This tragedy happened in 2014 when BTS was not even a year old and together with the company they faced different obstacles. The donation by BTS and Big Hit that was mentioned in the video was discovered by the press and released in early 2017 but had been in the works for some time.
For the anniversary, in 2020 they conducted an interview with some parents, who revealed that 6 or 7 months after the shipwreck, BTS and Bang Si Hyuk visited them and lit incense with them (Korean custom), an action that moved them so they decided keep quiet to avoid problems with the government.
Even though a child must suffer so that others can live happily people don't actually walk away from "Omelas" thus the "no vacancy" sign in my opinion. Even though others suffer, people are not willing to put aside their happiness and choose bliss.
The incident is tragic beyond comprehension. I can not imagine what people went and still going through.
Thank you for the reaction and many thanks to BTS. I did not know but now i will not forget. Deepest condolences to all people affected..🎗️
Been watching you since you first discovered BTS. I'm glad you started from the beginning and experience their growth as artists. I'm excited for the rest of your journey!!
On Spring Day, although the MV seem to focus on the Sewol Tragedy, the song itself was written by RM about his personal experiences about losing friendships. Suga's part talks about his personal experiences as well. He once said "Doesn’t everyone have an experience in which they parted ways with their friends?” This song hits people hard even if they don't know about this MV theory. I myself was drawn to this song for months because of the live performances without watching any MV explanation. Just want to share a different perspective why Spring Day is relatable.
I can't imagine what those poor parents and relatives are going through... they were literally forced to wait and watch their babies slowly dying inside the ship, while the rescuers didn't do ANYTHING... the amount of anger, frustration and helplessness those people were forced to go through is inhumane.. i can't even begin to understand how anyone could be that cruel, that they are willing to let 300+ children die, because they don't want their corruption to be exposed...Every single person who was involved in causing this tragedy should be in prison.
i hope these families will be able find some sort of peace and comfort, knowing that there are millions of people who will remember their loved ones and that they won't be forgotten.
I hope those innocent victims will rest in peace 🤍
I remember when this happened. There were so many different things being said and reported. It was chaotic. K-pop idols and actors cancelled tv shows and concerts, debuts ect. The industry came to a standstill. They donated to relief funds and supported the yellow ribbon campaign. Really supported solidarity and the families of the victims. The kids were recording videos and texting and calling their parents while it was sinking. Some of the parents have uploaded those videos to RUclips. Some parents even told their kids to sit and wait and do what they were being told to do, instead of evacuating. They believed what they were being told by the media and government. I just kept going back and forth between anger and sadness.
💜
- The ferry was in fact carrying more than six times the weight it was originally designed for to make extra money per trip. The three times the weight was what it had been wrongly approved for. Most of the illegal modifications placed the weight at the top and when it shifted it made the ferry tip over.
- It wasn't the usual captain that day. He had raised concerns about the safety onboard and had been removed for it.
- The captain on the day is currently serving 36 years for murder and several crew members were convicted of murder, negligence, violating marine laws, etc. The owner committed suicide.
- It's important (to me) to remember that three crew members actually died trying to save the kids. RIP 💜
- The footage from inside the ferry - including the air pockets - absolutely kills me since it was mostly recorded and sent by students with mobile phones before they perrished. 💔
(This info is all from the very detailed and graphic Wikipedia page on the tragedy)
*And noone is ever ready for Spring Day!*
I watched this live on twitch but I’m watching again! I’m also on Patreon and have been catching up to your journey. My own BTS journey just stated in September! So I’m learning too
Hi Mandi. Thank you so much for all the support. I'm glad we get to experience BTS together.
@@JimGames thank you for sharing your journey! It’s showing me things I haven’t found yet. Rise of bangtan was one of the first things I started watching. They just came out with a new episode today and I can’t wait until you get to it.
Welcome to the rabbit hole. I’m a baby ARMY, just under two years in and having a blast. Go back and learn about their early days following debut to really understand them.
This is the true backstory of this song.
The sinking of MV Sewol also called the Sewol ferry disaster, occurred on the morning of 16 April 2014, when the ferry MV Sewol was en route from Incheon towards Jeju in South Korea. The 6,825-ton vessel sent a distress signal from about 2.7 kilometres north of Byeongpungdo at 08:58 KST. Out of 476 passengers and crew, 304 died in the disaster, including around 250 students from Danwon High School (Ansan City). Of the approximately 172 survivors, more than half were rescued by fishing boats and other commercial vessels that arrived at the scene approximately forty minutes before the Korea Coast Guard.
