5th BTS Global Academic Conference to Take Place in Jeonju on July 2-3

A global academic conference focusing on BTS and its fandom, “ARMY,” will be held from July 2 to 3 at the Jeonbuk National University Convention Center in Jeonju, Jeonbuk Province. The “5th BTS A Global Interdisciplinary Conference,” organized by the International BTS Society (ISBS), will see 50 scholars from 10 countries, including South Korea, the United States, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Mongolia, Czech Republic, Canada, Australia, and Japan, in attendance.

The theme of the conference is “Next-Generation Hallyu and BTS.” Professor Lee Ji-haeng of Jeonbuk National University will deliver the keynote speech, analyzing various aspects such as fandom dynamics, digital technology, global communication, and political and social practices, with a focus on the social and cultural significance of BTS’s new chapter following their return from military service. Honorary Professor Han Sang-jin of Seoul National University will also present on “Three Theoretical Approaches to BTS in the Context of Global Transformation: The 2026 Comeback Performance.”

Notably, an interview with director Bao Nguyen, who created the Netflix documentary “BTS: The Return,” will be featured at the conference. Bao Nguyen compared BTS’s military service and return to the Greek myth of “Odyssey,” stating, “BTS were like Odysseus setting out for war, while ARMY was like Penelope longing for their return.” He added that he intentionally avoided over-explaining or simplifying Korean culture or BTS for Western audiences, emphasizing that it is important to view BTS as seven individual people rather than a monolithic entity.

This academic conference first started in 2020 at Kingston University in London, UK. During the pandemic in 2021, it continued as an online conference at California State University Northridge in the United States. In 2022, offline discussions resumed at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in South Korea. In 2023, it was held at Malaya University, evolving from a simple academic forum into a platform for artistic expression and cultural solidarity.

At the closing ceremony, “Arirang,” which is also the title of BTS’s fifth album, will be performed. After the event concludes, an cultural experience program called “ARMY Tour” will be offered to participants, including visits to locations featured in their comeback videos and hands-on activities such as making traditional Korean paper fans.