Theory posts are occasionally updated with counter-arguments or debunks, because we want to cover the issue fully and get as close to the truth as possible. That means we’re going to run into some disappointments, but please don’t be discouraged! Keeping our eyes open is our top priority. ♥
The early developments of Taehyung and Jeongguk’s relationship in Rookie King. Among other things, this analysis highlights a gradual but decisive change in the way Jeongguk treats Taehyung, as well as his interactions with other members…
Ansitless is a Russian TK analysis channel. I occasionally sub their videos! I highly recommend them -- their work is of rare quality and clarity.
“Show, don’t tell” seems to be their motto, and it’s very effective.
Focuses on analysing the events in their chronological order, dedicated several videos to the early developments happening between Taehyung and Jeongguk -- an undervalued period that is, in reality, key to understanding what they’ve been through and where they are now.
CURRENTLY ENGSUBBED:
taekook; An Open Secret (Secret de Polichinelle)
The hyungs know, and they give it away... A LOT.
I love this video to bits.
taekook; Analysis #1: Rookie King
The early developments of Taehyung and Jeongguk’s relationship in Rookie King. This analysis highlights a gradual but decisive change in the way Jeongguk treats Taehyung, as well as his interactions with other members...
[16+] taekook; JK’s puberty
Young Jeongguk and the ways in which he expresses his interests and attractions (or lack of them). See it for yourself. This one’s a masterpiece.
Fantasy and reality: Jungkook&Jimin [it's NOT jikook]
Don’t be afraid of conflicting viewpoints! Think critically and deconstruct the delusional narrative that the shippers attempt to push. This video analyzes several cult-favorite Jikооk moments.
Jeongguk’s cyphers and the lyrical themes of Taekook --PART ONE.
Dates & sources included.
Minimal commentary.
I recommend reading this first, if you haven’t already.
Fools (바보) + 1230/1:23.
[150525, 12:30PM] Wise men say only fools rush in.
NOTE: took a screenshot at 12:26, posted 4 minutes later... preparing to post it at the right time?
wise men say only fools rush in
but i can’t help falling in love with you
shall i stay, would it be a sin?
but i can’t help falling in love with you
[161010] STIGMA:
are you calling me a sinner?
[…]
please forgive me for my sins / 내 죄를 사해줘
[170901] 2U (photo by TH):
when it comes to you, there’s no crime
[160608] JK: “Taehyung is a fool friend” (바보 친구).
[151023] JK: I had been listening to it from 1:23.
soundcloud.com/maria-lara-ota…
#DailyMusic(Free Of Charge)
#beautifuldancer
#IU
#Jungkook
Must recommend this song I had been listening to it from 1:23
I recommended?…
NOTE: yes, he types out the timestamp. The timestamp is just the second, repeated line of the chorus.
[151229, 48 minutes before Taehyung’s birthday] JK&RM: Fools.
only fools fall for you, only fools
only fools do what i do, only fools fall
NOTE: “Fools” is a song about falling for someone of your own gender and the struggles that come with it.
i’m so tired of this place, i hope people change
i need time to replace what i gave away
my hopes, they are high, i must keep them small
though i try to resist, i still want it all
[160902] JK: 1:23 “Please come back to me”.
[160912] JK: 1:23 “I see the child in your eyes”.
[161014] TK act awkward around each other (quarrel?)
OVERVIEW: JK continuously attempts to approach TH; Taehyung seems cold most of the time and avoids interacting.
[161018] JK: “Talk Me Down”.
Part of Troye Sivan’s “Blue Neighborhood” trilogy, same as “Fools”.
i wanna sleep next to you
but that's all i wanna do right now
and i wanna come home to you
but home is just a room full of my safest sounds
'cause you know that i can't trust myself with my three A.M. shadow
i'd rather fuel a fantasy than deal with this alone
i wanna sleep next to you
but that's all i wanna do right now
so come over now and talk me down
i wanna hold hands with you
but that's all i wanna do right now
and i wanna get close to you
'cause your hands and lips still know their way around, oh
and i know i like to draw at night, it starts to get surreal
but the less time that I spend with you, the less you need to heal
if you don't mind, i'll walk that line
stuck on the bridge between us
gray areas and expectations
but i’m not the one if we're honest, yeah
but i wanna sleep next to you
and i wanna come home to you
i wanna hold hands with you
i wanna be close to you
but i wanna sleep next to you
And that's all i wanna do right now
And i wanna come home to you
but home is just a room full of my safest sounds
so come over now and talk me down
[161024] 1:23 “And that must’ve been my fault”.