I’m not sure “like” is a way to describe the way fans feel about this. I think it’s that it stands for not staying silent in the face of corruption, it stands for social justice, it stands for grief, and we know that the full impact of this MV can hit like a truck of empathy and horror and anger. It’s a song that leaves a stronger impression that you’d ever expect from a semi simple sounding sad song. But depths man. The depths they hit.
Jim, I'm glad you watched Italian ARMY's video, because out of all the explanation videos, this was best suited to you considering your background.
It's a lot to take in. Thank you for taking the time to learn, because it means a lot to those who were affected in the tragedy.
Sorry for a 2nd comment Jim, The parents didn't just have the "thought" of their kids alive in the air pockets, they had proof! It was in the age of smartphones and their kids were texting them to say their goodbyes and to tell them how scared they were. That knowledge alone broke my heart as a parent.
Oh my god…
That’s… it’s so beyond sickening…. 😣😔
You’re right, it is a train horn not a ship’s horn unless, of course, they sound alike in Korea. The Sewol Ferry tragedy is unforgivable. So many would’ve been saved if those in charge and those supposedly rescuing the passengers had done their job. I find it incredible that the captain abandoned his ship with no regard for the passengers in his care.
This is one of their songs that truely makes me cry everytime i hear it, this song reminds me of my nana i lost a couple of years back but i know that ill see her again and this song brings me that comfort and Vs line “ you know it all your my best friend” pulls at my heart strings so much and it makes me cry alot.
This so is so full of emotion and you can here it in their voice and the way they move and sing.
Also this song is not only about missing and loosing someone but also reminds people of the sewol tragedy and how all this school kids lost their lifes
Because of this... a lot of people who watched "All of us are dead" a Netflix drama, are saying that there are similar themes. The adults have failed these kids. Much love to those who have suffered the tragedies around the world. The ones we know about and the ones we don't where adults have failed to protect children. 💜
The gov didn't want the public to know the ship was modified. that's why they don't want the fishboats to approach the ship to save the victims. The sinking ship was only recovered much later and only then the public found out it had been modified.
I just binged watched all your videos of BTS. I am 43 years old and absolutely love them. I have enjoyed watching your journey into them. Thank you for being so open minded with them, and enjoying them. This song tears me up everytime I hear it.
You made an incredible point about Korean culture, Jim. This whole tragedy is even more sorrowful because Korean citizens are (for the most part, collectively, culturally, and nationally) very obedient people when it comes to their elders or anyone older than them (especially Korean children). The fact that these beautiful KIDS, beautiful souls, listened obediently 'til their death is what makes this event all the more tragic... RIP to the beautiful children who lost their souls in the Sewol Ferry tragedy.
I am proud to be an army , I literally can't imagine my life without them and their songs . They have literally became my life that my blood boils when someone say bad about bts without even hearing a fu*king song or without even knowing what they have done to society . Now I just don't care , like let them miss out on bts . They don't deserve these 7 angels at all
Spring Day is the queen of all BTS songs. It has a very strong, beautiful, so full of emotions and meaningful message that we all can relate. It's still up in the Korean hit chart since it's released. I so admire how brilliant their minds work to come up with a good music like this. Though they never really mentioned directly anything about the tragedy, the gestures they showed in support to the victims families is enough. I was waiting for your opinion and reaction about this song. They performed this live at Dear Class 2020 where they send a message to the graduates of Class 2020. Performing on stage they also has a dance choreography for this song. I 'm always fascinated how BTS dances to their songs like it's so danceable, sometimes fun to watch but behind those lyrics (when you get to learn the explanations) are actually strong and powerful messages that would make you realized a thing or two. Every time they releases a song in Korean I would always look for the explanations of their songs mostly at DKDKTV channel. They always amazes me every time and I can't help but admire, respect, love and stan these boys more. They really deserve all those recognitions.
