Professional Dancer Breaks Down BTS (방탄소년단) Save Me

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Time Stamps
00:00 Special Offer Drops Today!
01:25 Intro
03:35 Save Me Watch
32:49 Reading Your Comments
33:26 The Woodbane
35:04 Nassim Tanha
37:00 Outro
Professional dancer watches, reacts and breaks down BTS 방탄소년단 dance practice Save Me. Boy band kpop choreography reaction and break down by rikilikemagic.
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[@sashalexia]

Oh no! Now I can’t unsee V’s “tada” hands! 😲🥴

[@mariafernandasoareslisboa5686]

What I especially like in this MV is the bad weather, because it (intentionally or not) reflects the inner battles the main character faces in the song. And I don't know if it's sadistic for me to say this but I think that their tiredness and "please let's wrap this up already, I'm in dying need of a warm bath" state does wonders to communicate the theme of the song. That level of commitment made me realize how serious they are with their craft. That being said, thank you so much for the video!!! 💜💜

[@QueensThief76455]

The weather was certainly a case of serendipity. I agree that the mood is perfect for the song and performance.

[@unorthodoxpeach]

This was the point in time that I was transitioning from casual fan to Army. I love the way you break this down. I notice things now that I wouldn't have before. Their song I'm fine is a more dramatic part 2 to this. Thank you for being you 😁

[@DJbirfday]

I am a house dancer and this is the choreo that really made me fall in love with bts. That main breakdown is pure house !! I just know hobi was excited to learn it/teach the others it :)

[@dots_com1386]

This Save Me - Fire era was my favourite era for Jungkook. His hair and style during this era. And there's just something about this center Jungkook even though he's always in the center. I think this was peak "chill coolness".

[@burningshadows01]

I absolutely love this song and this dance, it is one of my top favorites and that says a lot because it is so hard for me to pick. One thing I wanted to say, they practiced a lot, like when you talked about the shooting sketch they put up. They practiced a lot but when they actually recorded, they did the whole music video in one take. No editing, no reshooting for better shots, just a one take video and I think that actually adds to the magic of the music video, honestly. Another thing I realized, my BF pointed this out to me, while they do stand back to back occasionally for the most part they almost always have space between them, It's almost as if even within the group they are alone in their moment in front of the camera. I love all the little shots that you talked about, like when Jeongguk pulls his arm back and the camera zooms in on him. It is very well done to make you feel the emotions they are putting out and the emotions they want you to feel during this song. That wildness you talked about to me is desperation in the song and in their movements as they sing about needing to be saved by someone. In contrast they have a song called I'm Fine and it is directly related to Save Me. The song and the choreography contrast each other so perfectly I think. I really love watching it. I will put a link in here. But in the choreo they often are touching each other, holding each other up or helping one of the members up during the choreo. I just think that showing that difference between the songs and the dances is beautiful. Here is the link to the Save Me/I'm Fine:kzbin.info/www/bejne/hqjLfqBnrqlojtU They don't do all of Save Me, just enough to set up I'm Fine. I want to add how much I love all the little movements, how much I love that while they are dancing together they each have their own little flourishes in the group dancing parts, which to me adds to that feeling of being alone and desperate. It's like being alone in a crowded room. Like your drowning with people around you and you can't find a way out and silently you're begging for help, for someone to save you. That is kind of how I see this video. They are all asking to be saved but not turning to each other, instead turning toward the camera, toward someone who we can't see, someone for them who might not even be there.

[@kaitlyntrussell2489]

wow i never thought about that before, the contrast between the grabbing and holding each other motifs are huge in i'm fine vs save me they totally keep more space that's so interesting i'm glad you pointed it out!

[@burningshadows01]

@@kaitlyntrussell2489 It kind of clicked when my friend pointed it out to me. It shows how much planning they put into their music, videos choreography, all of it.

[@QueensThief76455]

I am so incredibly happy to see your new BTS analysis, Rikki! The only thing better would to see your analysis of the MMA 2020 performance. 😁 Off to watch you analysis of "Save Me". Side note: I have been watching the reactions of a Korean director to BTS MV's and he said that the one-take Big Hit did here was pioneering. No one else in the Korean entertainment business was doing it at the time.

