...'hiatus', 'break', 'rest', 'chapter 2', whichever you may wanna call it + BTS fandom 101.
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by PAM
When the world-famous young men from South Korea that makes up the global phenomenon, BTS, announced in their yearly debut anniversary dinner, FESTA, on 14 June 2022, how they wish to proceed after the launch of their 'comeback' album, "Proof", there was a plethora of reactions. The most surprising of these 'reactions' was that of the stock market! There was a 28% drop in the market value of HYBE, the day after FESTA 2022 was aired via YouTube. HYBE is the Korean music company that represents BTS whose main revenue is the haul by BTS. In its US album sales and streams alone, a whopping 27% is comprised of those of BTS's while its earnings from concerts and tours are almost solely coming from BTS. As such, to continue being viable, they keep BTS on very tight schedule all year-round.
BTS Fandom 101
A huge player in BTS record sales and streams is its fandom, the ARMY. It is as phenomenal as BTS in that it is freakishly formidable in size, and in reach, which is inclusive and global, as in G.L.O.B.A.L.! Each ARMY's commitment in his/her patronage of anything coming from BTS is unheard of. Almost each ARMY has a 'bias', which is a BTS member that they favor a little bit more than the other six members. They sometimes switch favorites from their 'bias' to their 'bias wrecker' (another member who distracts an ARMY devotion to his/her bias, and draws attention by his talents or good looks or humor or all of the above)... and back again. Sometimes, they do this switching often enough until one becomes their 'constant', and the remaining member becomes or stays as 'bias'... while another member becomes the new 'bias wrecker'. I know this process very well because I've gone from having a bias to having a bias and a bias wrecker... to having a constant, a bias and a bias wrecker. I do remain a BIG FAN of all seven members, and adore them collectively as BTS.
One can become a 'card-carrying' ARMY by registering and paying annual membership fee via the fandom platform, Weverse. The are many benefits to being a registered ARMY, among them are getting advanced information regarding concerts and tours, BTS merchandise, and networking regarding one another's activities related to BTS, and activities of various ARMY groups scattered around the globe that celebrate BTS. While all seven members of BTS have their own Instagram accounts where they post photos and videos of their whereabouts and what they are up to, they often communicate real time with ARMY via Weverse. They either post their thoughts, photos and/or videos to communicate with ARMY. Sometimes, they post comments on ARMY's posts just to have their presence felt. The fandom platform has translation function that allows non-Korean ARMY to understand BTS members' posts and comments.
And speaking of real time communication, VLive is another platform utilized by BTS to communicate with ARMY via live video. ARMY can post comments real time, and the BTS member/s may respond real time as well. When there are collective BTS undertakings, they all go on VLive as a group. In some cases, individual members go on VLive to update ARMY on their individual undertakings, or just to stay in touch.
There are 'solo stans', too. They are those who loyally follow and support one member of BTS whom they consider their idol. They are different with ARMY in that they are 'extremely' possessive of their idol, and they care very little about the other BTS members, if at all. In extreme cases, solo stans even become 'haters' of other BTS members who they feel are competing with and taking away attention from their idol.
Proof
On the last night of their four-night "Permission to Dance on Stage - Las Vegas" concert held at the Allegiant Stadium on April 8-16, a teaser on "Proof" was released. This is a three-CD compilation album that charts the journey of BTS from the new seven-member boyband managed by a small Korean record level that was on the verge of bankruptcy to a global phenomenon that they are today. Among others, they started out singing angrily about strict school policies that put a lot of stress on students, unrequited young love, and other struggles and adventures of young people. They caught the attention of young people like them because of the theme of their songs, the distinct sound that they make, which is a combination of beautiful singing and skillful rapping, with song lyrics that represent the innermost thoughts of people of their age who were too insecure and lonely to articulate their feelings. In a way, BTS became the 'spokespersons' of a generation that was struggling to define itself amid a world that has gone insane due to bickering selfish adults who expected a lot from them but never gave them the support that they need!
