BTS’ Success in America Brings Honour to Koreans in the Diaspora
Minji Kim speaks about BTS’ success and what it means to her identity as a Korean-American
While BTS have seen new levels of success by journeying into the American music scene, Korean-Americans have become more comfortable with their cultural identities.
Over the last eight years, BTS have grown into a world-wide musical sensation, and breaking records has become a daily routine for the septet. The last four years have been career-defining for the group and have solidified them a spot in the American music industry.
From their television debut of ‘DNA’ at the 2017 American Music Awards, to achieving multiple No. 1’s on the Billboard charts the past year, BTS have proven themselves unstoppable in terms of success.
Notably, throughout their success, BTS have always placed Korean culture at the forefront of their identities and sound, and Koreans in the diaspora have exhibited gratitude towards the group for raising cultural awareness.
Displaying a Korean identity in America has brought many challenges for those in the diaspora. “I think for a long time, I rejected being Korean. I just didn’t want to be [Korean] because I grew up here in America, and I was surrounded by people who seemed more American than I am,” said Minji Kim, a Korean-American and ARMY.
However, the rise in popularity of Korean pop culture has widened the lens for those in the diaspora by providing spaces where they could be heard. Non-Koreans are now familiar with aspects of Korean culture and so have a better understanding of certain topics.
Opportunities for connecting amongst the Korean diaspora have increased with the rise of K-POP groups such as BTS. Online communities have formed across social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter, as individuals communicate about their shared experiences.
“Within K-POP fandoms, you meet a lot of different people all over the world. It’s a very global thing, so I think that has helped me make friends online who understand my background and culture,” said Kim.
Though Kim was casually into K-POP in 2014, her leap into the entertainment sector took off in early 2018. She had felt disconnected from her heritage, and, to reconnect, she immersed herself in Korean pop culture. She found BTS through this process and their ‘Love Yourself’ trilogy.
Over the years, Kim has become one of many Korean-Americans who have witnessed BTS’ growth in America. As the group continues to face prejudices due to their race, Kim adds to the experiences that people of colour face as they break down barriers in the industry.
“People in the industry don’t take people of colour seriously. It’s a real issue, but seeing BTS fight their way to the top is surreal and amazing. I think they’ve brought something to Korean culture that’s just so credible,” said Kim.
With BTS’ recent Artist of the Year win at the American Music Awards, ARMYs across the world, celebrated the group’s success. Despite the hardships BTS has faced on their journey toward success, racial boundaries are, vitally, being challenged.
“It’s about time, you know. It’s very late, and people of colour have been in this country for a long time now, and credit is overdue. BTS are just so big that you physically cannot ignore them anymore. And I think that’s what the industry has come to realise,” said Kim.
Each accomplishment opens more doors for Korean-Americans who strive to work in the music industry. Young Korean people will be able to turn on a screen and resonate with the celebrities they see in terms of culture, traditions, and language. BTS’ success proves that success is possible even in spaces where it may seem impossible.
“I think BTS made me realise that I didn’t need to be a certain way to be valid. They made me embrace things about myself that I didn’t know I rejected in the first place, and I think they really brought out and changed parts of me that didn’t love myself,” said Kim.
“So I think, in that sense, BTS is really important in my life, and are more than just a band, you know?”
by Teresa Valenton
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