Hi everyone!
Welcome back to DNA Part 2.
Here are the list of assumptions I apply when I’m analysing the lyrics, and if you wish to skip to my final interpretation of this song, please click here.
Let’s get straight into it.
Assumed Knowledge
I have written this post assuming you have read:
If you have not read any of the above posts… I’m sorry but I may lose you in the detail in this post as my lyrical analyses are built on existing knowledge!
I do this specifically to maintain my theory’s consistency and integrity 😊
You can absolutely still continue to read and follow how I draw meaning from the lyrics, but you may not, for example, understand the significance of me pointing out the time in which DNA is indicated to be set in, or appreciate the rich meaning behind BTS’ concept of destiny. If you’re a new reader, please start here.
Sounds good? Brilliant, lettttttt’s get it!
Today, we will be exploring:
- DNA from Yoongi’s perspective (as Yoongi is an accredited BTS author of this song); and
- DNA from (SURPRISE!) Hobi’s perspective.
I’ve decided that due to the length, the significance of the Antithesis I’ve observed when analysing DNA will be discussed in a separate post.
1. DNA from Yoongi’s Perspective
1a. Finding Yoongi’s Perspective
As we discovered in Part 1, DNA’s lyrics are incredibly intimate and have very specific wording which indicate that it is a love story between two individuals.
Thus, I initially found it difficult to identify with certainty which part of DNA was written from Yoongi’s perspective.
My research landed me in Namjoon’s Vlive video dated 8 October 2017 titled: RM: Love Yourself 承 Her.
In summary, Namjoon implied that similarly to ‘Spring Day’, he wrote most of DNA, but struggled with some parts and ran into problems with the melody.
It is only after he talks about the melody problems does he bring up Yoongi, saying Yoongi helped write the line:
“From the start, my DNA wants you
This is fate, I love us”*
*Note, the above lyrics are taken from this music video because they are consistent with what Namjoon sings in his VLive. The Genius lyrics website I normally use has a different translation.
Coincidentally (or not), Yoongi raps in the same verse that contains the above lines.
The full verse that Yoongi and Namjoon share and rap is:
“I want it this love, I want it real love
I only focus on you
You steer me a little harder
From the start, my DNA wants you
This is fate, I love us
We are the only true lovers”
Considering the amount of ‘Yoongi involvement’ in the above verse, I thus felt comfortable with the decision to analyse the above verse from Yoongi’s perspective.
1b. Analysing DNA from Yoongi’s Perspective
BTS’ Destiny
Reading this verse from Yoongi’s perspective gives us the first clue as to when the story of DNA happened:
“From the start, my DNA wants you”
The story of DNA is set around about the time BTS first met each other, got together and debuted.
(By extension, this means that around about the same time, Namjoon also met his lover.)
The line, “… my DNA wants you…This is fate, I love us” reveals the strong connection Yoongi had with his members from the very start.
Given that Yoongi:
- always wanted to be a producer;
- never really wanted to be part of an Idol Group; and
- remained in BTS even though many trainees left;
Yoongi’s connection with the members (particularly with Namjoon and Hobi at the beginning) must had felt particularly special and authentic for him to take that chance and stick around.
This may also explain how Bang Shi Hyuk managed to “trick” him into becoming a BTS Member. (Thank you Producer Bang!)
Yoongi had a good connection or feeling about the BTS Members from the start. Finding each other and becoming BTS felt like it was part of their destiny as discussed in Part 1.
Wanting Real Love
Yoongi’s love for the members shine through these lyrics:
“I want it this love, I want it real love
I only focus on you…
This is fate, I love us
We are the only true lovers”
We can infer from the lyrics, “I love us, we are the only true lovers”, that Yoongi’s love for his members is true and real.
As with all types of love, the decision to love someone(s) immediately subjects one to the vulnerability and risk of getting hurt.
Yoongi gave “this [his] love” to the members and is “want[ing]” for the same “real love” to be given back to him.
Hence, the repetition of “I want it…” reveals to us Yoongi’s vulnerability, and his quiet hope that:
- the love he feels between the members is indeed real;
- the members love him back; and
- his decision to stay and be part of BTS was the right one.
