ARMY has once again proven to be different from your run-of-the-mill fangirls. But, with the foreboding call of enlistment echoing, many of our number can’t help but wonder “What’s going to happen next?”
ARMY met together at the University of Kingston in London, England to discuss the cultural phenomenon that is BTS during the first week of 2020. From all around the globe, more than 240 ARMYs presented ideas, discussed, and debated - basking in the pure joy that comes from the wholesome fellowship of fandom.
Throughout the week, a plethora of topics were brought to the table. Dr. Lee Jiyoung, the first keynote speaker to present, started us off on a high note when she explored the idea of a new type of media, one which allows the role of spectators to become paramount - like within the BTS Universe (BU). Dr. Jin Youngsun discussed the legendary Korean-American artist NamJune Paik, the father of video art, and the connections which can be drawn between Paik’s ground-breaking work and BTS. Dr. Kim Youngmi discussed marketing, the impact of BTS within the industry, and the organization of the BTS Insight Forum, during which professionals both within and outside the industry discussed BTS with perspectives from within their respective fields.
These astounding ARMYs elevated their appreciation for BTS from simple fangirling to a professional and thought-provoking level. They personified the argument that ARMY is not your stereotypical fandom, and BTS is not your everyday boyband. They illustrated just how groundbreaking the concept of the BU, BTS’ message of mental health, and the engagement of ARMY is. And those were just the three keynotes!
Unfortunately, there were so many panels and presentations that our team wasn’t able to see them all - though we hope to be in contact with many wonderful people from the conference soon! Nevertheless, with two days absolutely packed with panels, papers, and presentations, it’s nearly impossible to fully summarize this truly historic event.
And yet, conversation over our frequent coffee and cookie breaks seemed to stray towards one specific topic more than any other. When waiting for speakers to step up to podiums, I overheard so many of our fellow ARMYs discuss this fear in low tones.
What’s going to happen when BTS is no longer BTS?
And it is going to happen. For better or for worse, sooner or later, BTS is going to move on. They’re going to live their lives, maybe start families or maybe not. Continue in the industry, most likely, but maybe not. One day, time will roll forward, and take the Bangtan Boys with it.
What happens to ARMY then?
It’s reasonable that this topic would surface so often. A new year has just come, and with it, reflection on the past and uncertain hope for the future. However, I don’t think that this topic should be discussed with embarrassment or shame like I saw at the conference. In fact, it’s my belief that the very existence of this conference, of this blog, of every ARMY activity not expressly connected with BTS - such as One In An ARMY’s charity efforts or UKARMATION’s events - hold the answer to this question.
ARMY and BTS are forever intertwined, but we are not the same entity. We are together. We are united. But we are not dependant. This conference is a perfect example of this. BTS didn’t ask for a bunch of ARMYs to get together and walk down the BU flower path like it’s the Roman’s Road, searching for enlightenment. BTS didn’t ask for ARMYs at Citifield to donate food and blankets to the homeless. BTS didn’t ask for ARMY to write them blogs, or organize meet-ups with other ARMYs, or research the best ways to stream. Just like ARMY never asked BTS to start the #ENDVIOLENCE campaign, or speak in front of the distinguished guests at the United Nations, or get our fandom excited about studying psychology.
All this is to say - ARMY will still be here long after BTS is gone.
Long after they stop performing. Long after they stop releasing music. Long after they stop updating their Twitter with selcas or recommending cool songs and books. Long after the screams fade and the lights go out and the curtains rise and the last fanchant’s vibrations fade to nothing BTS and ARMY will remain.
How do I know this? How can I say this?
Because I have just borne witness to hundreds of ARMYs confirming the saying
“You find BTS when you need them the most.”
Stories of Bangtan helping ARMY from the pits of despair, self-hatred, self-harm, and abuse. Bangtan encouraging ARMYs when they received encouragement from no one else. BTS being the reason ARMYs graduated from high school or college, the reason they found the strength to leave abusive relationships, the reason ARMYs found joy in living again.
BTS has saved lives, and those lives have touched lives, and those lives have made this world a more purple place to live. Those ripples, those stories? They aren’t going anywhere. ARMY will always have BTS, always have their music and their message, even if the boys one day fade out of celebrity and stardom.
More than that, ARMY has become its own brand. The UN recognized us last year as the #1 Top Rank Sustainable Group. Who says that, after BTS retire, ARMY has to stop mobilizing for good? For the betterment of the planet? Who says that we have to stop funding charities or supporting changes in our societies? Who says that we have to stop being ARMY?
One ARMY, during the end of the first day, said it best: “Even if BTS goes away, I hope the ARMY friendships we’ve made last forever.”
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Written By: Aury
Edit By: Caitlin
Beautiful articulation of what it means to be ARMY in a long-term sense.