DANCER BREAKS DOWN BTS RUN! (방탄소년단)

[@rikilikemagic]

Lovely Humans! Almost hit the Baepsae Break Down mark with this one 😜We may have to start calling these video essays or something because the timely length is very much... present... 🤓I loved making this one and am really excited to keep making these... I know I don't normally do these kind of messages but I've been thinking about my love of dance and being able to share it with you guys has made me all gooey inside... looking forward to hearing your perspectives too 💕 Circle Time! What do you see? Circle Time is a place in the comments for you to tell me what you see; what you like, what you don’t like, what you feel, what you want more of, less of etc. It’s a safe place for you to learn and explore how to articulate what you experience. Be kind, be compassionate with yourself and others and have FUN!

[@babbabdirara]

I love the way you talked about every details of dance moves with professional knowledge.(I've watched all of your break down video, and liked it a lot. Never skiped any part, even some of them arent short..didn't like to miss any of them.) kzbin.info/www/bejne/rn7JoWWgmLBoaK8 Could you plz check this out? I really don't know whether you might like this choreography or not(bcuz black swan isn't your favorite choreography), but let's give it a shot. Plz .. This video isn't perfect version(it includes rehearsal part 01:15~02:40) but.. well..we all know Jimin's dance need your interpretation.

[@MakeyJu]

I love RUN choreo so muuuch 😍 it's so fun and upbeat and boyband-y but also so full of drama and emotion! I cannot really articulate why but I think the slow-quick-slow aspect of it really really appeals to me as well. I am totally in the same boat as you! as to the favourite moment then it's definitely 31:22 just the section itself is so gorgeous but especially the way Jimin executes it is just MAGIC to me - it's so full of emotion and torture(?) slow-quick-slow again with the pops at the stops (dime stops, right?) and how he extends the move right to the very fingertips. I think it was a great decision to put Jimin at the front centre for this part. and I cannot help but notice the way he always extends the movement a bit until the next move comes. he basically doesn't really stop his movement unless there's a sharp stop or a pop required by the choreo. I think it's one of the things that makes Jimin's dance so appealing to me 🖤 sorry for the rant 😅

[@kaitlyntrussell2489]

I’m surprised you didn’t mention jimin and jhope running their hands through their beautiful floppy hair I loved this whole thing

[@lindsayyan8004]

Really love how you talked about EVERY details of BTS‘s dance. The thing is their dance is truly so well-rehearsed that can let us watch again and again and still feel miss something LOL. I feel really touched because first they obviously worked so hard and made this dance so smooth(anyone who dance knows this need LOTS LOTS OF practice), second even the dance is perfect, it's not perfect in a "flawless" way, each of them still keep their own style making this dance itself alive and very touching. Really enjoy watching your video and feel the same excitement with you hahaha.

[@dudacampos6841]

I love how you're able to grasp the actual meaning of the lyrics without having them, just from their performance. I wish I could do that, you make it look so easy haha, I always learn a lot ♡ And it just speaks to the whole BTS team for actually making art that represents something and makes us feel things

[@saraellington9139]

Riki thank you as always for deepening my appreciation and respect for BTS! I really enjoy watching their older content, too. Okey, thoughts ~ There's so much juxtaposition in this performance and I LOVE IT! You made a point about them using every inch of the space, and I think it really lends to this song's particular choreography. Suga's verse says "I run and run, but I'm not getting anywhere" and given the studio size they really can't go anywhere so we get the sense of how trapped or constricted they feel. Then in the chorus choreo, they're not moving or even running in place, and it's because they can't either emotionally or physically. (Sidenote: this made me realize they do this in the MV too: there's an opposite dynamic between the group running together and each member being trapped in their own struggle. Like as a unit they are running toward something and/or away from their individual problems, whereas alone they can only run in circles.) Then toward the end it's like they've broken out of the cycle and the dance gets expansive and explosive. They finally use the depth of the space rather than just the width to create room, like they've realized if they just change direction they can be free again. Though it's not easy: when they do actually run the pantomime is slow, as if they're re-learning (i.e. "is this right?"). Another thing I noticed was how similar this is to Save Me: the falling to their knees move, Jimin's weariness, fluid arm movements, slow-fast moments...they both just match the songs messages so wonderfully. Ugh I love this era. So angsty but so beautiful!

