GCF In Tokyo And The Validity Of Interpretation

GCF in Tokyo and the validity of interpretation

When it comes to GCF Tokyo, I’m not going to make a step by step analysis, but my point is to talk about meaning and interpretation. I will only look at the vlog, although contextual information can be used when it’s necessary if its purpose is to reinforce something already existing in the content in question, but that’s not what I’m doing today.

I’ll start with adding a definition of a vlog

“A vlog is understood as a deliberately constructed presentation of self, a mirror of the author or creator of the vlog.(…) Vlogs may appear to be one–way communication — the vlog creator posts a video and the audience examines it — but interaction develops if audience members utilize the comments section available on most vlogs. While the vlogger may imagine a certain interpretation and response by the audience, the audience in turn can create a response that may nor may not harmonize with the vlogger’s expectations.”.

That presentation of self comes from Erving Goffman’s theory about how people present themselves depending on the social situation they find themselves in. In public and in social interactions we are like actors on a stage, while what we call our true self happens in private, back-stage. A personal vlog works with both of these aspects. Since it’s a personal creation that doesn’t involve a team of people, and because it’s only apparently a one way communication, the author looks to present a version of his true self, but of course it’s idealized. Because of the type of medium, the person cannot change his self-presentation according to social queues, so, as it transpires from the definition, the response comes in form of commentaries, the audience has its own interpretation.

The act of interpretation is something that happens naturally in a way. Let’s take the image, or the moving image (all types of media are included here). We look at all the elements and then our brain automatically translates it. In a more fancier use of words, we can call it semiotics, which is used to make meaning from signs, codes, conventions. Everything has a meaning and we decode it. I’ll choose a very simple example from GCFT and I only have to post two shots that an audience can easily decode.

In order to create meaning, the author and also the audience, looks at the vlog, film, etc. in its entirety. (I’m not talking here about something experimental that focuses only on form, but something conventional, which applies to GCFT). I have read opinions about this vlog, from multiple perspectives. The one which I reject completely, simply because it makes no sense, is the one that focuses on what people understand as Jungkook’s artistry, mainly looking at form, ignoring the content. This vlog showcases his technical skills, of course, but he is also a director, which means his purpose is also to create meaning using those skills. So what is the meaning then, looking at the form and content? It’s a vlog that focuses on two elements, a city and the person which appears in the vlog (Jimin) while the director becomes an observer. He uses diegetic sound at the beginning of the video while for the rest of the material, he uses extra-diegetic sound, that is a song used as background music. Looking at the type of editing (transition of the shots, the fact that there is a certain rhythm, using slow-motion for certain shots emphasized by a certain part in the song) can lead to the conclusion that the background music is used to create meaning as well.

My point is, we cannot separate form and content when we decode this type of vlog, or any other for that matter.

Let’s go back to audience and interpretation now. Looking at all the elements, there is a validity of interpretation if the audience sees the video as one that has as its focus a main subject – Jimin - (due to the majority of shots, the way he was filmed) and uses a certain song to give another layer of meaning to the video. We cannot separate stylistic choices from content if we want to understand the meaning of it. It’s as simple as that.

MAKE ME CHOOSE: blonde Hobi or blonde Jin — anonymous (cr. dwellingsouls)

times when silence was really loud 📣 (alternative title: kim namjoon has a very tough job)

| trans. cr. modooborahae & bangtansubs; cr. qdeoks |

alexa, play “holy” by justin bieber

| cr. namuspromised |

thinking about in the soop jimin, sitting in bed holding his little spoon, half asleep and soft and precious 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺

Thanks for sharing this. I am not trying to change your mind or fight with you. In fact your perspective is pretty close to how I see things too,and I understand what you mean. I just want to throw in my dumb 2 cents too,as someone who reacted negatively to those three songs.

I understand why they are doing this,and how important it is to them. They are running towards their goal,and I watch them in awe,as usual. I understand that for them,this Grammy is the one confirmation they need that they have indeed achieved something big. They treat the Grammys like the college entrance exam. I think I only realized that in the nomination night video. When Jungkook said he could die happy now. When Jimin said,incredulously 'we're pretty ok after all?'

I don't know if I would feel the same if it was an artist from my irrelevant non-english speaking country breaking all these barriers and ending up on heights no one could ever dream of. Probably then I would feel exactly the same as Koreans. I would only want BTS  to keep paving the way for all of us. So I understand how you feel. But instead now I just worry that they will lose a big part of themselves in the process.

I know this is Korean culture. To care about the group or country before you care about yourself. To push yourself past breaking point and do anything it takes to win. BTS were always like this. K-pop is like this. It's not a kind or fair industry either and It's not like they only did what they wanted before,or had a lot of freedom. But I don't even know myself,why this type of sacrifice or compromise seems different than the others before. Maybe because the stakes are higher? But maybe I'm wrong and they prefer this era to their previous struggles. Only BTS knows.

