Once again you have created a brilliant and enlightening video essay about BTS and ARMY. I am also part of the 67 year old retired Doctor ARMY group from the US. Thank you for including and honoring me even though I come from a country full of prosaic arrogance and intolerances. I do have to admit that I am old enough to live during the later part of Beatles mania. However, only BTS and ARMY has my love and attention. Thank you Boracity Magazine!

Thank you for talking about this topic. The stereotype/misogynist of female fandom in boyband have been happening ever since the Beatles. Many medias have been portrayed army as “crazy rabid fans” or “hormonal fan girls” and no matter how much we have to speak up about this issue, locals would attack army and called us “sensitive” when that stereotypes is really getting tiring for us to be lable like that. Is like these ppl are judging woman for being emotional or being a fan of boyband is weird or if a boy like a boyband, they labeled them as “gay”. Enough is enough, we’re tired of how the medias and the kpop community have mistreated BTS and army.

I'm an Indian and there are still people who ask why I listen to BTS or K-POP when I don't understand their language and i ask them just one question in return "How did you listen to Despacito and Taki Taki when you didn't understand their language".

I’m 72 years old and adore these guys. Their music is so damned good. I’m excited for Chapter 2 music from all of them. I am still a big Beatles fan. I believe BTS will be remembered as legendary for decades to come and I am sorry I won’t be alive when they are older, but I did my pinky swear with RM promising to be a loyal fan always. I’m in awe of their talent and how far they have come. I wish for them health, wealth, and happiness. 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

I'm a 35 years old woman. One of my friends is a psychiatry doctor and when in March I mentioned that I discovered Bts, she really treated me like I was a child, without a good taste for listening to a bunch of Chinese guys. (And she also said that her 14 years old patients are obsessed with listening to this music). And is difficult, because none of my real-life friends talks about BTS, I think because my country is small (Uruguay), but it makes me feel like in the wrong sometimes, for liking their music. Thank you so much for your videos!

I was visiting at my dad’s workplace 5 years ago when I was 14. I was an army back then. his 37yo coworker saw my bts bracelet and excitedly told me she was a bts fan too. she is a decently well off lawyer. armys are not all kids

As a 71 yr old ARMY I lived through this same thing with the Beatles and countless others that media thought was a flash in the pan. And the mentrification has always been a thorn in women's sides. But as an old hippie who was looking for some good in the world that looked like it was falling apart I happened upon BTS and ARMY and it gave me back my hope that all was not lost. And no I don't speak Korean but I was curious enough to find out what it was they were talking about so I dived down the rabbit hole headfirst and so glad I did. These guys are amazing and ARMY will always be there to uplift them and each other no matter what media has to say. Thank you so much for your work.

I just got into BTS this year just before my 47th birthday and I consider it the best gift I have ever given myself. I am grateful to the ARMY on social media, like this channel, who have given me a sense of community as well as a resource for me to truly appreciate BTS' brilliance. 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

Recently I decided on something... to gain BTS the respect they deserve in my country, starting with my household. To do this, I realized that all I had to do was to play their music unashamedly. And now, I do. I play it when I'm cooking. I let my BTS shower playlist run wild. And I play it when I'm exercising or doing other mindless work. My siblings all play their favorite songs all the time and many times, I discover new artists/songs that way. The first thing I realized is that they didn't even know they rapped. Imagine that! I think little by little, it's starting to work. I've had a few of my family grudgingly admit how good a song is. So, that's progress! I have also started using their songs when I do social media projects when appropriate. It starts with us. When we stop being ashamed, people will realize there's nothing to be ashamed of.

Also I saw the other day this post that said 'you coming for Namjoon's lyricism is like digging your own grave' and it holds true for BTS in so many contexts. The longer I stay in BTS world, the more I discover new things about them as artists and it's like my respect and love goes through phases of advancement. Each time I find something new, deep, meaningful and a testament of their talent, I am literally left speechless to how those 7 guys at this point are literally so much more than just another group or boyband. I cannot even define them with accurate words because of all that they are and all that they do. All their credit is not one bit undue or misplaced and yet if people continue to come for them for illogical and hate driven reasons then I think they are just choosing to be ignorant and close minded.

even namjoon talked about how diverse and big army has become in a recent live after ptd concert. It's so true. I love bts and army so much - a 20 year old Army from India

In the last few years I am seeing more and more music publications give serious and positive reviews on BTS's music, there are still some low digs at ARMY, but the group themselves are becoming more accepted in the industry. BTS have always taken their art seriously so I hope that one day they can achieve that recognition with the general public as well. They deserve it.

