Most of the time, a k-pop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But, sometimes b-sides deserve recognition too. In the singles-oriented world of K-pop, I want to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve.
BTS’s BE has an air of finality to it, like the last chapter in this current arc of their career. I’ve heard the album, and its title track Life Goes On, described as “for the fans.” I’ve always found this description interesting and a little confusing. I mean, I consider myself a fan (though not as much as I used to be), but if I’m imagining the BTS album I’d most like to hear, it doesn’t sound anything like BE.
With a spoken-word skit in the middle, BE is divided between two extremes. It’s flipped in a way that’s unusual for pop albums. Its softer, more pensive moments come first, while the upbeat tracks close things out. I don’t think there’s anything on BE that comes close to the group’s best material, even though there are highlights here and there. Dis-ease has a strong, dynamic ending. Telepathy’s instrumental is great, but the track is suffocated by its annoying vocal processing.
When it comes down to it, the track I enjoy most consistently is Stay. This one really does fit the “for the fans” label, as its written specifically for Army. Now, you all know my jaded personality. My eyes immediately glaze over upon these kinds of pop song gestures, even when delivered by my most favorite of acts. Stay’s sentiment does nothing for me. But, its anthemic EDM surge was the first time the album had me sitting up straight, curious where things would go next. That’s not to say the track is original or excellent. It’s actually pretty generic, but its addictive pulse is energizing in a way that most fan songs aren’t. This is enough to warrant a mention, even though the album as a whole is pretty underwhelming.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8.25 |
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The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
I wish they tone it down with the vocal processing. I know it’s a stylistic choice but it’s taking away the personalities in their voices that made them so unique.
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Gfriend’s “Mago” is going down this route too and it may cost them a lot
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Mago? I can’t really hear vocal processing in that song, they still sound pretty natural, are you sure you got the right group?
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Mago was the right amount of vocal processing along with Apple, but BTS and TXT sound so metallic like they need tone it down because they have amazing voices.
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I always think your minimum with buried treasures was 8.5 lol
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I’ve done 8.25’s before, though they’re not common. They’re usually reserved for big-name albums that I know people are interested hearing more about.
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I am glad you took “Stay” as the buried treasure , It’s clearly the best song on the album and Telepathy sucks (I am sorry but this one is just unbearable to listen to) , Almost everything about this album is boring , no original melodies , no energy , just one whole filler through and through……….
I guess it is one for the fans , but honestly I genuinely want BTS To Do Something adventurous and full-of-life. From DNA to Life Goes On , none of these songs have carried anything I love about BTS (Expect for Boy With Luv and Fake Love).
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I really enjoyed this but i must say i don’t particularly enjoy the way the instrumental feels. It’s odd, maybe it’s because i just woke up from a nap, but it feels restrained and held back. There’s also too much bass for an EDM track like this. Generally standard EDM tracks use the low pass filter/high pass filter (cuts off frequencies) only during the buildup (E.G. MIROH) but this whole thing sounds like it has that effect. I have no experience with vocals so I can’t tell whether they sound messed up or not but maybe once i get going it will all sound different, for the better.
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It sounds alot better now 😅😂
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I like this one the most, too. Although the rating would be the same as yours lol.
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I knew you would pick this as the buried treasure, it’s similar to So What from LY: Tear, which was also your buried treasure for that album! And I like this song the most from the album too.
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Ah I forgot about that, it makes sense to me now. “So What” might be the only track that I skip from LY:T, I just don’t like EDM music, which also explains why my eyes kinda glazed over for this one lol. For a “for the fans” album closer, I guess I personally prefer a nice Christian youth group jam like “Answer: Love Myself.”
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I’m really happy you chose this as your buried treasure. It was my favourite track next to Dis-ease. Also, I think it’s the message in the songs that are meant for the fans.
I know people haven’t been too pleased with the direction BTS has taken with the vocal processing in their albums. There were so many complaints about MOTS:7 but personally I love the way Telepathy sounds. It’s totally my style 🙂 Everyone has different tastes.
Great review!
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this song sucks
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