This article discusses the idea of using algorithms to one’s advantage, and I cannot think of a better example than ARMY. And no, I am not referring to the U.S. Army or any group of soldiers, but to what is probably the largest online fanbase in the world: the BTS fanbase. This fanbase takes advantage of its global reach to inflate numbers, manipulate visibility, and redirect online content. One of the clearest examples of this is when intimate or leaked images circulate online. In response, ARMY floods comment sections and search results with photos, videos, and gifs of their idols. As a result, the original image gets buried and lost in the vast sea of the internet.

In a more recent and controversial case, ARMY did not only use algorithms strategically but also as a form of revenge or justice. After tickets for BTS’s new world tour went on sale, resellers quickly bought up most of them, leaving many fans without access and forcing them to negotiate with resellers, often risking being scammed. In response, members of ARMY accessed the personal information of these resellers and signed them up for universities, loans, subscriptions, and other services. This caused the algorithms behind ads and notifications to bombard them with offers, payment reminders, and even debt-related messages.

This article touches on a very personal issue for me, and I cannot avoid projecting myself into it. I see myself as someone who, in my daily life, actively struggles against algorithms and screens, and I have encouraged the people around me to do the same. On a personal level, I have spent years without being active on social media and without an Instagram account, and I believe I am a happier person because of it, even if I am not as productive as I was before having a cellphone. Even so, I strongly agree with De Certeau’s idea. In a society where “normality” means having both our eyes and minds immersed in our phones—seeking escape or entertainment—choosing to do something different during these moments feels almost like an act of resistance. Taking out a book in a place where everyone else is on their phone feels like a statement of rebellion. Dedicating parts of the day to activities such as drawing or reading, simply to step away from screens for a while, has become something almost unnatural for both the body and the mind. I think there is now a growing awareness of this problem. The issue is that these devices and their algorithms have become so deeply embedded in our lives that it is increasingly difficult to fight against them.