[@maaikeeline7900]

What I noticed while I watched your video was that I was so drawn to Jungkook. I'm usually really drawn to Jimin. I love his lines and how elegant he is when he dances. It always catches my attention, but now Jungkook really stole the show for me. He showed so many strong emotions, almost as if he was so frustrated. He just really wants to be saved and you can truly feel it. He's so strong in this dance. Yeah... I loved it

[@lauralai7962]

I really enjoy the way you break this down! And I gotta agree, RM's solo shots were really quite impressive. I didn't even notice that he was too fast till you pointed it out but somehow it still works so well! Immediately after, when they all drop down and you liked their hands a lot, i really enjoyed RM's body shape there. It's just really pleasant to look at

[@kaitlyntrussell2489]

omg riki you can't even imagine how pleased i am that you've broken down save me!!! This was THE bts song for me,, the one that really got me into them, got me paying attention. This and I'm fine are the ones I aggressively sing and bop along to on my way home after bad days. It's the one i learned their names to, the one that solidified yoongi as my bias and everything. (although connected to my yoongi bias and bias to this whole era, fire is actually my fav) In fact I've always paid so much attention to yoongi during his verse i never even noticed what they're doing behind him after all this time! and I watch every mv 8 times to try and pay attention to every member after the big picture! So that's why I love watching your break downs cuz there's just an infinite amount of cool things to notice in everything bts puts out. I think the word that encapsulates it for me is satisfying. I'm not a dancer but still choreo is so important to me when getting into a kpop group (like I hadn't wanted to give stray kids a chance till I watched your break down with them and now their my top group after bts obv) I think all the low moves feel so grounded (and like the low pitched *suga* into his verse versus the typical whisper) and all the arms toward the chest portray the emotions sooo well it really makes me feel the music in my guts. And then the chorus is just so quintessentially bts. The moves are so difficult and fast but they're always so clear and sharp and the synchrony really drew me into them as a group as a team just an absolute unit. I love there all the solo bits at the beginning (which also drew me in I'm sucker for well portrayed angst and jimin just struck me) but then they come together and it's like ah this that bangtan sh*t I'm signing up for for life. It's like the song is asking save me right and their asking that as individuals but the answer to that is them coming together you know? I also love how dramatic the whole thing is and I agree that it could've easily been cheesy but it's just not here and I think especially in this era and early in their career in general you could just feel such rawness from them all the time. And I think it takes a youthfulness to really understand that kind of angst and drama (and boy do I) and they really just lean into it really well while being just so flipping cool at the same time and executing it so well that it works. The final thing I wanna point out related to them dealing with the weather, I mean I wonder how conscious they had to be of their head angles into the wind so their hair didn't do anything too strange and it blew around so dramatically and perfectly or if it's just luck and the universe wanting in on the drama, but also can we see how cool RM looks in the second to last formation? their poses and angles are all so cool but with his jacket blowing in the wind so perfectly he looks like a dramatic anime character and I just love it. The way they lean into the weather and work the uneven ground so well makes it feel like they have it all under their thumb even though we know from behind the scenes that it was quite a struggle but they just hold space so well. OH! and i also really thought it was grass until I saw the behind the scenes clip and it threw me off rlly bad my brain has to wrestle with the fact that its not hahaha ,, this was a long rambley comment but I just love talking about this mv and i love your videos :)) ur editing is getting rlly good too btw

[@SixtyDoesStuff]

I am loving this energy. I love that this video is one uninterrupted shot. Like, from a cinematography and editing standpoint. I've also seen that behind the scenes and they're so funny running around behind the camera. And they look SO COLD, the red noses. XD This is the first I'm hearing it's sand! I never noticed that. LEGS! LEGS! SPIN! LEGS! SPIN! SUGA may be my favorite watching this MV. His clap that's offbeat with the snare. He does that hip thrust thing during JHope's verse VERY well. And the fingers, BUP BUP! But V's GIANT black shirt is wildly fun to watch him dance. Agreed, the "sad bounce" throughout this dance is great. This is also a good video for seeing how WIDE and broad Jin's shoulders are. Wide boy. That CHEEKY smile RM has during the chorus before his verse... I'm slayed. I don't know how they did the camera work necessarily, but it LOOKS like framing and panning done in post. And then the BEST verse in the song. Did RM really have to rhyme every line? And do that to us? I've also thought there was something awkward or off about the trio dancing during RM's verse, and that's exactly it. It doesn't match and the energy feels off. I think the energy isn't UP at the end, but it's HEAVY and that still elicits that scream. It's so flipping good. I LOVE THIS MV. Thank you for doing it!

