Social media has become an integral part of our daily lives over the last decade. It has evolved from being a space that we occupied during our downtime to growing into one in which we reside almost permanently.
Social media functions have drastically changed over time. SNS has moved on from solely being a medium to stay in touch with one's close friends and family to a global network that values individual interests. Even so, at its core, it continues to serve its purpose of connecting the world instantly. This sense of connection keeps BTS and ARMY further in tune with each other and adds to the experience of community building with fellow ARMYs.
However, no two experiences may be the same. After all, the BTS ARMY is a diverse fandom. It's safe to assume that each ARMY has encountered a situation about the group or music industry that they may or may not know about at all. Whether you take on the Herculean task of informing others or are seeking to better understand something yourself, chances are you turn to your ARMY spaces for the same.
What Are ARMY Spaces?
Any online space on social networking sites (SNS) that extends as a channel for ARMYs to interact with each other can be called an ARMY Space. Thanks to BTS' activeness on Twitter since pre-debut, the microblogging site is often termed "BTS and ARMYs' playground." ARMY Twitter might be one of the most active, interactive, and up-to-date (generally, compared to the other SNS) ARMY Spaces at present.
Of course, social platforms like Facebook, Instagram, etc. are not far behind in terms of BTS news updates and ARMY activity. Streaming platforms, such as YouTube and Twitch, also act as ARMY Spaces. Discussion and Q&A-based sites/applications like Amino, Reddit, Discord, and Quora see regular ARMY interactions on varied subjects. You get the gist. In the ever-expanding interweb, virtual communities and users continue to grow in tandem. At this point, the ARMY is practically omnipresent, experiencing BTS and especially the fandom differently.
These experiences, however, can be anywhere between wholesome to awful, depending on what your ARMY Space vibes with. The fan accounts, pages, and groups you follow or interact with ultimately set the tone for your ARMY timeline at any given point.
What Does Your ARMY Timeline Say Today?
ARMY isn't dubbed the most dedicated and organized fandom for nothing. Even amidst its socio-cultural differences, the fandom has cultivated means to enhance the ARMY experience collectively.
Besides fanbases to represent and guide ARMYs from their respective countries, the fandom also boasts ARMY volunteer-run charity organizations, news and magazine publications, mental health support groups, book clubs, and so on. There are fan accounts dedicated to helping ARMYs with streaming, voting, and funding for music platforms and charts. Others theorize the BTS Universe storyline. At the same time, a few prefer to use their interest in business and law to study BTS and Big Hit. And many, many more ARMYs dabble in their interest and curiosity while supporting BTS.
Based on the pages you like, groups you join, and accounts you follow, your ARMY Space will accordingly reflect your interests.
As the ARMY population rapidly grows alongside BTS' artistry, the extensive reporting and information (and misinformation, if you may) about BTS and the fandom can be overwhelming on a day-to-day basis. This does not consider the drama the “stan life” alone on SNS may bring forth. The malicious intent and uninformed claims of a few users can somewhat taint and bias the perspective of those who may not know any better.
It becomes increasingly necessary, then, to question the source’s credibility that channels such a situation to your timeline or feed.
Life As A BTS ARMY Is A Learning Curve
But curating ARMY Spaces is easier said than done. Between keeping up with BTS' exhausting schedule and attempting to forge deeper friendships with ARMYs, it is essential to step away from the herd mentality and cancel culture. While others state their opinions, one must learn to form their own.
It is the only way to ensure that your ARMY Space does not reek of toxicity, and instead builds into a fun yet informative experience that finally reflects you.
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Written By: Mei
Edit By: Euni
Checked By: Vera
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