Theory and Criticism
E. Shaghasemi
Abstract
The rise of the Korean music group, BTS, has been nothing short of phenomenal, captivating global audiences with their unique blend of pop, hip-hop, and rhythm and blues (R&B). Since they have been able to effectively employ elements from religion, their success extends beyond mere musical prowess, ...
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The rise of the Korean music group, BTS, has been nothing short of phenomenal, captivating global audiences with their unique blend of pop, hip-hop, and rhythm and blues (R&B). Since they have been able to effectively employ elements from religion, their success extends beyond mere musical prowess, transcending cultural and linguistic barriers. Their influence not only redefines the music industry but also serves as a fascinating study in cultural exchange and the evolving landscape of international entertainment industry. The present study is a data-mining exploration into BTS’s phenomenal success in creating a huge fan base in Iran. This study, however, shows that BTS’s influence in Iran is in decline as in three consecutive years leading to 2024 the tweets Iranians published on BTS declined from 39237 to 23697, to 9215. We should note, nevertheless, that based on our data, the hard core of BTS in Iran has remained intact and it seems that a group of highly loyal Iranian female teenagers try to keep BTS alive in Iran.