In addition, the line “I only focus on you” is by logic, the absence of self-focus or self-interest. This further reveals Yoongi’s altruistic and self-sacrificing thoughts, and his decision to focus on what is best for the members, even if it means it is at his loss.
The lyrics reveal Yoongi’s self-sacrificing love for the members. It also reveals that underneath his “cool” public image, Yoongi is vulnerable to being hurt if the same love and consideration he gives to his members is not returned.
Ah Yoongi. You’re really a wonderful and special human <3.
Inspiring to be better
“You steer me a little harder”
I don’t think I need to break this down any further. This line is plain and wonderfully sincere.
Quite simply, the members inspire Yoongi to work harder and be better.
2. DNA from Hobi’s Perspective
2a. Finding Hobi’s Perspective
Surprise surprise! To my absolute delight, I believe there is a Hobi perspective in DNA.
As you may have noticed, when I published Part 1, I only mentioned that I was going to discuss DNA from Namjoon and Yoongi’s perspectives as they are the only accredited BTS authors for this song.
However, when I was analysing DNA from Yoongi’s perspective, one particular line kept jumping out at me:
“Our meeting is like a mathematical formula“
Given my assumption that Namjoon and Yoongi are lyrical geniuses, this line felt completely out of place. This line irked me so much, I even specifically pointed it out and discussed it in DNA Part 1.
The reasons why I felt it was so out of place are because:
- it is not biochemistry related when it could have easily been (as discussed in Part 1);
- it is not consistent with the imagery that Namjoon uses (i.e. Angels, Galaxies, Universe, Religion, etc);
- it is such a specific reference;
- it is far from poetic in the context of the song’s imagery and metaphors discussed in DNA Part 1;
- it just doesn’t sound like Namjoon’s words given the language used in Serendipity and 보조개 (Dimple); and
- it has no obvious connection with Yoongi’s verse.
Thus, I went around researching for mathematical references in BTS’ lyrics and…BINGO.
2b. Hobi and Maths Formulas
Below are the lyrics to Trivia 起: Just Dance.
Accredited BTS Author: Hobi
“I felt it baby
This moment, you and me, baby
This all fits together like a math formula baby”
This line is repeated twice in Trivia 起: Just Dance.
In other words, the “Maths Formula” reference is specific and uniquely to Hobi in the LY series.
The (exciting) significance of the above finding is that we can now pinpoint straight to the the verse that Namjoon (I assume) wrote with consideration to Hobi’s perspective.
2b. Analysing DNA from Hobi’s Perspective
The verse of interest that coincidentally (or not?) Hobi and Namjoon share and rap is:
“Our meeting is like a mathematical formula
Commandments of religion, providence of the universe;
The evidence of destiny given to me
You’re the source of my dream
Take it, take it
My hand reaching out to you is my chosen fate”
Just a quick reminder before we go further, as per my analysis for 보조개 (Dimple), there is no real way to specify plurality in Korean. Therefore, “Our meeting is like…” could actually mean “Our meetings are like…“.
Why a mathematical formula?
Let’s analyse the specific line from Trivia 起: Just Dance:
“I felt it baby
This moment, you and me, baby
This all fits together like a math formula baby”
As per my mini analysis of Trivia 起: Just Dance in my post “Who is “Her”?”, I believe that Hobi is singing about his love for ARMY in his song Trivia 起: Just Dance.
Hobi applies the metaphor of a math formula because it “all fits together”.
In maths, there is only one right answer, and there should only be one right formula that fits and explains how everything (e.g. gravity) works.
Therefore, in the context of the DNA’s lyrics, “Our meeting(s) is like a mathematical formula”…
For Hobi, meeting ARMY for the first time and every time after that just felt right.
Additionally, Maths is romantic
Assuming that this article is somewhat reliable, I found it suspicious and ironic that Hobi decided to reference maths formulas in his lyrics considering that he disliked maths in his school days.
My logic is: If you don’t like maths, why would you even consider using this specific reference in two love songs?
