The Dynamics of BTS - Rhizomatic Revolution Review

CREATIVE COLLECTIONS

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The Navier-Stokes equations is a set of mathematical equations that describe the motion of viscous fluids. It is a well-known set of equations among scientists and engineers; some of its uses are modeling weather or ocean currents. These equations cannot be solved using traditional methods, which make them an interesting mystery among the scientific community.

At first glance, it may not seem like there are any direct similarities between BTS and the Navier-Stokes equations because they belong to entirely different fields. However, we can draw an analogy to explain why they are similar.

Complexity: Both BTS and the Navier-Stokes equations are complex in their respective fields. BTS is a globally popular and influential musical group formed by seven South Korean men that has gained a large number of followers, called ARMY, due to its songs, intricate choreographies, and thought-provoking lyrics. Similarly, the Navier-Stokes equations are a set formed of nonlinear partial differential equations that describe the behavior of fluids, and have caught the attention of not only the scientific community but the general public as well, for its interesting results when modeling fluids involving various complex variables such as velocity, pressure, and viscosity.

Impact: BTS has made a significant impact on the music industry and popular culture as a whole. BTS is the first K-pop group to receive a Grammy Award nomination¹, the first Korean artist to be nominated for a Brit Award², the first Korean artist to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart³, and the first artist to have three number one albums in a year on the Billboard 200 since the Beatles⁴, among many other important awards⁵. Their success and influence have transcended geographical, language, political, and diversity boundaries. In a similar way, the Navier-Stokes equations have had a profound impact on the field of fluid dynamics. The Navier-Stokes equations set the foundation for studying and understanding fluid flow phenomena, and the study of these phenomena has brought technological advances such as understanding the airflow around an airplane and to predict the weather. The Navier-Stokes equations solution problem is part of the Millenium Prize Problems of the Clay Mathematics Institute, which awards 1 million dollars to the person who provides a solution to the problem.

Interpretation: In the fluid dynamics of everyday life, BTS and the Navier-Stokes equations serve as tools for people to find meaning and understanding of the world around them. Just as eddies form in a river, ARMY’s emotions surge and whirl, influenced by the force of a Bangtan song playing, shaping ARMY’s course of actions and reactions. The interaction of BTS and ARMY resembles fluid flow interactions, with waves of empathy and love converging and diverging like streams in the ocean. When joyful moments are encountered, a wave of happiness propels ARMY forward; during times of sorrow, when ARMY’s emotional viscosity thickens making it hard to move, BTS emerges as a balancing force, providing solace, like a flowing river smoothing over a rough land. Just as fluid dynamics seek equilibrium, BTS’s melodies and lyrics resonate, harmonizing with ARMY’s inner currents, and bringing a sense of calm and understanding, and assuring that future’s gonna be okay.

Borahae to infinity!

Creator Statement

“I gave up on my dream” — ARMY

“I hope you don’t forget that giving up decisively also counts as courage” — Min Yoongi

I also made the choice to let go of a dream. During the process of rediscovering my path as a person, as an academic and as a mathematician, BTS stood by my side, teaching me the importance of self-love and happiness. For a long time, I didn’t have a dream, but I also understood that it was okay to not have one, as long as I was happy. BTS made me happy. Those seven South Korean men helped me find happiness in small things, and after coming across RM’s words, “We all have different dreams and goals. That’s what makes us individuals, and that’s what makes us special“, and now knowing “I could give me the best of me”, I set another goal. I revisited an old dream of mine, creative writing, and by writing this piece I found the perfect opportunity to merge three of my passions: Fluid Dynamics, creative writing and BTS. I wrote this piece aiming to bridge the realms of science and the world of BTS by showcasing how diverse interests can find an intersection through creative expression.

— Monica Morales-Hernandez
A Mexican mathematician who loves physics and BTS. (USA)

Illustration By: Anonymous

Suggested Citations

APA Citation

Morales-Hernandez, M. (2023). The Dynamics of BTS. The Rhizomatic Revolution Review [20130613], (4).https://ther3journal.com/issue-4/The Dynamics of BTS

MLA Citation

Morales-Hernandez, Monica. “The Dynamics of BTS.” The Rhizomatic Revolution Review [20130613], no. 4, 2023, https://ther3journal.com/issue-4/The Dynamics of BTS.

The Dynamics of BTS by Monica Morales-Hernandez is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

@ CC Monica Morales-Hernandez 2023