I'm accidently happened upon Bts in the last 6 months and I'm glad I did they aren't the typical boy band (and thats not a diss to boybands) But the fact they sing about issues other than the typical boys /girls bubble crush music it is amazing and seeing the age range fans from a 13 yr girl to an 80 yr old woman lets add they have many,many men fans too. Bts will be in history books mark my words I am a proud 44 yr old Army and not a shamed of it. When Jk once said he wanted to be a singer that people wouldn't be ashamed of and we are deinitely not ashamed of him or any other Bts members. I just wish where I lived I had a fellow Bts fan/friend But Godwilling one day or at least on online that I could get to know and share experiences together and talk about the members and the music. 💜💜💜💜💜

I’ve been an army for 4 years and although I’m 17, I already accepted and knew of the diversity in army. My mom didn’t believe it though. When I took her to the Vegas concert she couldn’t believe her eyes. We saw an old married couple, sat next to a sweet 40 year old woman, and saw plenty of dads and boys. When I told all my friends and family about the concert, I made sure to mention those army because everybody has that stigma that armies are all 17 like me. It’s not true. Thank you for spreading a good informative video as always!!💜 I hope people come to accept bts and army as we are.

It's so frustrating as a person from a country where our native tongue isn't English. I listened to MJ growing up. My dad is a huge Eagle fan. He didn't understand a thing but he love their songs. Listening to foreign songs is a normal thing for us, be it Korean, Chinese, Spanish, Japanese etc You can always do your research, find lyric translations later if you like it. I don't know why it's such a hard concept to understand. These people are so narrow-minded.

There is nothing wrong with loving something that make you happy. Always remember that!! Never let someone look down on what you love. If they do, they clearly don't understand who you are and we do not need to waste our time on them. They do not deserve it.

I was just a little kid when I saw the Beatles perform on the Ed Sullivan Show. I was amazed at the ecstatic fans on TV. Fast-forward to today - at 64 years old, I discovered BTS in 2021. Like so many other senior Army, I fell in love with them, their messages, musicality, choreography, and personalities. I have been blessed with having had the experience of seeing them in person in Las Vegas and being one of those ecstatic fans. I am able to afford their merch and have time to really research, understand and appreciate their music. They are truly the best. Age and gender does not matter in this fandom, no matter what the so-called experts say.

Hype for the video also since I'm male Amry to and love them so much I hope one day the rest of the world will take bts seriously for there amzing lyics and talent as they deserve it

This is exhaustive, well -written and so true... I share a lot of traditionally "male nerd" interests, like star wars and lor and Marvel, and that's considered culturally acceptable, but God forbid i should talk about BTS, because that's little girls and their obsessions and cannot be spoken about in normal conversation, despite the fact that BTS spikes just as much of a my nerd interest as Warcraft and is just as full of amazing references and interesting side stories as any other of my other favs. Whatever. BTS rocks, everybody else shocks, all right?

I am in my 60s. Have 2 degrees and am a recently retired medical professional. If I mention anything BTS to friends or family I get that look.- As if they want to pat me on the head and say “that’s nice sweetie.” It is frustrating. But I am so happy to find the ARMY community.

Haters: "BTS only sings for girls" The rap line: "1st time?" I grew up singing in a choir, learning classical music and theater arts but during my 2nd yr at uni I became a long time fan because of the rap line. Honestly i still get surprised when i meet or get to chat with boys nowadays and they immediately assume stuff without realizing they're misogynistic biases are showing. BTS may only look pretty boys to them but that just shows how shallow and ignorant their minds are. They're more than just the visuals, songs, lyrics, writers, actors, artists, singers, dancers, athletes. Now they've been recognized as a national treasure in their own country. They have influenced so much professionals around the world of their thoughts and dreams, makes collective efforts to change the world for the better. Anyone who criticizes BTS without knowing these things about the group and Army doesn't realize how other artists like the Beatles also influenced. I remember reading about one of their concert in USA while segregation was still a huge thing in some states and yet Beatles stood their ground to not perform unless the divide was removed in their performance venue. There's parallels with BTS where a Prince allowed women to have a choice to freely not to wear a hijab or a much more covered up clothing during their concert. Simple political and cultural rules have been changed or removed because of their good influence. Let people enjoy the beauty of BTS music as much as when the past generations enjoyed MJ, Beatles, Backstreet Boys, Abba, and so much more.

