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Film Out
Film Out
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"Film Out"
Single by BTS
from the album BTS, the Best
LanguageJapanese
ReleasedApril 2, 2021 (2021-04-02)
Length3:34 (single version)
3:36 (album version)
Label
Songwriters
Producers
BTS singles chronology
"Life Goes On"
(2020)
"Film Out"
(2021)
"Butter"
(2021)
BTS Japanese singles chronology
"Stay Gold"
(2020)
"Film Out"
(2021)
Music video
"Film Out" on YouTube

"Film Out" is a song recorded by South Korean boy band BTS for their Japanese-language compilation album, BTS, the Best (2021). It was released on April 2, 2021, through Universal Music and Big Hit Music, as the lead single from the compilation album.

Background and release

[edit]

"Film Out" was announced by BTS on February 16, 2021, as the ending theme for Signal the Movie Cold Case Investigation Unit (2021).[1][2] The song was written by BTS member Jungkook in collaboration with the lead vocalist of Japanese rock power trio Back Number, Iyori Shimizu, and the track's producer UTA.[3][4][5] A ballad number,[4] "Film Out" was eventually revealed as the opening track on BTS' then upcoming Japanese-language compilation album, BTS, the Best; the album was released in June.[6][7] The song was released for digital download and streaming in various countries on April 2, through Universal Music Japan.[8]

Commercial performance

[edit]

"Film Out" debuted at number one on Oricon's Daily Digital Singles chart dated April 2, 2021 with 23,344 downloads.[9] With only three days of availability, the song also topped the Weekly Digital Singles chart for the tracking period dated March 29–April 4 with 32,947 cumulative downloads.[10][11] "Film Out" debuted at number two on the Japan Hot 100, on the chart issue dated April 7,[12] and topped the corresponding issues for the component Download and Streaming Songs charts.[13][14] Following the release of BTS, the Best in June, the song re-entered Oricon's weekly Digital chart at number 20 with an additional 5,002 downloads sold for the period June 14–20.[15]

In the United States, with only one day of availability for the tracking week ending April 2, "Film Out" debuted at number 185 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart issue dated April 10, with 2,400 downloads sold and an accumulated 15 million streams. It was one of four BTS songs in the top-10 that week, marking the second time the group charted songs in three languages (Japanese, English, and Korean) within the same period. No other artist has achieved this since the chart's inception.[16] The following week, with its first full period of tracking from April 2–8, "Film Out" debuted on the Billboard Global 200 at number five, with 47.2 million streams and 66,000 sales, becoming BTS' fifth top-10 entry on the chart—the most among all groups since the ranking was launched. It is the first Japanese song to chart in the top five, and the second in the top 10 after LiSA's "Homura" which charted at number eight in October. The song moved up 182 spots on the Global Excl. U.S. chart to number three, with 44.3 million streams and second-week sales of 47,000 copies, marking the greatest jump on the chart by any song—the record was previously held by IU's "Celebrity" which moved up 146 spots from number 190 to 44 in February.[17] "Film Out" became the group's first Japanese-language song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, at number 81, and its 20th entry on the ranking overall.[18] With 19,000 copies sold, the song was the best-selling release of the week and topped the Digital Songs chart. This marked BTS' first Japanese-language number-one on the sales chart, sixth number-one overall, and 24th top-10 entry.[19]

Music video

[edit]

The music video for the song, directed by Yong Seok Choi of Lumpens, was released to Big Hit's YouTube channel at midnight KST on April 2, 2021.[20][21] It was preceded by a trailer uploaded to the same platform on March 25.[22] The video opens to show the band inside a white-themed house, suspended in the sky.[20][23][24] In it, the members reflect on memories that they shared with one another.[24][25] Jin notices an hour-glass counting down the time they have spent together.[25] The hour-glass appears several times throughout the clip and leads up to a "dramatic" explosion that leaves the house in complete chaos.[20][24]

Credits and personnel

[edit]

Adapted from Tidal.[26]

  • BTS – vocals
  • UTA – producer, songwriter, keyboards, synthesizer, sound editor, studio personnel
  • Back Number – producer
  • Iyori Shimizu – songwriter, electric guitar
  • Jungkook – songwriter
  • Masato Ishinari – acoustic guitar
  • Masami Horisawa – cello
  • Yuki Mizuno – cello
  • Akira Murata – piano
  • Shoko Mabuchi – viola
  • Tomoko Shimaoka – viola
  • Ayaka Notomi – violin
  • Eaisung Shin – violin
  • Hanako Uesato – violin
  • Koichiro Muroya – violin
  • Rina Odera – violin
  • Shoko Oki – violin
  • Tomomi Tokunaga – violin
  • Yuya Yanagihara – violin
  • Keita Joko – sound editor, studio personnel
  • Pdogg – recording engineer, studio personnel
  • Toshihiro Watanabe – recording engineer, studio personnel
  • D.O.I. – mix engineer, studio personnel

