Life Goes On (BTS song)
{{short description|2020 single by BTS}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Life Goes On
| cover = BTS - Life Goes On (Vinyl).png
| caption = Vinyl sleeve
| type = single
| artist = BTS
| album = Be
| released = {{Start date|2020|11|20}}
| recorded = 2020
| genre =
| length = 3:27
| label =
| composer =
| writer =
- Antonina Armato
- Chris James
- J-Hope
- Pdogg
- RM
- Ruuth
- Suga
| producer = Pdogg
| prev_title = Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat)
| prev_version = BTS remix
| prev_year = 2020
| next_title = Film Out
| next_year = 2021
| misc = {{External music video|header=Music videos|{{YouTube|-5q5mZbe3V8|"Life Goes On"}}}}{{External music video|header=Other versions|{{YouTube|yIvb4csSgcs|"Life Goes On" on my pillow}}
{{YouTube|RvcP6V4h_q4|"Life Goes On" in the forest}}
{{YouTube|2N-Fsa9Evo0|"Life Goes On" like an arrow}}}}}}
"Life Goes On" is a song recorded by South Korean boy band BTS and released on November 20, 2020, through Big Hit Entertainment and Columbia Records as the lead single from the group's fifth Korean-language studio album Be, released the same day.
"Life Goes On" debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and became the band's third number-one single in the United States as well as the first primarily Korean-language song to debut atop the chart.
Background
Following the postponement of their Map of the Soul Tour due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the group started working on a new album.{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=311&aid=0001135846|script-title=ko:방탄소년단 RM "새 앨범 준비 중…과정 공유할 것"|trans-title=BTS RM 'Preparing a new album...We will share the process'|last=Lee|first=Deok-haeng|date=April 17, 2020|work=Xports News|language=ko|access-date=October 30, 2020|url-status=live|via=Naver|archive-date=June 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609134643/https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=311&aid=0001135846}} The group's label officially announced Be on September 27, 2020, stating via press release that the album "imparts a message of healing to the world by declaring, 'Even in the face of this new normality, our life goes on'".{{cite web|last=Aswad|first=Jem|date=September 27, 2020|title=BTS to Release New Album, 'BE (Deluxe Edition),' in November|url=https://variety.com/2020/music/asia/bts-new-album-be-deluxe-edition-1234784885/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929002226/https://variety.com/2020/music/asia/bts-new-album-be-deluxe-edition-1234784885/|archive-date=September 29, 2020|access-date=October 30, 2020|work=Variety}} "Life Goes On" was announced as the album's lead single on October 30.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/bts-announce-details-of-new-lead-single-life-goes-on-2805444|title=BTS announce details of new lead single 'Life Goes On'|work=NME|first=Rhian|last=Daly|date=October 30, 2020|access-date=October 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030171657/https://www.nme.com/news/music/bts-announce-details-of-new-lead-single-life-goes-on-2805444|archive-date=October 30, 2020|url-status=live}} J-Hope described the song's creation as: {{blockquote|We started this album off by getting together and asking what kind of story we wanted to tell. The end result of that conversation was, “Well, hey, we still have to live with this situation; we can’t give up.” And from there, “Life Goes On” was born, and then we got to work on the stories we each wanted to tell. I think it sounds more raw, since we tried to capture the emotions we felt living through the pandemic.|J-Hope, Weverse Magazine.{{cite web|url=https://magazine.weverse.io/article/view?lang=en&colca=1&num=57|title=j-hope "Even just one, single love is beautiful, but we're getting love from all over the world"|work=Weverse Magazine|last=Kang|first=Myungseo|date=November 24, 2020|access-date=May 7, 2021}}}}
