BE

BE
--

* Digital
* Deluxe
* Essential

***Be*** (stylized as **BE**) is the first self-directed and fifth studio album by BTS. It was released on November 20, 2020 with "Life Goes On" and "Dynamite" serving as the album's title track. "Dynamite" is a pre-release track and was also used as a follow-up track during promotions.

The album debuted at #1 on Billboard 200, becoming BTS's fifth #1 on that chart.

This album was the second best-selling album of 2020 in South Korea and the world. This album is currently the thrid best best-selling album in South Korea of all time.

As May 2022, the album has sold 3,794,402 copies only in South Korea.

## Editions

* **Deluxe Edition** [CD+Photobook+Making Book+Lyric Poster+8 Photocards+Polaroid Photocard+Photo Frame+7 Postcards]
* **Essential Edition** [CD+Photobook+7 Photocards+Random Photocard+Poster] (February 19, 2021)

## Background

On April 2020, RM revealed that the group was already preparing for their next album  and SUGA shared that the members had decided who would be in charge of what part of the process. On May 2020, Jimin revealed that he had taken on the role of music project manager; meanwhile, V had taken the role of the visual project manager. Later, Jin shared that he would be working on the album design along with SUGA. On July 27, 2020, BTS revealed via VLIVE they would be releasing a new English single on August 21. On August 2, 2020, Big Hit Entertainment revealed the new BTS single would be called "Dynamite". On August 21, 2020, RM explained that "Dynamite" is an exciting and lighthearted song that they had always wanted to try. He added, "While producing songs, we had the thought that it would be nice to give energy to the fans soon, so we decided to shockingly release the "Dynamite" as a single before our new album (BE) in the second half of the year." Later on August 2020, the members share ideas for the title track music video as the theme of the new song being: Life goes on. Jung Kook will record the members with a G.C.F style in a place like In the SOOP having fun and in contrast, staying in home (the members will record Jung Kook's scenes), also the staff will record them performing without an audience in their upcoming online concert Map of the Soul ON:E as part of the music video. On September 28, 2020 at midnight KST, BTS announced via Twitter and Weverse that their new album would be titled "BE" and be released on November 20 at midnight EST (2 PM KST). According to the Weverse notice, "BE" will be released in a deluxe edition format and contains "the most 'BTS-esque' music yet" that imparts the message of "even in the face of this new normality, our life goes on."

On October 19, 2020 Big Hit Entertainment release a group concept photo for the album. From October 27 to October 29 BTS released letters of the members to ARMY on official Twitter and Weverse pages, inviting ARMY reply to BTS members with the hashtag #TO\_BTS on Twitter. At the same time, in Japan were placed billboards with QR codes promoting the album. The QR codes leads to different letters of the members written in Japanese. On October 30, Big Hit Entertainment revealed "Life Goes On" as title track for the album. On October 31, Big Hit Entertainment revealed two concept clips, Reflection version and Mirror version. From November 1 to November 7, Big Hit Entertainment revealed V, Jimin, RM, Jungkook, Jin, Suga and J-Hope concept photos along with a explicative audio by themselves. On November 8, Big Hit Entertainment revealed a concept clip of Room version. On November 10, Big Hit Entertainment revealed the tracklist. On November 13, Big Hit Entertainment revealed "Life Goes On" credits. On November 17, Big Hit Entertainment revealed the first teaser for "Life Goes On" music video.

## Promotion

On November 6, 2020, Big Hit Entertainment shared that SUGA previously underwent surgery to repair his torn shoulder labrum on November 3, 2020. He decided to receive surgery in preparation for his mandatory military service as well as his career afterwards, and the decision was made after extensive discussion with the agency. As a result of the surgery, SUGA would be unable to participate in some activities, which may include promotions for this album.

## Tracklist

1. **Life Goes On** Title
2. 내 방을 여행하는 법 (Fly To My Room) (song by SUGA, j-hope, Jimin and V)
3. Blue & Grey
4. Skit
5. 잠시 (Telepathy)
6. 병 (Dis-ease)
7. Stay (song by RM, Jin and Jung Kook)
8. **Dynamite** Pre-release and Follow-up

## Personnel

Personnel adapted from progress updates videos and the lyric poster of the physical album.

