BTS: A Glimpse Beyond Music
Not many in this world are left oblivious to the fact of the mighty rise of K-pop bands around the globe, The Bangtan Sonyeondan or BTS — a 7 member boyband from South Korea, being the icing on the cake. With every music video and album being released, newer and newer records get created within weeks. The craze for them is spread far and wide. But what lies beyond their global musical dominance are the hearts of gold these 7 men carry. Be it spreading social campaigns about mental health and self-acceptance through their songs or be it donating 1 million+ dollars for the Black Lives Matter movement, they are known to do it all.
Now mentioning BTS’s dominance would be quite incomplete without mentioning their widespread fanbase, the infamous BTS ARMY. From streaming the band’s songs on loop to swarming into their concerts and filling stadiums, one can’t simply overlook the love that they shower the boys with. But what often people forget about them is, apart from the hype and unbreakable records they continuously keep creating for the band, is their philanthropy towards mankind. ARMYs across various countries are known for raising funds for the noblest causes, from charity drives to planting trees and hence making their idols proud, time and again.
‘Match A Million’ has been one of the recent initiatives of the BTS ARMY worldwide where the fans all over the world contributed to the BLM Movement together. The Band has frequently acknowledged their fans’ efforts in making the world kinder.
The Bangtan India Army also takes up such remarkable projects every now and then on its own, on behalf of BTS X ARMY. Apart from side projects, they compulsorily organize four charity events every year on the occasions of the 7 members’ (clustered) birthdays as well as on their debut anniversary.
When the north-eastern state of Assam was hit by a massive flood in this year’s monsoon, with over 48 lakh people being affected over 30 districts, the Bangtan India army raised over ₹5 lakh for Assam Flood Relief Fund in just 24 hours, against a target of just ₹30k. A team of 30 members initiated this, making sure shelter, essential food and clothing are provided to the affected. This particular charity by the Army has received a lot of recognition around the world.
Another such recent initiative was the collaboration of ‘One in an ARMY’ charity project with Barefoot College, which is a women-centred educational organization in rural India. They took up this project on the occasion of the band’s leader — Kim Namjoon’s birthday. Against a target of ₹3 lakhs, they ended up closing at ₹18 lakhs, with funds flowing in from worldwide. Barefoot College has stated that they would be completing the construction of 3 proper schools with adequate faculty and infrastructure for the rural girls and women of India.
Bangtan India army’s most recent fundraiser has been the ‘Stronger Than Cancer’ project, for children suffering from cancer. The funds are directed to Cuddles Foundation, who provide food and caregiver support to the ailing children. The donations kickstarted on 26th August 2020, with a collection of ₹2.8 lakhs.
In a recent Rolling Stone India interview with the boyband, the BTS acknowledged and expressed how grateful and inspired they were by the initiatives of the Bangtan India army, especially the Assam flood relief fundraiser. They truly admired the positive influence that their fans keep spreading into the world.
So, be it being #1 at the Billboards for four consecutive weeks, smashing and creating new records with every release or, be it the collaborative actions of both the band and their Army towards a better world — come, let’s say it together
“BTS paved the way!”