[@mydude5017]

- you should absoluuutely try the run choreo. it'd be a delight. - 16:10 - when you describe the shoulder move as "boy band genius" - YES !! i'm all for making BTS distinct from the boyband pigeonhole when it comes to achievements and impact ... but sometimes it feels really really good (and silly?) to call them a boy band. i don't know why. it might have something to do with the fact that BTS has raised the game so much for the boyband title. like. biggest group in the world! xyz trophies, stadium tours, donations, etc! ..... and boy band, technically! - i'm always marveling at how much insight you have for split-second moves that i never would've otherwise caught. the way you described their desperate reach at 32:55 !!! galaxy brain !!! - loved the way you described taehyung's door moment at 34:30. "he's had enough, he's gonna leave!" - YES. that jimin stumble-pause (stumple?) at 37:35 and his "tired skeleton framework" arms at 39:06. he reads so much exhaustion on top of his desperation in this dance. yeees. - the end pose butterfly thing has always unsettled me. it's so haunting?? i think because of the deliberate slowness/off-beatness of its formation (and the fact that it calls back to the butterflies from earlier, which i didnt realize until tonight oops.) great video again! all the serotonin. your incredible dancer brain and infectious happiness are always great ways to feel better and learn something new at the end of the day. much love xoxo

[@jimins_stylist]

This isn't about a particular moment in the Run choreo, but in general after I've watched and become familiar with a BTS choreo, I find myself looking at Jimins legs and feet because he's just so.. flexible? It's baffling how easily he hits those ballet positions with only two years of training under his belt. Also I love what you said about Seokjin and Namjoons progress! You can really tell over the years they've put WORK into it and it's a delight to see. I could listen/watch you talk for hours by the way! You're just so charming and eloquent, I'm fully smitten with you 😁

[@gabrielleroberts3222]

Riki!! I love love love run thank you for giving me reasons to yell about it!! The pictures!! There’s so many clear moments in this dance, and they make such good use of levels to keep everything fresh and unpredictable. I’d never really considered you said about using the space but now that you’ve pointed it out it’s everywhere!! I’m particularly in love with the way yoongi moves through the space, he has such a looseness that really lends itself to the “exhausted but determined” vibe and contrasts with the sharp movements and level changes. Idk I just really enjoy the way he holds himself when he dances. One of my favorite parts of this dance is honestly the little head bit at the chorus (13:52). Like they have this sloooow drag up and then at the last moment their heads snap up right before it starts. So good!! Throughout this dance they really utilize their gazes. I feel we usually see more eye contact w the camera even in other dance practices, but here it’s more meaningful?? Like if they’re not doing their solo bits, they’re all so focused on what’s in front of them, what they’re running toward. And they also use their gaze to direct the audience on where to focus their attention. We have the chorus bit where it’s head on, like they’ve locked their eyes on us the viewer and are running toward us. All very “look here, pay attention.” And during hobi’s first part (22:22) even though jimin’s also facing the front he’s clearly not having a camera moment? He’s still looking away from the camera and it’s made really clear that his gaze is being directed by hobi. And at the end where jk /is/ looking at the camera, it doesn’t really feel like jk there either, he feels more like an extension of hobi. Ik you said you weren’t the biggest fan of the head turn at 26:17 but i adore it!! It’s so clean and “look at my hand.” Tae does a little look to the same side a moment before they all do it and it’s kinda like yoongi’s jacket move to foreshadow the chorus bit. And jin’s butterfly part!! (there are so many things that remind me of butterfly in this dance ooof i love) It’s so convincing!! The little catch, the look into his palms before it flies away, jimin’s reach. And they are all Looking so hard!!! Ugh they do a lot of Gazing in this dance I am a big fan. I need to talk about jimin for a second. This man is a dancer!!! His arm when they all go down at 34:16. He really draws out that bit and it’s soooo satisfying, it reminds me of jk’s arm bit during dynamite before he does the ding dong. and the stumble!!! the jimin stumble!!! I wish I could tattoo it on my forehead it makes me Feel Things!! It’s so angsty and dramatic it feels like unexpectedly seeing your lost love after 10 years across the street and also it’s raining. Hobi’s last bit!! In love!! It’s much more aggressive but still just as desperate. His sweepy arm to dramatic hair ruffle at 38:12??? Okay mr. kdrama male lead!!! And the mouth swipe at 38:18 is very boy band-esque, big fan. All to end in the butterfly pose, yes BTS did this for me in particular oof. I just really love this dance, thanks for doing a break down of it!! You see so many things I miss with your big dancer brain!! This was my first attempt at circle time I hope my enthusiastic rambles are entertaining!! 💗💗

[@jeniferberganio3180]

I love your reaction about the dancinq of bts step by step...

