Just some thoughts on BTS.

I came across "Anpanman" while playing Superstar BTS and figured it sounded like a cute song. That ended up prompting me to go watch the translated lyrics and then the live performance of it. Scrolling through the comments, I came across one that was simply stating that the story of Anpanman was a sad one but didn't elaborate more on it and it made me curious although I didn't look it up beyond that.

Playing it just a few minutes ago, I was playing the game again and playing the song (trying to get three stars on hard because I did it once and apparently I'm proving something to myself by trying to do it more than once even though I have the exact same cards and probably won't get any higher until-- ANYWAY). I decided to look up who this Anpanman was and was interested to learn that he's apparently an actual superhero, one of which I'd never heard of. Also in the midst of looking it up, this article from Soompi came up: A Closer Look Into The Inspiring Message Behind BTS’s “Anpanman”

While scrolling through the comments of the article, I came across this comment:

"You guys every heard the saying what goes up must come down???? Most would call what I'm about to say hate or being an Antis...but in no way am I being either, I own their music, watch their videos, absorb the message and reprocess it out for myself....but I fear that fans can raise an artist or group so high, almost to the Heavens and those same fans can drop you to the depths of hell....

Everyone is screaming to the Heavens about how awesome BTS are. Trust that someone is out there doing work to find out how awful they are....I'd say the only way for them to remain untouched, is to stay insulated...they got to have one hellva NDA (Non-disclosure Agreement) for everyone that works with or for them...that even includes family. Because as imperfect as theyve established themselves to be, they have an aura that speaks otherwise, other worldly... imperfections don't make Stars or wewe all be popular, adored, admired, besothed with the love of strangers....anyways, just saying for me it's starting to be a bit scary and even I feel the need to back off of the affections I have for 7 perfectly imperfect men."

The comment just had me thinking, especially because a lot of people agreed with them. I don't see anything bad in the comment but I also relate to the fact that they come off as just incredibly perfect, and eerily so, if I were to be honest. And this reply to the comment, one of quite a few, that caught my attention:

"Yeah your comment hits home for the fans who have been around with them for a while and it can be scary seeing something go so high. I've been following kpop for 10 years now, its an industry where established artists have a much shorter lifespan that a normal artist, with exceptions like Shinhwa. So I know and i think they are perfectly aware too that this high is not going to last forever, and its scary for them and us. But what I am glad is that they don't base all of their success on how many fans there are for them, the awards or the popularity. They started because of the music and I think that's what will keep on motivating them. Groups like Beast are motivating in that sense. They aren't as popular as their heyday, but they are really close and stick together and make good music. As a fan that's all we can ask for. The band-wagoners will drop off at some point and pick up another group, another idol, another star to react over in their youtube channel, but fans like you, me and others will come back for their sincerity.

And i think its healthy to back off of them, not put them on an impossible pedestal for idol worship. :D"

And it really just to me to thinking that PD Bang has really gone more for quality over quantity with BTS. A lot of these Korean entertainment companies, from what I've seen, hold many talents and, in my opinion, it really does balance out their costs to some degree, especially if their talents become popular enough to bring in some revenue for the company along with enough to take care of themselves. The reason this comes to mind is that I think PD Bang learned with GLAM what measures may be necessary in order to keep a group from gaining the dark spotlighting that they can create for themselves, if that makes sense. I think he was really just sitting and thinking through how to manage his next group and really bring out their talents and let them shine without really being overloaded, depsite the amount of projects and releases that BTS puts out. It's one group that clearly has had a lot of thought put into their work and promotions. The theories that I've seen floating about here and there make it clear, namely how the names of past, current, and future albums and projects pop up in various places along their MVs and performances. They're not a group that was just thrown together. PD Bang apparently doesn't like to be called their father but I think he is artistically in the sense of just giving them guidance but still letting them develop on their own. I've seen him having open auditions for more males and, although it's saddening that it's not ever open for females, I think he's the type to really take his time and I admire and applaud that. I don't have anything against these other companies that have multiple groups and other talents under them, but I do think there is a lot to be admired with PD Bang because of the quality of work and art that BTS can release. One thing I can say is that, although they do seem tired sometimes, it doesn't seem to be a lot of stress on them. When I say this, I'm referring to how notorious SM is for the pressure on their artists versus BigHit and BTS.

