#bts discourse

[joyswonderland1108]

📝 Scheduled post for a much, much later date because patience is a virtue and so is being dramatically vindicated.

Listen. I already have a very well-researched, emotionally charged, borderline feral opinion about [redacted event]™️. And yes, I could be wrong. I’m emotionally stable enough (debatable) to admit that.

So here’s the deal: I’m writing this post in advance, locking it in a virtual drawer, and when the time comes—months from now—you’ll see it.

IF I’m wrong:

I will start my post humbly. I will apologize. I will explain why I thought the way I did, and you may even find me slightly gracious.

But—

IF I’m right?

Oh honey. Oh sweet internet.

Prepare yourself for an unhinged, petty, fire-breathing post.

It will be the textual equivalent of a victory lap in stilettos.

I will be absolutely insufferable.

You will beg me to shut up. You will regret ever doubting me.

There will be screenshots (i have no screenshot). There will be glitter fonts. There will be confetti and passive-aggressive "😌" emojis.

You will get SICK of my “HA! TOLD YOU.”

I like to be right. I live for it. Sue me.

See you in the future 💋

[kookiephoria10130901]

It’s almost Jiminday!

[xoxiaojun]

what did bts do ???? especially for you to put a note on your response 👀

thank you for asking!! personally, i don’t agree with their collabs with mcdonald’s, or their ambassadorship for coke. whilst i do agree that not everyone is able to boycott certain brands, (because unfortunately most brands are rooted in child labor and unethical production and/or ties to zionist, racist sexist policies) when you are rich and famous you DO have the power and the choice to not collaborate with brands like that. especially when jungkook has said himself that he has a certain status with the company. i also don’t think it’s fair to say that they aren’t “about politics” or they’re “just korean men” because for some idols maybe that’s the case. however, if you have spoken at the white house, spoken out about politics, been UN ambassadors, built their brand and image off of calling out injustices, and calling out human rights and equality issues you ARE a political figure point blank. you are responsible as an idol and as an adult to know who you are partnering with and what image you’re pushing when doing so. they are grown men, and protests for palestine are happening everywhere. it’s not an excuse and there frankly never will be one. i say this as someone who does like bts, i’ve been a stan for a couple years now however im not going to defend ANY idol when they do something that unacceptable. you can love someone and hold them accountable the same. if you defend someone regardless of what they do then you don’t really love them. i find it very important to be firm on what you do and do not stand for (why i put a note even though i do enjoy them and their music) and sadly, their silence speaks volumes.

[ladyc0312]

This is an excellent article on how BTS has been challenging traditional masculinity for a long time now.

Was particularly struck by this quote:

While a white Western pop star like Harry Styles wearing a dress results in days of global discourse about "manliness", BTS have been consistently challenging gender norms for years not only on an aesthetic level (like many K-pop artists, they frequently wear make-up and women's clothing), but also an emotional one. In addition to their openness about mental health, they can often be seen unashamedly crying on camera, comforting each other, having serious conversations about their feelings, and proactively resolving conflict. In other words, consistently displaying, in every possible way, what being a man can look like when removed from toxic masculinity and the repressive stigma attached to it.

Thanks to @BangtanScholars for sharing this!

How the biggest boy band in the world is changing the mental health conversation - ABC Life

Not only do BTS push the boundaries of gender presentation on an aesthetic level, they also back it up by displaying emotion and talking abo

[jiminieloved]

I'm going to be honest the more famous BTS becomes the more disingenuous they've become as well. I don't dislike them and I'm not hating...I realize the industry and the pressure. I just feel like 9/10 we are being told what we "want" to hear and I miss the raw. They're too polished and I think the ot7 thing is overplayed. Their bond is what made them really famous yes but it feels like they are erasing the individual bonds for the unit if that makes sense. idk I miss pre 2018 bts.

I ..... can't really disagree with you. I still love them but I feel a bit of a disconnect from them these days. All the points u made are points that I've thought about and then got mad at myself for thinking. And followers, you're welcome to disagree or defend them in a reblog. But yeah... right now that rings kinda true for me.

[chiefcooknlibrarian]

The complete erasure of indigenous ARMYs by this fandom is so fucking frustrating. No we are not a monolith and no not everyone is upset by the teepee issue, but for those of us who are, stop fucking using us against each other and gaslighting us. It’s not a “conical tent”, it’s not the same as tents used by indigenous Russians (which would still be the same issue?!), it’s teepees. There’s no if’s ands or buts about it.

We have had our land, our languages, and our families stolen from us. Every treaty we have ever had with the US govt has been broken. Let us keep and rebuild on the culture we have left without the rest of the fucking world taking it for fucking aesthetics. We are not here to be your goddamn spirit guides or your noble savage. So stop telling us to be so fucking honored all the time.

My anger and frustration is not at the boys, but it is definitely at BigHit and all of these shows who act like there’s no problem in using indigenous culture as a prop. Also just to head off any criticism, I am extremely aware that this is not an issue limited to BigHit and to BTSs stages. Trust me, we are all aware. I love BTS with my entire heart and that’s why this is important to me. If the continued use of Indigenous objects is due to ignorance, then I want BH to know that it’s not okay and that it hurts fans. If it’s due to capitalism and not caring, then BH needs to know that continued appropriation can hurt the boys image down the line and they are at a stage where they cannot afford that.

Here’s a template for emailing BH though I encourage you to put a personal spin on it if you send one. https://t.co/X95yB4CPLf?amp=1

Email Template

To: [email protected] Subject: Indigenous cultural appropriation, Use of Teepee To whomever it may concern, In the recent The Fact

[sleepylixie]

ok that one post about bts i couldn’t agree more, i haven’t liked any of their music since before dynamite was released and i don’t even really keep up with them anymore but i just... don’t care, but i still listen to their old stuff bc it’s so good

Got online just to respond to this ask- ( and this is all just my opinion so let's be clear on that)

I haven't vibed with any of their music post Fake Love and Idol 😅 effectively one of their last full Kpop releases.

Dynamite, Butter and Permission To Dance seem really soulless to me - especially when I compare it to their old music. Blood, Sweat and Tears? Classic. Not Today? Iconic. Hell, We Are bulletproof: Eternal will always leave me feeling some kinda way

It's sad to see that in the pursuit of pandering to an international audience, their music just feels... More and more empty, for lack of a better term.

It's not even entirely the fact that it's all in English, it's that it doesn't feel like how BTS' music used to feel back in HYYH or Wings eras

That's what I miss most about being a BTS fan, I guess- I'm kinda tired of the continuous retro-y vibe we've been getting that's just starting to sound more and more like shopping mall music :/

[thinkingnamjoonkei]

'I think ultimately, what BTS do is take the format and the ideas of Kpop and rearrange them and edit them.' - bby gang

~ For anyone who wants to hear a nuanced and well researched discussion of BTS, Kpop and they way they are categorised in the media.