*paused on 1:23 -- “and that must’ve been my fault” / 나의 잘못이겠지 뭐
모든 게 다 처음이라서 / because it was all the first time for me
많이 어색하고 별로였겠지 / it must’ve been very awkward and not very good
마지막 그 인사말조차도 / even that goodbye
넌 나보다 훨씬 빛나 보여서 / you looked way more radiant than I did
괜히 움츠러든 내가 미웠어 / so i cowered in vain and hated myself
그게 더 바보 같았었겠지 / that must’ve been so foolish
[1610??] Jeongguk answers a question regarding his 1230/1:23 pattern.
NOTE: the earliest online appearance of this note that I could find is August 2018, although the background is a WINGS photobook. I suppose, bsoong22 held on to it. The hasty handwriting closely resembles Jeongguk’s.
*references: Jeongguk’s handwriting (fansign notes from unrelated sources):
Now, back to the first note:
Why do tweet at 12:30 and stop the songs on 1:23?
1. Taehyung’s birthday
2. No meaning (JK: ✖)
3. Other (JK: ✓)
⮡ Only I know ♥
[cr: bsoong22]
His answer confirms 2 things:
1. YES, it does have a meaning;
2. The meaning is something he has to keep a secret / can’t confirm outright.
What are the possible meanings for 1:23 / 12:30?
a) Code for “I love you” (123).;
b) Taehyung’s birthday (12.30).
Which one is it?
a) “ILY”: if this was the case, JK could’ve easily confirm it, saying it’s a message of love to ARMY. It’s not a secret, hence why it can’t be the right answer.
b) Taehyung’s BDay: the only other possible meaning. It would bear big implications if confirmed, hence needs to be kept a secret.
Therefore, b) is the only interpretations that matches the facts known to us.
CONCLUSION: JK’s 12:30/1:23 pattern is, indeed, related to Taehyung.
[1702??] What is TaeTae’s existence to Jeongguk?
1. My hyung ✓
2. Angel ✓
3. Devil
4. Toy
Jeongguk added: 5. Fool! (바보!)
[cr: 东出以上]
The earliest mention. I suppose it’s from one of the YNWA fansigns.
...Sigh. It’s so hard to track down the sources of these notes.
[170319] Taehyung recommends “fOol fOr YoU” by ZAYN.
The link takes you to the clip on Dropbox! I recommend watching it yourself.
Transcript:
I also like Charlie Puth, but the last two songs, which I’ll play... [searches on the phone] ...will be closer to my taste. The second song is... “fOol fOr YoU” by ZAYN. [starts playing the song] I’ve recently found out about the song, but I like it a lot. [...]
[sings along the chorus several times] “I’m a fool for you, and the things you do”
[...]
[the drum part kicks in]
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
this love is tainted
i need you and i hate it
you're caught between a dream and a movie scene
in a way, you know what i mean
when the darts just miss, i just can't resist it
'cause i'm a fool for you
and the things you do
i'm a fool for you
and the things, the things you do
the things you do
the things you do
when you're looking like this
i just can't resist it
i know sometimes i hide it
but i can't this time 'cause it's gonna defeat me
but if you won't believe me
believe me
i know
given a chance i'd do it again, i
'cause i can't help myself
'cause i can't stop myself
i just love being a fool for you-ooh-ooh
[171124] Taehyung adds “I’m a Fool to Want You” to his Spotify playlist.
i'm a fool to want you
i'm a fool to want you
to want a love that can't be true
a love that's there for others too
i'm a fool to hold you
such a fool to hold you
to seek a kiss not mine alone
to share a kiss the devil has known
time and time again i said i'd leave you
time and time again i went away
but then would come the time when i would need you
and once again these words i'll have to say
i'm a fool to want you
pity me, i need you
i know it's wrong, it must be wrong
but right or wrong i can't get along
without you
Dispatch, Closeting, Namsan Date and LY era... It’s all connected! -a timeline-based TK theory.
“
DISCLAIMER:
1. This theory is presented as a context-focused timeline, with minimal commentary. Sources and dates included.
2. It’s NOT complete. It lacks a lot of details that I’m going to include eventually. This is more of a simplified model of the events.
