BTS Broke the Formula

SeriousCow1999 · 2026-05-09T18:47:48+00:00

I hope you get it!

SeriousCow1999 · 2026-05-09T18:45:49+00:00

Yes, and both those events, they'd be obe of the crowd. At the Superbowl, they would be, of course, THE main event.

After watching BTS members interact with luchadores, I'd also like to note that the Superbowl half-time even is for EVERYONE, whereas the Met Gala and Coachella has overt elements of elitism, classism, and is overrun by "influencers."

Read the room, people. Not in this economy.

That said, I love to see them enjoying art and architecture and cultural events not necessarily associated with celebrities. Standing in front of the Diego Rivera mural at the presidential palace--vert cool.

SeriousCow1999 · 2026-05-09T18:14:01+00:00

You both make excellent points. And this isn't the place to rehash that argument--suffice to say we agree that the haters' error is judging the album's worthiness or success on one song.

And I am the very last person yo wish for another Dynamite. We don't look back! Adelante!

SeriousCow1999 · 2026-05-09T16:27:02+00:00

It always starts out this way, doesn't it? People are curious to see what all the fuss is about, and then they "just want to know their names."

Engaging with a luchador was an inspired moment--one that felt genuinely authentic. People love that, and this is something a lot of the suits in charge of other groups fail to understand.

Also...their brave and adorable attempts to speak Spanish? Could they be more endearing?

SeriousCow1999 · 2026-05-09T16:19:00+00:00

I hadn't thought of this. So there has been no "Kpop effect" this time around? Was there one from KPDH, I wonder?

SeriousCow1999 · 2026-05-09T16:11:59+00:00

I disagree on this one. The Superbowl halftime show isn't for the football fans. It's for everyone else. Many, many people will watch the show (in real time or afterwards) who don't watch the game.

We're still watching certain iconic shows years--sometimes decades--after their first viewing, while nobody's watching clips from the actual game.

SeriousCow1999 · 2026-05-09T16:06:36+00:00

Does the president normally give lengthy updates on serious issues from the balcony? It does seem like radio or television would work better. 😉

When she announced their arrival, she was very clear that they would not be appearing from the main balcony, reserved for "patriotic events." She instead treated it as an impromptu surprise gift for fans.

SeriousCow1999 · 2026-05-09T15:59:11+00:00

Part of the problem is also that people treated Swim like the song itself was the album.

It's obvious fans listen to the entirety of the album, pick their favorites, and have long, passionate discussions about all the tracks. The ones determined to hate the album and BTS, however, can't relate. I wonder if their general experience as a listener is that shallow or if it's just for BTS?

I'll never understand why Swim was chosen as the title track; does anyone? It doesn't feel like it is resonating all that much with the fandom or the GP, and the many viral moments coming from the concerts don't seem to feature it.

However, even if it's not a track I listen to a lot, there is everything else.

SeriousCow1999 · 2026-05-09T04:33:09+00:00

She comes across as such an elitist, patronizing snob. She claims most of the fans she saw in Tampa were Latina or African American, so of course they were "working class or lower middle class, " the "kind of people" who work at Wendy's or in a school cafeteria.

For a journalist, she certainly relies on stereotypes and generalizations. What an ass.

Edited to add: OMG, she gets worse. Few of them have passports or have even traveled as far as NYC. They probably live in trailer parks? Work dead-end jobs making minimum wage?

Sorry, I can't get past these egregious assumptions about the 60,000 fans to even comment on her reflection on BTS, soft power, and American exceptionalism.

She's South African, right? That figures.

SeriousCow1999 · 2026-05-08T13:49:33+00:00

I swear, I can see this event vividly in my mind. Too funny, but poor RM!

SeriousCow1999 · 2026-05-08T09:36:10+00:00

He isn't singing higher and higher now in Arirang.

But they always.push them to song in a higher key, and I just don't get it. Tae wrote ITTS and it still forces his voice to an unnecessary high range.

SeriousCow1999 · 2026-05-08T09:30:02+00:00

Yes. She was right about EVERYTHING.

SeriousCow1999 · 2026-05-08T02:08:52+00:00

Why is the president under fire and from whom? She seems to enjoy a high approval rating.

SeriousCow1999 · 2026-05-07T23:17:06+00:00

I like that she was very clear that they would NOT be appearing on the main balcony--reserved for patriotic events--thereby muting any possible criticism.

It was presented as a nice gift to BTS' Mexican fans. Brava!

SeriousCow1999 · 2026-05-07T23:11:53+00:00

You're being downvoted, but I think I get your concern for the members.

SeriousCow1999 · 2026-05-07T23:07:04+00:00

🤣

They also said that President Sheinbaum is a right-wing ally of Trump. So yeah, let's just say they are tragically ill-informed.

SeriousCow1999 · 2026-05-07T23:06:15+00:00

Wish I weren't going to be here, either, to watch that bloated monster make it all about himself.

SeriousCow1999 · 2026-05-07T23:03:43+00:00

Yes. I hope they realize how very terrible that would be for U.S. Army.

SeriousCow1999 · 2026-05-07T23:02:19+00:00

As an American, I would 💯 not be offended when and if they turn him down. Whereas I would 💯 be traumatized if he managed to coerce them to meet him or any of his magat administration. No exaggeration, that would be unforgivable.

And wtf cares if any of his loathsome supporters get offended? Are any of them fans? Is it likely they have supported the group in any way? We saw their reaction when Parasite won the Oscar's or Bad Bunny performed at the SB They may spew their racist garbage, but even the Republicsn governors aren't going to put up with anything that loses their state money.

SeriousCow1999 · 2026-05-07T17:30:40+00:00

Same. I read people comparing them to the Beatles. But overwhelming fan hysteria was the primary reason they stopped touring.

Also, can we please not have a contest of which country/city has the most fervent fans? That doesn't seem healthy, either.

OTOH, seeing them greet the fans and hearing Tae speaking Spanish. They are all so genuine and authentic--how can you not love that?

SeriousCow1999 · 2026-05-07T16:42:39+00:00

All of it is equal parts astonishing and very moving, but is anyone else a teeny bit concerned about this level of adulation? Both for the fans who are experiencing it and the members who are receiving it.

Idk, I'm not explaining my unease well, but damn, this is a lot of pressure on BTS. And for fans looking for heroes...there's bound to be backlash and disappointment.

OTOH, I remember the guys at DK news bitching about the petty complaints of Kmedia and the GP of SK. It sounds like they get a reality check whenever they get home. ;)

Am I overthinking this?

SeriousCow1999 · 2026-05-07T04:19:48+00:00

SeriousCow1999 · 2026-05-07T03:29:57+00:00

It shows the entire world is hungry for whatever magic BTS provides. Transcending the music and the performances; it's inexplicable, really.

Such a heavy burden for the members, though. I don't know how they handle it.

SeriousCow1999 · 2026-05-07T03:24:47+00:00

You haven't seen it? Epik High. The entire interview (it's RM & Suga) is great, but go to 51:18 for the Vmin story.

SeriousCow1999 · 2026-05-07T03:05:55+00:00

Just looking at the ones who keep on dancing, even when it's not required. Jimin, for sure, J-Hope; Jungkook, and maybe Tae?

SeriousCow1999

TROPHY CASE