REAL TALK
KOREAN 101
Hello to all our lovely readers, Another year has almost come to an end, yet for many of us, the impact of this global pandemic has kept our lives in a perpetual state of limbo. As ARMYs, we are fortunate that 7 young men in Seoul, South Korea have continued to watch over us, shared their struggles and joys with us, and brightened our way with their music and messages of hope. As we reflect back to the inaugural launch of our Borasaek Vision Magazine, the gratitude we expressed then for BTS still resonates strongly today. Once again, our team of writers has worked diligently over the past two months to ensure that the articles in this issue inform, inspire, and engage our readers. As always, we aim to create high-quality, insightful content, while critically engaging with topics that are both relevant and meaningful. We also acknowledge that this will be our final installment of Korean101. We have enjoyed sharing this series with you and hope that it has been of value to your goal of learning Korean. On that note, we invite you all to continue your journey through these changing times with us here at Borasaek Vision. In our last issue, we experienced elements of Korea through a selection of writings that focused on its history, culture, and economy. This time, our small, but very dedicated, team of writers has traversed the various spaces where BTS reside, highlighting once more those key aspects that are distinct to them. Whether we approach BTS as global superstars, K-pop idols, fashionistas, or just 7 personable and talented young men from Korea, we cannot ignore the fact that BTS have taken the world and the music industry by storm. In this issue, we continue to celebrate BTS’ success, taking a peek into the “not-so-secret” ingredients that may have contributed to their global shake-up of the music industry. We also travel back in time to reflect on their accomplishments — both live and virtual. As we return to the present day, we once again savor those defining moments in BTS’ career that have shaped, informed, and influenced both their personal and professional lives. ARMYs know that as international artists and Korean citizens, BTS still have heights to scale, dreams to dream, and obligations to fulfill. We also know that BTS are certainly capable of doing all that — and much more! Please take your time reading through each of the articles, engaging not only with the words on the pages but the knowledge and experiences that may have informed those words. Consider also, in these changing times, where you are in your life at the moment? The path that you are on – are you there by choice or by circumstance? Lastly, is that where you want to be; and if not, what needs to change? We thank you sincerely for continuing the journey with Borasaek Vision and look forward to sharing the next issue of our magazine with all of you, our lovely readers, in the New Year. Thank you, and 보라해요!
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Apples to Oranges—
The Comparison Game
1
Recipe for Success
5
The World is BTS' Runway
9
Why We Celebrate BTS In The Music Industry
13
Real Talk: Enlistment
17
Reflecting Growth Through Concerts—The BTS Way
Korean 101 Fun Zone
Studying Solo
23
29
31
APPLES
TO
ORANGES
Written by: Anna Moon Designed by: Alex & Mheer
Edited by: Vera Checked by: Aury
Similies. Metaphors.
compared to the Twilight
Generalizations. Analogies.
franchise, Anne Rice, or Dracula, and a
Comparisons are an important part of human knowledge and understanding — they are everywhere, because there’s no easier way to describe something
dichotomy has led people to use these games as a litmus test for game
,
become “the next Harry Potter.” something like “If you liked Dark Souls, you’ll like this, because it’s really Music doesn’t escape this subtle hard.” Polygon has an excellent video generalization monster. Given the
that’s similar to something we’re
breaking down the “Dark Souls of
number of new artists appearing
things, and their usefulness is undeniable.
decades” and discussing the “Dark Souls descriptor” and how this descriptor is used to compare games to the Souls franchise.
A well-known example comes to us from the gaming community to
analysis and reveals the biggest
every year, arguably the music scene is one of the larger perpetrators of the generalization comparison than any other — how many times have we heard that a new artist sounds like someone else? Sometimes the
games. In the late 2000s, FromSoftware released the popular and divisive Dark Souls series, followed by a bevy of sequels and similarly-styled games throughout the 2010s. What has made these games so divisive and
argument against the usefulness of comparisons: they’re often used to compare things that aren’t especially similar. Any game that is viewed as being compared to Dark Souls, even if
descriptor is accurate, but as with all stereotypes, a comparison of this nature often glosses over the deeper facts in favor of shallow surface value and neglects subtle facets in favor of broad strokes.
the mechanics of the game and its Unsurprisingly, BTS has been
even controversial is their level of ask, they’re easy games, and if you’re struggling you just need to 1 | Apples to Oranges
comparisons also isn’t limited to the gaming world. For example, a series of books about vampires will likely be
to compare. Most notably, BTS has been compared to popular Western male groups, such as
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*NSYNC, and the Backstreet Boys. All of these comparisons are separate from the innate comparisons to their fellow K-pop groups.
similar because they both have a
comparisons really amped up to
similar physical aesthetic, but
coincide with the jump in stateside success). It really came to a head when BTS appeared on
Direction are both from the UK, but they are musically and aesthetically on
In some ways, it makes sense from a Western, “general public” perspective — after all, all of these genre, all of these groups were successful, and all of these groups are made up of talented, attractive men. However — and this is a big “however” — the similarities do not extend far beyond these three things. Let this be clear: that is neither an insult to the other non-BTS groups nor a compliment to BTS. It is a statement which is factually correct. Allow us to demonstrate with the following
Breaking it down into these categories makes it easier to analyze, but they are by no means clear-cut. For our purposes, however, using one comparison descriptor is enough to demonstrate the weaknesses of the construct as a whole.