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for "Film Out"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[42] Platinum 40,000
Streaming
Japan (RIAJ)[43] Platinum 100,000,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Release dates and formats for "Film Out"
Region Date Format(s) Label Ref.
Various April 2, 2021 [8]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
"Film Out" is a Japanese-language recorded by the South Korean BTS and released as a digital single on April 2, 2021. It serves as the ending theme song for the 2021 Japanese film Cold Case Investigation Unit, an adaptation of the South Korean television series Signal. The track was co-written by BTS member Jungkook alongside Iyori Shimizu of the Japanese rock band and later included as the opening song on the group's fourth Japanese compilation album, , which was released on June 16, 2021. The song was produced by and UTA, featuring lyrics that explore themes of heartbreak, separation, and lingering memories, delivered through BTS's signature emotive vocals and a melancholic melody. Its official , directed by Yong Seok Choi and released on the same day as the single, depicts the band members traversing cosmic and time-bending landscapes, sparking fan theories about connections to BTS's broader narrative universe known as the Bangtan Universe. The video has garnered widespread acclaim for its visual storytelling and has accumulated hundreds of millions of views on . Commercially, "Film Out" achieved significant success, debuting at number 81 on the and marking BTS's first entry on the chart with a Japanese-language song. It topped both the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart and Japan's Weekly Digital Singles chart, where it sold over 32,000 digital copies in its first week. Additionally, the track reached number one on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart upon its debut and was certified by the (RIAJ) for digital downloads in July 2021, followed by a certification for streaming in January 2022 after surpassing 100 million streams.

Background and development

Announcement and writing

"Film Out" was announced by on February 16, 2021, through channels as the ending theme song for the Japanese film : Cold Case Investigation Unit, a story centered on detectives solving long-unsolved mysteries by connecting past and present events. The song's writing credits list BTS member Jungkook as a co-writer and co-composer alongside Japanese musician Iyori Shimizu of the rock band , with production handled by UTA. Jungkook contributed significantly to the melody, proposing adjustments to a demo provided by Shimizu to craft an emotional that evokes lingering memories and unresolved emotions, aligning with the film's exploration of cold cases and haunting pasts. This collaboration built on BTS's prior involvement with the Signal franchise, following their 2018 contribution of "Don't Leave Me" for the original TV series, and positioned "Film Out" as the lead single for their upcoming Japanese compilation album BTS, the Best, scheduled for release on June 16, 2021.

Recording and production

The recording of "Film Out" took place primarily at Dogg Bounce Studios in , , where producer handled much of the vocal and rap recording for members Jin, , , RM, , V, and Jungkook. Additional recording occurred at Bunkamura Studio in , , , under engineer Toshihiro Watanabe. The production was led by UTA and the Japanese band (primarily Iyori Shimizu), with UTA also handling the arrangement, keyboards, synthesizer, and digital editing alongside Keita Joko. Live instrumentation was incorporated to enhance the ballad's emotional depth, featuring by Masato Ishinari, by Iyori Shimizu, by Akira Murata, and strings including top by Koichiro Muroya and violoncellos by Masami Horisawa and Yuki Mizuno. contributed vocal and rap arrangement, ensuring the group's layered harmonies were captured effectively during tracking sessions. Jungkook, who co-wrote the song, participated actively in the production process. In , the track was mixed by D.O.I. at Daimonion Recordings, with project coordination by a team including Kyoko Teradate, Shigenobu Otsuji, Takeshi Fujita, Tomo Fukazawa, and Yuko Ishizeki. The single version clocks in at 3:34, finalized for digital release through and .

