BTS: K-Pop's Social Conscience

FUSE TV - BTS: K-Pop's Social Conscience

As any K-pop fan would uncomfortably admit, sometimes it's hard to get a handle on the personalities of a group's various members. It's not their fault: In the K-pop industry, the slightest "slip-up" (like, say, an imperfect Twitter photo or the way you flip your hair) will earn a singer loads of hateful online comments that typically translate more rapidly to the Internet-obsessed general public. Most Korean pop stars are trained to give very formal answers in interviews, and sing about safe topics—first loves, parties, break-ups—to stay as much in the good favor of a society that banned PSY's "Gentleman" video because kicking a traffic cone was deemed "abuse of public property." These obstacles are particularly tough for international fans trying to get on board with K-pop but are used to the bombastic personalities of artists like Kanye WestMiley Cyrus and Nicki Minaj.

While it will be a long time until Korea's entertainment industry gets to a point of Western outspokenness, young boy band BTS is a shining example of a group that's finding a way to speak honestly about topics they deem important, even in a conservative society. And their importance to the genre is cemented with the release of their new album, The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Pt. 2.

We think you'll enjoy these related videos below and for more great content featuring your favorite artists, sign up for Fuse+ to access all our videos.

The Rise of K-Pop

41m

The Rise of K-Pop

BTS: Global Takeover

41m

BTS: Global Takeover

Pop Your Podcast

21m

Pop Your Podcast

Madonna: Goddess of Pop

59m

Madonna: Goddess of Pop

Pop Goes The Question

20m

Pop Goes The Question

Soul Food Pop-Up

20m

Soul Food Pop-Up

Going Social

20m

Going Social

Inside Reebok and Future's Fury Pop-Up Shop

5m

Inside Reebok and Future's Fury Pop-Up Shop

Jason DeRulo

20m

Jason DeRulo

Whitney Houston: As I Am

53m

Whitney Houston: As I Am

Blake & Gwen: Now & Then

50m

Blake & Gwen: Now & Then

Cobra Starship

22m

Cobra Starship

Lady Gaga: Encore

41m

Lady Gaga: Encore

Britney Spears: Workin' It

55m

Britney Spears: Workin' It

Decisions, Decisions

23m

Decisions, Decisions

The New York City Hustle

1m

The New York City Hustle

LIE DETECTOR

LIE DETECTOR

Jake Miller

20m

Jake Miller

Enrique: Latin Love

59m

Enrique: Latin Love

The First Time, In A Long Time

20m

The First Time, In A Long Time

Asian Song Festival

21m

Asian Song Festival

Taylor Swift: Wild Dreams

52m

Taylor Swift: Wild Dreams

Kash Doll & Her Mom Recreate Their Great-Grandmothers Recipe

2m

Kash Doll & Her Mom Recreate Their Great-Grandmothers Recipe

Tara

6m

Tara

Kash Doll

21m

Kash Doll

Papa You Are My Dad

21m

Papa You Are My Dad

Vajay-Day

20m

Vajay-Day

Analise, Matthew and Daley

40m

Analise, Matthew and Daley

Up NYC and Reebok Freebanz

11m

Up NYC and Reebok Freebanz

Bebe Rexha

20m

Bebe Rexha

Why Is He Blowing Me Kisses?

21m

Why Is He Blowing Me Kisses?

Where Did People Get All These Milk Crates?

21m

Where Did People Get All These Milk Crates?

Rise of the Hot Girl

20m

Rise of the Hot Girl

The Daphne Project

1h 7m

The Daphne Project

Celebrities Today

20m

Celebrities Today

LIKE, SHARE, DIMELO

LIKE, SHARE, DIMELO

RED CHEF REVIVAL

RED CHEF REVIVAL

#Female Pleasure

1h 38m

#Female Pleasure

WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT AMERICA

WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT AMERICA

DON'T CANCEL ME WITH AMARA LA NEGRA

DON'T CANCEL ME WITH AMARA LA NEGRA

Silly String Is Illegal in What US City!? Comedians React to Strange Laws

6m

Silly String Is Illegal in What US City!? Comedians React to Strange Laws

Comedians React to Unbelievably Strange Laws in the US

6m

Comedians React to Unbelievably Strange Laws in the US

Comedians React to SHOCKING US Laws!

6m

Comedians React to SHOCKING US Laws!