### Music and lyrics

* BTS – primary vocals
	+ j-hope – rap, production (track 4), songwriting (tracks 1–4, 6), rap arrangement (tracks 2–3, 5–6), recording engineer (tracks 2–3, 5–6)
	+ Jimin – rap, production (track 4), songwriting (tracks 4, 6), background vocals (track 2), music project manager
	+ Jin – vocals, production (track 4), songwriting (tracks 4, 7)
	+ Jung Kook – vocals, production (track 4), songwriting (tracks 4–5, 7), background vocals (tracks 1, 5–7), vocal arrangement (track 1), rap arrangement (track 1)
	+ RM – rap, production (track 4), songwriting (tracks 1–7), background vocals (track 7), rap arrangement (tracks 1, 3, 5–7), recording engineer (tracks 1, 3, 5–7)
	+ SUGA – rap, production (track 4), songwriting (tracks 1–6), rap arrangement (tracks 2–3, 5–6), recording engineer (tracks 2–3, 5–6)
	+ V – vocals, production (tracks 3–4), songwriting (tracks 3–4), background vocals (track 2)
* Others

* + Adora – background vocals (track 5)
	+ Antonina Armato – songwriting (track 1)
	+ Arston – production (track 7), songwriting (track 7), keyboard (track 7), percussion (track 7)
	+ Bob Horn – mix engineer (track 2)
	+ Brasstracks – production (track 6)
	+ Chris James – songwriting (track 1)
	+ Conor Rayne – additional drums (track 6)
	+ Cosmo Liney – bass (track 2)
	+ Cosmo's Midnight – production (track 2), songwriting (track 2)
	+ David Stewart – production (track 8), songwriting (track 8), drums (track 8), percussion (track 8), bass guitar (track 8), synth bass (track 8), synthesizer (track 8), pads (track 8), piano (track 8), electric guitars (track 8), programmed horns (track 8), programmed strings (track 8), background vocals (track 8)
	+ DJ Friz – scratch (track 6)
	+ Duane Benjamin – vocal orchestrator (track 2)
	+ El Capitxn – production (track 5), songwriting (track 5), keyboard (track 5), gang vocal (track 5)
	+ Erik Reichers – recording engineer (track 2)
	+ FRANTS – gang vocal (track 5)
	+ GHSTLOOP – co-production (track 6), songwriting (track 6), keyboard (track 6), synthesizer (track 6), programming (track 6), additional drums (track 6), gang vocal (track 5), digital editing (track 2, 6)
	+ Hiss Noise – production (tracks 3, 5), songwriting (tracks 3, 5), drums (track 3), synthesizer (tracks 5), gang vocal (track 5), recording engineer (track 5), digital editing (tracks 3, 7)
	+ Ivan Jackson Rosenberg – songwriting (track 6), keyboard (track 6), guitar (track 6), bass (track 6), programming (track 6)
	+ James F. Reynolds – mix engineer (track 7)
	+ James Keys – background vocals (track 2)
	+ Jenna Andrews – vocal production (track 8)
	+ Jessica Agombar – songwriting (track 8)
	+ Ji Soo Park – production (track 3), songwriting (track 3), guitar (track 3), piano (track 3), string/clarinet (track 3), drums (track 3),
	+ Joe Femi Griffith – songwriting (track 2), background vocals (track 2)
	+ John McEwan – gang vocal (track 7)
	+ Johnny Thurkell – live horns (track 8)
	+ Josh Gudwin – mix engineer (track 1)
	+ Juan "Saucy" Peña – vocal engineer (track 8)
	+ Jung Woo-young – gang vocal (track 5)
	+ Kevin Lewis – mix engineer (track 6)
	+ Lee Yeon-su – recording engineer (track 2)
	+ Levi – production (track 3), songwriting (track 3)
	+ Marie Ortinau – gang vocal (track 7)
	+ Matt Thomson (ARCADES) – gang vocal (track 7)
	+ Max Lynedoch Graham (ARCADES) – gang vocal (track 7)
	+ Metaphor – songwriting (track 3)
	+ Nobody – Bass (track 5)
	+ Patrick Liney – keyboard (track 2)
	+ Pdogg – production (track 1), additional production (track 6), songwriting (tracks 1, 6), keyboard (tracks 1, 6), synthesizer (tracks 1, 6), programming (track 6), vocal arrangement (tracks 1–3, 5–7), rap arrangement (track 1), recording engineer (tracks 1–8), digital editing (tracks 1, 5), mix engineer (track 4)
	+ Randy Runyon – songwriting (track 6), guitar (track 6)
	+ Revin – digital editing (track 5)
	+ Ruuth – songwriting (track 1), background vocals (track 1)
	+ Serban Ghenea – mix engineer (track 8)
	+ Son Yoo-jeong – recording engineer (track 5)
	+ Stewart Brock – gang vocal (track 7)
	+ Summergal – gang vocal (track 5), digital editing (tracks 2, 6–7)
	+ Slow Rabbit – gang vocal (track 5)
	+ The Singingforbonez Singers (Kenna Ramsey, Meloney Collins, Dedrick Bonner, Loren Smith – choir (track 2)
	+ Yang Ga – mix engineer (track 3, 5)
	+ YOUNG – guitar (track 5)