You dont know how much your videos feels like. Your videos literally speak "facts". Thank you so much. 💜

Am a young adult. From maybe about 8, the circumstances around me just made me suppress my emotions and everything about myself cause my mind always told me, 'at the end of the day nobody cares and you will have to get through every circumstance you are going through, so don't waste time feeling'. Thanks to that, now I can barely feel or enjoy. So much that when most heavily depressed resort to ways to die, I just felt more trapped cause what about the money my parents spend for all these years, if I can't atleast feel like I have payed them back? I have no socials and limited time I can spend on KZfaq. So I barely contribute to any of these numbers. And yet I have to seek the approval of 'grown men' and even some 'grown women' who rule the media world and actively create narratives thanks to which I haven't let a single soul know about bts, since bts is so personal to my existence and forget being judged. Even my capabilities will be looked down just because I like something. Out of pure curiosity. Why does my two decade of living have to be belittled just because ya'll adults lived a few extra yrs to create more corruption and negativity in this world? Why can't I even appreciate the only thing that gets me through a day without feeling ashamed? None of these 'grown adults' know me and done any good to my life. But they will still call me fanatic, obsessive and delusional without any factual base but purely based off my age.

I'm from Kerala (India) and since India is a huge country with millions of people with different languages, culture etc, I'll talk about what happened in my place (Kerala) We have a lot of toxic men who hates on bts just because their fandom is "toxic". 2020 (especially during the pandemic) was the time when bts blew up in our country and men started making fun of bts for wearing make-up, hair colors, "looking same", "looking like girls" and because of their language and they started comparing bts to one direction, latee with Michael Jackson, XXX Tentacion and many male artists who have passed away, saying "take these girls and bring back the legends" It was really hurtful for us to watch and people considered us ARMY as 15 year old girls (where there are many armys like me who are in their 20's) They started making comparison/hate edits and they went viral among these haters, youtubers started using bts to gain views (things like they went on streets to ask a random person if they know BTS or 1D), (yes, we have immature fans who get into unwanted fights with haters) BUT the toxic society was on its peak. And on 2021 when Butter was released some of the locals started listening to Butter. But still the hate was the same, many medias and news channels who started getting more reach just because they brought bts to their channel started using BTS for clout, and they were the worst after 2022 Festa. We armys in Kerala always wanted BTS Korean songs to get recognition they deserve among the locals, we always wished for that, and this year we started seeing Black Swan instrumental version used as audio on many non-bts related edits by locals on social media and the comment sections where asking for the name of the song used, most of them were like "oh" when the editor said its "Black Swan by BTS" (This proves that BTS makes such masterpieces which can be loved by anyone) They have always been like this, if the song doesn't say BTS, everyone loves it People here need to give up on their toxic masculinity and accept that BTS ARE GREAT ARTISTS I hope one day we will get more audience for BTS from male side in Kerala + Wanted to add this too, and it's a happy news, we have a famous troll account with over 150K+ followers and they were promoting "Dreamers" through their posts related to world cup, and many locals were praising the song and BTS. And later when 2022 spotify wrapped was released they posted about how people who hated on BTS had Butter as one of their most streamed track on spotify and that was so true many of them agreed to it!!

Wow, what a great video essay. As a 63-year old woman, I can attest to the variety of ARMYs as well as why that variety exists -- their messages. Well done.

I’m 46 and I’m a proud army… I admire and respect you so much .. for you hard work to spraying the true and faithfulness all is a fact ! hope all around the world will see .. thank you so much 💜

I just celebrated my one year anniversary to becoming ARMY. I knew about them before as I have been playing catch up for the last year. I love how much BTS loves ARMY, knowing that most of us are women and protect and defend who we are. So far, most of my friends and family have been super kind and sweet about my love for BTS despite not being fans themselves (only 2 are fans, and neither told me about this until I told them I was a fan!). My mom says it's cute because I never went through a boyband phase (or any phase really) when I was a teen. But they were the ones who got me my first BTS merch (aside from the Proof album I got myself) as a late birthday gift and are always happy to listen to my little updates. I'm in my mid-twenties so I'm still in the "young women who don't know anything" category so their support means a lot. I hope all ARMY and BTS are able to get the respect they deserve no matter what age, gender, skin color, or country they live.

