BTS drops J-Hope's 'Outro: Ego' as part of comeback trailer, shows glimpses of debut album ‘2COOL 4SKOOL’
Speaking on 'The Late Late Show with James Corden' just a few days ago, when asked about how BTS members handle messing up live, J-Hope said he "doesn't care." In hindsight, that was probably a tiny spoiler for the 'Ego' comeback!
Big Hit dropped the comeback trailer for 'Map of the Soul: 7 'Outro: Ego' just a few hours ago and just like 'Shadow', this one turned out to be a solo song of a member. This time, we get an extra dose of 'Hope'!
'Ego' is an extremely upbeat track, which is the exact vibe we've come to expect of J-Hope. The song takes a trip down memory lane - quite literally, with J-Hope in a car with the license plate 'BTS 13613,' which just so happens to be BTS’s debut date - with images from the last seven years since BTS' debut as well as an absolutely adorable throwback photo to J-Hope as a child. The song also features some stunning African rhythms and a sample of the intro from the group's debut album, ‘2COOL 4SKOOL’!
The video features J-Hope dancing in a street, a hospital and a Kingsman-inspired tailor shop. This isn't the first time BTS have shown the movie some love - they have previously performed their song “Dionysus” with a Kingsman-theme at the 2019 KBS Song Festival.
As the 'outro' for BTS latest album, 'Map of the Soul: 7', 'Ego' closes out what has already proven to be a stunning and artistic release. 'Shadow' delved into the hidden aspects of one's persona and 'Black Swan' tackled the contradictory state a performer exists in - fearful of losing their passion, yet also having nothing else except for that very passion to turn to in their life.
'Ego' is far more optimistic than the previous two releases. The music video is vibrant and features a carefree, smiling J-Hope as he goes from one set to the next.
But the lyrics carry some interesting depth to them, including how the group overcomes negativity. J-Hope raps about learning to have more faith in himself and stating that his success is owed to who he once was - which adds a beautiful meaning to the song sampling the intro to the band's debut album.
Continuing on with the band's Jungian influences, from 'Persona' in their previous album which refers to one's 'social face' to 'Shadow' which refers to one's 'hidden self', 'Ego' is the culmination of these themes taking us on a journey - from our unconscious selves that affected who we once were to growing up and into who we are today: our 'ego'.