The distinct sound that BTS make come from two lines in their seven-member group: (1) the "vocal line", and (2) the "rap line". The four-member vocal line is composed of: (1) Jeon Jung Kook (or "JK") - the youngest in the group, or, "maknae", referred to specifically as "golden maknae" because of his extraordinary talents that allow him to sing, dance and perform on stage with such enviable skills among many other things that he does so well inside and outside BTS. JK is also the lead vocalist because he can take a song to whichever direction, high or low, sweet or tough, happy or sad, due to a beautiful surreal-sounding voice of 'stretchable range' that does not seem to have a limit because he is so skillful in maneuvering it... and he gets better still. He is every record producer's dream, indeed! His good looks and athleticism give him an advantage as a performer in that he can always nail a well-coordinated move that pleases the eye; (2) Kim Seokjin (or "Jin", the oldest among the seven members, therefore, everyone's 'hyung', and splendidly lives up to this, too, by being good-natured, wise and gallant... when he's not being hysterically hilarious, that is) who is considered as the most effective balladeer of the vocal line (and, perhaps, in the whole K-Pop now) due to a wide-range voice that he can fill with tremendous emotions, matched by a handsome face that turns any song to an irresistible love song. With his skills, it is impossible to believe that he never planned to become an Idol as he is obviously cut for it; (3) Park Jimin, who is a singer with a unique voice timbre that balances the all-male sound of BTS, and yet, he can easily power his voice with a knockout punch. Being a trained classical dance performer, he is able to bring a dance choreography to a 'lifeform' that is unrivaled in K-Pop for its fluidity, grace, and daredevil quality. In that small frame of his, he has the biggest swag in the group that packs the wildest adrenalin pump. He is able to interpret a BTS song with his wonderful dancing and vocal prowess that leave ARMY and non-ARMY in awe; and (4) Kim Taehyung (or, "V"), the owner of a beautifully thick vocal that seems to emerge from a deep (deep, deep and deeper still) well, and unloaded in their songs either like a lovely garnish in a slow romantic whisper, or like a punch in the gut in a powerful rocking snarl, matched by a larger-than-life stylish image that he, and only he, owns, too. He projects his jaw-dropping handsome face in a certain angle, sings his part with mobster's confidence, winks (baaaad!), and turns to dance without missing a beat and without creasing his attire - very, very cool!
The rap line is, in my humble opinion, what makes BTS the group to beat worldwide. They add a variety of musical textures to the beautiful sounds that the vocal line makes. Together, they put BTS in a level that is just too difficult to rival. The rap line is composed of three extremely talented music artists who have a lot to say... and can say them with such eloquence and unabashed confidence. They are: (1) Rap Monster (or "RM"), whose real name is Kim Nam-Joon. He is the leader of BTS, although younger than three other members. RM is the intellectual in the group who might be responsible in hauling fans who are 'seasoned' in their respective professional practice. He is not only a creative poet who can compose a rhyme that a multitude of ARMY can relate with and respected rappers can clap their hands to, but he can also recite them with beautiful enunciation and deep rhythmic voice, creating a rap concoction that makes for a distinct BTS sound; (2) Min Yoongi (or "SUGA", short for "shooting guard" - his position in basketball), who has become a prolific record producer over the years, is arguably the genius of BTS. He composes verses that are both in-your-face relatable and enigmatic, and recites them with incredible skills that leave the listeners breathless and just about enough amount of sarcasm and attitude - with a sassy facial expression, and a tone to match; and (3) Jung Hoseok (or, J-Hope, or Hobi) who is a unique rapper in that he can sing well, too... and an awesome performer who can slay the heck out of any death-defying dance choreography! He writes his verses in a way that's relatable, and drawls them huskily with his raspy powerful voice in a way that gives life to the mere words to become the voice of a generation! Like JK, he is an extremely versatile artist with such high-level and reliable quality that, "when Hobi is on it, consider it done, and done well!"
