how bts' teamwork makes the dream work (and why most boybands don't last)

[@fifiroukine5331]

Boracity is right, BTS is a rarity in the world of supergroups. Chapter 2 proved that they were all likely to pursue successful careers, but always insisted that they preferred to be together (much to the chagrin of the solo stans)

[@Jurnalist_]

Yea being a solo in a group who is focused on a group but can do work solo is the best person to have on your side.

[@leahlee350]

In suga’s talk show, jimin said that the solo project is meaningless unless it helps them to improve themselves and to bring better music to bts. I think they always put the group in the first priority is because their brotherhood, they had the same dream since very young, u can see it from the song TEAR.

[@Jurnalist_]

That’s facts. If you wanna go do something. Solo it better grow you so when you come back to the whole you have new skills. Otherwise. It’s a dead topic.

[@ApobangpoBorashae7]

I do think the reason why bts is still together and broke the 7years curse is because while being a group they were allowed to do solo projects. Like mixtapes and have sole songs in the bts albums so the members didn’t feel trapped like other groups. I think that’s the big reason western groups and Kpop groups break up because they can’t do their own thing and they end up feeling trapped artistically

[@g100-w6j]

And the fact that they started doing solo songs within bts albums as early as THREE (3) years into their career in 2016 with Wings and with mixtapes (other solo or collab projects/SoundCloud tracks since predebut even etc) since like 2015-2016 with Joons and Yoongi's first self titled mixtapes RM and Agust D respectively is just mind-blowing. It shows that from the beginning they had the freedom and space to be creative on their own, try new things and they set the precedent. They're just so special I can't even begin to describe how proud of them I am

[@carolinesch.]

And they got to descide they want to do that, they didn't have to wait for their companies descicion and have them dictate who gets to do what first from a pure Business point

[@SnapCracklyPop]

I think selflessness happens because they can trust each other and be fair, because how they build and value their relationship. If I were in a group, and I chose to be selfless by letting another vocalist have a spotlight, there’s no telling if that vocalist would even reciprocate that, because maybe they want to be the star and eventually leave. BTS, although different, stuck to their goal together and have each other’s back. I think that’s what makes BTS special, their relationship/brotherhood which can’t be manufactured/reproduced by a formula. It’s has got to be your own group with members who are committed to each other as a team and support/respectful of each other as a talent and their contribution.

[@quatzxice]

Good point!

[@artist-scopes8357]

Oh. You should know. Bts members were always allowed to do solo work. Hence how rm, jhope and suga/agustd has collabs or mixed tapes before their"official" solo work phase.

[@carolinesch.]

I remember seeing another group start their enlistment and fan basically went, well its gonna be like 5 years untill we have a comeback with all of them , because they will still have comebacks but just not with everybody and go one by one as late as they can. And I was like what!?

[@Jurnalist_]

It’s just mental this is a process.

[@chbenzy9359]

When i was not yet an army, i read 1 comment that says there were groups that spend more than 5-7 years without a "complete" group comeback. Cause the members will go 1 by 1... So like some are doing group activities then when they get discharged the other 1-2 go enlist..

[@tatushhimekuro]

​@@chbenzy9359EXO is one that kept on going, even with missing members.

[@cherylloper7320]

I do think what makes BTS unique is their solo work. Each member learns and brings it back to the group. Even having different producers added to the mix gives another dimension. But I have to say with western groups they don't remain humble. I never hear any say we'll come back and do even better our next performance. Each member of BTS strives to do better. Its a unique characteristic! And again.....thanks for the clothing critique! 😅

[@jedidar]

Hobie even said he wished he had dance more at Lollapalooza

[@JJordan19821]

Hi Jurn....I think this answers your question in the Live yesterday on whether there were any thoughts of break up within BTS other than the burnout one. They have said it time and time again, they are 7 or nothing but the level of selflessness that needs to happen is a major factor for any major hangups . Jin mentioned it in the drunken interview that each member basically sacrifices their individual goals for the sake of the group goals and that they place alot of value of doing things together. Obviously now we are seeing their individual goals coming to life because each of them did their solo project how they wanted it (watch Bora video on this). If they had arguments, I highly doubt that we would see that being played out in public. BTS is indeed rare.

[@chbenzy9359]

There are so many things to love about BTS but the one really stood out to me is their relationship with eo specially in this Ch2. I remember one of the members said that..tbh they can continue the group activities even if 1 member is missing, they can have world tour with 1 member missing... BUT they all decided not to... And planned meticulously for individual project instead and improve their artistry while waiting for the day they'll be complete. BTS is EVERY MEMBERS' PRIORITY... So their solo careers is not just beneficial for them but to the group as a whole. That's why they sacrifice for a couple of years (doing 🪖 service) for a bigger, brighter, stronger and a free BTS. 🤩

[@eileencritchley4630]

When you have great vocalists in the same group but not all having a chance/turn at being the centre person you are going to get ego's, disappointed members etc and it'll cause big issue's. Also artist need to be able to grow and not be confined into one little area. But when you do have great vocalists who all get their turn it keeps all the members happy and able to explore and expand.

[@quatzxice]

Ayy Jurn doing a BTS, dropping things left and right! The best. 😊 I'd like to add that allowing individual dreams/skills to grow prevents any resentment that could fester that could affect the team. Kpop fans start fanwars over anything but this is something that solo stans bring up all the time. BTS has a shield for that too, since line distribution is equal in BTS. (JK does the vocal guides to most of their songs so it makes sense that he has the most lines but not by a huge margin)

[@Jurnalist_]

💜💜

[@nick0ism]

12:31 yes. Seeds and solid roots, and then the rest of the trees. later then branching out.

