When people would be asked to list down the most powerful fandoms in the world, the ARMY fandom would undoubtedly be one of the top answers. ARMY is known to be very dedicated to BTS, backing them up every step of the way. From having a small fanbase back in 2013, BTS’ ARMY has grown in numbers as the group reached global popularity. With each new release, more and more casual BTS listeners are converted into enthusiastic ARMYs.
With such a massive fandom, it would be expected that not all ARMYs get along. Joining a fan community can be a great thing; we get to be united with other people who also love BTS. Fandoms can also uplift our mental health, which is important for both BTS and ARMY. Everything, however, has a downside, and fandoms are no exception. Having heated arguments can be considered unavoidable and common in such cases, even for a fandom that gives high importance to self-love, but it can also cause great distress to our mental health. Some ARMYs would say that real ARMYs would never leave. Quoting the tweet above, “if you love them truly, you would never leave them.” But is love enough for fans to stay?
ARMY made a promise to BTS, and BTS also did the same to ARMY. In a V Live after a Daesang win in 2016, Namjoon once said “We’ll protect you and you’ll protect us, whatever may happen in the future.” BTS and ARMY still keep that promise. The boys defend us from people who paint us as crazy teenage fans by telling everyone just how much they love ARMY. BTS’ music also saved thousands of lives through its messages of self-love, acceptance, and empowerment. These are reasons that make people stay.
Although social media made it easier for us to communicate and be updated with our idols, it also opened opportunities for bullying — from non-ARMYs and ARMYs alike. This negativity made some fans leave the fandom, which puts a frown on other ARMYs’ faces, although we often see ARMYs on social media joking about how some leaving the fandom would be beneficial for the rest of us because it will free up concert seats or be easier to buy merchandise.
ARMY says that “you find BTS when you need them the most.” Namjoon even asked ARMY during the Love Yourself tour to “please use BTS to love yourself.” Many ARMYs relied on BTS’ music to learn how to love themselves. But what happens when we don’t need to lean on BTS anymore?
Outgrowing things is perfectly fine, but some ARMYs feel guilty for turning into casual BTS listeners. With the constant guilt-tripping from some hardcore ARMYs, ARMYs who are uncomfortable with the fandom dynamics or don’t stan BTS as much as they used to become hesitant to leave. What does it mean when ARMYs leave the fandom? Will it have a huge impact on BTS, or will it go unnoticed given our huge fandom size?
It’s not wrong to think that we won’t ever want to leave the ARMY fandom, that we're going to be ARMYs for life. But sadly, people tend to forget that being part of a fandom is not a life-long attachment. Fans have a mentality that if you leave a fandom, you're a fake fan, no matter how valid your reasons for leaving are. And all reasons are valid. No matter what the reason is, it's your choice and no one can judge you for doing what you deem best for yourself.
Let’s make this clear: leaving the ARMY fandom does not exactly mean you don’t love BTS anymore. You may be leaving because the fandom makes you uncomfortable, you have a new interest, or your life is so hectic — all of these reasons are okay! BTS won’t hate you for prioritizing your wellbeing, even if it means letting go of your ARMY roots.
During the 2019 Season’s Greetings, Jungkook gave a heartfelt message to former ARMYs that the fandom truly treasured. He said,
“Some of you have been with us since debut, some of you got to know us later, and some of you may have already moved on. But I want to thank you all no matter when you loved us. I just want to say thank you for sharing all those moments with us and hope you don’t think we are growing further away.”
BTS treasures their fans, including the ARMYs who left. Leaving the fandom doesn’t mean that the memories you created with BTS aren’t real. For even for a while, they helped you love yourself, and you helped them do the same for themselves and that is the gift of a lifetime.
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Written By: Euni
Edit By: Mheer
Checked By: Clare