BTS Effect, Why Everyone is Watching BTS
On a morning cultural TV program, aired 31st of December, BTS was chosen as one of the hottest topics of 2018.
Jo Subin, a newscaster, explained why BTS was different from most other idols.
Even when an idol becomes big news, there are always some people who don’t know them. Those people are middle-aged men in their 30s and 40s.
But BTS is different. Even those middle-aged men are paying attention to BTS.
– Jo Subin
She further explained that this was because of the stock market. Anything related to BTS increases the stock price. This applies to BTS’s management company BigHit Entertainment too.
Everyone interested in the stock market is waiting for BigHit Entertainment to put out new shares.
– Jo Subin
The team on the show also looked at BTS’s global success. An entertainment reporter pointed to BTS’s proactive use of social media as one of the reasons behind their international popularity.
Usually celebrities rely on media to promote and advertise them, but BTS was very active on social media. With a friendly and easy-to-approach image, they’ve been able to reach not just Koreans but international fans too.
– Entertainment reporter
A cultural critic also explained the strong relationship formed between BTS and A.R.M.Y.
Seeing a group be created and improve over time, as fans you develop an attachment to the group that you have helped grow. That’s why BTS has a good fandom like A.R.M.Y.
They are strong and confident in what they do, and their capability of speaking up on issues that might be sensitive to talk about as a celebrity is what sets them apart from most other groups.
– Cultural critic
Another newscaster put emphasis on BTS’s attitude, saying the most important thing is to have a good mindset. This way they can use their influence for the good.
In Idol music video, they incorporated Korean traditions and showed off a part of Korean culture globally.
– Lee Sunyoung, newscaster
They also analysed the music video of Idol: how the unique mix of Korean traditional music and images, pop-art qualities, and contemporary images within the music video really established BTS’s own style.
If you haven’t already, check out the Idol MV here:
