#10 - “Everythingoes (지나가)". RM of BTS (방탄소년단 알엠), 2018
A Story of the Song...Story behind the Song by Vihangi Nimesha Kulathilaka (Monash University)
지나가 언젠가, 분명히 확실히 | It shall pass, someday, surely, without a doubt |
With the timeless mantra “it shall pass” coursing through the entire song, “everythingoes” is a soul-affirming ode to someone who is trying their best to keep afloat and persevere through harrowing times. In collaboration with the South Korean indie rock band, Nell (a match made in heaven), RM of BTS creates a song that is the personification of a warm blanket and a cup of tea. It soothes, comforts and reassures us that it shall all pass, someday, undoubtedly.
Mono playlist cover. Image source: Twitter
“Everythingoes” is the sixth track of RM’s second mixtape “mono”. Released on the 23rd of October 2018, ‘mono’ has stood the test of time as an ARMY (the BTS fandom) favourite. Upon release, “mono” held the #1 spot in 123 countries globally on the iTunes charts, becoming the highest charting album in iTunes history worldwide. Currently, it has surpassed 223 million streams on Spotify and debuted at #26 on the Billboard 200 charts, making him the highest-charting Korean solo act on that chart. Breaking records is nothing unusual for BTS, but this was a remarkable accomplishment considering that “mono” was unofficially released for free. The mixtape garnered critical acclaim. It was awarded 6th place on the Billboard critics’ picks list for the best K-pop albums of 2018. Billboard’s Tamar Herman praises “everythingoes”, noting the complementary match between RM and Nell, stating “Like all of the band’s (Nell) tracks, it features a lush, resounding electro-rock melody, and it builds steadily…. The airy tone is bisected by a characteristic, forceful rap from RM”. Furthermore, the critical reception of the mixtape as a whole is hugely positive, with NME rating it 4 out of 5 stars.
RM pens his honest feelings and experiences with solitude, loneliness and the darkness that eventually cracks with the sliver-lining of hope, binding his soul into the music in “mono”. His sombre yet comforting words are framed against atmospheric and soothing music as he ruminates on the struggles he has faced. “Mono” like most of RM’s music is deeply introspective, confessional and poetic. The mixtape is a consolatory listen, taking on the role of a friend offering a shoulder to cry on, or a comforting hand to hold the listener through their toughest journeys. It doesn’t ask questions or demand answers, which is what we all need sometimes to be comforted. As NME confirms, Army’s, the BTS fandom, has stated the group’s music and lyrics have helped them deal with mental issues. Their music has always comforted and aided listeners in their darkest times. So, it is no surprise that RM, one of the main lyricists for BTS, would create music with similar intentions in mind.
The song begins with the repetitive mantra of “지나가 everything, everything, everything goes”. The music sounds repetitive and uplifting, sonically conveying the cyclical nature of life. If the listener is familiar with NELL’s work and their musical style, the song is stamped with their trademark flavour; melancholic yet uplifting melodies that generate a unique soundscape. It is abundantly clear that this song was specifically meant to serve as a comforting pick-me-up song. The track intends to hold you through your worst days and to comfort you without instruction. RM doesn’t dilute or minimize the gravity of the personal struggles that the listener might be going through. The melody continues to build, escalating in its urgency as RM chants “지나가”. It crescendos like a wave that finally crests, crashing onto your feet. It culminates in RM’s passionate rap as the first verse opens with these lyrics:
밤이 가고 아침이 오듯이 봄이 가고 여름이 오나 꽃이 지고 열매가 익듯이 모든 것은 아파야만 해 | Just like the night leaves and the morning comes The spring leaves and summer comes, but Just like the flower wilts and the fruit grows ripe Everything needs to go |
They assuage and offer a reprieve to highlight that these onerous times will eventually pass because that is the natural order of things. RM sings that ‘the night will always welcome the morning, spring will inevitably lead to summer and the flower wither away to bear fruit, everything must suffer’. He reaffirms the normalcy of suffering and the healing that follows by invoking the cadence of nature, emphasizing the continuous passage between the despondent lows and the exuberant highs of our lives. As he sings that ‘everything must suffer’, it further normalizes the fact that pain and suffering are not only a part of our lives, they are also the force behind our transformation, just like the ‘flowers that have to wither for the fruits to ripen’. It also conveys to the listener that the pain they feel is not static; it is not still water but flows like a river towards healing.
Then he focuses on the ephemerality of our suffering as he raps:
Every day I pray 내가 좀 더 나은 어른이 될 수 있게 And every day I stay 사람도 아픔도 언젠가는 죽기에 무뎌지려면 바람을 맞아야 하잖아 꿈 속에서는 영원할 수가 없잖아 | Every day I pray That I may become a slightly better adult And every day I stay Since both people and pain will all die one day If you want to become dull, you need to go out into the wind You know forever isn't possible in dreams |
The delivery of this verse is powerful, he raps in true RM style, with force and conviction, as if he too is reaching for comfort from the lyrics as well. The lyrics serve as a gentle reminder that like all things in nature, pain follows the journey of death and rebirth. Life is never easy to navigate but “every day I pray/every day I stay”, in hopes that tomorrow is better, trusting in the truth that hard times will undoubtedly pass, reinforcing the overall message of the song. The struggles we face, the hardships that we are going through, despite how everlasting they seem, will run their course and ultimately end as he raps that ‘nothing can last forever in the dream’. Like most of the other songs on the mixtape, RM does not offer empty words of comfort, as he himself says “힘내란 뿌연 말 대신, 다 그렇다는 거짓말 대신, 그저 이 모든 바람 바람처럼 지나가길 , yeah I pray”. He says that instead of others’ vague words and lies meant to cheer him up, he prays that it shall pass.
Mono stands the test of time, not only in its charting performance but also in the enduring impact it continues to have on fans. “Mono” continues to break records, winning the all-time record for most #1’s or any album in iTunes history, four years after its release. Hareed writes that “mono” “for millions across the world has become synonymous with the words “healing”, “love” and “solitude”. Its immutable power to console and comfort listeners will always be present to guide them through their battles. RM bared his heart and soul, his thoughts and feelings and in turn created a safe space for his listeners to know it’s alright to feel, to let go, to heal and to just be.
No wonder a common phrase among the BTS fandom is "are you listening to mono or is mono listening to you?”
Watch the official music video of 지나가 here.
Find the lyrics of the song here.
Vihangi Nimesha Kulathilaka ©, please do not reproduce without prior permission.