‘the Alchemist’ author Paulo Coelho says “I have the biggest admiration for BTS”

▲This photo shows author Paulo Coelho during the “BTS: The Third Global Interdisciplinary Conference in Seoul, South Korea 2022” (Yonhap)

▲This photo shows CEO Ahn Jeong-sun at “BTS: The Third Global Interdisciplinary Conference in Seoul, South Korea 2022.” (Yonhap)

SEOUL, July 14 (Yonhap) -- Brazilian Author of best-selling book “the Alchemist,” Paulo Coelho expressed respect for BTS.

In the special video Coelho sent to “BTS: The Third Global Interdisciplinary Conference in Seoul, South Korea 2022”, which was held in Hankuk University of Foreign Studies on Thursday, he said, “BTS succeeded in a way no one has ever done,” adding, “I have the biggest admiration for BTS, the biggest.”

Paulo Coelho has been calling himself a fan of BTS. In 2020, he uploaded a post on his social media account criticizing people who called BTS out.

In the video, Coelho commented on that situation, “I posted on Twitter because I knew BTS was not doing anything wrong,” adding, “When I stood up for them, I immediately lost many followers.”

Then he said, “If you think something is unfair, act on it to fix such unfairness,” adding, “I felt compelled to take a stand on them (BTS).”

Coelho talked about BTS’s inclusiveness saying, “BTS is like an empty beach. Even if nobody forces to, moms, people who want to exercise, and young people who want to have a good time get together under the name of BTS.”

The author thought positively about working with BTS fandom “Army.” He said, “Writing is very lonely,” adding, “If there comes a chance to work with ‘Army,’ I would be happy to collaborate.”

Ahn Jeong-sun, CEO of Korean Deaf Child Education Research Institute (KDCERI), also participated the conference as "Nong-Army" (BTS fans who use sign language as their first language), talking about BTS’s influence.

CEO Ahn said she was deeply touched at 2019 BTS Los Angeles Concert when she saw more than 20 Nong-Armies comfortably watching concert with the help of sign language translator.

Thinking ‘Why not in Korea?,’ CEO Ahn emailed Big Hit Music Entertainment, asking for sign language translator (at 2019 Seoul concert).

CEO Ahn posted a tweet when a communication with Big Hit Music did not go well. After many armies reposted the tweet, the Entertainment ultimately agreed to arrange sign language translators in concerts.

CEO Ahn said, “I think the influence of BTS comes from various fields,” adding, “I hope Deaf children’s cultural activities, currently less than 10%, increase over 90%.”

First held in 2020 in U.K’s Kingston University and now marking its third anniversary, the global interdisciplinary conference will run until Saturday.

This event is co-hosted by “International Society for BTS Studies,” which research about phenomenon caused by BTS and Armies, and “Semiosis Research Center at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies.”

With the theme of “Post Pandemic Era, Encounter with New Humanity,” the conference will discuss what kinds of influences BTS and Armies will have on recovering humanity during this chaotic times of pandemic and war.

(This article is translated from Korean to English by Jiwon Woo.)

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