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[THREAD] 7 Superstars, 1 Group:
Why @BTS_twt is like no one before & the likelihood that anyone ever will be like them again is nil. And why this scares some people & inspires others to greater personal heights.
Why @BTS_twt is like no one before & the likelihood that anyone ever will be like them again is nil. And why this scares some people & inspires others to greater personal heights.
Like everyone else in the fandom, I saw yesterday’s steaming pile of garbage-as-journalism. I will get back to that (much) later, but actually what got me thinking was the accompanying video.
Even that trainwreck of an interview couldn’t derail the charm coming through the screen. Not one or two sources of charm, but all seven. It doesn’t diminish the wattage of BTS if someone is too incompetent to describe it.
We talk a lot about how much of Army, an unusual amount for fandom, are OT7. While it’s certainly admirable that we actively promote this (as prompted by members themselves), I would submit to you that we didn’t do it ourselves; BTS did. By being themselves. Let’s discuss.
I think we all know that most boygroups have tiers of popularity.
There’s one massive star, MAYBE two in very unusual cases, a couple of above averagely popular members, and then a few who are just the unlucky ones.
There’s one massive star, MAYBE two in very unusual cases, a couple of above averagely popular members, and then a few who are just the unlucky ones.
Even the most legendary groups/bands (see: The Beatles, Queen) had some form of this situation.
As depressing as it may sound, this works to keep groups together for a while.
The star(s) needs a launchpad. Medium members rely on gaining group traction in hopes that they will develop enough popularity to eventually go solo; the low tier need the group to even have careers.
The star(s) needs a launchpad. Medium members rely on gaining group traction in hopes that they will develop enough popularity to eventually go solo; the low tier need the group to even have careers.
What normally happens? Well, few groups last very long. Usually, the star(s) go solo w/success, sometimes to the point that the group is only a footnote in their career. The mediums try solo for a time & get some success off residual popularity. The others switch careers or fail.
Let’s consider another hypothetical group scenario:
What if someone actually succeeded in forming a group in which every member literally had the star power of the lead member of a normal band or the wattage of a huge solo star?
What if someone actually succeeded in forming a group in which every member literally had the star power of the lead member of a normal band or the wattage of a huge solo star?
What if you put together a group so good that every one of them could not only perform music, write music, and dance, but was also extremely attractive (in unique and non-homogenous ways), intelligent, and stage-dominatingly charismatic?
Well, experience would tell you that the lifespan of this group would be about three minutes. With multiple star-sized talents and egos, the existence would be extremely temporary at best, as the members would be unable to resist the allure of solo success.
They would, you would expect, feel constrained by the preferences and emphases of the others and seek to fully explore their own massive creative potential (and potential profits) alone.
It just wouldn’t work, right? Stars do not stay in constellations when they can be the sun.
It just wouldn’t work, right? Stars do not stay in constellations when they can be the sun.
Except, my friends, this is EXACTLY what happened.
An extremely maverick couple of producers decided they did not want to settle for the star-medium-low model. They bided their time over a very long time. They found 7 potential stars & gave them an opportunity at brotherhood.
An extremely maverick couple of producers decided they did not want to settle for the star-medium-low model. They bided their time over a very long time. They found 7 potential stars & gave them an opportunity at brotherhood.
This absolutely should not have worked, and it should not still be working.
You know how the media thought a month hiatus meant a breakup? It makes sense, in a weird way.
Groups of superstars always break up, walk away, go solo. The more stars, the less likely togetherness.
You know how the media thought a month hiatus meant a breakup? It makes sense, in a weird way.
Groups of superstars always break up, walk away, go solo. The more stars, the less likely togetherness.
Except, @BTS_twt is not like any other group, before or after them.
Every member of BTS is an individual superstar to extents few of us could ever dream of being.
Every member completely commands the stage on his own; together they are an overwhelming cyclone of charisma.
Every member of BTS is an individual superstar to extents few of us could ever dream of being.
Every member completely commands the stage on his own; together they are an overwhelming cyclone of charisma.
And, because they are BTS, they have chosen to stay together.
We will likely never know all that led to this decision. But it was hard fought & included personal sacrifices on the part of each.
We don’t have to know secrets to realize that each one could have succeeded alone.
We will likely never know all that led to this decision. But it was hard fought & included personal sacrifices on the part of each.
We don’t have to know secrets to realize that each one could have succeeded alone.
So we have our BTS. Seven shining stars forming a constellation so bright it’s blinding.
A force. Magic, magnetic, beautiful.
Literal millions have been drawn in, never to escape or wish to escape.
A force. Magic, magnetic, beautiful.
Literal millions have been drawn in, never to escape or wish to escape.
Most often, people who actually meet BTS become fans for life. Journalists, photographers, security, drivers.
A myriad of stories attests to the irresistible allure of being in the presence of seven of the planet’s most charismatic and enduring stars at one time.
A myriad of stories attests to the irresistible allure of being in the presence of seven of the planet’s most charismatic and enduring stars at one time.
For these pros and for fans, BTS often becomes a life inspiration. Seeing so much talent and magnetism put to such positive use acts as a catalyst.
We have all seen it; some of us have lived it. We become happier, more confident, more outspoken, more accepting—because of BTS
We have all seen it; some of us have lived it. We become happier, more confident, more outspoken, more accepting—because of BTS
But there’s another reaction, a much uglier one. For some people, experiencing the sheer power of BTS together brings out a small-minded, threatened side.
A side that can manifest as arrogance, xenophobia, dismissiveness.
A side that can manifest as arrogance, xenophobia, dismissiveness.
They project their own smallness onto the members, resulting in many examples over the years of bizarre pieces that misrepresent who they are and (consciously or subconsciously) try to dim their light.
BTS is a brilliant anomaly, and they simply cannot handle it.
BTS is a brilliant anomaly, and they simply cannot handle it.
Well, I am here to tell you, after transcending all expectations of how a group of 7 superstars “should” begin to falter and then fall victim to their own agendas, BTS is not about to be dimmed by the insecurities of those who cannot handle their collective light.
They will continue being our 7 stars who make up 1 constellation called BTS, shining & complementing each other in their group activities & as individual brilliant artists.
And they will continue to terrify those who cannot appreciate the stars & only want to bully in the dark.
And they will continue to terrify those who cannot appreciate the stars & only want to bully in the dark.
Endnote: I considered going into an exploration of why each BTS member warrants the title of individual superstar, but the thread would have been three days long, and really I think we all know.
