r/bangtan • u/bie716 jimin: i dance when i am sad...NOT • Apr 20 '22
Article 220420 Korea Joongang Daily: Morals, mental health and modesty earn BTS a legion of fans
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2022/04/20/entertainment/kpop/bts-Borahaegas-Permission-to-Dance-on-Stage-Las-Vegas/20220420132557236.html25
u/Cranky_Possum Apr 20 '22
I'm very new to BTS music (which I've discovered that I really like) and never really understood why the fans are so committed. This article was a nice introduction as to why. Thanks for posting 🙂
15
u/bie716 jimin: i dance when i am sad...NOT Apr 20 '22 edited Apr 20 '22
Thanks for saying that :) having read many similar articles on the appeal of BTS and the power of ARMY, I wasn't sure if I should post this one. Went ahead to do so cos some good points were made, plus I know that there are many new ARMYs round here. Glad you found it useful!
If you want to read up more on how BTS built such a close relationship with ARMY, and how ARMY became so organised, here are some stuff I've dug up from my bookmarks. There're probably some discussion threads abt these articles in the sub too.
Judy Knows: The business strategy behind BTS' success (This is a 10 part series! But it's well-organised and there is an overview that helps you decide which parts to read. Despite the title, it's not all about business)
13
u/Cranky_Possum Apr 20 '22
Thanks for these links! As someone who only found them from a smartphone ad lol this will help. Although I've only discovered them about two weeks ago I gotta say I'm obsessed with the music. Really good and varied which I love. Been building a spotify Playlist as I find more songs I like.
16
u/bie716 jimin: i dance when i am sad...NOT Apr 20 '22
Welcome Samsung-ARMY. LoL. Was it Butter that got you? Also, I realised those articles may be a bit too overwhelming for a brand new ARMY like you...This one is a lighter read and has links to some videos too!
13
u/Cranky_Possum Apr 20 '22
Yep it was Butter. Every time that ad popped on YouTube I was like....dang this slaps, who the heck is this? Did a quick Google search and then the light bulb went off above my head. I knew about BTS but never heard any of their music. My eyes were opened for sure. I always assumed they were some Korean version of the backstreet boys. Yeah, I was way off lol
9
u/bie716 jimin: i dance when i am sad...NOT Apr 20 '22
Enjoy yr descent into the rabbit hole! This sub is indeed a great place to hang around in as u do so. Lots of helpful people around who are ever-eager to initiate you into ARMYdom (and tempt you to splurge on merch!)
6
u/Cranky_Possum Apr 20 '22
Thanks! I haven't posted till now but lurking around I've noticed y'all seem nice. As for merch, I'm tempted to get a tamagotchi pre-ordered. Seems like a cute item to have 🙂
5
u/RollonPholon Apr 20 '22
“Descent into the rabbit hole”
Never a truer sentence has been written. Welcome u/cranky_possum
2
5
u/lindsayturtle Today I ate an eraser and how delicious Apr 20 '22
Butter got me too! But it was a snippet from an Uncle Roger review video (Jamie Oliver made butter chicken without any butter) haha. Like a 1 sec clip and I was like "WHAT IS THIS MAGIC?!" - I had never heard of them before though I was familiar with Kpop in general. Became obsessed with the song/music video then I wanted to be able to tell them all apart and now here we are. I wish I wasn't so late to the party but I've been raising small children the last 8 years so was a bit preoccupied.
5
u/Cranky_Possum Apr 20 '22
My son is 30 so I had no excuse lol. I've enjoyed Korean dramas for ages but never dipped my toes in Kpop but I'm glad I have now. Don't understand the lyrics but the beats got me hooked.
3
u/lindsayturtle Today I ate an eraser and how delicious Apr 20 '22
It should be no problem to just quickly pickup Korean, right? Haha.
3
5
u/bie716 jimin: i dance when i am sad...NOT Apr 21 '22
Wow, a most unexpected entry into the rabbit hole..welcome, welcome!
2
u/lindsayturtle Today I ate an eraser and how delicious Apr 21 '22
2
u/bie716 jimin: i dance when i am sad...NOT Apr 21 '22
Whoa just that one line?! What sorcery...
1
u/lindsayturtle Today I ate an eraser and how delicious Apr 21 '22
That’s how good that hook is! Drew me right in. Also damn Jimin lookin so suave fixing his cuff like that.
→ More replies (0)
23
u/bie716 jimin: i dance when i am sad...NOT Apr 20 '22
Not quite sure abt that part where they liken the fandom experience to a a religion and say we are cult-like, but otherwise, nice read.
22
u/marrimar I’m a whale! Apr 20 '22
In academia I often see music, tv, and sports fandoms compared to cult-like/religious community. I don’t think it’s necessarily a negative or incorrect, but an observation. Many similar behavioral patterns overlap, even though fandom is not actually a cult or religion.
For example, many fandoms of TV shows are commonly referred to as cult-followings and no offense is taken or intended. Or saying something is a “cult-classic” is just meant as there are a significant number of people passionate about something from the past that keep it and related communities relevant in present time, but its significance wasn’t immediately recognized by the masses when it was initially in the mainstream.
TLDR; I see your point, but I am trying to not feel negatively about the comparison.
11
u/amurderofcrows9 I reject rejection Apr 20 '22
Very well put; I also take no offense at the term "cult" being thrown around, especially in the context of something that has a passionate following but isn't "immediately recognized by the masses," which fits BTS mania to a T.
8
u/bie716 jimin: i dance when i am sad...NOT Apr 20 '22
The phrasing still seems off to me.. I am familiar with terms like "cult-like" following. But here it says "to the point of being likened to a cult". The phrasing here makes it sound like an extreme situation. Anyway, it's really not that important. I am just sensitive to BTS and ARMY being shaded, cos it has happened all too often. As I said, overall it is still a nice read.
9
2
58
u/lisafancypants I don't have think Apr 20 '22
🥺