@amandapetrusich thank you for writing on bts, but there is a misrepresentation here of the demographics/motivations of their fans. ARMY (in the U.S.) are largely women of color in their early to late 20s who are drawn to bts precisely for their more meaningful engagement+
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+ with the more serious personal/social issues you frame bts as avoiding. while it's true suga expressed caution around explicit *political* messages in their songs, bts' commitment to being outspoken on social issues and mental health has been constant since 2013. What's more+
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it is this deeper level to the music which draws fans of older ages and across the spectrum of nationalities, cultures, and identities. the "rabid teenage girl" narrative is a frustrating stereotype that continues to be applied to any "boy band" who arrives on the US music scene+
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+and to see it here applied to a group where this narrative is explicitly untrue is surprising and disappointing. further research into ARMY, its history, and fan demographics at large will hopefully make this clear. thank you.
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I just don’t get the hype.
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the internalized xenophobia jumped out in this article and the replies
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Wow, the condescending tone, surface research & assumptions made in this “article” drips with unprofessionalism. Reeks of western superiority as if no one in the world can be talented & work hard for their success without some other contributing factor unless it’s from here?!
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Furthermore, marginalizing what is clearly noticed by global fans(consumers) & US fans(consumers) as talent, hard working & substantive just make once thought reputable New Yorker publication out of touch & insignificant. Try blogging as anyone can do that. This isn’t journalism
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Side note fans span all age groups & races. Not just frenzied teens. My husband & I are fans & we are 40
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Is it that hard for you to fathom that an Asian boy group is currently the most popular group worldwide? Any quick research will show that their meaningful lyrics, social conscience, remarkable underdog story, & genuine passion for music play a factor in their popularity. They +
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make fans feel like their dreams are valid and important. Attributing their success to "the machinery" is totally belittling of their 5+ years of blood sweat and tears. And I'm not even going to comment what I feel is undertones of racism with the completely ignorant +
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generalization of all Asians "bowing," though I'm certain an entire essay could be written about it. I can only hope that whoever approved this and the writer can better research topics in the future.
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How old are these children?
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Oof a xenophobic low-key racist article that put in the barest minimum of research, how incredible that someone actually sat down and wrote this


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You even know about the boys and their songs enough. How you dare talked to them like this. Uneducated.



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bad....... badbad..... and I'm upset cus there were good points in some places and it could have been an interesting read....... but by god, curb your racism for at least 1 article
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