Quick note: despite the term “separation” being the most popular among TK theorists, what happened would be more accurately described as “restriction”, or “muting”. TK wasn’t completely erased, but their relationship was significantly undermined by the decreased visibility of their interactions in the official content. That led to people believing they had “drifted apart”, despite the two remaining close off-camera (as suggested by candid footage from award shows, etc). The timeline is intricate; frankly, this post misses out on a lot of things. It will be expanded with time.
[160109] Taehyung backhugs Jeongguk in a Dispatch video report.
[160312] “One news media outlet has an exclusive report on evidence they've collected of a same sex couple within an idol group” - PANN rumor (original post got deleted).
PANN comments:
Is it related to Taekook?
There are a lot more closeted couples within the industry than you might expect, so we can’t actually determine for sure who this blind item was about. Does the description fit TH & JK?
1) Same sex couple, within an idol group (=the same group) - check
2) Trending idols:
2015 was their breakthrough. The outlet has been “waiting on the piece of news for months”. How popular were BTS that year?
They were the third on the GAON’s 2015 Album Sales Chart.
11 days after the rumor has surfaced...
[160323] Taehyung and Jeongguk are forced to stay away from each other - HYYH pt.2 On Stage Concert Making DVD.
Observations:
*[0:42 JK goes out of frame as soon as he notices Taehyung approaching, Taehyung follows him. | 0:52 Cut. JK has one of his hands tightly grasping the other, fidgeting fingers, clasping fist (=anxiety, insecurity), bites his lips and keeps swallowing (=dry mouth =anxiety). | 1:02 Tae starts talking, JK doesn’t look at him yet; Tae bumps into JK with his shoulder, JK gulps and stares for a couple of seconds, gaining a tense posture, then quickly turns away. | 1:13-1:28 Cut. Tae is hugging JK, JK keeps a straight face. | 1:36 Cut, Tae and JK are walking with the others, Tae has his arm around JK. | 2:05 They stopped, Tae started leaning on JK’s shoulders. | 2:07 They both turn to the camera operator at the same time. JK crosses his arms (=gets defensive), turns away from it, draws in cheeks and purses his lips (=disapproval). At about the same time Taehyung stops leaning on JK, licks his lips (=anxiety) and fixes the towel around his shoulders. JK turns away, stone-faced, waiting for the camera to get away from him. JM appears visibly upset as well.]
[170101] Dispatch doesn’t reveal a couple for 2017. The official statement for it implies that the idol dating news will distract people from the on-going political crisis - Dispatch on Facebook.
*koreeaboo.com translation
Unless the couple is something completely out of the ordinary, the reveal wouldn’t steal the spotlight and GP’s attention significantly.
[BurnTheStage: WINGS Tour and 170312 Chile Concert] The Separation gets severe.
Most of their interactions don’t make it into the final cut. The rare ones that do avoid showing Taehyung’s face whenever he gets close to Jeongguk. They are forced to stay apart even when JK overworks himself and falls sick because of it. Taehyung cannot even comment on the situation on-camera.
Here’s a video on that. It also includes some other clear separation moments outside of Burn The Stage.
[170526] Dispatch posts a photo with a “taekook” poster in it.
[170918] DNA MV is released.
The song and the album are described as being about “the love of boys who grow up” (vague enough) but also as “a message of love, unity, reconciliation and integration to the society” by Namjoon (DNA press conference | DNA special comeback live). Now, the title track doesn’t have an explicit societal message - from the first glance, it’s just a love song... UNLESS you pay attention to the JK & TH storyline running through it.
Here’s an analysis that points out the 3 key scenes that make it explicit that the MV is about Taehyung and Jeongguk. It’s an in-depth look into the storyline and the characters established by the MV through visual storytelling and lyrical nuance.
Here’s another analysis that mentions pride flags included in the MV & additional choreographical elements that the first analysis missed out on.
Suddenly, Namjoon’s words make a lot more sense.
As far as inteprepretations go, you can only be so sure about what you take out of the art. Please, take this with a grain of salt. ♥
[171007] Jeongguk showing off the matching bracelet he has with Taehyung for 4 minutes straight at a LY: Her fansign, wanting every JK fansite there to capture it.
Ah, so inconspicious.
Taehyung’s bracelet from the same fansign.