i left this comment about spring day on one of your videos thinking you had already heard the song LOL. you gave it a heart but i also know you said that you haven't been reading long comments about the song so i'll just leave it here again hahah. also i love how versatile the song is. it could be applied to so many forms of loss. and the MV being connected to that tragedy makes it even more heartbreaking. namjoon's mind amazes me :')
my comment from a few days ago:
i really recommend the spring day cover done on the korean show “immortal songs” by song so hee. she’s a traditional singer and the way she delivers spring day is just… it’s amazing. maybe listening to that in addition to reading the lyrics can help you understand why the song is seen as so special :) something about missing someone as “snowflakes fall and melt away”, wondering if “i was the dust in the air, maybe i could get to you faster” and then the heartache of “maybe those snowflakes have become cherry blossoms… but i still miss you” . that bittersweet hope of waiting possibly forever until you’re reunited with that person you desperately need to see again. i listened to spring day a lot after my grandpa passed away. it also makes me think a lot about my family in afghanistan who i don’t know when i’ll get to see in person again. it’s just a very well written and well composed song that really touches your heart. i also really love the choreography:) sorry for the long comment, spring day is just something special and i know there are some people who might think the hype is overrated but i think when the song clicks for you, it really hits you and never let’s go. 🌸💜
Thank you! I wanted to show that I appreciated you taking the time to clarify things, but I knew it probably had some spoilers.
the Queen is still in the charts! though not number 1 but it never left the chart since its release. the song is about losing someone whatever the circumstances may be. it may be friendship, relationship etc... but the MV delved more about tragedy.
The vice principal of the school where the kids went, visited the dock on the 1 or 2 year anniversary and committed suicide. He was so distraught about the situation.
😔
Spring day is the Queen. And you must remember that BTS were young men and they were not that famous or rich when they did the MV and the donation. I love them so much. 💜
Im crying at work now .. and this is like the 4th time im watching this explained video.
I really appreciated your attitude when apologising for the joke you made unknowingly; I love your genuine reactions! looking forward to more
I was in Korea when this tragedy happened. How it was handled was disgusting, for want of a better word. A tragedy that did not need to happen if not for greed and the corruption of the Park administration. Her impeachment was one of the best things to ever happen to Korean politics. The current administration is like the complete flip side of the previous administration. Seeing you getting angrier is so understandable. I was also back in the country about 2 years later and to this day I remember standing on the side of a road in Seoul watching family members and friends silently demonstrate, carrying pictures of their deceased children, begging for answers. It was so heartbreaking to see, knowing that I could do nothing to help. I cried like a baby that day and I think about that scene every time I hear Spring Day.
Oh and by the way - if you think Italians talk fast, Koreans go at twice that speed!
Now any time that you hear that song, it will hit you differently. I have so much respect for BTS. They are unique, incredible, and humble human beings. This is why us ARMY is so protective of them.
This video reveals the hearts of BTS.💜
In the beginning, Taehyung ["V"] puts his ear to a railroad rail, seemingly listening for a train. He seems isolated and worried. In this scene, does V represent the children who drowned, awaiting rescue from their darkened cabins in the capsized ferry?
Snowpiercer, Legend of the Omela, and the Sewol ferry disaster - key to everything here. 😥😥😭😭😭💜
The dead passengers were betrayed by the Korean government and the ferry company, which had warnings that the Sewol was an inherently unstable vessel, overloaded the vessel - and that vehicles and freight shifted, causing the loss of the boat and 304 people, most of whom were high school-aged children, betrayed by everyone but their parents and civilian volunteers.
The Korean government's criminal performance following the capsizing and the ferry crew's shameful conduct KILLED people. Thank you for your superb tribute, BTS. Borahae.💜😪😪🎗
I was in Korea a couple of months after this, and the grief was still palpable - grief on a national scale and the people who were supposed to protect you mostly responsible. It was incredibly moving.
Its #78 @melon chart when i tiped this… this is a queen because it never left the chart..
You may check also the explanation of Spring Day by bulletproof channel. It was just a shorter video but still the same exact content. It mentioned some parts that wasn't mentioned in the Italian army channel. Like Jin watching his friends grow up without him, the jungkook saw jungkook scene was a goosebump. The members coming all together to fight for something. The lighting of the matchstick scene. The suitcases and a lot more.
Agree
Couldn’t make it to the stream so thanks for posting 😁
Its ok Jim 💜 you did capture the idea that its about losing a loved one - this song is really close Army's hearts - and dont worry many reactors got the meaning wrong before watching the explanation - i appreciate ur reaction 💜
I cried so hard when I saw the documentary of Sewol Tragedy , some surviver and diver who voluntary help them, kill themself due to trauma and guilt... sooo heart breaking.