Music and lyrics

Composition

"" is classified as a Japanese-language pop incorporating elements, characterized by its emotional depth and minimalist arrangement. The song features prominent riffs alongside and orchestral strings, creating a melancholic atmosphere that builds gradually to a climactic swell. This stylistic choice draws from traditions while aligning with BTS's emotive performance approach, emphasizing vulnerability through subtle instrumentation. The track follows a verse-chorus , beginning with a sparse intro of chords in key, progressing through verses, pre-chorus build-up, anthemic chorus, rap verses, a bridge with heightened intensity, and a fading outro that strips back to minimal elements. It is composed in B♭ major with a of 4/4 and a of approximately 82 BPM, allowing for a deliberate, introspective pace that enhances its form. This permits dynamic shifts, such as instrumental pull-backs to spotlight vocals, contributing to its distinct emotional arc. Vocally, the song showcases harmonized performances by all seven BTS members, with Jungkook delivering the clear lead on the intro and prominent verses, complemented by Jimin's layered harmonies and accents in the higher registers. V provides contrasting lower tones in the chorus, while RM, , and contribute distinct rap flows in dedicated sections; Jin adds high-pitched ad-libs in the bridge, and hidden backing vocals emerge in the outro for added depth. This arrangement highlights the group's collective vocal synergy, blending solo leads with rich, multi-part harmonies to convey intimacy and longing. The composition blends ballad conventions, evident in its heartfelt melody co-written with Japanese rock band , with BTS's signature emotional delivery, resulting in a cinematic quality tailored to its role as the theme for the film : Investigation Unit. Produced by and UTA, the track's orchestral strings and soulful guitar—penned by 's Iyori Shimizu—evoke a filmic , prioritizing atmospheric tension over dense production.

Themes and lyrics

"Film Out" centers on the theme of longing for a lost love, portraying memories as fragile, vivid projections akin to films that fade upon contact, evoking a sense of bittersweet separation and acceptance. The lyrics depict an emotional struggle to preserve these recollections, with the narrator piecing together fragmented moments from the heart, only to confront their impermanence. Key lines, such as "You, in my / Are so vivid, oh-oh / As if you are right there / But I reach out my hand / And you suddenly disappear," illustrate the motif of blurring with , where the beloved appears tangible yet slips away, heightening the pain of absence. This imagery extends to the chorus: "From all the memories stored in my heart / I gather up the ones of you, link them together / Gazing at them projected across the room / I feel you with every burst of pain," emphasizing intertwined with heartache. Interpretations of the song highlight its exploration of emotional reconciliation, where sadness coexists with a quiet reassurance derived from enduring bonds, possibly reflecting broader narratives of growth and farewell in BTS's discography. The verses evoke unfulfilled promises and decaying emotions, as in "Decay too far gone absorbing no light or water / Sealing my wounded heart with a rootless, leafless ," symbolizing a vow that cannot take root without the other person, underscoring themes of isolation and the passage of time. Co-writer Jungkook's involvement infuses personal introspection, blending vulnerability with hope, as the track reassures that even in disappearance, the essence of the connection persists through sensory echoes like whispers and warmth. Overall, the lyrics convey a universal appeal in processing heartbreak, where acceptance emerges from acknowledging the beauty and transience of shared history. Composed in Japanese by Iyori Shimizu of back number in collaboration with Jungkook, "Film Out" was crafted to resonate with the audience of the film : Cold Case Investigation Unit, for which it serves as the ending theme, while its themes of loss and transcend linguistic barriers to evoke global empathy. This choice enhances the song's intimate, reflective tone, allowing the raw emotion of separation to connect deeply with Japanese listeners familiar with the source material, yet its heartfelt universality ensures broad interpretive layers for international fans grappling with similar experiences of farewell.

Release and promotion

Single release

"Film Out" was released as a digital single on April 2, 2021, by and , serving as the for the Japanese BTS, the Best, which followed on June 16, 2021. The track marked BTS's second Japanese-language digital single, succeeding "Stay Gold" from 2020. Available initially through digital download and streaming services including , , , and , the single enabled global access upon release. Physical formats were introduced later via inclusion on the BTS, the Best album's CD and DVD editions, distributed exclusively in . The distribution strategy emphasized immediate worldwide digital availability to coincide with the song's role as the ending theme for the film .
DateRegionFormatLabel
April 2, 2021WorldwideDigital download, streaming,
June 16, 2021JapanCD, DVD (album inclusion),