Music and lyrics
"Life Goes On" was written by band members J-Hope, RM and Suga alongside Ruuth, Antonina Armato, Chris James and its producer Pdogg. The song has been described as an alternative hip hop and synth-pop song underlaid with an acoustic guitar.{{cite web|url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/bts-return-with-uplifting-new-record-be/|title=BTS Return With Uplifting New Record 'Be'|first=Riddhi|last=Chakraborty|work=Rolling Stone India|date=November 20, 2020|access-date=December 1, 2020|archive-date=November 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120145011/https://rollingstoneindia.com/bts-return-with-uplifting-new-record-be/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review-bts-be-vies-for-simplicity-but-proves-too-insular/|title=Review: BTS's Be Vies for Simplicity but Proves Too Insular|last=Ordaz|first=Sophia|work=Slant Magazine|date=November 24, 2020|access-date=May 20, 2021}} The folky{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/bts-be-1093413/|title=BTS Offer a Message of Healing and Hope on 'Be'|last=Benjamin|first=Jeff|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=November 24, 2020|access-date=May 20, 2021}} production consists of 808 drums,{{cite web|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/bts_be_album_review|title=BTS Remind Us That Things Always Get Better on 'BE'|last=Zhu|first=Eva|work=Exclaim!|date=November 26, 2020|access-date=December 1, 2020|url-status=live|archive-date=November 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126161545/https://exclaim.ca/music/article/bts_be_album_review}} electronic beats,{{cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2108135/bts-be-review/columns/the-week-in-pop/|title=On Their Pointedly Chill New Album, BTS Are Mostly Content To Just BE|last=DeVille|first=Chris|website=Stereogum|date=November 23, 2020|access-date=December 1, 2020|url-status=live|archive-date=November 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123215714/https://www.stereogum.com/2108135/bts-be-review/columns/the-week-in-pop/}} melodic rhymes, a stripped-down melody{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2020/11/bts-life-goes-on-be-album/617244/|title=BTS's 'Life Goes On' Did the Impossible|last=Cruz|first=Lenika|work=The Atlantic|date=November 30, 2020|access-date=December 1, 2020}} accompanied by "acrobatic" vocals and harmonies on the chorus.{{cite magazine|url=https://time.com/5914352/bts-be-analysis/|title=Breaking Down Every Track on BTS' New Album Be|magazine=Time|date=November 20, 2020|access-date=December 1, 2020|url-status=live|archive-date=November 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120194140/https://time.com/5914352/bts-be-analysis/}} The lyrics of the song have been described as uplifting and seeking to provide hope to fans during the pandemic.{{Cite web|last=Pham|first=Jason|date=November 20, 2020|title=BTS 'Life Goes On' Is a Message of Hope to ARMY During These Dark Times|url=https://stylecaster.com/bts-life-goes-on-lyrics-meaning-english/|access-date=November 24, 2020|website=StyleCaster|archive-date=November 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120185035/https://stylecaster.com/bts-life-goes-on-lyrics-meaning-english/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Mendez|first=Michele|title=The Meaning Behind BTS' "Life Goes On" Lyrics Are So, So Comforting|url=https://www.elitedaily.com/p/what-do-bts-life-goes-on-lyrics-mean-in-english-theyll-comfort-you-in-hard-times-43907935|access-date=November 24, 2020|website=Elite Daily|date=20 November 2020 |archive-date=November 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120133025/https://www.elitedaily.com/p/what-do-bts-life-goes-on-lyrics-mean-in-english-theyll-comfort-you-in-hard-times-43907935|url-status=live}} The song has been compared to the group's own 2017 single "Spring Day".
