Why BTS? - Nigerian ARMYs Share Their Thoughts

BTS aka Bangtan Sonyeondan aka Bulletproof Scout Boys are known for their good music and exuberant fans also known as A.R.M.Y, short for “Adorable Representative MC for Youth ''. ARMY is a name that holds great meaning to many, many of which includes people from different religions, backgrounds, race and culture coming together to agree on one unified meaning, “LOVE”, a LOVE which started from the core of seven boys and their burning passion for music.

Music as Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote, “Is the universal language of mankind”. And its ability to reach out to people in their dire time is one of the greatest things to come about. This feeling of universality can also be said for Korean POP Music (K-pop) which today is raising in popularity, a popularity blessed by the one and only “The International Kpop Sensation Sunshine Rainbow Tradition Transfer USB Hub Shrimp” lol.

10 years in the music industry, and BTS’ fanbase keeps increasing in number and with that comes an increase in zealous organisations of ARMYs willing to work for BTS’s success. ARMYs love for BTS, although predictable given the circumstances, has a lot of history which has stood the test of time. During the 9th Year Anniversary, ARMYs gathered together to ask each other “why bts?”, “why are we still here?”, “why are we still in the magic shop?” It’s funny how many who leave the fandom, leave saying they grew up so BTS was no longer for them, whereas in the fandom we have ARMYs between the ages of 40 to well above 80+ still in the fandom and very much active in fanbase activities. I guess you could say, different people with different views of life.

However, the point of this post is to answer the question of why BTS, a seven member boy band, was able to create a safe zone where so many people could love them effortlessly and wholeheartedly.

SAFE ZONE

To simply put it, BTS is ARMYs safe zone because when everything seems scary, their words, laughter, and even the pictures they share with us all feel like comfort. Many ARMYs have expressed how when it looked like they didn’t have anyone or somewhere to turn or run to, BTS and their magic shop was always there to comfort them and make them smile. A safe zone is where we feel the safest.

Safe-zone by Jhope

HOPE

The words they say, the lyrics they sing and the letters they write to us has become ARMYs light. Through the comfort of their lyricism in songs such as “Magic shop, Spring Day, A Supplementary Story: You Never Walk Alone, So What, I'm Fine, Blue and Grey, Permission to Dance, Yet To Come”, BTS have become the reason many see life worth living when they had no reason to. Their presence has rejuvenated many, giving meaning to their lives.

Adorable Youths face are given the strength to overcome the day to day challenges, not minding the difficulties that comes because they see hope in humanity and they see humanity through BTS. That’s what BTS represents to ARMYs... the reason to believe, to hope for better to come. 

HAPPY PILL

BTS has become ARMYs reason to smile and laugh everyday. From American Hustle Life to Run BTS to other BTS related TV shows and even ARMY edits on Youtube & TikTok.

Suga in his now famous Youtube series said, “People feel intimidated to be our friends.. To be honest those boys are not normal”. He says this while laughing & blushing, probably reminiscing on his time spent with his six best friends.

BTS Yoongi talk show Suchiwta

And he definitely wasn’t lying. BTS can do the funniest and craziest things with a straight face. There are times where I can just sit and laugh crazily because of something they did randomly. They live rent free in my mind, 24/7 with no filter and that’s due to how we see them. We find in them, happiness to live a jovial & carefree life, and we find our happiness with them. 

CONFIDENCE

Physical appearance matters a lot in this time and age of beauty standards. Heavily dolled aesthetics, pale skin & pointed nose, and the natural figure 8 curves are highly sorted. These standards have caused many people to hate or dislike themselves and body shaming people for how they look has become an ongoing trend on social media and sometimes in real life.

BTS with their music and meaningful lyrics has often addressed social issues, mental health, and self-love. Telling us to love ourselves and speak for ourselves. With their actions, they’ve taught self confidence on an unmatched level.

Many Armys who surfer from low self-esteem, who hated what they look like and allowed other people’s opinions to affect, since coming into BTS, have expressed how much confidence they’ve gained, and how easy it is for them to make their own decisions and stand on their ground without external pressure or being shaken/scared of society and its problems. Most agree that they now have a stable mental health and are achieving a lot in their life.

INNER PEACE

Stanning BTS has made Armys feel real peace on the inside. Stanning someone who gives you constant good advice and words to soothe and calm your mind is everything. There’s time to play and time to be serious. BTS can draw lines when it comes to that and even their little jokes.

Those little words and gestures that don’t look like much is what someone needed to have a peaceful day.

BTS RM talks about "Speaking Yourself" at the United Nations general assembly

LOVE

In an interview with Billboard in 2017, RM said, "I wish there's a word that's bigger than love. Like, I love you, but it's not just that. It's like, I'm a part of you, you're a part of me. It's destiny." Loving someone unconditionally takes lots of trust and for BTS & Armys, this trust has been built on a very strong foundation that resulted in this unconditional love.

Love is what drives this fandom. People tell us that we shouldn’t stan only one group, that we should try other groups too. Truth is we tried to give others a chance, but nothing hits like BTS. There is so much love between BTS & Army that we overlook our flaws and accept our imperfections. We see ourselves as one body and soul, showing sides of us that have never been seen by others, sharing memories and moments, learning and growing up together. We learned to become each other’s happiness and backbone for life.

BTS and Armys have become each other's universe. They are the moon and we are their earth and will be till eternity.