Mattel, the maker of Barbie dolls, recently unveiled its new doll line up featuring South Korean boyband Bangtan Sonyeondan (BTS).
Many believe that getting the toy treatment from the renowned doll manufacturer just made sense due to the KPop act’s skyrocketing global popularity.
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BTS has recently been making its presence felt in the international music scene, performing at sold out concerts, breaking records and racking up awards from global charts such as Billboard. The seven-member boy band also recently made an appearance at the 2019 Grammy’s.
BTS fans, called ARMY, have been anticipating the arrival of the dolls since Mattel revealed their plans for making them back in January.
When the toy brand teased a photo showing the silhouettes of the dolls two weeks ago, fans got even more excited at the outfits being based on the “Idol” music video.
View this post on InstagramNo more dreaming. Something big’s coming… 💜 #BTSDollsOfficial #BTSxMattel
On Tuesday, Mattel finally unveiled images of the dolls and the reaction from members of the BTS ARMY soon flooded social media.
MIC Drop, ARMY! For the first time ever, we’re thrilled to show you the line of #BTSxMattel fashion dolls! Take a look at V, SUGA, Jin, Jung Kook, RM, Jimin and j-hope as dolls inspired by the Idol music video! #BTSDollsOfficial @BigHitEnt pic.twitter.com/0fd1XpLVFF
— Mattel (@Mattel) March 26, 2019
While many were happy to support their group, there were those who also criticized Mattel’s interpretation.
bts mattel dolls be like pic.twitter.com/M0kpefuX7i
— paula (@nationsdyke) March 26, 2019
tae seeing his mattel doll for the first time pic.twitter.com/1vj8RfPBXq
— ange (@dimpIejmn) March 26, 2019
Me seeing the BTS dolls for the first time #BTSxMattel #BTSDollsOfficial pic.twitter.com/fEMVttG62b
— CannedSuga (@CannedSuga) March 26, 2019
Some were disappointed with the general look of the dolls, noting how they all seem to have the exact same face.
The saddest thing is that you understand that they also worked on this dolls and maybe even worked hard, and you’re like…I’m not hating really but this just isn’t it…some facial features of 4 members actually look similar, but hair kinda ruined it
— when Joon smiles I disintegrate (@sontera14) March 26, 2019
what you want at the salon vs what you get #BTSxMattel pic.twitter.com/QFGuuvEMgZ
— layla (@lulabones) March 26, 2019
Others pointed out how the dolls failed to capture the band members’ looks.
I’m seeing people point out the dolls’ faces look like that because it’s mattel’s classic style… problem is that style is still inherently eurocentric and contributes to erasure of asian features in popular media https://t.co/1lVsYCj59c
— [17’s kyle] keyland refugee ʘ‿ʘ (@95LINE_twt) March 26, 2019
That’s it. That’s the tweet. pic.twitter.com/dxvHyFyNCt
— PERSONA (@MeikoYamaguchi_) March 26, 2019
They actually look alike. Mattel did a very good job on the faces in my opinion. The facer are very detailed im impressed.
But, honestly the HAIR…
They reuined it with the hair. pic.twitter.com/zvfT2PuYCE— Yani (@Bklaht_Yani) March 26, 2019
There were also those who compared Mattel’s line to other higher-end BTS inspired toys that resembled the boys more accurately.
Korean SK Telecom company
had made BTS
What do you think of? pic.twitter.com/lpYAyP4c1V— oliviatree (@oliviatree2) March 26, 2019
Expectation vs Reality @BTS_twt #BTS #BTSxMattel #BTSDollsOfficial pic.twitter.com/MxEPiLehFo
— BTS_is_coming (@Vante_Kimmy) March 26, 2019
Many, however, feel that BTS getting their Mattel dolls is an achievement in itself as it is a testament to the group’s immense global popularity.
Send positive comments under Mattel’s tweet. We need to support these endorsements so that BTS get more. We don’t want ppl deterred from buying the dolls or future investors put off from a possible collaboration. #BTSxMattel #BTS #BTSDollsOfficial
— DrunkGia™️ (@FENTYCHIM) March 26, 2019
You either like them or you don’t. You’ll buy them or you won’t. At the end of the day, I still give @Mattel major props for recognizing @BTS_twt‘s star power enough to make them into dolls. A+ for effort Mattel! I still appreciate it!
— the psych perspective (@voixdefleur) March 26, 2019
The dolls are beautiful, the clothes are well made and matched. The detail of their facial structure is also nice.
The only improvement that could be made are their hair. Just tweaks here and there. The rest seems fine.
Yoongi and Joon are so cute
;-; pic.twitter.com/oMWlyoSuOs— ARMY Protection Squad (@ProtectionArmy) March 26, 2019
Featured image via Instagram/Mattel
