WINGS- Theories and Hidden Secrets to 방탄소년단's Short Films

3- STIGMA [Taehyung]

WINGS #3, STIGMA- Theory and Hidden Secrets

The Theory: After Taehyung got arrested, he began to recall and reflect on what got him there.

Theme: Growing up and the harsh reality

[0:00] The word 'STIGMA' was in the 'No More Dream' video. [Dang, how long did they plan this for?] It's a sign that stigma is no dream. The sad part is, the title of the song kinda goes against the whole dream theory thing, but let's just ignore that.

[0:09] So, let's cue Rap Monster to recite another line from the book "Demian: The Story of Emil Sinclair's Youth". This time, the quote is, "It is the first fissure in the columns that had up held my childhood, which every individual must destroy before he can become himself. Such fissures and rents grow together again, heal and are forgotten, but in the most secret recesses they continue to live and bleed." Now, unlike the previous quotes and videos, this quote/video mainly circles around growing up. The other ones have touched on it slightly, but not as much as this. Those "columns" that one must "destroy" holds up a veil that one must take down in order to experience reality.

[0:41] Taehyung seems to scratching something into the garage door. He was scratching out the word 'Abraxas'. Abraxas was actually mentioned in the novel a few times, symbolizing the relationship between good and evil. The symbol of Abraxas appears as a bird hatching from and egg/globe. Wow, birds are everywhere, huh? As we said before, birds can represent new beginnings and rebirth. However, it seems like that the whole 'rebirth' theme isn't that prominent in this video. Instead, it is replaced by growing up. Back to the Abraxas topic, why was Taehyung scratching it out? Is he trying to say that there is no relationship between good and evil? That good is good and bad is bad and that's the end of that? Later, we see him get arrested, but he doesn't do anything to rebel, like he just gives up instantly. Also, in the background, we see something written into the wall: "U WING V". Oh, more wings. We know that V is Taehyung's stage name, and WING has something to do with the title of the album and teasers. Is it a message? Since 'WINGS' is mainly about rebirth, letting go and growing up, it could be a) 'be reborn, V' or b) 'let go, V'. We'll get to why it can't be 'grow up, V' later in this theory. Also, when Taehyung got arrested, it relates to the 'I Need U' MV where he was arrested with Rap Monster.

[0:59] Oh, lookie, Taehyung is wearing a Nirvana shirt! "Oh, yeah, they're a great band, so what?" Yes, Nirvana is a rock band, but did you know that nirvana is actually a legitimate word? According to Wikipedia, [we know the Wikipedia is sometimes incorrect, but in this case, no,] nirvana means, "(in Buddhism) a transcendent state in which there is neither suffering, desire, nor sense of self, and the subject is released from the effects of karma and the cycle of death and rebirth." You guys see how I bolded some specific words? In all the teaser videos, Jungkook, Jimin, and Taehyung were suffering. They all experienced some terrible things. And, subtly, this teaser hints the recurring theme of death and rebirth.

[1:08] We can see Taehyung and an officer at the interrogation table. It starts off normal: the officer asks for his name ["이름"] and Taehyung replies ["김태형"]. At [1:20], we can see the he is anxious because he scratches the side of the table so calm himself down. What makes him so uncomfortable? Besides actually sitting in front of an officer, was it his name? Why isn't he comfortable with his name? Is it his last name, Kim? This brings family into the problem, a family issue. Fast forward to [1:31] where he says his age, 21 ["스물하나"].

[1:24] Taehyung runs into an empty space, appearing as if something is chasing him.

[1:38] The officer asks about Taehyung's parents. ["부모님"]. Taehyung looks over to the side, not wanting to answer the question. This solidifies the 'family issues' guess; there is something wrong with his family.