Commercial performance
"Life Goes On" debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, on the chart issue dated December 5, 2020, becoming BTS' third number-one single in the United States in exactly three months, following "Dynamite" in September and "Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat) (BTS Remix)" in October.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9491302/bts-life-goes-on-number-one-hot-100|url-access=subscription|title=BTS' 'Life Goes On' Launches as Historic No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100|last=Trust|first=Gary|date=November 30, 2020|magazine=Billboard|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130184535/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9491302/bts-life-goes-on-number-one-hot-100|archive-date=November 30, 2020|url-status=dead|access-date=April 12, 2021}} This marked the fastest accumulation of three number-one songs on the chart in 42 years since the Bee Gees, who previously achieved the feat in two months and three weeks with "How Deep Is Your Love", "Stayin' Alive", and "Night Fever" from the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack between December 1977 and March 1978. The song topped the Digital Songs chart issue of the same date, having sold 150,000 units (pure sales) in its opening week, including 129,000 digital downloads and 20,000 physical copies. It is the first Korean language song in Hot 100 history to debut atop the chart, as well as the first song sung predominantly in a non-English language since Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee's "Despacito" remix with Justin Bieber in 2017. The following week, "Life Goes On" charted at number 28, marking the third-largest drop from number one by a song in Hot 100 history after Taylor Swift's "Willow" and 6ix9ine and Nicki Minaj's "Trollz", which fell to numbers 38 and 33 respectively in their second weeks.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9504998/mariah-carey-christmas-tops-hot-100-fifth-week/|url-access=subscription|title=Mariah Carey's 'Christmas' Back Atop Hot 100, As Dean Martin, Wham! & Chuck Berry Hit Top 10|last=Trust|first=Gary|date=December 28, 2020|magazine=Billboard|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228180743/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9504998/mariah-carey-christmas-tops-hot-100-fifth-week/|archive-date=December 28, 2020|url-status=dead|access-date=August 10, 2022}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9495405/iann-dior-24kgoldn-mood-number-one-sixth-week/|url-access=subscription|title=24kGoldn's 'Mood' Scores Sixth Week at No. 1 on Hot 100, Mariah Carey's 'Christmas' Dashes to No. 2|last=Trust|first=Gary|date=December 7, 2020|magazine=Billboard|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207184608/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9495405/iann-dior-24kgoldn-mood-number-one-sixth-week/|archive-date=December 7, 2020|url-status=dead|access-date=April 12, 2021}} It charted at number 93 in its third week and left the chart, becoming the fastest number-one song to depart from the Hot 100.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2020-12-19|title=The Hot 100 (Week of December 19, 2020)|date=December 19, 2020|magazine=Billboard|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201215165537/https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2020-12-19|archive-date=December 15, 2020|url-status=live|access-date=April 12, 2021}}
Supported mainly by sales and streaming, "Life Goes On" received "minimal" US radioplay in comparison to its predecessor "Dynamite", prompting discussions from publications such as Slate and The Atlantic about, among other things, the difficulties facing non-English-language performing/speaking artists to break into the mainstream. Senior Culture editor for The Atlantic Lenika Cruz was unsurprised by the "lackluster radio spins", but felt that this made the single's debut at number one "that much more unbelievable" because while "'Dynamite' was everywhere...'Life Goes On' is currently the biggest song on the charts, released by the biggest musical group in the world—and there's a good chance you haven't heard it." She acknowledged that "non-Korean-speaking audiences would, of course, not understand most of the lyrics", but believed that the song "could resonate with many listeners in a difficult year" if given the chance by radio.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2020/11/bts-life-goes-on-be-album/617244/|url-access=subscription|title=BTS's 'Life Goes On' Did the Impossible|last=Cruz|first=Lenika|date=December 1, 2020|magazine=The Atlantic|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202064004/https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2020/11/bts-life-goes-on-be-album/617244/|archive-date=December 2, 2020|url-status=dead|access-date=January 27, 2023}} After outlining other performance differences between "Dynamite" and "Life Goes On" and possible influencing factors, Slate{{'}}s Chris Molanphy concluded "One thing we do know, basically indisputably, is that radio, the third component of the Hot 100, decidedly prefers BTS singing in English." The "stark disparity" in radioplay between the former, which opened to an 11.6 million radio audience, and the latter, which opened to a 410,000 audience, supported his observations. Molanphy also pointed out that "Dynamite"{{'}}s holding at its peak of number 11 on the Radio Songs chart—the only other mostly-Korean song to previously peak on the chart was Psy's "Gangnam Style" which reached number 12 in 2012—suggested that the band would "fall short of the radio Top 10, even after singing in English."{{cite magazine|url=https://slate.com/culture/2020/12/bts-life-goes-on-hot-100-korean-number-1.html|title=How BTS Made History With the First Korean-Language No. 1|last=Molanphy|first=Chris|date=December 3, 2020|magazine=Slate|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203232258/https://slate.com/culture/2020/12/bts-life-goes-on-hot-100-korean-number-1.html|archive-date=December 3, 2020|url-status=live|access-date=January 27, 2023}} Echoing sentiments similar to Molanphy's findings, Cruz additionally wrote that "The takeaway seems clear: If you don’t primarily perform in English, you need to outsell your closest competitors many times over—or secure a radio-friendly collaboration or remix—to have a shot at reaching No. 1 on the Hot 100."
