The Bangtan Theory: Awake Analysis

Awake is the solo video of Jin. Jin was one of the main characters of the videos Run, I Need U, and the Prologue but in these last couple videos the focus changes to Jungkook. Member video distribution aside, this video is also a key component of Jin and his character. One of the quotes that is read by RM and one of the lines says, "Who would be born must first destroy a world" which is exactly what Jin did. He destroyed all the boys lives with his suicide. Other videos prior to the ones mentioned on this blog show him betraying the boys and reporting in on his friends so that is one way he could have also relate to this quote. This is shown from the earpiece in his ear but he takes it off, symbolizing him letting go of this life that was controlled by his dad and the principal of the boys' school.

The apple motif shows up in this video as well. As the previous post with Jimin's solo song, it can represent the allusion to the Biblical version of the story of Adam and Eve. Again the idea of temptation and going against the rules crosses another BTS music video. This depiction of imperfection of the boys and sin is a constant symbol throughout the video. They are paying back in the idea of purgatory. However, Jin simply smells the fruit and lets it drop to the floor which represents him moving away from the things tempting him to sin. They all sinned in the previous videos but now he is trying to tell the truth.

This truth telling is emphasized in his lyrics that state, "It seems it's come time to leave...It's my truth" and then continues with "maybe I can never fly" which is possibly a reference to that he's accepted it is time to let go and move towards the light and repent. He wants to accept his fate, which is his truth, and that he might not ever achieve his dreams but he accepts it. He wants to "try and win" his dreams. He keeps trying to achieve his dreams of leaving purgatory and be with his members again.

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"I'm just walking and walking in this darkness. The happy times ask to me if I'm really alright. Oh no. I answered no I'm so afraid. Even so I clutch six flowers in my hands. I'll only be walking. Oh no" This line is important because it ties back to the theory presented in my previous analysis in I Need U and how the six petals represent the other members. He is afraid of going through it but he does because he thinks that at the end of this this is what the other boys need him to do and that he has his boys with him by his side because they are represented thorough the lilies. This represent his rebirth after death or cleansing in some cultures. His love for the group is not over at his death.

Jin tries to take a photo of the flower that acts as the centerpiece of the table. The candles go out immediately and the doors close on him, putting him in the dark. He gets up and leaves the room but not without glancing at this painting that is mentioned or at least is in the novel Demian. In RM's solo song Reflections RM is seen tattooing that image to his arm by himself (obviously fake) and it is a symbol for Jin coming out of his shell (that room) and becoming a more mature version of himself.

At the end of the video there are six Polaroids which are all snippets of the other Wings trailer videos. These are all different but have to do with the songs. The screen fades to black at the end and it is assumed that because Jin survived the trial he left his own level of purgatory.