They also wore matching rings on their wedding fingers (gifted to them by horizon_9597).
Later during the fansign, Taehyung took his off... Just for JK to wear both at once. ♥
As it turned out, they wore them casually before that fansign! A week earlier...
[170930] Jeongguk wears his ring at Mukbang Live.
NOTE: It doesn’t mean the separation was completely lifted. At the same date as this liveshow, this little moment happened. They were on the boundary between getting openly close and trying to keep it moderate (included in BurnTheStage video).
From September 2017 onward, Dispatch’s BTS-related publications gain a consistent running theme: they keep mentioning Taehyung and Jeongguk together, often exclusively from the rest of the group.
[170918] Dispatch: “Handsome to the left and right... V•Jeongguk, flowerboy beauty” (only TK)
(NOTE: I’ll only translate what I’m able to, based on auto-translations and context.)
[171225] Another needless separation moment - Namjoon forcing himself between Taehyung and Jeongguk and breaking their handholding during the bow (included in BurnTheStage video).
Angle 1 | Angle 2
[180125] Dispatch: “Black is the truth”... V•Jeongguk [...] (only TK)
[180126] Taehyung and Jeongguk have a buffet date at Namsan hotel. (fanacc + photos)
*from 171008 - same hoodie
NOTES:
1. Oddly enough, they are not wearing masks or glasses: their faces are visible to everyone. At this point in time they are already well-known among the general public. Simple carelessness or some kind of statement..?
2. This hotel is 10-minute drive away from their dormitory AND it takes a month in advance to reserve a spot there... This must be a really special occasion.
3. Two years ago, on the same date, “How Am I Supposed To Live Without You” by Taehyung and a day after, “Nothing Like Us” by Jeongguk were posted, on Fancafe and Twitter respectively (to obscure the correlation for the mainstream ARMY?). This correlation extends to other occurences, such as Jeongguk asking people to pay attention to the lyrics of his song covers and serenading “Nothing Like Us” to Taehyung twice on separate occasions, or posting his cover of “Fools” (ft. Namjoon) 40 minutes before Taehyung’s birthday in 2015. You can acquaint yourself with the full timeline here. However, this date didn’t bring any special occasions in 2017.
4. Jeongguk brought a camera with him, but didn’t post anything from that date yet... I wonder if he keeps it to himself or wants to release it as a part of a... special GCF for the future? He records Taehyung a lot in general - some of these moments got into BTS Memories 2017 DVD, such as JK recording TH rehearse Stigma or just sit across the couch of JK, with his laptop, in his natural habitat.
From then on, it becomes apparent that Dispatch and BigHit have some sort of contract. BigHit starts having collaborations with Dispatch on private schedules, photoshoots and MV sets.
[180210] Starcast x Dispatch: "Black bean noodle for graduation”… JUNG KOOK’s treat with his own card
Now the [D icon] LA behind the scenes has been released on Naver! Check out the HD photos with 2000 horizontal pixels!
[180506] Singularity MV is released
1. Taehyung states the lyrics were written specifically for him by Namjoon in their FAKE LOVE comeback preview in LA (14:01)
2. The MV imagery and the lyrical themes seem to reference a book “Confessions of the Mask” (that Namjoon recommended at some point) (SOURCE SEARCH IN PROGRESS).
This is also underlined by the use of newspapers and TVs as the background props (TVs later appear in the LY: Answer photoshoot), symbolic of the invasion of privacy, being cornered by the public opinion / rumors, etc.
NOTE: Again, that is an interpretation. Take it with a grain of salt.
[180525] Dispatch: [...] *it’s about Jeongguk writing subtitles for Taehyung’s words. (only TK)
[180528] Dispatch posts Fake Love MV set pictures.
“I can do a V-sign too” | “Bangtan Boys” Jeongguk
NOTE: it’s most likely a photo Jeongguk took in the Dispatch pictures.
CONTEXT: the other pictures from the same set (x | x | x). TK are obviously in the spotlight, with five pictures dedicated to them (counting Tae’s portrait).
This is the fifth one. For some reason, it’s not with the other pictures on the official Dispatch IG page... Was it [gasp] deleted?!
I guess Dispatch prefers fluffy over smutty when it comes to Taekook. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
[180617] Dispatch: Jeonggukie’s shooting spot!
