AN ANALYSIS OF BTS'S SELECTED SONG LYRICS: A STUDY OF DENOTATIVE,CONNOTATIVE AND MYTH MEANING

Aug 21, 2026

Research analyzes meaning in selected BTS song lyrics through Roland Barthes’s theory, focusing on denotative, connotative, and myth meanings. The study limits the scope to three BTS songs and applies descriptive qualitative analysis to trace how signs in the lyrics generate layered interpretations. Results identify nine sign systems in “Epilogue: Young Forever,” nine in “Fire,” and twelve in “ON,” linking lyrical meanings to career pressure, mental health conditions of K-pop idols, social class themes, and the emergence of a shadow self.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages12

Reading Time30 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Literature Review

Semantics

Meaning

English Education & Applied Linguistics Journal

AN ANALYSIS OF BTS’S SELECTED SONG LYRICS: A STUDY OF DENOTATIVE, CONNOTATIVE AND MYTH MEANING

Indah Nabila1, Husni Thamrin2, Supian3, Erik Rusmana4

Universitas Pasundan Bandung, West Java, Indonesia

Email:

[indahnabila1747@gmail.com](indahnabila1747@gmail.com1)[1](indahnabila1747@gmail.com1)

Article History

Submitted 16 November 2022 Revised 1 December 2022

Published 10 December 2022

Abstract.

This Research is entitled “An Analysis of BTS’s Selected Song Lyrics: A Study of Denotative, Connotative and Myth Meaning”. The study is conducted to look at the meaning namely denotation and connotation as well as myth in these selected songs. The writer limits the research to only focus on 3 selected BTS songs. The writer used Roland Barthes’s theory. By using the method, the meaning contained in the song lyrics can be described in detail by analyzing the meaning of denotation and connotation in the lyrics and also to find the myths about what is already formed. The writer uses a descriptive qualitative method in order to answer the research problem. The writer found that there are 9 sign systems for BTS Epilogue: Young Forever lyrics that regarding career pressures or a person's mental health condition particularly for K-pop idols, 9 sign systems for BTS Fire lyrics that relate to social class, especially in Korea that usually called spoon theory and 12 sign systems for BTS ON lyrics that show how the shadow self-began to appear.

Keywords: Lyrics, Denotative, Connotative, Myth, BTS, Barthes

INTRODUCTION

Analyzing song lyrics aims to understand the meaning by looking for signs that allow meaning to develop or to rise in the song. The meaning will be more complete if the reader or the listeners are able to understand the real context contained in the lyrics text or in the literary works. When it comes to verbal communication, one of the most efficient means of communication that is frequently employed is through music and songs. We can express various things with tone strains, whether we want to transmit stories, share ideas, send messages, or make criticisms.

English Education and Applied Linguistic (EEAL) Journal Vol. 5 No. 1 135

One of South Korea's top idol groups is BTS, or who also known as Beyond the Scene. BTS are a K-pop or Korean pop group made up of seven members there are Jin, Suga, JHope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. Since their debut, BTS has used their songs to highlight social and political problems for example, the tough school system, the wealth gap, the pressure placed on our generation, mental illness, identity struggles, but ultimately, conveying the message of following your goals and self-acceptance or self-love.

Choosing BTS song is one of the researcher’s decisions, because BTS is one of the most boyband the being a hot topic in the music industry. Many people love their music. BTS’s songs contain a lot of meaning. It has its own magical lyrics that touch the listener’s heart. They address the real-life condition to their songs. This reason brought the writer to choose one of their songs. To find out what is the real context of their songs that can touch a lot of people, even the one who used not listed to the music.

Based on the background which has been conveyed by the writer, the meaning of BTS selected song can be analyzed using various approaches, one of which is the use of semantic studies that are connected between denotative meaning and connotative meaning and also the meaning of myths as well, who plays certain messages that may be completely different from their original meaning.

LITERATURE REVIEW

a. Semantics

Semantics according to Crystal (1991), is a field of study of linguistics that aims to explain the meaning and is regarded as the primary branch of linguistics focused on the study of meaning in language. Meaning, according to the generally recognized semantic theory, is an idea or definition that may be commu

FAQs

What theory and method does the study use to analyze BTS lyrics?

The study uses Roland Barthes’s theory and a descriptive qualitative method to analyze denotative, connotative, and myth meanings.

Which parts of meaning are examined in the selected BTS songs?

The research examines denotation, connotation, and myth meanings formed from signs within the lyrics.

How many sign systems are found for each selected BTS song?

The study finds 9 sign systems for “Epilogue: Young Forever,” 9 for “Fire,” and 12 for “ON.”

Aug 21, 2026

Upload by WPS_1786070896