### Artwork and packaging

* BTS – concept photos curators
	+ j-hope – product coordination
	+ Jimin
	+ Jin – product coordination
	+ Jung Kook – product coordination
	+ RM – album design
	+ SUGA – product coordination
	+ V – visual project manager

### Life Goes On's music video

* BTS – main artist
	+ j-hope
	+ Jimin
	+ Jin
	+ Jung Kook – director, shooting
	+ RM
	+ SUGA
	+ V
* Others

* + Ahn Jong Hun – artist management
	+ An Da Sol – artist management
	+ Bona Kim (MU:E) – art director
	+ Cha Yeon Hwa – visual creative
	+ Choi Doo Soo (DS LIGHT) – gaffer
	+ Eunki Kim – 2nd AC
	+ Hyunwoo Nam (GDW) – director of photography
	+ ilho Heo (MU:E) – art-team manager
	+ Jihye Yoon (Lumpens) – assistant director
	+ Jinsil Park (MU:E) – art director
	+ Jung Yu Jin – lighting crew
	+ Kim Dae Young – artist management
	+ Kim Ga Eun – visual creative
	+ Kim Jun O – lighting crew
	+ Kim Shin Gyu – artist management
	+ Kim Su Bin – artist management
	+ Kim Sung Wook – lighting crew
	+ Kyuwon Seo – 3rd AC
	+ Lee Hyeon Ki – artist management
	+ Lee Hyunsu – lighting crew
	+ Lee Jung Min – artist management
	+ Lee Seong Min – lighting crew
	+ Lee Seung Byeong – artist management
	+ Lee Sun Kyoung – visual creative
	+ Minjung Kim (MU:E) – assistant art team
	+ Nu Kim – visual creative
	+ Park Jun Tae – artist management
	+ Sabinne Cheon – visual creative
	+ Sangwoo Yun – focus puller
	+ Yeri Kang (MU:E) – assistant art team
	+ Yong Seok Choi (Lumpens) – assistant director
	+ Yun Tae Woong – artist management

## Videos

* Teasers
* Official Videos
* Jacket Shooting
* Progress Updates
* BE Log
* BE-hind Story
* Other

BTS (방탄소년단) 'Life Goes On' Official Teaser 1BTS (방탄소년단) 'Life Goes On' Official Teaser 2BTS (방탄소년단) 'Dynamite' Official Teaser

BTS (방탄소년단) 'Life Goes On' Official MV**"Life Goes On"** MVBTS (방탄소년단) ‘Life Goes On’ Official MV - on my pillow**"Life Goes On"** MV - on my pillowBTS (방탄소년단) 'Life Goes On' Official MV - in the forest**"Life Goes On"** MV - in the forestBTS (방탄소년단) 'Life Goes On' Official MV - like an arrow**"Life Goes On"** MV - like an arrowBTS (방탄소년단) 'Dynamite' Official MV**"Dynamite"** MVBTS (방탄소년단) 'Dynamite' Official MV (B-side)**"Dynamite"** B-Side MVBTS (방탄소년단) 'Dynamite' ('70s remix) MV**"Dynamite"** ('70s remix) MVBTS (방탄소년단) 'Dynamite' Official MV (Choreography ver.)**"Dynamite"** Official MV (Choreography ver.)

-EPISODE- BTS (방탄소년단) ‘BE’ Jacket Shooting Sketch

200417 RMRM announced they will be working on BE managed by themselves200424 SUGASUGA shared that the members had decided who would be in charge of what part of the process2004\*\* BTS (+ENG)BTS sharing ideas for the concept and message of BE200507 V RM jhope (+ENG)V, RM and j-hope sharing ideas for their Jacket Shooting200525 Jin (+ENG)Jin shared that he will be working on the album design along with SUGA200605 제이홉 (+ENG)j-hope updates about BE200609 V (+ENG)V updates about BE200616 JIMIN (+ENG)Jimin updates about BE2007\*\* j-hope & RM (+ENG)j-hope and RM learning about cameras for their Jacket Shooting2008\*\* Jung Kook (+ENG) 1Jung Kook recording for BE (1)2008\*\* Jung Kook (+ENG) 2Jung Kook recording for BE (2)2008\*\* BTS (+ENG)BTS sharing ideas for the "Life Goes On" music video2008\*\* V & Jung Kook (+ENG)V and Jung Kook sharing ideas for "Life Goes On" music video to the staff200928 jhope (+ENG)j-hope updates about BE2009\*\* RM & Jung Kook (+ENG)RM and Jung Kook writing the lyric poster201021 Jung Kook (+ENG)Jung Kook updates about "Life Goes On" music video201111 Jimin (+ENG)Jimin updates about BE2009\*\* BTS (+ENG)BE unboxing

