New Fan Guide
If you’re new to K-Pop and BTS, there can be a lot to catch up on. Fans of K-Pop already understand how these fandoms operate, but if you’ve never been interested in Korean entertainment at all, you may not be sure where to start. Below is a simple guide aimed at new fans. I’ve done my best to provide useful resources and information, but please feel free to let me know if you’d like to see something added here.
The Basics
BTS is a seven-member group from South Korea that debuted on June 12, 2013. The group’s label is Big Hit Labels, housed under HYBE.
The seven members are: Kim Namjoon (stage name RM; b. Sept. 12, 1994; rapper and leader), Kim Seokjin (stage name Jin; b. Dec. 4, 1992; vocalist), Min Yoongi (stage name Suga; b. Mar. 9, 1993; rapper), Jung Hoseok (stage name J-hope; b. Feb. 18, 1994; rapper), Park Jimin (b. Oct. 13, 1995; vocalist), Kim Taehyung (stage name V; b. Dec. 30, 1995; vocalist), and Jeon Jungkook (b. Sept. 1, 1997; vocalist). All of the members have songwriting and/or composition credits and participate in the creative direction of their work.
BTS’s official fanclub name is ARMY. Fans can join the official fanclub, but they can also identify as ARMY even if they are not a member. (To join the official fanclub, you’ll need to download the Weverse and Weverse Shop apps.)
Official Accounts
For many years, the BTS members did not have public social media accounts, besides the group Twitter account they share access to. In late 2021, as BTS began exploring more individual projects, they opened individual Instagram accounts. Jungkook later deleted his IG account.
Social media can be overwhelming at times, so don’t feel like you have to follow all accounts on every platform; pick and choose what works for you. If you only have one social media platform, I’d recommend using Twitter. It’s where you’ll find the most up to date information in ARMY fandom on a regular basis.
It’s also important to be aware of imposter accounts. Unfortunately, these accounts are ubiquitous across Twitter, Instagram, and elsewhere. Always remember: the members do not have individual Twitter accounts. The only social media they have accounts on as individuals is Instagram (except Jungkook) and Weverse. They do not DM fans. If you get a message from someone claiming to be them, it’s fake.
A shared Twitter account that the members upload to directly.
Official member Instagram accounts
A BTS Twitter account run by their management.
HYBE’s official Twitter.
BTS’s Facebook page, managed by their team.
BTS’s official Instagram, managed by their team.
Weverse
Launched in 2019, this app serves as the new “fancafe”—a place where fans can post to a timeline, see posts directly from the members, and watch content uploaded by BTS’s management team. BTS used to have livestream content on a platform called V LIVE. These videos are now hosted on Weverse as well. You can download the Weverse app in the app store or play store.
Weverse Shop
This app serves as the official merch store for HYBE artists. You can download the app in the app or play store.
Translations
If you don’t speak Korean, translations are essential to fully understanding BTS’s messages. While there are many fans who translate everything from tweets to videos on social media platforms, it is important to know that not all translators are skilled and not all translations are accurate. Below I have listed a few trusted, accurate translation accounts, though this list is not exhaustive. Please follow multiple translation accounts!
It’s a common misconception that translators and subbing teams either work for BigHit/HYBE or somehow receive money from their translations. This is not true. No fan translators work for BigHit, and fans who translate on social media platforms do not get paid to translate. Even one of the most popular subbing team channels on YouTube doesn’t earn money from their videos—any videos that would potentially earn an income get claimed by BigHit, and any revenue goes to them. (While it may be possible for translators to earn money from ad revenue or sponsorships, none of them are paid by BigHit/HYBE.)
Bangtan Universe
The Bangtan Universe is fictional content used to enhance the story of BTS’s work. Themes that relate to their album releases are often explored with fictional characters (that carry the same names as the BTS members themselves). It currently appears in music videos, additional online video content, short notes contained in albums, a book, and a webtoon. There’s a lot to talk about with the BU, and I’ve created a starter guide for that here.
Basic Glossary
akgae / solo stan: This is a fan who only cares about one member of a group and who often dislikes (or even hates) the other members, actively displaying their bad behavior online. These “fans” may attack other fans and spread malicious rumors about other celebrities online. Stay far, far away. Solo stans are not fans who only follow one group, though a fan who only likes one group may also become a solo stan.
anti-fan: These people actively hate on specific celebrities or specific members of idol groups. They may be very vocal online and harass others. Some may even try to physically harm celebrities, but this is typically an uncommon extreme. Don’t bother engaging with them.
fanchants: Fanchants are organized chants that audiences recite during specific song performances. BTS’s company releases official fanchants for songs that are promoted on music shows.
fansite: A fansite is a fan who takes photos of celebrities at the airport, at concerts, and at other public events. Fansites are not endorsed or paid by entertainment companies; they operate on their own. Some sneak cameras into concerts or other events where cameras are not allowed; this runs the risk of them being kicked out. Many sell goods such as cheering slogans and photobooks made from their photography, and many follow their groups around to as many public events as possible. Some purchase photos from other fansites if there is an event they cannot attend themselves. Personal opinions on fansites often differ. Fansites are not necessarily sasaeng fans, but it’s absolutely possible for a sasaeng fan to also be a fansite. These terms are sometimes conflated.
multifandom: This refers to a fan who actively participates in the fandoms of multiple K-Pop groups or otherwise actively supports multiple artists. The term is sometimes shortened to “multi” (used as a noun to refer to a fan) and is sometimes used in a derogatory sense.
sasaeng: Sasaengs are misunderstood by many (whether new to K-Pop or not). Sasaengs (or “sasaeng fans”) obsessively follow and stalk celebrities in an attempt to get close to them. They may try to follow them home, into company buildings, or purposefully ride the same airplane or stay at the same hotel as their favorite celebrity. Some obtain a celebrity’s personal information, such as a telephone number, and continue to harass them over phone calls and messages. Some sell celebrity info to other sasaengs. Others simply obsessively stalk their favorite celebs and invade their personal spaces. They may attempt to gain access to a celebrity’s hotel room, sometimes even leaving cameras behind. They should be avoided at all costs.