💖Your reaction, Mr Jim even though you sounded angry & upset. Everytime I hear the song, tears starts falling again. As a mother & a teacher, I couldn't comprehend what the parents went through & the final moments of the students who perished. In our culture, younger people were taught that you must follow what the elders said as a sign of respect. I taught my students to ask questions to confirm, clarify and give opinion. This song also reminded me about my best friend who lost her battle with breast cancer in 2017.As RM said, I miss you for his first verse., I missed her too & hoping I'll meet again in my afterlife. So, thank you for reacting to the song.
When this happened it was so stomped down that it was barely mentioned in the states. I was couldn’t believe it was happening. I watched K-Dramas and shows that I liked with my girls and we had already fallen love with Korea and it’s culture. So before it sank we were talking and I remember saying don’t worry this is Korea, they will get those kids out. As time went on we couldn’t get information and I couldn’t believe what was happening. This shook me to my core. We it was happening in real time it was so confusing and I couldn’t get information. I’ll never forget where I was much like 911 here. This mv is what made me Army. Thank you for taking the time to understand. Borahae 💜💜💜
BTS also has sung this for ARMY during the pandemic. Corruption is world wide, when dealing with facts about the pandemic. As well as deaths occurring world wide. So again they are consoling ARMYS and those who now have empty chairs at their dinner table.
They also sing it to express their longing and missing ARMY.
But they always remind us that Spring always comes. (That there is a light at the end of this dark tunnel) God Bless all the families of those lost to the Sewol Tragedy and also all those lost during the pandemic. Most of all God Bless BTS for having the courage to always speak on difficult and important topics. 🙏🤗🇺🇲💜
spring day became the most streams song on melon (main chart in korea) in chart history and never out of top 100 chart. This song became the classic bts song for every ages. I love that they always speak about social phenomenon or represent thei culture on their music. I think this is the reason why korean people always raise bts and why bts became proud of korean or symbolic of young people and new generation of korean.
Hmm.... This means a lot to me. Thank you, and I leave my respect to you here :-)))) Always love your reaction.
the Queen!! it really is about loss, whether friendships, relationships or death. the MV delved more on the tragedy.
As recently as this month a Korean drama involving trapped high school students in jeopardy makes some pretty overt allusions to the Sewol tragedy -specifically the government being on the verge of rescuing the trapped students but instead leaving them to their fate. This story still deeply resonates in Korea.
Telling you dr BTS is not just a band 💜 Thank u for ur reaction
*Spring Day* is one of _those_ songs. The ones known by everyone in the Korean general public, even by those who didn't know BTS before (or didn't know it was by BTS now).
BTS took a risk, making this video. They could have damaged their careers.
Yeah I respect the hell out of that.
You probably didn't know about this tragedy because it was only reported for a couple of minutes on the national news in the U.S. The New York Time made a documentary about this. It's on RUclips but so hard to watch. I can't forget a student in a video from inside the ship when it was sinking. He wonders about his family and if this is when he's going to die. Then he says, "I don't want to die yet. I'm still young." I'm crying again just thinking about it😭.
I didn’t get to watch this reaction live on Twitch so thank you so much for paying this on RUclips Jim 😭🙏🏾
That very first “I miss you” always hits my emotions deep in my chest so hard 💔
Wow, this is a long one but i’m all up for it! Let’s get this started
I don't know a word of Korean, but the first time I heard Spring Day I felt somewhat mellow. Sorry even my English is not good, but the music and voices made me feel longing for something I couldn't quite understand. Then I read the lyrics and thought "oh I get it", but no I didn't get shit. When I discovered about this interpretation of the song I cried sooo much. It was like I finally finally understood the feeling I first had.
BTS has this power for me. I can feel before knowing.
Edit:
Maybe mellow is not the word I wanted. As I said, my English is not that great, sorry. Em português eu diria saudade. Uma saudade sem nome ou rosto... Só um vazio sem saber do que estou realmente sentindo falta.
Also, sorry that I laughed when you said "I'm ready" at the beginning. Nobody ever is ready for the Italian army explanation showing all the families sorrow.
