IDOL

The lead single, “IDOL,” featured in the last part of BTS’s ongoing project Love Yourself: 起承轉結, released on 24 August 2018. By combining traditional Korean musical elements, including janggu with modern hip-hop groove, the group blends modern and traditional Korean music instruments into one rather than pure pop music, creating a refreshing and surprising beat. In the music video, members are dressed in traditional Korean Hanboks, echoing traditional themes of the song, such as Chinese landscape painting, Lion Dance, and a Chinese pavilion with the word “囍”, an auspicious word during marriage in traditional Chinese Culture to bless the newly-couple. A version of Idol featuring Nicki Minaj is available as a digital single.