NOTE: The boys are taking pictures of Jimin, yet out of 4 photos there is only one that actually includes him as one of the central characters of the scene. He’s not even present in the 2 of them (I’m pointing this out to highlight Dispatch’s priorities, vminkook trio is 100% out-of-this-world amazing concept).
[180621] BTS announce Dispatch official VLive channel.
They have a contract. Duh.
[180805] Dispatch posts a stop frame of JK flashing a V sign.
NOTE: They’ve already teased Jeongguk about it with the Fake Love shoot (”I can do a v-sigh too!”), so this is definitely related.
[180808] Dispatch: Another stop frame.
NOTE: the only two identifiable characters of the scene. Subtle, yet clear.
Dispatch IG profile picture
[180825] BTS 오늘 exhibition opens
There’s no picture that has Taehyung and Jeongguk together in it. Except...
this one. It’s like a reverse of what happened in Burn The Stage.
But maybe it’s just that they don’t take photos together?
A Timeline of Taehyung and Jeongguk’s music: PART TWO.
Exploring and explaining the chronology of Taekook and music. Dates and source links included.
part one
To refresh your memory...
[151229, 11:12 PM, 48 minutes before Taehyung’s birthday]
Jeongguk and RM cover “Fools”, by Troye Sivan.
only fools fall for you, only fools
only fools do what I do, only fools fall
only fools fall for you, only fools
only fools do what I do, only fools fall
…In the midst of BTS_twt posting non-stop about Taehyung’s birthday.
Let’s continue.
Nothing Like Us
[160126] A month later, Taehyung posts a short cover of “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You” on BTS Fancafe.
[160127, 12:00 AM KST] A day later, Jeongguk posts a short cover of “Nothing Like Us” on Twitter.
[180126] On the same day, 2 years later, Taekook have a public date at Namsanhill hotel’s buffet.
[160215] ...Half a month later, Jeongguk on Twitter:
When I cover a song, I always check the content/meaning of the lyrics before I record the song! Please look up the meaning of the lyrics too. And please listen to it again. It will sound different..! hehe
Please listen once more to the songs that I’ve covered like that* .. hehe I’ll come back next time with a Korean song
tweet | tweet | trans
[160216] A day after, Jeongguk releases “Nothing Like Us” cover.
[170327] Jeongguk singing “Nothing Like Us” in a Billboard interview while looking at Taehyung.
Tae lowers his head, smiling shyly. After this moment is over, Yoongi turns to look at Tae and nods.
[1704??, Bon Voyage S2] Jeongguk goes out at night to sing “Nothing Like Us” in front of Taehyung’s bedroom.
Taehyung’s room (that he shared with Hoseok because of a game) is the only one having glass doors and a window opening up to the pool. Jeongguk sits at the little couch/bench in front of it. (NOTE: he’s not serenading, this is more of a self-consolation. When he lost a chance to room with Tae during the game, he was visibly disappointed and stopped putting in effort. After he’s done singing “Nothing Like Us” here, instead of going back to his room (shared with Jimin), he goes to sleep on the same couch outside).
*Taehyung and Hoseok’s room: window, glass door
*camera positioned to the left of Taehyung’s window, capturing the couch JK is sitting on
Jeongguk’s Birthday Covers:
I. You’re giving me purpose
[160215] Taehyung recommends "Purpose" by Justin Bieber.
[160901] Jeongguk covers “Purpose” by Justin Bieber.
feeling like I'm breathing my last breath
feeling like I'm walking my last steps
look at all of these tears I've wept
look at all the promises that I've kept
i put my heart into your hands
here's my soul to keep
i let you in with all that I can
you're not hard to reach
and you've blessed me with the best gift
that I've ever known
you give me purpose
yeah, you've given me purpose
thinking my journey's come to an end, oh
sending out a farewell to my friends
for inner peace
ask you to forgive me for my sins
oh would you please?
i'm more than grateful for the time we spent
my spirit's at ease
oh, you are my everything
oh, you are my everythingI don't know if this is wrong
because someone else is telling me that it's wrong
but I feel this so let me just like, try my best not to let this happen again
we weren't necessarily put in the best position to make the best decisions
you can't be hard on yourself for these were the cards that you were given
so you have to understand that these like
that's not who you are
you know you're trying to be the best you can be
but that's all you can do
if you don't give it all you got, you're only cheating yourself
give it all you got
but if it ends up happening, it ends up happening
that's what it's that's what's happening with me
it's like, God I'm giving it all I got
sometimes I'm weak and I'm gonna do it
and it's like I'm not giving myself grace
i'm just like understanding, that's just how it is
[161010] STIGMA is released. (possible lyrical reference)
are you calling me a sinner?
