Photo: courtesy YouTube
You may not need BTS’s permission to dance, but the starsarescoping out their fans' moves as part of a social media challenge — and opening up about what it means to them.
PEOPLE asked RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook about what inspired thePermission to Dance Challenge, which launched July 23 and runs through Aug. 14, and how they hope it will spread some positivity around the world.
The dance is fittingly joyful — and surprisingly simple.
“Since this is a song that we wanted to enjoy with everyone, the performance is easier to dance along to,” says RM, 26. “Our choreographies reflect our message, so each has its own charm and fun aspects. Choreographies that are easier to emulate do enable us to have bigger fun since you have all these people dancing with you.”
At the end of the music video, for example, a crowd including BTS’s bodyguards, makeup artists, video producers, and managers jump in to dance it out with the group.
The approachable choreography also incorporates International Sign Language hand gestures meaning “joy,” “dance” and “peace,” an inclusive move that was important to the members.
“‘Permission to Dance’ is a song that we wanted to share and enjoy with as many people as possible. So naturally, we got to think about how to make this more enjoyable for everyone,” explains j-hope, 27, the group’s dance leader. “Incorporating the International Sign gestures enabled us to spread the positive energy of our music to a wider audience that maybe we haven’t reached before.”
Should you still need a little help with the steps, the members have offered up ahandful of tutorials, available to view on Shortsalongside thecountless fan submissions.
“We noticed that people of all ages and professions hopped on this challenge. It was a pleasant surprise!” says V, 25.
Adds Jin, 28, “I didn’t expect for this many people to participate. I could see from the backgrounds that they all come from different places. Thank you for all the love!”
Adds Jimin, 25, “Thanks to ARMY’s love, we got to see these amazing things happen with “Butter” and “Permission to Dance.” Getting unbelievable feats on the Billboard charts and launching this fun challenge is because of them.”
The Permission to Dance Challenge runs through Aug. 14. Download the YouTube mobile app to participate.
source: people.com
