Previously, TIME magazine revealed the collector's edition bookazine cover that features BTS in full color. It was met with backlash from fans for the alleged poor quality of the cover, slamming TIME for making the group look bad. ARMYs were enraged at the lousy editing, saying the saturation of the photos is too much, making the members look like cartoon characters. Fans also noticed how the photos were taken differently for each member, making the stills look awkward.
Additionally, the contents of the issue contained many errors and inaccuracies. TIME had mixed up Jimin's name, confusing him with Suga. A section of the special issue also went into detail about Jin's upcoming military enlistment. On top of that, TIME claimed that American pop groups Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC had paved the way for BTS.
Some ARMYs had wondered (many hoped) that the issue was fake and that it wouldn't be sold. Alas, TIME Magazine, had confirmed that the issue is, in fact, real and would be available for purchase on July 31. The edits have seemingly been made to correct the issues before its release.
A note to BTS fans: The "TIME BTS: The K-Pop Band that Conquered the World" issue was created as a special edition bookazine in partnership with the publisher Meredith. It is an authentic special edition publication and will be released on July 31. — TIME (@TIME) July 22, 2020
ARMYs are outraged that TIME had such inaccuracies to begin with. Many have stated that BTS had overcome numerous hurdles in a xenophobic industry in the West to make it big. The fact that TIME seemingly did not do their proper research nor give them the proper respect is an insult to not only the fans but to BTS themselves.
Following the backlash from fans, TIME Magazine and Meredith have re-edited the bookazine to address the fan's concerns. The line that mentions Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC paving the way for BTS has since been removed from the synopsis of the bookazine.
There is no sign that the cover of the special bookazine will be changed.
In 2018, BTS graced the cover of TIME Magazine for the first time as "Next Generation Leaders". The photo for the cover was the boys staring down at the camera with the blue sky as the background, and each member was dressed in a classy suit. It was loved by the fans for making the group look dashing and professional. They said it was fit for the kings as it showcased how BTS were taking over the music industry.
In 2019, they were named as one of TIME Magazine's 100 most influential people of 2019.
Do you think TIME Magazine did the right thing?
BTS, debuted in 2013 under Big Hit Entertainment, is a group known for co-writing and producing original music. They never fail to capture the fans' hearts with their lyrics that usually tackles personal and social commentaries, troubles of adolescence, mental illness, and being and loving oneself.
With BTS's "Wings" selling more than one million copies in Korea, the idol group was also able to bring their music to the West, allowing K-pop to be known in the U.S, entering American music charts, and breaking records. Moreover, they're the first Korean boy band to receive an award from the Recording Industry Association of America. They're the first Korean act to top the Billboard 200 too!
BTS is the fastest group since the Beatles to earn four number one albums in less than two years.
Furthermore, BTS is the best-selling artists in Korean music history. That's why media outlets dubbed them as the "Princes of K-Pop" and were listed in Time's 100 most influential people in the world back in 2019.
They are the youngest recipients of the Order of Cultural Merit from the President of South Korea.
The group is composed of RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook.
