Hello, r/bangtan! We're hope you're all enjoying our post-military Tannies (we're looking at you, Kim Taehyung) and looking forward to whatever comes next. While we're waiting for the next chaotic posting spree, your favorite mod team is back with a few updates, reminders, and topics for discussion! On the agenda is:

  • Privacy and official schedules
  • SNS rule changes
  • Rumors and misinformation
  • Polarizing discussions
  • Other subs
  • Implementation of image galleries
  • Special projects

Please feel free to comment with questions, concerns, or suggestions. If you don't feel comfortable noting them here, our modmail box is always open.

Your Idol? Not always

These seven men have given us SO much, right? One of the most important things we can do for them now is to respect their privacy. If the members want us to know where they are or where they’re going or what they are doing, they will tell us. Unless it is an official schedule or a BTS member tells us directly, posting/commenting about their location will not be allowed.

We know the definition of ‘official schedule’ can be murky waters when it comes to airport photos/videos, but a rule of thumb is that if legitimate news sources are covering an airport departure, it is considered an official schedule, and allowed to be posted after the fact.

A legitimate source should be independent, published sources with a reputation for fact-checking and accuracy. Note that some sources may be allowed or disallowed based on content.

Random videos/photos from “reporters” who are following members or happen to see them at the airport are not allowed.
Going hand-in-hand with this is…

SNS Posts and Location

With all seven just doing whatever they want right now, tagging their locations for official schedules or SNS updates can be difficult and confusing. Therefore, moving forward, location should not be included in SNS(BTS) posts.

The issue then becomes the date of the post. In order to make this simple for everyone, all dates for BTS SNS posts should be KST.

What It Sounds Like…when the tea is a rumor

Before commenting potentially harmful information or speculation, make sure to check legitimate or reliable sources. Even big accounts on social media platforms get things wrong or share incorrect information. Please check carefully before posting or commenting instead of just following the party line. Twitter is not always a reliable source. If you feel it is critical or are unsure if a source is legitimate, feel free to send us a modmail!

Please be mindful that some questions cannot be answered without breaking the rules regarding rumors and misinformation. Try to do your due diligence before asking the sub.

Which brings us to…

Strategy for Polarizing or Political Discussions

We want to be a place where ARMY feels comfortable expressing opinions, and yes, contrary to popular belief, that includes negative or critical opinions. There is room here for everyone.

That said, when it comes to polarizing situations involving BTS, we will follow our guidelines for non-constructive negativity, drama, and civil commenting very closely.
We want to emphasize that often comments break the rules not because of what is said but of how it is said.

Let’s look at an example:

-It’s obvious Rumi doesn’t care about the Honmoon. ❌

-I’m disappointed that Rumi made this choice. ✅️️

The first comment is a full-stop statement that assumes the thoughts and feelings of the member, leaves no room for constructive conversation and will more often than not devolve into fighting and incivility. The second comment is still offering criticism but in a way that is more conducive to nuanced, constructive discussion. Be mindful of how you express your opinion and how you speak to each other.

If you need more examples, see the State of the Subreddit regarding Non-constructive negativity during music releases.

Speculative comments about a members’ character or that insinuate things about their character OR that openly insult them will not be tolerated.

All of that said:

Discussions in the sub should always be approached with kindness and an open mind. ARMY is widely diverse. Not everyone is going to feel the same way about different situations, and that is okay. What is not okay is demanding everyone feel the same and support the same things in the same ways and treating those who don’t badly. Yelling at ARMY to act the way you want them to is not welcome here. We want to continue to be able to have the hard discussions where everyone is comfortable sharing their thoughts.

Calls for boycotting in any manner will not be allowed here. If you want to do something, or you want to share your activism, make it actionable. Set up a fundraiser (the sub has an open fundraiser for World Central Kitchen HERE), share humanitarian aid campaigns, share contact information for government officials. Posts like these, where people can actually help in tangible ways, are more than welcome.

Please try to keep in mind that it is never our intention to invalidate a user’s opinion or their experience. While implementing our guidelines may mean some of your comments are removed, we hope that you can remember that these rules are in place to maintain a civil and welcoming community for over 700,000 ARMY.

Speaking of civil…

TAKEDOWN of other subs

We are aware of certain subs that are…uncivil, to say the least. Unfortunately, these subs are not breaking any of reddit's rules, so the best way to deal with them is to mute and ignore. Every visit, mention, and downvote worms its way into the algorithm and makes the subs more visible and recommended to more people. We cannot control what people say about BTS but we can control how we react to it. Let’s not give them more attention than they deserve (which is none).

At this point, we have no intention of policing users over the subs they visit, unless indicated by behavior in r/bangtan. Our sub exists because we love BTS, so we will focus on love. If a user is disingenuous about BTS or being ARMY, it will show itself eventually.

On to some more pleasant topics…

Free…the Image Galleries!

We have decided to open up the image gallery option for photos! We hope that this will make posting and viewing some posts a bit easier. Please note that this change will be on a probationary basis. If using this option for SNS posts is too cumbersome or confusing for posters or users, we may reverse course.

Important note: Once posted, image posts cannot be edited. Keep this in mind when posting. If additional images need to be included, they will need to be added as a comment.

Here are some examples of when an image gallery would be appropriate to use:

  • Member and official SNS posts with one or more photos
  • Official Photo Sketches from Weverse, X/Twitter, Instagram
  • Marketplace and Giveaway posts with one or more item photos

If you are unsure how to post an Image Gallery, see here!

Guidelines for using Image Galleries

  • All images from an SNS post must be included in the gallery.
  • A direct link to the source must be included in the body of the post.
  • Additional posts/stories posted on the same date should be added to the comments.
    • Multiple posts from the same day should still be compiled
  • Include a mirror for any video content included, if available.

How It's Done…when you want to do a project

Have an interesting idea for a fun ARMY project? Want to form a Purple Line Brigade to combat messy comments on Weverse? Itching to celebrate members' birthdays in a tangible way? Spearheading special projects is not just for mods! We’d love to have our community be one in which ARMY can organize and share projects – whether for a good cause, to show support, or just to have fun! If you have an idea for something you want to try in the sub, please send us a modmail to discuss!

Again, please comment if you have questions or suggestions. This sub is a place for YOU so we want to hear from you! We are open to all feedback; however, please keep in mind some suggestions may not be implemented for various reasons.

r/bangtan exists so we can celebrate BTS and their music. Please keep this in mind when engaging in the sub. While constructive criticism is allowed, it is not the purpose or spirit of the sub and should never overshadow the good. Let’s all remember why we are here.

Your r/bangtan Mods With Luv!

*Please note that all comments/questions/suggestions may not be answered right away as we are humans who have to sleep and work and live in the real world, too. Please be patient.