Colbert, dressed in crisp black suits and standing before a drum set in a throwback homage to
Show” in 1964.
Ed Sullivan Show,” the US went wild for them, a trend which never stopped. According to CBS’
BTS has frequently been compared to their US success really started to skyrocket (note: American success is not the only measure of success. It just
Beatles have won 8 Grammys, have sold over 600 million albums worldwide, and have had 21 number 1 singles on the “Billboard
three points:
Each statement provides facets for
categories makes a group distinct from its fellows, even if one or two Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC are both American groups, but can you say they’re the same? No — you can make the argument that they’re Apples to Oranges | 2
Borasaek Vision Hot 100.” Two Beatles albums have actually climbed the charts in the past decade — Abbey Road and peaked at number 1 in 2019 and 2018, respectively. Objectively and when they burst onto the US music scene in the 60s, they took
better boy band” is destined for failure.
and they have begun to match compared in this way, as it does a grave disservice to both by leaving out some key points of discussion. TIME enough, comparing tour successes and number-one-charting albums on Billboard. However, the article ends
the West by storm. BTS’ meteoric rise to popularity in the West does seem similar to the
has existed for only seven years,
when in reality, there is no contest at all.
album charting and tour sales. In 2019, BTS signed another seven-year contract to continue pursuing their craft. After BTS has been on the scene for over 50 years, who knows what the numbers may say? At that point, the comparison of success stories might be safely made — when there is more data to set upon the table.
in the 60s, so this comparison
Beatles once then opens the
nature of success. While both groups
time the comparison is used, the meaning of it and the reasoning
Beatles had the advantage of being English-speaking Europeans, making their transition a great deal easier
It is undeniable that comparisons do have their uses; they’re a great place to begin when looking at something new. But like generalizations, they gloss over important details, hiding unique colors beneath a monochrome
behind it shifts. What began as a
than Korean-born and
facade. Each compared entity
and BTS, as well as the cultural
useful comparison between two groups of musicians who both had a stunningly swift rise to the top becomes a power struggle that has nothing to do with the original concept.
Korean-speaking BTS’. BTS, however, had the advantages of social media and the internet to help carry their Beatles had no access to until well points directly cancel each other out,
centered around the concept of “who did it better,” which turns a simile into a battle for dominance,
but TIME only mentions one of them in their article, and it is unlikely to be a coincidence that they would downplay the fact that BTS had a much harder road to tread because they are Asian instead of European.
to the classics.
Another important distinction is this:
Leaving aside the other issues running rampant in this article, the entire concept of “who’s the
Beatles were active from 1960 to 1970 and have had their music in the public ear for half a century. BTS has
One recent example of this is the TIME “bookazine” article “BTS vs.
3 | Apples to Oranges
loses some of its luster in the comparison, a fate which neither one deserves. Comparisons are easy; it’s true. In the end, though, do they add any value to the conversation when they over-simplify and diminish? Simplicity may be easy, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best answer — and when it involves BTS, it certainly isn’t the correct one.
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RECIPE FOR SUCCESS Written by: Rebeca | Edited by: Vera | Checked by: Clare | Designed by: Alex, Mheer & Kels
Recently, there has been an increased interest in the understanding of how BTS reached the top in the music industry, especially from those in the Western part of the world, who might feel like it took them by surprise. BTS have been steadily growing for years,but now that their impact is impossible to dismiss, the attention has turned towards their company and marketing out how it was made possible. However, trying to understand a group that is breaking all standards by measuring them up to the same old expectations produces poor results. While their innovative business and marketing strategies did play a role in breaking the industry barriers, focusing solely on those aspects neglects some of the most important reasons why they’re impossible to replicate.
In Search For The Recipe It makes sense that, in the face of such a successful act, their competitors would want to do benchmarking on them.
