Fans & Catharsis

Many fans discover and confide in BTS music during their hardships, and it reflects the kind of work BTS creates. They cultivate a rare connection with fans, reciprocating empathy, sincerity, understanding, and a positive influence. The studyThe psychological functions of music listening explains, "The idea of music satisfying the basic human concerns of anxiety avoidance and quest for meaning..."For this reason, it is understandable how Army resonates with the members emotionally, using BTS' music for catharsis.

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Music transcends language and unites us through emotional understanding. Thanks to fan translators, non-Korean speaking fans still realate to BTS' contemplative lyrics, which strongly focus on self-awareness, mental health, as well as personal growth. Fans resonate with BTS' lyrics, which weave a network of emotions and memories into the music. Research from The psychological functions of music listening details specific qualities of personal associations, stating music influences, "self-related thoughts (e.g., music helps me think about myself), emotions and sentiments (e.g., music conveys feelings), absorption (e.g., music distracts my mind from the outside world), escapism (e.g., music makes me forget about reality), coping (e.g., music makes me believe I'm better able to cope with my worries), solace (e.g., music gives comfort to me when I'm sad), and meaning (e.g., music adds meaning to my life). It appears that this dimension expresses a very private relationship with music listening. Music helps people think about who they are, who they would like to be, and how to cut their own path. We suggest labeling this dimension self-awareness." Fans are attracted to BTS' introspective conversations surrounding identity and mental health, accepting our past and our personal growth. The group takes broad topics such as lonliness or discovering true happiness and realize how it is different for every individual. Alan Merriam, an anthropologist and a founding father of ethnomusicology, listed common influences of music on behavior in his study The Anthropology Of Music, including emotional expression, communication, and social integration (Sarrazin Chapter 7: Music and the Brain). In a similar study, Everett Gaston -- psychologist, music educator, and creator of music therapy -- also listed impacts of music on people: "music is derived from the deepest and most tender human emotions, music serves as a source of personal gratification, the potency of musical effects are greatest in social interactions" (Sarrazin Chapter 7: Music and the Brain). Because the members incorporate their sentiment and experiences into lyrics, it creates emotional relatability, enabling a cathartic experience for listeners.

Fans often praise the members for being genuine throughout their seven years as BTS. Because BTS remains authentic and genuine, fans trust their words. So, fans feel comfortable finding solace in trustworthy people and believe they are truly understood. A study at Yale University, Beliefs about Authentic Music, proposed important observations surrounding the importance of authentic music: "people care more about the creators being real people who express something deep about their character when making judgments about authenticity of music. People care about the emotional life of the musician and they want to feel connected to the person behind the music in a profoundly emotional way." Instead of becoming more commercialized, BTS developed into a more open and mature version of themselves, influencing millions to raise their voices and speak openly. The study Beliefs about Authentic Music also suggests, "emotions that make us feel connected to other people are also the emotions that make for authentic music." Fans are willing to support individuals who are consistent in respectable behavior on and off camera. In an interview with Time, founder and co-CEO of BigHit (BTS' label) Bang Shi Hyuk explained, "It was their sincerity, consistency and ability to embody the spirit of the times. . .Ever since BTS’ debut, they’ve never suddenly switched gears or changed pace. They were consistent. I think that convinced the public. They don’t shy away from speaking about the pain felt by today’s generation. They respect diversity and justice, the rights of youths and marginalized people. I think all of these factors worked in their favor."

Music is a catalyst for personal and social cognizance. For Army, they assemble an online social group, where everyone takes part in discussing BTS' achievements, artistry, and reliability. In the study The psychological functions of music listening, a second dimension to musical influence includes, "social bonding and affiliation (e.g., music helps me show that I belong to a given social group; music makes me feel connected to my friends; music tells me how other people think). People can use music to feel close to their friends, to express their identity and values to others, and to gather information about their social environment. We suggest labeling this dimension social relatedness."

