Here's the thing about BTS (1 Viewer)

[karinaknows]

Here's the thing about BTS

I've been on multiple kpop forums by now. Ones that I can't name but you definitely know and I've noticed a pattern in how people in this community treats them. Spoiler alert: It's with little to no respect.

BTS is probably the only boy group in Kpop that has to deal with double standards. It has been happening since they debuted and it's continuing to happen, even after their massive success worldwide. BTS have worked their asses off to make a name for themselves. They carried Bighit on their backs after their sister group (Glam) disbanded and they are the sole reason why their company is soaring through the industry hierarchy and yet, it feels like nothing that they do is enough for people.

They released IDOL and people called it noise so then, they released ON and it's labelled as boring. BTS built their whole career on using their discography to advocate for world issues but kpop fans made fun of them for "taking themselves too seriously." So, they decided to do the opposite and release a song like Dynamite and y'all say that it's shallow.

There are plenty of other examples.

Almost every kpop fan nitpicks their life and then they wonder why most of their music is so "deep and edgy." Kpop fans preach about the importance of mental health until it's about BTS but, have you ever realised that maybe just maybe, BTS are the ones struggling the most?

They have to deal with not one but two industries (probably even more) watching them with magnifying glasses. Two industries that are insanely toxic towards them. Almost everybody's opinion on them went from "You're nugu so we're going to kick you while you're down" to "Oh, you're famous now? Well, we still don't think you deserve it even though, we watched you struggle." To me, it feels like nobody is happy with BTS period.

They were unexpectedly pushed into the spotlight of the world after years of being under people's shadows. They dealt with extreme amounts of racism from the general public and industry professionals but, they still kept going because they wanted to make Korea proud and help break the stigma around Kpop.

I'm not asking for people to blindly stan them but, I think all these debates about whether or not BTS' fame actually means something is laughable now.

The discussions were tolerable in 2017 because BTS was, in fact, only known in America because they just started promoting to its public. But, now? BTS are the faces of the Kpop movement and they are recognised as this generation's IT boy band next to One Direction. They are nominated for a Grammy and are performing at the ceremony after presenting an award before. You can dislike a song that they come back with and say that their music isn't your taste anymore but, I personally think that it's very narrow-minded to keep preaching about how BTS "isn't actually popular" like it's 2016. C'mon.

People insinuate that America is still pushing BTS out of their industry but honestly, it has gotten to the point where the general public is more accepting of BTS now than, the Kpop community. There are so many articles praising BTS for breaking a stereotype. Thanking them for re-establishing the word "boy group" in America's vocabulary. Welcoming them as successors of older boy bands who are considered legends.

BTS have performed on countless award and talk shows, been publicly complimented by pop culture icons. Dynamite was number 1 on Billboard but, no they aren't that famous in America and nobody knows them.

All this community does is pretend that BTS is making a fool out of the Kpop genre. That they are still only considered a meme. It seems like everybody wants Kpop (or just BTS) to be considered "lame" forever. As long as it means that BTS isn't internationally successful.

This community rolls their eyes whenever armys remind them about BTS' "underdog" story but, if you are that fed up with hearing about it, then you should be able to recognise that what they are saying is true and at the very least, respect BTS' new-found fame. BTS are willingly using themselves as Kpop's scapegoat so the rest of the industry can be recognised as something that is normal. Nobody would be predicting "Which group will become the next global sensation" if it wasn't for BTS and I find that topic alone to be disrespectful.

By the time BTS disbands, all of your favourite 4th generation groups will be promoting in America like it's nothing, with no care in the world and it's because of them.

Once again, I'm not asking for people to blindly stan them. BTS doesn't deserve that. But, at the very least, please try to treat BTS with respect because y'all like to tell everyone else that "no idol is perfect" and "that they are all just trying to live their dreams."

They have already publicly talked about the hardships that they went through because of their fame but, everybody still likes to make it seem like they are egotistical celebrities who enjoy taking all the attention away from their peers when that's far from the truth.

 

[blueberries]

It might depend bit where u hang around or maybe cause i'm not army, but honestly I haven't seen lot of kpop fans disrespect BTS and I think most disrespect they get from western audience/media etc. is due to being boy band and kpop- two things that aren't taken seriously in music business. What comes to kpop fans I think most of the dislike towards BTS is actually dislike towards armys and it kinda reflects to group even if it shouldn't. Though ofc there is always haters and envy stans. But i think majority respects BTS achievements and music (even though they might not find it as revolutionary as some armys do)

 

[Ahsoka]

I agree with some points but not others. They are treated like crap by a lot of kpop stans, but then a lot of armys also treat other groups like crap the same way so it's definitely not a one sided thing. Also, while BTS weren't famous at debut they weren't as nugu as people make them out to be. They won ROTY at multiple awards shows I believe. They were overshadowed by BAP and EXO for sure, but they weren't nugu. I do think it's better here where people in general aren't as toxic as say stan twitter is, but there have been complaints that some people are passive aggressive to them here, which I don't know about but I can believe as I've noticed the same passive aggressive behavior towards some other boy groups here as well. But I do think overall this place is a better and more respectful place overall.