"We are a part of their success. We are a part of their team.” - Ashley Hackworth

BTS is a seven-member South Korean boy band. They became the fastest-growing group since The Beatles to earn four US number-one albums, doing so in less than two years. The rise of BTS is in part thanks to a huge leaderless web of dedicated fans who call themself A.R.M.Y.

People like Ashley Hackworth host accounts that serve as informational and even emotional hubs for millions of fans. They don’t just love BTS’s music, they support each other through mental health issues and other very human challenges, many of which the band sings about in their music. They have banded together to impact the outcome of political movements (including foiling a Trump rally this summer), raised millions of dollars for the Black Lives Matter movement, and flooded social media platforms to drown out racist voices. Members feel like they are part of this big family across the world, a point that Maggie’s 14 year-old sister Mira, a BTS superfan who helped co-hosted the interview, emphasized to us.

Activism is as important as the catchy tunes for Ashley, Mira and their fellow fans. Ashley manages one of the biggest UK fan accounts for BTS. Not only does she report on what's happening with the band in the region, the account also serves as a hub for worldwide BTS news and media requests, translation requests, fundraising, and more.

We talked with Ashley about how fans gather to support each other in many ways without formal leadership and beyond music.

Highlights, inspiration, & key learnings:

You can’t fake the funk. How Ashley discovered and first connected with BTS.
Shared values. The music communicates values of activism and mental health awareness.
Decentralized leadership. Creating a space where any fan can step up and see their ideas through.
Watering hole. BTS fans gather on Twitter to connect over music and engage beyond in activism.
Virtual gathering. K-pop and technology have historically been intertwined to bridge gaps across geography.

👋🏻Say hi to Ashley and learn more about the BTS A.R.M.Y.

✨Say hi to Mia and Maggie, “Get Together” correspondent.

📄See the full transcript.

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