Lissamer OT7

OT7, BFAF, Borahae Bitches, 💜🤟🏻🧈

[Hädl @hdiltk7]

الكيبوبرز اللي للحين يكررون سالفة إن بتس عنصريين، برا تويتر محد ماخذ كلامكم بجدية.. كبار الفنانين السود يدعمونهم ويشتغلون معهم و يحترمونهم عكس يلي تتمنونه!

[Lissamer OT7 @Lissamer2503]

@btsxhope613 Someone needs to touch grass. She loves hearing her own voice and it’s tiring.

[yaz⁷ @_sgminseven]

Taehyung said they're actually really happy when they run into ARMYs by chance on the street, and the ARMYs pretend not to notice and just keep walking to give them some privacy 😭💜

🐻: Out of 100 people, 90 of them, even if ARMYs see us on the street, they just pretend not to know us.
🐻:They act like they don't know us when they see us in that country, so that we could make even more memories in that country.
🐻: They just pretend not to know us and walk pass by. Actually, instead, they'd just close their eyes, pretending not to see me when we make eye contact. So we feel so happy that we greet them first.
🐻: "Hi!"
"Hi"
🐻: Have a good day! like this
🐻: So we even shake hands
🐻: You know, it really warms your heart. That make us feel even more grateful.

[Lissamer OT7 @Lissamer2503]

@frozenreality @jcyrds I wonder how they would get into the VIP section without the wristbands. They are normally very strict about letting people into that section.

[World Music Awards @WORLDMUSICAWARD]

#BTS' 'Arirang' has surpassed 1.6 Million sales units in the US and is now the 4th best selling album of the year in America and the #1 best-selling album in the world in 2026! 💪🌊💿4⃣🔝💰🇺🇸➕1⃣🌎2⃣6⃣👑👑👑👑👑👑👑💜❤️‍🔥

[♡ @amlysbang]

"Refusing Grammy consideration did not make the group disappear. It made the Academy explain why one of the world’s largest musical acts found its framework unacceptable."

#ArtHasNoAliens

[About Music @AboutMusicYT]

Arirang by BTS has surpassed 1.6 million units sold in the US. It now ranks as the fourth best selling album of the year in the country and the #1 best-selling album globally.

[⁷ @Pk_bts_land]

Javier Paniagua, composer, producer & Grammy voting member, supports BTS's decision to skip the 2027 Grammys.

He said "BTS is the most relevant pop group and artist in the world today, and shouldn't be placed in a separate category based on their origin and language."

[Global Citizen ⭕ @GlblCtzn]

ARMY, thank you for your incredible support over the past couple of months. 💜 ⁷

From the very first day, you’ve showed up in full force, helping amplify the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund and our mission to expand access to quality education and sport for children all around the world. ⚽ 📚

[Sal68 🪩¹²🪻 ⟭⟬👀⁶*⁷@ Hot Spurs @7btsfilmout]

My thoughts exactly.
BTS have always talked about the black artists that they grew up listening too and learned from and respected.
However, whenever the conversation of appropriation comes up, people tend to put BTS in the mix without correctly mentioning the fact that BTS have done, and always show their respects and giving flowers to their teachers.
NAS being at a BTS concert, my goodness, my heart is still pounding with so much joy and respect. I can only imagine how RM was feeling. The rest of the Tannies too.
My mind went straight to how I felt seeing RM and BTS perform with Lil Nas X, J-hope's collab with J. Cole, every time I hear "Change" with Wale, and then there is Bangtan working with Warren G.

What timing is this too. OMG 😱😱😱
In my books, this is monumental and I'm ever so humbled every time when such special moments happy. When my music worlds collide, and an explosion of RESPECT just materialises itself.

Ok I'll shut up now. 😱😱😱😱
#BTSHistory #ArtHasNoAliens
#BTS #방탄소년단 #아포방포 #아미

[♡ @amlysbang]

Zeena Koda, in her interview for Variety about 10 AAPI Music Executives Making an Impact in 2024 told that The Recording Academy lauched the Gold Alliance aimed at giving visibility to AAPI artists.