[@simphiwinkosindaba1036]

I loved this video so much because I love choreo in general (obviously that's why I'm always here😂) and I love BTS' choreo almost to the point of daily distraction but for some reason I've never appreciated this choreo in particular. I've seen the dance practice in totality like once and I've seen bits of the performance multiple times but I've always just had it in the back of my head as "the jacket dance" which is bizarre because I listen to this song sooo much😂 I was excited to see you break it down because 1: you speak about dance the way I speak about film (Rambling and tangents and strange gurgling sounds and all of that) and I've never come across anyone who expresses their passion for what they love so similarly to the way I do (you are just as spastic in your love and appreciation as I am) and 2: I knew I would have a deeper appreciation for a dance that I know for a fact I have stupidly overlooked I was not disappointed EDIT: Also you have shown me my new Favourite center Tae moment... I have one for everyone across their discography and Tae's for me used to be when he's in front during the first hook of AM I WRONG (because he looks so lanky and I feel like the movement that they do is supposed to look kinda long and awkward) but his part in the center here has now overtaken that because he looks so intense. A lot of the time when I watch dancing (because I'm not a dancer) I focus more on their facial expression and general energy in what they're trying to convey (the acting of it all I guess?) and I think less so now (because he's grown so much in general but especially as a performer) but definitely in the past it was rare to see that level of intensity from Tae

[@meghanwaddell9228]

Photo frames! Yes! They make these super strong tableaus---structured, dramatic images (like renaissance paintings almost, mathematically constructed to draw the eye) where one dancer moves through and interacts with the picture and causes lovely little ripples of movement. The lyrics tell us "I run and run but I'm not getting anywhere" and appropriately, they keep getting caught in place: head in hands, crouched, leg suspended in the air, fast and then beautifully slow, giving off the impression of movement without true momentum. Even when the chorus breaks and they start "running" together, they're not truly progressing--they're going through the motions. The lyrics say "I can't stop", "this is all I can do", and it's a kind of helpless, reflexive running that never arrives at its destination* They seem to get closer in the last deviated chorus, as if they're finally about to break into a sprint, but they end up in butterfly formation, almost like they've turned to stone. *Maybe there isn't a destination---maybe love is about moving and making pictures together.

[@tlg5186]

Thank you so much for your analysis. I always learn and see so much more after watching you. ♡

[@tasmint4849]

This choreo is ART.

[@sashalexia]

I. LOVE. THIS. CHOREO!!! SO MUCH! When I first got into BTS (after this era 😩), and found this practice video on KZbin, I must’ve watched it 30-40 times straight for a couple of hours. 😂 There’s so much going on and it all looks so great. I feel you, girl!! ❤️

[@Sarah-mh9fh]

I feel like I have a new appreciation for this one after this video! All of BTS's dances are satisfying, but the way that this one builds is VERY satisfying. Especially on repeat viewings, when you know the jacket removal is coming, not seeing it happen in the first chorus is almost like "oooooh I wish they were doing the jacket move already!" But when it finally arrives it feels so good, it feels like a natural build of momentum. And then all of that momentum explodes into that amazing last chorus and it all really pays off. I loved what you were saying about that sequence around 20:00 where they're each negotiating the space in different ways. I know it goes without saying that BTS moves as an ensemble, but it's always very evident when they do formation changes or sequences like that. I think about this a lot anytime they have to move backwards to get into position. Having danced in ensembles myself I know how scary it can be to have to move backwards without looking to make sure you aren't going to crash into anyone. So it's really evidence of not just how well rehearsed they are, but how much trust there is between them that they know when they move into their spot that the others will also be moving to exactly where they need to be. All that said, I also love love LOVE how even though they move as one well-oiled machine, you can still see each of their individual personalities shining through. It never feels like they're extremely talented robots who all move and look the same in every dance. Also that tiny heel move at 34:47... never noticed it before but I LOVE it. And I love Suga's following his eyes movement as well.