This was excellent, thank you! (50 y/o white librarian from the US here.) Personally I'd be REALLY interested to see how BTS's demographics have changed with the pandemic. The age charts you show are recent, but they're both pre-pandemic, and I know a lot of baby ARMYs my age (and up) whom BTS rescued from the insanity of lockdown. Of all the things you mentioned, I think the xenophobia/racism directed against non-white, non-Western artists and BTS/Big Hit/Hybe's own ethics (refusing to engage in the payola/sajaegi so rampant in both the Western and K-Pop industries) is the biggest bar to their wider acceptance in the U.S.

i think people (including men) will validate them to some extent in their solo careers, you can see it in the response to Jack In The Box by one of the biggest music critics on youtube, anthony fantano. he recommended it and told people to give it a chance and his followers seemed receptive to it and a lot of them were kinda like "hey wait a minute.. this is actually kinda good" even if they hated bts previously. i think people hate the idea of bts and what THEY associate bts with (this includes the "hysterical teenage girls" as well as "toxic fandom culture" etc.) and they are too stubborn to even entertain the idea of listening to them or liking their music but solo activities may make people more open to giving them a chance and hopefully that will then reflect on the group music as well. if someone hears JITB and becomes a fan, they may check out other work he's done like bts songs.

Thanks for yet another nice summary of what is going on. I'm a Silver Army (69yo) and remember the Beatles time, you make a lot of good comparisons. I also agree that it will not be the same kind of acceptance, even over time; we live in quite a divisive world, and in spite of the increased tolerance by younger folks, BTS has some gender and race differences that are a higher hurtle for some people to get over. But the core principles of BTS and Army are just what a lot of us were looking for, and I'm so happy to be part of the community.

Wow!! Totally speechless 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 50+y/o army and so proud to be, this is my second fandom in life, but I will say this is the most memorable fandom because I aware what means to be a fan and support them, army for life💜

15:40 “Don’t let your assumptions prevent you from listening to great artists and great music” 👏🏼👏🏼💜

To be able to be a part of such a great community i feel so honoured and this video screams facts !!!! Nd well said : don't assume things when it comes to bts . The second chapter is definitely gonna bring change in themusic industry.

This is a great video! I'm a teacher and I often have pupils and other teachers laugh at me or make stereotypical comments about BTS and Army. You're so right, don't assume anything. 💜

The comparison with sports fans is ON POINT, plus they really are always so much more violent. But women being fans of something are the hysterical ones, sure 🙄 Also, me and my sister are 27 and 23, neither a teenage girl and both got into BTS this year. Their music brought us closer together and made us both feel at least a bit more excited about life, so I genuinely don't care what anyone else says about them

Another wonderful video essay! I used to feel guilt and not want to purchase BTS merch as not a "useful" expenditure my money. I'm usually such a penny pincher and hate spending money. But then I realized how much my husband spends on sports that he loves. Season tickets, merchandise, pay per views, and a monthly TV subscription service that only he uses just for sports news and games. Since then I purchase what BTS albums, concert tickets and merch that I want and don't feel like it's a bad use of my money.

Oh wow. One of the several ARMY Discord servers I'm in linked me to this - and I'm glad they did, and I'm honoured to have been included in the segment about ARMY not being a monolith. Thank you so much! This video is awesome, and well researched, with points made effectively too. I love it! I run ARMYCompSci on my own, and it started out of a frustration for an awareness month in my industry of cybersecurity. Instead of complaining, I decided to try and do something about it (bc BTS inspired me to do so) Borahae, stay safe, lovely💜

"My conclusion is: GROW UP!" Hahahhaah Loved the video! I have to admit that I have been very skeptical about bts until now, wondering if they really had a message or if it was just hype, but you opened my eyes! I really liked that you talked about the language, coming from a Latin American country, I noticed how weird it is that we ignore our own cultural origins in favor of USA and UK culture... Now I'm going straight to BTS channel, can't wait to listen more of their music!

Incredible video once again! I love how you ended it "DONT ASSUME" EXACTLY like in doctor strange "Forget everything you think you know" You know nothing about bts. Go into bts with no prejudice and no assumptions, you know nothing!

I saw this happened to My Chemical Romance (MCR). I was a teenage girl and they were labeled "emo" and were considered girly teenage angst music. I was bullied for liking them, even goth and metalheads didnt like us because we werent "hard" enough. Now after a 9yr hiatus, they come back for a tour and their tickets are selling out in minutes, and are now considered one of the greatest rock bands of all time. Literally have old friends texting me about how they're going to see MCR. Friends that refused to listen to there music 10yrs ago because they were too girly and whiny. I have a feeling the same will happen to BTS, when they come back from enlistment and return I have a feeling they're going to be way bigger than before as more people discover them w/o journalist and media interjecting and creating assumptions of their music. I'm also excited to see how their music changes and matures.