Every country has their pros and cons ... some more than others and some are subjective. Some people will not view certain things as a pro or a con. My heart still hurts thinking about the Sewol ferry, but even more I think about all the tragedy's and corruptions that dont go highlighted, not just in Korea, but in my own country Jamaica, and countries all around the world. This world really cannot be saved by man, once there are people that have greed, hate and other negative emotions.
47:40 you said that it's the culture to listen to olders, kids to adults etc. but in specific it was also professional staff giving people, who didn't really know what to do, instructions. it's messed up. for real. like we trust that people won't put us in danger. that drivers know driving lows and can drive. that doctors know what they're doing, that teachers aren't teaching kids shit they made up on the spot. so when a ship captain says to stay where we are and everything would be fine, a lot of people would listen
The scene where they are throwing things at RM. They start the scene with a picture of RM with a crown, he's the king/leader and then the camera pulls back and we see people throwing things at the king. The people are rebelling. There is also a picture of RM with the crown where he is asleep. Like you said, every detail.
i feel like you will like this video essay by baby gang mag called BTS: More Than Kpop where it talks about BTS politcal songs and those with underlying meanings
That government is no longer there. BTS has a very good relationship with the actual presidential couple. Still trying to change mentalities and making thoses changes through their music and influence.
Yeah, and President Moon just pardoned Ex President Park, and released her from prison. She is returning to her mansion in Daegu this weekend! I have lost all respect for him.
Really?!!!!! Christ!
But her allies are still there. Being the opposite party. Some of them even still controlling some of the biggest national broadcasts (& that broadcast still try to bring down not only BTS, but also TXT & ENHYPEN --- basically artists under Big Hit company). That's the politicians. One got arrested, but the others still remain in their thrones, controlling behind the mask.
thats not true please try to look into whats happening in korea only a few ppl in the former government were removed theres still many people who've been there for a long time that are still in power. reminder presidents hold the least power within government theyre only the face this goes for all countries. im not sure how dictators work but for democracy countries thats how it works even if a president is removed theres still many bad people within the government in power.
I don't think I can get through this once again, at least not the explanation video. I saw you uploaded what went wrong in the Sewol tragedy on Patreon. I’ll better go there to get more pissed. I love this song!
Jim i could feel your blood pressure rising
I came across your reaction video this morning. I still cry every time I hear this song... from the 1st day that I knew the story behind the song. It's emotional and a hard song but I can't stop listening to it. One thing that I do take away is that BTS is reminding us of the hope also. Yes this is tragic but we are hopeful.... BTS has a unique talent of doing this!! I so respect them so much, on so many different levels.... They make us aware of all the negative issues but tell us to still be hopeful and be positive for the future! BTS forever!!! It's really sad that not more people know/appreciate them like we do!!! Thank you, and you are right about every little detail... I felt it every step of the way with you all over again. Fighting!
I don't know if anyone mentioned it, but the italian ARMY also went to Korea and visited/spoke to the families who lost their loved ones due to this tragedy.
I also think you could like bby gang's new-ish video (if you haven't seen it already; I think it's called something like "BTS more than kpop") where they break down 3 very important songs in BTS' catalogue. Spring Day is not one of them, but it's mentioned there. It's quite politically focused, but in relation to Spring Day it shows more cases in which BTS went against the government/the older generation by speaking about and standing up for what they feel is right.
The video is more about "Spring Day" connecting to it but when you know the story of WHY it started to flip over.... The more stories you hear about the victims, their teachers, the survivors, the rescuers, and their families... it makes your blood boil. Drowning is my biggest fear and imaging what it must of been like for all of those people trapped, waiting for the adults and realizing too late that they weren't coming... What makes me the most angry is that the captain told them to wait and he was the first one off the doomed ship without telling them to escape.
On a beautifully tragic note, it's important to say that there were three crew members who stayed behind to save the students. All three perished, but they were commemorated as heroes. The students also had teachers who stayed and went down with them in the end.
Stories that his me the most personally were the vice principal, the young couple who were tied together, and the six year old boy. When I sit down and recall all of the events, my heart breaks. I was 19 when this happened, too. They would all be about 25 years old now.
A lot of artists did tributes to the Sewol Ferry or performed stages for the victims, being put on that infamous "Blacklist" by the government. The whole country was at a sober standstill for a very long time, and the school of the victims still holds a memorial service every year.
Great reaction, Jim. And I’m pretty sure your respect for our boys will only deepen as you explore more of their music. 💜
Thank you, Jim 🙏💜 this always makes me brake out in tears, but listening to "spring day" always brings me comfort in knowing that no matter how bad things get, spring WILL come.
