The thing that bothers me is BTS never sought for western validation. Their breakthrough into the western market happened organically it was not something they pushed for. Their first award nomination in the US was for Top Social Artist at the 2017 American Music Awards. It wasn't for a song or an album but for their social media impact. It was only after they won that award that US talk shows invited them to their shows for interviews and/or performances. BTS had number 1 albums and were selling out arenas and stadiums in the US before ever making a fully English song. And lets not forget the only reason Dynamite happened was because of the pandemic. BTS has said numerous times Map of the Soul: 7 was going to be their final album before enlisting in the military and they were supposed to be on their world tour for most of 2020. It was only after the entire tour was postponed (and eventually cancelled) that Dynamite happened. And people completely forget that they made numerous Korean and even Japanese songs since the release Dynamite, it wasn't like they completely switched to only making music in English after the success of Dynamite.
Isn't it quite ironic that BTS get a lot of hate from Kpop fans for being so called "too westernized" for releasing 3 full English songs? But no one says the same thing about Black Pink when they literally have not just 3 but 30% English songs in their whole discography? BTS on the other hand even if we add all their solo works including JK's solo, the percentage of their English songs is literally less than 3%. But since it's not fair to include their solo works since we're referring BTS as a group, then the percentage of BTS English songs compared to their non English songs is literally less than 1%, which means if we really think about it BTS literally have zero percentage of English songs in their whole discography. So by logic, shouldn't Black Pink be the one who should have the narrative of "seeking western validation"?
I think the hate BTS has received regarding going western is the same haters who hated them because they came from low in the totem pole label company. They will find any excuse to hate BTS. They are so tied in to the Big 3 label companies they can’t see beyond or accept anyone outside of the Big3 who is more successful. I think it’s slowly changing as smaller companies are gaining track. I don’t know any other countries that supports the label companies more than the artists within those companies. As a Korean American I don’t know anything about what companies western artists are under and don’t care. I follow the artist not their label. As an army I follow BTS not HYBE.
Western validation is important, after all pop-music originated from that market. West started creating Pop-Music industry purposely to depart from classical and traditional music. Ironically, BTS got so famous globally that getting into the BTS rabbit hole or even by mentioning BTS, one has to recognize the fact that there is such a world (the magic shop) out there called the BTS x Army Universe. 😅💜💜💜
Western validation is important for every artist because of the reach that the western market make. If you make it big in the US you have made a mark. That is the perception of people beacuse how strong the US influence in everything we do..
I think the criticism about western validation is only because it was BTS that came first. The kpoppies who always hated BTS use that as an excuse to hate on BTS more. But honestly I think they don’t really care about western validation.
This is going to get me cancelled (again). but I'm a closet outlier (and I have my notif off) so whatever... I'm really disappointed that JK's most successful songs are those not really coming from him or his even his story. He is merely the interpreter/singer of these songs. You can say I'm selfish when it comes to JK/BTS but it irritates me that others (mostly westerners who more likely didn't want to be associated with JK/BTS not 5 years ago) are getting credited/accredited for the success. Yes, JK gets his (billion streams) plates but so do these people. How amazing would it be songs that JK had a hand in writing/composing/producing are the ones getting the record-breaking streams? Oh well, I'm a nugu, these thoughts won't matter. It would be interesting to see what the numbers would look like when he releases a non-English album though. I won't be surprised if it doesn't reach the same success as Golden. But I don't mind being wrong.
Personally I don't mind it's want he wants to do as an artist I don't get a say in that. He wanted to try something different for him he want to practice his English more and boy did he do a great job. We already know he can write this was just another skill he's practicing and he looked like he was having a lot of fun with it and why not. It's also mean a whole new group of people have discovered him and that's also part of their 2 pronged attack as BTS. Solo work is seen as artist development and a way to introduce new people to BTS as whole. So it's a win win situation. As with all the solo work of the BTS members.
Speaking about keeping and holding to own values and culture, sometimes it seems that it's more cultural appropriation than western validation. It's not about singing in English, it's the context and content of the song, with the explicit usage of language, which screams of endorsing a style/manner which clashes with own culture. If a singer comes from a country where trivializing love in a song is not appropriate, not part of the culture, where do I put that in the spectrum between western validation and cultural appropriation? Also would we talk about Western idolization? Just adding up to the topic.
