80 pages of BTS photos alone.The Birth of an Italian BTS-only
본문
A magazine specializing in BTS (BTS) has been launched in Italy, drawing attention.
Sprea S.p.A., a magazine publisher, launched a magazine called BTS last month.
The first issue is a 80-page full-page color edition filled with various photos and interviews of BTS.
Spreada says it plans to issue BTS every other month.
It is unusual for a professional magazine specialized in certain Korean singers or groups to be created overseas. At least it is considered the first case among major European countries.
Created in 1993, Sprea publishes 50 kinds of regular magazines in various fields such as music, science, animals, and travel. The total circulation of 18 million copies has reached 9 million online readers.
778,1041
Although popularity and fandom of BTS have not been highlighted in Italy compared to France and the U.K., it is heard that there are considerable number of 'ARMY' (BTS fans).
Spreada said it has decided to launch a professional magazine as its fan base for BTS is getting bigger in Italy.
Manuela Machoki, who is in charge of promoting BTS magazine, said in an e-mail interview with Yonhap News Agency on the 27th (local time), "BTS has also been very successful in Italy. We estimate that the size of 'Italian Army' will reach tens of thousands."
Ami of Italy is said to be so passionate that she is campaigning to sign a petition to promote BTS' recent performance.
Machoki added that BTS magazine will meet the needs of these fans, saying that they are interested in possessing exclusive images and news beyond consuming BTS videos through YouTube.
The Korean culture promotion authority is also paying attention to the strong BTS wind in Italy as it can serve as a positive factor for local people's overall interest in Korean culture and the spread of the Korean Wave.
"It is very surprising that a magazine specializing in Korean boy groups has been created in Italy, where cultural pride is high," said an official at the Korean Cultural Center in Italy. "We will examine the areas of cooperation with the possibility of related cooperation in Sprea and even promote the Korean Wave or Korean culture in mind."