Ps. They hardly ever talk about romantic love 😊 but however you receive the message is good. That's the great thing about art. You can interpret it wich ever way that suits you
Me too, I watched this in twitch and I watched it again. I just want to see James reaction again . He never disappoints 😄 My hats off to the dream team for organizing everything for you James . They do an amazing job 💜💜💜
We do understand. You have your realization, and admitted your shortcomings. We are happy with it. Love BTS and waht they stand for
spring day have place in my heart forever i tear up everytime i heard that song 😢
New Subscriber thanks for appreciating our boys i 💜 u 🤗
Watching that after a year and still hit me ..thank you Jim 💜
once you go down the deep explainations of many of their songs, you really wouldn't forget it. you might not understand the lyrics fully but the meanings and the emotions remain. this is why i love these ARMYs that laboured to make these kinds of videos.
edit: you can also watch xcelest's video about this. also, if you haven't seen it, their performance in Class of 2020 is said to be an ode to the victims too. bcoz those kids should've been graduating in highschool that year.
I still remember this tragedy, and it still angers me even to this day, and I just can't help but cry every single time I see this video.
I will never understand why in the world the rescue teams even needed a feedback from the government in order to save the people. I mean, when a house is on fire, firefighters don't wait for the higher-ups to give an order. They do everything possible to save people. I am not a hateful person, but I wish those who are at fault will suffer twice as much as the victims and their families did.
Thanks to you and your dream team. I never got such a good breakdown of the incident until now. I totally get your anger. I felt the sadness when hearing the song with you the 2nd time but the fury I felt when watching the explanation video was next level. I need to find the documentary too. This song is perfect for plausible deniability. They can say it's about anything and never have to admit to anyone in power that it has that other, very specific meaning. It's a clever way to show solidarity while protecting yourself at least a little while also supporting the families and organizations quietly.
This song is really hits me differently. Everytime I hear this song I can't help myself not to cry. 😢
I watched the full documentary of the incident and recordings of the communications between the coast guards and the blue house were included. I couldn't believe some things they said...
At some point when the ship was almost under water a coast guard said "we should have landed on the ship earlier, and made a good scene it's a shame."
"pretend to do it at least because the president is watching"-coast guard diver
The captain said that he "couldn't remember" if there was a rescue plan if the ferry ever sinks
A coast guard diver who was supposed to pump the ship with air clammed that he was successful but he just attached the air hose somewhere under water outside the ship. (it was a stage)
"this is the president's office. Is the boat with a camera not there yet?"
The coast guards were not once instructed to save any of the passengers but staged many interventions and the blue house kept asking to send more boats for different camera angles.
Another very heartbreaking thing, was the students sending videos to their families, while they were in their cabins, and eventually drowning. Can you imagine ?
The song is beautiful in and of itself but the MV is what has all these messages. The fact that they’re so disguised and deep is because of the restrictions by the government to talk about the ferry disaster. Just crazy. Art and music still finds a way though. Korean citizens really stood up and impeached the president and the government responsible for making the tragic situation 1000% worse. Amazing!
Queen Spring Day reigns! The song is not responsible for the uprising but it’s one of the examples of artists supporting the movement and delivering the feeling and support (despite the censorship) that the youth and the people needed at the time! Spring Day helps the whole world remember this tragedy. Truly “NEVER FORGET”.
The song itself has more general lyrics about missing people and breaking up as well as death of loved ones, it’s the MV that connects it to the tragedy as well as the optimistic message of a spring day coming after a tragedy. 😭
You haven’t seen it but the MV has more messages: message of survivor guilt(the ferry) and the connection to movie Snow-piercer where it’s a snowflake that alerts the passengers that “Spring” has come ie the atmosphere is warm enough to form snowflakes so it is survivable for humans to leave the train-> corruption has lessened.
Spring day is my favorite song ever. It helps me deal with my own grief. I lost very important people in my life and this songs just gets me.
I watch everyone of these spring day explained. It gets me every time. Your reaction was heartfelt….
Spring Day will always remain a queen .
Jim, Thanks for doing an indepth dive into this song and it's meaning. I hope that you are okay.
