Opinion

In recent years, K-pop has really skyrocketed in popularity in the U.S. K-pop, to put it simply, is a genre of music usually originating from Korean pop groups and solo artists that utilize many different sounds, influences, and themes, that makes it different from the American music industry, like often including different elements of different genres into the same song, like adding a rap verse, techno music, and pop verse all in one. K-pop also has much more elaborate, expensive, and higher quality music videos and production of their music than most American artists because Korea invests a lot of money into this industry due to the fact that BTS, specfically, bring in a whopping 1.43 billion dollars to South Korea’s economy, and it shows.

BTS is one group among many K-pop influences that has made a huge impact on American music. Made up of three rappers and four vocalists, BTS has existed since their debut in 2013 and since then have been labeled as one of the most popular K-pop groups in America due to their success with winning American awards.

BTS is not only known for their accomplishments but their humbleness and personalities. Their fan base consists of people who often don’t just like their music, but love them as people in general. They are great examples and influences for artists and fans around the world, including this author. That’s why, in this author’s opinion, BTS is underrated, and K-pop, in general, should be recognized and appreciated more in the U.S.

The first thing about K-pop and BTS specifically that is underrated is their quality as musicians and as a genre. Being music from a completely different country, K-pop has so much to offer in its musical uniqueness for the American audience. Again, K-pop is an integration of many different sounds or concepts that wouldn’t usually be included in the same song in western culture, and BTS delivers this perfectly. Sophomore Payton Mucker agrees that BTS music is different in a good way.

“I discovered BTS on the radio a lot, and I thought all of their songs were pretty catchy. After hearing it occasionally and getting them suggested to me, I eventually started listening to them a bit, and they were pretty good,” Mucker said.

Sophomore Esther Bien-Aime is also another student who appreciates the uniqueness of BTS’s music.

“I first discovered BTS a couple of years ago. I’d say when I was in 6th grade. My first impression was wow these are some really talented people. The music and style was different and new to me, and I really liked it. Their music brings me a lot of joy,” Bien-Aime said.

Another thing about BTS that makes them so commendable is how hardworking they are, and how dedicated they are to their craft. All seven members dedicate so much time and effort into perfecting dance routines for their fanbase to go along with their already fantastic music. It can be said that not much is required of American music artists to reach celebrity status these days with TikTok influencing much of what most teens consider to be good music. So, often many American artists don’t have to live up to such high standards to be considered music legends.

On top of that, BTS writes their own music and have since they started their career, along with coming up with concepts for their music videos, etc. However, many American singers do not write their own songs, like Dua Lipa, who sings songs created by other writers. BTS, from the time of their debut to now, has singlehandedly and sometimes produced themselves 18 total albums, along with learning dance routines in the span of 1-10 hours a day, every time. Luckily, fans of BTS know this and feel that they are very proud and deserving of the awards they have won in the U.S., but this author still feels they are underappreciated.

“I absolutely feel they deserve these awards. They’ve worked up to this point and have got genuine people who really enjoy their music, as well as them being themselves. They have worked hard enough as a group to get to this point in the music industry to become award-worthy,” Mucker said.

Bien-Aime also strongly believes that these accomplishments are also extremely well merited for the work they put in.

“I feel that BTS really deserve their accomplishments and successes. They’ve worked extremely hard to get to where they are now,” Bien-Aime said.

The third point this author will make is their love and appreciation for their fans and the lives they live. There is something about each and every member that makes it easy to understand that they really care about those who made them who they are and have a genuine love for them due to the multiple concerts and events they put on virtually during the coronavirus pandemic on lockdown. They have also donated millions of dollars to charity, supporting the Black Lives Matter movement through funding, and member Jung Ho-seok donated over $672,000 to Child Fund Korea, a charity for underprivileged kids.

It is through these three points that this author feels that K-pop and especially BTS are underrated. K-pop is an interesting genre that has elements that are underappreciated and exemplary, and BTS are the perfect people to be representing this genre in America.

“I think it’s actually a good thing that K-pop is getting recognized more in the U.S. It’s shows how much K-pop has grown and are being recognized for it,” Bien-Aime said, “I think BTS are the perfect ones to be doing it. They show respect for their fans and truly appreciate the love and support. What I think makes BTS and their music so unique is how versatile they are. They really incorporate a lot of themes and emotions into their music.”

Mucker also thinks the same thing for these reasons, but also feels that the music industry itself and changes and evolves for the better with BTS and their inclusion of K-pop.

“I feel it’s a good thing they’re getting recognized because this would help others explore the music and help the music industry explore further. As the years go on, we see how music evolves and I feel this could be the next step. I think BTS is a great way to expand it as they’re already very prominent in the industry,” Mucker said.

Although this author personally doesn’t think any amount of recognition or high regard for BTS and K-pop, in general, would ever be enough for how amazing they are, they hope that in the future may be more groups like BTS could reach stardom and influence American music even more and therefore open more eyes to different cultures and that BTS continues to be commended for being this fantastic group of musicians and group of people that represent what K-pop is really about.

