Boybands, Fandom and Internet

So, I've been into boybands (music) since I was young. Back then MTV worked as its name MUSIC television, which is all about music. Even in Indonesia, we called ourselves "Anak nongkrong MTV" which means the ones who tune in religiously to MTV. It's totally different with MTV today even today music show in my home country. Smh!!

Back in late 90s, Westlife was so booming in here along with others singers like Britney Spears, Nsync, and Backstreet Boys. I was following the bandwagon, been listening to Westlife until my mom bought me CD 4 Biggest Boybands; Westlife, Boyzone, Nsync and Backstreet Boys. Started from that I was falling in love with NSync and Backstreet Boys, I can't choose which side tho, but I can say I was JC's girl 😉

As 90s kid, I experienced the fans feud like whose the best boyband, BSB or Nsync. Back then, we didn't have name for the fandom. But still to take side was a big deal in music back then. Both were talented, their songs were so good (even up until now, I still put their songs on my playlist), their dance were incomparable to other boybands. People still comparing both group, even in interview the reporters would asked about each counterpart. Funny thing is that they got the same manager. Yadaaa!! Annnnnndddd when we're talking about fans, it was frenzy. Without any internet back then, the fans were still strong. They can gathered fans from all around the world. I even watched the video while BSB in Rio de Janeiro,  their fans surrounded their bus until it couldn't move and it's so dangerous and scary.

Turning to early 2000, another phenomenal boyband came to music industry. This time we had it from Asia, F4 (go check google if you don't know them). They're even bigger than life,hahahaha.. Anything related to them was sold out. But until then, I had never heard a word of fanwar.

2005 was my first year in touch with kpop. I do remember my first favorite kpop song was Miracle from Super Junior. Internet was not as easy as these days, so to listen to that song, I requested it from radio station, which thankfully had it and played that song. I even bought the cassette (I was so broke). On the other hand, my sister who was a fan of DBSK, bought DBSK Japanese Album: Heart, Mind and Soul, together we played it everyday until my mom remember the songs and hum along with it. At this stage I started to understand what is fandom and kpop itself. It's fun, although I didn't understand any of it, I did enjoy the songs.

As the brightest as it shown, kpop also has a darkside. Suju and DBSK were two biggest part of hallyu wave. Their fans are everywhere even up until now. They are very loyal to their idol, unfortunately there are some that take it too personal. Some started to stalk their idol, even until trespassing their personal space. It's ok if they want to come to every show, even, fan meeting or concert, or to buy every merchandise, but trespassing is a no no. Furthermore, as the rumors said that early years of the National girl band, Girl's Generation, were not easy. They used to get black ocean, where the audience mostly fans were turned off their light stick when the girls performed. One of the reasons was just because the girls were too close to those oppas (in fact, they are from the same agency, some maybe trained together). Rumors also mentioned that DBSK's Yunho even rushed to hospital due to drink poisoning( Again, limited access of internet impeded further information). Up until now, I have no idea why they did that.

Few years later, Big Bang became another kpop star that also became phenomenon.  This band was and is so different from their seniors in terms of music to style. They gained worldwide fame, but still anti-fans linger around them.

2016-2017, almost 20 years of BsB vs NSync, I feel kinda dejavu. This time BTS vs EXO. Both are very talented group, have very big, strong and loyal fanbases. But instead of BTS vs EXO it's more likely to be Army and Exo-l (respected fandom). Maybe because we're in millennial era, everything seems to be over the top. Too much!!

Lately with MAMA voting, everything become mess. The inconsistency of MAMA to provide a fair voting, turned everything to be too much drama. Both fanbases wanted their favorite idol to win, they tried their hardest to win the vote. And the business must go on. By an incomprehensible reason MAMA cut down several votes and cause fanwar between big fandoms, especially Army and Exo-l.

I'm an Army myself but trying to see everything from both sides. Exo is a big brand for few years lately in kpop industry for sure. Along with them, BTS also raising their popularity even to western music industry.  As I don't really follow EXO, I can't talk too much. On the other hand, I feel really connected to BTS and their songs. It was their music video that gave a strong impression on me. I don't want to calculate the cost of their mv production, too expensive. Starting from that I dig in for more. To know the lyrics and its meaning, the message of each song. Well yeah, I kinda that nerd, knowing the lyrics and what's behind the song will always a plus point from me. And it's like opening a pandora box. Once I opened it, there are lots of things BTS offers to me. Not only the bubbly side but also the struggling phase that shaped them as idols, musicians and what they are now. The fact that they're producing and writing their own songs is another thing that I appreciate from them. Not many idols are hands on on their music, but bts can do it.

Come up from small company, they have been defying gravity.. When many people think it's impossible for them to success,  they worked 100 times harder,. They chose another route to introduce their brand, BTS, and as wise man said "Teamwork makes the dreams work". They treasure their fans, Army. Treated them as human being, not because they have to but because they want to. When they can rely 100% with promotion in TV, they chose to use social media to engage with army. 

And this is the turning point of social media in kpop. BTS as the one who actively use their social media, is able to connect to their fans from all over the world. The members are happily share anything to their fan through Twitter. And also the works of Army, the main PR for BTS :D. Twitter (or internet) is the main reason why this group was able to sell their brands (we're not talking about their music here but the use of internet). This is what other artists (again, IN MY OPINION) lack of. Although they have their social media, mostly they only post things without build any conversation with the fans, while BTS try to communicate with Army in any kind of social media they have, namely twitter, vlive, fancafe, youtube and else. They don't really active in instagram tho T.T). As a result, BTS become one powerhouse artist in social media ( whether you agree or not, in fact they awarded as Top Social Artist in BBMA 2017) and you can check their followers on Twitter and Vapp.

There are thousands reasons how can they become what they are now. Hopefully other idol groups (especially from small companies) able to learn from BTS but most importantly they are able to be true to themselves and true to their music.

This is based on my personal point of view. Feel free to add and give your opinion but don't force anyone to agree with yours. Peace.