The South Korean boy group channel victorious urban rebellion in the video for Aoki’s anthemic remix of their superhit track

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South Korean superstars BTS make their much-anticipated return with Steve Aoki’s explosive remix of their October 2017 single “MIC Drop.” Released earlier this year on the group’s chart-topping fifth EP Love Yourself æ‰¿ ”˜Her’, the track is a fierce narration of the group’s hard work and subsequent success.

On his remix, Aoki ups the tempo on “MIC Drop” but strips it of its hip-hop heavy foundation. He surprisingly also ditches build-and-drop arena house, choosing instead to loop the song’s signature starting rhythm and blend it with trap percussion and pulsating synth.

The imagery starts dark right off the bat. In the clip, Aoki walks towards a console lit with neon lights while BTS’ seven members RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook are trapped in what appears to be an interrogation room. The group has several cameras pointed at them as they sit before a table filled with microphones, and the entire situation is reminiscent of a press conference. As the American producer puts on his headphones and begins playing, J-Hope leaps over the table and into the track’s powerful original choreography as the rest of the members follow.

Filled with exploding cars, scenes that flash between BTS dancing in a prison and mysterious hooded figures rioting, the video seems to build around the theme of rebellion. The video finally ends with Suga’s spectacular literal mic drop and the members magically disappear from the interrogation room they were originally in.

In addition to the video, BTS released a Japanese version of “MIC Drop” and an audio version that features “Panda” hit-maker Desiigner.

With more English lyrics featured on the remix than the original and BTS currently making the crossover from K-pop group to international act, there have been debates amongst fans around the idea that English tracks are the key to global fame. Regardless, the group’s popularity is undeniable and their growth unstoppable; the hashtag #MicDropRemix began trending worldwide before the actual track’s release and is–as of this article–also trending on Indian Twitter.

Watch BTS “MIC Drop (Steve Aoki Remix)” below: