โ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐. ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐.โ
โ ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ถ๐ฒ๐น ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ธ ๐ ๐ผ๐๐ป๐ถ๐ต๐ฎ๐ป
There has been an abundance of media coverage about BTSโ most recent single, โDynamiteโ; a majority of it was on the positive side. However, this article published on Slate had a negative reception on account of inaccuracies and a perceived negative bias. While it provided relevant information about the song, radio, and BTSโ trajectory on the charts, it also reproduced tired stereotypes and slacked on research.
Evidence of negative bias
Even though he wasnโt entirely dismissive of BTS, there were certain moments when the authorโs word choice was questionable. His characterization of Korean artists as โcarefully groomed,โ joined to the repeated emphasis on the โwesternโ aspects of โDynamite,โ gave at least partial evidence of bias. There were other instances that couldโve made the reader question the author. From calling the previous use of English words in their Korean songs โBreadcrumbs for American listeners,'' to phrases like โ...decrying radio gatekeepers thwarting their heroes,โ a certain level of contempt became evident.
Leading Question
Throughout the article, the author hyper-focused on the language of the song, as well as past comments from the members. In fact, he used a leading question to present his opinion as a fact. โSo why would the kings of K-pop change their minds?โ This led the reader to ask โwhy they did it,โ instead of โdid they change their minds?โ
By reading the original quote, we could see that their intention was to stay genuine, and not to give that up in the pursuit of a number one. Since the author already established the song is K-pop, we could use Yoongiโs definition, an amalgamation of content rather than a genre, to examine โDynamite.โ Is it consistent with the BTS essence in all of its elements? Starting with the auditive ones: it was in English, but it had the accented pronunciation of non-natives, and the color of their voices couldnโt be mistaken for anyone else. The lyrics were simple and joyful, but in this case, they were the perfect vehicle to deliver their emotions and comforting message. Experimenting with different music genres, and making them their own is also natural to BTS. This remained true for the visual elements as well: Their personalities shone through, their expert dance moves made everyone smile, and the video aesthetics gave "Boy with Luv" vibes.
So, did they change their minds? The song was indeed in English, but โall these other thingsโ remained genuine. BTS still sounded, looked, and felt like BTS in โDynamite.โ
A missing element
Since genuineness is such an important part of BTSโ appeal, itโs disconcerting that so much effort was spent on questioning the language. There was no mention of the artistsโ intention or the context in which the single was released. In order to understand why โDynamiteโ reached #1, he could have considered the song was made to cheer up and comfort ARMY. Even from the most pragmatic point of view, one couldโve expected enthusiastic support from the fans. In truth, not only fans, but the general public might have been more receptive to a cheerful song in the midst of grim 2020.
Inaccurate ARMY Demographics
Perhaps the weakest link of the entire article was its perpetuation of a stereotype and the lack of research; both about ARMY demographics, and the fandomโs opinion of English songs. In order to explain the issues with radios, the author indicated that BTSโ fanbase is seen as tweens and teens; a less desirable demographic. Thatโs exactly why he should have looked up data to confirm or deny this idea; because that prejudice harms BTSโ radio play in America.
According to ticket sales data for the โMap of the Soul Tour,โ 49% were bought by women aged 18-34, while 16% corresponded to men in the same age group. Other sources revealed similar demographics, such as the recap of the โRhizome Connectโ event, organized by โThe R3 Journal.โ While data was self-reported, it did show attendees were predominantly between 21-30, and plenty were older than that. Thereโs nothing wrong with tweens and teens, but ARMY is much more diverse.
1 person out of 48 million
One more of the articleโs flaws was the claim that English lyrics were a big part of the appeal and that it was a move done for Western fans as well. To be clear, itโs valid to explore the impact of English lyrics on the success of the single. Yet, one ARMY saying she was extremely excited about it because it made it easier to memorize the lyrics was not solid evidence. One person out of 48 million โ a figure offered by the author himself โ didnโt prove anything, especially considering the diversity of the fandom. He could have either framed this differently or taken the time to talk to various ARMYs about the matter, which could have given him a more accurate perspective.
Our Score:
๐๐
There were a few informative areas in this article, and the author even acknowledged radio has been an obstacle for BTSโs success in America. Nonetheless, passing opinions as facts, and offering little or invalid evidence to support his claims could be considered harmful, not to mention the closing sentence suggesting a K-pop invasion as a result of BTSโ achievement.
Overall, the tone, inaccuracies, and lack of research missed the mark and made the piece less valuable for its readers.
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Written By: Rebeca
Edit By: Mheer
Checked By: Aury
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