With such a load of talents, BTS is a music powerhouse like no other! All members can dance very well, so that, when they are altogether on stage, their dancing skills, and their personalities that blend so well due to deep rapport, they bring their songs to a level of performance that hits the listener so hard, it's never possible to recover! It's an instantaneous baptism to become an ARMY. As such, they are the most sought after artists, not only by fans and large companies that are seeking effective endorsers, but by their fellow artists around the world who are looking to gain access to their undeniable 'magic' for collaboration.
"Proof" embodies all of the above. The songs were selected to represent the various stages of development of BTS. However, there are three new songs: (1) the emotional retrospective of a song that is both melancholy and hopeful, "Yet to Come", giving the listener, especially ARMY, the feeling that BTS has reached a fork in their career road, and making a decision which path to take; (2) the touching song of reflection and camaraderie between the members, and between BTS and ARMY, "For Youth"; and (3) the upbeat song that is both reflective and sassy, "Run BTS", which gives the members the chance to look back to their humble beginnings, how much they have accomplished, and how they are shaking themselves off dusts of criticisms from non-believers.
'Hiatus'? 'Break'? 'Focus on individual undertakings'? 'Limited group activities'?
At the 2022 FESTA where the BTS members had their annual dinner where they celebrated the 9th anniversary of their debut in 2013, per their FESTA tradition, they looked back to what has been, and look forward to what's to become. The event was pre-recorded at their old apartment where they lived together as a group. Their lease was ending this year, and they wanted to re-visit the place to rekindle memories. The event was streamed on YouTube on 14 June 2022. As usual, the members bantered over dinner, and it was hilarious!
At some point in the celebration, the conversation among members turned from laugh-out-loud funny to sober... emotional. ARMY assumed that it was only because of old memories triggered by their old place, and the prior release of "Proof". And then SUGA mentioned "hiatus" casually, at least, what he said was translated to "hiatus" via close captioning/translation function on YouTube. And then, RM gave each person a chance to speak... in which everyone spoke emotionally. There were consistent mentions of getting mentally, emotionally and physically tired, and the need to take a break from BTS to do their own thing for the time being. When his turn to speak came, RM spoke so emotionally that he broke down. As that was so out of RM's character, each one broke down then... including the usually devoid-of-emotion SUGA. JK had to cover his eyes with napkin as he was crying so much. It was obvious that the gentlemen have been contemplating a much needed break, and when the opportunity to speak about it with ARMY came, the floodgates of emotions just gave way... and a true ARMY can only empathize.
There were a variety of emotions from ARMY worldwide. It was like the whole world was going on a collective spontaneous meltdown! At the height of the FESTA 'chaos', it was the maknae, JK, who categorically clarified right there and then that "it's not like we're disbanding or something," and such straight-forward pronouncement was where ARMY hinged their hopes on. JK went on VLive soon after that to stress his point.
Surprisingly, after the initial shock... there was a flood of support from ARMY to the boys, encouraging them to do whatever they feel was best for them with a promise that they will wait until the young men are ready to return to pick up where they left off. It was a thoroughly beautiful moment. It was like ARMY shutting the door to shield BTS from the outside world, protecting them, allowing them a moment of private grief... giving them time to reflect, contemplate their individual and collective future, and decide where they wish to take BTS and ARMY next. With such fandom maturity, once again, BTS was elevated to another level of superstardom... and with the stock market going on meltdown by the mere mention of "hiatus" unofficially, there was no doubt what impact they made on the world - it was phenomenal, and definitely, never-been-seen-before. RM's leadership reached a new height as well, proving that strength in character and leadership can also be expressed in openness to vulnerability... making himself even more accessible to ARMY now.
BigHit since clarified what the members plan to do, which is to pursue individual projects. They made it clear that BTS will not be on 'hiatus' as they will still be working as a group on some projects. They denied any plan of disbanding. Currently, the members are pursuing individual projects... still related to music, visual arts, and the music industry. Their fandom remained engaged and supportive, and BTS continue to dominate the global music industry.
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Video credits: Thanks to Bangtan TV for the videos, and to YouTube for the video links.
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