Hence, I am inclined to think, (and you may need to trust me on this today as I don’t want to overload you with irrelevant information), that when BTS was planning the blueprints of the Love Yourself series, BTS was particularly inspired by Kafka on the Shore (as discussed in DNA Part 1), and 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami.
(Note: 1Q84 is one of the books listed in the article: “9 BTS Songs that Drew Inspiration From Literature” we discussed in Part 1, and Google tells me that Namjoon has previously recommended ARMY to read this book.)
I’m currently reading 1Q84 and honestly, if I didn’t know that 1Q84 was published before BTS debuted, I would have difficulty trying to figure out if 1Q84 inspired BTS, or if BTS inspired 1Q84.
I keep bumping into the same words, themes and concepts in 1Q84 that I have previously written down (before I even knew that 1Q84 existed) in my Word document that contains my theory’s notes. It has just been absolutely uncanny reading it. For example, my above conclusion about maths feeling right was written before I read 1Q84.
The reason why I want to mention 1Q84 is because one of the main characters loves maths, and maths is heavily and beautifully romanticised in 1Q84. I have picked out a three of my favourite excerpts for you to enjoy:
Real life is different from math. Things in life don’t necessarily flow over the shortest possible route. For me, math is – how should I put it – math is all too natural. It’s like beautiful scenery. It’s just there. There is no need to exchange it with anything else.
1Q84
“What do I like about math? Hmm. When I’ve got figures in front of me, it relaxes me. Kind of like, everything fits where it belongs.”
1Q84
“You talked about [math] like you cared… like you were talking about somebody important to you“.
1Q84
Assuming BTS was indeed inspired by 1Q84 when writing the lyrics, then Hobi described his meeting with ARMY as a mathematical formula because:
ARMY is important to Hobi.
Hobi cares about ARMY.
To Hobi, ARMY is like a beautiful scenery. We are just there and he will not exchange ARMY for anything else.
ARMY’s presence makes Hobi feel relax.
And… We fit perfectly like a mathematical formula because we belong in his life.
Now who said Maths isn’t romantic?
Hobi’s Dream
It is no secret that Hobi from a young age always had big dreams and dreamt about becoming a professional dancer.
The reference to fate and destiny in the lines “Commandments of religion, providence of the universe; The evidence of destiny…” indicate to us that from young, Hobi always had a feeling that he was destined to be a dancer or a performer.
This may explain Hobi’s never ending drive and motivation to pursue a career in dance despite the hardships he and his family suffered as revealed through his song MAMA.
As discussed in Part 1, the belief in fate drives people to live fearlessly, be reckless and take unnecessary risks.
In Hobi’s case, his belief that he is destined to be a successful performer led him to take risks such as pursuing a career in dance, and agreeing to stay* and become part of BTS despite all the challenges and hardships he faced.
*Hobi nearly left BTS before they debuted.
Thus, when BTS debuted and ARMY was there (and our numbers kept growing), this to Hobi, was simply the “evidence of [his] destiny”.
ARMY’s existence is the evidence that Hobi’s belief (that he is destined to be a successful dancer and performer) is right.
Hobi’s Dependency
The following lyrics however reveal that Hobi’s ability to achieve his destiny is completely dependent on ARMY:
“You’re the source of my dream,
Take it, take it
My hand reaching out to you is my chosen fate”
“You‘re the source of my dream” in Korean is “너는 내 꿈의 출처”. The character ‘너’ means ‘You’, and this implies that the sentence is specifically singular.
In other words, ARMY is the (single) source and reason why Hobi has been able to realise his dreams of becoming a dancer and performer.
The fate of Hobi’s chosen fate to become a successful performer relies on whether ARMY (i.e. we), the singular source of his dream, will accept and want him and BTS.
ARMY’s acceptance of him and BTS is described through his literal request and plea for us to take his outstretched hand, “Take it, take it, my hand reaching out to you…”.
The repetition of the words “Take it, Take it” conveys Hobi’s hopefulness that ARMY will indeed reach up to take his outstretched hand, but also the ever so present hesitation and fear that maybe… maybe… ARMY will not.
