The Magic Role of Kim Nam Joon as a Leader of BTS in Conquering the American Market

Iin Rachmawati

doi:10.22146/rubikon.v9i2.75588

The Magic Role of Kim Nam Joon as a Leader of BTS in Conquering the American Market

https://doi.org/10.22146/rubikon.v9i2.75588

Iin Rachmawati^(1*)

(1) STKIP PGRI Bangkalan
(*) Corresponding Author

Abstract

Bangtan Sonyeondan or popularly known as BTS is a South Korean phenomenal group. The massive popularity of BTS all over the world cannot be separated from the magic role of their leader, Kim Nam Joon. This research tried to explore Kim Nam Joon’s role in regard to BTS's global popularity. This research used a qualitative descriptive method by using Khan, Nawaz & Khan’s leadership theories and styles as well as used Brown’s audience involvement approach to analyze the data. The result showed that there are four major reasons for Kim Nam Joon’s influence over BTS's success: Kim Nam Joon marked the beginning of BTS, Kim Nam Joon’s compassion and dedication, Kim Nam Joon’s powerful speech, and Kim Nam Joon’s leadership role towards teamwork. Moreover, there was also the fact that several non-BTS American fans tend to become ARMY after they knew about Kim Nam Joon’s leadership role. This is interesting because not all BTS’s fans become ARMY from enjoying BTS songs and performances.

Keywords

American Market; Audience Involvement; BTS; Kim Nam Joon; Leader of BTS; Leadership

Full Text:

PDF

References

Adhitya, G. N., Rosmawati, D., & Fainnayla, T. S. (2022). Streaming Laughter: A Linguistic Analysis on Kevin Hart’s Stand Up Comedy Special Zero F**ks Given. Rubikon: Journal of Transnational American Studies, 9(1): 67-78. https://doi.org/10.22146/rubikon.v9i1.73550.

BANGTANTV. (2018). Answer: Love Myself. UNICEF. (2017). Love Myself. LOVE MYSELF. https://metro.style/people/celebrities/kim-namjoon-rm-bts-birthday-tribute-2021/31232#:~:text=Throughout%20the%20eight%20years%20since,Bangtan%20Boys%20respect%20him%20too

Benneth, L. (2014). Tracing Textual Poachers: Reflections on the Development of Fan Studies and Digital Fandom. New York: Routledge.

Bilsky, W & Schwartz, S. H. (2009). Values and Personality. Eur J Pers, 8(3), 163- 181. https://doi.org/10.1002/per.2410080303.

Ghelani. (2020). How Kim Nam Joon, RM of BTS, Taught Me to be a Better Leader. Linkedin. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-kim-namjoon-rm-bts-taught-me-better-leader-grishma-ghelani.

Hartman, A. (2009). What is Culture? Raymond Williams and The Cultural Theory of ‘Customary Difference’. New Left Review, 55, Jan/Feb 2009. https://newleftreview.org/issues/ii55/articles/francis-mulhern-culture-and-society-then-and-now.pdf.

Hermanto, L. & Salindeho, M. (2021). Analyzing the Impact of BTS on Resolving the Problem of Youth Mental Health. Jurnal Ilmu Sosial dan Pendidikan, 5(2), 33-41. http://dx.doi.org/10.36312/jisip.v5i2.1801.

Hutauruk, Y. G. & Salamah, U. (2020). Factors Influencing Youth Audience Involvement (A Study on BTS Fans who Follow @army_indonesia Instagram Account). Jurnal Komunikasi Indonesia, 9(2), 125-134. https://doi/org/10.7454/jki.v9i2.12774.

Irwansyah. & Lestari, A. F, (2020). Participatory Fandom of Army BTS Indonesia in the Digital Comic on Webtoon Apps. Journal Communication Spectrum: Capturing New Perspectives in Communication, 10 (1), 46-57. http://dx.doi.org/10.36782/jcs.v9i1.1872.

Jenkins, H. (2013). Textual Poachers: Television and Participatory Culture Studies in Culture and Communication. New York: Routledge.

Khan, Z. A., Nawaz, A. & Khan, I. U. (2016). Leadership Theories and Styles: A Literature Review. Journal of Resources Development and Management, 16, 1-7.

Keesing, R. (2007). Theories of Culture. Institute of Advanced Studies, Australian National University. Canberra A.C.T: Australia.

Libero, C. (2021). Nam Joon Stage Name Stands for “Role Model”. https://metro.style/people/celebrities/kim-namjoon-rm-bts-birthday-tribute-2021/31232#:~:text=Throughout%20the%20eight%20years%20since,Bangtan%20Boys%20respect%20him%20too.

Northouse, P. G. (2016). Leadership: Theory and Practice (7th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publishers, Inc.

Parc, J. & Kim, Y. Y. (2020). Analyzing the Reasons for the Global Popularity of BTS: A New Approach from a Business Perspective. JIBE (Journal of International Business and Economy), 21(1), 15-36. DOI: 10.51240/jibe.2020.1.2.

Rachmawati, I. (2021). The Soft Power of South Korea. DeePublish Publisher: Yogyakarta.

Rudy. & Adhitya, G. N. (2022). Fashioning the Gays: A Representation Study on the Gay Protagonists in the 2000s Gay-themed American TV Series. Journal of Language and Literature, 22(2): 335-348. https://doi.org/10.24071/joll.v22i2.4667.

Suryani, A. N. (2019). Bangtan Sonyeondan (BTS) as New American Idol. Rubikon: Journal of Transnational American Studies, 6 (1), 28-54. https://doi.org/10.22146/rubikon.v6i1.61489.

Yoonhee, L. (2022). BTS Kim Nam Joon or RM: The Great Leader of the Millennial Era, Why He’s Chosen and the Moments He Used His Cards on the Members. KpopPost. https://www.kpoppost.com/what-makes-bts-kim-namjoon-rm-the-great-leader-of-the-millennial-era-why-hes-chosen-moments-he-uses-his-leader-card/.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.22146/rubikon.v9i2.75588