At the first glance, we focused primarily on the videos and photos of the Billboard interview. Billboard presented us with colorful and wonderful images of BTS members. We don’t have any reservations for that. But after looking at what they talked about, I saw that Billboard is the same old, rude and patronizing Billboard. Subterfuges, insinuations, and so on… what they did not take into consideration is the fact that you are talking to RM with 148 IQ mind (and a colossal body by the way). Hey Billboard, shake yourself up and behave yourself!
First, they opened the bet on ARMY’s support for BTS. The question is as follows: “While your streaming numbers are low and your radio coverage rates are quite poor, (which implicitly suggests that BTS have a crazy loyal audience here:) ARMYs’ aggressive album purchases or downloads and Billboard charts are supported a little bit… Do you think you’re gaining leadership?” In summary, “ARMY is manipulating, do you agree?” is what Billboard ask…
RM begins answering this question as “A reasonable question.” He continues: “If Billboard thinks that the peak criterion should be something else, they can change it as they wish. We did not choose these criteria, we do not say that it should stay as they are. It doesn’t matter. I don’t think it’s okay to despise ARMY because they’re buying albums. I think we’re made easy targets because we’re a boy group, we’re a Kpop group, and we have a loyal fanbase!”.
I really don’t understand this either. The streaming is (almost) free and can be very easily manipulated. There is no more accountable criterion than buying a physical album or downloading it by paying money. I think Billboard’s suggestion is ridiculous. Also, the statistics don’t say that BTS’ stream numbers are low. This is a question full of strife.
The issue of being played on the radio is the most manipulative thing that can happen; and unfortunately, it is an issue against BTS, where BTS is at a clear and significant disadvantage. The radios play whatever they want and it is very difficult for artists outside the USA to find a place there. After all, the radio broadcasters’ own preferecnes determine what will be played there, and for me, being played on the radio is definitely not an objective criterion.
Let’s move on to another subject. Billboard asks: “Are you trying to be one of the mainstream bands in the US?“. Again, RM is very clear: “I don’t think we can go mainstream in the US. We don’t have such a problem or a desire anyway, my dear brother. All we want is to do a tour across the USA where we filled stadiums. That’s it“.
According to the American mindset, everything revolves around the axis of the USA. Unfortunately, it is not so, my dear friend, aliens, zombies and vampires in movies may think this way, but the audience we call the human world looks at it a little differently. RM also says it nicely. We don’t care about the “holy US market”; indeed he says ARMYs in the US are only they care about.
Another thing I can’t help but draw attention to is how well RM does it while giving the setting, giving the message without losing the elegance. Excellent.
By the way, I have a few words to say to the boss of Bang PD. If you try to pass the big 2021 year with a mini album of two tracks, both of which are completely in English, you’re going to be teased by Billboard. He’s been criticized over the years for why YG Entertainment isn’t releasing anything but two-track mini albums for BLACKPINK. Boss, you envy YG?
The article is getting long, but at this point, I can’t help but remember another setting that RM gave recently. The radio announcer slurs and asks the following question:
“Is collaborating with Justin Bieber a dream?”
RM’s whopping answer is very, very good:
I think no comment is needed. “RM rules!”. There is no need for more words…
