Magic Shop: Don’t be shy, join the cult of robes, snickers bars and magical healing therapy

“Magic shop is a psychodramatic technique that exchanges fear for a positive attitude.”

Fake Love official teaser 1, BTS

My sister and I having this running joke of summoning each other to each other’s rooms by blasting Magic Shop. It’s the key to that abstract realm but slipping into it is usually habitual and using aforementioned key is the conscious effort and explicit message:

I’m not okay.

Of course, it gets tricky because it is a bop so we do listen to it just because it’s a lovely song. Anyway, we’ve resorted to yelling across the hall to check if the other is okay. Even when we’re at our respective universities I’ve kept up the ritual of entering the Magic Shop that way. When a day is particularly difficult, more so than usual, I find myself entering that safe haven for comfort and a little laughter. Alright, alright a lot of laughter because what do they feed those kids? (Read: gentlemen)

It’s a fitting introduction then that the song to enter into the Magic Shop is the song this blogging journey will begin with. The idea of a magic shop warms my heart and perhaps I am aggressively bopping while sobbing, but that’s exactly the appropriate response. BTS are a safe place and comfort for many people and the dynamic has long existed before the creation of the song. But the deliberate effort and trajectory into the direction makes my heart so full. It’s a “welcome, ‘I’m glad you stopped by, have some tea and take a rest before you have to go again.”

The door is always open.

The Magic Shop is whatever you need it to be. It could be shrieking and giggling while watching Run BTS episodes horrified, yet gleeful at whatever chaos is about to ensue. Alternatively, you could be to staring into infinity, limbs sprawled out as you gaze at the stars, whatever playlist of songs that feel like home to you playing softly in the background. And sure, perhaps you don’t understand every lyric, but you recognize the melodies and they carry in them everything you love about that song. Perhaps it’s everything you’re feeling now, concerned about or just need reassurance. Or perhaps you’re thinking of that one Jinkook fancam and despite the heartache you find yourself smiling.

“I won’t say obvious things like ‘cheer up,’
but I’ll rather share with you my story”

In the song the members take an approach of then telling each of their stories. I won’t get into it in this post because I fear it will be too long and disorganized but from the lyrics it’s pretty clear.

I love stories partly because there’s simply something so very transcendent about them. The world sits neatly folded between the pages and you get lost in it. Beyond that, nestled between the words sits the experience of “now” and “across time” simultaneously. The journey of BTS feels like a constant coming of age. And I may be biased towards HYYH era but that it what it feels like- growing up. Their experiences are immortalized against the backdrop of melodies, and whatever you’re going through can be “now.” Simultaneously, you’re assured of “across time.” Not only is now okay and you will get to somewhere better, but you can find comfort in realizing it’s not just you. It, whatever it is, is real and valid, but also a consequence of being human. There’s strength and relief to be found in that.

I can’t separate the process of Individuation (a Jungian idea) and The Hero’s Journey. I don’t know where one begins and the other ends if such a place exists. What’s particularly relevant though is that since we all exist, we live out those theories. BTS is special to ARMY and in referencing their individuation and hero’s journey I mean to emphasize the relationship between the two, not imply they are the only ones with the experience. BTS are just vocal about it and it speaks to a lot of people. And fair enough other artists may too and good for them, but this isn’t about them. (I mean that with an appropriate amount of sass and respect.) There are so many true stories about BTS, be it their ongoing journey, humble beginnings or a particular theme nestled between music notes. Even in Magic Shop storytelling is their approach in how they go about extending a hand to their fans. All things considered it isn’t surprising to find how many are not only comforted but inspired by them too. It’s in their continuous encountering suffering, descending into chaos, persevering and rising victorious, having gained something valuable from the process -Hero’s Journey. It’s doing that constantly. And that of course is encompassed in psychological development. The theme is most obvious in the entirety of their Map of the soul:7 album. As one progresses through life they encounter and have to face every part of themselves: persona, ego, shadow, continually transforming over time whilst striving for completeness in integrating each of those parts. In other words, “coming of age movie, but make it eternal.”

“So show me I’ll show you”

I adore the fact that the fan chant is such that the latter part is sang by ARMYs. It really is BTS telling you their story and how they have triumphed so you can do it too. So do it, in fact, pinky promise that you will. And what that means is relative to each individual, but the message to show up for yourself is clear. When Bangtan says “show me” army responds “I’ll show you.” Words are insufficient to describe how beautiful that is. It serves a good representation of the love and reciprocity between the two.

Last, but certainly not least- the art. There isn’t a thing I can name I don’t love about Bangtan’s art. I enjoy their full discography, old songs and new alike for different reasons that unfortunately I lack the music jargon to articulate correctly. And truthfully, I’m uncertain that it would help. There’s just a lot of aggressive head bobbing, and yelling the incorrect (I’m trying my best okay) lyrics. There’s phenomenal dancing and skill as well as brilliant, aesthetic music videos from the members and the team. The art piece in its entirety is immaculate.

To conclude, what I wanted to express is in this Bangtan Sonyeondan shit for life.

Lyrics: Doolsetbangtan