The “Why Namjoon isn’t problematic no more so stop bringing up his past in order to dehumanize bts or cover up a new problematic idol because I’m tired of you fake wokes dismissing the fact that Namjoon is one of the few idols who acknowledged his mistakes and apologized whole heartedly” rant
It’s sad how many kpop fan don’t know shit about social issues yet they want to speak when an idol does something problematic only for the sake of bashing the idol and starting drama rather than educated them and supporting the minority group.
I don't think you guys realize how pathetic y'all look really tryna drag someone for something they did 4-5 years ago DESPITE apologizing and educating themselves. We all know you only do this as an excuse to bash the artist rather than to spread awareness on social issues. You say KILL URSELF JOON rather than "he was insensitive to the black community I hope he learns what he did was wrong". Or you pull the infamous "BUT NAMJOON DID IT TOOOOO".
Stop acting like he drinking milk out of the womb. He fucked up but used the opportunity to fix himself. Not everyone is made perfect and never fucks up. Namjoon admitted what he did and is moving on.
I am not saying that Namjoon’s past actions were okay. They were not, they never will be, They were unacceptable HOWEVER he is not held hostage to the person he was in the past. I will judge by the person he is trying to be.
One thing I hugely respect is how Namjoon took the backlash first and then apologized a few years later. He genuinely meant the apology instead of just trying to shut down hate.
Even before I talk about that,, one thing I wanna address is that Namjoon is one of the least liked bts members.. Its sad, he started the damn group, he left his underground rap friends to start bts, he was shunned, he sacrificed so much in order to start bts however he never got the easy way out.
What I’m tryna say is that he isnt the only bts member who fucked up. Many BTS members and other idols did the same shit he did and NEVER apologized however Namjoon is seen as a devil despite apologizing and educating himself and not repeating the shit for 3 years.. Its just in unfair to see the other members and idols not even receiving the near amount of bullshit he got for his actions and those idols never even addressed the issue.
Y’all had to shut down his NYC concert cause he had a gun threat towards him, yet other’s members nothing. This just proves how you only do this for drama and not awareness on social issues. Threatening death is just as bad,, if not worse
Anyways, this post is a simple compilation of Namjoon’s apologies and willingness to grow and educate himself by being able to admit his mistakes and reach out for support.
Namjoon’s roots:
Long story short, Namjoon went to an underground rap club at the age of 15. He started rapping in order to cope with his mental illnesses caused from his experiences with education (refer to the songs suicide, voices, and glory) however the people he ended up rapping with werent the best influence on him. He joined a rap group DNH and they all rapped for the hype unlike Namjoon. They would say the n-word have dreads and still do to this day. Namjoon mentioned endless times that in the beginning of his career he was having a huge identity crisis, heck he even changed his stage name. Anyways before we talk about how he is growing into a better person lets just address what he did to be problematic.
So lets start off with what Namjoon did for him to be called problematic:
Saying the n-word during Shinhwa’s cover (no one came for shinhwa tho clink clink)
Cause of this he was sent death threats and was forced to stop the hi touch in nyc. By doing that youre basically being worse than him so what’s even the point. Attack don’t educate.
* a point i have here is that is as an Asian myself when referring to skin tone in many asian languages their isn't a word for dark, it translates into black. I am aware that this was in English however in many other past bangtan moments members would say that their skin looked “black” but actually meant dark.
*keep in mind in this video around the 2 minute mark Hoseok and Jungkook call Namjoon too dark and they werent sent death threats or asked to apologize so a clear example of how namjoon never gets the short end of the stick (not supporting what joon said though)
Being sexist??? (In my opinion I would never consider Namjoon sexist, however I’m happy he proved to be such a feminist and you will see this further on. Even if he feels if his intentions werent bad he still educates himself.
NAMJOON’S APOLOGIES
Admitting to his close minded view on hip hop which led to him appropriating black culture
Namjoon admits his mistakes, in his mixtape interview: in 2015
Q: You shouted, “Westside Till I Die” during ‘If I Ruled The World’.
RM: That’s well… I was really wrong then (laughter). After the album came out and I listened to it, I thought “Ah”. I think I was immersed in the emotions while recording and ended up shouting like that.
