“As a Korean, [military service] is natural…”
Following their latest release ‘Map Of The Soul: Persona’, BTS shared unseen rehearsal footage and gave an interview to CBS This Morning.
In the interview, which you can watch in full below, the seven-piece discussed their connections to their colossal fanbase, the pressures of living up to expectation, and the prospect of mandatory military service.
The group’s main English-speaker RM, meanwhile, told the show how he learnt the language through hip-hop and by watching Friends on repeat.
“My mom bought me the full series, I watched it several times,” he said. “I just want to speak and to listen and understand the musicians in America. I just want to say thank you, Mom!”
Elsewhere the boyband were asked about the size and scale of their fanbase, who mean they often have to travel and rehearse in secret.
“I think we’re able to quickly engage with our fans by being sincere with our feelings. We try to share our emotions with our fans,” said Jimin.
“Whenever we begin a performance, I take out my earpieces and listen to the shouting and screaming. It fills me with energy,” Jungkook added.
“I suddenly think, like, am I really here? We have to practise the same choreography again and again, we have to keep the promise,” said RM.
They were also asked about the prospect of taking on military service, which is mandatory in Korea. “As a Korean it’s natural, and some day when duty calls we’ll be ready to respond and do our best,” said Jin.
“I don’t wanna think about it at this point, we have something really good going,” added Jungkook when asked about the prospect of the band going their own separate ways.
“We just enjoy the ride, live in the moment, that’s all we can do,” RM added.