copy, and therefore make them identify what makes them stand stand out from the rest. When out, and later apply that to catch up applying this to BTS, what or even surpass them. Others are could be the unique ingredient interested in knowing if their in their recipe that has been success is sustainable in the long impossible to replicate so far? run, since investing in them could talking about their marketing many aspects have been the and social media strategies, the subject of study. For example, their Korean government supporting label, Big Hit, was the theme of a Hallyu, as well as their abilities Harvard Business School study as performers; however, none earlier this year by Anita Elberse of those are out of reach for and Lizzy Woodham, and Variety Magazine published an article looking into their ability to change government support, or hone the music industry, just in time for their skills, but those alone Grammy Voting Season. While won’t guarantee them great many ARMYs criticized it for, among other issues, not discussing BTS’s artistry, the author, Rebecca the rest? Davis, explained on her Twitter Not So Secret Ingredients account that the piece was written for an industry audience, which would be more interested in the aspects of these articles is how point, but such approaches won’t little coverage BTS’s music and provide an integral understanding artistry get. Given the of why BTS are so successful. opportunity, ARMYs will bring up the complexity and beauty In most cases, when someone has of their lyrics, their unprecedented achievements, it is experimentation with music genres, as well as their characteristics that aren’t easy to storylines and messages to Recipe For Success | 6
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anyone willing to listen. It’s been an uphill battle for their We learn from past experience, music to be taken seriously, analyze data, and continuously improve in all aspects. though thankfully, in recent times there have been a few occasions for the members to But even if we established that this speak about their creative fan culture plays an important part, process and music in more we would still be missing a key depth. Some examples are their point. Most artists have their own Grammy Museum interviews, dedicated fans, but the case of the and the breakdown of their BTS ARMY still stands out among them. Why is ARMY so committed albums in an interview for Pitchfork. Having their very own musical and artistic BTS have changed their fans' lives, identity, aided by the fact that their inspirational story, as well as their music is actually fun, their openness and focus on mental creative, and thought provoking, health. Right here we encounter a is one of the elements that keyword to understand why they makes BTS unique and loved. Nevertheless, there’s at least one more aspect that should be touches on an element that is rarely discussed, but is often overlooked. discussed outside of ARMY and what could truly be their Not long ago, an article from explored are vulnerable humans, rather than the impact of ARMY, along with just polished products, and they have a genuine human connection motivation, and the value we with their fandom. create for BTS and their label.
BTS As Humans
close to one of the missing ingredients. It is often said that any artist would be lucky to have a fandom like this, laser-focused on helping them succeed and trying our best to understand the ins and outs of streaming, radio, and charts. ARMY plays a because we do everything in our power to help them achieve 7 | Recipe For Success
in the Korean industry, as well acknowledged their growth as people, from teenagers to adults, but also unabashedly shown their playful and chaotic side as well. By being open about all of this, they’ve humanized themselves in the eyes of their fans, and that’s where the connection on a human level stems from. One of their main humanizing elements is their vulnerability. Time and time again, the BTS members have shared their raw selves with us; sometimes Last” from the Agust D mixtape, where Min Yoongi opens up about his mental health struggles, or Kim also penned letters, allowing us to see what’s on their mind at various points throughout their career, and spoken on VLive on multiple occasions about their worries, hopes,
their eyes out in joy, or sometimes sadness, and have force to be reckoned with, but all also subtly acknowledged the the appreciation of who these seven negativity that has been people are, what they’ve brought thrown their way on the VCR into our lives, and what we’ve where words such as the members have shown their discrimination, prejudice, and journey and their struggles to be recognized as worthy artists, both never pretend to be perfect or
stoic, and by doing so, they teach ARMY that being open about your feelings is okay. However, this artist–fan relationship isn’t solely based on the sad times; BTS are also known for having a great sense of humor and being chaotic, in a good way of course. Whenever an ARMY might need a good laugh or a happiness booster, are countless examples, from “Run BTS!,” where we see them
healing and joy they brought into our lives; hence, why we do our best to support them. For their part, they always call our name, acknowledge us as people, and give us love and comfort. makes the dream work” is such an important phrase for ARMY and BTS - we have shared this journey, and their happiness is our happiness as well.
“We’ll protect you and you’ll protect us, whatever may happen in the future”
The Recipe Canʼt Be Replicated In the end, what makes BTS
games; to other shows, like “In the SOOP,” where they had a chance to slow down in the stars, but they still get excited about playing with RC boats, holding a small lamb, or witnessing a night sky full of and full of energy; or soft, comforting, and full of love. One way or another, the BTS members radiate joy wherever they go.
that these seven individuals have shown themselves as they are their growth, vulnerabilities, joy and have received love and r synergy is impossible to replicate, the same way that no human relationship can be the same as
search of the recipe for their success would do better in recognizing a fellow human in their fans, and should spend those
BTS and ARMY have mutual respect and care for each other. Starting from the members, they love, respect, and build each other up, which makes
connections with them instead.
BTS once said on VLive: “We’ll protect you and you’ll protect us, whatever may happen in the
As for ARMY, we want BTS’s hard work and artistry to be recognized and to repay all the
summarizes this relationship pretty well. We’re on each other’s side — come what may. Recipe For Success | 8
Image Cou r
tesy of Big
Hit Entert
ainment
THE WORLD IS BTS’ RUNWAY
Written by Antonella Edited by Mheer Checked by Vera Designed by Euni
Fashion icons When it comes to fashion and style, the members of BTS have a lot to say and a lot to show. Award shows, concerts, red carpets: all of them have seen the members shine like diamonds, dressed in blinding, sparkly designer suits, with perfectly styled hair and coordinated outfits to match the mood of the night or of the song, posing for the cameras like they were born for it. Nobody can deny that the members are fashion icons. However, their dazzling style isn’t just reserved for shows and the filming cameras. In fact, their everyday cozy-&-comfy style or their at-home-onthe-couch casual looks have had their fair share of attention, too. Every member has a unique style that differs from the other’s, a piece of clothing that’s never missing, or some accessories that truly define their style. Sometimes it’s just them simply wearing their favorite clothes and rocking the look every time. The members on tour: The most anticipated moments for BTS and ARMY to be together are at the concerts. Everyone who has attended a BTS concert will not stay quiet about how gorgeous they are in real life, how the cameras could never do them justice; but above all, ARMY never stops gushing about how neat and refined, but also cute and at ease, the members look in their outfits. BTS has an outfit ready for every song on the setlist. During the “Love Yourself: Speak Yourself” world tour, we have seen BTS wear all kinds of attire.
