- Introducing BTS and Army
Even if a person is not a K-pop music enthusiast, there is hardly anyone who has not heard of BTS music, even without the awareness of their existence today. They are a South Korean boyband named ‘Bangtan Sonyeondan,’ which is made up of seven members. Active since 2013, the band received international fame in 2018 when their “Love Yourself: Tear” song created a global wave. This gave them their immensely large fanbase, the BTS Army. A large part of the credit for their success can be chalked up to the active movement of their fanbase. Ever since its inception, the BTS Army has been very active and has grown to become the biggest fandom in the present-day pop-culture scenario.
- Love and dedication within the fandom
As with everything else, the BTS Army was a small fandom at the start. In its initial days, it was a small community that stayed within the national border of South Korea. They came together in appreciation of a band whose music resonated with their soul. They were entranced by the music and performance of the young adult boys on the stage. Although they were relatively unknown in the initial days, their love for BTS music kept them as a close and tight-knit group. Most of their attention went towards enjoying the music and spreading the biggest fandom in the world. And when the band grew and started to gain international fame, they were quick to welcome the new fans from all over the world into their fold.
- The use of the internet platform
The internet and the social media platform are the biggest weapons in the arsenal of the BTS Army. They are known to use these platforms very effectively to fulfil their means. Band members not only have millions of fans following them on popular social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and X but also very dedicated fan groups to keep them connected with the band as well as the biggest fandom in the world. They use these fan groups and pages to share their love for the band, share their updates, connect with other fans, and promote the band further. This active movement of the BTS Army and their usage of the internet to spread the love for the band has been instrumental in increasing the popularity of BTS.
- Collective action and global impact
The BTS Army has become a great example that even a group as large as the BTS Army can seamlessly organize and mobilize successful events. And their actions are not limited to promoting their idols and fandom. They have been active groups in movements for various social causes all over the world. The biggest example of the Army’s collective and impactful movement happened in 2020. During that time, the movement against racism was blazing globally. BTS supported this cause by donating US$1 million to the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement. In the span of over one day, the BTS Army raised and donated an equal amount to the cause. This demonstrates that the Army is more than a collection of fleeting fans.
- Breaking down barriers and embracing diversity
Ever since the band’s global fame, BTS Army has seen members from all walks of life and backgrounds. Regardless of their ethnicity and race, the biggest fandom in the world has made sure that every fan feels welcomed. The members range from boys and girls barely out of childhood to grown adults, and the fandom has been very welcoming of its members. They have taken the band’s message of love to the heart and make sure to emulate it in the fandom. They carry the message of acceptance and diversity as their fandom’s core values and foster a sense of belonging for everyone. They come together to challenge outdated norms and break negative stereotypes to make the world a better place for everyone.
- Spreading the Korean culture and boosting Korean tourism
Another impact one can see made by BTS Army is on the spread of Korean culture. Cultural tourism is a huge part of South Korea’s developmental plans. The government has been using various media to spread Korean culture all over the world and pull in more tourists. The band’s global fame has not only grabbed the attention towards the band but also to the country as a whole. Many fans have grown interested in exploring Korean culture to understand the root of their beloved band. They show a keen interest in learning the language, culture, and history of the country, all because they want to feel close to the band they love. A lot of BTS Army members flock to the country for the same purpose, which boosts the country’s tourism.
Conclusion
In the present timeline, the BTS Army is the biggest fandom in the world. This biggest fandom in the world is an example of the possibilities and potential a group can reach. While the Army was started as a small group united by a shared passion, the global fame of the band exploded the biggest fandom in the world to include international fans. However, larger credit for their fame goes to the fans themselves. They use the internet to increase their engagement with the idols and promote the band further. They also showed their prowess in spearheading change in social causes by investing themselves in various campaigns. They have been a huge contributing factor in boosting the popularity of Korean culture and increasing the country’s tourism industry. The Army is one of the most versatile and inclusive fandoms that spreads the message of love and acceptance all around the world.