[...]
please forgive me for my sins / 내 죄를 사해줘
II. 2U, through his eyes
[170901] Jeongguk covers “2U”,
using a photo taken by Taehyung as its track cover.
no limit in the sky
that I won't fly for ya
no amount of tears in my eyes
that I won't cry for ya, oh no
with every breath that I take
i want you to share that air with me
there's no promise that I won't keep
i'll climb a mountain, there's none too steep
when it comes to you
there's no crime
let's take both of our souls
and intertwine
when it comes to you
don't be blind
watch me speak from my heart
when it comes to you
comes to you
want you to share that
(when it comes to you)
cupid ain't a lie
arrow got your name on it, oh yeah
don't miss out on a love
and regret yourself on it, oh
open up your mind, clear your head
ain't gotta wake up to an empty bed
share my life, it's yours to keep
now that I give to you all of me, oh
[151003/151221] Lost Stars. (possible lyrical reference)
A Timeline of Taehyung and Jeongguk’s music: PART ONE.
Exploring and explaining the chronology of Taekook and music. Dates and source links included.
“Let’s be happy, let’s not be sick”
[140925] Jeongguk covers “Yanghwa BRDG”
Lyrics:
행복하자 우리 / haengbokhaja uri / let’s be happy
아프지 말고 / apeuji malgo / let’s not be sick
[180213, more than 3 years later] Both Taehyung and Jeongguk reference its lyrics as their message to ARMY (18:57)
*note: Jeongguk doesn’t know what to write at first, so he peeks to his right (where Taehyung is) and decides to include those lyrics as part of his own message.
End of 2015: trials and tribulations
UPDATE 1811: I re-evaluated my stances on this entire period. As a result, this post doesn’t fully reflect the truth, so take this with a grain of salt. 2015, in general, was a turbulent period for taekook, and you can’t account all the struggles they went through... to jealousy. The situation they were in was enough for an angst fuel, having discovered their feelings for each other around the end of 2014 / start of 2015, WHILE being in the spotlight WHILE being of the same gender. Well, hypothetically.
In any case, back to our usual programme...
Taekook and Park Bogum have a long history together. 170803 airport arrival when Jeongguk seemed to be struggling to walk past Bogum without bumping into his bag in a suuuch crowded airport as Bogum was talking to Tae;
then making Tae choose between himself and Bogum on TV (171012) (NOTE: obviously scripted, however, Taehyung’s reaction here is quite strong, which means it goes beyond a one-off comedy skit. All in all, a bit ambigious.), but this drama was an unspoken truth all the way since the 2015, when Taehyung befriended the actor. Obviously, not all developments were visible, but we have enough to work with.
A little (not) history lesson from yours truly:
[150707] Taehyung and Bogum’s amusement park date.
[151001] RM recommends “Fools” / Bang Shi-Hyuk mentions that he was the one to recommend it to BTS members and links the MV for it. This song is IMPORTANT. Remember it.
[151002] Taehyung starts his music recommendation hashtag with “Try” by Colbie Caillat.
[151003] Jeongguk covers “Lost Stars” on Youtube.
please don't see just a boy caught up in dreams and fantasies
please see me reaching out for someone I can't see
take my hand let's see where we wake up tomorrow
best laid plans sometimes are just a one night stand
i'd be damned Cupid's demanding back his arrow
so let's get drunk on our tears
[...]
don't you dare let our best memories bring you sorrow
yesterday I saw a lion kiss a deer
turn the page maybe we'll find a brand new ending
where we're dancing in our tears
[151017] Jeongguk recommends "Like Fallen Leaves" by Forest of Breath.
From this point on, Jeongguk and Taehyung are going to recommend songs on Twitter. The lyrics often have correlating meanings, as though they are “replying” to each other. This post is long enough so I’ll just let you discover everything by yourself. Here’s the archive! It’s... quite fascinating. I think this was their way of dealing with miscommunication. TIP: change your timezone to KST to track the time they were posting + look up lyrics.
[151103] Taehyung accidentally shows Bogum sending him a message on LINE while screencapping his song recommendation.