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“Dionysus” opened the concerts, showing the members wearing all-white outfits, suits embellished with jewels, glitters and pearls, silk and satin dress shirts, and leather shoes; there was an ethereal beauty to their performances that had ARMY crying for days, alongside the “Fake Love” outfits, which included harnesses and sheer clothing.
BTS offered us a variety of looks while on stage: the members’ solo performances sparkled in their own light, with soft looks, flowy robes, sparkly outfits, and Yoongi’s iconic wine-red suit. However, a performance that ARMY will never get over is “Outro: Tear.” When Kim Jones gave us a sneak peek of the custom-designed Pre-Fall 2019 Dior collection outfits on Instagram, ARMY screamed about it for months. The performance itself was amazing, but Hoseok’s all-black “commando” look left us all reeling. On the more casual side of the stage outfits, the Encore is the part of the concert where we get to see BTS in jeans and t-shirts, comfortable and having fun. All this awesomeness was bound to become viral. Twitter “fancams” were everywhere. The iconic Seesaw “fancam” was as famous as “The Guy with the Glasses” and “The Blonde Guy with the Silver Jacket.” Even “local” Twitter could recognize BTS members by their outfits. :pZk] lahpl _Zlabhg Remember the day Namjoon turned the 2018 MGA stage into his runway? His regal overcoat turned heads and left everyone speechless. The World Is BTS’ Runway | 10
Image Courtesy of Axelle / Bauer-Griffin
Color-coded on the red carpet? That’s a big yes from BTS, who showed up at the Grammy’s 2020 in turtlenecks and monochrome tones of black and camel. Looking even prettier in December 2019 at Gayo, with a great mix of brown leather, black suits, matching dress shirts (Seokjin and Jungkook) and, catching the eye immediately, Namjoon’s purple outfit. ARMY goes crazy when BTS fits are color-coded while one of them wears a contrasting color, like Hoseok did back in December 2019. The other members wore black suits, while Hoseok wore a white one. He looked as mesmerizing as always, and ARMY was ecstatic about it. That unforgettable look at MAMA 2018, where the members wore black skinny jeans, simple shirts, and glittery, pinstripe, embroidered jackets, along with pretty jewelry and impeccable hairstyles, had everyone swooning. 11 | The World Is BTS’ Runway
Casual, everyday looks Through pictures on Twitter or Weverse, more recently through online interviews, and when they were photographed leaving the recording studios of Korean shows, we got to see their casual, comfy outfits. It’s always nice to see them when they’re not in the spotlight, when they’re barefaced and sharing their day with us. Accessories that are never missing are: Hoseok’s adorable, colorful belt bags; Jungkook’s combat boots and ear hoops; the members’ bucket hats; Yoongi’s FG shirt; Jimin’s Gucci slippers; or slippers in general, as BTS members seem to love them. It is especially meaningful for ARMY to get to see BTS in their genuineness on shows like “Bon Voyage” or, as of this year, “In the SOOP,” where they’re simply being themselves.
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:bkihkm _Zlabhg Z'd'Z Kng ;ML punishments We can’t ignore their glamorous airport fashion whenever they lose a game on “Run! BTS.” More than once, the members who lost admitted having already decided on their airport clothing but having to forgo it to get the punishment done. In 2018 Hoseok, Jimin and Taehyung had to wear the ARMY sweater Jimin had designed, and in 2019 the same team had to wear the cute rabbit-eared hat. Another time, Seokjin had to wear a Hanbok as a penalty; and again in another episode, Hoseok, Jimin and Yoongi had to wear sunflower face masks. The fun never stops with them! When they’re not being punished, however, their airport looks are on fire: i.e. when Taehyung wore a red dress shirt and black skinny jeans, or when Namjoon wore a gray jacket over a white shirt with skinny black jeans and glasses. Seokjin gave us the best example of a comfortable outfit when he wore a giant gray hoodie and jeans, getting a simple outfit to look extremely good. ;^abg] ma^bk lmre^ BTS members have always been vocal about the useless gendering of clothing pieces. They have worn clothes and shoes from women’s collections many times before; they’ve done a whole photoshoot for Singles Magazine wearing skirts, lace gloves, and fishnet stockings. Yoongi wore women’s Gucci sneakers for Version 4 of MAP OF THE SOUL: Persona;
for the LOVE YOURSELF: Answer, Hoseok wore a satin blouse, half-skirt, and lace socks. On a few occasions, Taehyung and Namjoon wore skirt-leggings, confirming that gender norms are in the past. Jimin and Jungkook wore corsets in the “Black Swan” concept photos; the members have worn diamond chokers on award shows and concerts many times. Yoongi, Namjoon, and Seokjin even wore a dress once. Yoongi dressed as a pretty waitress, Namjoon was dressed as Sailor Moon, and Seokjin wore a red dress while doing some cardio. It might have been a penalty, but we count that as a win. When Vanity Fair Magazine asked the members what “great style” is, Jungkook said: “Wearing anything you like, regardless of gender.” During an episode in Season 1 of “Bon Voyage,” after Jimin took a selca and checked the picture’s quality, Jungkook and Taehyung stated that men shouldn’t do that. Jimin, unfazed by the stereotype, said: “What on earth is masculinity?” Eb_^ `nb]^l The boys grew in their own sense of style, they look pretty no matter what, but above all, they always remind us to be comfortable with ourselves and to do what we want, without letting socially constructed norms hold us down. They even trace the path for us. While ARMY keeps being enthralled by them, we also want to grow with them and shape ourselves to be free of stereotypes. The World Is BTS’ Runway | 12
