The Strange Contradiction of Loving BTS Deeply and Still Finding It All Kind of Absurd
I think there's a weird myth in fandom culture that if you love something deeply, you must love everything about it. That you're either fully glazed or completely snarked. But for me, and I think for a lot of middle-ground fans, there's a strange in-between space that feels underrepresented. It's the space where I love BTS so much it makes me emotional, and where I find parts of the BTS machine (and fandom) deeply absurd.
So here’s a lovingly critical list of the things I don’t enjoy or vibe with. Not because I hate them. But because I care enough to be honest.
Even after military enlistment, the fan service is still going hard. Lives full of aegyo, over-apologizing, shy boy energy. It doesn’t suck me in like it used to. I miss the parts of them that feel more casual, less curated and didn't cater to this behavior.
💬 2. Jin’s solo era just doesn’t click for me
I want to like it. I’ve tried. But his solo music doesn’t resonate with me emotionally or musically. His quirks feel too performative when he’s alone, and the curated innocence doesn’t land. I crave more depth from him, but I rarely feel like I get it. And the second this man starts eating on live, I immediately have to shut it off.
⚡ 3. Jungkook is complex… and inconsistent
He’s the golden maknae, the honey-voiced wonder boy and I do love him. But the branding doesn’t always align with what we see. The house, the friends, the IDGAF energy vs. the emotional parasocial lives… it’s fascinating. But also confusing. Still, he's endlessly compelling.
📢 4. RM’s English… I wish it were better
This one’s hard to say because he’s praised so much for learning English. And that is admirable. But the delivery feels… off. Sometimes performative, sometimes mimicking a dialect that isn’t his. The accent of a 90s rapper at times does not land. I wish he had some diction coaching to elevate it now that they’re so global to sound as sophisticated and smart as he does in Korean.
😬 5. Their English interviews are painful to watch
Stiff, over-practiced, robotic. They lose their personality and become caricatures of themselves. On top of it, ARMYs are insanely over the top with the screaming and yelling at absolutely nothing, its beyond cringe. I much prefer their Korean interviews, where they’re playful and spontaneous and feel much more authentic. It’s frustrating that they haven’t improved in this area when they’re so clearly focused on Western markets.
👕 6. Sometimes they just look… not great
Styling can be so hit or miss. From hair disasters to awkward outfits, there are eras that visually don’t connect. That’s okay. Everyone has off days. But I do wish the stylists took more risks or leaned into individuality in a more refined way.
💔 7. Not all the members are attractive to me - and that’s fine
I know this will upset some people, but I just don’t find all of them hot. V and Jin are considered visuals but they don’t do anything for me. Jimin and Jungkook, though? 😮💨🔥 Namjoon… depends on the day. Hobi and Yoongi sneak up on you. Visual appeal is personal and subjective. It’s okay.
🎶 8. Solo albums didn’t all land
I’ve loved parts of SUGA’s, j-hope’s, JK’s, and RM’s albums. But as a whole, the magic I feel from group BTS is hard to replicate. Jimin, Jin, and V’s albums didn’t land with me musically—but even with the ones I did like, the emotional cohesion felt different.
🚫 9. The fandom has corners that make me uncomfortable
Shipping. Stalker fans. Obsessive streaming goals. Glazing. Constant obsessing about BTS superiority. I’m in it for the music, the brotherhood, and the emotions. Not the delusions or egotistical projection.
🍃 10. They need to grow into their 30s
This is future-focused, but I’ll be disappointed if their comeback content is overly childish. They’re men now. I still want to see the joy and silliness, but without the infantilization. Growth can still be fun. I want to see them talk shit but be soulful. I want to see Bon Voyage season 5 where they have a good time without the usual characters they are playing.
🎭 11. V's performative persona doesn't land for me
There's something about V that feels more crafted than candid. His lives make me roll my eyes. While some fall for the way he stares into the camera or pretends not to "care" about the fans with his impromptu behavior, I find it exceedingly performative. It all comes off very rehearsed, like he's slipping into a character every time. I don't feel the spark of spontaneity or rawness. And therefore, I just don't fall for it.
This love isn't blind. But it's real. It’s layered. And it’s mine.
