How BTS Can Support Young People's Mental Health

BTS has been the breakout K-pop global phenomenon for the last few years, culminating in chart-topping hits and albums, as well as Grammy nominations and American Music awards. They even have their own “#BTSArmy” of devoted fans who ascribe to the band’s intriguingly nonspecific messages of positivity and self-acceptance, which are weaved into their candy-colored outfits and hairdos and dynamically coordinated music videos and dance routines.

Researchers are taking notice that, in an era of rising youth suicide rates and mental health crises, amplified by the stressors of the pandemic and social media, there may be some genuine, if mild, benefit to following BTS’ winsome approach. Which aspects of BTS' approach help encourage a beneficial life outlook for vulnerable youth?

1. A Fresh Perspective. BTS is a large ensemble boy band, like many before them. One obvious difference from their predecessors is the fact they are not Western. South Korea has in the last decade or so become a pop culture juggernaut, but overall remains a relatively new cultural phenomenon on the world stage. This international sense of “newness” in the entertainment lane (even though of course Korean culture itself is over 5000 years old) may help curious onlookers feel there are no strings attached (hat-tip to N’Sync). By presenting a seemingly novel intercultural space to the masses, BTS may offer an innate sense of hope and possibility to folks who feel stagnant in their everyday existence.
2. An Upbeat Message. BTS’ songs seem on the surface as fizzy and sweet as cotton candy in their themes of love and joie de vivre. Some of their metaphors are charmingly quirky or innocent in their crossover to English, comparing romantic smoothness to “butter” and the excitement of love to “dynamite." Other lyrics are heartfelt in their sense of propping up the frequent insecurities that plague young people as they grow into their feelings and identities, and cope with losses during the pandemic. Some lyrics even directly address struggles with mental illness. (Band members like Suga have openly discussed coping with depression and anxiety per Kaitlyn McNab’s May 20, 2021 Teen Vogue article). The band was appointed as Special Presidential Envoys from South Korea to the United Nations Assembly, where band member RM gave a moving speech in 2018 encouraging self-esteem and human connection and hope to youth everywhere. BTS has also participated in a Love Myself campaign promoting youth self-acceptance. This advocacy could help young people struggling with these issues to feel less alone and know that even seemingly happy and successful pop stars acknowledge deeper emotional issues and need to overcome down periods.
3. Inclusivity. BTS has a larger roster than most traditional bands (seven members at the moment), and while all are Korean, they deliberately highlight the individual characters of each of their members. Some have a more streetwise edgy style, while others are androgynous, and all have different hairdos and signature colors, but the underlying theme is that so-called masculinity can present in a wide range, and that each approach is equally valid and attractive. This openness is on trend with the broader conversation on gender fluidity and acceptance among youth today. Accordingly, BTS fans feel that they also can be free to express their individual identities, however offbeat or different, and still feel part of a larger inclusive group: united but unique.
4. Catchiness. While perhaps not known for groundbreaking artistic innovation or angst-ridden daring in their music or performances, which obviously derive heavily from existing and well-established traditions in hip-hop, electrodance-pop, R&B, and more, BTS is unashamedly populist in its approach. Their music literally puts a smile on your face and gets your head nodding. There’s a nonjudgmental lack of elitism to this kind of musical diplomacy: We know it’s effervescent, but that’s OK. Like they say, we don’t need permission to dance.

Overall, BTS presents a hopeful picture of optimism in the face of authentic struggles, and of acknowledging and accepting all identities across multiple spectrums, all through the lens of infectiously positive music, style, and dance. They present the freedom of youthful spirit and unfettered self-expression, even in the face of adversity and self-doubt. These are messages all of us can benefit from hearing.