BTS is more than the world’s biggest K-pop group, according to a UH Mānoa professor who is a co-editor of a new academic book about the pop phenomenon.
The band also has built a welcoming community where people can share and relate to one another, said Assistant Professor Heijin Lee. In times of trouble and sorrow, the BTS fanbase is there for each other for support.
“So it was a way to create community and to symbolize these kinds of bonds amongst sort of marginalized communities,” Lee said.
Along with two of her two co-editors, Lee participated in a book launch on November 7, hosted by the Center for Korean Studies at UH Mānoa, for “Bangtan Remixed: A Critical BTS Reader.”
Lee said the BTS fandom is both diverse and functions as one unit. They will unite together to work towards something, but at the same time be a diverse global entity. The progressiveness of the fan base is what is so appealing to many.
One example of this is when BTS fans crashed the police app that reported BLM protests during COVID in July of 2020.
“I think the fandom is both diverse and then also can act as a monolith at different times,” Lee said.
The co-editors said several generations have become fans at different stages in their lives, but all share the same love for BTS.
“We’re all coming to be fans from different timelines,” said co-editor Vernadette Gonzolaes.
The book’s contributors said BTS is seen for more than just their songs. They bring people together and are utilized as a way to cope with troubles around them. The contributors claimed how following Tuesday’s election, the fandom has come together to cope and share feelings with one another.
Co-editor Michelle Cho said about how she has personally utilized the BTS community in her personal life.
“It’s an interesting way to see how cultures are translated,” Cho said.