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W WE CELEBRATE BTS IN THE US H MUSIC INDUSTRY Y Written By Alapadma | Edited by Mheer | Checked by Aury | Designed by Kels On June 2, 2018, the Billboard 200 album chart updated with a Koreanlanguage album at #1, the first in history to achieve this feat. That album was BTS’ Love Yourself: Tear – the group’s third full-length Korean album and second in their “Love Yourself” series. The achievement at #1 brought a wave of celebration across the globe, including a congratulatory message from the president of South Korea himself. Love Yourself: Tear had become a symbol of global accomplishment. It portrayed an unprecedented moment for a Korean artist and sent a signal that BTS was a dominant force in the music industry. BTS has since preserved its industry dominance. Within less than a year, they followed up their first Billboard 200 #1 album with two more: Love Yourself: Answer in August 2018 and
13 | Why We Celebrate BTS In The Music Industry
Map of the Soul: Persona in April 2019. In February 2020, a fourth album hit the top of the Billboard 200 chart, Map of the Soul: 7. That album also gave BTS their first top 5 Hot 100 placement with “ON,” which proved to be only a taste of the incredulous result that would soon follow: #1 hit on the Hot 100 with “Dynamite.” But why are such achievements so grandly celebrated? Why was it a US #1 that sent a signal to the world? Since when did the “global music industry” become synonymous with the “US music industry?” American music has been a significant driving force in creating global popular cultural trends, particularly through the growth of the MTV which propelled American music videos into households across the world. International
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Apple launched their music purchasing store known as iTunes and changed the music business forever. iTunes added a condition of legality to digital music downloads – while any song could be downloaded for free and illegally distributed, Apple CEO Steve Jobs was determined to change that culture. He believed that if the product was better, if the platform for music distribution was better, then people would be willing to pay for something that they could easily access for free. Job’s vision proved to be a success. With iTunes, music suddenly had a profitable global reach, one in which an American company was able to profit off of the music downloads of someone in another country.
borders no longer served as barricades that prevented music from entering new regions and engaging with new audiences. And due to the American economic strength, cultural imperialism, and colonialism, America became the center for popular music. But today, this story seems rather outdated – there is no doubt that America still remains a force of economic and cultural imperialism that continues to impact forces around the world; however, the geographic and cultural borders that were bypassed through television are even more nonexistent with the advent of the internet. The internet inspired a form of cultural exchange and distribution that was hardly even imaginable – it removed any intermediate steps required for transnational exchange and only presented inputs and outputs. This system was perfect for the music industry. Songs could be downloaded, burned on a CD, and distributed to whoever wished to listen. Soon, music became the product at the end, the output, that was then transported across the world in just minutes after its creation. That, too, for no cost.
k oo eb SF ac BT of sy rte Co u Im ag e
There was a lucrative business hidden within this digital distribution of music, and companies began to take notice. One of the first companies to revolutionize music distribution was the American tech giant, Apple. In 2003,
America’s dominance in global music stems from this ability to make money off of music. Physical album sales had always been a large industry, but the digital age
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presented a new opportunity for financial gain – however, it did require innovation that companies like Apple managed to provide. There are multiple forces at play in the growth of the US music industry, along with the ebb and flow of the US economy as a whole, but the impacts of this initial digital music stronghold remain today. According to IFPI, the US remains the most profitable music market in the world, followed by Japan, the UK, Germany, France, and South Korea. Consequently, the global music market continues to be led by the US. And this control extends far beyond economics.
Not only does this allow American music to be distributed the most, but it creates a path for artistic recognition. The Billboard charts, Grammys, American Music Awards, all exist in part due to a system that is rooted in numbers. Ranking is inherent on iTunes and virtually all streaming services, and presence on the platforms depends on “input power” – power from label, country, or industry. Therefore, achieving a number one position on a Billboard chart, or winning a Grammy award, or making any substantial American industry-based achievements is an
Image Courtesy of Getty Images
The connection between financial control and cultural control lies in the distribution process. Those countries with the strongest economies will likely have the largest and most profitable streaming platforms – streaming platforms that, for the most part, are able to control what music gets
distributed and how it is distributed. The most profitable industries have the most potential in determining what music is presented to the world. What America is able to input into its streaming platforms will essentially become the outputs to all areas of the world that use those platforms. Hence, cultural and economic forces have convened to create a global music market centered on the United States.