@@AsianEntertainmentandCulture Idolizing Western singers/style and imitating them.Did not have any better word for that.Could be also cultural appreciation to a point.
In the music industry, validation is crucial to survival in the global market. It is not just KPOP. European artists (westerners) also go to America to get validated because the American music industry is a juggernaut because people are free to listen to just about anything. That is not the case for most countries. For example, BTS performed in Europe before America, but they became increasingly successful after entering the American music market. Every country has that special industry that other countries want recognition from.
The US had been a dominant force for a lot of things for a very long time. From music to fashion to politics to economics to movies.. I think conquering the west is a mindset that had been ingrained in the minds of artists all over the world. It's like a prestigious feather to be added in their cap. But in this age of rapidly advancing technology, when everything is at your fingertips, everything is shifting. I wouldn't be surprised when the time comes when the west, UK and Europe will be the ones seeking validation from Asia just because of Asia's combined population. Strength in numbers if nothing else. Not to mention the declining quality of their music. Don't come at me 😊 it's my personal opinion. 😊
I see it more as seeking western remuneration. Previous artists from all over the world have tried to forge a career in the US with varying degrees of success. BTS managed to do something very few have done before, European artists included. Korean artists have had to seek foreign markets because theirs is too small to support all of them in a big way. A lot of them tried to go to the States with varying degrees of success. A segment of the K-pop fandom will never forgive BTS for being the ones who actually succeeded. When you consider the world music pie, half belongs to the US, a quarter to Japan and the rest is divided amongst the remaining markets. Some markets are self-sufficient, but most are too small to support a mega-career. This is the main reason, imo, why people go off to seek other markets, and the whale of them all is the US of A.
I like youe topic becz this is happening to ĵimin of BTS. Im sad for him. Thanks kabayan im fr the Phils marikina im a lola 73 yrs old and i like jimin n the 3 rappers of Bts. You are very intell8gent lady
The thing that bothers me is BTS never sought for western validation. Their breakthrough into the western market happened organically it was not something they pushed for. Their first award nomination in the US was for Top Social Artist at the 2017 American Music Awards. It wasn't for a song or an album but for their social media impact. It was only after they won that award that US talk shows invited them to their shows for interviews and/or performances. BTS had number 1 albums and were selling out arenas and stadiums in the US before ever making a fully English song. And lets not forget the only reason Dynamite happened was because of the pandemic. BTS has said numerous times Map of the Soul: 7 was going to be their final album before enlisting in the military and they were supposed to be on their world tour for most of 2020. It was only after the entire tour was postponed (and eventually cancelled) that Dynamite happened. And people completely forget that they made numerous Korean and even Japanese songs since the release Dynamite, it wasn't like they completely switched to only making music in English after the success of Dynamite.
AgustD rapping Haegum on Jimmy Fallon. Too bad they didn’t have subtitles, but that was amazing anyway.
Isn't it quite ironic that BTS get a lot of hate from Kpop fans for being so called "too westernized" for releasing 3 full English songs? But no one says the same thing about Black Pink when they literally have not just 3 but 30% English songs in their whole discography?
BTS on the other hand even if we add all their solo works including JK's solo, the percentage of their English songs is literally less than 3%.
But since it's not fair to include their solo works since we're referring BTS as a group, then the percentage of BTS English songs compared to their non English songs is literally less than 1%, which means if we really think about it BTS literally have zero percentage of English songs in their whole discography.
So by logic, shouldn't Black Pink be the one who should have the narrative of "seeking western validation"?
I think the hate BTS has received regarding going western is the same haters who hated them because they came from low in the totem pole label company. They will find any excuse to hate BTS. They are so tied in to the Big 3 label companies they can’t see beyond or accept anyone outside of the Big3 who is more successful. I think it’s slowly changing as smaller companies are gaining track. I don’t know any other countries that supports the label companies more than the artists within those companies. As a Korean American I don’t know anything about what companies western artists are under and don’t care. I follow the artist not their label. As an army I follow BTS not HYBE.
Western validation is important, after all pop-music originated from that market. West started creating Pop-Music industry purposely to depart from classical and traditional music.