The founder of Gold Alliance is Kevin Nishimura, who is currently the Chief Business Officer of Kakao Entertainment Global and Chief Operating Officer of SM and Kakao Entertainment America.

Oh lord. Now you see here's the thing. These people are not understanding one thing. Asian representation in music is a cause worth fighting for. But representation stops being meaningful when it comes at the cost of segregation. Creating spaces for Asian artists should never mean confining them to a separate lane instead of allowing them to compete as equals.

You cannot claim to champion Asian representation while boxing in the biggest Asian artist in the world. And when that very artist tells you that this approach is not representation but limitation, it's time to stop defending the system and start reflecting on whether you're advancing equality or simply repackaging exclusion.

#ArtHasNoAliens

[lalabybaby⁷ ⊙⊝⊜ LAMRON @boranyeon]

"Shade so strong it hit the target's eardrums globally"???

[aitibaN⁷⁼¹ LAMRON🎞🪭㉧㉣㉣ 내년봄!¹³ᵀˢ|아포방포 (SLOW) @nabitia_]

Waiting on the Grammys to create a Best European pop category with lyrics with a meaningful use of a European language excluding English🤡.....

[Cypher⁷ / Shesawseesaw @cypherluscious]

"You negotiate with an institution whose judgment you still need. The one whose judgment you have outgrown, you simply inform."

Great article!

What Grammys lost when BTS walked away - https://t.co/H0QpRFOvbF

[International Sleep⁷ 시차 @SleepDeez]

“But it’s an American Awards Show” Its ok to shutup.

Album of the year winners: Beatles (UK), João Gilberto (Brazil), U2 (Ireland), Alanis Morissette (Canada), Celine Dion(Canada), Arcade Fire (Canada), Daft Punk (France), Mumford & Sons (UK), Adele, Harry Styles, and Bad Bunny

[seeingbtsinamonth💜 @orul8ce]

Grammy-winning R&B legend and original Broadway The Wiz star Stephanie Mills🔥🔥👏👏👏👏 showed her support for BTS by sharing Rolling Stone India’s post about BTS pulling ARIRANG from Grammy consideration, calling their decision “so brave” and saying, “I admire these young men💛” 💜👏👏👏

[ɪ ѵ ᴜ ⁷ ⋆˚🪐.*･ @pjmIesviu]

Literalmente los grammys hicieron copy paste al texto de una army que solo predecía lo que ellos dirán y acertó, el chiste se cuenta solo

[World Music Awards @WORLDMUSICAWARD]

#BTS are Back with a huge Bang, and are once again the #1 Act Worldwide on iTunes with 1350 points, over 3 times that of the 2nd Act, as "Aliens" explodes atop the Worldwide and European iTunes song charts, reaching #1 on US iTunes and 70+ countries so far! 💪🕺🕺🏻🕺🏻🕺🏻🕺🏻🕺🏻🕺🏻💣🥇🎵🥷🧨1⃣🌎& 🇪🇺 🎵📈➕1⃣🇺🇸🎵&7⃣0⃣+🌎🔥👑👑👑👑👑👑👑💜

BTS lifts to #5 (+2) on the Global Digital artist Rank with 3594 points!