Music videos
=Original=
Two teaser trailers preceded the music video. The first, released on YouTube on November 17, 2020, is a 26-second long clip—accompanied by "ambient piano and guitar music"—of the band outdoors at night, seated around a campfire, then indoors watching a video while dressed in pajamas and loungewear.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/bts-life-goes-on-mv-teaser-new-album-be|title=BTS Release "Life Goes On" MV Teaser From New Album "BE"|last=Dodson|first=Claire P.|date=November 17, 2020|magazine=Teen Vogue|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117152347/https://www.teenvogue.com/story/bts-life-goes-on-mv-teaser-new-album-be|archive-date=November 17, 2020|url-status=live|access-date=January 27, 2023}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/international/9485502/bts-tease-life-goes-on-music-video-trailer/|title=BTS Tease Jungkook-Directed 'Life Goes On' Music Video With Cozy Trailer: Watch|last=Mamo|first=Heran|date=November 17, 2020|magazine=Billboard|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118015439/https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20201118001351315|archive-date=November 18, 2020|url-status=live|access-date=January 27, 2023}} Jungkook's name appears in the teaser's end credits as the music video director.{{cite news|url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20201118001351315|title=(LEAD) BTS drops teaser video for upcoming song 'Life Goes On'|last=Lee|first=M|date=November 18, 2020|work=Yonhap|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118015439/https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20201118001351315|archive-date=November 18, 2020|url-status=live|access-date=January 27, 2023}} The second, released the following day, is a 22-second long clip comprising black and white stills of the individual band members set to audio of them singing the lyrics "'I remember, I remember' over wistful pop production." A photo of Jungkook holding a camera and staring into its viewfinder, in honor of his role as director, closes out the visual.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/9486021/bts-share-second-life-goes-on-teaser/|title=Sure, We'll Take a Second Teaser For BTS' 'Life Goes On' Video|last=Rowley|first=Glen|date=November 18, 2020|magazine=Billboard|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118170245/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/9486021/bts-share-second-life-goes-on-teaser/|archive-date=November 18, 2020|url-status=live|access-date=January 27, 2023}}
File:BTS Life Goes On MV.jpg]]
The full four-minute-long music video premiered on YouTube on November 19, 2020.{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/k-pop/music/news/life-goes-on-music-video-bts-release-their-most-personal-and-emotional-track-directed-by-jung-kook/articleshow/79316141.cms|title='Life Goes On' music video: BTS release their most personal and emotional track directed by Jung Kook - Times of India|date=November 20, 2020|work=The Times of India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120051114/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/k-pop/music/news/life-goes-on-music-video-bts-release-their-most-personal-and-emotional-track-directed-by-jung-kook/articleshow/79316141.cms|archive-date=November 20, 2020|url-status=live|access-date=November 20, 2020}} More personal and "sentimental" in nature, it presents the band living together in isolation in their dorm during the COVID-19 pandemic—in one scene RM "wistfully wipes a couple of fingers' worth of dust off his bicycle seat" as he can no longer participate in that outdoor activity—having a pajama party, watching movies, and playing video games,{{cite news|url=https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2020/11/23/BTS-discusses-Be-performs-Life-Goes-On-on-GMA/7341606140659/|title=BTS discusses 'Be,' performs 'Life Goes On' on 'GMA'|last=Martin|first=Annie|date=November 23, 2020|work=UPI|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124121255/https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2020/11/23/BTS-discusses-Be-performs-Life-Goes-On-on-GMA/7341606140659/|archive-date=November 24, 2020|url-status=live|access-date=November 24, 2020}} intercut with a clip of V driving his bandmates around South Korea and eventually past Seoul Olympic Stadium—he "peers out the window" and "longingly stares" at the venue as they pass it—where the band was slated to kickoff their Map of the Soul Tour several months prior, before it was ultimately cancelled due to the pandemic. The latter part of the video features a black and white sequence of the band envisioning themselves singing the song in the empty stadium "with stage lights shining down on them" as the video fades out. At a press conference held the day of Be{{'}}s release, Jungkook said that his intent with the music video was to express the "sadness and the longing" the band felt due to the tour's cancellation "and because we couldn't see ARMY much".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/international/9487831/bts-life-goes-on-music-video/|title=BTS Reflect on Canceled World Tour Amid Coronavirus In 'Life Goes On' Music Video|last=Mamo|first=Heran|date=November 20, 2020|magazine=Billboard|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120230318/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/international/9487831/bts-life-goes-on-music-video/|archive-date=November 20, 2020|url-status=live|access-date=January 27, 2023}}