[151106] Taehyung posts another selfie from the amusement park.
[151201] Taehyung’s Hong Kong VLive: the first time we’re explicitly shown that he and Jeongguk & Jimin are not on good terms.
Highlights:
02:07 “I planned to do this with Jeongguk and Jimin. But I am here alone.”
04:06 [keeps shifting between having a straight face and laughing to himself] “I just turned this on as I was bored. I miss you a lot. We didn’t have much schedules, so I just slept in the hotel.”
04:35 (out of nowhere) “I’m your... [clears throat] partner.”
04:48 “Want me to sing a song for this mood? [touches nose] Sorry, guys. Look forward to seeing MAMA tomorrow.”
05:05 [licks lips] “I want to chat with you. Yoongi-hyung did this and I wanted to chat with you.” [licks lips] “...But I have nothing to say.”
6:15 “Jimin is not here.” [twitches head to the left] “Jimin is now...” [rough sigh] “...hanging out with Jeongguk.” [shows a number of upset expressions, sighing and staying silent for 19 sec] “I’ll drink one more glass (N: actually, it’s a bottle) of water.” [continues to try and be entertaining while chugging water] “Drinking water is good for skin.” [looks to the right for a few seconds, thinking of what to add; gives up on it]
Watch the liveshow itself to understand where I’m coming from.
To summarize: Jimin & Jeongguk stopped talking to Taehyung and he came to VLive to distract himself. Despite trying to keep up the mood, he ends up mentioning them twice. He also makes up a lie about ‘taking a nap’ beforehand, contradicts himself a second after and attempts to sweep it under the rug (why are you like this, Taetae..?). He keeps trying to be entertaining but struggles to sustain his act. Throughout the liveshow Taehyung drinks 2 bottles water, clearly more than necessary, and even the fans warn him that it might result in him needing to go to the toilet in the middle of the performance. He also licks his lips, they tremble, the corners are forced downwards, he keeps gulping & drinking water, etc. - he’s clearly anxious & upset.
That didn’t last long however, as Taekook can be seen laughing and having fun together the next day at MAMAs. VID 1 | VID 2
A turbulent period, for sure!
[151205] Taehyung posts a selfie with Bogum.
[151211] Park Bogum makes a cameo in a Bangtan Bomb, being friendly and touchy with Taehyung.
Jeongguk keeps his distance. His body movements and expression show tensity (stiff), he's diverting his eyes. He bows to Bogum politely. The same stiffness is evident when he waves to the off-cam audience afterwards.
THE LOVE SONG TRILOGY
The most interesting part. Jeongguk starts to release covers as a run-up to Taehyung’s birthday.
[151221] He re-releases “Lost Stars” on Soundcloud.
[151224] He covers “Paper Hearts”.
goodbye love, you flew right by love
remember the way you made me feel
such young love but
something in me knew that it was real
frozen in my head
pictures I'm living through for now
trying to remember all the good times
our life was cutting through so loud
memories are playing in my dull mind
i hate this part, paper hearts
and I'll hold a piece of yours
don't think I would just forget about it
hoping that you won't forget about it
everything is gray under these skies
wet mascara
hiding every cloud under a smile
when there's cameras
and I just can't reach out to tell you
that I always wonder what you're up to
And, finally,
[151229, 11:12 PM, 48 minutes before Taehyung’s birthday]
Jeongguk and RM cover “Fools”, by Troye Sivan.
i am tired of this place, i hope people change
i need time to replace what i gave away
and my hopes, they are high, i must keep them small
though i try to resist i still want it allI see swimming pools and living rooms and aeroplanes
i see a little house on the hill and children's names
i see quiet nights poured over ice and Tanqueray
but everything is shattering and it's my mistake
only fools fall for you, only fools
only fools do what I do, only fools fall
only fools fall for you, only fools
only fools do what I do, only fools fall
oh, our lives don't collide, I'm aware of this
the differences and impulses and your obsession with
the little things you like stick, and I like aerosol
don't give a fuck, not giving up, i still want it all
only fools fall for you, only fools
only fools do what I do, only fools fall
only fools fall for you, only fools
only fools do what I do, only fools fall
...In the midst of BTS_twt posting non-stop about Taehyung’s birthday.
But it’s just a coincidence, right?
Well. I hope you like those, ‘cause they don’t end here.