I remember many years ago, I read a post from a little-known indie artist, I can't remember their name anymore, who admired BTS's ARMY from the perspective that we are a fandom who supports BTS no matter the direction their music took. ARMY didn't sit there saying "I'm not going to support your latest music because it doesn't sound like your music from XX years ago." Their comment was so heartfelt and painfully sad at the same time.
They were grateful for their fans, but their few streams and any sales would drop the moment they would make music that didn’t sound like their previous tracks. So, it was an ever-ending cycle of not being able to explore and release new sounds vs. the need to feed and house themselves.
If I was that artist, would probably concede and just walk away from music if that music no longer spoke to me and felt like squeezing blood from a stone just to get lyrics or a melody out.
This was years ago probably 2018? But it reminds me of so many instances in the last 4 years that BTS have told us, through their music and content, of their feelings of burn out, losing passion for music, not even wanting to listen to music, staring at a blank page and having run out of things to say.
There is a massive difference between not liking a song to completely dismissing the heart and soul put into each and every piece of work from an artist.
I don’t ever want @BTS_twt to think that I am that type of “fan”. I am their ARMY. I will always support them in their endeavours to the best of my abilities. I value their personhood and the journey we walk alongside them.