[@rabotnemrac]

I'm not a dancer (unless you count the 8 years of ballet/contemporary dance I learned when I was a kid, but I SUCKED😬), but I absolutely love your videos! I've been following your channel for ages and I'm always excited to see you breaking down new BTS videos, as well as your own choreos to their songs. I even used your explanations as my reference when I wrote a dance scene in one of my novels. That's how much I appreciate the way you express the moves and feelings in dancing. I'm utterly broke, but I'm tempted to join your Patreon as a Christmas gift to myself...😅 Thanks for the great content!

[@rikilikemagic]

Waaahhh I'm so honoured that my words helped your own creative work! You deserve that Christmas present 😜😜😜🙏🏼💕

[@rozinamouz9286]

I think this dance is very synergetic (as you were saying), what with one taking cues from the other to move, almost as if they are one organism performing a complicated task with different limbs. Also, i find yoongis presence very grounding, in all performances but especially in this one. I dont know how to explain it, its like he is more grounded to the earth that the rest of humans, that can be a mental thing (with him having been through a lot and channeling than through a raw performance) or physical (with his perpetual slouched posture and natural swag) This song and choreo is a mixture of angst and coolness that i think only bts could pull off in that way, anybody else i can think of would look either fake-angsty, cheesy or mechanical. Plus the environment and their exhaustion really really add to the finished product, the “I’m tired and just wanna go home but I have to keep moving” vibe is very fitting. Thank you so much for your enthusiasm and infectious happiness about dance. I may not be a dancer but I absolutely love watching dance and hold it very close to my heart Lots of love 😘

[@kicheollee2801]

Soooo wonderful comment by a professional dance. It's soooo helpful for us to understand the dance!!

[@aydann2251]

Thank u so much for this review, Riki. Save Me was the song that got me interested in BTS. I'd known about them since debut but this MV was the one which made me got into the fandom. I remembered how this MV left me wanting more when it ended. I watched the MV multiple times that month in 2016. My most memorable moment was RM's "thank u" gesture. I think Jungkook really shine in this MV. I just love his every movement, especially when he threw his head before his part. I love how contrast Tae's hair color with the background or the mood of the MV as a whole. It grabs ur attention everytime he was on screen. Listening to u describing Jimin's intro and his turn reminds me of this thread on twitter. Army who met them in real life said that even when standing still Jimin looks like he poised. He is very aware of his surrounding and every moves he takes has a purpose. Also Hobi's part is my most favorite part. I don't know why it just is. I love when they moves from one side to another side like that. The second one is the ending. The ending is very simple but impactful. P.S. I'd really love to joing your patreon but rn I don't have the money to do so. As soon as I get my first job I'm planning on joining (adult life is hard 😭)

[@mischiefmarina]

THE DRAAAAAMA~!

[@bunnysmile6121]

This song was the one to get me into bts! I remember seeing the mv for the first time and JK just drew my attention so much with his strong movements and drama (I also thought it was grass the first time I saw it, I guess the colour grading threw me off too XD). While I don't listen to this song as much as the first couple months I was an army, it still holds a special place in my heart as it was the first time I thought 'Wow, these guys are really talented' (I also think the simpler style of MV was easier for me as I wasn't used to all the flashing colours and cuts that were in MVs like dna - these can be disorienting for viewers who are unfamiliar with the guys). I mostly wanted to comment on how much I love the atmosphere you've created here. As Nassim said, you've created a place that's so understanding and thoughtful, it's really amazing. I know little about dance but I found your videos when trying to understand how Jimin pulled Lie off and what was so captivating about the dance. I'm not a fan of reaction videos but breakdowns hold more interest as you're spreading your knowledge and viewpoint from an educated standpoint. I come here to learn a little more about bts' performances and choreographies and leave with a smile on my face and more understanding than i arrived. Thank you for your time and effort, I (and I'm sure many others) really appreciate these videos :]

[@kaitlyntrussell2489]

omg me too i became army around dna era but definitely because of this song over dna for similar reasons

[@jadefaderanga]

Ow Thank you for reviewing this. 💜

[@fuba3112]

I love your energy and enthusiasm. Your videos always put me in such a good mood. Thank you for another amazing video

[@chuchuchie]

;____; this song and mv was the turning point for me!! i LOOOOOVED this review!! thank you so much!!! Fave points from your review: "The drAma!" "Because it's CLASS!" 27:50 💜😍 you are awesome!!!