Similarly to Yoongi, underneath Hobi’s “bright” public image, Hobi feels vulnerable because his dream depends on ARMY’s acceptance, and there is always the possibility that ARMY will not accept and love him and BTS back.
Not a chance sunshine. Not. A. Chance.
Going All In
“My hand reaching out to you is my chosen fate”
I have re-read this line in Korean and personally like to think that the above lyrics have been slightly mistranslated; and that the true intention of the lyrics: 너에게 내민 내 손은 정해진 숙명 is not “My hand reaching out to you is my chosen fate”, but “My hands reaching out to you is my chosen fate”.
This would sound far more poetic and fitting given the context of Hobi’s perspective so far.
If the true intention of the lyrics is meant to be “My hands reaching out to you is my chosen fate”, then this line conveys to us Hobi’s decision to go all in and to chase his dreams, just like the common saying “grabbing the opportunity with both hands“.
In other words, Hobi is “reaching out” to us with both hands and everything he has, in hope that we reach out and take his hands to help him realise his “chosen fate” of becoming a successful performer and idol.
Poetically, this means that the entire fate of Hobi’s dreams is literally, in ARMY’s hands.
Author’s Summary
In summary, I believe the story behind DNA is:
In addition to the story that we discussed in Part 1, DNA contains two more story lines. One from Yoongi’s perspective, and the other from Hobi’s.
Yoongi’s POV
Yoongi’s POV reveals that the story of DNA is set around about the time BTS first met each other and debuted. Yoongi finds that the members inspire him, and he believes it was their destiny to meet each other and become BTS.
Due to his deep love for the members, Yoongi is self-sacrificing. This however makes him vulnerable to being hurt if the love he gives and sacrifices he makes are not returned or appreciated.
Hobi’s POV
Though Hobi did not participate in DNA, I believe Namjoon wrote some of DNA’s lyrics with consideration to Hobi’s perspective as ‘Maths formula’ references are unique to Hobi in the LY series.
Hobi describes his meeting(s) with ARMY as a mathematical formula because ARMY fits so perfectly into his life and it just feels right. I believe Hobi’s inspiration of romanticising maths formulas came from the book 1Q84.
Hobi from young always felt that he was destined for something big. The existence of ARMY is his evidence that his dream of becoming a successful dancer and performer is indeed his destiny.
However, Hobi’s dream is completely dependent on whether ARMY accepts him and BTS. This makes Hobi vulnerable as the fate of his dream lies in ARMY’s hands.
And if you really want more…!
If you’re still reading this – Wow! Thank you for reading and I hope you’re enjoying this so far! If you’re still wanting more to read after all that, well. There is one last story. I like you to try re-reading this post (you can just re-read all the pink summary boxes) again but from Namjoon’s POV.
The reason I am suggesting this is because DNA is heavily influenced by Namjoon. Hence, I believe he would have written it in such a way that not only do the verses tell the story of Yoongi x BTS and Hobi x ARMY, but also Namjoon x His Lover.
So replace Yoongi/Hobi with Namjoon, and BTS Members/ARMY with his lover, and replace Yoongi’s/Hobi’s destiny with Namjoon’s destiny (that he and his lover are destined to be together). You will see that the story line is still continuous and is consistent with everything we have discussed so far 😊.
If my instructions made absolutely no sense to you… please let me know and if enough people ask, I will expand on what I mean in another post 🙂
Annddd that’s it for today! Please remember to share and retweet if you found it insightful 😊 Your support is always much appreciated!
x G
Lyric Sources: DNA
Disclaimer:
As per my first author’s note, please, no hate!
I do not have a shipping or individual bias, I love all seven members equally and I do not write my blogs because of a particular personal desire for one of them.
I analyse songs with consideration to the author’s perspective (and Namjoon just happens to be the main author of most songs).
It does not matter one bit to me if they are straight, gay, intersex, a skrull, a mutant or if they could lay eggs. I love them wholeheartedly (as a sister who would love her younger brothers) for their individual selves.
This theory of DNA is based on my interpretations of its lyrics. Please enjoy.