"Stay Alive" is a song performed by South Korean singer Jungkook of BTS and produced by Suga, also a member of BTS. It was released on February 11, 2022, as the official soundtrack for the HYBE-produced fantasy webtoon 7Fates: Chakho, which features the members of BTS as characters.
Background and Release
The song's production was overseen by Suga, who conceptualized and arranged the track. Lyrically, "Stay Alive" is deeply intertwined with the narrative and overarching themes of the 7Fates: Chakho webtoon, reflecting the struggles, determination, and resilience of the characters within the story. The song was initially teased on February 4, 2022, with a short preview released ahead of its full global availability on various digital music platforms and streaming services.Composition and Lyrics
"Stay Alive" is primarily an urban pop and R&B track, characterized by its melodic structure, emotional depth, and contemporary sound. The instrumentation features a blend of synths, percussion, and a rich sonic landscape that complements the song's narrative. The lyrics convey themes of survival, overcoming adversity, and the poignant resolve to "stay alive" in a harsh, challenging world, directly echoing the narrative arcs and character development in the 7Fates: Chakho webtoon. Jungkook's vocal performance on the track was widely praised by critics and fans alike for its impressive range, emotional expressiveness, and ability to convey the song's introspective and urgent atmosphere.Commercial Performance
Upon its release, "Stay Alive" achieved significant global commercial success and broke several records for a South Korean solo artist. It debuted at number one on Billboard's Global Excl. US chart and number eight on the Global 200 chart, marking the first time a Korean solo song had achieved such high placements on these charts. The song also dominated iTunes charts worldwide, becoming the fastest song by a Korean solo artist to reach number one in 100 different countries. In the United States, "Stay Alive" made history as the first Korean soundtrack to enter the Billboard Hot 100 chart, albeit for one week. In South Korea, it reached position number 67 on the Gaon Digital Chart.Personnel
- Jungkook – vocals
- Suga – producer
- El Capitxn – arrangement, mixing, mastering, songwriting
- Gabriel Brandes – songwriting
- Louise Frick Sveen – songwriting
- Max & Kyle – songwriting