when i first watched the mv, i was shocked by jimin and jungkook showing skin since they haven’t done this in a music video since debut (bulletproof pt. 2 and no more dream). but while it may seem like the producers wanted to provide fanservice, this is too far from the truth.
jungkook and jimin’s skin gave me the immediate impression, above all, of vulnerability. the exposure made them look, instead of confident and “manly,” (like in bulletproof and nmd) very small and desperate, slightly scared and self-conscious but obediently following the producer’s directions. right away i also worried that jimin, hoseok and probably jungkook as well starved themselves for a while before shooting the mv due to their looking gaunt and like they might fall over at any moment during the choreo. (note: i’m not saying that this actually happened, i wouldn’t know for sure. regardless, it was another level of artistry to the performance, and they did it perfectly.) edit: obsessivelyintoeverything said “Jimin said this is the first comeback where he didn't lose any weight,” so that’s good xD anyway, vulnerability. this is what they are emitting. while jimin and jk are wearing tiny shirts that ride up easily and expose their skin, the other members are wearing belts or chains (or in hoseok’s case, even handcuffs) around their body, PREVENTING their skin from being exposed. these contrasts are representing two ideas: jungkook and jimin look like they are being eaten up by the attention from thirsty fans and trying desperately to please them by showing their torso, and the rest are tying themselves, locking themselves up in self-consciousness, trying to maintain their appearance, terrified that their body will not be good enough for the fans. both are forms of fake love, in bangtan’s case likely from thirsty fans and for the viewers from society, friends, partners, anything.
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