Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
BTS drops song entirely in English
On Friday, K-pop superstars BTS dropped their new single, “Dynamite” — the group’s first song ever to be released completely in English.
According to the announcement, in the song, “BTS sings of joy and confidence, treasuring the little things in life that make life truly valuable and special. The song aims to bring a new surge of much-needed ‘energy’ to reinvigorate the global community in the midst of COVID-19.”
BTS said Thursday that releasing its first English language song “Dynamite” wasn’t initially “part of the plan,” but that the hardships of the coronavirus pandemic moved the members to put out a new track “as soon as possible” that could energize and excite fans.
“The release of ‘Dynamite’ wasn’t in our plans at all,” said RM at an online press conference, but when the band encountered the song while preparing a new album, something clicked. “As soon as we heard it, we thought it was really fun and exciting, a fun and cheery song that wasn’t that serious. It just made us feel good when we heard it,” he explained. “We really wanted to share this energy with the fans as soon as possible.”
He called the song a “new challenge for us.” Although RM is fluent in English, most of the other BTS members are not.
When asked why BTS decided to sing entirely in English, V mentioned only musical considerations. “When we were recording the guide version, we felt the English version fit the melody a little bit better,” he explained.
Spears’ conservatorship extended: Despite a request earlier this week by Britney Spears’ attorney that her father be removed from her conservatorship, it will be extended until at least February of next year, a judge determined in a Los Angeles court on Wednesday, according to media obtained documents.
The matter was discussed at the hearing, which was closed to the media and attended virtually by both of the singer’s parents and four attorneys.
Britney’s attorney was authorized to file a petition and have it set for hearing; the temporary letters of conservatorship were extended until February.
Spears is petitioning that her temporary conservator, Jodi Montgomery, hold the role permanently.
Film academy to host
virtual panels: Lee Daniels, Lulu Wang and Taraji P. Henson are among the talent participating in a series of virtual panels about inclusion and equity in Hollywood hosted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The organization that puts on the Oscars said Thursday that the panels in September and October will be available to the public.
Topics will include navigating Hollywood as a Black gay man, Latino erasure in Hollywood, color-conscious casting and gender parity.
Entitled “Academy Dialogues: It Starts with Us,” the series is part of the academy’s push to further equity and inclusion in its ranks and the industry. The series launched last month with a conversation between Whoopi Goldberg and civil rights attorney Bryan Stevenson about the power of narrative, which is available on YouTube.
Aug. 22 birthdays: Newsman Morton Dean is 85. Actor Cindy Williams is 73. Guitarist Vernon Reid is 62. Actor Regina Taylor is 60. Singer Tori Amos is 57. Rapper GZA is 54. Actor Ty Burrell is 53. Chef Giada De Laurentiis is 50. Comedian Kristen Wiig is 47. TV host James Corden is 42. Actor Ari Stidham is 28.