Book contents
- The Cambridge Companion to K-Pop
- Cambridge Companions to Music
- The Cambridge Companion to K-Pop
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Contributors
- Acknowledgments
- Notes to Readers
- Introduction
- Part I Genealogies
- Part II Sounding Out K-Pop
- Part III Dancing to K-Pop
- Part IV The Making of Idols
- Part V The Band That Surprised the World
- 9 BTS, Transmedia, and Hip Hop
- 10 The BTS Phenomenon
- 11 Transcultural Fandom
- Part VI Circuits of K-Pop Flow
- Index
- References
11 - Transcultural Fandom
BTS and ARMY
from Part V - The Band That Surprised the World
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 02 March 2023
- The Cambridge Companion to K-Pop
- Cambridge Companions to Music
- The Cambridge Companion to K-Pop
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Contributors
- Acknowledgments
- Notes to Readers
- Introduction
- Part I Genealogies
- Part II Sounding Out K-Pop
- Part III Dancing to K-Pop
- Part IV The Making of Idols
- Part V The Band That Surprised the World
- 9 BTS, Transmedia, and Hip Hop
- 10 The BTS Phenomenon
- 11 Transcultural Fandom
- Part VI Circuits of K-Pop Flow
- Index
- References
Summary
The global success of BTS demonstrates that their artistry and message have captured the attention of many. Similarly, their fandom, ARMY, has received attention for its ability to organize around social justice causes. While BTS and ARMY are pushing against and connecting across borders that often seem impermeable, this work does not happen with ease. How do people in a fandom that spans the globe both organize and educate within this fandom community? This chapter examines fandom through a case study. The Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests called attention to violence and racism against Black people after the murder of George Floyd. There were concerted efforts within the ARMY fandom to raise money and awareness for BLM. Many of these efforts began before BTS and their company announced support for BLM. It is important to recognize the fandom’s public-facing, collective work, and it is equally important to recognize the effort required to educate within the community about this and other social justice issues. This chapter identifies, tracks, and analyzes attempts being made in the fandom to educate and discuss race and racism around BLM by sharing stories of personal experience with racism, hashtags meant to encourage solidarity, and visual art.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- The Cambridge Companion to K-Pop , pp. 208 - 228Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2023
References
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