They've been using adult language and themes (we keep all the party in the room all night!) for years. Could it be because they look so young to some non-Asian fans that we might tend not to recognize their adulthood? (Their skin care is next level!) I work with grades 6-12 and when I think of them in the Run BTS Field Day they could fit right in with their playfulness & youthful looks. But Bapsae and it's hip-thrusting choreo graced us in 2015! And a year later in Blood Sweat & Tears we got our maknae laying in a bed looking quite satisfied thank you very much. I appreciate clever metaphors (Vibe and Jimin's lyric Han River & Namsan) that allow me to play BTS in mixed company. Although I'm not offended by swearing, it does prevent me from sharing some of the music, which is a bit of a shame because it's amazing. I love what JCole rapped in On The Street about God, but with the N-word & F-word mixed in I won't play it for my youth group.
Blood, Sweat and Tears, yeah. Tae licking his lips like total danger. All of whatever JK was up to. And Mr. Sleeve accident himself, Jimin. It's interesting to me, how the rap line is naughty in writing, and the maknaes follow up in person. Hobi's hips work hard. hahaha. I think the thesis is proven with Pied Piper/Dimple/Love Maze.
The people who tell me BTS is just Disney Channel ain't listening or watching.
AND SECOND ON THE SKIN CARE. Man. Bring me all of the K-beauty.
PREACH. I’m late to the party as a PTD VEGAS convert, and I was baffled by the attitudes you describe when I did a deep dive into All Things BTS. These are grown-ass men. Let them be!
I agree! It's always kind of weird to see people infantalizing the members of BTS, as if they aren't approaching their 30s. It's something I've noticed in K-pop in general. I am sure there is some encouragement from companies to have them act cute (by doing aeygo) during performances...but sometimes it gets taken a little too far. I am fully on board with BTS's second chapter and looking forward to seeing them explore and reveal a more grown-up side.
I think people feel more comfortable relating to them as teens. Makes them less of a full package to handle - the good and bad. And kids are controllable. Grown ups aren't. Aeygo gotta stop for BTS. They don't do it much now, thank God, but man, were they put through it at the start. Don't hate the player, hate the game.
Thank you for putting into words what I have been thinking since I discovered BTS in early 2020. They are grown ass men and have been for a long time now. Their music has been mature since the beginning if you are talking about Joon & Yoongi! I’m so happy for the claiming of their lives, music & their souls for that matter. At 64 it would just be creepy if I found a “child” hot. Long may they swear, tatt up, drink themselves to a real talk level complete with double meanings and write & perform the best music ever.
Aww... thank you so much. I really appreciate you and your thoughts! I am not here to gatekeep BTS. I want them to be themselves and their adultness is a big part of it. Some ARMY are helicopter parents :) Please spread the word about this newsletter! Want to reach as many as I can! Thank you!
Dang. That is really good. I also think keeping the vision of Bangtan as teen crush crap/sexualization is convenient, because then we don't have to confront that things do change in life. Growing up is what should happen for all of us.
They've been using adult language and themes (we keep all the party in the room all night!) for years. Could it be because they look so young to some non-Asian fans that we might tend not to recognize their adulthood? (Their skin care is next level!) I work with grades 6-12 and when I think of them in the Run BTS Field Day they could fit right in with their playfulness & youthful looks. But Bapsae and it's hip-thrusting choreo graced us in 2015! And a year later in Blood Sweat & Tears we got our maknae laying in a bed looking quite satisfied thank you very much. I appreciate clever metaphors (Vibe and Jimin's lyric Han River & Namsan) that allow me to play BTS in mixed company. Although I'm not offended by swearing, it does prevent me from sharing some of the music, which is a bit of a shame because it's amazing. I love what JCole rapped in On The Street about God, but with the N-word & F-word mixed in I won't play it for my youth group.
But yep, I'm on board for Chapter 2.
I wonder if there are radio versions for the JCole/Hobi tune. (AH! here you go! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJ07luCMD2w)
Blood, Sweat and Tears, yeah. Tae licking his lips like total danger. All of whatever JK was up to. And Mr. Sleeve accident himself, Jimin. It's interesting to me, how the rap line is naughty in writing, and the maknaes follow up in person. Hobi's hips work hard. hahaha. I think the thesis is proven with Pied Piper/Dimple/Love Maze.
The people who tell me BTS is just Disney Channel ain't listening or watching.
AND SECOND ON THE SKIN CARE. Man. Bring me all of the K-beauty.
Thanks for reading!
Haha! You got me 🤣 quoting Yoongi on Hobi’s hips! And then JK and Jimin had to pipe in that their hips work hard too 🤣🤣🤣
PREACH. I’m late to the party as a PTD VEGAS convert, and I was baffled by the attitudes you describe when I did a deep dive into All Things BTS. These are grown-ass men. Let them be!
Amen! You are on time for the party. No worries there. Thanks for reading!
I agree! It's always kind of weird to see people infantalizing the members of BTS, as if they aren't approaching their 30s. It's something I've noticed in K-pop in general. I am sure there is some encouragement from companies to have them act cute (by doing aeygo) during performances...but sometimes it gets taken a little too far. I am fully on board with BTS's second chapter and looking forward to seeing them explore and reveal a more grown-up side.
I think people feel more comfortable relating to them as teens. Makes them less of a full package to handle - the good and bad. And kids are controllable. Grown ups aren't. Aeygo gotta stop for BTS. They don't do it much now, thank God, but man, were they put through it at the start. Don't hate the player, hate the game.
Thank you for putting into words what I have been thinking since I discovered BTS in early 2020. They are grown ass men and have been for a long time now. Their music has been mature since the beginning if you are talking about Joon & Yoongi! I’m so happy for the claiming of their lives, music & their souls for that matter. At 64 it would just be creepy if I found a “child” hot. Long may they swear, tatt up, drink themselves to a real talk level complete with double meanings and write & perform the best music ever.
Love your writing 💜
Aww... thank you so much. I really appreciate you and your thoughts! I am not here to gatekeep BTS. I want them to be themselves and their adultness is a big part of it. Some ARMY are helicopter parents :) Please spread the word about this newsletter! Want to reach as many as I can! Thank you!
Have you seen the article "Permission to Desire"? https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/bts-permission-to-desire/
Dang. That is really good. I also think keeping the vision of Bangtan as teen crush crap/sexualization is convenient, because then we don't have to confront that things do change in life. Growing up is what should happen for all of us.
I have now!
I can relate in so many ways. I’ve been a widow for 14 years & am enjoying being a hard stan for the first time since my teenage years.
Amen!