The stakes of succeeding in the US are high. 15 | Why We Celebrate BTS In The Music Industry
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expression of both economic and cultural dominance. It gives artists the power of global influence. But for non-Western artists, their US music achievements displace America’s dominant stronghold on global music – they allow an outsider to control the “inputs,” presenting their music and culture through the same omnipresent, widely used music distribution channels created for American artists. A nonWestern artist at the top of the US industry leads to a complete remodeling of popular music as we know it. Such remodeling is driven overwhelmingly by fandoms. Fandom manifests itself in many ways in the industry, but one outlet in particular that has allowed the public to contribute directly has been YouTube, another US company that managed to capitalize on the digital music market. YouTube has achieved a global presence akin to hardly any other company in today’s day and age. It transformed from a simple video sharing, social media platform to a legitimate music-streaming space, one that has an added benefit of visual content. But most importantly, YouTube allowed any artist to post whatever music video they wished for the world to see. While these rules have become more regulated and less inclusive over the years, the foundation of YouTube helped add a cultural exchange to music that, although not financially beneficial, created exposure for artists from countries that did not have as much economic control as the United States.
Today, this structural shift, this remodeling, is felt throughout the global industry. The American industry today has a new sound – one that is rooted in South Korea. BTS’ dominance in America has shifted the understanding of what popular music is, and in doing so, they have displaced some of the power that the US music industry had. BTS has not only brought the Korean language and culture to America, they have also diverted significant influence, economic power, and attention from America back to South Korea. The impact of such events is massive – they help nourish the Korean industry with new resources and talent, they enable Korean artists to gain exposure through powerful US platforms, and allow Korea to become more competitive in the music business. The stakes of succeeding in the US are high. The reward is re-defining music for the whole world. While this reality stems from years of imperialism, today’s era of globalization puts this outdated system to test. Millions of fans from countries across the globe working together to put the global control center for popular music in the hands of a non-Western artist is nothing less than a revolution. A revolution that BTS continues to fuel themselves with their music, authenticity, and consciousness of identity. Why We Celebrate BTS In The Music Industry | 16
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REAL TALK:
Enlistment
Written by: Shelley & LP | Edited by : Clare | Checked by: Vera| Design by: Connie
Male citizens of the Republic of Korea, according to the Constitution and this law, ought to perform the duty of military service with sincerity, and females can volunteer for military service. (Article 3:1, Military Service Law of the Republic of Korea; English Translation by Seungsook Moon, 2006)
A Fact of Korean Life As difficult as it may be for international ARMYs to understand, military service is a fact of life for all able-bodied Korean men aged 18 years and over and has been since it was implemented in 1957 under the Military Service Law. According to this law, military service is a requirement for the nation’s male citizens no matter where they reside in the world, unless they are deemed “physically or socially undesirable
17 | Real Talk: Enlistment
for military service.” In the case of dual citizenship holders, they have to have revoked their Korean citizenship prior to their 18th birthday. This differs significantly for women, who, under the terms of South Korea’s Constitution, are not obliged to serve. As outlined in Article 3 of the Republic of Korea’s Military Service Act, “a feminine gender may perform only active service or reserve service through volunteering.” Photo Courtesy: iStock
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Under Korea’s Military Service System, there are two ways to enter into military service. The first is through a compulsory system premised upon the ideology that all Korean citizens “are responsible for the defense of their country.” For Korean men, the conscription system begins at the age of 18; however, under the provision of Article 60 of the military law, Korean men have the ability to defer their enlistment until they are 28 years old. The second method is through voluntary enlistment. It is believed that failure to fulfill one’s military service responsibilities can have an adverse effect on the individual with regards to future employment opportunities and their societal reputation. In the past, this was particularly so for conscientious objectors, who were incarcerated for choosing not to enlist; a decision that made it difficult for many conscientious objectors to gain employment once their prison term was completed. Now, for the first time since the 1930’s, Korean men who refuse to serve because of religious or moral beliefs can apply for alternative service. Despite some expected resistance, this is a significant development for both Military Service Law and conscientious objectors — evidence that change can occur within the system.
