Written by: Tara Sherchok

As the decade comes to a close, it’s important to reflect on what ideas have died out and what ones have grown. Gender norms are on its way out, but it still plagues many traditional minds today. BTS, a Korean boy band, are actively creating change through their fluidity around the world.

Nowadays, K-pop (a shorthand for “Korean pop”) is a thriving, music-based industry that is growing in the Western market. But as popularity increases, so do the xenophobic, racist, misogynistic, and overall ignorant misconceptions. Many believe that this industry is a mass-producing factory that produces K-pop idols solely based on aesthetics. There have been numerous comments that male K-pop artists are disgusting to look at because of their feminine features (a fan-favorite nickname calling the genre “gay-pop”). These misjudgments come from a place of inexperience. People are afraid of what they do not understand. Asian boys who wear makeup is something that the West cannot understand because they just aren’t used to it.

Western society has ingrained an idea of what makes a conventionally attractive male. Muscular definition, deep voices, and tan skin are attributes that make a guy “attractive.” Celebrities, influencers, and Instagram models further reinforce this harmful ideal. There was even a segment on Steve Harvey’s talk show where he went on a monologue on how women will never find Asian men attractive.

On the other hand, let’s unpack what it means to look like a female. Women are stereotypically known to wear makeup, have extensive hygiene routines, and have an overall delicate nature. But who says that men can’t wear makeup to enhance their features, or that they can’t take care of themselves with lengthy routines? Why does that make a male any more or less of a man? The gentle aesthetic of K-pop idols is a trend in Korea called Khonminam, which combines the Korean words for “flower” and “beautiful man.” This phenomenon is a hybrid of softness and virility, but not effeminized. It’s a versatile and revolutionary perspective of what it means to look like a man. K-pop has helped many realize that there is an abundance of varying definitions of beauty.

BTS, or Bangtan Sonyeondan, debuted in 2013 with songs criticizing aspects of South Korean society. Since then, their lyrics have centered on social commentary, from topics like generational wealth to mental health. One of the main issues that they tackle are gender norms in fashion.

Zooming into their style, it’s obvious that they do not conform to traditional men’s clothing. During their 2016 photoshoot for The Singles magazine, BTS wore corsets, fishnet stockings, and skirts. Additionally, in their music video for their latest title track, Boy With Luv, they are donned in entirely pink clothing matched with brightly dyed hair.

BTS are known to wear designer clothes from the women’s section. In an interview for Vanity Fair, when asked what “great style” is, Jeon Jungkook, the youngest member, said, “Wearing anything you like, regardless of gender.” During their Map of the Soul: Persona album photoshoot, Kim Taehyung wore a Gucci sleeveless vest and Jeon Jungkook wore a Gucci mini purse around his neck. Moreover, BTS even helped create a makeup line with VT Cosmetics, including a line of lipsticks that they promoted.

It’s clear that BTS — and K-pop in general — challenge many people’s perception of male beauty. Their blatant defiance of gender barriers is even more impressive considering how traditional Korean society is. BTS will continue to break gender norms with their androgynous style and inspire change.