A specialist magazine about BTS has been launched in Italy, attracting attention.
Sprea S.p.A., the publisher of the magazine, launched a magazine called BTS last month. The first issue is a full 80 page color edition filled with various photos and interviews ofBTS.
Sprea plans to broadcast content on BTS every two months.
It is rare that a professional magazine specializing in certain Korean singers or groups is created abroad, at least the first among the major European countries.
Founded in 1993, Sprea publishes 50 types of regular magazines in various fields including music, science, animals and travel. It has a total circulation of 18 million copies and has 9 million readers online.
While the popularity and fandom of BTS has not been highlighted in Italy compared to France and the UK, it is known that there are a considerable number of “ARMY” (BTS fans).
“With BTS fan base growing in Italy, we decided to launch a professional magazine.“,
Sprea said.
“BTS has also been very successful in Italy,” Yonhap Manuela Machoki, public relations manager for BTS magazine, told news agency on July 27th. “We estimate the size of the Italian Army fan base will be around tens of thousands.”
Machoki added that BTS Magazine will meet the needs of these fans, saying they want to own exclusive images and news beyond consuming BTS videos through YouTube.
Korean culture promotion authorities are also paying attention to the strong wind of BTS success in Italy, as it can serve as a positive factor for the general interest of local people in Korean culture and the spread of the Korean wave.
“It is very surprising that a magazine specializing in Korean boy groups has been established in Italy, where cultural pride is high,” said an official from the Korean Cultural Center in Italy. “We will look at the areas of cooperation with the possibility of related cooperation with Sprea and even promote Korean wave or Korean culture.”
Journalist: Shawn
Translator: Shawn
Source: Sprea
