All Ya Playa Haters, You Should Love Yo Self!

#BTSLoveMyself #ENDviolence #BTS • • • • • • • • • • • • • • #bts #bangtanboys #방탄소년단 #jin #seokjin #김석진 #석진 #진 #suga #yoongi #슈가 #민윤기 #jhope #hoseok #정호석 #호석 #rm #namjoon #김남준 #남준 #jimin #지민 #박지민 #v #taehyung #김태형 #jungkook #정국 #전정국 #unicef https://www.instagram.com/p/B0hM2AglBNN/?igshid=1jofr5m3eqgo0

"Everybody say NO..."

Dear A.R.M.Y., today we have something a little more serious to talk about. And it's a delicate subject. But one that we think really has to be addressed, not only for our boys, but the long term ramifications, as well.

While we want to always be grateful for any accolades BTS is given, the process being used by MTv this year is not actually an accolade but a segregation. It's xenophobia or at its base, racism. Those are strong words to be used at any time, but it really is the basis of what MTV has done by creating a "kpop" category. And this is the only way they'll award Korean groups?

BTS stands for the exact opposite of what MTv is doing with this category. BTS and ARMY are about breaking down barriers, overcoming prejudices. South Korean President Moon Jae In said, "At the very heart of BTS' outstanding dancing and singing is sincerity. This magical power turns grief into hope and differences into similarity. Each of the seven members sings in a way that is true to himself and the life he wants to live. Their melody and lyrics transcend regional borders, language, culture, and institutions." If only MTv could understand. They are merely a tv channel, that is discriminating against an entire population, again. Whether at the behest of advertisers or corporate heads, it's not important. What is important is that hopefully, we can let them know this was never ok.

This may all sound a bit grandiose, but if you look around, we're fighting battles for equality and humanity all over the world. And one way to silence these voices is to silence BTS. ARMY, we've done it until now and we'll continue to stand with them and fight for each others' dreams.

Write to MTv. Maybe it's a short, appropriate tweet on twitter, a letter to them, or an email, let's voice this. Let them know our disagreement with what they're perpetuating. This is not okay in one country, or one awards show. Meanwhile, we're watching for other ways to speak out against acknowledging these awards in any way. A surefire bet to "help them change their minds" is voting overwhelmingly for BTS's nominations in all categories (as always). But PLEASE don't watch the actual show. Those ratings are what they actually want, so even pass it along to your friends how they could help. Let's not let this happen on our watch, Army!

Let us know if there any other good options you've seen, please. And we'll definitely pass it along.

Team Karamel

Twitter page: @VMAS

Email: [email protected]

Mail: Viacom Inc. - MTV Networks (Main Office)

New York, MY

1515 Broadway

New York, NY 10036

It's Yoongi day! And we're hearing rumors of a possible new mixtape?!? May the gossip be true!! Hope you're having a great day. • • • • • • • • • • #suga #agustd #yoongi #minyoongi #슈가 #민윤기 #bts #bangtan #bangtanboys #bangtansonyeondan #방탄소년단 #music #mixtape #loveyourself https://www.instagram.com/p/B1oaiLwFB-O/?igshid=1pdvx1nrd082w

It's Hopeday in HopeWorld! Happy Wednesday everyone! ☀️ • • • • • • • • • • • • • • #jhope #hoseok #junghoseok #정호석 #호석 #bts #bangtan #bangtanboys #bangtansonyeondan #방탄소년단 https://www.instagram.com/p/B0i5DgilAkw/?igshid=1rihho87squut

   Kim Namjoon, we know him as RM, the leader of BTS. To keep focus on this amazing human, I will let him introduce himself. In his speech to the United Nations on 24th of September, 2018 he described himself. "I would like to begin by talking about myself. I was born in Ilsan, a city near Seoul, South Korea..."

"I was just an ordinary boy. I would look up at the night sky in wonder and dream the dreams of a boy. I used to imagine that I was a superhero, saving the world.... "

"Looking back, that’s when I began to worry about what other people thought of me and started seeing myself through their eyes..."

"Soon, I began to shut out my own voice and started to listen to the voices of others."

"I had one sanctuary, and that was music...  But it took me a long time to hear music calling my name."

"Even after making the decision to join BTS, there were hurdles. Most people thought we were hopeless. Sometimes, I just wanted to quit..."

   Yes, strong and confident RM was bullied and slandered by his peers. In 2013 when, Suga and RM appeared on Kim Bong Hyun’s Hip-Hop Invitational 1st Anniversary Broadcast. A fellow rapper said. "You guys could have taken the road towards becoming rappers, but you couldn’t beat that temptation. Is BTS’s music hip hop? Is wearing makeup on stage like a girl hip-hop?" BTS as a group endured criticism and disappointnents from the very beginning of their young careers.

   July 2015 BTS concert, "The Red Bullet" in NY was abruptly stopped because of death threats towards RM. Again on July 29 in Mexico RM received another death threat. As one of the main lyricists, RM accepted the blame for misogyny in their songs lyrics. RM was quoted as saying, “The most controversial things came from what I wrote. I thought ‘I was so ignorant’.

   RM became depressed after this. But, he went to correct his errors with positive actions. He read lots of newspapers and books to study social phenomena. After he finished writing lyrics, he would get experts such as a professor of women's studies to objectively examine the lyrics. These are just a few examples. Of course, being a writer, RM used his talents to answer and confront his critics thru music. Kim NamJoon said it best in his own words. Again, quotes from his UN speech:

 "...think I was very lucky that I didn’t give it all up.

"I’m sure that I, and we, will keep stumbling and falling. We have become artists performing in huge stadiums and selling millions of albums."

