#q&a1

[bangtanbighit]

hmm i feel honestly kinda ,, uneasy with how much they’re blowing up and how much america is reporting on them everything feels so different now it’s:/ 2015 was really one of the best years to stan since it was genuinely so fun and barely any issues i feel like once the fire era came about the fun has gradually started to decline with the influx of younger and immature fans and just :/ i’ve been really missing the old days ((i knew them in 2014 before woh dropped but fully stanned after inu))

I understand how you feel. 2015 was the best year for me too: HYYH (my favorite series), meeting BTS at the fanmeet, first win with I Need U, etc. Plus, it was the year when they started to get just enough fame for fans to feel relieved that they finally succeeded + when Tumblr was fun and growing in terms of BTS blogs (including the growth of mine). I definitely feel a greater distance just because there are almost too many fans now, but at the same time, more fans means more success. Also, while younger fans aren’t always worse, they definitely can be more immature (as can older fans but less frequently tbh). I feel like these days, too many “fans” get protective and refuse to hear any criticism -- they’re my favorite artists but I don’t like everything BTS comes out with. 

[bangtanbighit]

I love that BTS are continuously growing because the time they struggled like getting awards and getting more publicity was painful. However I worried that as they get bigger the wrong people are getting attracted to them and BTS's image might get messed up even if the boys stay the same, mostly cos of American media that likely won't understand the Kpop industry and how it's a huge deal. I want the best for them but i'm nervous, also hoping the fanbase for the most part stays mature and loving

Sadly, I think it’s impossible for the fan base to stay mature since more fans = more crazed/immature fans (there are already too many of those compared to debut days). However, the mature ones can help by staying supportive at appropriate levels. I totally get it though - a part of us wants them to refrain from doing things that may change/damage the image we love so much right now. But, if this kind of stuff is something BTS sees in a positive light, then let’s wish them luck! :3

[bangtanbighit]

I'm happy they're getting more successful, but honestly it's scary. On a selfish, hipster level, I don't want them to become mainstream or be teased for liking a boy band, but I also worry about how stuff like the death threats might escalate and how the pressure will affect the boys. I'm glad they're going to go into their worldwide fame still staying true to who they are, though.

I really hope they say themselves and sincerely appreciate their fans as they gain even more success. I feel you on the hipster-level thing though. I will always miss the debut days as well as 2015 when I still had the opportunity to talk to them briefly while they signed my poster + high five….now I feel like they’re too big for that kind of stuff! 😭

[bangtanbighit]

I agree with that other anon! I'm so excited for the boys getting all this attention, but there's a lot of anxiety that comes with it. And it's hard to not feel so... protective, I guess? Because they're artists and this is what the do lol. I guess I just get worried over how they'll be received, how the fans will react to any criticisms, etc. Even thinking about Jimmy Kimmel and whether there will be translators or not gives me some sort of secondhand anxiety. I'm looking forward to it but yeah

I’m really hoping that there will be translators or that everyone on set will do at least some background research on not only BTS, but also on how Kpop works in general. I understand the worry, but again, we can do our best by continuing to support/love them. They’re pros now, so I think they can handle most things fairly well (though they’re still human and can be hurt as well). While I hope the US does it’s work, I also hope the boys try their best to brush up on some of their English (not expecting too much but I think they’ll definitely try their best). 

[bangtanbighit]

Honestly I’m concerned about bts. I think Namjoon was smart when he said in a press conference that they did after the bbmas saying that there wouldn’t be an American debut since with the internet they’re accessible anywhere, but making an effort to cross over to other countries when they’re doing so well right now, it’d be unwise. Plus it’d mean their schedule would be even more spread thin than it is now if they have even more int stuff, I mean they’re already getting hurt now, imagine then.

Their schedule is definitely going to get a lot more hectic. However, I feel as though BigHit has always been good at telling when BTS is at their limit, so they hopefully shouldn’t be overworked more than they already are (as with most idols). I don’t think they’ll pull an entire Wonder Girls thing and come out with an American single or anything so I think for now, they’re probably just trying to take in any of the feasible opportunities they get - after all, they’re artists and exposure will always be wanted. I just hope they don’t get too overwhelmed - but, they’re all grown ups, so I cross my fingers that they got this! :) 

[bangtanbighit]

May sound selfish but i feel kind of sad but yet happy? I've been with them since Run era and its kinda overwhelming you know?

Same here! The selfish part of me really misses the HYYH days. I discovered them a week after debut so the old days seem like forever ago TT___TT

[bangtanbighit]

i'm honestly torn about them getting this much international recognition;; part of me is extremely happy for them bc hell, this is what all of us have wanted for them since their debut, for them to get recognition they've always deserved. however the other part of me finds this international coverage scary? i know they're grown boys and can take on the possible criticism that may come from this but i sure do wish we were back in (pre)-hyyh era times where it was just us and bts aaaa

Honestly, I totally relate to the way you’re feeling. I’m assuming you’re also an older fan since you mentioned pre-hyyh era (HYYH, btw, was my absolute favorite era both concept-wise and musically). My fear is that they’ll lose some of  their humility, but I will never know since I can’t judge that much from a fan’s standpoint. I’m sure they’ll receive both praise and criticism, but it’s hard not to worry about negativity. I think another fear is just that the more supporters there are, the further away we can feel from them. But, of course, this is (hopefully) a great step in their careers so let’s pray it goes well! ^_^

[bangtanbighit]

It makes me really nervous that they’re getting so much attention. I just do want to be made fun of for liking them. I love them so maybe I’m just afraid to be mocked.

Hi anon! I think the opposite may actually happen. Like, they’ll get more mainstream coverage so people may not find it as weird? Plus, don’t ever feel shameful about supporting something that you like! <3 I’m just nervous they’ll get more haters (which occurs with increasing fame), but mainly because as a long-time fan, it’s a little weird seeing them blow up and no longer be this little special group I used to like. At the same time though, my only wish is for them to be happy and achieve what they consider success. So, if these are things the boys are excited about, then I’ll support it even if it means an enormous fandom (and hey, old fans don’t always equal better fans)!