BTS became a catalyst for fans in many ways. Most importantly, discussing identity and growing kinship. Their music is a space that encourages self love and fans to speak themselves. Snigdha Dutta is a BTS fan and on the editorial board for the The Rhizomatic Revolution Review (an interdisciplinary journal surrounding BTS), where her profile reads she has "an MSc. in Mental Health Research from the University of Nottingham, and a BA (Hons) in Psychology from the University of Delhi, India." She is also a PhD candidate for Health Studies at the School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, U.K. Snigdha Dutta explained, "In terms of mental health impact is basically revolving around identity formation. Theoretically, identify formation is supposed to happen only in the formative years of one’s life, but self-growth is a constant phenomenon. What BTS did by sharing their lives is inspire 7 different ways in which across ages, individuals were able to see one aspect of themselves and realise they can also grow and evolve... Theoretically, yes. Your emotions get validated. Your sense of belongings gets affirmed. Which is why being in a fandom vs in real life can be quite different. You foster an identity with an accepting community which makes your feel safe and heard."

One fan ( known on Twitter as AesopsFableFly) explained, "BTS lyrics became a window of hope for me when things became tough. They allowed me to mourn someone I had lost. They allowed me to grow from where I was stuck and they allowed me to heal from where I was hurt. If I had not found bts’ music & their lyrics, I can honestly say i would not be in the place I am today." Fans often talk about their feelings and how BTS has helped them, connecting people around the world. For example, another fan (@raysf_light) said, "Like many ARMYs what first caught my attention towards bts was their incredible stage presence. It was new for me. There aren’t many artists who drag my attention this deep as im not an avid consumer of music. But I was intrigued by them and decided to learn more about them. I loved their constant inclusion of various social phenomena and the topics tht many dont feel comfortable talking about. I became a mom and wife at a young age. I devoted my whole time for them. Somewhere along the way i forgot to take care of myself. I always wanted the best for them.BTS music for me at the time i discovered them resonated with my heart and mind. Their message and the adorable personalities helps me forget my troubles for a moment. The love yourself concept helped me gather my scattered emotions. I love my family and BTS helped me realize if i want to continue to cherish them without getting exhausted i need to take care of myself. That once i start hating myself, it would be too late. I noticed a pattern where even their sad songs have a message of hope towards the end. They never disregards anyones trials.They acknowledge every pain and goes on to say theres still hope. I highly appreciate that about them. With their music i can dance with happiness and cry my heart out without losing hope."

Similarly, the members also express hopes that fans feel comforted by their music, even if it makes a small difference. The members take time to interact with fans, whether it's a live video to discuss their busy schedule and thoughts, or commenting on a fan's Weverse post. Fan translator, @modooborahae, translated a reply to a fan on Weverse ( a platform fans and artists can openly converse) from BTS member Kim Taehyung: "don’t be sad that you’re not getting comfort from someone. If your heart is empty, how about instead of trying too hard to do something about it, you just do less..Try to not mind things, worry less, do less and rest a bit. The past me & the me of now doesnt have much emotional space but I get a lot of comfort from the ARMYs coming to see what I post right away. Even if you dont get a comment from us, we come to see our ARMYs’ posts so I hope you feel comforted by that. it’s the truth."

In a conversation with Rafranze Davis -- an Educator, Edtech specialist, and advocate for STEM -- we discussed how BTS has influenced her and what it means to "speak yourself."

"I’ve always been outspoken," Davis explains, "so the message of “Speak Yourself” didn’t really help me to use my voice but it gave me hope that so many others who haven’t felt as seen or heard would be greatly impacted. From a different perspective, I feel more empowered to love the things that I love out loud and with no regret and I absolutely credit BTS with making me feel ok in my Bangtan loving skin." Davis also added that the phrase Speak Yourself "was so profound because until BTS, I had never seen another artist use those words."

Finally, I asked What's the biggest difference in your life because of BTS?

Davis explained, "Honestly, I feel more at peace. I found BTS At a time when I needed them. I was just unhappy and depressed because of where this country was after the election. BTS helped me to rediscover not just joy but productive ways to deal with pain. I am so grateful to them for this."

Sources

Schäfer, Thomas, et al. “The Psychological Functions of Music Listening.” Frontiers in Psychology, Frontiers Media S.A., 13 Aug. 2013, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3741536/.

Sarrazin, Natalie. “Chapter 7: Music and the Brain.” Music and the Child, Open SUNY Textbooks, 15 June 2016, milnepublishing.geneseo.edu/music-and-the-child/chapter/chapter-7/.

Beliefs about Authentic Music. Advised by George Newman and Joshua Knobe for Yale University.

Bruner, Raisa. “The Mastermind Behind BTS Explains the K-Pop Group's Success.” Time, Time, 8 Oct. 2019, time.com/5681494/bts-bang-si-hyuk-interview/.