[@jadefaderanga]

I always love your commentary and breakdown. Seeing you excited thru every move made me feel more excited watching their dance practice videos. 🥰 Thanks for loving BTS with us.

[@jlcarmya2z]

I love watching your reactions because you are so good at pointing out all of the nuances within their dances. The one in particular that always gets me too is when they are on the ground and they snap that arm forward. Like you said, it is not a slow slide, it is an emotional, painful snap like they are trying to rescue someone who has just gone off a cliff. I do also love how you mention Jimin looking like he has "given up" with his hands at the end. I feel like same, especially when they end with Jin and RM's arms being held up. They are showing an entire range of emotions, from anger to defeat throughout the dance. Their choreo is so well rehearsed, so full of thought, I cannot get enough of watching BTS dance.

[@aydann2251]

Your enthusiasm brings me so much joy while watching this. You pointed out many of my favorites moment in this dance. First is at 5:18 when they broke the formation to reveal Namjoon. When I first watched this dance practice, I didn't even realize he was there. My second favorite moment is when Jin came forward and touched the members. His acting (or expressions?) when he was getting through Jimin and Namjoon's joined hand was so believable. I love that bit so much. At 22:24, I love when J Hope was controlling others with his hand. I also liked the way Jimin hit the beat with his head at 22:25 to synchronize with J Hope's hand. He just hit it harder than others. I have the same feeling and interpretation with you when I watched Jimin's part at 37:36. I also love when J Hope slide backward and ran his hand through his hair at 38:13. It was so dramatic I love it so much. Thank you for this video, Riki. I danced as a child and also in Uni when I started performing at events, but never dance professionally after that. I only ever learn traditional dance and even though I already stopped dancing for about a year, I still really like to know more about other types of dancing. So, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge about contemporary and hip hop. PS. I'd love to see your version of Run if you decided to do it 💕

[@QueensThief76455]

I have not seen the dance practice before. I always thought of this as the "jacket flicking dance" (and how is it possible that they make this move so sexy? how?) and I didn't appreciate methodical details and long hours of practice that this dance requires. So I appreciate you showing it through your eyes, Riki. I also love the slow-fast contrast (in music too) and it is utilized so well here. My favorite aspect is how the dance clearly expresses the lyrics without being too obvious--exactly what you said about not needing to hit the nail on the head.

[@tasmint4849]

I'm so glad you did this dance! It's so underrated in my opinion, I am always amazed by this dance! It's so rhythmically gorgeous. And the pacing of it is beautiful, the movements are soft then hard, soft then hard. Idk, I feel this is a dance that you don't know what's gonna happen or what part of the song they will dance to.

[@burningshadows01]

I am having a hard time putting in something that you haven't said. I love the way they do the gliding, I know there is a little bit of that in the choreo for Tomorrow. I also really love all the sharp movements and pretty much everything you talked about in the video. I agree you can see just how much Jin and Namjoon have grown as dancers. You can also see how much Taehyung has grown as a dancer since he is now officially part of the dance line. It's just so wonderful to have this timeline of dance practices to show how much they've all grown as dancers and just the different things they've learned. When you talk about all of the emotions in the dance all I kept thinking about was how it mirrors the emotions in the MV since they don't put the choreo there. I feel like they took all the emotions from the MV and just released it with the dance for the song. I also agree with all the emotions you talked about seeing in the dance itself. Also not dance related I love how Yoongi can pull off pretty much any hair color.

[@neysaaulia6130]

What I really love about Run choreo is how it really conveys the lyrics and tge perfect storytelling. Like, it screams HYYH in your face with a megaphone

[@roh738]

Tenho que dizer que a parte da borboleta no final eu acho brega, podia ser uma posse final diferente

[@jillythegirl]

Really we need to get Riki the hype she deserves. I always try and tweet about her videos on stan twt but I’m a lowly small account. She deserves more subs bc she literally one of the best when it comes to breaking down performances. She’s very detailed and I love it and I love her

[@deedee0199]

I love this. You showed me things I never noticed. Especially that butterfly ending.

[@boopshadoop9758]

i'll have to come back in the morning bc if i start watching now i'm going to be Too Hype!

[@andromeda156]

I never noticed, at the end, that they form a butterfly :) I love that your videos are long