It’s one thing to say “oh, shitty that happened but I’m not super emotionally invested in that group”. It’s another thing to say “fuck their well-being and issues”. +

As if those issues aren’t part of a greater cultural and economic context that inherently affects BTS. And TXT. And all the other figures in the industry. +

Like, it’s not that hard to think critically about the fact that BTS, even though they have achieved new heights that others in their field never have before, are still absolutely intrinsically tied to kpop at large? +

Just because they’re special /to you/ does not mean that they’re immediately divorced from their peers and all association from their roots. +

Because ultimately, BTS’ roots /are/ kpop. They are an idol group. They wrote a whole fucking song about how proud they are of that identity, if you haven’t been paying attention. +

This is also why I roll my eyes anytime people say BTS aren’t kpop and cite Yoongi’s lyrics about how he’s bigger than the genre. +

Because BTS has never disavowed the industry that they grew up in, and then subsequently revolutionized. They speak openly about idols they looked up to, like GDragon/Big Bang; Jungkook’s mythical love of IU, etc. They have close friendships and bonds with other idols. +

Yoongi’s lyrics about kpop being too narrow of a genre have everything to do with describing the reductive way the western gaze views k-idols and their artistry, and nothing to do with a desire to actually /distance/ himself from that industry or their fellow k-idols. +

There are critiques to be made about the k-idol industry but they are irrelevant to this conversation. +

When you say harp on shit like “BTS paved the way” over and over as a way to try and erase the validity of other k-idols. When you say BTS are the only “real artists,” or the only ones you actually care about as people who deserve to be well and whole. +

You’re contributing to the exact brand of exclusionism that BTS has fought against throughout their whole careers. +

“BTS has made massive strides and set new records/achievements for what Korean idols can achieve” can and SHOULD coexist with “Other Korean idols and artists are also making meaningful work.” That should NOT be a revolutionary concept. +

not sure how this thread ended up massively broken rip but here https://twitter.com/yeongwonhanrain/status/1302334722316603392