-BE-Log- V l -뷔로그 -FlyToMyRoom-BE-Log- RM - -평화 그자체 -BlueAndGrey-BE-Log- Jin l -미공개하드털이 -BTS Stay-BE-Log- SUGA l -딩가딩가 -LifeGoesOn-BE-Log- Jung Kook l -보랏빛 꽃잎 -BTS Dynamite-BE-Log- Jimin l -소복의 찰나 -BTS Telepathy-BE-Log- j-hope l -개봉박두 -Dis ease

BTS (방탄소년단) 'BE-hind Story' Interview (+ENG-JPN-CHN)BTS (방탄소년단) Jin's BE-hind 'Full' StoryBTS (방탄소년단) Jimin's BE-hind 'Full' StoryBTS (방탄소년단) j-hope's BE-hind 'Full' StoryBTS (방탄소년단) RM's BE-hind 'Full' StoryBTS (방탄소년단) Jung Kook's BE-hind 'Full' StoryBTS (방탄소년단) V's BE-hind 'Full' StoryBTS (방탄소년단) SUGA's BE-hind 'Full' StoryBTS (방탄소년단) 'BE-hind Story' Teaser

BTS (방탄소년단) Global Press Conference 'BE' (+ENG)BTS (방탄소년단) 7-Second Interview-BANGTAN BOMB- SUGA's "BE" Album Review - BTS (방탄소년단)-BANGTAN BOMB- "BE" Album Review Part.2 (3X3 Unit ver.) - BTS (방탄소년단)BTS (방탄소년단) BE-hind Story-BANGTAN BOMB- Decorating Our Photo Cards - BTS (방탄소년단)

## References

1. ↑ BTS Earns Fifth No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart With 'Be'
2. ↑ 2020년 Album Chart
3. ↑ BTS’ MAP OF THE SOUL : 7 tops IFPI’s 2020 Global Album Sales Chart
4. ↑ Wikipedia: List of best-selling albums in South Korea
5. ↑ 2020년 Album Chart
6. ↑ 2021년 Album Chart
7. ↑ 2022.05 Album Chart
8. ↑ RM Reveals BTS Has Begun Working On Their Next Album
9. ↑ BTS’ Suga Talks About Working On Their New Album; Says Fans Will Get To See Planning Process In Upcoming Video
10. ↑ BTS’s Jimin Talks About The Group’s Upcoming Album Process As Music Project Manager
11. ↑ BTS’s V, RM, And J-Hope Share Ideas For Upcoming Album Jacket And Concept
12. ↑ 200525 JIN (+ENG) (8:54)
13. ↑ BTS Reveals ‘Dynamite’ Is the Title of Their New Single and Fans Already Know It Will Be a Summer Anthem
14. ↑ Big Hit Entertainment's Tweet (August 2, 2020)
15. ↑ BTS Talks About Giving Strength With “Dynamite” + Touches On Production Process For Upcoming Album
16. ↑ 2008\*\* BTS (+ENG)
17. ↑ 2008\*\* V & Jung Kook (+ENG)
18. ↑ BTS Announces Title And Release Date Of New Album
19. ↑ Big Hit Entertainment's Tweet (October 19, 2020)
20. ↑ BTS Official's Tweet (October 27, 2020)
21. ↑ BTS Official's Tweet (October 28, 2020)
22. ↑ BTS Official's Tweet (October 29, 2020)
23. ↑ Big Hit Entertainment's Tweet (October 30, 2020)
24. ↑ Big Hit Entertainment's Tweet (October 31, 2020) 1
25. ↑ Big Hit Entertainment's Tweet (October 31, 2020) 2
26. ↑ Big Hit Entertainment's Tweet (November 1, 2020)
27. ↑ Big Hit Entertainment's Tweet (November 2, 2020)
28. ↑ Big Hit Entertainment's Tweet (November 3, 2020)
29. ↑ Big Hit Entertainment's Tweet (November 4, 2020)
30. ↑ Big Hit Entertainment's Tweet (November 5, 2020)
31. ↑ Big Hit Entertainment's Tweet (November 6, 2020)
32. ↑ Big Hit Entertainment's Tweet (November 7, 2020)
33. ↑ Big Hit Entertainment's Tweet (November 8, 2020)
34. ↑ Big Hit Entertainment's Tweet (November 10, 2020)
35. ↑ Big Hit Entertainment's Tweet (November 13, 2020)
36. ↑ Big Hit Entertainment's Tweet (November 17, 2020)
37. ↑ BTS’ Suga Undergoes Surgery For His Shoulder + To Take Break From Most Activities