Ironically, BTS got so famous globally that getting into the BTS rabbit hole or even by mentioning BTS, one has to recognize the fact that there is such a world (the magic shop) out there called the BTS x Army Universe. 😅💜💜💜
Western validation is important for every artist because of the reach that the western market make. If you make it big in the US you have made a mark. That is the perception of people beacuse how strong the US influence in everything we do..
I think the criticism about western validation is only because it was BTS that came first. The kpoppies who always hated BTS use that as an excuse to hate on BTS more. But honestly I think they don’t really care about western validation.
I always love your insights about things esp with 💜BTS💜
Can't wait to see more from you. THANK YOU❤
This is going to get me cancelled (again). but I'm a closet outlier (and I have my notif off) so whatever... I'm really disappointed that JK's most successful songs are those not really coming from him or his even his story. He is merely the interpreter/singer of these songs. You can say I'm selfish when it comes to JK/BTS but it irritates me that others (mostly westerners who more likely didn't want to be associated with JK/BTS not 5 years ago) are getting credited/accredited for the success. Yes, JK gets his (billion streams) plates but so do these people. How amazing would it be songs that JK had a hand in writing/composing/producing are the ones getting the record-breaking streams? Oh well, I'm a nugu, these thoughts won't matter. It would be interesting to see what the numbers would look like when he releases a non-English album though. I won't be surprised if it doesn't reach the same success as Golden. But I don't mind being wrong.
Personally I don't mind it's want he wants to do as an artist I don't get a say in that. He wanted to try something different for him he want to practice his English more and boy did he do a great job. We already know he can write this was just another skill he's practicing and he looked like he was having a lot of fun with it and why not.
It's also mean a whole new group of people have discovered him and that's also part of their 2 pronged attack as BTS. Solo work is seen as artist development and a way to introduce new people to BTS as whole. So it's a win win situation. As with all the solo work of the BTS members.
Speaking about keeping and holding to own values and culture, sometimes it seems that it's more cultural appropriation than western validation. It's not about singing in English, it's the context and content of the song, with the explicit usage of language, which screams of endorsing a style/manner which clashes with own culture. If a singer comes from a country where trivializing love in a song is not appropriate, not part of the culture, where do I put that in the spectrum between western validation and cultural appropriation? Also would we talk about Western idolization? Just adding up to the topic.
what is western idolization?
@@AsianEntertainmentandCulture Idolizing Western singers/style and imitating them.Did not have any better word for that.Could be also cultural appreciation to a point.
Agree 💜
In the music industry, validation is crucial to survival in the global market. It is not just KPOP. European artists (westerners) also go to America to get validated because the American music industry is a juggernaut because people are free to listen to just about anything. That is not the case for most countries. For example, BTS performed in Europe before America, but they became increasingly successful after entering the American music market. Every country has that special industry that other countries want recognition from.
The US had been a dominant force for a lot of things for a very long time. From music to fashion to politics to economics to movies.. I think conquering the west is a mindset that had been ingrained in the minds of artists all over the world. It's like a prestigious feather to be added in their cap.
But in this age of rapidly advancing technology, when everything is at your fingertips, everything is shifting. I wouldn't be surprised when the time comes when the west, UK and Europe will be the ones seeking validation from Asia just because of Asia's combined population. Strength in numbers if nothing else. Not to mention the declining quality of their music. Don't come at me 😊 it's my personal opinion. 😊
I see it more as seeking western remuneration. Previous artists from all over the world have tried to forge a career in the US with varying degrees of success. BTS managed to do something very few have done before, European artists included. Korean artists have had to seek foreign markets because theirs is too small to support all of them in a big way. A lot of them tried to go to the States with varying degrees of success. A segment of the K-pop fandom will never forgive BTS for being the ones who actually succeeded.
When you consider the world music pie, half belongs to the US, a quarter to Japan and the rest is divided amongst the remaining markets. Some markets are self-sufficient, but most are too small to support a mega-career. This is the main reason, imo, why people go off to seek other markets, and the whale of them all is the US of A.
I like youe topic becz this is happening to ĵimin of BTS. Im sad for him. Thanks kabayan im fr the Phils marikina im a lola 73 yrs old and i like jimin n the 3 rappers of Bts. You are very intell8gent lady
💜