BTS: The Ultimate Fan Book: Experience the K-Pop Phenomenon!

by Malcolm Croft

Everyone’s talking about BTS! For fans of the K-pop phenomenon, this is the ultimate guide to everything you want to know about the band.
 
The members of BTS are global icons acclaimed for their record-smashing, barrier-breaking, trendsetting dance-pop and hip-hop, as well as their personal philosophies. While the 1960s had Beatlemania, today, BTS reigns supreme, with a loyal army of fans leading the way as they proceed to conquer the world. The Ultimate Fan Book is the first celebration of this colorful phenomenon from Korea, exploring in detail the group’s origins, success, seven members, fashion, philosophies, awards, albums, music, fans, and live shows. Beautiful photographs accompany and highlight coverage of the group’s kaleidoscope of personalities and passions that have made them into more than just musical they are a way of life.
 

Genres: Nonfiction

64 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2019

Reviews

[Angeli · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is a light read and aesthetically quite pleasing. However, it's not as informative and not as accurate as the title suggests. Although the writer is mostly positive about OT7, you can detect the bias(es) in representation. Additionally, the overall presentation is a bit disorganized and some parts are a bit too redundant; the pictures don't always match up with the topics in the text and some of the captions/block quotes are distributed haphazardly if you consider how they requote certain parts of the text. Generally, it's a fair introduction to the evolution of BTS style and to the achievements they've garnered, as well as a decent collection of photos (especially if you don't mind the organization). Still, there's a lot of room for improvement before it can own up to the title of "the ultimate fan book". Hopefully there's a better BTS primer out there.

[Callie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book because I learned a couple of new things about BTS. However, overall the book is really poorly written and generic. A lot of the sentences are confusing to read. In addition, a photo of V was labeled as Jungkook. An ultimate fan book should be able to tell the members of the band apart.

[Martyna Mituzaitė · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just read the book. Let's start with criticism.

1. Author let's her bias show:
"And what super style and personality they all have! (Especially Jimin - just kidding.)"
I mean it's okay to have a bias, (girl, I'm whipped for Jimin too, he do be my bias), but when you're writing a book... I think you should stay proffesional and not let your favourites show.

2. A bit obnoxious.
"...And there is no band better than BTS."
Which I, as an army, agree with, but for a person, who is just coming into the fandom or just randomly picked this book up to get to know BTS, this statement could seem very obnoxious. Just a thought.
"...BTS may hail from South Korea - probably the only group in your download collection that does!"
She do be shading 'em other k-pop groups tho. She's not wrong too.
"...Without this key element, BTS would just be the same as every other k-pop boy band that never found success outside of their home nation."
Sksksks she do be shady, but she do be telling facts.

3. Factial errors
In Jin's page, the author says: "...Jin believed that he would follow in his family's footsteps and work with nature, as a farmer." I think author got this completely wrong, this sentence perfectly describes V, not Jin. I might be wrong and if I am, sorry.

4. The writing is so tiny.

5. I hate it when guides write Kim Nam-joon instead of writing Kim Namjoon, just... why? Lol

But, that being said, I really love how lovingly and fondly author speaks of BTS, their achievements, how they paved the way for other k-pop artists, I love the pictures she picked (although sometimes they don't really make sense, for example putting DOPE performance photos in DARK&WILD page, or putting No More Dream performance photos in WINGS page, but I still stan) Also, the design is SO GORGEOUS, my eyes are blessed.
"That's why BTS are so awesome - they emotionally resonate with their army of fans in a way that feels sincere..."
I stan her so hard.
"For those critics thinking that BTS are just another boy band, think again."
YES QUEEN
She covers so many aspects of BTS that no other guide does. For example, how responsible BTS are for what they put out on their own, how hard Bang PD worked to find the perfect combo for BTS, how close the members are and why they're so magical.
The book doesn't cover every single album and every single aspect of BTS, but it covers things that other guide books with all that information in them, wouldn't be able to, this book has some charm to it. I recommed, for real.

[Olivia B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

With only 62 pages this book, of course, is not the ultimate BTS fan book. However, it’s still very nice to be able to read about BTS’s journey since I only got into them last year. I really enjoyed the beginning when it talks about the formation of BTS. Since every chapter/topic only has 2-4 pages, the author only skims the surface of everything. I pretty much knew a lot of the information that was in here, but I did like the quotes. The pictures were nice too, but they were all performance pictures or ones they posed for. I don’t dislike this necessarily since they’re lives are filled with attending events and performing at concerts. It would be cool though if there were a few pictures showing them just having fun and being a family.

One thing that I actually really didn’t like was when sentences didn’t end on the page they started on. I know this is normal. The thing that bothered me about it was that the sentence wouldn’t end, and then I would flip to the next page just to find a huge picture. I just feel like that interrupts the flow. There’s also just a lot happening on one page. Sometimes I would refrain from reading the last sentence on the page because it didn’t end on that page because I had to read all these other quotes, side comments, and picture captions first.