STREAM:https://t.co/VAh5n33P8E

"Aliens" on iTunes (70x #1)
#1 Argentina
#1 Armenia
#1 Australia
#1 Azerbaijan
#1 Barbados
#1 Belarus
#1 Belgium
#1 Bolivia
#1 Brazil
#1 Brunei Darussalam
#1 Cambodia
#1 Chile
#1 Colombia
#1 Costa Rica
#1 Czech Republic
#1 Dominican Republic
#1 Ecuador
#1 Egypt
#1 El Salvador
#1 Estonia
#1 Finland
#1 France
#1 Greece
#1 Guatemala
#1 Honduras
#1 Hong Kong
#1 Hungary
#1 India
#1 Indonesia
#1 Italy
#1 Kazakhstan
#1 Kenya
#1 Kyrgyzstan
#1 Latvia
#1 Lithuania
#1 Malaysia
#1 Malta
#1 Mauritius
#1 Mexico
#1 Moldova
#1 Netherlands
#1 New Zealand
#1 Nigeria
#1 Norway
#1 Panama
#1 Paraguay
#1 Peru
#1 Philippines
#1 Poland
#1 Portugal
#1 Qatar
#1 Romania
#1 Saudi Arabia
#1 Singapore
#1 Slovakia
#1 Slovenia
#1 South Africa
#1 Spain
#1 Sri Lanka
#1 Sweden
#1 Taiwan
#1 Trinidad & Tobago
#1 Turkey
#1 Uganda
#1 Ukraine
#1 United Arab Emirates
#1 United Kingdom
#1 U.S.
#1 Uzbekistan
#1 Venezuela

[colin @colin_goldmund]

My Reaction to BTS Not Playing the Grammys' Game, and the Korean Music Critic Who Criticized Their Decision

For the past ten days, I traveled along Korea's west coast and then spent time with my former students on Jebudo, an island where you can witness the miracle of Moses every single day, as the 2.3-kilometer road connecting the island to the mainland disappears beneath the sea as the tide comes in, only to emerge again when the water recedes. We spent a few days together at a pension (a Korean vacation rental), playing sports, talking late into the night over drinks, and laughing about old memories. Then I headed to one of the most remote temples in Korea for a temple stay, a place I often visit whenever I need to clear my mind and spirit.

I finally made it back to Seoul late tonight, and as soon as I got home, I opened my iPad to catch up on the day's news. The very first thing I saw was that all seven BTS members had agreed not to submit any music for Grammy consideration next year. I have to admit, I was really proud of them.

The moment the Recording Academy announced that new Asian music category last month, my immediate reaction was, "I know exactly what this is." It felt like a way of keeping BTS away from the major categories. A polite way of saying, "You may be the biggest music group on the planet, but you still don't belong here." I've said this to my friends ever since that category was announced that BTS should simply stop playing the Grammys' game. I know ARMYs around the world have felt exactly the same way.

So when I learned that BTS wouldn't just skip the Grammys but wouldn't even submit their music for consideration because they believed the category was essentially segregating Asian music, I clapped and said out loud to myself, "That's the BTS I know and love."

They've never played by other people's rules. They've always made their own. That's what they did with the Korean media, and that's exactly what they're doing now.

I know the Grammys' defense. They'll point to categories like Best African Music Performance or Latin music awards and say, "See? We have regional categories for everyone." But Asian music has always existed; why wasn't there an Asian category before? Why now?

The timing is just a little too convenient, isn't it? Even after taking a long break for mandatory military service, BTS's first album after their return became the best-selling album, songs like "SWIM" conquered the Billboard charts, and their worldwide tour is already breaking records. And now, all of a sudden, the Grammys create a brand-new category for Asian music? Come on, Grammys, nobody's buying it. We all know this isn't about recognizing Asian music. It's about keeping BTS in its own lane.

As a longtime ARMY, I know how much these seven men have dreamed, worked, and sacrificed over the years. So I definitely know that this decision did not come easily. That's what makes it so meaningful.

Then, of course, a Korean music critic had to pour cold water on BTS's brave decision and make me sigh… Just like the Korean music critic who suddenly argued that the American Music Awards had somehow "lost their influence" the moment BTS won Artist of the Year, one of Korea's best-known music critics, Yim Hee-yoon, criticized BTS's decision in an interview with Yonhap News, which, for those outside Korea, is essentially our version of the Associated Press.

He said:
BTS는 비교적 본상 또는 본상 후보 근처에 가장 근접한 한국 또는 아시아의 아티스트이기 때문에 이런 목소리를 낼 수가 있는 거라고 생각하거든요. 다른 면에서 바라보면 많은 아시아 아티스트들의 희망을 꺾는 일일 수도 있어요.

