It’s 2025, so…I can say I’m a massive Korean pop music (or “K-pop”) fan (or stan, as we often say) without being too judged, right? Among my many other nerdy obsessions, K-pop took hold of me a little over ten years ago. It started as it does for many: watching Korean dramas like Boys Over Flowers and Dream High online out of curiosity. Then I started asking the important questions—“Ooh, I like this! Who does this song?”—which led to watching music videos on YouTube.
Soon I was not only admiring the music, but the artistry of the direction behind these videos, much like how I critique a film. I began to know a handful of groups, then a few handfuls. I even learned some of the members’ names—something I hardly ever did for Western bands I liked. It was a slippery slope, but somehow I managed to avoid becoming fully obsessed with any one group… until I discovered BTS.
Somehow, it wasn’t just their music or artistry that stood out to me—it was them. The members seemed real, earnest, and sincere about who they were and what they stood for. I started watching their reality shows (thankfully, there weren’t too many yet—they were barely out of rookie status at the time). That sealed it. I stayed up late for new music video drops, watched their livestreams, and even started buying merch.
But I missed out on one major BTS (and K-pop in general) experience: being present in the fandom. Like with any other property I love, I’ve always been hesitant to connect with fellow fans—because let’s face it, fandoms are often toxic. I’m sure there were a ton of lovely ARMYs (BTS’s fandom name) at the time, but I wasn’t interested in sharing that experience beyond my close real-life friend group.
Ten years later, my obsession with BTS may have cooled, but my love never has. So I was more than eager to watch BTS ARMY: FOREVER WE ARE YOUNG, a new documentary that focuses entirely on the history of ARMY across the world and their role in the group’s massive success. The film features interviews with ARMY from a wide range of ethnicities, genders, and age groups.
While the film does include some background on the group itself, a few impactful song releases, and interviews with BTS’s collaborators, the spotlight is very much on the fandom.
Like most documentaries, editing is key—both to convey information clearly and to keep viewers engaged. I also appreciate when documentaries aim for a neutral tone and strive to be complete and accurate. For the most part, this one delivers.
The fans interviewed shared their stories of how they got involved in the fandom, what BTS meant to them, and yes—even who their personal bias is (i.e., their favorite member of the group). Intercut between interviews and BTS footage are colorful, eye-catching animated visuals that explain K-pop concepts in a fun and accessible way for the uninitiated.
This film definitely did what it set out to do—even for me. While I can name BTS songs, list trivia about the members, and recognize their cartoon mascots with the best of them, my knowledge of ARMY has been pretty surface-level. Watching this made me feel a little guilty—these were the people who were truly boots on the ground, spending hours of their lives campaigning for the group’s success. I learned a lot about how Twitter campaigns, online voting, and even calling local radio stations helped cement BTS’s rise to international superstardom.
I do have a minor complaint—but I don’t entirely blame the film for it. ARMY can be an intimidating fandom to be part of, and even scarier when crossed. The documentary does hint at what happens when celebrities find themselves on the wrong side of ARMY’s wrath, but I wish it had spent just a bit more time exploring the negative aspects of the fandom—like how many original ARMY members felt pushed out as the fandom changed over time.
Still, as a shy ARMY to this day, I was genuinely moved. It was inspiring to learn how BTS’s success was not only a result of their immense talent, but also the efforts of fans from around the world, united by their love for this group. With all the members now finally finished with their mandatory military service, I can’t wait to see what the future holds for BTS—and for the millions of fans they’ve brought together.
