“Apobangpo indeed” — BTS’ Jin’s 'Running Wild' MV sparks emotional reactions as fans link symbolic dog to ARMY's devotion

BTS' Jin released his debut solo album, Happy, along with the title track, Running Wild, on November 15, 2024. The official music video of the title track was released on the official YouTube channel of HYBE Labels. The song is about being there with loved ones even when the world is ending.

In the MV, Jin is seen leaving a store with his pet dog when several meteor starts crashing on Earth. He calmly looks at his dog and decides to spend his last day playing with his dog and making memories. Astute admirers speculated that the MV highlighted how a dog symbolizes guidance, protection, loyalty, fidelity, faithfulness, alertness, and love.

ARMYs speculated that the dog could have represented the BTS fandom and that they are loyal supporters of the band members and try to protect them from negativity. One fan conjectured that Running Wild MV could be a prequel to the idol's debut solo single, The Astronaut, which was released in 2022. They wrote:

"Is running wild mv a prequel to the astronaut mv?!?! omg got emotional with the song’s lyrics&jin’s wide range vocals esp that vibrato!! Is the dog a representation of ARMY since dog = man’s bff and ARMY = jin’s and bts’ bff? Apobangpo indeed!"

ARMYs shared their theories stating that the dog represents them and how they have been BTS' "best friend."

"Hear me out. I have a few theories...Please someone tell m does the dog represent us? A companion? A best friend! And Jin's saving us / making sure nothing happens to either one of us? While we're enjoying life?" a fan wrote.

"It’s such a smart choice to have the dog in the MV. An embodiment of unconditional love, running wild for as long as we can, and clinging to the happiest of memories even as everything else burns. A love one would protect till the end." another fan wrote.

"Running wild is basically a type of song telling us how he spend his last moments with the person he loved and cherished jin was watching a movie and in this movie that person spend his all last moments with his dog. THIS IS SO EMOTIONAL I'M GONNA CRY," one fan said.

Several fans also deciphered that the meteors symbolize "persistent negativity from the haters" while the singer tries to tackle them all with ARMYs by his side.

"THE DOG REPRESENTS ARMY'S AND THE WAY JIN RUNS ALONG WITH US AND OPENS HIS ARMS TO HUG US TEARS WON'T STOP," another fan noted.

"The meteors symbolize persistent negativity from the haters, while Jin adeptly sidesteps each assault. The dog, representing ARMY, exemplifies unwavering loyalty, sticking by Jin through thick and thin." one other fan added.

"Dogs were depicted to symbolize guidance, protection, loyalty, fidelity, faithfulness, alertness, and love. When it comes to human companionship, the dog emerges as a symbol of profound significance, embodying essential qualities of loyalty and unconditional love." a fan commented.

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BTS' Jin's Running Wild leaves fans with a message of finding hope and love even in the darkest hour

With a puppy by his side, the BTS idol opens the music video with appealing backdrop graphics like several meteors crashing around him. He goes shopping with his pet dog, watches a movie, and shares a meal with him one last time before the world ends.

As people are running around him in panic, he takes one look at his dog and decides to live his final moments with his dog full of happiness.

The MV's message of finding optimism and resiliency at the darkest moments is emphasized. The BTS idol was seen remaining steadfast with his furry-friend despite the pandemonium, which is interpreted as the idea that we may find joy in the people or animals we care about, even in the face of adversity.

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Happy consists of six tracks: Running Wild, I'll Be There, Another Level, Heart on the Window (feat. WENDY of Red Velvet), and I will come to you.