Q: What’s the specific reason why you feel you were wrong?
RM: First off, I didn’t even live in the ‘west side’… And even if that song had a G-Funk sound, what I shouted wasn’t the way to respect the west coast hip-hop musicians. I believe there are many meanings inside the words “Westside Till I Die”. Sweat, struggles, pride, etc. Isn’t it a phrase that compressed all these factors of life.
Q: Are you saying that you overlooked the weight and complex undertones that the phrase has within hip-hop?
RM: That’s right. I believe it’s different from words like “Yo!” or “Check It!”. As a result, I was thoughtless.
Q: Are you admitting it to be a mistake?
RM: Further than a mistake, it was a wrong. I have nothing to say.
** Honestly this part is really self explanatory. This interview was in 2015 while the song was in 2013. So he was basically justified how in the beginning of his career he was ignorant and oblivious to the real meaning of hip hop and it’s origins. He used common terms loosely without knowing the meaning like many kpop idols who have music deprived from African Americans but mock or disrespect their culture. The term “west side till i die” referred to the black hip hop community in America. However like he said “I wasn’t even from the west side”, the term relates to the *also like he said the “struggles” of african americans in L.A. This part really ties with the common bullshit idols do of "imitating black people" by using common aave and hip hop deprived slang. He was able to differentiate culture and race and learnt to be respectful and aware. “ what I shouted wasn’t the way to respect the west coast hip-hop musicians “ This part hugely calls out how many kpop idols don’t understand the significance of many words and phrases but use it because its “hip hop” without really knowing what hip hop is. Hip Hop was created by African Americans but you can’t be ignorant to its origin and disrespect it by claiming you know the struggle. You can definitely see his music grow for the better after this. He acknowledges the struggles of the black community and how he isn't entitled to their culture. He definitely owned up to his actions “ Further than a mistake, it was a wrong.”He acknowledges them and admitted to them “ First off, I didn’t even live in the 'west side “
Respecting black culture or hip hop’s origins
In this interview he did in 2015 >> you can really see how compared to the last interview, he seems more confident with what he is saying, he has no hesitation, and CLEARLY states what he feels about hip hop and black culture.
“There are two things that Warren G told me that I will never be able to forget. The first is, hip-hop is open to any one. Despite what your race is or where you’re from, hip-hop is a type of music that is always ready to give you space for anyone who enjoys hip-hop. So, don’t restrain yourself behind any type of prejudiced thought, and the other one was you’re doing well, so no matter what others say, believe in yourself and do what you want.”
This connects to what I mentioned before of Namjoon having a close minded view on hip hop before and thinking hip hop was associated to one certain race. Now he fully understands that hip hop is for everyone.
“Defining hip-hop is the same as trying to define love. If there are 6 billion people in the world, then there are 6 billion definitions of love, and like that, each definition of hip-hop is different for each person. Of course, it’s possible to give a dictionary definition. In 1970, there was a person called DJ Herc in South Bronx. At a party that he was hosting, he set breaks on a beat and during that break, someone would be rapping, someone would be dancing, and someone else would be doing graffiti… That’s how hip-hop was born, and they call that the 4 elements of hip-hop, but dictionary definitions like these is something anyone knows, but to explain that spirit… In one word, it’s something that can’t be explained. It’s a way that expresses me as well as being a meaning for freedom and rebelling. Because it’s something where people play and have fun with, it can have messages of peace and love placed in it. If you compare it to a Pokemon, it’s like a Ditto. Personally, hip-hop to me is the world. The world that I’m living in… It’s difficult, right? To be honest, it’s still hard for me too.”
He is now owning up to his actions by making his own music about his own life. His own hip hop.
“The culture of shooting guns and doing drugs is not the actual self of hip-hop. It’s just become a by-product that appeared around hip-hop music, it’s not the actual self of hip-hop. Although there’s a certain image that pops up clearly when you think of hip-hop fashion, that’s also becoming something that’s more broad. Look at A$AP Rocky or Kanye West. They don’t wear pants that drag around any more. To understand ‘swag’, you need to understand what kind of meaning ‘making it on your own’ has in hip-hop. Making it on your own is a very cool and important concept in hip-hop. I’ll use Jay-Z as an example. Jay-Z was a drug dealer. He’s someone that sold drugs on the rooftop of a very large stadium called Barclays Center, but he succeeded and bought that building. After buying that building, he dressed up in hip-hop and then went up to the rooftop and looked down at that building. Then they took a picture of that and posted it. After seeing that, everyone died. Kya… Just how cool is that?”
