BTS thrives because of its dedicated, diverse fans
SEOUL: K-pop band BTS is known for having some of the most loyal fans, known as the BTS ARMY, which is an acronym for “Adorable Representative M.C. for Youth.”
At their backs are its ARMY, a multi-million strong, diverse fanbase. The role of fans to lift the boy band cannot be overstated. BTS has thrived because of its dedicated ARMY, with fans cheering for it from afar and supporting it in every which way possible.
Earlier this week, BTS rewrote K-pop history as the first Korean group to top the Billboard 200 albums chart twice.
Their new album, “Love Yourself: Answer,” and its single “Idol” have seen global success that's rare for K-pop stars, propelling “Answer” to become the highest- charted K-pop album for the second time on Billboard 200.
The digital single version of BTS' new song “Idol” featuring Nicki Minaj landed on the 11th spot on the Billboard Hot 100. This marks the second time BTS has made the chart in three months after their previous song “Fake Love” from the “Love Yourself: Tear” album topped the chart in May.
“'Idol' marks BTS's fourth total Hot 100 appearance. Before ‘Fake Love,' ‘ DNA' hit No. 67 last October, while ‘MIC Drop,' featuring Desiigner, debuted and peaked at No. 28 in December,” Billboard noted.
Those who helped BTS rewrite K-pop history are its ARMY.
Meanwhile, as the K-pop boy band rose to global stardom, an increasing number of celebrities in Hollywood started jumping on the BTS bandwagon by showing their support for the group.
Fanboy or fangirl
Ansel Elgort is the band's biggest fanboy. Elgort met BTS for the first time at the Billboard Music Awards ( BBMAs) in May 2017, and reunited in Korea during his promotion for the movie “Baby Driver.” The actor uploaded photos and videos of them hanging out together on social media, tweeting “They are really the nicest dudes. I can't wait to hear your album, guys.” At the 2017 American Music Awards (AMAs), the “Baby Driver” actor revealed he is a member of BTS fandom and was caught filming BTS with a huge smile when BTS performed “DNA” live at the AMAs.
US singer, songwriter and actress Halsey got together with BTS at BBMAs 2017, and their friendship has played out over social media. While she was performing in Korea in August, she met up with BTS and posed for a picture with them _ commenting “you know there was no way I'd come all the way to Seoul without seeing these guys. Can't wait to see them play Staples center in LA! I'm HELLA proud.”
Taylor Swift, John Legend, DJ Khaled and Tyra Banks were among the Hollywood stars that hobnobbed and took photos with BTS backstage at BBMAs 2018. Swift looked excited to meet BTS, who snagged the BBMAs Top Social Artist Award and performed their new single “Fake Love” that night. “So great meeting you!! You're killing it!” she captioned her Instagram photo with the boy band.
Legend took out a BTS CD from his bag and asked for their autographs, according to RM. Top model Banks and DJ Khaled also uploaded photos on social media taken with the K-pop stars. Banks recently tweeted “Just heard those fierce boys of BTS will be in LA next week...so am I. Reunion?”
Music buddies
DJ Steve Aoki was at the forefront of promoting BTS in the US by posting pictures of the boys and their collaboration on social media. In 2017, BTS released an alternate version of “Mic Drop” remixed by DJ Steve Aoki and featuring rapper Desiigner. It topped the US iTunes Songs Chart and landed at No. 28 on the Billboard Hot 100, breaking into the US mainstream.
The Chainsmokers and BTS first met at the BBMAs 2017, but since then have consistently worked together for their fans. As a result, BTS' album “Love Yourself: Her” features the song “Best of Me” co-written with Andrew Taggart of the Chainsmokers. This track topped iTunes' album charts in 73 countries. BTS also promoted their friendship by appearing at The Chainsmokers' concert in Seoul held last September as special guests.
Nicki Minaj recently featured in BTS' new digital single “Idol” in their compilation release “Love Yourself: Answer.” Minaj wrote on Twitter, “Uh!!! What's good, KOREA?!” with a link to the song. But BTS is not the only one to benefit from the collaboration. Thanks to BTS, Minaj's new album “Queen” gained more attention in Korea as well. Her album entered the top 10 of Melon's search ranking following their affable Twitter interaction.
Apart from them, Shawn Mendes also spoke about the “sweet” group. “They were probably the most beautiful guys I've ever seen in my life.” When asked whether he would collaborate with BTS, the singer said “I think they're incredible. Oh yes, I would love to. I think that would be amazing.”
Starting this month, BTS will continue their “LOVE YOURSELF” world tour across major cities in North America and Europe, which include US cities Los Angeles, Oakland, Fort Worth, Newark, Chicago and now Fielding, NY, as well as Hamilton in Canada, London, Amsterdam, Berlin and Paris.