The video received over 71.6 million views in its first 24 hours of release to become the fifth-most viewed YouTube video within that period at the time.{{cite news|url=https://mb.com.ph/2020/11/25/youtube-reveals-first-24-hour-views-for-bts-life-goes-on-music-video/|title=YouTube reveals first 24-hour views for BTS' 'Life Goes On' music video|last=Hicap|first=Jonathan|date=November 25, 2020|work=Manila Bulletin|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125125239/https://mb.com.ph/2020/11/25/youtube-reveals-first-24-hour-views-for-bts-life-goes-on-music-video/|archive-date=November 25, 2020|url-status=live|access-date=November 25, 2020}} Just over two days later, it became BTS' 27th music video to surpass 100 million views, extending the band's record as the Korean artist with the most music videos over 100 million views.{{cite news|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=109&aid=0004314772|script-title=ko:방탄소년단, 'Life Goes On' 뮤비 1억뷰 돌파..통산 27번째 '韓가수 최다 기록'[공식]|last=Kang|first=Seo-jeong|date=November 23, 2020|work=Osen|language=ko|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127104528/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=109&aid=0004314772|archive-date=January 27, 2023|url-status=live|access-date=January 27, 2023|via=Naver}} The music video became the band's 15th to cross the 300 and 400 million views milestones, doing so in March and November 2021 respectively.{{cite news|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2021/03/398_306190.html|title=BTS' 'Life Goes On' video passes 300 million YouTube views|date=March 27, 2021|work=Yonhap|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127100150/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2021/03/398_306190.html|archive-date=January 27, 2023|url-status=live|access-date=January 27, 2023|via=The Korea Times}}{{cite news|url=https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/Music/2021/11/03/korea-BTS-Life-Goes-On-400-million-YouTube/1801635954407/|title=BTS' 'Life Goes On' music video passes 400M views on YouTube|last=Martin|first=Annie|date=November 3, 2021|work=UPI|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103201603/https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/Music/2021/11/03/korea-BTS-Life-Goes-On-400-million-YouTube/1801635954407/|archive-date=November 3, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=January 29, 2023}}
= Alternate versions =
In the days that followed, three alternate versions of the music video, titled "on my pillow", "in the forest", and "like an arrow" respectively, were released. The "on my pillow" version was uploaded to YouTube on November 21, 2020. An extended version of the bedroom scene from the original music video,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/9487986/bts-life-goes-on-video-on-my-pillow/|title=BTS Cozies Up in New 'On My Pillow' Version of 'Life Goes On' Video: Watch|last=Peters|first=Mitchell|date=November 20, 2020|magazine=Billboard|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121192526/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/9487986/bts-life-goes-on-video-on-my-pillow/|archive-date=November 21, 2020|url-status=live|access-date=January 27, 2023}} it shows the band lounging on two beds in their pajamas, singing the song, and taking photos of one another,{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/bts-share-new-on-my-pillow-version-life-goes-on-video-2822109|title=BTS get cosy in new 'on my pillow' version of 'Life Goes On' video|last=Daly|first=Rhian|date=November 21, 2020|website=NME|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121180844/https://www.nme.com/news/music/bts-share-new-on-my-pillow-version-life-goes-on-video-2822109|archive-date=November 21, 2020|url-status=live|access-date=January 27, 2023}} and ends with them standing atop the beds while singing together.{{cite news|url=https://kpopherald.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=202011221825251756106_2|title=[V Report] "On My Pillow" shows BTS singing "Life Goes On" from bed|date=November 22, 2020|work=Kpop Herald|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128050718/https://kpopherald.