Pied Piper: BTS Challenging Through Hypnosis

Is it a fool’s errand to write an essay about a 4 minute self contained song? I guess we’re about to find out. 

As my frequent readers know (you’re the real MVPs by the way) I’m an ardent defender of the artistic legitimacy of BTS, the internationally recognizable Korean male group subjected to a wider range of criticism than before since their push for global stardom. 

I have always maintained my stance that BTS are not merely a product for thirsty teens like many of their contemporaries so often are. Regardless of their recent push towards appealing to the lowest common denominator, their discography speaks for itself. While there are certainly elements of a derivative “boy band” in play, it is their creative energy, motivations, subject matter, and guile that beneath the surface make them what they are, not just to me but many others as well. BTS are not merely content making their lyricism readable and go the extra mile in allowing for interpretation from listeners (or at least they used to). It’s really refreshing the the Korean pop space. They aren’t the only ones to have ever done so, but it’s not about who did it first, it’s who did it best. The commitment to attempt genuine artistry through meaningful, personal lyricism is much appreciated. All I would ask to anyone critical is to at least learn more about them before making reactive opinions. There is far more to them than their aforementioned surface level.

There may be no greater example of BTS’ lyrical genius than Pied Piper, a song that, to this day, still blows me away with just how much of a risk was taken with the subject matter, thematic utilization, and the symmetry between a legend that has stood the test of time and the popularity of BTS.

The legend of the Pied Piper originated from Hamelin, Germany during the middle ages. The story goes the town was struggling from a rat infestation problem and was desperate for relief. A piper (dressed in plaid i.e “pied”) was hired by the town to lure away the rats with his magical pipe. Upon the citizens refusal to pay for his service as promised, he retaliates by using his instrument's magical power on their children, leading them away as he had the rats.

Compositionally, there really isn’t much going on here in terms of instrumentation and genuinely impressive songwriting. If you’re a fan of an entire staff of music being filled up with mostly quarter notes, the same repeating phrases, very basic percussion and basic time and key signatures throughout the 4 minute run time, you’ll feel right at home (did I just accidentally describe the majority of pop music?). Though it’s unobtrusive which I believe is the point given that anything close to complex motifs and sixteenth note runs (not that you’d find that in Kpop) would detract attention from the lyrical poetry which is clearly meant to take center stage. At best you could call the instrumental components competent, at worst you could say it’s uninspired and bland, I guess since I’m an optimist I’ll stick with the latter. 

As I mentioned before, lyrically is where the song shines its brightest and obviously where the focus was placed. It applies the story of the Pied Piper and his magical pipe to the relationship between BTS, the musicians, and their fanbase, which is comprised of mostly children. Striking a fascinating balance between aggression, allure, sarcastic and apologetic. It reads as a message to their most zealous of supporters, a message that I can’t imagine many took to heart or cared to hear. That there is more to life than blind devotion. They are not some almighty monolithic deity. They are artists, entertainers. When escapism goes too far you might be too late to backtrack from fantasy, back into reality. Will you be smart enough to resist our temptation or will you succumb to us and allow it to devour your chances in life that you’ve been given? As the lyrics themselves state “I’m here to save you, I’m here to ruin you. You called me see? I’m so sweet.” Delivered with the same kind of subtle antagonism of a witch luring a child into her house with the intention of eating them but almost apologizing for it because as pop stars, they have no choice, this is the life they’ve chosen for themselves.

Not only is it a commercially a risky statement to convey and maybe a little hypocritical given that it pays the bills, to indirectly confront some of the most inarguably devoted supporters of anything on earth right now about their unhealthy parasocial relationship with them, well it’s pretty combative and fearless wouldn’t you say? Not only is this completely unlike the legions of male groups that dominate Korean music at large, at times it almost feels like they’re actively taunting their most dedicated. Not only does that deserve credit on an artistic level for how smartly conveyed it is but on a social level as well being bold enough to actually do it.

It’s the kind of thematic intentions you hope are able to transmit across to the listeners that could most utilize them, apply them to their own life and be able to break free of the trance of manic possession. It was in this moment that I realized BigHit’s (BTS’ record label) recognizable slogan “Artist’s For Music And Healing” applied to BTS’ entire discography to that point comprehensively. Healing and personal growth are not fun processes. They can be arduous, excruciating, elongated and while it is important to provide encouragement and support, it is as important to be critical in equal measure. How can anyone improve if only being told what they are doing right?

I’m not speaking as though I’m someone who is fully qualified to give this kind of advice. I’m merely the artistic messenger through my interpretations and analysis of what I see and hear. And as such I am not an authority, it is fair to dispute my interpretation. As someone who uses art as a healing mechanism, I WANT to be able to derive meaning from it that I can apply to my real life circumstances. I can be just as vulnerable and stubborn as anyone. 

What I’m most interested in knowing is a question I can leave you with. Was I a fool for wasting my time for reading so deeply into it?