Still Bangtan: Rambling thoughts on the Philanthropic Efforts of BTS
We live in a world of broken systems. Understandably, our newsfeeds and timelines are constant reminders of the importance of activism and action. The past year alone has brought to light countless areas of hardship, pain, inequity, and injustice. We’re left asking, but how can we help? What can we do within our circumstances? How can we play a role in creating change?
People of influence, with fame and money behind them, ask these questions as well. Or at least, they should. And it’s important to note, outside of the handful of billionaires who make more money in an hour than most of us see in our whole lives, no one really can do it all. And no one should be expected to. But doing something matters, especially when you have that influence. It not only helps to create change, but it sends a message. A message that you care, that you want to support a system that can lend to fixing a system, and that others should consider how they can do so as well. As a professional in the non-profit field, as well as a BTS ARMY, I’m inspired by the way that BTS, and the company they are a part of, seems to embrace this ideal.
Since their debut, BTS has shown that they value putting messages out into the world that promote change and understanding. Whether it’s lyrics discussing systemic issues within Korean society, or words encouraging listeners to love themselves for who they are, this is a band that cares about making an impact. Over the past 7+ years as a group, BTS have not only spread these messages through their words, but through actions as well. Whether it be monetary or in-kind (physical items to be used by those who receive it, or auctioned off for financial support) donations, this is a group of individuals who have shown time and time again that they want to bring good into this world. They understand that sometimes in order to help make a difference, you have to give more than your words. To put it frankly, you have to put your money where your mouth is.
While BTS is now the biggest band in the world, that wasn’t always the case. They came from humble beginnings and have worked their way to the top, but their status in pop culture has never deterred them from performing generous acts. In 2014, fans began to see their public acts of kindness as they helped distribute food to children and the elderly. And it only grew from there. Both as individuals and as a group, BTS and the members within the band support causes ranging from medical research, education, child welfare, anti-violence efforts, social justice, and more. It’s important to note, that this is just what we know. As fans of this band have learned, it’s not uncommon for them to make donations anonymously, or choose to not reveal these gifts publicly until later, or even at all. They don’t do it for the notoriety, they do it simply because they want to help. At one point, they literally risked being blacklisted by their own government in order to show support for the families of the victims of the Sewol Ferry Disaster, which fans learned of years after it happened.
BTS also know that public acts of philanthropy not only communicate their values to the world, but inspire others to act as well. Time and time again, I’ve seen fans all over the world choose to donate whatever they can to causes such as Unicef and MusiCares because they feel motivated by the actions of the band. And ARMY will forever go down in fandom and philanthropic history for the incredible fundraising that occurred for Black Lives Matter, on the heels of BTS’ $1 Million donation. In my professional experience, raising that kind of money takes weeks upon weeks of work. It’s no easy feat, especially from a collective of individual donations, but this fandom accomplished it within 24 hours through word of mouth on a social media site. I had never seen anything like it. This fandom literally has a dedicated fundraising arm, One in an ARMY, that promotes worldwide causes and provides fans with the opportunities to donate to organizations directly. It’s an absolutely incredible element of this community and speaking on it further will make this blog a whole lot longer. So let’s get back to BTS.
When I write pieces about this band, I often like to think of the theme of the post in relation to one of their songs. When reflecting back on their catalogue and a song that sparks ideas of philanthropy, I think of Anpanman. The lyrics and inspiration for the song are all about giving a part of yourself to those in need, simply because you want to do something good. So they give. They give money directly to organizations, memorabilia to be auctioned off, portions of proceeds through partnerships, their time and energy to performances within a charity event, and so much more. And again, that is just what we publicly know. It’s never done with massive pomp and circumstance. It’s never about a pat on the back or a “donor of the year” award. It’s because they can, and they want to. It’s that simple.
Philanthropy is complex. In a professional sense, it’s not easy. It’s about stewardship and engagement of high profile individuals and corporations. It’s about connecting with people and having them see the value in making a gift of any size. It’s easy to get discouraged and everyone in this field knows that along with their cause, there are countless more out there that also deserve attention and funds. But what matters is that there are organizations that exist to highlight these causes, and there are people out there who help to support and advocate for them. BTS does that. And in this world, that really means something.
I remember in an episode of Friends, there was a conversation about “is there such a thing as a selfless act?” and I really think that’s a valid question. It feels good to do something good. But it’s how you perform those acts, and how you speak on them, that matters. It’s how you create a domino effect by using your voice or your finances to highlight a cause. As a fan of BTS myself, I’m very proud to support artists that not only create incredible music that I can relate to and enjoy, but that also prove themselves to be genuinely good humans, through their philanthropic actions. We can get into the numbers, they’re easy to find, but what I’m getting at here is just the basic idea that 7 guys from Korea, who just want to perform and connect, also really seem to understand that they can change some lives for the better. Through their music, their messages, and acts of service, they bring a whole lot of good into this world. And that’s the new superhero so many of us have been waiting for and are so happy to have found.
