RM of BTS has released his first official solo album, Indigo today. The official music video of the lead single “Wild Flower (with youjeen)” is also out now – watch it now below.
Indigo is a record of his 20s and a candid introduction of who RM truly is. Each track portrays RM’s outspoken opinions, prevailing thoughts, reminiscence of the past and instant feelings.
The title ‘indigo’ comes from the name of the natural hue that represents RM’s taste for natural things. Indigo also acts as an indication of the change in his thoughts, taste and tendency since his last mixtape mono. which was visualized in black and white. The color of ‘indigo’ is also visualized in the album’s cover art showing RM in denim look along with a painting called ‘Blue’ by late Korean painter Yun Hyong-keun, whom he admires most.
Indigo transcends boundaries; it is a collection of collaborations with musicians in various genres, and a collaboration of music and art. RM led the overall album making from writing the songs and lyrics, developing the concept of the album, designing album art to developing the music video.
The lead single “Wild Flower (with youjeen)” conveys RM’s desire to live like humble and tranquil wildflowers rather than a flamboyant flame that quickly vanishes. South Korean rock group Cherry Filter’s vocalist youjeen came on board as a featured artist. RM’s composed rap and youjeen’s powerful vocal maximize the energy of the rock sound of the song.
Starting with fireworks from the above view, the music video takes the viewers through the flaming sun, turbulent darkness, a field with flying petals, and then finally shows RM on stage with a full audience.
One of the visual motifs, Nakhwa Nori, is a traditional folk game that involves hanging bags of oak charcoal powder in between lotus lanterns and lighting them on fire to watch the flames scatter down onto the water. The music video is highlighted by a compelling scene of flames from Nakhwa Nori falling down towards the ground, amplifying the message of the song.