In the midst of all the chaos the world is undergoing, BTS has decided to drop “Dynamite,” a summer bop, with the intent to uplift spirits all around the world. 

ARMYs, BTS’ fans, became privy to the Agu. 21 release date on a surprise audio recording on Vlive, a South Korean live streaming service, while BTS talked about the process of their upcoming self-produced album. However, it hasn’t been decided if this single will appear on their new album. 

“Dynamite” is the group’s first full English song, and while the song is dedicated solely towards their fans, it is definitely a punch in the face to the western industry which often overlooks them. 

The reaction to the single was exactly what BTS aimed for, if not more. “Dynamite” transmits the most optimistic energy with its upbeat, disco-pop sound and its funky lyrics. The airy vocals perfectly elicit the same wild and carefree feelings that summer gives off. With a fun and fresh chorus, the members sing, “Cause I, I, I’m in the stars tonight/ So watch me bring the fire and set the night alight (Hey)/ Shining through the city with a little funk and soul/ So I’ma light it up like dynamite, woah”.

“We made this song in hopes of giving energy to the listeners,” RM, the group’s leader said in an interview with Apple Music. “We’re glad this song turned out great and hope a lot of our fans can listen to it to receive the positive energy we tried to incorporate in the song.”

Unlike all of BTS’s comebacks, “Dynamite” was released at midnight EST as opposed to 9 pm. KST. Due to this, I was able to experience the countdown to the releases of the song and its music video with everyone who was anticipating them; it was an exciting and nerve-wracking time. The unity among ARMYs made the wait even more special and we were all collectively shocked and amazed by the group’s work. 

The music video exceeded everyone’s expectations and it even reached around 20 million views within the first ten minutes. The settings (record shop, diner, etc.), choreography (with moves that allude to Michael Jackson’s), and disco-themed outfits excellently capture the retro concept BTS was going for. 

While BTS wrote this song to cheer up their fans, the fans wanted to reciprocate their love and support, which they achieved by streaming hard for long hours. ARMYs and even casual viewers helped BTS break a record of the most-viewed video by making them the first act to receive 101.1 million views in the first 24 hours. 

The month of August has been exciting for ARMYS, especially after knowing what’s forthcoming on account of the “Dynamite” schedule released by BTS’s management, Bighit Ent. So far, ARMYs have seen the teaser pictures of BTS’ music video, the music video itself, two live streams, and an MTV interview. On Aug. 24, BTS will reveal their B-Side music video version of “Dynamite” as well as appear on an interview with NBC’s TODAY show. August will then end with BTS performing “Dynamite” at the MTV Video Music Awards. 

“Dynamite” successfully energized ARMYs with its ’70s-’80s fun vibes and its choreography will have people dancing freely in their rooms while in quarantine.