For many, music is simply a collection of rhythms and melodies. For others, it holds something deeper—a source of comfort, strength, and company in solitude. That’s what music has become for me. Specifically, that’s what BTS has meant to me. Their music helped me realise that songs are not just for entertainment—they can cross language barriers and reach hearts.
Who Are BTS?
BTS, also known as Bangtan Sonyeondan, which means “Bulletproof Boy Scouts” in Korean, is a globally famous K-pop group from South Korea. Formed in 2013, the group includes RM (Kim Nam-Joon), Jin (Kim Seok-Jin), SUGA (Min Yoon-Gi), J-hope (Jung Ho-Seok), Jimin (Park Ji-Min), V (Kim Tae-Hyung), and Jungkook (Jeon Jung-kook).
Over the years, BTS has become a global sensation, topping international charts with hits like Idol and earning a massive fanbase called ARMY. But for many fans, including me, the connection started long before their global stardom.
My First Encounter With BTS
I first heard about BTS in 2016 during a chilly afternoon when my cousin suggested I check out their songs. At first, it was just a few videos on YouTube—nothing too serious. But I quickly got hooked on their energy, style, and sharp dance routines.
Back then, I didn’t know their names, the meanings behind their songs, or even the language they sang in. But the sound—the emotion—stayed with me.
As I started learning more about their music and translating the lyrics, I realised BTS wasn’t just a pop group. Songs like Blood, Sweat and Tears carried powerful messages about making difficult choices and growing through challenges.
With each year, I found their music more relatable. They talked about issues that I rarely heard in other music—things like mental health, burnout, and self-love.
From Listener to ARMY: Finding Strength in Their Songs
What began as casual listening slowly turned into deep admiration. Their lyrics began to feel personal, especially in tough times. I often found courage in their words—encouraging me to “trust myself” and “love myself.”
One of the things I respect most about BTS is their openness about mental health. They’ve talked publicly about their own struggles and insecurities, making it easier for fans like me to face ours.
In 2018, I lost someone very close to me. Grief is difficult on its own, but expressing it was even harder. I couldn’t talk about it openly, and silence became a constant. But BTS’s music became a quiet companion. Songs like Paradise, Whalien 52, and Butterfly felt like they were speaking for me when I couldn’t find the words.
Though the songs didn’t fix my pain, they offered a way to cope—step by step, at my own pace.
Healing My Body and Mind
How BTS Became My Companion Through Pain, Healing, and Self-Love
Around the same time, a long-standing health issue began to worsen. I was exhausted and worn out—physically and emotionally. I worked in a demanding job and struggled to keep up. I had always been on the heavier side, but now my body felt like it was giving up.
It was during this phase that BTS became more than music—they became my source of strength. Songs like Reflection from Wings and Epiphany from Love Yourself: Answer became personal anthems. When I felt overwhelmed, Not Today reminded me to keep fighting: “If you can’t fly, then run. Today we will survive.”
Their message of self-love and embracing one’s flaws became something I tried to live by. Their partnership with UNICEF in the Love Myself campaign showed their commitment to helping others find the strength to love themselves too.
Smiles in Small Moments
Apart from their music, BTS’s variety show Run BTS brought me joy during times when nothing else could. Whether they were failing hilarious cooking challenges or getting ultra-competitive in games, their playful side made me smile again.
Even when I don’t listen to them every day anymore, their message has stayed with me—like quiet affirmations hidden in my heart. They didn’t solve all my problems, but they made me believe life was still worth showing up for.
As RM once said in his inspiring 2018 United Nations speech, “No matter who you are, where you’re from, your skin colour, your gender identity: speak yourself.”
A New Chapter Begins
Now, as BTS returns from their mandatory military service, they are preparing to celebrate 12 years since their debut. Their annual celebration, BTS Festa 2025, marks not just a comeback, but the beginning of something new—for them and for fans like me.
This year’s theme, inspired by their 2020 song Zero O’Clock, captures the essence of healing, resilience, and fresh starts.
For me, this comeback feels like more than a musical return. It’s a reminder that no matter how hard things get, hope always returns—just like the clock striking midnight to mark a new day.