I love the conclusion. grow up. I got into BTS only this year and only because I heard Butter in adverts. Then I started listening to other songs and honestly? I wish I got into their music earlier.

Im 34 years old with 3 teen kids. although I listen to various types of music with no preconceived notions, I am so thankful that I discovered BTS organically in February 2018. I had never even heard of the name BTS before I came across one of their music videos in my recommended list. I had previously listened to a few songs from other kpop artist, Monsta X, EXO, Big Bang, and Infinite but was still very new to the KPop scene in general. The first mv of BTS I watched was Save Me. I was blown away and instantly wanted to see more. next was Dope and I have been a devoted ARMY ever sense. People who limited themselves when it comes to music, movies, books, etc miss out on many amazing gems.

Our whole family is a BTS fan ...☺️☺️my mom is 60 and our youngest is 24 even our 3 year old baby girl in our family is a BTS fan ... that's the power of BTS they hold ..in our family ..

Can i just say, your ability to put together a cohesive, researched narrative is extremely impressive. Not very common in the internet world. Great videos. Subscribed!

I saw a quote once that said “people say don’t judge a book by it’s cover, yet the judge music by its language” even though there is a language barrier between a lot of armies and Bts doesn’t mean we can’t still listen to their music just like music in our native language. I wish people would just give them a chance and learn what real music is like. Nowadays a lot of music people listen to is very suggestive talking about intimate things which does please me when I’m trying to listen to the radio. When I started listening to Bts it was like a release from the suggestive music. They sing about real things, real feelings, mental health. They have a good message that I feel everyone needs to hear, unfortunately because people are stubborn and won’t branch out because “they can’t understand what they are saying” they don’t even give it a chance.

I am 47, and have been a fan of BTS since 2014, a little before AHL. We only checked them out, because we were hurt that EXO wasn't coming to Kcon that year. We were prepared to hate them, but when we looked at No More Dream, and N.O, we were hypnotized...we have been under BTS's spell ever since...ARMY are the best fanbase EVER!

Im so glad you’re an army and you shed such an intelligent light on topics surrounding BTS. Appreciate your work so much. You legit spoke fact after fact in this video!

Your should add Korean sub for K Army (for the better understanding about Western culture) cause this channel should be spread all over the world!

I can't believe how after all these years we have to keep defending our choices

*_I really really really want ppl to watch this! Specially non-Armys.._*_ i never understood the "15 yrs old screaming teenage girls" or "hormonal fangirls" rusted narrative, & probably never would... specially when we live in society where female dominated fanbases are openly look down & made fun of.. & no one bats an eye to male dominated fanbases (sports fan)! why is this preconceived notion around BTS fans, when it's far beyond the truth? ppl just hv these stereotypes, with their mind full of prejudice to even be open minded..xenophobia, racism, toxic masculinity & ohh boy misogynist attitude would blind ppl 🚶‍♀️_

i know someone 16 y/o armys and oh boyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy they're smart asf they read books to understand bts lyrics they studied damien, for mots and stuff! idk why ppl belittling their capabilities

Funny enough I was going to suggest this very topic for a potential video! Always wondered why sports fans are acceptable and people who enjoy music, or movies or anything else are considered crazy or over the top. I'm not including just men in this, I have seen plenty of female sports fanatics as well, even going so far as to name their children after NBA icons. love your work always look forward to your video's!💙💜💜💜💜💜🐳♾

Now, this one i cannot wait for

I'm feeling proud after seeing this video and love them more and more. BTS is what I need to heal myself to love myself💜

This channel never ceases to amaze me!! - I am blown away by this video; the research, the intelligence, the presentation (once again!) I'm a 57 year old, African American mother of teenaged boys. :) And you make me SO proud to be Army. - There are some people I need to show this video. It's enlightening regarding BTS, but also it's thought-provoking and opened my eyes about many other things as well. - Thank you for all your work; you are a treasure. Borahae! 💜

Thankyou for such an amazing an informative video. One of the best decisions I've taken in my life is listening to BTS's music and trying to understand the deep message that it holds. It has helped me to overcome my insecurities, taught me to love myself no matter how much flawed I am and made me a better person day by day. I'm so proud to be called an ARMY and I always will be. Even though I'm younger than the youngest Jungkook, I feel like a proud parent (even though I don't have a kid), when they achieve something. And just as BTS said "You and I best moment is yet to come", they are right. They only have just started, they'll achieve all the wonders of life and get and spread the happiness and positivity that everyone deserves. #bangtanforever #armyforever BORAHE 💜💜💜

