Hi! It’s Annie!
We’ve recently gotten even more news from BTS, though they still seem to be taking some time to rest and prepare. Which I am very glad for and hope that they continue to do. They definitely deserve it! But throughout this rest, we’ve gotten hinting towards several new projects and now the confirmation of some others. Also, in the world of ATEEZ there was a recent large controversy that could even lead to legal action if companies aren’t careful. With so much news to talk about with just what we’ve gotten over the last couple weeks, I think it’s time that I actually address it all. So I’m just going to dive into it!
ATEEZ and JYP:
This is the story that has been blowing up the past couple days, so I’m going to start here. JYP, which is known as one of the current big K-Pop companies, just released a new MV for a new girl group. NMIXX debuted with a song and vibe that was meant to be refreshing and fantastical, evoking a lot of imagery that felt very fantasy-like. But eagle eyed ATEEZ fans felt that something was all too familiar while watching the debut MV. There are several scenes that are being pointed to specifically as looking like they’re from an ATEEZ MV, and a lot of side-by-side comparisons. One of a flying galleon among pink clouds, one of the galleon then crashed, one of a blue-sky sunset cityscape (thought I note that this one is pretty common), and the other of an alleyway that looks very similar to the end of ‘The Real’. The band is also tackling the pirate theme in this video, which is pretty bold right now. Many people inside the K-Pop industry have expressed that it would be difficult for any group to do a pirate theme right now with ATEEZ practically claiming the genre for themselves and absolutely perfecting it. They don’t own it, but another group attempting to tackle it is going to be automatically compared. And rookie groups especially can’t compare to a group that has already perfected it. But over-all, the imagery pushes it over the edge. I personally believe the plagiarism allegations are completely founded, especially with the galleon shots in the MV. JYP’s silence feels like more of an admittance of guilt than anything else. But I have also seen people blaming the members of NMIXX and saying that the group should disband. I don’t agree with this. The members of this group just debuted and are currently in a position where they can only do whatever they are told to do. Especially in a company like JYP. Absolutely blame JYP; but not the group.
BTS New Music:
Throughout their break, we’ve gotten several picture hints of possible projects from several members of the group. We know that we’ll probably get Taehyung’s mixtape sometime soon, and we now know that Hobi is also planning on his own mixtape release. In fact, we’ve seen Hobi post hints that he was creating a mixtape for months. Now he’s announced that he meant to release it on his birthday, though there were also delays. But we’ll get there soon! We’ve also seen almost a confirmation that something will be released in March. Possibly a new BTS song. And with similar studio pictures from both Namjoon and Yoongi, it’s hard to not speculate that there might be something coming from them individually soon too. We don’t have much in the way of confirmation yet, but I think it’s no secret that people are expecting new music soon. We’re most likely getting another album in the net few months too and I’m not sure there’s enough time to emotionally prepare myself for an album. But I am so excited for the prospect of any new music from them! I just hope they got a really good break beforehand.
BTS Recovery:
I don’t think I’ve talked about Taehyung getting Covid or his recovery much. But I think right now it’s not uncommon to hear that our favorite idols are down with Covid, unfortunately. I’m really hoping that it stops soon, but it at least seems that none of them are really getting all that sick because of their vaccinations.
BTS Tour:
So while there hasn’t been any official announcement regarding a world tour with all the dates and locations; I think we’re all pretty sure that a tour is currently happening. Recently, as I mentioned in my last post, BTS announced ‘Permission to Dance-On Stage’ for Las Vegas. Which I am definitely going to try and get tickets for if I can. I don’t live all that far so it’s just a small road trip for me and I really want to see them again! Especially since it seems like each location might be getting a rearranged setlist. However, with the announcement of this location, they did describe it as a tour location specifically. They used the word “tour”. I know a lot of people were hoping to get a tour of their new album once it releases, but I do think that this is the important tour to do right now. Especially with some of these songs being specifically aimed for ARMY coming out of harder Covid times. I think that our 2022 tour is going to be ‘PTD On Stage’, and they will slowly announce more locations and times as things go on. I wouldn’t expect this to happen all at once. After all, their Seoul and Las Vegas shows are a month apart. I also wouldn’t expect another tour after this. Especially because the South Korean government still has not made any decisions regarding BTS and mandatory military service. I also wouldn’t expect it to be much easier to get tickets to any of these locations. Because they are currently keeping things so close to their chest about locations and times, it doesn’t really assure many ARMYs who would usually wait to see them when they perform closer to them. I still don’t recommend a lot of travel right now, but I know that’s going to fall on deaf ears especially when it comes to BTS. It’s understandable, but I would still wait to see if they come closer to you. BigHit has at least forced Ticketmaster to release all of their tickets on the first presale day. But that also means that if you didn’t get into the ARMY presale, you aren’t getting tickets. So try to get into that presale if you really want those tickets! I already have my confirmed registration emails from Ticketmaster so I’m crossing my fingers!
Tour Etiquette:
Now, with this tour and more locations being announced, there are a lot of things that ARMYs are asking other ARMYs not to do. Many ARMYs in LA got angry at baby ARMYs for apparently not screaming loud enough, not knowing the lyrics to songs, and not knowing the fan chants. As someone who was there, I saw no evidence of any of this. The arena erupted with sound from the crowd, and sometimes fan chants weren’t done because they actually mixed so many of their songs. When fan chants could be done, they were done. Also, being a baby ARMY isn’t a bad thing. We need to get rid of the idea that you’re wrong or bad just because you’re new to a fandom. It’s something we’ve probably all felt directed at us in some way and it’s a ridiculous notion. Nobody wants to hear it again, guys. It’s BTS, of course the arena is going to be loud. And if you are a new ARMY, don’t feel discouraged from getting a ticket if that’s what you really want. You aren’t any less of a fan and your wants don’t mean less.
BTS on Live:
I figured I should mention this because they’ve all started returning to Vlive again! I even caught part of the Yoongi, Namjoon, and Jimin one lately! Here’s your reminder that all of their live videos will soon completely transfer over to Weverse. We don’t know exactly what that’s going to look like yet, but soon the Vlive app won’t be as useful to ARMY. However, their lives are just as adorable as ever. We got to see Yoongi crack a walnut with brute strength, Namjoon call out Jimin about Instagram, and Namjoon assure Jimin that he looks perfect the way he is. I completely agree, Namjoon! So I guess we’re going to have to keep our eyes out for those random lives that could come on at any time! Both exciting and nerve-wracking!
I’m so glad that we’ve gotten so much BTS content recently and I’m excited to get even more! I’m also so stressed about tickets next week; so I’m just crossing my fingers and telling myself that at least I’ve seen them once. I hope all of you who want BTS tickets get them as well! And if you’re planning to travel, please do it as safely as possible! Covid isn’t over despite several places taking away precautions. Please be careful! And hopefully I’ll see some of you in Vegas!
See you across the pond!
Sincerely, Annie
Oreos & Peanut Butter 