[enter-talk] THE ALBUM MARKET HAS EVOLVED BUT... BTS IS STAGNATING ft. 'LIVING LEGEND'
A standard photobook-and-photocard-focused album composition is being criticized as “lacking sincerity”… negative reactions continue.
From stress balls and water game devices to keyrings and pouches, K-pop albums are no longer just packages containing music. They have long evolved beyond something to listen to into objects that fans can touch, own, and use. Fans now expect not only songs, but also a sense of satisfaction from the album’s components, along with creativity and fan service.
Against this backdrop, reactions to BTS’s new album package are noteworthy. Although they have a strong core fanbase and one of the largest fandoms among K-pop groups, there is criticism that their album composition has not kept pace with changes in the market.
According to the fan platform Weverse on the 17th, BTS has begun pre-orders for their 5th full-length album “ARIRANG.” However, after the detailed album contents were revealed, fans expressed disappointment. The most basic photobook version is priced at 21,900 won. But with its restrained, mostly white design and standard inclusions (photobook, CD, film photo, lyric sheet, and photocard holder) it has drawn criticism in online communities such as: “This isn’t respectful to fans who have been waiting,” “Compared to recent albums, it feels low-effort,” and “There’s no real concept.”
Other versions of the album, such as the “Living Legend” version, also show little difference in composition. Considering that similar complaints were raised for previous albums like “Proof” and “Butter,” this reaction appears less like a one-time issue and more like accumulated fatigue among fans.
Even looking at EXO, a group with a similarly long career, they promoted their 8th full-length album “REVERXE” released in January with a Tamagotchi-style smart album. The package even included a short story that narratively expands EXO’s universe, adding an extra layer of fun.
However, BLACKPINK, who recently made a comeback with their 3rd mini album “DEADLINE,” is also maintaining a similarly simple album composition to BTS, consisting mainly of photos, posters, and photocards. This could be interpreted as top-tier IPs distancing themselves from the trend of competing through merchandise-heavy albums. The issue, however, is that among fans, this kind of choice is no longer received simply as a “classic” or “minimalist” appeal. This is why negative reactions such as “They’re putting it out like this because it’ll sell anyway” are emerging.
K-pop fans are no longer passive consumers who quietly accept any album configuration. In a market where albums have already evolved beyond music carriers into products that compete in fan service, planning, and brand sensibility, repeating the same approach inevitably increases fan fatigue and a sense of disappointment.
What was once seen as the “dignity” of top-tier IPs, a simple package, now requires deeper consideration that matches their stature. In the face of these changed standards, BTS can no longer be an exception. Given their reputation, it raises the question of why the aesthetic sensibility surrounding the group is perceived as “standing still,” and suggests that it may be time for Big Hit to rethink its approach.
source: https://www.dailian.co.kr/news/view/1621972
original post: here
1. Living Legend...? Arirang...? Honestly I wonder who came up with those names
2. "Living legend" ㅋ
3. Living Legend version is just hilarious ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ I don't know anything about album composition, but the version's name is just hilarious
4. The secondhand embarrassment is too strong here. "Living legend"? HYBE and BTS really are trying to push it down to us
5. Are they really calling themselves living legends...?
6. Living legend ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ The self-inflation is so overblown
7. It's true that no sincerity went into making this album... I'm saying this as a BTS fan
8. I'm a BTS fan and I really needed articles like these...The way they're selling those albums without a real album cover f*cking sucks
9. They look like those small companies who have no money, it's true that there's no sincerity
10. Huh? Why is BLACKPINK brought up here...?ㅋㅋㅋ They had the hourglass version and the fans all liked it. Or are they referring to their previous albums? This makes no sense
[theqoo] BTS' ARIRANG ALBUM VERSION'S NAME GETTING TALKED ABOUT IN THE K-DOL CATEGORY
A whopping 'Living Legend' version
People say it's the first time they've seen someone step forward and call themselves Living Legends..
It's not a composite image, it's real
original post: here
1. My first time seeing someone self-declare as living legend indeed
2. They're calling themselves living legend ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ freaking hilarious seriously ㅋㅋㅋ
3. The way they didn't have a single Korean word in their album, but just slaps on 'Arirang' to make it "Korean" and now call themselves Living Legend is not even funnyㅋ
4. Usually other people are the ones who would use this kind of expression to pay homage to you, but they're here giving themselves the label of living legend as if it's a fact, it's not it...
5. HYBE and their artists are full of narcissism, but when you look at Twitter, their fans are all like that too. They always say stuff like "BTS contributed so much to Korea!!!!!!" "Korea's image got better thanks to BTS" and are being loud like that everyday
6. ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Ugh I just got shivers, it's so cringe ㅜ
7. They can say whatever they want since it's their own album, I feel like the hate has gotten excessive now
8. Crazy;;; Even the Beatles don't call themselves that
9. I'm so embarrassed;;
10. I'm already getting secondhand embarrassment, but scrolling down to the fans' comments, I'm getting double the embarrassment
...
