This new documentary is the feature film debut for Patty Ahn, while co-director Grace Lee has directed several other feature-length documentaries, including American Revolutionary: The Evolution of Grace Lee Boggs, Makers: Women in Politics, and Off the Menu: Asian America. They are in the entertainment business as producers and writers. Together, they are part of the BTS ARMY and have given us a fun celebration of the amazing rise of global K-pop supergroup BTS. The coolest part of the film is that it is told entirely through the eyes of the singing group’s devoted fanbase, known as ARMY (an acronym for Adorable Representative M.C. for Youth, currently at 90 million and growing globally).
Most music documentaries would follow the group around, and do a lot of behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the band, which consists of lead vocalist Jungkook, vocals V, vocalist Jimin, lead rapper Suga, Jin, and main rapper RM. Instead, this film opens with sweet and interesting interviews with members of the ARMY from all over the world. These interviews, which are some of the most personal, do a great job of spotlighting the special bond shared and the passion that these ARMY people have for this singing group.
BTS ARMY fans really are everywhere and in countries that would totally surprise you. The band is a global household name because of the fan base that defies the stereotypes of teeny-bopper fans. ARMY is an intergenerational and socially savvy group of people. It is a group of people who have only one thing in common, and that is the positive and great-sounding music of BTS. This gives them a sense of belonging and identity. Also, ARMY as a group understands logistics and how to best use the power of their fan base to get things done. These fans have been organizing since 2013 to help BTS dominate the charts.
I give BTS ARMY: Forever We Are Young 4 stars. It’s a well-done documentary that helps explain why the band’s fans are so devoted. I am sure they will see it in theaters before it is released for streaming, so they can enjoy the loving treatment their band and their movement were given. MADE BY ARMY FOR ARMY.
Directed by: Grace Lee, Patty Ahn
Rated: NR
Running Time: 1 hr 31 min
Documentary/ Music
Release: In Theaters July 30th
Starring: BTS, ARMY
The Selig Rating Scale:
5 Stars – Excellent movie, well worth the price.
4 Stars – Good movie
3 Stars – OK movie
2 Stars – No need to rush. Save it for a rainy day.
1 Star – Good that I saw it on the big screen but wish I hadn’t paid for it.