The BTS dolls from Mattel are officially unveiled and the early word on the collection has arrived in the form of a tidal wave of comments from the fandom social media. One thing seems certain – some of the fans are thrilled that Mattel made dolls of the global K-Pop phenomenon in the first place. But as always with celebrity portraiture – who could forget that Belle doll – people are quick to sound off. Many soldiers in BTS’ army love the toys crafted in the famous likeness of V, Jungkook, Jimin, Jin, RM, Suga and J-Hope, with some even suggesting that nailing what the boys look like in real life might even be creepy. Others found the portrayal of the hair and facial features questionable. People also had plenty to say about the snazzy little outfits and the eyeliner painting the mugs on the international stars. Mattel’s collaboration with BTS was announced in January, and the toy-making giant had been teasing the official release for weeks. “BTS is a pop-culture music phenomenon that transcends age, culture and language,” Mattel’s senior vice president Sejal Shah Miller said in a release. “Through this partnership, Mattel will offer a new way for millions across the world to engage with the band.” See the photos of some of the new BTS dolls below. And here’s a sampling of the artistic criticism of the new dolls below. The Praise: < The Criticism: The Defense: The Jokes: Get The Brief. Sign up to receive the top stories you need to know right now. Please enter a valid email address. * The request timed out and you did not successfully sign up. Please attempt to sign up again. Sign Up Now An unexpected error has occurred with your sign up. Please try again later. Check the box if you do not wish to receive promotional offers via email from TIME. You can unsubscribe at any time. By signing up you are agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Thank you! For your security, we've sent a confirmation email to the address you entered. Click the link to confirm your subscription and begin receiving our newsletters. If you don't get the confirmation within 10 minutes, please check your spam folder. Contact us at letters@time.com.<doc-sep>BTS‘ upcoming range of Mattel dolls have been unveiled online – check them out below. After announcing they had joined forces with the group earlier this year, the US toy manufacturer previewed their creation last week. Now, full images of the stars’ dolls have been shared online. Alongside a shot of all seven mini-BTS members onstage, Mattel tweeted: “MIC Drop, ARMY! For the first time ever, we’re thrilled to show you the line of #BTSxMattel fashion dolls!” Individual close-up shots of V, SUGA, Jin, Jung Kook, RM, Jimin and j-hope were then put out for fans to view. Advertisement Mattel’s new BTS collection was inspired by the band’s ‘Idol’ music video, with the singers sporting the same colourful suits which were worn for the shoot. Fans will reportedly be able to get their hands on the dolls in September, along with a BTS version of the UNO card game. 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 Advertisement In other news, it was recently confirmed that BTS will make their Saturday Night Live debut in April. The group will take to the stage in support of their newly announced album ‘Map Of The Soul: Persona’, which will arrive on April 12. BTS play two huge dates at London’s Wembley Stadium in June, with the first show selling out in 90 minutes earlier this month. The group performed at The O2 in the capital in October 2018. Earlier today, London duo Honne teased their upcoming collaboration with BTS’ RM. Lyrics for the singer’s guest verse were shared via Twitter.<doc-sep>There comes a time in every boy band's life when they get shrunk down into dolls. The time has come for BTS. The wildly successful South Korean pop group is just the latest band to receive the coveted toy treatment, and there's no question why. Their presence in the public eye has skyrocketed over the past year, and they've amassed a dedicated and vocal fanbase.ย Their fans, called ARMY, couldn't get enough as they strutted their stuff at the 2019 Grammy's and released their own official line of adorable mascot characters. They're even set to perform on SNL in April. So it was only a matter of time before they would get the toy treatment.ย Back in January, Mattel revealed that the kings of K-pop would be getting doll likenesses. In mid-March, Mattel tweeted a teaser photo, showing the dimmed silhouettes of the dolls. Fans were initially hyped that the outfits would be based on the music video for their hit single "Idol. "ย Mattel finally hit the lights and revealed images of the dolls on Tuesday, and the reaction was immediate and intense.ย MIC Drop, ARMY! ๐คFor 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! ๐๐#BTSDollsOfficial @BigHitEnt pic.twitter.com/0fd1XpLVFF โ Mattel (@Mattel) March 26, 2019 BTS ARMY wanted to love the dolls. They wanted to support their group โ but some just couldn't get down with Mattel's interpretation.