Still,I can't feel differently right now. I discovered them because of their music during HYYH so now it's hard to look at them gradually become basically Olympic athletes representing Korea,and not feel pain,too. They are amazing performers with clever songs and incredible depth of feeling and expressiveness. Will the US,or even Korea,allow them the freedom to actually express themselves through their songs again? Or will they always have to be representatives of some sort,always careful about politics and how they conduct themselves?That's a huge burden and a huge debt. Everyone wants a piece of them now,so that's why these English songs depress me so much.

I'm sorry for offending US fans,but the level of influence and control and coercion their country exerts over the rest of the world is something they don't see or understand. Is there even a way to enter the US music industry,as a foreigner,and maintain your cultural independence? Well,BTS might,actually,so I am staying hopeful. They have always made history,so maybe they will manage. But the US is a big country with no regards or respect for others’ cultures,and I'm afraid it will take and take and then spit them out when it's had enough of them. And the fact that,despite already being the biggest band in the world,they had to change their language and their music just to be allowed at the big table US artists sit on,it honestly makes me so angry. People say these songs are Trojan horses. Not anymore. Dynamite was,and it fulfilled its purpose,but by now,Butter and PTD already feel like tributes. And there is nothing I can do about it,that's how the world works,you always have to make compromises to achieve your goals. But I still can't help feeling all this like a loss,not a culmination of all their efforts,I'm sorry.

There’s been something weighing on my mind lately, and I feel like I should share it. As of late, there has been a lot of talk surrounding BTS’s music, their choices, and their path for their future. It was shocking to see how just 3 songs meant for the American/Global market could create such a sardonic rift within ARMY. Although I do agree that not every ARMY has to enjoy “Dynamite,” “Butter,” and “Permission to Dance,” I do believe that some things are being overlooked in regards to BTS’s ambitious plan to win a Grammy.

One of the first things I have noticed is that K-ARMY and I-ARMY reacted differently to the success of these 3 songs. Korea has been so proud of BTS, even sharing online how much they cried to see the boys top the Billboard Hot 100 again and again. They even trended on twitter multiple times their thanks to American ARMY, expressing their genuine gratitude for how hard the American fans are pushing for the boys’ success in the US. What I-ARMY is choosing to ignore is how much this means to K-ARMY, let alone Korea as a whole.

It has dawned on me why I-ARMY, predominantly those from America, Canada, and the UK, don’t understand the push for BTS to make a stake in the American music industry, and ultimately a Grammy win. The reason is quite simple. To those I-ARMY from America, Canada, and the UK, you must realize that the American market and the Grammys have always, ALWAYS, been accessible to your artists. The biggest names in music history have won Grammys, but only because they all fit into the pretty box of European features and English lyrics. They didn’t have to try to fit a mold. They didn’t have to break into the market. They just walked right in, practically invited with the door wide open. It really wasn’t until recent years that even African American artists were winning the biggest awards of the ceremony.

This is a MUCH bigger deal to Korean and Asian fans than it would be for western fans. I don’t think others realize how much this means to us. People like us have been marginalized forever, and given little to no respect or recognition by the American market, let alone the Grammys. To Koreans, having one of our own be able to come as far as BTS, is truly inspiring and makes us feel validated in a way we’ve never felt. The American market and the Grammys may not seem like a big deal to you guys, but for our people, this means the world. We feel proud. We feel accepted. We feel we finally have a place at the table. The Grammys may not seem to be worth much to you, but to Korean and Asian artists, it is the very pinnacle of recognition and respect in the music industry. This award has eluded our people for as long as it’s been handed out, and now there is hope. There is a chance. BTS is Korea’s pride for a reason. They’ve changed so much already for us. We hope for their success. Their success is OUR success. The respect they receive brings pride in our culture and our identity as Koreans, as Asians. It is more than you could ever imagine.

It breaks my heart how little people regard K-ARMY and Korea’s reaction to all of what BTS has achieved in America when forming their opinions on BTS’s quest to be regarded as worthy artists for the biggest award in music history. You don’t have to like their English songs. You don’t have to like their approach. But just understand it’s not easy for them as a Korean boy band to be taken seriously. If these boys could, they would write their own English songs. But they can’t. It’s not as easy as you would think. Especially for rap line. The songs they are given are appreciated by BTS, and they are thankful for those who help them in a different language for a very different market. They’re saving their lyricism where they can get their full heart and message across – The Korean market. Meant for THEIR people, in THEIR language. If you are unhappy with the American singles, just hold on and believe in the boys. They know what they’re doing.

For Korea, their dreams are OUR dreams.