Promotional activities

"Film Out" served as the ending theme for the Japanese film : Cold Case Investigation Unit, released on April 2, 2021, creating promotional synergy through the inclusion of song snippets in the movie's trailer, which debuted on February 16, 2021. This tie-in built anticipation by integrating the track into marketing materials, leveraging the popularity of the original Signal and its Japanese adaptation to cross-promote both the movie and BTS's new single. Pre-release teasers began with a preview snippet featured in the film's promotional trailer on February 16, 2021, followed by an official teaser video released on March 25, 2021, via BTS's social media channels and , showcasing ethereal visuals of the members to heighten excitement. and amplified the rollout through coordinated social media campaigns on platforms like and , sharing countdown posts, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and member-specific content to engage fans globally ahead of the digital single's launch. Additional promotion included buildup to Japanese media appearances, with announcements teasing the track's role in the film during early TV spots and variety show segments in March 2021, fostering local interest. Merchandise tied to the single was integrated into the broader rollout for BTS's Japanese compilation album BTS, the Best, featuring limited-edition posters, photocards, and apparel sold through official stores like the Weverse Shop starting in April 2021. For global outreach, released official English-subtitled lyrics on HYBE Insights shortly after the single's debut, allowing international fans to connect with the song's emotional narrative. Fan engagement was further boosted via , where shared exclusive updates, lyric interpretations, and interactive posts encouraging to discuss the track's themes in real-time communities.

Music video

Production

The music video for "Film Out" was directed by Yong Seok Choi of Lumpens, the in-house visual creative division of (now HYBE Labels), with key crew including director of photography Eumko and art directors Bona Kim and Jinsil Park from MU:E. The production utilized a minimalist set suspended in the sky to evoke isolation and introspection, incorporating practical props such as an to symbolize the passage of time, while the explosive climax was achieved through supervised by OHZEON at PLASTIC BEACH. The concept was developed around a visual for fading memories and inevitable separation, directly aligning with the song's themes of bittersweet parting and fragmented recollections. members contributed to the styling by appearing in coordinated all-white attire to reinforce the ethereal, dreamlike quality, and they participated in the narrative framing and minimal elements during . Filming occurred in early 2021, tightly scheduled to coincide with the single's rollout. In post-production, editing emphasized dramatic pacing to build tension toward the central explosion, with color grading focused on soft whites and pastel tones to heighten the sense of ephemerality and emotional distance. The video premiered simultaneously with the single on April 2, 2021, via HYBE Labels' official YouTube channel.

Synopsis and visual style

The music video for "Film Out" opens with the seven BTS members positioned within a surreal, suspended white house floating in a vast, ethereal void, evoking a sense of isolation and . Jin, depicted from behind or through mirrors, approaches a window overlooking the group seated harmoniously together, while they engage in subtle interactions that hint at shared memories and emotional bonds. Throughout, an serves as a central motif, with sand flowing and occasionally reversing, symbolizing the passage and manipulation of time; individual scenes intercut personal vignettes, such as contemplating toppled chess pieces beside the hourglass, and positioned back-to-back in a doorway, and wandering a misty forest, building a narrative of longing and separation. The plot progresses toward fragmentation, as the members sense disturbances through the hourglass—sand falling erratically—and Jin's room erupts in an explosive burst of light and debris, mirroring motifs of destruction and release from past attachments, ultimately leading to the group's gradual disappearance into the void. Directed by Yong Seok Choi, the video employs a cinematic visual style characterized by wide, framing shots that emphasize the house's precarious suspension against expansive skies, blending realism with dreamlike through slow-motion sequences of falling sand and fragmented memory flashes. Symbolic imagery, including reversed flows and mirrored reflections that distort perspectives, underscores themes of temporal flux and emotional disconnection, while brief segments highlight moments of unity amid isolation, with members reaching toward one another in synchronized, fluid movements. The mimics the "film out" concept of the song through abrupt reel-like cuts and color shifts—from cool blues and whites to warm yellows and reds during climactic tension—reinforcing a motif of memories unspooling like . The wardrobe, predominantly white and flowing, contributes to an ethereal, otherworldly aesthetic that enhances the video's haunting, introspective tone. Running 4:17 in length, it premiered on via Big Hit Music's official channel on April 2, 2021.

Commercial performance

Chart performance

"Film Out" achieved significant chart success internationally upon its release, particularly in Japan and on global rankings. It debuted at number one on Oricon's daily digital singles chart in Japan, marking BTS's strong in the market for Japanese-language releases. On , the track entered at number two for the week dated April 7, 2021, and maintained a presence on the chart for 30 weeks. Globally, it reached number five on the in its first full tracking week ending April 8, 2021, becoming BTS's fifth top 10 hit on that ranking. In the United States, "Film Out" debuted at number 81 on the dated April 17, 2021, representing the group's first entry with a Japanese-language on the chart. The song also topped several component and sales-based charts. It debuted at number one on both the Digital Song Sales and charts, making it BTS's first Japanese track to lead the former and their 27th number one on the latter. For the year-end of 2021, "Film Out" ranked at number 54, reflecting its sustained popularity in throughout the year.
ChartPeak PositionWeeks on Chart
Oricon Daily Digital Singles ()1-
230
520+
()811
Digital Song Sales ()1-
1-
"Film Out" demonstrated notable longevity on international charts, spending over 20 weeks on the and charting for 30 weeks on the Hot 100. Regionally, it entered South Korea's chart, peaking outside the top 100 but gaining traction through streaming, and performed well in the , contributing to its global streams. The track's chart trajectory was boosted by high music video viewership on , which amassed millions of views shortly after release, and its inclusion on the compilation album , which drove additional digital sales.