[@Sarah-mh9fh]

Okay I'm going to take a second to be both a costume design nerd AND dance nerd. To your point about the long sleeves--first of all, for some reason, these outfits are god tier. And I find it VERY hard to explain why. It's literally just t-shirts, hoodies, and jeans! Maybe it's the juxtaposition of the soft fabrics and neutral colors against the angstiness of the song and the weather? The outfits are so casual the average person might not even think of them as being "costumes". It really highlights the grittiness of the MV in a way, as if none of this was planned, as if they all just walked outside during a storm and this dance and song just "happened". Like the artifice that we're all used to seeing in pop MVs has all been stripped away. I love how their tops are long too, the shirt tails moving with the dance and the wind is super effective. ALSO! It doesn't look cheesy, you're completely right. If this was more heavily costumed, if they were in billowing poet shirts looking like Mr. Darcy, I think it would feel much less genuine. Anyway. Movement. I find myself watching BTS's hands a lot, and I think it's because everything they do has such clear intention, down to the tiny things they do with their hands. Even during moments like Suga's rap or JK's intro where it looks like they might be improvising, we ARMY know that they plan everything. I think it takes a skilled dancer to simultaneously keep their hands relaxed, but also to make clear movements with them that look natural with the rest of the choreo. It's all so intentional. And the long sleeves especially highlight their hands. I love how a couple of them even have sleeves with thumb holes to make a "sweater paw" type look. I didn't think I had this much to say about hands! But here we are.

[@petrichor9087]

First I wanna say that I love your breakdowns, they’re so much fun. The way you talk about dancing is wonderful. Save Me is one of my all time favorite songs/dances/mvs, I show it to anyone who will listen. Not only do they look fantastic (always here for a big shirt and skinny jean look) but they make the dance seem so effortless. It was very windy and cold that day and they did all of that in one take in the sand! Who knows how many takes they did but I’m sure it was exhausting and yet they look SO good while also conveying all the emotions. My favorite part of the dance is during Hoseok’s part at 2:00 when they do the little points while hopping. It’s so funny and cute and it cracks me up. Since I’ve seen it so many times I will say I now get distracted by Yoongi’s shoes because he’s the only one not wearing black. I don’t know if he picked those out or if it was the stylist but why. It’s like the Run dance practice he’s the odd man out. I could talk about this song all day.

[@kaitlyntrussell2489]

about yoongis shoes,, in the mv shooting video it looks like theyre all wearing boots like that when theyre practicing before they get into costume i wonder if he also had other shoes to wear but didnt change into them cuz they liked the boots or maybe just his feet were cold :]

[@petrichor9087]

P.S. I just asked two different camera guys and they said the quick zooms were probably done in post but they use a steady cam so there were definitely one or more guys running around to get those shots. Also it was snowing that day which like....those poor boys are always in short sleeves or shorts in the snow wtf

[@reneezemlock7880]

There is a behind the scenes making of the MV that you might like to watch. :)

[@raven3669]

Plz watch mma 2020 award show where bts has a dance break for dynamite

[@MusicalIrishgrl]

Riki you were asking about how they filmed the members in that close up. It actually shows the cameraman weaving between them in the behind the scenes. Here's the link to Eng subbed Behind the MV kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpbFmKJ5pNCJmas for any who wants to re-watch it.

[@softboyjay4325]

I might be wrong, but it's most likely filmed by someone holding a camera and not a track. You can see the quick zooms in and out in the second chorus. It looks like it's just moving very fast, but it's a zoom done in post. They had most likely already passed Jungkook when he came into the shot at the end there. Also, the choreo for this was done by a Norwegian group called quick style. I remember the first time I watched the mv I was like "this style feels familiar" and when I looked it up I realized it's because I had seen them on Norway's got talent back in the day and followed them for a while. They're very good and have worked with bts a lot over the years. I also really like all the continuous movements in this dance contrasted with the fast paced movements. Mostly with Jimin. I've always been very fascinated with how he moves. Like you said, the movement continues until it absolutely has to stop. He just keeps going and it looks so graceful.

[@Sarah-mh9fh]

I think you're right, I think it's one camera person (possibly with a second person to act as their spotter) holding a steady cam.

[@saur_sop99]

Please do react to seventeen good to me dance practice hihi thanks have a nice day

[@rikilikemagic]

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!

[@blarmy827]

Begin is jungkook... not bts 🙃 have you watched his live performance of it? All the footwork?

[@irma-uj7ni]

I love you!!! Could you please react to Boy Meets Evil by Jhope please please please.