So, obviously I have not been around recently and have not been active much (uni lifestyle my friends uwu), however I will likely address that in a future blog-post, and I will be back properly soon; my inactivity and lack of responses to messages etc is something I will remedy when term ends and I can jump back into the normality of my AFF life. I just wanted to weigh in on this debate because obviously it is causing quite a huge controversy. I miss you guys <3

[Note: I actually began writing this before any of the apologies were issued, but either way, the majority of my arguments still stand]

Without going too much into the inner details of the scandals BTS have recently been caught up in (since I am sure the majority of you have already seen or read about them), I wanted to give my own opinions on what is happening. I am a huge fan of BTS and I do support their careers, music, personalities and talents - however, that being said, I refuse to be blind-sighted when it comes to what has occured, what has been discovered and the implications this has both on an internal level for BTS fans, but also an external, socio-political level, for those of us simply exposed to BTS' music, or what they stand for culturally and symbolically, and the impact this thus has. I want to take each thing in part - firstly, the most recent issue of Jimin's atomic-bomb sweater, then the holocaust memorial photoshoot and the use of flags similar to those proliferated in Nazism, which have only become known to me this past week despite the fact both incidents happened years ago.

Firstly, there are several points and arguments that can be made about Jimin's sweater on either side of the debate, however it is important to understand why their performance was cancelled over something that seems to many of us so light and trivial - after all, it's just a sweater, right? Although I am no political expert in any sense, I am aware of the heightened tensions existing between Japan and South Korea, dating back to the previous century, and facing particular strain in this day and age. The sweater Jimin wore was one that clearly "appropriated" (to some degree) the bombing of Japan during WWII to create a fashion statement, and there are several arguments for and against Jimin opting to wear this sweater and the reprecussions of said action:

#1 BTS are now role-models for many worldwide, thus should present an image of political understanding, acceptance and empathy, particularly when aligned with their UNICEF partnership

This argument is a primary driver within criticism of all three of these events attributed towards BTS wherein their actions are seen as disrespectful or ignorant. There are multifarious ways in which one could support or criticise this argument following the strands of free speech and expression - indeed, the members of BTS are their own people and, as the rest of us, they should be able to hold their own distinct political views and thoughts. I do not believe we should cultivate a society wherein someone is unable to hold a political view or opinion simply because they are in a position of authority or within the public spotlight; everyone we encounter will have their own morally contrasting views and opinions, some of whom we will agree with and others we will not. This is life, this is how we, as people, progress and learn and move forward. There is only a swathe of hypocrisy if we allow this for the everyday-man and not for those with some form of elevated recognition. However, the issue with BTS expressing certain poitical views is that they are aligned with, and thus ambassadors for, UNICEF. This therefore means that, in their actions and characters, BTS should promote the values of the organisation they are ambassadors for - it is their role, their obligation, their duty, and what they have essentially agreed to do in taking the role. To go against the values upheld by UNICEF is contradictory and speaks little for the group - we question whether this partnership is something they actually want, whether it is a cynical marketing strategy, whether they are simply doing it for recognition and to appear as the politically-correct new generation, though innately opposing such a stance... The list continues, each question as damaging as the last to the group's reputation. Therefore, if BTS wish to identify alongside UNICEF, their role of poitical clarity and empathy should be apparent in their daily lives - they should actively promote the ethics they claim to support, otherwise they are breeding hypocrisy. In wearing this sweater, Jimin was not doing so.

Counter:

A powerful counter-argument for Jimin's choice to wear this sweater is that he didn't do so in a public appearance (i.e on live broadcast, at a concert, etc.) and instead wore it in his daily life (please, however, correct me if I am wrong). Jimin wore this sweater of his own perogative and choice and should be able to display a taste in fashion in whichever way he chooses without having it damage the reputation of the group (remember: Jimin is one member of seven, and something he does in his personal life does not necessarily reflect on the remaining six, and thus they should not be judged for it). That being said, as a famous celebrity, Jimin is also no stranger to cameras, to paparazzi, to his everyday life being photographed and recorded (of course, this is something I oppose but that is a topic in and of itself; whilst he shouldn't have to feel like his entire life is an image he must present to the media, this is quintessential to his career and he will be more than aware of the back-lash should he present an image that is controversial). Therefore, it is almost as if his life is a public appearance, and if he is to be seen wearing some form of fashion statement, he should be aware and understand that what he opts to clothe himself in will become a representative of his own views and stance if it is in any way politically charged or motivated. Once more, this simply feeds back into the above argument, that he should indeed line himself with the values of UNICEF*.

*Note, UNICEF has no direct policy against atomic-bomb sweaters, of course, but in familiarising oneself with the nature and ideas of the organisation, you can see why this would be in violation of its ethical stance

#2 The designer of the shirt's interpretation of the piece

This is another interesting angle. I do not know the minutiae of this argument either and I am not entirely sure of what the designer has said, but, as far as I am aware, the brand claimed that the sweater was not a political statement - rather, it was a historical one, and the image of the bomb was not used to evoke tensions. That being said however, one must be aware of the immediate impression their design depicts - and an image of the atomic bomb, particularly when promoted by a south-korean brand, has stark connotations. 