Which Leads Us to BTS. Recently, the Korean government entered into discussions regarding the exemption of BTS from military service, thanks to their huge impact on Korea’s economy and culture. However, on Oct. 5, 2020, when the topic was raised in Korea’s parliament, the chairman of the democratic party said, “Let’s stay quiet on this issue, because the public feels uncomfortable about it, and it’s not what BTS members want, either.” Later, as reported by KBS World on Oct.14, discussions regarding military exemption for BTS were met with great resistance from government officials concerned with the perceived “lack of fairness” of such an approach. One member of the Democratic Party asked, “What did they do to be exempt from military service,” before adding that perhaps the government should just grant exemptions for everybody. While comments such as these may be painful for ARMYs to hear, within Korea’s context, these comments come in the wake of Korea’s declining birthrate, increased aging population, and “heightened military readiness” as a result of ongoing tensions between North and South Korea. Because of this, South Korea’s Defense Ministry is promoting that all able-bodied men take up active
Real Talk: Enlistment | 18
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military duty, rather than opting to defer or being excused through exemption programs. This would see most men enlisting in their early 20s and would potentially boost falling numbers of active servicemen. These in-government discussions and debates are not new in South Korea’s parliamentary chambers. However, with BTS’ newly acclaimed achievements crediting them with two #1 hit singles on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, the ever-approaching countdown to eldest member Kim Seokjin’s enlistment, and BTS’ contributions to the nation’s economy, there has been a growing interest in how military service will affect the BTS members. While the knowledge that military exemption for BTS will not be entertained may be disheartening for many fans, there is still hope in the form of a government law review. According to the Commissioner for the Military Manpower Administration Mo JongHwa, this review could result in the addition of “a delay in military service
19 | Real Talk: Enlistment
only until age 30 for those most highly recommended” by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Such a result would allow Jin to delay his enlistment for two more years. Ready to Serve A month later, the National Assembly’s Defense Committee approved an amendment to Korea’s current conscription law — Korea’s Military Service Act. According to Yonhap News Agency, “if the bill passes the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and plenary session, and the revision of the enforcement decree is completed, it is expected that BTS members will be able to delay their military service until age 30.” That same day, during the BE press conference, Jin confirmed that the BTS members are ready to serve when called upon to do so — as both a duty and an obligation. With the current pandemic far from over, there is only more fog clouding the final decision that has yet to come. Differences of opinion have
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broken out amongst ARMYs, with each cluster feeling that their option is the best one for the BTS members. Some argue that BTS have proven themselves to be of the same calibre as gold medal athletes and therefore should be exempted from any kind of service, while others argue that rather than enlisting individually according to their ages, they should all be able to enlist together and serve at the same time. Additionally, some hold the belief that BTS members should honor their duties as Korean citizens and accept their enlistment as a “rite of passage,� whilst another opinion is to let the members decide for themselves what they want to do and, as fans, respect their decisions. These varied opinions are indicative of the diversity that exists within the
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Photos Courtesy: Big Hit Facebook Page
ARMY fandom, so it is not surprising at all that emotions run high whenever this topic comes to light. It is also understandable that with the continued strained relations between North and South Korea, ARMYs feel anxious at the idea of the members being somehow placed in harm’s way. Without a doubt though, ARMY is an incredibly strong fanbase — we are a family. BTS’ enlistment, when it happens, may create an imbalance in the ARMY fanbase, however the core of BTS x ARMY universe will remain steady and unharmed by this. By no means will it dim the flame of their fans’ love for them. Now that Big Hit has become this prolific “content powerhouse,� ARMYs can rest assured that BTS’ light will continue to shine for a long time into the future.
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South Korea (Republic of Korea) and North Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) have been at war with each other since 1950.
BTS’ leader, RM, wrote a poem in 5th grade titled “Korean Peninsula Tiger and Unification.” He dreamed of the day “when the two colors on the flag unite and become purple.”
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Mandatory conscription has existed in South Korea since 1957 Military Service Law requires all Korean men between the ages of 18 and 28 to serve in the military, unless they are deemed “physically or socially undesirable.”
Active service ranges from 18 to 21 months. Non-active service ranges from 21 months to 3 years.
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21 | Real Talk: Enlistment
Written by: Miranda & Shelley | Edited by : Vera Checked by: Anna| Design by: Connie
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K-pop idols/artists must put their careers on hold while in service to their country.
Photo Courtesy: The DailyStar Photo Courtesy: Wikipedia
BigBang Super Junior
Many Koreans still regard military service as a “right of passage” for Korean men.
Women can enlist voluntarily to become officers, but not soldiers.
Photos Courtesy: Big Hit Facebook Page
*Olympic medal winners *Asian Games gold medal winners *Performers; violinists, pianists, ballet dancers, and opera singers *Those deemed not to be “able-bodied” *Eligible doctoral students
Photo Courtesy: allkpop
Military exemption is available for:
K-pop groups who are still together after military service, include:
BTS’ eldest member Jin has stated, “I believe it is my duty to fulfill my military service and I will accept my country’s call anytime.”
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23 | Reflecting Growth Through Concerts: The BTS Way
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25 | Reflecting Growth Through Concerts: The BTS Way
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Reflecting Growth Through Concerts: The BTS Way | 26
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27 | Reflecting Growth Through Concerts: The BTS Way
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Written by: Caitlin Edit by: Esma Checked by: Vera Designed by: Aralika
When you start studying a new language, you are embarking on an immense journey. Many language learners will tell you that visiting the country of your target language is the best way to learn it quickly. However, many ARMYs start to learn Korean by themselves and are not living in South Korea. In addition to that, many ARMYs who intended to travel to South Korea to learn the language were stopped by the COVID-19 pandemic. Does that mean you can’t learn Korean? Does it pose a threat to your capability of becoming fluent? No! Not in the slightest. In fact, there are many different ways one can go about acquiring a language without ever stepping foot in a foreign country. Today’s Korean 101 will give you a few pointers on how to study by yourself, along with a few resources* to study independently.
