WATCH BTS Perform “I NEED U” at the 2020 KBS Song Festival

BTS’s performance of “I NEED U” during the KBS Song Festival was a deeply emotional and nostalgic moment—not just for the members themselves, but for ARMYs around the world who have walked this journey with them. The song, which originally dropped in 2015, holds a special and sacred place in BTS’s story. It wasn’t just another comeback track—it was the turning point of their career, the song that gave them their first music show win and opened the doors for everything that followed.

When BTS took the stage at the KBS Song Festival and began to perform “I NEED U,” there was an immediate shift in the atmosphere. The lights dimmed, a familiar melody began to echo, and in that moment, time felt like it rewound back to 2015. The audience, both in the venue and watching from home, was transported to the time when BTS was still rising, still fighting for recognition, still proving that they belonged in the ever-competitive K-pop industry. Their performance was more than just a stage, it was a tribute to the long, often difficult road they had traveled to become the global superstars they are today.

When “I NEED U” was first released as part of The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Pt.1, it marked a major shift in BTS’s sound and artistic direction. It blended emotionally raw lyrics with experimental production, capturing the confusion, heartbreak, and fragility of youth. The chorus, “I need you, girl” is both a cry and a confession, resonating with listeners who felt the same kind of desperation, longing, and emotional chaos that the members were singing about. Back in 2015, this song showed the world that BTS wasn’t afraid to be vulnerable. It was a step away from the more aggressive hip-hop vibes of their earlier work and a step toward a more introspective and artistic direction that would define their future sound.

That first win on May 5, 2015, on SBS’s The Show, was a moment that neither BTS nor ARMY will ever forget. The members cried on stage, overcome with emotion, as years of hard work and struggle finally bore fruit. They had been underdogs for so long, coming from a small, then-unknown company, Big Hit Entertainment, with no strong backing or senior artists to guide them. They had faced criticism, skepticism, and even exclusion from some of the larger industry circles. But with “I NEED U,” BTS broke through. That win wasn’t just about trophies, it was proof that their message was reaching people.

So when BTS chose to perform “I NEED U” again at the KBS Song Festival years later, it wasn’t just a song. It was a statement. It was gratitude. It was a love letter to the fans who had been with them from the beginning, and a powerful reminder to everyone else of where they came from. The performance was filled with layers of meaning, nostalgia, maturity, pride, and bittersweet joy.

The staging of the song at the festival was both elegant and heartfelt. The choreography was tight, polished, yet still retained that edge of raw emotion that had always made the song hit differently. RM’s rap was delivered with the same intensity, but his expression carried the wisdom and experience of years gone by. Jimin’s vocals floated beautifully, still capturing that sense of urgency and heartbreak. Jungkook’s voice had deepened and matured, giving a new texture to the familiar lines. Jin’s soft yet steady singing offered an emotional anchor, while V’s delivery was layered with both sadness and strength. SUGA and J-Hope added depth and soul to the verses, reminding everyone of how far they’d come as rappers and performers.

What made the performance even more emotional was the sense that this was a full-circle moment. From seven wide-eyed young men pouring their hearts out on a small stage to the world’s biggest boy band revisiting the song that started it all, it was almost poetic. It showed the evolution of BTS not just in terms of fame or chart success, but as artists and storytellers. They didn’t forget where they started. And they chose to share that moment again, in the spotlight, with those who had helped them reach the top.

For fans who had been there since the “I NEED U” era, the performance brought tears. It was a reminder of the countless milestones since, Wings, Love Yourself, Map of the Soul, BE, stadium world tours, Billboard No. 1 hits, UN speeches, Grammy nominations. All of that had begun with the success of “I NEED U.” For newer fans, the performance was a touching look into BTS’s history. It offered a glimpse of the group’s humble beginnings and reminded everyone that even the most iconic stories have a small, uncertain start.

The legacy of “I NEED U” is undeniable. It opened the door to The Most Beautiful Moment in Life trilogy, one of BTS’s most beloved and conceptually rich series. It started their journey of exploring the pain and beauty of youth, mental health, and self-love, topics that would come to define their artistry. And in revisiting it at the KBS Song Festival, BTS was reminding everyone that while they may have grown, succeeded, and soared to unimaginable heights, they will never forget their roots.

Even their fashion and styling during the performance subtly echoed their past, with modern touches. It felt like watching seven boys become men before our eyes, still carrying the heart of those who danced and cried in 2015, but with the grace and confidence of global icons. The camera lingered on their expressions, nostalgic, proud, a little emotional, and the audience could feel the weight of the memory they were sharing.

In the end, BTS’s performance of “I NEED U” wasn’t just about reliving the past. It was about celebrating it. Honoring it. And saying, “We made it. Together.”

So many things have changed since 2015, but the emotion behind “I NEED U” still hits the same. The love between BTS and ARMY is still as strong, if not stronger. And every time they perform it, whether it’s for a major event or a special anniversary, it serves as a reminder that every win, every step forward, started with a song, a dream, and seven young men who refused to give up.

And that, perhaps, is the real magic of “I NEED U.”

Watch full performance