BTS’s Comeback Could Boost Fans’ Mental Health

After a 4-year hiatus, the most popular band in the world is back–and psychologists who are also fans aren’t the only ones celebrating. When the boys–now men–of BTS, the global musical sensation from South Korea, wrapped up their mandatory military service to go on their record-breaking comeback tour, their fandom (known as Army) collectively showed up en masse: on the streets of the South Korean peninsula, behind the scenes on the Billboard charts, in person at their Arirang album tour stops, and online on every social media platform you can think of.

Much text has been spilled covering the economic and cultural aftershocks of their return, from the billions of won in foreign visitor spending to the ways its unprecedented success as a distinctively Korean act is challenging America’s long-standing chokehold on pop culture worldwide. But something else is happening thanks to BTS and other Kpop musicians that has little to do with money or clout and everything to do with how you feel about yourself at the end of the day.

The Psychology of Fandom: A Tale of Two Cities

Much hubbub has been made about the parasocial nature of being a fan these days. And yes, it’s true that modern life has tricked our ancient brains (which were not built for the age of Instagram reels, TikTok feeds, and generally living vicariously through our phones) into developing one-sided, illusory relationships with celebrities.

However much of a liability this might pose to fangirling, there is also plenty of research demonstrating the positive side of being a fan, especially to Kpop acts in general and BTS in particular. To the credit of Bangtansonyeodan, the members themselves broke away from all kinds of cultural norms and expectations (e.g., that have historically stigmatized discussions of mental health) when early on in their career, they normalized the call to love yourself via an album, a trio of songs, and even an UNICEF campaign. But the effects of acts like BTS extend far beyond their direct messaging or even the pleasure listeners derive from listening to their music.

It’s Less About the Idol and More About the Bonds Between Fans

In a recent interview following their album release, one of the BTS members–Jimin–unpacked the lyrics behind one of their new songs, “They Don’t Know ‘Bout Us,” explaining that the concern they had that fans might be putting the band on a pedestal. It’s a sentiment that also came up in their Netflix documentary–one so poignant it even caused the filmmaker himself to marvel at the weight of the (metaphorical) crowns these boys must carry.

But the research suggests that BTS need not to worry because much of the positive effects being their admirers has on mental health is due to the connections fans have with one another. When researchers examined the link between being a Kpop fan and mental health outcomes, they found that the positive effects the fandom had on subjective well-being could be entirely explained by social connection with other fans. Other studies focusing specifically on BTS has found that being more identified as an Army is linked to being more “transcultural” or likely to see yourself as part of all of humanity.

In other words, BTS’ greatest gift extends well beyond their music. As any Army can attest, there is a special–and oftentimes instant–connection that forms upon discovering a fellow fan loves the same band that you do. In a lonely universe that seems to be ever fracturing, this is the gift that keeps on giving long after the songs themselves end.