BTS: Making ‘Humanity’ a Trend in Every Culture
Why fans would raise $100K for charity
In this age and time, if you regularly spend some time on social media platforms, you know who BTS is. It’s a South Korean group of singers, songwriters, composers, and dancers. If I want to give all their titles in one sentence, I’ll get out of breath. For the past couple of years, BTS has taken the world by storms, contributing to South Korea’s GDP. At $4.65 billion annual revenue, this group is in the same league as Samsung and Hyundai.
Today, I just want to state how this one group of seven boys brings such a message that is working to change this generation for the better: making us get back in touch with our humanity, doing something to make a difference.
1. Loving yourself is not narcissism
BTS’s main campaign is to teach us to love ourselves. They talk about mental health and growing into ourselves with full potential. Their songs touch the listener to such an extent that you cannot but feel close to them.
I’m the one I should love in this world Shining me, precious soul of mine I finally realized so I love me Not so perfect but so beautiful I’m the one I should love
— Epiphany, Album:- Love Yourself: Answer
In a group of seven members, it should feel overwhelming. There should be one who outshines the others. But in this case, each member has his own quirks, his own specialty. And each one is equally loved. Through their diverse personalities, they teach the fans that anyone can be extraordinary. The way you are, you are perfect. How you see yourself is what matters.
I remember seeing Jin make a fool of himself in American TV saying he is 'worldwide handsome' and back then, I thought that was stupid. But now that same clip seems adorable to me. BTS has created a vast network of loyal fans not because they are great musicians, or they have killer moves. Sure, we are first drawn in by the colors and dancing, but we stay because we can relate to them.
They have portrayed that you can be as dorky as possible; as much of a fool as you can be…as long as you like yourself the way you are, you are worthy of love. So many young people have found a new meaning in their lives after discovering BTS.
2. Be helpful and appreciative of others
The BTS ARMY consists of all types of people, brought together by a similar type of acceptance. I’ve seen them become fast friends, find familial bonds. It seemed strangely weird to me in the beginning, BTS has — knowingly or unknowingly — created a global community of people who are accepting of each other. I am a part of a couple of other fandoms but none of them can give me this feeling of understanding.
We were only seven But we have you all now After seven winters and springs At the tips of our entwined fingers Yeah, we got to heaven Throw stones at me We don’t fear anymore We are together, bulletproof.
— We Are Bulletproof: The Eternal, Album:- Map of the Soul: 7
It is clear that an artist can be recognized by the type of fans they attract. Some say that the BTS fans are just rabid young girls crushing after cute guys. But if I have to say it…the BTS ARMY is a collection of people who feel young, no matter their age. They want to feel loved, exciting. They want to feel close to the artists they love, which the boys provide beautifully. I don’t think any other singer writes songs for their fans, conveying their love and appreciation.
We love them because they are not perfect, they don’t even try to be. They sometimes seem like too innocent toddlers needing protection.
The way these seven boys come in front of the world: perfect, yet flawed; exceptional, yet ordinary; so out of reach, yet relatable — they become a part of the daily lives of the fans.
3. Learn to think beyond age, race, color, and language
On 2018, in a speech at United Nations, the team leader RM says
“Tell me your story. I want to hear your voice, and I want to hear your conviction. No matter who you are, where you’re from, your skin colour, gender identity: speak yourself. Find your name, find your voice by speaking yourself.”
This speech had taken the world by storms as fans all over the world resonate with the lines. They created a trend. BTS was something new, Latino music being the only other non-English music being so vastly accepted in the USA. They seemed like a middle ground, a null space where you can leave the pettiness behind.
These small influencing steps have the ability to change a mindset. Now, people from various countries, color, and race come together and support their favorite artist who mostly writes songs in a language they don’t speak, but still understand. They inspire you to look up new cultures, languages and respect them as something different. It seems magical, the way so many different people can get close by a single common interest.
Now, fans all over the world gather at concerts, not caring about the age, culture, religion, or social boundaries. Aside from playing in America and Europe, BTS is the first foreign artist to play solo stadium in Saudi Arabia. Despite being subject to criticism, they performed in front of a sell-out crowd in Saudi Arabia.
For the new generation, they are as revered as The Beatles had been — closer now, because of the easier connectivity. They are true influencers, capable of bringing change.
4. Unity is strength
If you see a mob of BTS fans outside an arena where they might be performing, you might get scared. They are the most enthusiastic fandom I have ever seen. Before joining this fandom, I didn’t even know what fandom actually was!
BTS has brought together a collection of people who are stronger together. If anyone says one disrespectful thing on social media about BTS or a fellow Army, they swarm together like honey bees (and mostly politely, as I’ve noticed). They are confident in talking about what they believe in, and it’s beautiful to watch. BTS has gathered such a dedicated gathering that if a celebrity is good with them, the somehow inherit the fans too…and if someone shows disdain, they can be boycotted.
During the Black Lives Matter movement, BTS and their label Big Hit Entertainment donated $1million to racial equality and inspired by that, the BTS ARMY raised money to match that amount! This only shows the amount of change that’s possible to be brought in the world by good intentions.
5. Think outside the haze of jealousy
I am one of those vain people who get jaded easily. I used to love Taylor Swift, someone to look up to when I was younger. But later, Billie Eilish made me feel small and jealous because she was younger than me and had achieved so much more. But this feeling changed when I came to understand what BTS stands for.
The lyrics are arranged in a way that, wherever you are from, it will speak to you.
Put my hands together to pray Hoping that tomorrow I’ll laugh more For me It’ll be better For me
— 00.00 (Zero o’clock), Album:- Map of the Soul: 7
These lines in this song make me want to wake up the next morning and strive to be someone better.
But BTS shows us the inner workings of becoming famous. Through their various video clips and shows, viewers get to know them more closely than other celebrities. People relate to the fact that they had to go through incredible hardships and determination for the first four years of their journey before getting traction in the industry. This makes fans realize that no success is easy. They are an enigma in the field of practice and hard work. True fans can easily see the way they gradually improved from mere unorganized talents to exceptional artists.
The way each member cherishes each other’s and their own background makes you want to do something better with your own life too. They are the messiah of love, success, and humility for generations to come. Just because of the love they inspire, fans worldwide want to support them. They stay up all night streaming their new music video to break their own records, not because they have something to gain, but because they want to place a mark in someone else’s happiness, becoming a part of something bigger than themselves, as part of a huge family.
Conclusion
Like all celebrities, BTS is subject to reactions ranging from crazy fans to absolute haters. It’s normal in any creative industry. But as someone who converted from absolute disdain to crazy in love with the group, I have the insight to say that anyone who dislikes them, a majority do so without any context. We voice our hatred for a celebrity on social media when 1) we really hate them and 2) when we want to go with the trend. And trust me when I say this: I couldn’t find one single thing to hate about the Bangtan Boys.