Jungkook Dreams Big in FIFA World Cup OST

Jeon Jungkook of BTS has been full of surprises this year, starting with the release of “Stay Alive” in February for the webtoon 7 FATES: CHAKHO, then his chart-topping collaboration with Charlie Puth on “Left And Right,” and now the release of his new single “Dreamers” for the 2022 FIFA World Cup soundtrack. This makes him the first and only Asian artist to have a solo official soundtrack for an international football event. The 25-year-old singer-songwriter surprised fans with a visit to Qatar in October before the OST was officially announced, leading to speculation of a possible collaboration with one of the many participating artists. However, it is likely that the unexpected trip was to film the music video for “Dreamers,” where Qatari singer and producer Fahad Al-Kubaisi featured on an extended edition of the track. The duo also performed the new single together at the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup on November 20. 

The first live performance of “Dreamers” wasn’t overly flashy or extravagant. The stage layout was fairly simple, with the main points of production being the intricate choreography, fabulous light show, and shining vocals. Jungkook started off center stage as he joined the dancers at various points throughout the song before uniting with Fahad Al-Kubaisi to end the inspiring performance on a high note. His verse is sung in Arabic, which drew resounding cheers from the crowd in Qatar. The lyrics hope for a world where people unite with love to overcome hardships and reach for their dreams as one*. It’s a beautiful message sung in one of the most difficult and melodic languages in the world. This uplifting verse is once again featured in the official music video for “Dreamers,” released on November 22 by FIFA’s official YouTube channel.

The music video begins with Jungkook walking the halls of what appears to be a shining palace in Qatar. It then cuts between clips of six boys playing soccer on the beach and Fahad Al-Kubaisi sailing across the Persian Gulf. As the song picks up pace, Jungkook joins a colorful scene of people dancing and selling local goods in a street market. It’s inspiring to see everyone coming together with bright smiles on their faces as the video continues with a mix of choreography and improv. Other scenes feature Jungkook and Fahad Al-Kubaisi performing on top of a helipad, dancing among flags from various countries, and majestic whales emerging from the gulf to fly through the city.

The whales, specifically, are symbolic in more ways than one. They are actually called Whale Sharks, and Qatar is famous for having the largest pod of them in the world. According to Discover Qatar, “Each year there are hundreds of Whale Sharks that congregate in the waters off the northeast coast [...] While these magnificent creatures are the biggest fish in the ocean, they are also one of the most gentle and majestic creatures that you will find underwater.”

Long-time fans of BTS find whales special for an entirely different reason. The group released “Whalien 52” in 2015 on their fourth EP, The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Pt.2. The song was written about the loneliest whale in the world. It sings in 52 Hertz, which is much higher than any of its species could ever hear. Whales have been used as an important symbol for BTS and ARMY ever since, making it heartwarming to see a pod of them in the “Dreamers” music video.

“Dreamers” is unlike anything Jungkook has released before. The track is catchy with an uplifting message about working hard to achieve your dreams and respecting those who have the courage to follow their true passion in life. The English lyrics are kept simple and repetitive, with the shining focus being the song's cheerful tone and Jungkook’s impressive vocals. It’s always exciting to see a veteran artist experiment with new sounds and techniques. With Jungkook’s first solo album on the horizon, the release of “Dreamers” only adds to the anticipation of what genres and concepts he’ll try his hand at next. Until that day comes, “Dreamers” is available for streaming on all platforms, and you can view the official music video below.

*Translations from @AimanMehmood22 on Twitter.

Edited by Vivian N.