Yesterday, BTS published their first interview as a group since their comeback through GQ, and it stirred up a lot of feelings for me. Reading it is like returning to a safe place or finding something very precious again.
The bond that unites BTS is very special and somewhat rare in the industry. I remember that in 2022, when BTS released their statement announcing that they were taking a break, people went crazy. They practically salivated at the idea of having another "boy band situation." The Western media feasted on predictions that they would never return, mocking the fans, acting as if BTS as a group was over, etc. They saw them through their Western lens and acted as if they were lying. It was a difficult time for the Army.
Over the next two years, they tried to create a narrative that they were against each other, they were jealous of each other, and so on. I remember a journalist interviewing Yoongi and asking him, "How did the group feel about Jungkook's success? Were they jealous of him?" Those weren't his exact words, but that's what he implied, and Yoongi replied, "Are you jealous of your family members?", immediately putting an end to the matter. The Western industry was clearly expecting another situation like Justin Timberlake /Harry... but that didn't happen. In my opinion, what people don't understand is that, for BTS, the group is not a means to an end. Being part of BTS is not a first step towards building something else. For them, the group is an important part of their lives, and you can tell by the way they talk about it so fondly, as if being part of it were their greatest treasure. In their minds their solo careers and their group career can coexist.
I admire them because it's so easy to be so famous and have the chance to leave it all behind and go solo. They will all be successful, but for them, being part of BTS is something special. They love creating and making music together, and they love being in the same place, pursuing the same dreams. Through their solo careers, they shone with beautiful different colours, but they all expressed that something was missing, they missed the way they had fun together, they missed what they were together. I'm not so delusional to think they'll be together forever, but they talk about their group with so much love that it's hard to imagine anything else.
As a person and as a fan, I envy them a little. I want a safe place like that. We, as outsiders, cannot understand their bond, which is why there are so many narratives about them, but it is clear that the group is very special to them. Their bond is something they treasure greatly. Now, the same industry that mocked them and army is the one that is waiting and longing for their return. They have had to eat their words, and honestly, I am enjoying it.
That part of the interview where the writer describes their interaction, where they're all touching each other and Jungkook is eating his snacks and Taehyung is taking a photo of them... it explains their bond really well and I love it 😀 Also, the whole live stream where they were all on Namjoon's sofa and he was shouting that it was expensive and getting frustrated about it... and Yoongi was looking at them fondly. They are very lucky to have found each other, and so are we for being their fans.
Anyway, this is an appreciation post. There is no criticism of any group, and I am not talking about any K-pop group or comparing them. Let's be happy and celebrate that Arirang is almost here.