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=202011221825251756106_2|archive-date=November 28, 2020|url-status=live|access-date=January 27, 2023}} Filmed in an outdoor setting, the "in the forest" version followed on November 25 and features the band singing the song on a green lawn against the backdrop of a forest and sunny skies.{{cite news|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=112&aid=0003370166|script-title=ko:방탄소년단, 신곡 'Life Goes On' 새 MV 공개..숲 속 평화로운 분위기 '힐링'|last=Kim|first=Ji-hye|date=November 26, 2020|work=Herald Pop|language=ko|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129013646/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=112&aid=0003370166|archive-date=January 29, 2023|url-status=live|access-date=January 28, 2023|via=Naver}} The final version, "like an arrow", was released on November 29 and comprises various black and white photo stills, some of which were first seen in the second teaser trailer, depicting behind-the-scenes cuts from all four music videos, as well as candid shots of the band, set to the song's audio.{{cite news|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=609&aid=0000364023|script-title=ko:방탄소년단, 소중한 추억 담은 'Life Goes On' 새 뮤비(Ft.흑백사진)|last=Lee|first=Min-ji|date=November 29, 2020|work=Newsen|language=ko|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129061445/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=609&aid=0000364023|archive-date=January 29, 2023|url-status=live|access-date=January 29, 2023|via=Naver}}
Accolades
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+Awards and nominations for "Life Goes On" !scope="col"| Year !scope="col"| Organization !scope="col"| Award !scope="col"| Result !scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
| scope="row"| 2021
| Song of the Year – November | {{won}} |
|---|
| class="sortable wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+Music program awards |
| scope="col"| Program
!scope="col"| Date !scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
|---|
| scope="row" rowspan="6"| Show! Music Core
| November 28, 2020 | {{Cite web|last=Kim|first=Yu-jin|date=November 28, 2020|script-title=ko:'음악중심' 방탄소년단, 출연 없이 1위, 씨엔블루·비투비 포유·AKMU 컴백 [종합]|trans-title='Music Core' BTS, No. 1, CNBLUE, B2B U, AKMU comeback [Comprehensive]|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/311/0001233866|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128080534/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/311/0001233866|archive-date=November 28, 2020|access-date=November 28, 2020|work=Xports News|language=ko|via=Naver}} |
| December 5, 2020 |
| December 12, 2020 |
| January 2, 2021 |
| January 9, 2021 |
| January 16, 2021 |
| scope="row" rowspan="3"| Inkigayo
| November 29, 2020 |
| December 6, 2020 |
| December 13, 2020 |
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+Melon Popularity Award !scope="col"| Award !scope="col"| Date (2020) !scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="5" | Weekly Popularity Award
| November 30 | rowspan="5" |{{cite web|url=http://www.melon.com/melonaward/weekAward.htm|script-title=ko:주간 인기상|trans-title=Weekly Popularity|date=December 28, 2020|website=Melon|language=ko|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201228064012/https://www.melon.com/melonaward/weekAward.htm|archive-date=December 28, 2020|access-date=December 28, 2020}} |
|---|
| December 7 |
| December 14 |
| December 21 |
| December 28 |
Live performances
BTS performed "Life Goes On"—and "Dynamite"—at the American Music Awards on November 22, 2020. The following day, two pre-recorded performances of the song were shown on American television programs. The first, on Good Morning America, featured the group performing inside a decorated house, wearing pajamas and bathrobes.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/en_asia/news/music/watch-bts-perform-life-goes-on-in-bathrobes-on-good-morning-america-2824470|title=Watch BTS perform 'Life Goes On' in bathrobes on 'Good Morning America'|last=Jones|first=Damian|date=November 24, 2020|website=NME|access-date=March 6, 2022}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/bts-perform-life-goes-on-gma-video-9488479/|title=Watch BTS Serve a Pajama-Clad Performance of 'Life Goes On' on 'Good Morning America'|last=Rowley|first=Glenn|date=November 24, 2020|magazine=Billboard|access-date=March 6, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/story/bts-performs-life-gma-talks-quarantining-missing-fans-74354936|title=BTS performs 'Life Goes On' on 'GMA,' talks quarantining together and missing fans|date=November 23, 2020|website=Good Morning America|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123144004/https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/story/bts-performs-life-gma-talks-quarantining-missing-fans-74354936|archive-date=November 23, 2020|url-status=live|access-date=November 23, 2020}} The second performance was broadcast during The Late Late Show with James Corden. The group sang the song while dressed in pajamas again, this time on a set consisting of a series of conjoined living rooms.