The artwork Bulletproof Boy Scouts contains an explicit reference to the world-famous music group BTS. BTS stands for Bangtan Sonyeondan (방탄소년단) in Korean, which translates to Bulletproof Boy Scouts. From their debut in 2013, BTS and their agency, Big Hit Entertainment, explained: “We want to become a group that can block out the prejudices, criticisms, and unreasonable pressures that today’s youth face – like a bulletproof vest.”. Those “bullets” come from society: academic pressure, appearance norms, gender expectations, and harsh standards that often wound the younger generation. BTS also stands for Beyond The Scene – a name that embraces growth, pushing boundaries, and looking toward the future.
On a brown canvas, BTS strides forward, tall and unflinching. Like a declaration, that spirit continues, pushing beyond the physical boundaries of the painting!