"But I am still an ordinary, twenty-four-year-old guy..."

"I’m Kim Nam-joon, RM of BTS."

"I’m a hip-hop idol and an artist from a small town in Korea."

"Like most people, I made many mistakes in my life."

"I have many faults and I have many fears, but I am going to embrace myself as hard as I can, and I’m starting to love myself, little by little.. .."

   We must remember, he and BTS are just human beings like you and I. They have given of themselves to show us their true selves. Please, let's follow their example of kindness and respect to all we encounter in this life. Love yourself so you may love others.

To learn more about the partnership of BTS and UNICEF, please go to Love-myself. org 🌜🦎

Credit/Sources: Kenyabuzz

Baidou RM Bar

  We'll start this week with our mathyung (oldest brother) Jin. He's been a terrific example for BTS and for all of us, so no better place to begin. It's hard to believe that anyone would want to hate our good-looking, funny, lovable Kim Seokjin, but it has happened. So let's talk about that.

   We know that Jin was recruited off the street by a BigHit rep because he was handsome, as many idols are. But his focus in life, to that point, had been acting. With no background in dance or singing, he had a huge learning curve, compared to some of our members. Nonetheless, when Bangtan debuted as a performance based hip hop group in 2013, he came under fire in several ways. It's obvious to anyone that his incredible hard work has brought him to the level of superstar. But even at debut, he could dance rings around 99% of us. And that was due to his hours of practice and his dedication to the vision of BTS they all shared.

   There was also the issue of his given position of "Visual" in the group. That does often mean, in the world of kpop, that this member has no skills so they're being included as the handsome one. But Jin was just new to the game, not without ability. So with no "hip hop swag" he was asked to be the cool, quiet, alluring member. Now if you know our Jin, you know this isn't exactly his true personality. He's gotten hate for his position, skills and personality, all the same.

   So how does this all relate? Well, needless to say, all of the members have experienced hate for one reason or another. But we'd like to focus on how they've handled it and, in some cases, turned it around. With Jin, his incredible hard work means not only have his skills advanced to a level to be proud of, he's doing solo songs while playing the piano! He learned the guitar well enough to play during concerts while the vocal line sings! He's brought stadiums to tears with his singing. And his dancing has always improved, while competently keeping up with BTS' choreography needs. He's achieved so much that there's no reason anyone should want to speak negatively of his contributions to BTS.

   As the visual position suggests, Kim Seokjin is one handsome man! But rather than using that to avoid developing himself in the group, he's done the opposite. Jin is the first to say he's World-Wide Handsome and throw a hand kiss to fans in a self-aware, half-joking way. He knows his looks may call attention to himself, but he'd prefer you know he is a funny guy. And he'll tell you some silly dad jokes to prove it. He's the first member to approach strangers and make them feel comfortable. His list of idol friends from other groups is long. And he helps his brothers feel comfortable when they're in new situations by cracking jokes and keeping the atmosphere light. This is the real value of allowing Jin to be himself. Anyone thinking he can be hated for conceit has no idea who Jin is.

   Lastly, it may be that Jin, himself, has thought he was the "weakest link member". But he's never been that, in any way. He's openly supportive of all the members, but we know Namjoon has said he feels better just knowing Jin is with him. Jungkook wouldn't have had to come to Seoul if Jin weren't there to raise. Jimin has learned how to take things less seriously because of Jin's influence. Suga may not have made it with a different roommate all those years. Jin's example of self confidence may help Hobi when his fears threaten to overwhelm him. Or they can cower together from ghosts. And Tae could use him as the shining example of a big brother that he is. His strengths are things for them all to aspire to and his care for the members has been invaluable.

   Hopefully we can all look at our Kim Seokjin and recognize not only what a great part of BTS he is, but what a great person he is. He's learned and grown into an amazing man before our eyes. And we should all be thankful he lets us see into his journey. Look no further for a good example of how to overcome negativity with a beautiful outlook. Per Amino: BigHit's email: [email protected] [email protected]

Pics credit/Sources: Dandelion, Radiant, SBS' Law of the Jungle, Bangtan Bomb on YouTube

[Bangtan Sonews] ARMY, are you looking forward to this? • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • #bts #bangtanboys #방탄소년단 #jin #seokjin #김석진 #석진 #진 #suga #yoongi #슈가 #민윤기 #jhope #hoseok #정호석 #호석 #rm #namjoon #김남준 #남준 #jimin #지민 #박지민 #v #taehyung #김태형 #jungkook #정국 #전정국 #netmarble https://www.instagram.com/p/B1bPNktFNHT/?igshid=148jq2uk1ws8t

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

billboard.com

BTS' 'Map of the Soul: Persona' Album Certified Gold by RIAA

BTS' April release "Map of the Soul: Persona" was recognized gold by the RIAA, with over .5 million units certified in the U.S.

Credit/Sources: Jjimvely Ridejimin Pieces of mind • • • • • • • • • • #jimin #parkjimin #지민 #박지민 #bts #bangtan #bangtanboys #bangtansonyeondan #방탄소년단 #chimchim #manggaetok #youneverwalkalone #music #loveyourself #btsxarmy #btsrelated #chimmy #ricecake #mochi https://www.instagram.com/p/B1wIvoaF7dq/?igshid=akpvl8y2teh3

Dropping some Jin knowledge to get your week going! Credit: Global Request Show: A Song For You, Korean Broadcasting System, KBS World . . . . . . . . . . #jin #jinbts #kimseokjin #seokjin #김석진 #석진 #진 #bts #bangtan #bangtanboys #bangtansonyeondan #방탄소년단 https://www.instagram.com/p/B0dxF7eFZ8a/?igshid=1v9xen78e8v9m