jeromecayoyong

How BTS is changing K-pop for the better
          	
          	At a glance, South Korean boy band BTS looks just like all the others out there: Candy-colored hair, glowing skin, layers of eyeliner. Its members have mastered the art of the devilish grin. They dance in perfect rhythm, never breaking a sweat.
          	
          	What they're actually doing is revolutionizing what K-pop stands for—and they're starting to win awards for it.
          	
          	K-pop bands have been in the international spotlight long enough to earn scorn from outside the fandom. They're trained monkeys, they're recruited too young, they're locked in abusive contracts. 
          	
          	BTS is young. Eldest member Jin is only 23. Members are also well-trained, which is clear from the level of expertise they show in their finely choreographed videos. But their true mark of difference is that they seem to be truly happy making music, a quality that shines bright through every performance, fan meet, and social media post. They are the symbol of what can be right within the K-pop industry—and other bands should follow.
          	
          	They are only one part of this evolution, though they are at its heart. 
          	
          	They are represented by small label Big Hit Entertainment, which only has one other band under its wing. Compared to well-known companies like YG Entertainment (Big Bang, PSY) and SM Entertainment (Girls Generation, Shinee, Exo) that are known for mass-producing stables of perfectly groomed idols, Big Hit has chosen to focus its energy on making only a few bands very good. In the process, the label is turning the tide against K-pop's sullied reputation of treating its stars unfairly.
          	
          	The beginnings of the 'Bulletproof Boy Scouts'
          	BTS made its official debut in June 2013, ascending to fame at three times the rate that major fellow musicians did in their own time. Most bands take a while to warm up, but BTS was running out of the gate thanks to the leadership of a deeply motivated rapper.
          	
          	Kim Nam Joon, known as Rap Monster, was recruited as BTS's first member back in 2010

jeromecayoyong

How BTS is changing K-pop for the better
          
          At a glance, South Korean boy band BTS looks just like all the others out there: Candy-colored hair, glowing skin, layers of eyeliner. Its members have mastered the art of the devilish grin. They dance in perfect rhythm, never breaking a sweat.
          
          What they're actually doing is revolutionizing what K-pop stands for—and they're starting to win awards for it.
          
          K-pop bands have been in the international spotlight long enough to earn scorn from outside the fandom. They're trained monkeys, they're recruited too young, they're locked in abusive contracts. 
          
          BTS is young. Eldest member Jin is only 23. Members are also well-trained, which is clear from the level of expertise they show in their finely choreographed videos. But their true mark of difference is that they seem to be truly happy making music, a quality that shines bright through every performance, fan meet, and social media post. They are the symbol of what can be right within the K-pop industry—and other bands should follow.
          
          They are only one part of this evolution, though they are at its heart. 
          
          They are represented by small label Big Hit Entertainment, which only has one other band under its wing. Compared to well-known companies like YG Entertainment (Big Bang, PSY) and SM Entertainment (Girls Generation, Shinee, Exo) that are known for mass-producing stables of perfectly groomed idols, Big Hit has chosen to focus its energy on making only a few bands very good. In the process, the label is turning the tide against K-pop's sullied reputation of treating its stars unfairly.
          
          The beginnings of the 'Bulletproof Boy Scouts'
          BTS made its official debut in June 2013, ascending to fame at three times the rate that major fellow musicians did in their own time. Most bands take a while to warm up, but BTS was running out of the gate thanks to the leadership of a deeply motivated rapper.
          
          Kim Nam Joon, known as Rap Monster, was recruited as BTS's first member back in 2010

jeromecayoyong

7 fun facts you must know about the Bangtan Boys before KCON 2014
          
          The Bangtan Boys, known as BTS for short, are part of the concert lineup for KCON 2014 in August. For fans of the group, it has added to the overall excitement of the event as they wait in anticipation. In honor of that, here are seven things you should know about them before you head to California.
          
          
          1. There are seven of them.
          
          Now this may seem obvious to most, but BTS has seven members. Below, they are: Jungkook, Jin, Suga, Rap Monster, V, Jimin, and J-Hope. Start memorizing so you have it down in case you have the chance to attend an artist engagement with them!
          
          2. They are multilingual.
          
          It is well known that Rap Monster is fluent in English because he taught himself, however did you know that he also speaks Japanese? Jin speaks Mandarin. V speaks Japanese. All of these great influences seem to be rubbing off on the other members! J-Hope and V are both said to be learning Mandarin, and last week KCON released a short hello message from the boys of BTS to their fans where three of them speak in English very clearly. Check it out below!
          
          3.They can pull off any concept.
          
          K-pop is known for concepts, and BTS has had their share of them. Everything from bad boy to school boy, they manage to pull off any concept their stylists throw at them. (And I wish I could do that…)
          
          4. They are well-rounded.
          
          Each has their own unique personality that really brings this group to life. From aegyo to composing music and writing raps, BTS has is it all. They even have budding photographers, a chef, and an artist in their midsts.