Joy Blackout (BTS with Lauren Pais)

#ARMY, rejoice! This episode is for you. Nonprofit professional & student of fandom Lauren Pais takes us through her history & lifelong relationship with boy bands, culminating with why über popular K-pop septet BTS, who are touring the U.S. right now, mean so much to her now.

Topics include: The great boy band wars of '98, Which One Is the Chris Kirkpatrick, moving back home and feeling stuck, being a student of fandom, One Direction & Directioners, post-band breakup optimism, BTS and the international army, ageism, racism & sexism in how fandom is seen & disseminated, RPF, BTS & philosophy, getting so excited you black out & more.

If you're #ARMY and if you're not, you can find Lauren Pais and her insightful pop-culture musings on Twitter & Instagram at @LaurenJP68.

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You can find I'll Be There For You on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or wherever you like to listen to podcasts. We release new episodes every other Sunday to help you beat those Sunday scaries. Please tell your friends, subscribe, give us those sweet reviews! If you have questions, feedback or want to be a guest, you can reach us on most social platforms at @IBTFYPod or illbethereforyoupod@gmail.com. Thanks for listening, you army of lovers.