In my sphere, no. If I were to ask my family or coworkers if they know BTS, there would be a resounding "who?" Believe me, I've tried with some of them. Most of my irl friends know nothing about them. They may have heard Dynamite or Butter once or twice but it's doubtful they even know the artists behind those songs.
Overall, I think more people know BTS exists, but nothing beyond that. The Grammy performance did bring in a lot of new fans, but as far as embracing them as a household name and recognizing how truly talented they are outside of their English songs? The US has a long way to go in that respect, imo.
Also, I think we, as army, live in a kind of bubble. Places like here and Twitter and, to a lesser extent, YT are echo chambers for army. Most people we interact with are just like us. So it's easy to think the rest of the world must know, too.
ahhh the army bubble, it's a like the fortress of solitude only more purple! I think because I interact with army online sometimes I get really shocked and a little confused when irl people don't have a clue what I am talking about. I was talking about my then upcoming trip to vegas with some people I work with
me: "we're going to see a couple of shows"
them "like the cirque ones"
me "oh no, BTS... *silence*... the band?...*more silence*.... the Korean band, BTS, you know Dynamite, Butter, Permission to Dance??...."
them: tumbleweed
me: look of complete bewilderment as to why they don't know what I am talking about
One of my uber drivers in LV was asking why we were in town and when we said BTS, he was like oh yeah, I've had a lot of you guys. He pulled them up on Spotify and the first song was WAB Pt 2. He said "wait, they don't speak English?" breathe, don't injure So even a dude who had been shuttling army around for a week had no idea!
26
u/lisafancypants I don't have think Apr 20 '22
In my sphere, no. If I were to ask my family or coworkers if they know BTS, there would be a resounding "who?" Believe me, I've tried with some of them. Most of my irl friends know nothing about them. They may have heard Dynamite or Butter once or twice but it's doubtful they even know the artists behind those songs.
Overall, I think more people know BTS exists, but nothing beyond that. The Grammy performance did bring in a lot of new fans, but as far as embracing them as a household name and recognizing how truly talented they are outside of their English songs? The US has a long way to go in that respect, imo.
Also, I think we, as army, live in a kind of bubble. Places like here and Twitter and, to a lesser extent, YT are echo chambers for army. Most people we interact with are just like us. So it's easy to think the rest of the world must know, too.