I lost count on the many occasions people looked at me like I just grew a third eye. Or like I just committed a crime. Just because I mentioned at the topic of music, that I like listening to K-pop. Those were the same people who drove through the streets at night with a megaphone. Screaming that their favorite soccer team won. (This actually happened. Soccer culture is crazy in Germany.) But great video!❤️

I'm 72and to me BTS are one of the best singers I have ever listened to they bring a beautiful message in their songs like love your self to its like don't listen to the haters out there that put you down for one reason or the other the make us laugh and happy and sometimes cry like when Taeyhung's grand mother passed away and Jin had to go to military these 7 young beautiful men are so amazing and caring but listen to their songs for your self don't judge them but really listen

I'm a 29-year-old digital marketing project manager. I work from home full time and you bet I'm blasting BTS' music all day long...until I have a Zoom meeting lol

Damn, woman. I am a teacher and I can tell you were probably an amazing student. This is well-researched, well-made, interesting and relevant AF. Thank you for your hard work on your video essays.

Great video, as always! In addition to everything you've said, I would add that what I find most ridiculous is that they try to belittle a fandom of "15 year old girls". As if that's easy to achieve! I mean, even if it were true that the whole fandom were 12, 13, 14 year-old girls.... do you know how hard it is to get the attention of a teenager? Let's see if you can get the attention, love and commitment of millions of 15 year old girls! (I hope you'll understand what I mean, my english is not the best...)

i wish i could show this video to every single human being

You always conduct excellent research and create stellar videos I am a 66 year old card carrying ARMY I have traveled to two concerts. Collect merch and music I wish hybe and the boys could see this video Great work!

I'm not gonna lie, it made me very uncomfortable and sad to see you confront these problems, not because you do these confidently and very boldly making it clear you are enunciating the stigmas revolving around stilted mentalities; but the fact that these exist. I'm naive, maybe a bit too optimistic, but why can't I just love an artist without having to face shit for it? Why does the world revolve around being mean? Even my own fam, thinks I'm insane for liking them and adoring their words. Like I barely listen to their music without headphones because I wanna enjoy it without having negativity shoved down my throat. I adore your method of making me more knowledgeable about the hardships the 7 men face. Like last video, I was baffled and horrified and I was indignantly scoffing at the things attendance award shows do to them. I just wish people would, leave us alone. Like it bothers me because my little cousins look at the septet with disgust and I wanna cry about that. But great video, dude.

I have not seen the video yet but I know it gonna be good... edit: I have seen the video and I was right abt it...

You are about to reach 10.000 subscribes! You really deserve it, I love your channel! Can't wait for the video.💜

Another banger! Thank you so much, this needs to be discussed more and I'm tired of telling people how hypocrites and sexist they are for dismissing BTSs artistry and saying army is a rabid and crazy fandom full of teenage girls (as if its a bad thing 🙄). With the recent DJs drama this topic reignited in my tl (along with the radio and radio djs are trash discourse). As an army i get soo tired sometimes and i really appreciate the work that you are doing on this channel. Greetings from Chile 🇨🇱 💜

I don't understand why people say "there are only 15 year Olds in the fanbase" is it wrong to have teenagers how have amazing taste in music? We all know that our Fandom is VERY diverse but still united as one.. it's nothing wrong to show love and appreciation regardless of your gender,race,age.

The moment people hear the word "boy band" they automatically assume that it's not a mature sound but rock bands, heavy metal bands are also boy bands and don't attract the same stigma. BTS will prove everyone wrong at every turn possible along with ARMY's support. Thanks a bunch for making these videos.

Great video! Thanks for compiling all these points together in an easily digestible format. Just to stress, though: most ARMYs are adults, but no one should care even if they weren't. People also need to stop demeaning younger people's interests as dumb and unworthy of respect. Again, fantastic video 💜

this is a very well created video essay. hope armys request this to reactors also.

I'm going to call it now. the shift *will* happen. its inevitable. I think a lot of guys have already started secretly indulging in them but don't know how to come out of the purple closet. What will happen is the guys will go to military and come back 'men'. This will be the excuse that dudes will use to justify their interest in the comeback album. "Oh well they're not teeny bopper idols now. They've gone through the military and become men! Their music has matured and is finally good." meanwhile they're playing boy with love on repeat at home. bts could come out of the military EXACTLY the way they are now and release the exact same music but this will be what men will say to justify their interest. That's my bet at least. Let's see what 2025 brings

I'm really proud of how BTS is proud of ARMY🥹🥹

I don't know why I'm crying after watching this video, no idea.