God Bless you and ARMY 🙏🤗🇺🇲💜
everytime i watch this my heart breaks so much like, i could feel the cries and the desperation of the people/ students who are left inside slowly dying, its really hard to watch cuz i see myself inside the ferry being abandoned and suffering even before dying.. im rlly so speechless with this tradegy..
You are amazing. Thankful for this entire reaction. You did great covering this! 🙏💜 ~ 49 year old ARMY
Please watch the many live performances of Spring Day, especially Tiny Desk Concert....Watch all of that please, thank you 💜💜💜💜
If you do a deep dive into the articles and documentaries one thing that stands out for me was the government did not keep up to date supplies for the coastguard. The equipment supplied did not allow them to safely dive and try to rescue the passengers. Then it was made worse when the coastguard kept the properly supplied civilian divers from their rescue attempts. Apparently this was at the behest of the government in power at the time, the government isn't want to look bad and lose power..
I would like to thank you, you are the first person I have reacted to and I have watched alot of them. I have been a big fan of BTS and when I first watched spring day my eyes leaked 😭 after watching some of the tragedy never could finish watching the rest of that tragic episode, until now and like you I am so angry with that so called government, guess I'm a big fan of yours now, you went into so much depth about Spring Day.🥰 Will be watching more of you👍
I always need to suck in air many times to not cry even though i cried so much the first two times i watched this video. The corruptions are always like this, I am sure at least one part of it is something that many nation goes through in one way or another. And i relate so much to what happened after the tragedy because we have the same level of corruption, similar things happened here starting with with train "accidents" where many kids died and many other disgusting things that i am not sure if i am happy or sad that they were not heard. And the worse thing is that just like the Sewol tragedy, the foreign press can be silent so well especially for Eastern countries and because many don't read about what happens outside of their countries, no one hears of these for many years, showcasing just how wrong this whole world is in a way. When a person gets to be the head through wrong doings or by chance and has nothing originally that can keep them there, some level of corruption is bound to happen. We personally can't shake 'em off because for 20 years, people that tried (especially young people) have been called many things including terrorists, just like the BTS song "Am I Wrong" and many have become numb just like the song "UGH". Those two songs and Spring Day are what always resonated with me and they are the songs that got me into BTS (which i wanted to check out after our government deemed them, in a nice way "wrong") So, I am really glad for Korea that they were impeached and i hope for the good of the people, the same kind of people won't get the power back again after this march so that the history won't repeat itself. Although it does, history always repeats itself sadly sooner or later in a different place and a different time.
BTS is coming to Las Vegas this April 8, 9, 15 & 16. It's a 4 night concert. I hope you can catch them up. You will definitely enjoy it.
I think it was 2 years ago were RM confirmed in an interview that spring day is about the sewol ferry tragedy
the song was written and produced prior to the sewol incident.
the song is more about generic loss and grieving.
the MV really focused in on the high-schoolers and their tragedy they went through/surviors going through.
Since the impeachment of Park Geun Hye, the new president is so much better. He totally respects BTS/ARMY, he gave them (ALL 7 members) "the Hwagwan Order of Cultural Merit" which is the highest award given by the president. He even gave them each a wrist watch with his signature on the back of it. Last yr, he made them Presidential Envoys & gave them Ambassador/diplomatic passports & traveled together to the UN & he was proud to introduce them to the UN General Assembly tho it wasn't their 1st time speaking there. This time was their 3rd time speaking at the UN & this time not only did they speak there, they also performed their latest song, Permission to Dance! They made yet another moment to be recorded in the "1st ever to happen" in the history book of the whole planet!
Back in 1981 we tied yellow ribbons on trees during the Hostage crisis.
First, this is now my favorite reaction from you. It’s raw and so real. I love how meticulous you are on getting the screen/view correct. The cussing is a show of passionate reaction so thank you! 💜💜💜😀🙏
without understanding the story or words, it makes me cry. Watching the explanation video, my tears are justified.
Wow. The Italian Army analysis was very interesting. BTS fan base, worldwide, rocks. Jim, you weren't wrong about the meaning...everyone will have different interpretations depending on their current situation. You were spot on when you said it must be deeper because BTS MV are full of symbolism. This song also became an anthem, of sorts, for the class of 2020 and for others affected by the pandemic... a lot of loss. Check out BTS Tiny Desk Concert (NPR). Also check out the ON official MV if you want more symbolism from BTS (you may have already done a reaction).