Turbulent Travel

Image Source: Royal Society

By

Marsha Night

(With contribution from Rhiannon Healey)

Don’t get me wrong, I think fans going to meet and cheer their idols at the airport is a lovely gesture and I’m sure a significant number of fans have the most innocent intentions and just want to let their favourite group or artist know they support and love them.

I also think it’s great that when they do this, they cheer from a distance.

Image source: Kpopmap

Look, we can’t deny that paparazzi are everywhere, that fans are everywhere; they are allowed to exist freely and to be fair, idols sign up to this knowing they will be under constant scrutiny and spotlight. Even when they close their eyes and go to sleep at night, someone is writing about them somewhere in the world!

What I just can’t seem to grasp, is “Fans” that go to the airport  to purposefully present themselves in front of someone they supposedly care about, invade their personal space and even when asked by the idol’s themselves to move, continue to invade and even take close up pictures bordering on harassment.

Image source: Koreaboo

It’s very different taking pictures from the side line with a zoom lens to being up close and personal.

I don’t need to give you examples of the times when it has been, to put it frankly embarrassing to be part of A.R.M.Y when so called A.R.M.Y attend airport departure/arrivals and literally accost BTS or when they even cause so much disruption that they actually cause others issues or even harm because they are like a stampede of bulls, on heat, in a locked pen.

Image source: Koreaboo

Because I am embarrassed for A.R.M.Y as I, in fact am A.R.M.Y and have been since 2013 (K-POP follower since 2005) so I’ve seen a lot in my time, I have written a letter to those who think it’s “OK” to behave the way they do and to A.R.M.Y who respect their privacy and personal space as I believe we should speak to each other as a whole. Are we not a family?

Letter to A.R.M.Y.

A.R.M.Y,

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter, it is much appreciated.

I wanted to talk to you all about the way we should treat BTS.

Can you believe I am actually saying that?

This is where we have got to A.R.M.Y, we have got to the point where we have to have a lesson in common courtesy.

We promised to always be there for our 7 and that we would support them, lift them up and make them feel loved as they should be.

Why is it then; that in real life, physically we are making them feel trapped, stressed and pressured?

I think it’s wonderful and terribly sad that we have projects out there of A.R.M.Y’s coming together to create a barrier between BTS and the pap’s/A.R.M.Y.

I find it so terribly sad because we are having to do this to protect and shelter BTS from invasion of space, harassment and even harm.

Even the paparazzi know when to step back, it’s “fans” that are the biggest committers of these crimes and that to me shames A.R.M.Y.

What on earth gives you the right to harass another human being, invade their space and take pictures of them when their staff/management ask you not to, to step back or when a member of BTS literally says to you “please don’t”

Can you not see that you are causing them pain? Can you not see that you are doing something wrong? Can you not see that you are branding A.R.M.Y in a negative way? Can you not see it?

Can we treat BTS with the same respect, dignity and love that they bless us with. It’s not hard. It’s what we are taught throughout our entire life. It’s simple.

I don’t think we should have to make links or barriers to ensure the safe passing of BTS, instead of creating a link that way, why don’t we create a link with this letter, share it to the fan bases and A.R.M.Y you know. Let this educate and form a bond of unity and understanding that we are to respect BTS and respect A.R.M.Y.

If you are reading this, share it with the friends in your groups, share it to other people who you think may benefit. This includes other groups/artists fan bases. Let’s end the Turbulent Travel once and for all.

Marsha @BTSRadioUK

“You gave me the best of me, so you give you the best of you”

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