Jerry Maguire (1996) dir. Cameron Crowe
편지- Letter ✍️
Now that the dust has settled, I found a peaceful moment in the afternoon to sit down in silence and listen to Letter while trying to unpack all my thoughts. This lengthy post will be more in the tone of my personal stance and connection with the song, omitting going into too much detail about the grammar and explaining Korean expressions but still I will try to explain how the song makes an impression with the specific language used.
My reflections:
From the beginning onwards, the song sounds very delicate, while Jimin is singing to us in the polite form and bringing up multiple themes that are characteristic for the ARMY fandom and our path with the boys over the years: the desert, the sea, the cold winter and a warm spring day... He is wishing us to be happier and for this to last forever, while promising to be there when you feel like falling and cherishing all the memories we made together.
In that way, I, as a listener, am in a headspace where I am reminiscing on our story with Jimin is an idol and all we've been through together with him (and trust me, if you have joined just recently, there has been a lot darker times)...
Though as the song progresses and as the refrain comes on, the urgency to express his emotions intensifies together with the instrumental. And this is where Jungkook's vocals come in too. Jimin with the help of Jungkook is suddenly singing in a casual (lower politiness) form as if directly trying to reach out to the person on the listening end individually, addressing every line with a higher intensity and more personally. It just feels more intimate, even more earnest and more powerful. Moreover, the lyrics and chosen words feel more targeted at an individual rather than towards a group (even the scrapped lyrics felt more like he was writing towards a single person in this section).
Whatever the reason for Jungkook's appearance in this part, it makes the emotional impact even more convincing.
....
No matter what angle you may choose, Letter is an incredibly heartfelt track packed with strong emotions. I believe it's a song for ARMY and at the same time it is a song for someone in Jimin's life that has been his lifeline and his strong heart connection to them prompted him to write these lyrics woven with thick emotions.
That being said, Jimin sharing this unique space with Jungkook to support him in his emotional expression with his hidden layered vocals and some more audible backing vocals speaks volumes. Just the fact that Jungkook is present on a track (and on the most intense and personal part of the track) where Jimin is earnestly trying to deliver a message to the listener from the depths of his heart is special, no matter how anyone subjectively wants to interpret the song and its content: Do you think they are singing directly to ARMY? Great! I'd argue having someone that shares the same love and commitment, understands what you're feeling and is able to channel the same emotions as you, and as a testament to your bond you let them contribute to your own artistic expression with theirs, is incredibly precious.
There are things that Jimin will never comment on, so I doubt we will ever find out how this song and Jungkook's feature came to be besides what we already heard. Jimin is incredibly smart in how he tailors his message and communication with the broader audience. Thus, while on the surface the public sees him dancing sensually with female dancers, a longer careful look would give you a view of the half-half makeup and other dichotomies in the choreo/concepts, specifically chosen pieces of clothing, specially crafted details in the performance sets, etc. And the same thing applies to the song Letter too. Only after listening closely, you'll get to uncover layer by layer what lies hidden in this "hidden" track. On top of that, Jungkook casually showing he learnt the chords for this song in a random live broadcast out of nowhere prior to the release of the album just shows there is more to the story than we'll be ever told.
Personally, I will be keeping this song close to my heart and holding onto it until their military service concludes. It has become my own lifeline to my life as a fan and getting to hear Jimin and Jungkook together delivering these precious words is something I will cherish forever 🙏
jikook979513 asked:
Can you please help in explaining what jikook is exactly talking about in the last bangtan bomb?? There are so many different translations going around on twitter and some saying it's all lies and wrong translation that jikook didn't talk about smelling like alcohol and its false translation spreading by jkkrs. Some are saying that it's the correct translation and jikook were also talking about alcohol smelling more in the room in the background. Can you pls help what exactly they were talking about?? And what they are saying in the background too?? Thank you.
minggukieology answered:
Hi, thanks for your message.
Once again we got to witness the teasing and close nature of Jimin and Jungkook’s relationship.
(side note: the eye whiskers peeking as Jungkook is laughing behind the mask are the cutest 🥹)
Regarding your questions, I will only confirm what I believe to have heard 100%.
》Yes, Jimin was teasing Jungkook about smelling like alcohol, most likely as they were drinking together the night prior or knew about each other drinking that night《
Plus the conversation in the background while Namjoon is arriving continues to be about alcohol, a part of which even the official transcript captures:
Jungkook (to Namjoon): “Did you drink because Hobi hyung is leaving?” (홉이 형 간다고 술 먹은 거야?)
From the beginning of the scene after Jimin arrives and turns to Jungkook and starts teasing him presumably knowing he was drinking the night prior:
JM: 너야? (Is it you?)
JK: 어? (Huh?)
JM: 너야? (Is it you?)
JK: 응 나야 (Yup it’s me)
JM: 술 냄새 나야? 너야? (The alcohol smell, is it me? Is it you?)
JK: 나야😁 (It’s me 😁) *they hug*
JK: 술 냄새 나~? (The alcohol smell (it’s) me ?!)
….
*The conversation continues, here, however, I am NOT able to say with 100% conviction what else they mention afterwards as their voices fade out. Therefore, I am not going to give an answer I can’t stand behind for this part just for the sake of answering.
Their voices become a bit clearer when Namjoon is arriving:
JM (to JK): 남준이 형 눈을 봐… 술 먹고…왜인지 알아.. *laughing* (Look at Namjoonie hyung’s eyes… He was drinking… I just know why… [his eyes look like that])
JK: *laughs* 저 형도 술 먹었어? (That hyung drank too?)
JK (to NJ): 홉이 형 간다고 술 먹은 거야? (Did you drink because Hobi hyung is leaving?)*
V: 야~ (Heyy/Ayy)
*only this sentence was transcribed in the video, the rest is my added transcription
As you can see, the background conversation was all in an informal friendly tone (between Jungkook and Jimin but also in general) and they were discussing stuff about alcohol and drinking all along. Even upon spotting Namjoon, Jimin could assess that he was drinking too which he quickly pointed out to Jungkook and Jungkook reacted to that.
I have come across plenty k-army accounts (not necessarily only k-kookminers) who have concluded the same that Jimin and Jungkook were drinking together, judging from the interaction. To me there is no room for any discussion on whether alcohol was discussed. It is pretty clear from the short excerpts that can be heard in regards to them and also Namjoon + the look of their eyes also says it all lol
Hope my answer is sufficient, thanks for your message once again!
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Extremely sad news today with the passing of Gilbert Gottfried 😞
I’ve always loved Iago so much, one of his many wonderfully funny roles. It’s very difficult to put on a happy face today, but here’s a little homage to him
Rest In Peace dear one! ♥️🦜🧞♂️