The Reason for the Popularity of the Korean Boy-Band BTS in Pakistan and Throughout the World

It is no secret that K-pop has had the world on its fingertips and obviously that includes Pakistan as well. Emerging from an initially small company known as Big Hit, BTS has played its fair part in spreading K-pop worldwide. Moreover, the fame BTS in Pakistan has is no joke as well.

The BTS fan base is called ‘Army’. It symbolizes how they have an army to support them. Pakistani Army’s trend hashtags like BTS in Pakistan, BTS visit Pakistan, etc.

They debuted with their EP ‘Skool Luv Affair’ and released their newest album ‘Map of the Soul: Persona’. Their title song ‘Boy with Luv ft Halsey’ has been number 1 on multiple streaming platforms! For more Pakistan related news click here

The group consists of seven members where there is a division into the vocal line and the rap line:

Vocal Line:  Jimin (Park Jimin), V (Kim Taehyung), Jin (Kim Seokjin), and Jungkook(Jeon Jungkook)

Rap Line:  Suga (Min Yoongi), RM (Kim Namjoon), J-hope (Jung Hoseok)

You’re probably wondering, ‘well what’s so interesting about seven men dancing on stage?’ We catch your stereotypical thoughts so hold your horses.

Let’s break it down bit by bit and properly understand the reason for why is BTS so popular, even in Pakistan:

Their Heartfelt Lyrics:

Most of us shy away from K-pop because we can barely understand the lyrics but should language really be treated as an obstacle? In a day and age where there are countless lyric and analyzing videos is the excuse being lazy really enough?

If any of you are BTS’s fans then you absolutely know the degree to which their lyrics can inspire yet sadden a person.

They are one of the few K-pop bands that have talked about mental health issues and their unspeakable struggle as they worked towards their dreams.

Their song ‘Tomorrow’ talks about a monotonous lifestyle where you are stuck in a loop and find it hard to break away from this cycle. But BTS is encouraging you to get out of that comfort zone:

‘I have a long way to go but
Why am I running in place?
I scream out of frustration
But the empty air echoes
I hope tomorrow will
Be different from today
I'm just wishing

Follow your dream like breaker
Even if it breaks down, oh better
Follow your dream like breaker
Even if it breaks down
Don't ever run backwards, never’

Moreover, they have special songs where the express their gratitude to their fans like 2! 3! Where BTS quotes:

‘Been trying to tell you this
I was supposed to tell you this
This is all for you
Let's only walk on flower trails,
I can't say that
Let's only see good things,
I can't say that either
Saying that there will only be good things from now on
Saying that you won't get hurt
I can't say that
I can't lie like that’

BTS has been able to destroy cultural and language barriers because of the sincerity and message that they convey through their music. It’s a message that anyone from the other side of the world would be able to relate to.

Their series ‘Love Yourself’ is a series only focusing on telling you to love yourself. It’s about appreciating your existence and living unapologetically.

Furthermore, their on-point choreography, immense stage performance and stable vocals give their live performances and music an even refined touch.

BTS is rich and inspiring, yeah we get it. But even the rap line of the group actually have albums of their own! With Suga talking about his mental struggles and past life, RM discussing his internal feelings and providing comfort, while J-hope with catchy lyrics and beats.

Humble Attitude:

Despite their fame, they make sure to remain grounded. Well, yes they wear designer clothes and spend their money on expensive clothing but does that mean that they can’t stay humble?

The popular band has launched their UNICEF ‘LOVE me’ Campaign and till now the campaign has raised 2 million dollars! The members donate immensely on their special events like birthdays. For example, J-Hope provided scholarships for Korean female students.

.@BTS_twt's Jin Becomes a Member of UNICEF Honors Club after Donating ~$100K USD

Secretary General Lee KiChul: "I give my thanks for the meaningful donation from Jin of BTS, who are role models for youth all over the world with their hopeful message."https://t.co/qvWdIvD78P pic.twitter.com/cIrPnJMh4z

— 스포트라이트 (@SPOTLIGHTBTS) May 31, 2019

The eldest member of the group, Jin, has donated 100 million won (around 84k dollars) to Unicef. He has become a member of the Unicef Honors Club. We just found out that he has been donating every month and that has warmed the Army’s hearts.

We should look past this idea of listening to music we don’t understand by men that wear makeup as ‘negative’. If you think that men dancing and wearing sparkly clothes does not make them worthy of artists, then seeing their success you should rephrase your definition of ‘worthy’.

Sadly enough, the members as they are global have to face xenophobic and racist comments by people that stereotype them.

Is it okay to stereotype all Muslims as a threat? No? Then is it okay to stereotype East Asian’s as gay because they wear makeup? No. It really is as simple as that. 

Also, they love their Muslim Army’s and have always shown their support towards them! One time J-Hope made sure to tell the members at a fansign that a Muslim Army is coming for a photo and that they should not touch her as that can be disrespectful. They have also stopped rehearsing because of Azaan, during their concert in the UK.

Pakistan Army’s love them so much that they started a change.org petition for BTS to visit Pakistan!

We love respectful kings!

Extreme Dedication towards Fans:

They take zero breaks for their fans and are currently on tour as well. Their ‘Speak Yourself Tour’ is going on where their last stop has been the Wembley Stadium.

Yes, a lot of people judged their abilities and were skeptical on could they sell out the legendary stadium? Well, they did sell out the entire stadium with more than 100k people attending. 

Knowing their popularity, they included lots of dates in foreign countries so they can finally visit and kick off a stadium tour.

Confirmed by a staff member of theirs, BTS actually work their butt offs for the concerts! Everything you see on the stage is genuine and well-thought of.

Can you imagine barely taking any breaks your WHOLE career just because you want to provide the best quality of your music and performance? None of us would be able to withstand that pressure. So, kudos to them!

In a year, they release an album and start working on the next one. Just as they released the continuation of the Love Yourself series with the album ‘Love Yourself: Tear’ then they immediately started working on the last album of the series ‘Love Yourself: Answer’ in the same year. Surprisingly enough they never compromise on the quality of the music despite working on it during busy schedules.

Also, their music actually has hidden messages and there is an alternate dimension that you can notice in their music videos! The dimension shows the members as different characters and how their lives are falling apart. There are a lot of hints, symbols, and theories provided in their music videos and highlight reels.

But fear not, this is a story for another article!

So are you surprised? Well, comment below if you’re an Army or not!