Fire - Melon Music Awards 2016
For the Melon Music Awards in 2016, BTS decided to switch things up a bit with their performance of "Fire." Having already performed the song multiple times on platforms like MNET, the group aimed to make this performance extra special for the awards show. Jin and Na-Rae came up with an awesome idea by changing the song's lyrics and the order, it added a unique twist. The change was part of their plan to create a grand entrance for Na-Rae, and it worked like a charm.
After Namjoon's solo part, the stage transitioned into complete darkness, with just one spotlight shining on a secondary stage closer to the fans. This was Na-Rae's cue to make her grand appearance. As the elevator stage lifted her, she struck an iconic idol pose with one hand in the air, holding the pose for a thrilling 10 seconds, driving the audience wild. With a fierce and determined look, she tilted her head to the right and confidently delivered her lines, "Let's burn this place." The stage lit up entirely as she continued, and she was joined by the rest of the BTS members, with Jungkook, Tae, and Jin on her right, and Namjoon, Jimin, Hoseok, and Yoongi on her left. When the music kicked in, the group executed a synchronized performance, with Na-Rae seamlessly blending into the choreography. "니 멋대로 살어 (살어), 어차피 니 거야 (니 거야), 애쓰지 좀 말어 (말어),져도 괜찮아 (져도 괜찮아)" after her part it was Jimin's turn followed by his knowing move in Fire.
This particular award show performance is still considered one of BTS's best, and it remains fans' favorite. Many fans continue to ask if they will ever perform this unique version of "Fire" again, but the members of BTS haven't yet confirmed if it will make a comeback.
More (solo single) - MAMA Awards 2021
Na-Rae's solo album was the talk of the town at the 2021 MAMA Awards. Achieving multiple hits on a solo album was a rare feat, but the hard work she had put in had paid off. One of the standout singles from her album, "More," explores the pressures and expectations that people had of her, making it difficult to say no. The lyrics hit hard as she sang, "It feels like my body isn't mine - they used to say go hard when my mind went slow. People don't want to see the pressure, but I feel it daily." Although she didn't mention anyone specifically, her fans understood the challenges she had faced in the past. Some fans still saw her as a threat, and the media had often misrepresented her or been too critical. Na-Rae acknowledged that these challenges were part of the idol world, but expressing her feelings through this song gave her a sense of closure.
Performing solo without the BTS members was not a new experience for her, but this time, she felt nervous from the start to the finish. She had trained intensely, even taking pole dancing classes, to ensure her performance was flawless. While she knew that there would always be critics, this time, she was determined to show everyone her true capabilities. As she rose from her final pose on stage, she walked off sensually, turning her back to the audience. A powerful quote appeared on the screen, "Being perfect isn't my goal; I only do what I'm good at. So here I stand, doing my thing, being myself." Polaroid photos of her training over the past few weeks surrounded the quote, highlighting her hard work.
As she came off the stage, she spotted one of her crew members with a camera, likely preparing for a Bangtan Bomb interview. Out of breath and with a smile, she spoke into the camera, expressing her excitement and nervousness while performing without the boys and her gratitude for their support. Just then, Jin's voice rang out, announcing his presence as he appeared.
"No more pictures, no more videos," he declared as he draped a bathrobe around her shoulders.
"Stop shooting!" Yoongi chimed in, shielding her from the camera.
Na-Rae couldn't help but laugh, jumping up and down, hand in hand with Hoseok. She thanked him and Jimin for teaching her some tricks.
"I did it, oppa! Thank you!" She was overwhelmed with gratitude.
"She did it amazingly," Jungkook praised her, talking towards the camera.
Namjoon chimed in, "Our little maknae. Wow, I can't express how proud I am. Did you see her?" They were all thrilled by her performance.
Jin ended the interview, stating, "Sorry, we have to go now. She's revealing too much. Thank you, ARMY!" With his arm around Na-Rae, he led her to her dressing room, reminding her, "Let's change into something warmer." She shook her head. Regardless of her age, listening to the boys talking, she still felt like that young lady who had been placed in a group of "just seven normal boys from South Korea."
Dionysus -MMA 2019
After performing "Boy in Luv," "Boy with Luv," and "Mikrokosmos," it was finally time for the solo act that only lasted for a whole minute. The solos gave each member time to take a breath after the previous performances, even for the leader, who performed his solo song, "Persona," first. Na-Rae was getting dressed in a red Korean traditional dress (hanbok). She was set to dance to the song "I'm Fine" after Jungkook's "Save Me" dance. The songs were related in the intro, which made it an easy transition between the two. "I'm fine" was the mirror version of 'Save me,' meaning Na-Rae was responding to Jungkook's dance. It was all well thought out, and they were sure that ARMY would understand the concept.
Performing in the hanbok dress wasn't difficult; it even made her performance easier due to its airy and flowing texture. Na-Rae was known for her love of wearing a hanbok, and she specifically requested this outfit for her performance.
After Hoseok's "Fake Love" performance, Namjoon took the stage for the intro of "Dionysus." While the others changed into their Dionysus costumes, Na-Rae's hair was redone into two French braids. She stayed in the same clothes because it suited the song. Excitement bubbled up as she awaited her cue to go back on stage.
Sitting down on a chair in the middle of the table, she waited until Namjoon jumped on the table, which was her cue to follow. Following the choreography they had practiced, she then waited for Taehyung and Hoseok to help her jump down, and she continued dancing. Everything went well until the first verse was completed when she felt Yoongi, who was dancing in front of her, step on her skirt and rip it slightly at her waist. This distraction bothered her throughout the performance, but she was determined not to mess up the choreography or distract any of the boys. However, when her part came, she improvised, swiftly ripping off the upper layer of her skirt, leaving her in her crop top and shorts. The transition was so smooth that even Namjoon caught the upper layer, briefly holding it, shrugging, and tossing it behind him. It appeared as if they had practiced this more than once.
Upon finishing the dance, the boys and girls ran off the stage after receiving well-deserved applause. Backstage, cameras followed them, capturing the excitement. Jungkook and Taehyung discussed how cool Na-Rae's performance was but admitted to being surprised. Once they were in the backstage room, Namjoon looked at her and started to laugh. "Na-Rae, what were you thinking?"
The girl, trying to hide her embarrassment, pulled on some sweatpants. "Hobi-oppa, don't be mad," she said, looking at him, knowing how he was usually the first to comment when a move went wrong.
Some of them rewatched the performance, scrolling back to that moment when Na-Rae ripped off her skirt. Jungkook chuckled when Na-Rae said, "Stop, it's all Yoongi-hyung's fault," as she tried to take away the tablet.
"Mine? What did I do?" Yoongi said, half laughing, while still watching the performance.
"You were the one who ripped my skirt during the first verse when you stood on it, and we needed to jump, and poof," Na-Rae exclaimed, making an explosion hand sign.
"Huh, that's so funny," Jimin, Taehyung, and Jungkook said together, making everyone else laugh.
"Go back and see her face," Jungkook said, rewinding the video slightly, pausing it at the moment when Na-Rae's expression shifted from concentration to an "Oh no" look. This evoked more laughter, and even Hoseok smiled, proud of his baby's performance.
After changing back into their red carpet costumes, they all returned to the table where they had been sitting before their performances. While Na-Rae scrolled through her phone without paying much attention, she noticed that she was already trending on Twitter. #Naraisgoingwild had been trending for at least 24 hours, leaving the girl feeling somewhat embarrassed to see how many gifs and videos were created by fans, showcasing her skirt-ripping moment #catchthehanbok was another trending result.