Countless K-Pop groups come and go. Not all get to stay for more than five years. Even less get to make their mark on the world stage. No one has done the latter better than BTS.
Eight years after their debut, Bangtan Sonyeondan, otherwise known as Bangtan or BTS, has captured audiences' attention around the world and has even turned once K-Pop haters to avid fans and believers. Along the way, they've made history, including being the best-selling artist in South Korean history, the first and only Asian act to be named as the IFPI Global Recording Artist of the Year in 2020, and so many more.
But what exactly makes BTS a cut above the rest? Well, we asked those who identify themselves as part of ARMY, their loyal and tireless fanbase, for their insights.
ARMY represent
We interviewed four BTS fans online: Danny (20, Jin stan), Phi (16, Jungkook stan), Anon (17, Jimin stan), and Bam B (31, loves all members).
Q: First of all, what's your favorite BTS song
Danny: Awake
Phi: Love Maze
Anon: Dis-ease
B: This is so difficult because there's always a BTS song for every mood!
Q: What do you think makes BTS different from their fellow K-Pop groups?
Danny: Their themes and messaging are a cut above the rest. The fact that they were able to launch a campaign with UNICEF about the topics they discuss in their Love Yourself albums speaks volumes as to how deep and well thought of some of their concepts can get. Even if you don't know what they are saying, they are still able to present and convey their message clearly through the musical structure of the song, the music video, dance choreographies, supplementary videos, etc that many people can connect to deeply. Other groups do this pretty good too now, but I think BTS understands this the best and were some of the first to get it right.
Phi: They have stayed humble and authentic all throughout their journey and I think that's something I admire most about them.
Anon: The relevant themes and timely issues they place perspective on in their songs
B: The idea of ownership. BTS probably has more similarities than differences with other groups but BTS is able to sell the idea the they truly own what they create. This may not be completely true or false but they manage to make it seem that they do own their music, their style, etc.
Q: How do you think they were able to achieve the global stardom they're enjoying today?
Danny: It's largely because they have a really dedicated fanbase, and that they were able to shift their style to something really modern. Like they used to be a hip hop group, and I don't think that sound would propel them to where they are right now, but they changed it at like 2015 or something that made it way more accessible to not just for Korean music but for the whole world, and that made a big difference in getting more people, young and old, to like them. As for the fans, they are kinda crazy with how dedicated they are. K-pop people in general are crazy, but mix it in with the accessibility and built reputation over the years. It's kind of like a snowball rolling and getting super huge. The amount of stuff they share and post is kind of like an addiction that also helps BTS gain a big reach and online prescience. The amount of content they produce aside from just the music like the variety shows also give each member a personality and a way for people to know them more. It also helps that they are very beautiful people.
Phi: By staying true and producing quality music that caters to different type of people. They're versatile and charismatic too.
Anon: Until today, I'm still taken aback by how far they've come considering how they weren't as big when I started liking them but I think it's because they're genuine people. They have big hearts and I can see how sincere they are with music.
B: Brilliant marketing and responsiveness to client feedback
Q: BTS has been able to do and achieve a lot since their fame went global. What is something you wish BTS will be able to experience in the future that they haven't yet?
Danny: I want some of the members to run like a sub-label of Hybe/Big Hit one day. We've seen many artists end up running sub-labels of their companies or in some cases even their own labels, and I think someone like RM could do something like that in the future. It'd be nice seeing the members be the ones to sign and showcase other lesser-known new artists through this.
Phi: Winning a GRAMMY award!
Anon: It's not that they haven't yet, but I just wish them happiness in whatever they do.
B: As a group, Grammy win. As individuals, anything that their heart may desire.
