SUPPLEMENTAL STORIES
The views, information, or opinions expressed in this essay are solely those of the creator(s) and do not necessarily represent the official policy or position of The Rhizomatic Revolution Review [20130613] or its members.
2020. A regular lockdown day in late August or early September (I really can’t remember because that year is a total blur). I’d been a casual listener of BTS for about 3 years and had a few of their songs on my phone that I listened to occasionally, but I never felt the urge to check out more because I’m very bad at exploring new music. I had an idea about how good they were because my friend had recently become an ARMY, so that day I decided to put on and attentively listen to a song, which you may or may not have heard of, “Boy With Luv” (please note that the last bit is dripping with sarcasm). I feel like my life hasn’t been the same since then — in the best way possible.
I’m writing this on June 1, 2021, the first day of BTS Month. It was announced literally half an hour ago that “Butter” had debuted at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100™ chart, and right before that BTS had just blessed us with the most adorable family portraits. My very first Festa is certainly off to a great start. The amount of happiness and excitement that I feel can only be understood by fellow ARMYs — the sheer, pure joy that rushes inside your heart, which feels like it is about to explode. It is a different type of high. A BTS high, if you will. This feeling was something almost unimaginable for me before I found them. I never thought music, lyrics, and people who are so far away would make me feel this way.
As we all know, we find BTS when we need them the most. Last year, my mental health was in a terrible state and it was steadily getting worse. I had to make some very difficult decisions and the uncertainty about the future made me anxious like never before. When I found them, it was like my life underwent a complete 180. Even though the situation around me wasn’t good, at least I had their music, I had something to look forward to, something that made me happy, something that gave me hope, and seven angelic men who made me believe that one day, everything would be alright. It was like I was drowning — faster and faster as the water got deeper — but then BTS came up behind me, supported me, and lifted me up to the surface again. They made me see light again.
The only time I’ve been this heavily influenced and impacted by something was when I read the Harry Potter books (let’s just separate the books from the author and their problematic views, shall we?). I didn’t think that it would ever happen again, but I’m so grateful that it did, because I have changed. I think I’m kinder, I have hope, I love myself more, and all because of these hardworking, precious, intelligent musicians who add so much value to my life and let me use them to love myself. They have given me the courage to speak myself. They have enriched my life in more ways than one, and a simple “thank you” will just not suffice.
Their humility and ability to remain grounded is inspiring, and their authenticity radiates through everything they do. Their impact on global culture is irreplaceable. They are astonishingly talented artists who strive to make the best of what they have and never stop running towards their dreams, not to mention they are incredible dancers and breathtakingly good looking (that is just a bonus, of course). They never become complacent, and I think ARMY are like that too — we learnt it from the best, after all. The way they love us and each other is so beautiful that I don’t think a bond like this could ever exist again, and it is a privilege to witness it and to be a part of their story, just as much as they are now a part of mine. The brightest, most beautiful stars in my little galaxy. When I see them happy, it makes me happy. My heart breaks every time any one of them sheds a tear. I beam with pride when they achieve what they set out to do. I smile my widest when I see them eating and laughing and hanging out, being their lovable, dorky selves on VLIVE or on their various shows, and it makes me yearn to be their friend. To be honest, I think it would be very easy to be their friend because of the phenomenal people that they are.
Their music and words are slowly healing deep wounds that I tried to mend by sticking a band-aid on them. Every time I listen to a BTS song, it transports me to a world so magical and beautiful that I never want to leave — my happy place. They have left a permanent stamp on my heart. Sometimes I wonder how these seven people can be so talented, and how they were really meant to be together. We are so lucky, aren’t we? It is an honour to be a part of their galaxy, and a privilege to have them be part of ours.
The universe aligned for us to live in the same time as them, to hear their story, to make sure the world hears it, too. Maybe the hardships that we’ve all collectively faced with them make us bulletproof as well, right? Being an ARMY has taught me so much. From life to kindness to streaming to the music industry, it has given me a sense of community I’ve never felt before. There is nobody like us, just like there is nobody like BTS.
The primary reason BTS are where they are, and the very reason I love them so much, is because they are genuinely good human beings. Their goodness shines through their smiles and their actions, and each of their hearts is made of pure gold. Even though they may not think so, they are seven very special people who are lights in a world that needs all the brightness it can get. Their values and their will to stick to their values is what makes them special beyond belief. They deserve every ounce of success, and more.
I never thought I could feel this kind of love, but I am so glad I do. I live so I love. I know that no matter what happens, Kim Namjoon, Kim Seokjin, Min Yoongi, Jung Hoseok, Park Jimin, Kim Taehyung, and Jeon Jung Kook will be there to hold my hand and walk with me, through good times and bad, highs and lows. They will be there for me, and I will be there for them. I love them dearly.
I haven’t been here a long time, but I’m never, ever leaving, and one thing is for sure, BTS will always have ARMY right behind them.
— A.S.
Just vibin’ (UK).
Illustration By: Ai, @Aish_ish14
Suggested Citations
APA Citation
A.S. (2021). A Serendipitous Encounter. The Rhizomatic Revolution Review [20130613], (3). https://ther3journal.com/issue-3/a-serendipitous-encounter.
MLA Citation
A.S. “A Serendipitous Encounter.” The Rhizomatic Revolution Review [20130613], no. 3, 2021, https://ther3journal.com/issue-3/a-serendipitous-encounter.
A Serendipitous Encounter by A.S. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
@A.S., 2021