'The Late Late Show with James Corden': BTS performs 'Black Swan' live for the first time and it's electrifying
BTS were on 'The Late Late Show with James Corden' tonight and boy did they have a lot in store for the AMRYs!
Corden joked about his live band's outfits, commenting that lead singer Reggie's jacket looked like something out of J-Hope's wardrobe. While introducing the guests today, Corden joked about one of the members of BTS not feeling well and thus carrying on the show without them - before cutting to them in the waiting rooms as the boys yelled out "Thank you Corden!" while adding "happy to be here".
Following interviews with Cynthia Erivo and Ashton Kutcher, it was time for BTS! Kicking things off, Corden quickly introduced all the members and ran through some of their achievements since the last time they were on the show, including performing at the Grammys 2020. J-Hope said, "Everything about that night was SO special!", with RM highlighting that "K-pop was finally recognized worldwide". Jimin added "Next year, we'll do BTS too!".
Corden then went on to talk about the group's dances, asking how they cover forgetting a step. Jin joked that they immediately ask for forgiveness, while J-Jope says he "doesn't care".
Soon talk shifted to their highly anticipated album 7 as Corden asked what fans could expect from it and RM shared, "The title 7, it's been 7 years since our debut, there's 7 members...it's a really special number for us." He added they practiced really hard for this album and asked fans to watch out for it. Taehyung said, "We want our ARMYs to be happy through our music," and added that they will always be there to give their ARMYs more love.
Later, the band performed their latest single, 'Black Swan' for the first time, live in front of the studio audience.
Dressed in all-black and dancing barefoot, BTS pumped out their own choreography for 'Black Swan' in an electrifying and emotional performance that was everything Ariana Grande said it was going to be!
Previously, the song was used in an art film with performers from the MN Dance Company performing their own choreography. BTS' performance, though also including some similar movements, has a soul of its own that beautifully represents what the song stands for.
'Black Swan' is a powerful track that was inspired, in part, by a quote from Martha Graham that says, "A dancer dies twice — once when they stop dancing and this first death is the more painful.” In this performance, BTS took listeners along the journey of an artist who fears the death of their passion or ability to perform, what Martha Graham refers to as 'the first death'. But 'Black Swan' takes this idea a step further, juxtaposing this fear with the reality that without music and performing, the artist has nothing else left and will thus always find themselves right back there, on that stage.
BTS' 'Black Swan' choreography featured the members as each others' mirrors and shadows, carrying on the theme of their album 'Map of the Soul'. Jimin, who has a background in modern dance, got a chance to really shine this time around. The performance ended with the members in perfect formation - representing a black swan.
Bringing the show to a close, BTS played a game of hide-and-seek with Corden and the guests. Who can bring back four members before the clock runs out?
It was a close call between Corden and Kutcher who pick up and carry (quite literally, in Jimin and Jin's cases!) BTS members from all over the studio back onto the stage. With a little help from RM, Kutcher finds Jungkook, but Corden cinches the win by finding J-Hope and thus brings back four members first.
And with that, it's a wrap! 'Map of the Soul: 7' comes out on February 21, so be sure to watch out for that!
