Dept. of OMG

[kaffy_r]

So ... It's Another KPop First

At least for me; I'm joining 19 other KPop fans, all of them BTS ARMYs, for the BTS concert in Chicago in August. For about the same amount of money that I paid for the Lolla ticket I had to see Stray Kids. I'm buying into a box with AC, a private bathroom and apparently all the popcorn one could possibly want. 

And why did I do this? Why did I pay very good money to watch a group I'm truly not interested in beyond a curiosity about the first KPop group to break into the Western World, and upset the KPop apple cart whilst doing so?

I think I just answered my own question with the last sentence. 

I have KPop friends who are ARMY (the name for BTS fandom) first, last, and always. The crew I tend to hang with in Discord often has multiple groups they like, but many of them got into KPop because of BTS. The music reactor who led me to the crew on Discord got into KPop via BTS. And there is a veritable army of ARMY across the world who love the group. 

I've had more than one invitation to watch the group perform. Until now, I hadn't the slightest intention of doing so (beyond the concert films I went to see with some of my friendly ARMY acquaintances.)

Somehow, this time I knew this was a chance. I need to talk to these people about what lured them into being BTS fans. And I need to listen to some of their music - I have until August to get a little more acquainted with the music. (I do like the solo music from two group members, RM and Suga. If I like their music, perhaps I can listen to group songs and figure out a little bit of what makes them ... great? Yes, probably great. 

That doesn't mean I'll come out of this expensive experiment as a dedicated member of ARMY. It does mean that I really want to understand the BTS deal, and approach that with people I'm already at least a bit friendly with. I mean, they invited me, which to me says that they're the positive type of ARMY, not the toxic ones that are apparently out there. 

So at the age of 70 - hell, I'll be almost 71 when the concert happens - I'm checking out something new. At least for me. 

I don't want to say pray for me, because I doubt it'll be a terrible experience. I do want to say cross your fingers for me. 

JFC, kaffy_r  ....

Comments

[maruad]

I hope you have a great time. One of the ladies I have brunch with every month is a huge KPop fan (as is her daughter).

Also congrats on the upcoming b-day!

[kaffy_r]

(as is her daughter).

I've learned that being a KPop fan often involves multiple generations in a family. That's similar to generations of baseball team fans, I imagine. Here in Chicago, there are Cubs and Sox families with multi-generational heft. Probably the same for hockey and soccer/football as well.

[maruad]

Pittsburgh Steelers fans here. One of my sons was a NY Jets fan for awhile until he realized the owner was a butthole. The Rooneys, who have owned the Steelers for generations, have been much better from his PoV.

Tom and Sandy are both Blue Jays fans, as is my father in law. I cheer for the Jays, though I don't follow it much unless the Jays are in the playoffs.

[kaffy_r]

Everyone in my family was a Toronto Maple Leafs fan, except for my brother. He was the black sheep of the family for cheering for the Habs.

[bibliofile]

I love how every family has its own parameters for the odd sheep in the family. One of my fave English teachers was the lone non-religious person in her southern Illinois Bible belt family. One of her colleagues, another of my teachers, had one sibling who became Christian religious, and everyone else referred to them as the white sheep.

(Me, I'm the nonsmoker. Among other things.)

[kaffy_r]

Yep, that's often the case. In my family I'm not sure who was considered the black (or white - your teacher's family's description amuses me) sheep. I know that they may have thought of me as the odd one out, but I was always supported, no matter how oddly I operated. My brother was also supported for his much different challenges.

I think there were<.i> things in my family that were almost-but-not-quite taboo to talk about; mental health problems hit a couple of family members - a great aunt and her son, with her son dealing with schizophrenia in the 1950s, for instance. And my mother was always very uncomfortable when I spoke about my mental health and told her I thought other members of the family had mental health challenges.

[minnehaha]

Go Get It.

K. [doesn't "get it" but you can/will/should! enjoy the new people, too]

[kaffy_r]

I think my prime interest, at least at this point, is getting to know the folks who will be at the concert and in the box with me. As I learn a little more about the group, and listen to more of their songs, my interest in them should grow. At least I hope it will grow. Heh.

doesn't "get it"

I understand not getting it, for whatever power of "it" one might have. I'm not a fan at all of metal music, and definitely not a fan of the kind of death metal that my son still likes from time to time. And yet I'm willing to believe there are metal bands that are excellent within their category and perhaps even objectively, whilst not being my cup of tea in the least. And I will never be a Deadhead, despite liking one or two of their songs, even as I acknowledge that millions of people across the globe love the band and its members.

[elisi]

Oooh, I hope you have a great time!!! 🥳

[kaffy_r]

I'm looking forward to it, although I haven't the slightest idea how it will go. I know at least a couple of the people who will be there, and I know they're kind and more than happy to introduce me to live BTS. To put it extremely mildly. Heh.

[thisbluespirit]

I hope you have a nice time! <3

[kaffy_r]

Thank you, my dear; I'm fairly sure I'll have a good time, even if I don't emerge from the concert a dedicated BTS fan. It's another chance to learn via music, which I think is the best part about it.

[bibliofile]

Oh, I hope you have a fab time! My housemate was Army first (now STK) and saw BTS a few times and loved it. If nothing else, it's probably a bigger spectacle and a more-ripened fandom (as in longevity).

I bet that the internet has plenty of "intro to BTS's music" guides.

Me, I'm glad that they all made it through their military service okay.

[kaffy_r]

I bet that the internet has plenty of "intro to BTS's music" guides.

Yep - and I've already been through one. I'll probably go through a number of them, which I don't mind. I'm amused and still gobsmacked that I decided to do this.

(now STK) Are we talking about Stray Kids, or another group she likes?

Wired

[lsanderson]

BTS (방탄소년단) Answer The Web's Most Searched Questions | WIRED
https://youtu.be/5lfnT1HdmuM?si=G6V2Ez0W5hXvYNYy

Re: Wired

[kaffy_r]

Aww, thank you! I've had fun listening to what they tell the WIRED folks in answer to their questions I hadn't know this even existed!