BTS give a lot to their fans and do a lot of work but they seem to genuinely enjoy what they do. I'm not saying others don't but it's just doesn't seem like that aura is present, the aura of a company that doesn't really seem to care for them.

As far as them seeming so imperfect, there is that but I think it's also the fact that they highlight what their imperfections are and accepting them is why it seems they are so imperfect. I'll give a few examples:

Namjoon is known to be clumsy, very clumsy. He himself doesn't deny it. The fact that he had to wear the cast/brace during Fire era I believe it was because he injured himself like that say something enough. Now, sure, some of it may be for entertainment purposes but the other members are aware of on- and off-camera incidents where he causes situations where they would be fine with him just sitting still and not touching anything. The little burner thing where they were talking about Namjoon turning it on and the flame getting pretty high is just one example. You all know which incident I'm talking about, too, I'm sure.

Jimin has clearly voiced that it would be nice to be taller and it's hard to not point out his adorable hands, especially when he holds Taehyung's hand specifically. And not to mention, his weight was a thing at one point, too, reminding me of Monsta X's Jooheon honestly, in the sense that there were mixed signals about how they should take care of themselves. There were those saying they should keep their chubbiness because it was cute but others saying they should have abs and eat less and lose weight, etc. The fluctuation of weight is no surprise when it comes to performers in general, regardless of their country of origin. In South Korea, it just seems to be an even bigger deal, at least it seems for the most part that it's shamelessly spotlighted. Thankfully, with Jimin, it eventually got to the point where the fans wanting him to be one way or the other had begun to accept that his happiness was much more important. But he'd said it many times as well that he liked to eat and how he was losing his abs here and there.

Those are just a few examples. I realize, while writing this, that it's a mixture of words from the boys, other fans, etc. that, as a collective, we've simply come to learn to accept them as they are and work on accepting one another as they are, too. They may seem like they're imperfect but, in my opinion, for those of us that have been fans for some time now, I think that, honestly we've grown to adore them for who they are, regardless, and we just don't really think about anything that may seem like imperfections anymore. If you've been a fan of more than one group, I think it also becomes something that you can just learn to accept unless it really just stands out to the point that you're like "eh. wait, what?"

As for the new "bandwagon fans," as I've seen someone call them, and I think we all know who they most likely are. The ones that pop up on Youtube wanting to do reaction videos and all to them because they've heard about them and then become a fan of their music. The ones that saw them on an American show, more than likely American anyway, and are like "oh, cool. That's different." Those fans. They're new and may honestly just be into them because they're the hype of the industry or because they've heard lots of others talk about them and want to be able to participate in the conversation. These fans, to me, just need a year or so to really see where they stand. Someone mentioned that they may move on and even older fans may find other groups of interests and all but it happens. The honeymoon phase ends and your eyes open to see if it's something that you're actually interested in.

Anyway, I don't think I really had anything specific to say with this post. It's just thoughts on BTS. I could've easily pointed out other groups with this but I think the difference with BTS is that their differences are more embraced, including them embracing themselves in what makes them unique and it sets and example for their fans. With other groups, both my personal favorites and those that I'm not the biggest fan of, it would seem that this isn't the case, unfortunately. It feels like, with other groups, any of their flaws gets pointed out and made fun of in a way that isn't flattering to them and it's very saddening. It feels like with BigHit, BTS are allowed to be themselves but just be mindful and learn from their mistakes and all while other groups, from both fans and their company, are highlighted for doing something or saying something that isn't really applauded behavior, even something as simple as eating.

But, yeah. That's all. These are just my thoughts. No particular purpose or anything. Just rambling.

If you've read this far, thank you. Even for just clicking and scanning through, I appreciate it.

Have a wonderful day/evening wherever you are. And remember that, no matter where you, who you are, you are loved. ♡