Which can be translated like this:
"I believe BTS can make this kind of statement because they are the Korean or Asian artist that has come closest to receiving one of the Grammys' main awards, or even becoming a serious contender for one. Seen from another angle, however, this could end up crushing the hopes of many Asian artists."

I read that sentence twice. Crushing the hopes of other Asian artists? So, according to this critic, BTS is supposed to gratefully accept a segregated category, smile, say thank you, and keep submitting their music because otherwise they might discourage other artists? Really? Hasn't BTS already done enough for Asian artists?

Let's be honest about what they've accomplished. They're the group that kicked open doors that many people thought could never be opened. They entered markets that had long been considered impenetrable for Korean artists and, in doing so, changed the way people around the world looked at K-pop. How long are they expected to keep carrying that responsibility?

What I don't think this critic understands is that BTS is making this decision precisely because they care about the future of Asian artists. They're willingly giving up possible Grammy nominations, and perhaps even Grammy awards, because they refuse to let Asian music be reduced to a regional category.

Think about that for a moment. If another Korean group, or a Japanese artist, or an artist from India, Thailand, Indonesia, or anywhere else in Asia creates a massive hit, should that artist automatically be placed in an "Asian Music" category simply because of where they come from? Or should they compete alongside everyone else?

BTS has answered that question with this decision.

And then I found myself thinking of someone I miss very, very much. Kim Young-dae. After he passed away, this music critic who criticized BTS's decision today, along with two other so-called music critics, took his place on Kim Ou-joon's program (remember the guy with the long bushy hair and messy beard?) to talk about K-pop. I've spoken with K-ARMYs about them, and we've all come away with the same feeling: unlike Kim Young-dae, they simply don't understand BTS.

Just a few weeks ago, Kim Ou-joon asked them a question, "Don't you think Korean media is always downgrading BTS? That it never really shows just how much influence they actually have around the world?" The critics replied, "No. Korean media supports BTS tremendously. The media is always reporting on their accomplishments, their concerts, and their success."

Kim Ou-joon immediately stopped him. "No," he said, "That's not what I'm talking about. I know the media reports those things. Everyone knows BTS sells out stadiums. Everyone knows they top charts. Everyone knows they've won awards. But they rarely try to explain why BTS became so popular. And they don't truly respect BTS as artists."

The room went quiet. No one really answered him. Instead, the conversation slowly drifted toward younger, up-and-coming K-pop groups. The moment that happened, I noticed something. Their eyes lit up. It felt as though they couldn't wait to stop talking about BTS.

They’re just like other Korean music critics and the Korean media, who are very good at reporting BTS's achievements but do not try to understand why millions upon millions of people around the world fell in love with seven young men from Korea.

They do not try to understand why people admire Namjoon's writing so much.
Why Yoongi's production is so respected.
Why Hobi's performances electrify audiences.
Why Jimin's voice moves people to tears.
Why Taehyung's artistic sensibility captivates so many people.
Why Jungkook is so beloved for his versatility.
Why Jin's expressive singing resonates with people around the world.

I've always believed that BTS never chased recognition for recognition's sake. They wanted people to hear their music, understand their message, and perhaps see the world a little differently because of it. If that meant refusing to play by someone else's rules, they've never been afraid to do it. That's one of the reasons I admire them so much.

Some people will probably say they're overreacting. Others will say they should have accepted the category and simply been grateful. I couldn't disagree more. Real change almost always begins because someone is willing to say, "No." Even when everyone else thinks it's safer to say yes.

Whether the Recording Academy changes course or not, I don't know. Whether this decision will make any difference five or ten years from now, I don't know either. But I do know this. Years from now, if another Asian artist is nominated for Album of the Year, Record of the Year, or Song of the Year without first being placed into a separate regional category, I hope people will remember that seven young men from Korea once decided to stand up and say something wasn't right. History has a funny way of revealing the importance of certain moments only after they've passed.

It's quarter past three here in Korea. Outside, it's so quiet that not even the distant barking of a dog can be heard. But before I call it a night, I'm going to pour myself a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon, a toast to BTS for their brave decision, and to Kim Young-dae.