Hi everyone, I'm new here!
Yesterday I discovered this forum, as well as this thought-provoking discussion, thanks to some researches I've already been doing for some time about this topic that actually kinda frightens me. I've read some of your considerations, and I'd really appreciate any suggestions about a question of mine I'm going to ask now, based on my brief k-pop experience.
I got to know BTS and listen to k-pop just a couple of months ago. Before that, I've actually never been interested in that kind of music or those boy-bands in general. Anyway, I've always been aware of "what" hides behind this industry; I'm a rather curious and skeptical girl who likes to analyse everything about whatever and isn't so susceptible. Because of that, I started to learn about this "corruption" and to keep an eye out for it. Unfortunately, I learned all music industry revolves around these concepts, so basically every artist we come to like is involved in this "project". What I want to say is: even if I've never listened to k-pop until now, it doesn't mean I've been exempt from that influence (even if I'm able to recognize it), since I admit I listen to many American artists that sadly use this symbolism.
So I got to know BTS by chance, and I admit I like most of their songs, leaving their videos and hidden meanings aside. I've become aware of the symbolism they use, YET sometimes I can't stop humming their songs or listening to them because I simply find them catchy. And that's what makes me wonder.
I don't consider myself a "typical" Army. I'm not "obsessed" over those boys. I don't "fangirl" or cry or get too emotionally involved with their songs. They're not "my everything", I've never bought something of them or voted them. Above all, I wouldn't be here - lol -.
Until now, I've just listened to some songs and played some videos about their presumed personality to get to know them better.
But after I got "that sense" about 'em too, after I became suspicious about their messages, after what I discovered and read here... this question arises spontaneously: what do I have to do then? How should I behave? Do I have to stop listening to them? But then I also wonder: "So I should stop listening to almost every artist I know, if that's the solution!", because, as I said bafore, all music is soaked with this propaganda. But... how could I? How could we? I find it impossible! Yes, I want to detach myself from this bad influence, but at the same time, if I really enjoy listening to some songs in general, it's arduous for me to let 'em go, 'cause I'd miss these songs. And I'm pretty sure it's a common thing, not just mine.
Here I happened to read expressions like "good thing I learned to detach myself from it properly", and that made me genuinely impressed. I mean, if it's like that, what music/artist do you listen to? What's your focus? Because everything in that world is "controlled", so we can't be totally exempt. At least, that's my opinion. I could say "Oh really? So no more BTS or k-pop in general!"... but then maybe I'd focus on other genres or artists that promote in a different way the same propaganda!
That's my constant dilemma, my searching for a solution that maybe doesn't exists (and it's sad), and I'm reaching out to you because I'd like some suggestions, some answers, some brainwave to understand things better.
Would it be ok, for example, if I kept listening to their songs BUT knowing what's behind those videos and so being able to be exempt from the influence? Would it work? Is it enough?
Thanks in advance