Namjoon acknowledges that there are many stereotypes associated with hip hop and a sub culture attached to it. But he wants to follow the trend of whats in and new with the genre but still do his own thing while being mindful. He acknowledges that the origin of hip hop and its sub culture (clothes, sayings) deprived from the struggles of african americans trying to escape gang violence and wanting to make a living.
Namjoon’s personal apologies
Personally I noticed especially for bighit, when it comes to western fans that seem to have a problem with what BTS is doing.. they never allow their idols to apologize. I’ve seen Namjoon apologizing facing korean fan based controversies.
The two interviews were already big indicators of how Namjoon grew from a close minded hip hop enthusiast to his own rapper and artist, but I found one v live where he personally talked about his actions as a general. He wasn't as specific but it was short and sweet.
Long story short he mentions how he apologizes if his action ever offended anyone and that he was oblivious that what he could say or do could cause others harm (relate to this man) and finally how he needs to hold responsibility and think before he acts and speaks.
I personally think these are very powerful statements. Namjoon did this this v live and has never hurt anyone after this. The fact that he “learned to admit to himself” says a lot of his character development. And talking about growth lets go to my favourite section...
HOW NAMJOON IS GROWING INTO A WOKE ASS HUMAN BEING
Growth revolving around him trying to own up to his mistakes with appropriation of black culture
-In 2017, Namjoon made a track with American Rapper Wale and rapped about social issues in south korea and America. The song touches upon police brutality, prejudice against african americans, injustice in the education system, and politics. It is called change;
-In an interview a few months ago, Namjoon said he would tell his past self in 2012-2013 (when he appropriated) to change his hair
As much as I don't agree with changing the lyrics cause its apart of their korean language simply meaning something as common as the word "I" or "I am", It's really considerate of Namjoon to consider the fact that even for a slight second or misinterpreation, he does not want to offend anybody or make people think bts used the n-word as non black people. And judging by the fact he said the n word before, now not even wanting to say something to western media that sounds similar is huge character developement. Glad he learned. It honestly suprised me that he and bts even know about the n word because we got kpop bitches listening to black artists all the time but still be saying it and dont know the history behind that word. We love kings who educated themselves. Exo-ls put yall receipts back in the trash thank YOU.
-BTS has been one of the few or only groups who participate in hip hop and rap and actually acknowledge the roots of where it came from compared to other generic kpop groups who claim that they are “hip hop” without knowing the prejudice black people face.
It talks about the overall ignorance koreans have towards black people and addressing how kpop rappers treat african american culture as a trend lessening the significance.
Later the article acknowledges that Namjoon has successfully acknowledged the roots of hip hop and how to respect Black culture by admitting to his mistakes and viewing it with an open mind.
Then it goes on about how BTS actually understand how they need to be mindful of how they perceive black culture and further on promote and spread awareness about racial injustice
The article says how BTS has gained respect through the fact that they have shown growth and education of black culture through warren G’s (a hip hop icon) quote of:
Namjoon said he takes the time to learn the roots of the genres of music he is using.
Acknowledgement of the same sex love
Being a feminist king who makes sure he doesn't offend anyone and respects women
Namjoon read a book called the man box.
The book gives "tips" on how men can be an ally to women and help empower them. It also talks about about how men should not fit into the stereotypes of toxic masculinity and be respectful while creating a world where girls are valued and safe. Remember when he said he tries to read literature about social issues and then goes to uni professors to ask questions. He really out here doing the MOST. His willingness to learn is such a thing to admire. He is interested in such important yet controversial topics in order to expand his knowledge. We love quality men.
-Writing two songs revolving around feminism.
One called “not today” where he addresses the glass ceiling (prejudice and boundaries women & minority groups face) and one called"21 century girls”.