[Christine Nguyen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I stan BTS, so anything BTS related I will simply read. The book is really beautiful in terms of paper quality, and I loved all the photos they picked out. The book didn't offer any new insight for me and I will say too that it only features information up to until May of last year (2018), so album wise, it is missing a few releases and notable key events in BTS history that have happened since then. I understand that it's a matter of publishing and getting a manuscript out, but the title is misleading a bit since it isn't the ultimate fan book. Perhaps if Croft were to write more books, it can focus on eras instead. All in all, a decent read but definitely something more introductory for those who aren't familiar with BTS as opposed to someone who is an actual fan.

Disclaimer: This book was given to me by Thomas Allen & Son in exchange for a review/consideration. All opinions are my own.

[Jenny Lampitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

BTS 💖💖

Absolutely amazing book!! 😊 I'm a new BTS Army fan and a much older fan aged 44 lol but when my niece introduced this beautiful talented band to me a few months ago, they changed my life! This book has helped me learn more about their youngsters when I sadly hadn't heard of them so I'm learning every day and this brilliant detailed book shows how true and talented these beautiful stars are! Thankyou 💖👍

[Angela Hendershot · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book is problematic. It has pictures labeled incorrectly. One of the most notable is a picture of V labeled as Jung Kook. The person who did the photos clearly did not do their homework as it is the same issue that was widely discussed with a previous BTS guide book that used the same picture and labeled it as Jung Kook instead of V. Honestly, save your money.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is definitely not the Ultimate Fan Book. It was more of a beginner intro. There were also a few facts that were wrong and could have been easily corrected with some research, but overall it was a fun quick read that I don't regret reading.

[_nami_nt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Книга розповідає про 7 хлопців, про яких зараз знає весь світ. Для новачків, які тільки занурюються у світ К-поп і BTS, думаю, книга буде цікавою. Але для більш досвідчених ARMY інформації, яка подана у книзі, замало і дуже поверхнево.

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's ok and if you are a BTS fan it fits the bill

[Ron Turner · Rating 1 out of 5]

Meh. I wasn't expecting much to begin with but there just wasn't anything there. Mostly just pictures and generic press releases.

[Shanna Hurd · Rating 4 out of 5]

With plenty of photos, this book should satisfy most BTS fans.

[CL · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an entertaining read but not unbiased. As a newish Army from end of 2019, it could be informative but I already knew all the content included in the book. At least it was a quick read.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like that it felt it was written by someone who likes them but the font, the font is ridiculous.I had to borrow a magnifier to read this!

[Namratha · Rating 4 out of 5]

With the members of BTS heading off for their mandatory military enlistment, there has been a resurgence of love, affection and fan fervor amongst the members of BTS’s gargantuan fan base : ARMY. As someone who was aware and appreciative of the Bangtan Boys but never really followed them passionately, I can still understand this fan-fueled overload of emotions.

I was first made aware of BTS courtesy an utterly enamored (and adorable soul-sister) friend. Her enthusiasm was infectious and I wanted to know more about these glitzy, committed, supremely talented and massively adored K-Pop idols. And that’s why I could not resist picking up this book back in 2020 and getting a peek into the beloved behemoth that is BTS.

As I reread the book today, I am more familiar with the quirks, strengths and mannerisms of each member. Their backstories reiterate the fact that passion, hardwork, dedication, a sense of never-ending gratitude towards their fans and an undeniable stroke of luck looking kindly upon them has made BTS such a global (and well-deserved) phenomenon.

This book chronicles their journey till 2018 and it makes for an interesting and affectionate read.

[Kevin Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nếu xem đây là một cuốn tạp trí thời trang và những bài báo về các hoạt động của BTS từ lúc mới thành lập đến năm 2018 thì sách này đáp ứng đủ cả.
Điểm cộng của sách là trình bày rõ ràng, font chữ linh hoạt, ảnh in màu tốt và ghi nguồn đầy đủ ở cuối sách. Điểm trừ tạm thời chưa nghĩ ra, mà nếu có thì chắc sẽ là dòng sách đa số dành cho người quan tâm đến BTS, chưa tiếp cận được nhiều đối tượng khác.
Đánh giá chung: 7/10

[Phương Chi Nguyễn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Cuốn này mình đã từng mua và sau đó vào dịp sinh nhật năm 2020 mình được Diệu, Ngân và Yến tặng. Sau thì mình cho Lan một cuốn mình có trước đó. Mình khá không thích thông tin mà tác giả đưa ra, cho dù có là sách thần tượng thì mình cũng là người đọc có chọn lọc, không mù quáng.

[S.G.D. Singh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not The Ultimate Fan Book, but still pretty fun💜

[Jisoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about BTS