Some Awards Won By BTS

• 6 Mnet Asian Music Awards for Artist of the Year in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
• Favorite Social Artist at American Music Awards in 2018
• Favorite Duo or Group Pop/Rock, Favorite Social Artist, and Tour of the Year at American Music Awards in 2019
• Favorite Duo or Group Pop/Rock and Favorite Social Artist at American Music Awards in 2020
• Artist of the Year, Favorite Pop Duo or Group, and Favorite Pop Song for “Butter” at American Music Awards in 2021
• Popular Korean Artist at Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian in 2019
• APAN Top Ten (Bonsang), Best Group – Male (Domestic), and No. 1 Achievement (Daesang) at APAN Music Awards in 2020
• Best Artist Award and Best Icon Award at Asia Artist Awards in 2016
• Artist of the Year – Music, Daesang Award – Music, Fabulous Award – Music, Korean Tourism Appreciation Award, and Popularity Award – Music at Asia Artist Awards in 2018
• Best of Best Popularity Award and Popularity Award – Singer (Male), and Song of the Year for “Dynamite” in 2020
• Song of the Year for “Butter,” and U+IdolLive Popularity Award – Male Group in 2021
• Outstanding Achievement in Music at The Asian Awards in 2018
• Best International Group and Social Media Star at BBC Radio1 Teen Awards in 2018
• Top Social Artist at Billboard Music Awards in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
• Top Duo/Group at Billboard Music Awards in 2019 and 2021
• Top Selling Song for “Dynamite,” Top Social Artist, Top Song Sales Artist at Billboard Music Awards in 2021
• Group of the Year at the BraVo Music Awards in 2019
• Best Fandom and Best International Group at the BreakTudo Awards in 2017 and 2018
• Favorite K-pop Group and K-pop Male Group at the BreakTudo Awards in 2018
• Best International Group at the BreakTudo Awards in 2019
• International Hit for “Butter” at the BreakTudo Awards in 2021
• Group of the Year, Music Video of the Year for “Idol,” Social Celebrity of the Year, and Song of the Year for “Idol” at E! People’s Choice Awards in 2018
• The Album of 2020, The Group of 2020, The Music Video of 2020 for “Dynamite” and The Song of 2020 for “Dynamite” at E! People’s Choice Awards in 2020
• The Group of 2021, The Music Video of 2021 for “Butter” and The Song of 2021 for “Butter” at E! People’s Choice Awards in 2021
• Concert Category for Love Yourself World Tour and Grand Prize at Edaily Culture Awards in 2019
• Artist of the Year, Best Album for Love Yourself: Answer, Daesang Award, and Idol Live Popularity Award at The Fact Music Awards in 2019
• Artist of the Year, Daesang Award, and Listeners’ Choice Award, TMA Popularity Award at The Fact Music Awards in 2020
• Daesang Award, Listeners’ Choice Award, Worldwide Icon Award, Year’s Artist Award at The Fact Music Awards in 2020
• Artist of the Year, Daesang Award, Fan N Star Most Voted Artist, Listeners’ Choice Awards, and U+Idol Live Popularity Award at The Fact Music Awards in 2021
• Best International Album for Love Yourself: Answer and Best International Band at Gaffa-Prisen in 2019
• Best International Album for Map of the Soul: 7 and Best International Band at Gaffa-Prisen in 2021
• Best New Artist (Male Group) at Gaon Chart Music Awards in 2014
• World Rookie Award at Gaon Chart Music Awards in 2015
• K-Pop World Hallyu Star Award at Gaon Chart Music Awards in 2016
• Album of the Year – 4th Quarter for Wings and V Live Global Popularity Award at Gaon Chart Music Awards in 2017
• Album of the Year – 1st Quarter for You Never Walk Alone and Album of the Year – 3rd Quarter for Love Yourself: Her at Gaon Chart Music Awards in 2018
• Album of the Year – 2nd Quarter for Love Yourself: Tear, Album of the Year – 3rd Quarter for Love Yourself: Answer, and K-pop Contribution Award at Gaon Chart Music Awards in 2019
• Album of the Year – 2nd Quarter for Map of the Soul: Persona, Retail Album of the Year for Map of the Soul: Persona, and Social Hot Star of the Year at Gaon Chart Music Awards in 2020
• Album of the Year – 1st Quarter for Map of the Soul: 7, Album of the Year – 4th Quarter for Be, Retail Album of the Year for Map of the Soul: 7, Song of the Year – February for “On,” Song of the Year – August for “Dynamite,” and Song of the Year – November for “Life Goes On” at Gaon Chart Music Awards in 2021
• Album of the Year – 3rd Quarter for Butter, Mubeat Global Choice Award – Male, Music Steady Seller of the Year for “Dynamite,” Retail Album of the Year for Butter, Social Hot Star of the Year, Song of the Year – May for “Butter,” Song of the Year – July for “Permission to Dance,” and Song of the Year – September for “My Universe” at Gaon Chart Music Awards in 2022
• Best Choreography for “On,” Best Group, and Best K-Pop and Best Pop for “On” at MTV Video Music Awards in 2020
• Best K-Pop for “Butter,” Group of the Year, and Song of Summer for “Butter” at MTV Video Music Awards in 2021
• Most Listened K-Pop Artist (Male) at Spotify Awards in 2020
• 25 various social media Guinness World Records
• Best Dance Track for “Mic Drop,” Best Music Group, Best Song That Makes You Smile for “DNA,” and Fiercest Fans at Radio Disney Music Awards in 2018
• Global Phenom Award at Radio Disney Music Awards in 2019
• Best Boy Band and Best Fan Army at iHeartRadio Music Awards in 2018
• Best Fan Army at iHeartRadio Music Awards in 2019
• Best Fan Army and Best Music Video for “Boy With Luv” at iHeartRadio Music Awards in 2020
• Best Fan Army, Best Music Video and Favorite Music Video Choreography for “Dynamite,” and Best Duo/Group of the Year at iHeartRadio Music Awards in 2021