Artists tour all over the world and only learn a few lines by heart to say during their shows. Nobody's obligated to know English, period.
It's also annoying when so-called fans join idols lives and keep telling them to speak English. They're not puppies to play tricks, and if they're not fluent in English, good for them! I personally chose to listen to Korean music and now I'm learning the language just like I learned English. It's not easy but it is simple.
Oh, boy. You hit a nerve! It is so bad on Weverse Live with "fans", that I almost can't watch them anymore, English subs or not. Even the BTS members are starting to turn off the comments. The arrogance and/or immaturity of some fans demanding that BTS speak English is disgusting. It's not just some fans, either. The US media and music industry is just as guilty. Did Queen learn Korean, Japanese or Portuguese when they went to Asia & S. America? NO. They sold out around the world because music transcends language! I'm ARMY. I'm trying to learn Korean, but at 68 it's not so easy. The thing is I can SING phonetically in Korean (to BTS only!) and I know what I am singing about because I have listened to their songs thousands of times and I use the GD subtitles, when I need to. I am so addicted to subtitles that I sometimes use them on English language shows! I can identify who is speaking (from BTS) just from the tone and cadence of their speech. I find Kim Taehyung's English endearing. They all TRY and truth be told I would rather hear them speak in Korean and wait for subs because it is so much more natural for them and the emotion of what they are saying comes through so clearly. I also find the Korean language to be almost melodic and logical. I realize that a segment of the US population EXPECTS English to be spoken everywhere and is oblivious to the fact that in many parts of the world (and in Native American communities) being forced to speak English has historically negative connotations. Probably the same demographic that is having a hissy fit over the Bud Lite issue. I'll be long gone, but one day this behavior will be looked at with the same abhorrence with which we view Jim Crow laws, internment camps, etc. I hope.
As a Filipino, your mention of Philippine English struck a nerve. Even here speaking in an American (or let’s just say “vaguely western”) accent is seen as better—an indicator of education and class.
It says something that Western hits get played in radio stations where the presenters speak the most American of English, and the “mass” favorites (usually local ones) are played in stations where presenters speak in Filipino, or accented English!
Ironically, our English ability (and adaptability to accents) has made us the home of many a call center catering to American customers... and we are paid a pittance despite of our ability to speak like them—or perhaps because of it.
I personally like listening to K-pop that's mostly in Korean rather than English. Growing up in Peoria IL, I listened to all music in English... Korean just wasn't an option then. Nowadays, I pretty much just listen to Korean bands (I'm a big fan of The Rose because of you) and watch Korean shows... there's something comforting about listening to Korean after spending my whole life hearing English (other than my parents). Honestly, a part of me thought BTS were sellouts after releasing all English songs like Dynamite etc...why do they have to cater to the Western audience. (although singing in all English is very impressive)? Anyway, I always look forward to your reviews and recommendations. Keep up the great work!
Demanding that non-native English speakers learn to speak English (or else not be allowed to go on tour or do anything at all) screams of an entitlement mentality that is just so annoying and frustrating.
Artists tour all over the world and only learn a few lines by heart to say during their shows. Nobody's obligated to know English, period.
It's also annoying when so-called fans join idols lives and keep telling them to speak English. They're not puppies to play tricks, and if they're not fluent in English, good for them! I personally chose to listen to Korean music and now I'm learning the language just like I learned English. It's not easy but it is simple.
Oh, boy. You hit a nerve! It is so bad on Weverse Live with "fans", that I almost can't watch them anymore, English subs or not. Even the BTS members are starting to turn off the comments. The arrogance and/or immaturity of some fans demanding that BTS speak English is disgusting. It's not just some fans, either. The US media and music industry is just as guilty. Did Queen learn Korean, Japanese or Portuguese when they went to Asia & S. America? NO. They sold out around the world because music transcends language! I'm ARMY. I'm trying to learn Korean, but at 68 it's not so easy. The thing is I can SING phonetically in Korean (to BTS only!) and I know what I am singing about because I have listened to their songs thousands of times and I use the GD subtitles, when I need to. I am so addicted to subtitles that I sometimes use them on English language shows! I can identify who is speaking (from BTS) just from the tone and cadence of their speech. I find Kim Taehyung's English endearing. They all TRY and truth be told I would rather hear them speak in Korean and wait for subs because it is so much more natural for them and the emotion of what they are saying comes through so clearly. I also find the Korean language to be almost melodic and logical. I realize that a segment of the US population EXPECTS English to be spoken everywhere and is oblivious to the fact that in many parts of the world (and in Native American communities) being forced to speak English has historically negative connotations. Probably the same demographic that is having a hissy fit over the Bud Lite issue. I'll be long gone, but one day this behavior will be looked at with the same abhorrence with which we view Jim Crow laws, internment camps, etc. I hope.
As a Filipino, your mention of Philippine English struck a nerve. Even here speaking in an American (or let’s just say “vaguely western”) accent is seen as better—an indicator of education and class.
It says something that Western hits get played in radio stations where the presenters speak the most American of English, and the “mass” favorites (usually local ones) are played in stations where presenters speak in Filipino, or accented English!
Ironically, our English ability (and adaptability to accents) has made us the home of many a call center catering to American customers... and we are paid a pittance despite of our ability to speak like them—or perhaps because of it.
Their English is way better than my Korean.
I personally like listening to K-pop that's mostly in Korean rather than English. Growing up in Peoria IL, I listened to all music in English... Korean just wasn't an option then. Nowadays, I pretty much just listen to Korean bands (I'm a big fan of The Rose because of you) and watch Korean shows... there's something comforting about listening to Korean after spending my whole life hearing English (other than my parents). Honestly, a part of me thought BTS were sellouts after releasing all English songs like Dynamite etc...why do they have to cater to the Western audience. (although singing in all English is very impressive)? Anyway, I always look forward to your reviews and recommendations. Keep up the great work!
Demanding that non-native English speakers learn to speak English (or else not be allowed to go on tour or do anything at all) screams of an entitlement mentality that is just so annoying and frustrating.