The following argument bleeds into the next line of topic (the holocaust memorial shot) and so I will deal with it as a whole before pinning it with the age-old debate over teaching, understanding and ignorance (don't jump the gun - I am not as defensive as you might believe). So, the Holocaust memorial shot is something I, and I assume many other ARMY, did not realise existed, because Big Hit have tried everything in their power to pretend it doesn't. With the initial release of the shots, obviously there was an immediate controversy, and they were taken down. Despite this fact, these images have resurfaced (due to the recent controversy) and now many people are demanding an apology from Big Hit and/or BTS.

To understand the controversy surrounding the holocaust memorial shoot, it is firstly important to actually understand the context of the sight wherein it was conducted. There seems to be a mass misunderstanding that the members took the photoshoot within a grave-yard, amidst headstones for the dead - which is very obviously not the case. As far as I am aware, the holocaust memorial in question does not even resemble a typical memorial insofar as there are no names inscribed, and it very much appears to be a work of modern art. Accounts suggest the atmosphere around it is relaxed - not necessarily happy or joyous, but one of a tame respect for those who the memorial commemorates. Due to this fact, it is hypothetically possible for one to believe that it is simply what it suggests on face value - a work of art - and one may assume this is where Big Hit went wrong. Is this an excuse? Not in the slightest.

The issue with photoshoots is that they are different from photos for private use; tourists or visitors regularly take pictures at the memorial - and yet, these pictures are either to preserve a memory or to pay respect to the victims of the Holocaust. It does not take much research for one to understand just what the memorial is and what it stands for - research Big Hit should have done were they to put proper dedication into their marketing. A photoshoot for idols is quintessentially an advertising, a promotion of their beauty and concept; in this light, Big Hit were basically using the memorial as an advertisement for their group. That is inherently wrong, fundamentally disgraceful, even - the memorial commemorating the millions of lives lost, the memorial with significant impact and importance even today, being contorted into a capitalist attachment. This also shows something about the 'thought' and the 'depth' behind some of BTS' earlier concepts; I am not detracting from the power and depth of their lyrics, and this is not a reflection on the members - this is a reflection on the company, presenting some form of faux-depth to the group's work in order to communicate with fans. Had there been a true meaning behind holding the shoot in such a location, then Big Hit would have been aware that it was a holocaust memorial site. As things stood, however, the area was not investigated, not understood, and the purpose of BTS being there was based on simple aesthetic. 'Deep'.

The thing to understand is that this is not a direct attack on BTS. The nazi hat and the holocaust memorial site - those were decisions by the company, against whom BTS have only a limited say. Throughout being a fan of BTS, I have understood that Big Hit like to present their image insofar as being one that has a degree of power within the company - and, maybe, they do. They can make decisions for themselves; they can weigh into each and every aspect of the production - yet, certain small scintillas of evidence suggest this is a front, and that BTS are, for the most bit, just as powerless as any other idol group. Fans are also aware of this notion, albeit subconsciously - we praise the members when BTS do something good, and yet, if something bad happens, then we blame the company. In this instance, fans were, without doubt, instantly attacking Big Hit and leaving the members out of their own personal firing range. It becomes Big Hit did x, Big Hit did y - whereas if it is something good, it's BTS did x, BTS did y, even if it is a production level. This is generalising, not every fan thinks this way, but I have seen such circumstantial presentation a lot. As fans, we cannot have a double standard - either BTS and Big Hit are one and the same or they are separate entities, each impacting upon one-another. Again, I am not attacking BTS. 

The final argument I want to address is the age-old ignorance argument that crops up time and time again - that South Korea is uneducated in issues of race or of mental health or of homophobia and so forth. Honestly, to tell you the truth, I have no jurisdiction to comment on this - whether South Koreans are systematically more ignorant or not is dependent on many factors, however I do believe everyone has at their disposal the tools with which they can at least fight that ignorance. However, the fact that BTS are a well-known, well-established, global pop phenomenom, and the fact they have aligned themselves with various charitable endeavours, suggests to me that they are all too aware of the sensitivities of race, of religion, of ethics, of uality, of prejudice. To not be would once again present them as false ambassadors of UNICEF, of an organisation claiming to try eradicate many of those social wrongs.

As I am typing now, Big Hit have issued statements of apology. There is really nothing more we can ask of them, and I accept that. They cannot rewrite the past, they can only write the future - and with their increasing global prevalence, you'd be sure as hell Big Hit are going to sharply tow the line when it comes to any expressions of moral or political belief in either BTS' music or their persons. It's what they have to do to ensure their continued 15 mintues of fame on a western platform. However, that does not mean those past actions should be forgotten - they should serve as a reminder of what can go wrong if one displays ignorance towards such sensitive topics. Truly, they need to be navigated with care and precision - and those are two qualities that Big Hit seemed to lack.

Disclaimer: I am a fan of BTS and did not write this to harm them - however, I would also like to believe I am realistic and relatively unbiased over this topic, because, as much as I love BTS, I know they are product of a flawed company and the members themselves cannot, and will not, ever be perfect