ย what you want at the salon vs what you get ๐๐๐๐ #BTSxMattel pic.twitter.com/QFGuuvEMgZ โ ๐คขlayla (@lulabones) March 26, 2019 tae seeing his mattel doll for the first time pic.twitter.com/1vj8RfPBXq โ ange (@dimpIejmn) March 26, 2019 bts mattel dolls be like pic.twitter.com/M0kpefuX7i โ paula (@nationsdyke) March 26, 2019 the bts mattel dolls coming to life in the middle of the night pic.twitter.com/DLnpnnAwRD โ kiarraโก (@trilogyjjk) March 26, 2019 Some felt that the dolls suffered from same face syndrome, and others felt like Mattel swung and missed big time when it came to making the dolls actually look like their idols (especially with that plastic hair). The saddest thing is that you understand that they also worked on this dolls and maybe even worked hard, and youโre like...Iโm not hating really but this just isnโt it...some facial features of 4 members actually look similar, but hair kinda ruined it โ ๐ข๐ธ๐ท๐ ๐๐พ (@sontera14) 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 โ Yani๐ (@Bklaht_Yani) March 26, 2019 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 media๐ฌ https://t.co/1lVsYCj59c โ [17's kyle] keyland refugee สโฟส (@95LINE_twt) March 26, 2019 ARMY also found itself comparing Mattel's line to other higher-end doll brands. (The BTS line is actually at a relatively low price point.) ย SK telecom really did a better job than Mattel. I'm disappointed pic.twitter.com/znDdSrW6CS โ yoongles (@meanyoongi0309) March 26, 2019 Despite a general sense of disappointment, many fans acknowledged that simply choosing to make likenesses of BTS in the first place is a huge deal and really shows the impact of K-pop's popularity.ย 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! ๐ โ the psych perspective ๐ก (@voixdefleur) March 26, 2019 can we give mattel props for putting eyeshadow on the dolls? iโm pretty sure this is the first time they have done that on male dolls and thatโs a big step towards the end of toxic masculinity #BTSxMattel #BTSDollsOfficial pic.twitter.com/V4YfhzEZHv โ BTS AT ROSE BOWL (@velvctjeon) March 26, 2019 we should all be blessed that: 1. they actually look semi like themselves 2. they didn't give them molded hair 3. none of their clothes are printed on โ nicole // SPEAK YRSELF...OR ELSE ๐ซ (@wavehavens) March 26, 2019 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 โ DrunkGiaโข๐ณ๏ธโ๐ (@FENTYCHIM) March 26, 2019 We really appreciate the work that was put into these! We see those makeup details. Thank you @Mattel! ๐ @BTS_twt https://t.co/yMxxhYvw5I โ BTS US ARMY x 50 States (@BTSx50States) March 26, 2019 Toy companies are no strangers to recreating boy bands in miniature form, and it hasn't always gone well. Let us never forget the great Hasbro One Direction doll tragedy. To all the ARMY who are unhappy with the @Mattel dolls. IMO they are pretty well done. These are gonna be mass produced! Cut them a little slack, they do look like the members. If it helps, heres a pic of One Directions dolls ๐#BTSxMattel #BTS pic.twitter.com/fanTYHvrNb โ Ellie Grey (@Lady_Bismuth) March 26, 2019 Whatever you think of Mattel's efforts with the BTS dolls, it's undeniable that this is an important moment in both boy band and doll history.ย Now if only we could get that Harry Styles doll to stop haunting our nightmares...<doc-sep>
It was first announced in January that Korean supergroup BTS, short for Bangtan Sonyeondan or “Beyond the Scene,” would be partnering up with iconic Barbie maker Mattel to release a line of dolls. On March 18, Mattel started to slowly tease fans with how the dolls would look. First, they released merely the silhouette of the dolls with the caption, “No more dreaming. Something big’s coming…” Mattel then released a series of photos that featured a close-up of a dimple, which immediately tipped of fans that that was RM, the corner of a lip, parts of the doll’s hair, a piece of the jacket. And on Monday night, Mattel finally made the big reveal. 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 To say fans are unhappy with how BTS looks in Mattel doll form would be an understatement. Twitter exploded with fans claiming the seven dolls, who are all dressed in outfits matching the band’s IDOL music video, look nothing like RM (Kim Namjoon), Jin (Kim Seokjin), Suga (Min Yoongi), J-Hope (Jung Hoseok), Jimin (Park Jimin), V (Kim Taehyung), and Jungkook, (Jeon Jeongguk). The video which inspired the doll’s outfits has an outstanding 410,133,546 views. Sejal Shah Miller, SVP & Global Brand GM for Mattel said in a press release, “BTS is a pop-culture music phenomenon that transcends age, culture and language, and through this partnership, Mattel will offer a new way for millions across the world to engage with the band. Partnering with established franchises that have global appeal is a cornerstone of our strategy and given our creative expertise, we are perfectly suited to create products celebrating BTS.” Here are what the 7 dolls look like individually: Jimin J-Hope Jung Kook Suga RM Jin V Each doll will cost $20 and will officially go on sale on September 1, the same day a special set of UNO cards are released that feature a special BTS inspired rule. While it’s difficult to make a doll, and it would be impossible to please everyone, unfortunately, there are a lot of BTS fans that are not happy with the results. Mattel made a lil pump doll? pic.twitter.com/cEEmBAtvk4 — katelyn♌︎ (@kimnamchi) March 26, 2019 Bts and armys reaction after mattel released the dolls pic.twitter.com/IebFD2EnsL — ??? (@gummyoongi0309) March 26, 2019 mattel: thoughts on the dolls? the tl: and prayers — nayeli (@taeminsxo) March 26, 2019 mattel what have you done- pic.twitter.com/PnVvpKIN1y — Ali (@aiiy_sa) March 26, 2019 However, many of the BTS army are extremely worried about being ungrateful, and they’re making sure no one tags Mattel in their tweets. Armys, don’t reply mean things under Mattel’s tweets. Of course they can’t copy the exact details of the boys, but the dolls are fine, the hair is just kinda messed up. Anyway, don’t be rude. State your opinions in a matured way. @BTS_twt — ➹ (@bhxcyphers) March 26, 2019 the outfits: incredible! the faces: not bad! hair: … needs work but I feel bad with everyone clowning mattel like they’re not as bad as the 1D ones and the outfits really are stunning!! everyone clowning them should try making a doll and come back and tell us how easy it was+ — leah loves yoongi (@leahbernall) 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 READ NEXT: Raine Michaels, Bret Michaels’ Daughter: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know