Sales and certifications

"" garnered strong digital sales upon its release, debuting at number one on Japan's Daily Digital Singles Chart with 23,344 downloads on April 2, 2021, marking BTS's highest first-day digital sales in the country at the time. Globally, the track amassed over 100 million streams on within 107 days of its release, becoming the fastest Japanese-language by any to reach this milestone on the platform. As of November 2025, it has surpassed 281 million streams on . In Japan, "" was certified Platinum by the (RIAJ) in January 2022 for exceeding 100 million streams and for 100,000 digital downloads in July 2021. The song's music video surpassed 100 million views on by April 29, 2021, achieving this faster than any prior Japanese-language video by . As of November 2025, it has over 236 million views. As the lead single from the compilation album , "" bolstered the project's performance, with the album selling 992,837 physical copies in throughout 2021 according to data.

Certifications

RegionCertificationCertified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)
[Digital download]
100,000
Japan (RIAJ)
[Streaming]
100,000,000†
† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

Critical reception

Professional reviews

Professional reviews of BTS's "Film Out" were generally positive, with critics praising the group's vocal delivery and emotional depth while noting some limitations in melodic impact. The song, a collaboration with Japanese band and featuring songwriting contributions from Jungkook, was described as a poignant ballad that effectively captures themes of loss and longing. Critics highlighted BTS's vocal harmonies and textures as standout elements, weaving a rich emotional tapestry that enhances the track's bittersweet resonance. For instance, High On Score commended the "various vocal textures" of members , Jin, Jungkook, RM, , , and V, which create a musical of "bittersweet longing." Similarly, The Bias List noted that "BTS sound great," appreciating the minimal vocal processing and rock-infused production suited to a greatest hits compilation. The Harvard Crimson's review emphasized the group's vocal prowess and complex production, which narrate intricate lyrics with emotional . Mixed feedback centered on the melody's lack of punch and overall resonance, preventing the song from fully standing out compared to prior Japanese releases like "Lights" or "Your Eyes Tell." KBopped called it a "nice " with resonant verses and raw vocals but critiqued the chorus for being humdrum and lacking the "extra ‘oomph’" needed for deeper impact, assigning it a score of 7.75/10. The Bias List echoed this, scoring it 7.25/10 and stating the melody "needs extra punch" and fails to create compelling storytelling, rendering it somewhat redundant amid BTS's catalog. BTS themselves described the track's intent in a interview, with members stating that the melody and lyrics have "the power to touch many people’s hearts," underscoring its aim to evoke universal emotional connection. Aggregated user reception on Album of the Year reflected similar mixed sentiments, with a score of 66/100 based on 53 ratings, often labeling it "inoffensive" yet lacking standout elements.

Live performances and recognition

"Film Out" received its live debut on the Japanese music program CDTV Live! Live! on June 14, 2021, where delivered a heartfelt performance emphasizing the song's emotional balladry and vocal harmonies. Three days later, on June 18, 2021, the group performed the track on MUSIC BLOOD, showcasing a similar intimate with focus on their synchronized singing and subtle instrumentation suitable for the television format. The song was later included in BTS's 2021 Muster Sowoozoo online concert, held on June 13 and 14, 2021, with a rendition on the second day that featured minimalistic staging to highlight the members' vocals amid the event's celebratory atmosphere. These Japanese promotional appearances garnered strong fan reception, underscoring the track's resonance during BTS's expansion in the market. While "Film Out" did not secure major standalone awards, it contributed significantly to BTS's broader recognition in Japanese music circles, as part of their compilation album , which topped Japan's year-end Hot Albums chart in 2021. This achievement highlighted the song's role in BTS's international growth, including in . Post-2021, live renditions of "Film Out" have been limited due to the group's hiatus, but the Muster Sowoozoo performance was remastered in 4K and re-released theatrically worldwide as part of BTS Movie Weeks from September 2025, allowing fans to revisit the staging in compilations and reflecting the track's lasting appeal.

References

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