[@candicesmith-mackenzie6303]

Structure is what gives you the freedom to create. I have always thought that was crazy but it's truth. Poor JC.😂 😘💜🫶🏻🫰🏻

[@squishycoveswena]

Jurn good luck getting that festival invite

[@Jurnalist_]

Ty. 🫡💜

[@ashtonbryan1776]

Will say, one kpop group all went at one time to lessen the time away from fans. That was back in 2021ish

[@Jurnalist_]

Who?

[@ashtonbryan1776]

Their name is ONF - only 1 member didn’t enlist bc he’s Japanese. I was a year into kpop and at that point in time it was kinda unheard of for all the members to just go together. But i 1000% love and respect the way BTS are doing it.

[@diatima]

19:50 I definitely appreciate Culture Clan more when I'm able to see each ones unique style and what they bring to the table on their own, and seeing you all together on the other hand, makes me more interested in finding out your individual work. Win win all around 😆

[@lifeofchile]

Spitting facts 💯

[@ebony7177]

What you're talking about at the 6:15 area MOSTLY ARE SOLOIST. For soloist they HAVE to have some kind of vocal that you can style around. Bora is talking groups and with TLC the group you did mention, their early stuff was sorta normal rap but the music was kinda different than the sounds we were getting at that time. So you can't use Usher, Aaliyah or JT when we are discussing GROUPS.

[@Jurnalist_]

Despite my soloist usage you prove my point with using tlc. They like you say have a different sound at their beginning. We have what I say then. The vocalist are secured. How easy it was it then to bring in Dallas and get a sound to build them into the super group and icons they became ? Having vocalist then a sound imo will always be the better path. Could even say bts proves my point. We found the voices we wanted. Yet give those voices space and time to grow into a sound that compliments the whole and the individual and you see said results. We are discussing an opinion piece in a comment section based off the work. 😁💜

[@ebony7177]

@@Jurnalist_ But that wasn't the point we are addressing talking about artist growth. That was more part of number. The first point was it's better/easier to have a sound at the beginning than to start with several great vocalists. That's why soloist wasn't a great choice because it definitely can be either way. But with groups which was the focus, having a cohesive idea at the start is much better IMO cause it gives them a base to start from. THEN we can talk about growth but we have to have a place for them to start at first. I love having convos like this. 😄💜

[@tatushhimekuro]

Most boy groups fail..... should say Western boy groups. There are LOTS of korean boy groups that keep going. Thru enlistments, thru management changes, thru lots of shit. Its not just BTS. Tell Epik High & Shinee that they have not succeeded.

[@anitralarae_mahjacat]

@11:22 *lol* Hobi pulled a Michigan J. Frog on your ass 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Danielle42381]

This is taking me out 🤣

[@Dani.Torres]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@ZariDV]

Shinhwa is the kpop boy group that has been active the longest (for 25 years now) with all of their original members. One of their members, Minwoo, met up with Jungkook several years ago chat, bond and recieve some mentorship. Almost like a big bro/little bro set up. Minwoo spoke to Jungkook about the importance of selflessness in a group setting and how his members did solo projects with the focus being "I need to do well so that it reflects well on the group so that they group can do well". I think they have taken that sort of mindset into chapter 2. It's one thing to give your teammates lots of support from the background but they made efforts to attend events and performances, collaborating in creating the music. giving advice and feedback, featuring on the songs in small ways that wouldn't overshadow the member, creating space and opportunities for members to show off their work and promoting it. It was an active participation in group support even though each person did it on their own in their own way. That's the way it should be in groups.

[@ebereokolo2662]

8:36 😭😭😭 The uncoordinated outfits also threw me off too, ngl

[@Jurnalist_]

Had me in a spin cycle. 😂😂

[@jungkookwithlonghair9554]

love it

[@marilou00]

Journalist, do you see the BTS “team work” filtering into the American music psyche?

[@Jurnalist_]

For those of us who are aware yes. But the Guys in the ivory towers I don’t think will get it until it’s too late.

[@rafaelsmith5737]

Can you explain what you mean by this?

[@Jurnalist_]

@@rafaelsmith5737 I am one of those Americans who gets it. Making sure I put in my teamwork and focus on the group and overall goal instead of my own success will bring me more success through collaboration. Many American artist and those on major labels(ivory towers) are isolationist vice got my success I will work solo on maintaining it and I won’t help others. This will and always has lead to the downfall of a solo act. I hope this helps.

[@rafaelsmith5737]

@@Jurnalist_ I see, by the way why do you call big labels "Ivory Towers"?

[@Jurnalist_]

@@rafaelsmith5737 due to the monetary abilities of the labels. They shape and craft the narrative of the music they sale to the public. This warps the reality of consumption which affects the ability quality music or musicians to rise organically due to this. They are text book ivory towers if you read the definition.imo.

[@sonablom]

01:52 I would say give Louis Tomlinsons new stuff a try jurn (it’s oasis light). Or at least watch his documentary all of these voices. He is a cool dude and very passionate about music and bringing attention to new artists.

[@Jurnalist_]

I’ll see what he hitting for. 💜🫡

[@Danielle42381]

But why does it have to be Keith Urban and Darryl Oates? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Also, were you referring to a bolo tie? 🤣

[@Jurnalist_]

Yes to everything here. 😂😂

[@SnapCracklyPop]

I haven’t heard Keith Urban’s name in a long time lol

[@sonablom]

@@SnapCracklyPopyou mean Mr. Kidman? I only hear of him in context as Nicole Kidman’s husband these days

[@SnapCracklyPop]

@@sonablom I’m so stupid. I was thinking of Keith Sweat 😂

[@jedidar]

Bolo tie lol