Firstly, welcome to the first blog of our Winter Series. In the past six months, Borasaek Vision has had the privilege of hosting our Summer and Fall Series – exploring notions of ‘connection’ through art, festivals, and celebrations. This next series is also dedicated to the notion of ‘connection’ as we explore a series of traditions through more contemporary lenses. Aptly named, ‘The Welcome Generation,’ the Winter Series will welcome new ideas and insights on a range of topics, beginning with a closer look at cultural identity.
Culture is a defining aspect of our identity – of who we perceive ourselves to be and where we come from. In its broadest sense, culture includes race, nationality, and ethnicity. However, culture extends beyond those terms to encompass all manners of knowing, doing, and being that define groupings of people. This includes beliefs and values, customs and practices, language and religion, as well as gender and class.
With BTS, we know they are Korean because of who they are and where they come from. Their national language is Korean – and we’ve heard them speak Korean many times – but through their song “Paldogangsan - 팔도강산” we also know that the members each have their own satoori – or dialects – specific to the regions that they come from within South Korea. Korean culture is fundamental to their identity, and rather than being a byline in their K-pop profiles, it is essential to who the BTS members are both personally and professionally. At the recent American Music Awards, leader RM humbly reminded viewers of this when he intimated once again that BTS are “seven boys from Korea united by their love for music.”
BTS are often referred to as K-pop idols, which also comes with its own cultural identity, inclusive of stigmas and strong points. Yet, while some may limit the definition of K-pop to a specific genre of music, BTS member SUGA has mentioned previously that K-pop is more than just the music – it also includes the clothes, makeup, and choreography. As such, K-pop is more of an “integration of different content” rather than an isolated field.
The K-pop industry embraces the notion of ‘idols’ – individuals and groups who work tirelessly to perfect their craft as singers, rappers, dancers, and to an extent, actors. Oftentimes though idols are ‘idolized’ by their fans, to the extent that they are always expected to present themselves as perfect; with impeccable reputations, physical looks, behaviors, and performances. Should idols transgress these expectations, public beratings can follow.
BTS, although adored by millions of fans from across the globe – and yes, perhaps even idolized by many – have proven that it is possible to rise above the unrealistic expectations of ‘idol’ life and live instead as humble, hard-working young men. They constantly reimagine themselves through their many concepts, but always at the heart of everything they do, are the seven BTS members who want to move the bodies, hearts, and minds of their fans with their music. Throughout all of this is their undeniable intent to try to make the world a little better, a little kinder, a little more loving and accepting.
Idols would not succeed without their fans, and this is another fact that BTS constantly acknowledges with their fandom, the ARMY. When it comes to supporting the BTS members though, the ARMY fandom has developed its own cultural identity that often sets it apart as a collective from other fandoms. Within the fandom are millions of individuals, such as myself, and we too come with our respective cultural identities, reflective of the groupings, communities, populations, and/or sub-populations that we belong to. In fact, many fans will openly say that BTS has helped them to find themselves, love themselves, and more importantly, speak themselves. One of the more phenomenal qualities of ARMY fandom culture is its ability to mobilize as one entity, united on all fronts for a common cause, without a leader and without a governing body. A memorable example of this is the 2020 social injustice initiative led by ARMYs in support of BTS’ $1 million USD donation to Black Lives Matter. Like any collective, there are groups of fans within the ARMY fandom who find each other through their shared interests. Everyone agrees though that ARMY exists because of BTS and vice versa.
Because of Hallyu, K-pop, and more specifically, BTS, international fans now engage with Korean culture in multiple forms as avid consumers and end-users of Korean products. Music, film, and drama; language studies, books, tourism, and food; cosmetics, fashion, technology, and cars – the list goes on and on. The internet has also played a key role in the dissemination of Korean culture to an international audience, making everything more accessible and in many instances contributing to a stronger sense of connectedness and belonging.
To be an ARMY is to be part of a transformative culture – one that constantly inspires and innovates. As a fan of BTS from a small country in the South Pacific, it is still possible for me to feel like a valued member of the ARMY fandom because of the culture of care that exists. As such it is our cultural resonance that sets us apart from other fandoms while at the same time aligning us with the shared vision of seven young men from Korea who strive to make the world a better place through their music and messages of love, hope, acceptance, and respect.
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Written By: Shelley
Edit By: Mheer
Checked By: Aury