The BTS ‘We Are Bulletproof: The Eternal’ Music Video Is Filled With References and It’ll Give You Chills
When BTS announced the Festa 2020 schedule, fans knew “We Are Bulletproof: The Eternal” on June 12 would break them — and it did.
Once the clock struck midnight in South Korea, BTS dropped the animated music video for “We Are Bulletproof: The Eternal,” which contained references and Easter eggs from previous eras. And as expected, it was an emotional rollercoaster for ARMYs across the globe.
The meaning behind BTS ‘We Are Bulletproof: The Eternal’
When Map of the Soul: 7 was released in February 2020, BTS fans instantly connected with “We Are Bulletproof: The Eternal.” The song took a different turn than “We Are Bulletproof Pt. 1” and “We Are Bulletproof Pt. 2.” Nonetheless, the new track still continued the band’s narrative since debut.
The song reflects on the BTS’ past struggles. However, it also celebrates the present and future of the seven members — RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. But ultimately, if you take a look at the meaning behind the lyrics — such as “We were only seven, but we have you all now” — you’ll see “We Are Bulletproof: The Eternal” is a love letter to ARMY.
References in the BTS ‘We Are Bulletproof: The Eternal’ music video
When BTS dropped the “We Are Bulletproof: The Eternal” music video, the band solidified their love for ARMY. The animated video opened with RM in his “Boy With Luv” outfit walking in the old Big Hit Entertainment practice room. He sees his former self in the mirror, dressed in his debut outfit from June 13, 2013.
As the MV continues, BTS fans are taken down memory lane. Flashes of previous music videos go by, including “No More Dream,” “We Are Bulletproof,” “N.O.,” “Danger,” “I Need You,” “Run,” “Young Forever,” “Blood Sweat & Tears,” “Not Today,” “Spring Day,” and “Boy With Luv.”
There are also a few other Easter eggs that go beyond previous music videos. At the start of “We Are Bulletproof: The Eternal,” there’s a moment where “BTS” and “Solo” are written on a wall in the background. Of course, it could indicate the seven members choosing this path. It could also be a reference to the prank where Bang Si-hyuk asked RM to choose between a solo career or the band, and the leader instantly chose BTS.
Meanwhile, a purple whale comes to save the seven members from the darkness toward the end of the MV. Then once they reach the highest point, the whale explodes into a sea of purple lights. The whale represents “Whalien 52,” which is a song about loneliness. Then the sea of purple lights is ARMY.
At this point in “We Are Bulletproof: The Eternal,” BTS references the “Born Singer” performance during The Wings Tour The Final. The band also highlighted the ending speeches during the concert, where the members broke down thanking fans for their support.
In the same shot, J-Hope is seen holding a golden award as tears runs down his face. So it’s likely the MV referenced BTS’ Artist of the Year speech from MAMA 2018, where the band revealed they considered disbanding. However, they continued moving forward. And as they say, the rest was history.
“Earlier this year, we had a really difficult time mentally. So we talked together and worried about whether we should disband or not,” Jin said at the time. “But I’m so relieved that we found our resolve again. And now we’re able to have these great results.”
BTS fans react to the ‘We Are Bulletproof: The Eternal’ music video
When BTS dropped the “We Are Bulletproof: The Eternal” music video, it was hard not to get emotional. And as always, ARMY showed up on social media, trending #WeAreBulletproofTheEternal to the number one spot worldwide on Twitter.
“This part when they showed BTS running in their past era just made me cry harder,” a fan tweeted. “You can clearly tell that they really have come so far in life and I’m very proud of them. #WeAreBulletProofTheEternal.”
“I can’t stop crying,” another fan wrote. “#WeAreBulletproofTheEternal always made me cry but now seeing the MV, all the memories from the past till now with lyrics hits me even harder.”
Meanwhile, other fans pointed out moments from the MV that reminded everyone BTS and ARMY are on the same journey together.
“Completing the constellations are like completing our love, connection, and support for BTS,” a fan wrote on Twitter. “Cast stones at BTS, they have no fear anymore. They are forever bulletproof. We’ll forever walk with BTS, no matter how rough the path is, no matter what happens.”
“Whalien is no longer alone, she has found people who vibrate with the same frequency,” another fan wrote. “Army is no longer alone, because BTS vibrates in the same sequence. BTS is no longer alone, because Army vibrates in the same sequence.”
And of course, fans are now anticipating BTS to perform “We Are Bulletproof: The Eternal” as the final song for Bang Bang Con The Live on June 14, joining the ranks of “Spring Day” and “Mikrokosmos.” But once again, no one is actually ready for that emotional journey.
“When BTS performs We are Bulletproof: The Eternal at the end of the concert in bangbangcon we are not ready for that,” a fan wrote.
As 2020 BTS Festa continues, it’s certainly the time to reminisce over the group’s seven-year journey. And if there’s anything we’ve learned since debut, it’s that BTS and ARMY make the perfect team. So let’s get it.
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