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/bts-life-goes-on-late-late-show-james-corden-1094884/|title=Watch BTS Perform 'Life Goes On' on 'The Late Late Show With James Corden'|last=Shaffer|first=Claire|date=November 24, 2020|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=March 6, 2022}} The performance ended with them unboxing gifts in a Christmas-themed room.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/bts-christmas-life-goes-on-corden-watch-9488982/|title=BTS Hand Out the Christmas Gifts With 'Life Goes On' Performance on 'Corden': Watch|author=|date=November 24, 2020|magazine=Billboard|access-date=March 6, 2022}} Elle's Ariana Yaptangco said that the group "traded in their regular top-notch choreography to show off their impressive acting skills."{{cite magazine|url=https://www.elle.com/culture/a34771224/bts-life-goes-on-performance-james-corden/|title=Watch BTS Bring The Holiday Cheer With A Performance Of 'Life Goes On'|last=Yaptangco|first=Ariana|date=November 24, 2020|magazine=Elle|access-date=March 6, 2022}} BTS also performed "Life Goes On" as part of their four-song set at the Melon Music Awards on December 5,{{cite web|url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/bts-gives-top-tier-performances-on-black-swan-on-life-goes-on-and-dynamite-at-mma-2020/|title=BTS gives top tier performances on 'Black Swan', 'ON', 'Life Goes On' and 'Dynamite' at MMA 2020 : Bollywood News - Bollywood Hungama|last=Yadav|first=Monica|date=December 5, 2020|website=Bollywood Hungama|access-date=December 9, 2020}} and their three-song set for the Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) on December 6. Suga, who was recovering from shoulder surgery at the time and did not attend in person, appeared as a hologram for the song's performance at MAMA.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/watch-bts-perform-life-goes-on-hologram-version-member-suga-2832923|title=Watch BTS perform 'Life Goes On' with hologram version of member Suga|last=Daly|first=Rhian|date=December 6, 2020|website=NME|access-date=December 9, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.elitedaily.com/p/sugas-hologram-in-bts-2020-mnet-asian-music-awards-performance-has-armys-emotional-48229496|title=BTS Performed With A Hologram Of Suga At The 2020 MAMAs & It Has ARMYs Emotional|last=Walsh|first=Lara|date=December 6, 2020|website=Elite Daily|access-date=December 9, 2020}}
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from Big Hit.{{cite tweet|user=BigHitEnt|number=1327113968192679936|title=D-7 2020.11.20. 0AM(EST) / 2PM(KST) http://bts-be.com #BTS #방탄소년단 #BTS_BE #LifeGoesOn|date=November 13, 2020|access-date=November 13, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=609&aid=0000355857|script-title=ko:방탄소년단 RMX슈가X제이홉, 신곡 'Life Goes On' 참여…피독 프로듀싱(공식)|trans-title=BTS RM X Suga X J-Hope participate in the new song 'Life Goes On'... Production from Pdogg (Official)|last=Hwang|first=Hye-jin|date=November 13, 2020|work=Newsen|language=ko|via=Naver|access-date=November 15, 2020|url-status=live|archive-date=November 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115110755/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=609&aid=0000355857}}
Charts
{{col-begin}}
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=Weekly charts=
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=Year-end charts=
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Certifications and sales
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=BTS|title=Life Goes On|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2020|certyear=2021|access-date=November 1, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Separator|title=Streaming}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|type=single|title=Life Goes On (Streaming)|artist=BTS|award=Platinum|streamsonly=true|relyear=2020|certyear=2022|certmonth=1|access-date=February 27, 2022}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=South Korea|type=single|title=Life Goes On|artist=BTS|award=Platinum|streamsonly=true|relyear=2020|certyear=2025|certmonth=10|access-date=April 11, 2025}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streamsonly=true|noshipments=true|nosales=true|streaming=true}}
Release history
See also
References
{{reflist}}
{{BTS}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles
Category:Columbia Records singles
Category:Number-one singles in Malaysia
Category:Number-one singles in Singapore
Category:Songs written by Antonina Armato
Category:Songs written by Pdogg
Category:Songs written by RM (musician)
Category:Songs written by J-Hope
Category:Songs written by Suga
Category:Music videos directed by Lumpens
Category:Songs about the COVID-19 pandemic
Category:Hybe Corporation singles
Category:Billboard Global 200 number-one singles
Category:Billboard Global Excl. U.S. number-one singles