I said it a lot of times by now, but I'll say it again: You do a wonderful job!!!! as always, amazing video. Thank you dear army.

I'm impressed your videos are so well researched. You're not just saying your opinion but you're coming with facts to back up what you said. Some are even from decades ago, it's so insightful I'm here because of BTS but I'm learning so much more, the history of music, the critics and their unchanging stupid opinion. And also about how much women contribute to the technological world which still today remains a mystery to many because of misogyny. I'm simply amazed and hence I'm a new subscriber. PS I'm only 5 minutes in🤣

Fascinating informative video on the supportive and amazing Fandom of such incredibly talented singers dancers vocalists and performers like BTS who achieved success since their debut 2013 especially the meaningful lyrics bring awareness to mental health and self love acceptance

I've seen many videos on KZfaq who highlight the small toxic part of our fandom and call the whole army toxic. I'm so fed up of this word "toxic" now . Every fandom has some crazy fans but why army gets all negative light?

I'll share this with my hubby. He likes to eavesdrop and save some BTS songs but doesn't like it when other people, especially his fellow men, find out.

Beautifully done video! thank you. when i decided to go Army I was both surprised and not by the response from non army. I expected some push back from certain people (in fact, I wanted it because i knew they'd be uncomfortable with non-american sounding names and I wanted to them to desensitize them to how 'scary' Namjoon or Seokjin sounded to them.) I was ready for that fight. I wasn't ready for people in my own open minded community to have such a vehement dislike toward them without giving them a chance. I mean, I admit I took awhile to come around because i thought they were just a boy band but I never, not once, spoke down on them. Here were people that grew up when their dark spooky music made them a target.... and they were lashing out at a group of people enjoying music. it blew my mind. I still have knock down drag out fights with people i consider close to me because they'll start bad mouthing bts until i stand up for them and then they call me an obsessed fan. its just weird. it also only makes me a bigger fan. Dislike the music if you want but hating just to hate? because they THINK they know what the group is about (despite all the growing evidence that there's something more)? Why do that? and its all the same lines. "I just dont like them because.... They dont write their own lyrics." "yes they do., here. theyre very good" " well they dont make their own music.' 'um... two of them hold producing records. they write music for themselves and others.' 'well, its because only write about love and other pop band stuff.' 'This entire album is about jung's map of the soul.' 'Well.... why are you such an obsses fan omg!" i think lobbing 'obssessed fan' is a way to distract from seeing their own prejudice. they dont want bts to be good. they dont want to admit their wrong. it makes them uncomfortable to sccept soemthing so unexpected(for them). But.... some things are inevitable. Bts is already a massive part of history.

I am part of an Army Group on facebook in my country. Armys from different professions, lawyer, doctors, teachers, etc, all walks of life are there. From teens to 60s. And most pssionate ones are from 25-50 in the group. Sharing everything about bts. Memes, memories and merchs. The buying power of armys is amazing. The video is right, adults and employed individuals made this happen not just screaming teenage girls as what most of the GP assumes. #APOBANGPO im 31, and BTS has been one of the best things in my life and one of the beat shared connection i have with my 7yo army daughter 🥰💖

Thank you for your new video 😊 I appreciate it as much as the others before. It's now half a year since I found BTS and I am so impressed and inspired by them, their music, their lyrics, their story, their thoughts, their charity, their personalities... I'm 52 years old ARMY and 've been into music my whole life, but so far no other artist or band impressed me that much. I adore these young men so much and hope to get the chance to see them live in a concert one day. Borahae 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

Another incredible video. Thank you for not only discussing this topic but all the work you put into researching and creating these videos. I'm still a new army, only found BTS in August of this year. But I've definitely found a home and source of comfort, laughter, tears, and inspiration in their music and who they are as human beings. 💜💜💜💜💜

This is such a well made and informative video of not only BTS but also of Beatles, gender norms in the past. I am wowed

This topic is so interesting to be discussed about. The way that you explain about it is wonderful. The part when you said that men don't want to be associated with a "15-year-old fandom" is so true. Where I live, people think that it's embarrassing to be an ARMY. I have classmates that think the same. They do repeat all the time that bts sucks, just to make me mad. But once I showed them some songs that were accurate with their fav genre of music, they start to think differently, but not enough to stop disrespecting bts. Most of the people think that bts are only focus on lovey-dovey music while they are articulated af. They don't want to recognise it and I think the most impacting factor is because they are not white men