Digital Resources use of digital resources. With Korean being a trending language right now, there is so much information online for Korean language learners to utilize. Sites like howtostudykorean.com or talktomeinkorean. com are perfect examples of online resources that provide lessons in Korean from beginner level all the way through to advanced. Howtostudykorean. com not only contains lessons covering grammar 29 | Korean 101: Studying Solo
and vocabulary, but it is also free! It breaks up the lessons into units, starting from unit 0, which teaches you how to read (Korean alphabet), through to (Chinese characters unit 7 and an additional tests at the end of each unit along with listening practice as well! As the saying goes, there is an app for just about everything, so making the use of these apps is another great way to learn Korean — with the added bonus of making learning fun! A few apps I have, which can be found on both Android and Apple iOS, are NAVER Dictionary, Memrise, TOPIK ONE, Drops, and Korean Study Step 1. I use apps to build up, memorize and revise my vocabulary, leaving the grammar lessons to websites. Ask anybody who has been learning this language for a while, and they will tell you that NAVER is the only Korean English dictionary they use. It comes with many examples of word usage and links you to the number of times the word has been used in a VLive. Memrise and Drops help with vocabulary building — Memrise having its own courses and dabbles in teaching grammar.
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TOPIK ONE is a fantastic app aimed at simulating the TOPIK tests, and it’s a great way to test your knowledge and see what you need to study and work little difficult to find but is totally worth the search! It was developed by SOFTHEAVEN, and I landed on this gem five years ago when I was first starting out on my Korean language journey. It teaches you characters and basic how to correctly write the vocabulary — not to mention that it has a super cute design!
Baby Talk As someone who has been studying Korean since 2015, the one thing I wish I had done from the get-go was to treat myself like I was teaching a baby to talk. Babies are surrounded by their native language from the moment they are conceived, and when they are born, they have continuous stimuli aimed at their children’s TV programs. All these are neatly packaged lessons provided to babies and children, which they can digest in small doses. Find Korean children’s books to learn to read. Treat yourself like a child by nurturing your reading level. Try to read out loud and sound out the words if you can’t read them fluently yet. Remember all those times when you first started school and learned to read and write? Use those methods to your advantage! One thing babies and toddlers do when they first start speaking is using words to communicate and understanding of grammar or they may not have proper pronunciation, but they are not afraid to try and communicate with those around them. Majority of the time, the person they are speaking to will understand what the child is trying to convey due to the context of the situation. A child might not be able to say: “Can I please have some milk?” But they will know how to say “Milk?” or “Milk, please?” And you would still be able to understand them, right? So use baby talk from the moment you start learning, convey your message, and as time goes on, you will slowly be able to build upon your speech to “adult level.” Don’t be afraid to start speaking! Something self-taught learners tend to struggle with is listening comprehension. Watching Korean children’s shows is a perfect way to practice this
words themselves; it is also the visual cues that go along with the words. Children’s shows and cartoons exaggerate these visual cues and gestures along with ways to create word connections in your mind, so you can memorize vocabulary and understand what context the word is used in.
Virtual Immersion Children’s TV shows connect nicely with the last point I want to discuss, and that is the use of virtual immersion. When you can’t go to South Korea or surround yourself with native speakers, the next best thing is to surround yourself by Korean content. Fortunately, this is something ARMY is great at doing. Listening to Korean music, watching Korean shows — think reality game shows, as there is a plethora of written content in the shows to match the audio. Game shows, such as BTS’ “Bon Voyage” and “Run BTS!” are also much easier to follow along to and understand in comparison to Kdramas, as the majority of the content on these reality shows are improvised natural speech with common phrases and also naturally creating a more “real-life” unscripted immersion. Switching your phone and other devices to Korean and labelling things around your house in Korean is a more subtle immersion technique. Switching your devices forces you to recognize words and encourages your brain to look at Korean as something important to remember. While labelling things encourages word memorization and even just reminds you to study your Korean! I hope the resources and tips I have put together in this series will help you to become successful in your language studies. Studying Korean requires a ton of hard work and practise, but with time, beneficial resources and techniques that work for you, you’ll find yourself falling in love with learning and speaking the language! Wishing you the best on your journey! * All resources suggested in this article are not sponsored recommendations, nor are they affiliated with Borasaek Vision Magazine. Korean 101: Studying Solo | 30
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31 | Fun Zone
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MANAGERS Design, Alex | Planning, Anna | Copy Editor, Aury | Planning, Caitlin | Design, Euni | Design, Kels | Social Media, Miranda | Writing, Shelley | Assistant Copy Editor & Design Support, Mheer
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GAME ANSWERS 1. Yoongi’s slipper is green 2. J-Hope’s slipper is purple 3. Army Bomb on the left-side floor 4. Flower on the table 5. Chimmy on the keyboard
6. RJ on the right-side floor 7. Jimin wearing a fedora 8. Shell on piano 9. Mang on piano 10. Taehyung in painting
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