BTS: A second MV for Black Swan

Shawn 8 March 2020 3 min read

This Thursday, March 5th, Bighit Entertainment, the BTS agency, surprised fans of the group by posting on their Youtube account a new MV of their music “Black Swan“.

A first video clip of this title had been published on January 17th to promote the release of their new album entitled “MAP OF THE SOUL: 7”, faithful to the title of this music, a group of modern dancers had been put forward.

This time, we find as a dancer the members of BTS, one of the hottest bands of the moment, whether in Korea or internationally.

BTS is used to offering MV to the public with many references, whether artistic or cultural. “Black Swan” is one of these MV as its title suggests, it refers to the ballet “Le Lac des Cygnes” and to the film of the same name “Black Swan”.

The inspiration of Swan Lake is seen through the delicate and aerial dance movements that it is possible to discern in the choreography of the members, notably inspired by the classical dance present in said ballet including the swan flight which is included in their choreography.

In addition, the MV has a theater setting, an emblematic place for ballets since it is on this type of stage that the dancers perform.

As we noted earlier, the MV “Black Swan” influences the film of the same name, but these references are more discreet. In order to understand them, it is necessary to know the history of the film.

In the film by Daren ARONOFSKY, the main character by the name of Nina, is chosen for an important role on the scene of Swan Lake, but, the total ambivalence of her roles will plunge her into a deep schizophrenia, which is a disease causing a severe personality division and loss of contact with reality.

This mental illness suffered by the main character in “Black Swan” is also represented in the BTS MV. It is particularly possible to discern it when certain members are motionless, but a shadow on the wall or the ceiling continues to dance frantically. It is also symbolized by a scene with JIN, singer of BTS, who contemplates himself in several mirrors, but, while he turns away, his reflection doesn’t move, which is a sign that a double personality persists in him.

This idea of threat and oppression is notably illustrated in the technique of shooting cameras that film the dance of the members from below, which gives BTS a monstrous air and an impression of grandeur.

Finally, this artistic reference ends with the last seconds of the video clip where JIMIN, singer of the group, folds in on himself on the floor of the theater, until collapsing, inert, representation of the death of the swan.