I've been thinking about the increasing hostility and misinformation surrounding BTS, and I want to share a few thoughts on how I personally believe we should approach this moving forward.
1. I understand the frustration. I understand the anger, and I understand wanting to give certain people a taste of their own medicine. But retaliating by spreading lies about other artists is not the answer.
2. This isn't about being the bigger person, being forgiving or pretending that the hate doesn't exist. It's about understanding what we're actually trying to protect. Our egos and our desire for retaliation are nowhere near as important as BTS's legacy and the work we've put into preserving it.
3. We need to stop allowing hatred to dictate the entirety of our conversations about BTS. The truth is that millions of people love, respect and appreciate them. Their sold-out stadium tour, the celebrations across different cities and the continued love for their music are reminders that online hostility does not represent the entire picture.
4. I genuinely believe that positivity, when backed by consistency and collective effort, will always have a greater impact than hatred. We have so much to talk about: their music, artistry, songwriting, production, performances, individual projects, history and contributions. Let's make those conversations louder.
5. Here's something practical I'd like to encourage everyone to do. Dedicate a little time every day to TikTok and Instagram. Find FIVE videos featuring BTS, their music, performances, achievements or artistry. Leave thoughtful, original comments that contribute something meaningful.
6. If you encounter negative comments or misinformation, don't get dragged into unnecessary arguments. Address demonstrably false claims when necessary, with credible sources, but don't let every hostile comment dictate your engagement.
7. If you find a video that deserves more positive engagement, share it here. We can collectively discover these videos and contribute to the conversations taking place underneath them. Small, consistent efforts can make a difference.
8. I'm also more than willing to create a GC for anyone interested in participating. We can share videos, exchange information and work towards amplifying ONLY positive conversations about BTS.
We have a legacy to preserve, an incredible body of work to celebrate and so much more to contribute than endless fandom arguments.
Let's make our love for BTS louder than the hatred directed towards them.