Sadly a huge part of why they aren't taken seriously is because they're korean, racism and xenophobia are still really prevalent even in non-white countries, im from México and i hear despicable things people say or just dissmissing them cause they can't understand the lyrics, i think people should listen without prejudices and if they don't like them that's fine but there's no need to make racist or misogynistic comments

I absolutely loved how minutely researched and brilliantly presented this content is. I've always directly or indirectly recieved such messages or gestures from fellow non-armys that majority of their fans being girls/women somehow makes BTS not so relevant to the 'mainstream' media or audience. I've always wondered what is the actual reason behind such huge hatred towards them and whenever the same question has been asked to them, mostly the answers were "they wear makeup", "they wear weird clothes", "they have weird hairstyles", "they look like girls" and so on. You would rarely get a valid reason or something related to the music BTS make from them because they're oblivious to what BTS is actually doing in their field of interest. The mysoginistic, homophobic, racial and sexual slurs at both the idols and the fandom have been their weapons to combat whenever asked a valid question. It aches my heart to see this. However I absolutely adore and love the men that are supporting and uplifting. But at the first place I could never figure out what gender or sexual orientation have to do with music and art. You cannot decide what you like or not with what's there in between your legs. Thank you so much for bringing up this topic. Appreciate your work a lot. Let's follow BTS' ideology and let's make this world or atleast the world around us a better place for ourselves. Aphobangpho💜💜💜

I have watched all of your videos and love every single one of them. Your answer so many questions and thoughts I’ve had since discovering BTS 18 months ago. I’m 62 years old and BTS contents are so entertaining and fun however what I find most delightful is that they are wholesome and not offensive. Through them I now like hip hop and rap. They just makes me feel better! Love and thank you 💜.

I cried because you're so right

You had me in tears on the end of the video Bora, you did amazing! You spoke for all ARMY, thank you!

I met a male BTS fan recently. It makes me so happy, especially because I didn't have any friends (who live close distance to me) who like BTS 💜.

i've probably watched all of your videos now and i'm still as amazed everytime and i learn so much even as an army. thank you!!!!!!

Thank you for such a beautiful, informative video...really there are many who need to grow up and rise above their prejudices and egos. It's ignorance more than anything I feel... it's like you can wake the person who is asleep but how can you wake someone who is stubbornly pretending to be asleep?

I love your videos... exited for this one as well💜 thank you for your hardwork & efforts 🥰

I'm 27 & my mom is 54 & we both are Armys😁💜

WOW have been loving your channel and your essays lately and this one in particular resonated with me, I can’t believe the stuff that was said to me. At the time, the majority of my classmates mocked and dismissed BTS and Kpop, hearing things like „Oh you and your chinese stuff again“ and I wasn’t taken seriously just bc the songs weren’t in english or german. Now I hear ppl singing Butter in the hallways, and everybody knows BTS or have heard of them. I‘m glad that they‘ve opened up, but all this hate was just uncalled for in the first place. Anyways, it was a really great essay!!

Your video essays keep getting better and better! Thank you. I too am an older ARMY (58). I enjoy all things BTS with my kids. Because of BTS and my association with fellow ARMYs on social media I've found a new hope for future generations. I learned very early in life not to let anybody dictate what I like or make me ashamed of my passions. I parade my ARMY-dom with pride.

Loved the video ....l am 45 and proud to be an Army. I love BTS and will always love them

I love your videos so much! You put all of my (and definitely many other fans') thoughts into well-organized, coherent analyses. Keep doing what you're doing!

I am so sick and tired of being mocked just because I like something that makes me happy. And sometimes it can get truly frustrating because first people's hate is driven from a place of ignorance and 2nd and the most annoying they think it's cool to shit on things cuz it's mainstream and popular. Like? the logic? Why should there be a preference for good or bad when it comes to things just because they happen to be popular? So many people liking the same things or it being 'overrated' simply cannot be because of some mania or 'teenage girl phase' as called by so many of antis or haters. Sometimes it can genuinely be good to be liked by so many masses. The logic behind the slander for things that are popular is so beyond me. People always criticize girls for being obsessed with the 'not like other girls' prototype and yet I think it's something literally every single one of us engages in. We love to think we are better than other or not like others on the basis of our likes and dislikes when it could have been so much easier to let people live with their own area of interest without all the slander.