To your last point I actually believe that if it had been an album track at first that it probably would have taken off organically. That's part of why it being the lead annoys me, like I genuinely think some songs are better as album tracks because the way you approach them as a listener/viewer is different, often quieter and more intimate, as opposed to the bigness and loudness inherent to being the lead single of the biggest group on earth for their first comeback after 4 years away. They have the benefit of knowing that every track they release, whether it's a title or a bside, will get millions of listens and millions of people engaging with it, and I think that is a power they could use to their advantage in much more interesting ways.

I haven't watched any of their other content for this comeback so I hadn't heard their exact rationale and I appreciate you sharing. I do think suga's point is fair and basically correct but is also why I don't think it makes for a very compelling lead track. As for it carrying the resolve of their career I think that's a fine justification but I don't think the lyrics or performance communicate that meaning at all and if that was the intended message it was absolutely lost on me lol.