My Journey with BTS: Finding Light Through Their Music

This is my first ever blog post, and of course, I’m dedicating it to BTS. The story of how I came across them is a funny one. It was August 2018, I was 16 years old, and I was voting for Harry Styles. Imagine my reaction when BTS won that poll! I got so upset (looking back, I laugh at how dramatic I was). I saw the hate comments towards them, calling them all sorts of things, and even though I was upset too, something inside me told me to be different. I chose not to hate them but instead decided to learn about them, and that decision turned out to be one of the best choices I’ve ever made.

The Moment I Fell in Love

From that point on, I became captivated by their personalities and their bond. I fell in love with how they support and care for each other. And like every ARMY, it started with the simple goal of “Let me just learn their names,” which, let’s be honest, turned into a full-fledged obsession. As I learned more about them, the days that once seemed endless suddenly passed in a blink of an eye. Their personalities were so real, so pure. But it wasn’t just their personalities that captured me—it was their music. It felt like their songs were speaking directly to me.

I was someone who had never really understood the concept of self-love, but when Epiphany played, I felt something click inside me.

"I'm the one I should love in this world

Shining me, precious soul of mine

I finally realized so I love me

Not so perfect but so beautiful."

(Epiphany)

I found myself crying and hugging myself, realizing just how much I've neglected myself. And that’s where it all began: my journey with BTS.

Who Are BTS?

For those of you who might not know who BTS are, let me introduce them. BTS (Bangtan Sonyeondan, or Bulletproof Boy Scouts) is a South Korean boy band that debuted in 2013 under Big Hit Entertainment. They are made up of seven talented and unique members—RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. What sets BTS apart from so many other groups is not just their music, but the messages they send through it. Their songs talk about embracing your true self, no matter your flaws, and finding strength in your vulnerabilities.

Their music spans various themes, from self-love and acceptance to overcoming hardships and persevering through life’s toughest moments. Songs like Love Myself and Epiphany focus on personal growth, while tracks like Spring Day and Not Today encourage resilience. They’ve created a community where everyone feels seen, heard, and loved. Their music is a reminder that you are not alone in your struggles.

How BTS Changed Me

I love listening to people talk because it sparks my thoughts. It's so refreshing to sit back and let my mind wander, focusing on the good thoughts, of course. What I’m trying to say is that this is one of the reasons why I love BTS. I truly enjoy listening to them because their words give me strength, offer new perspectives, and provide comfort. They open a door in my heart where I feel safe with myself, if you know what I mean.

“Days when you hate that you’re you,

Days when you want to disappear

Let’s make a door in your heart

If you open that door and go inside, this place will be waiting for you

It’s ok to believe, it’ll comfort you, this Magic Shop.”

(Magic Shop)

Their music made me feel like I had a place in this world, like it was okay to be imperfect. It gave me a sense of belonging and comfort that I had never truly experienced before.

Like I said before, beyond their songs, BTS’s words have resonated deeply with me. Following are a few remarks, for example:

• “When things get hard, stop for a while and look back and see how far you’ve come. Don’t forget how rewarding it is. You are the most beautiful flower, more than anyone else in this world.” – V

• “Don’t lose the people beside you because of your mistakes and wrongs. And live [your life] to the fullest.” – Jungkook

• “Remember: You are the leader of your own life. Chant it over and over: ‘I can do it. I’ve got this.’” – J-Hope

• “If any of you feel lost in the face of uncertainty or the pressure of starting anew, don’t rush. Take a deep breath. Any moment can be turned into an opportunity.” – Jin

• “I really want to say that everyone in the world is lonely and everyone is sad, and if we know that everyone is suffering and lonely, I hope we can create an environment where we can ask for help and say things are hard when they’re hard and say that we miss someone when we miss them.” – Suga

• “We did say that you don’t have to dream, but living a life without dreams or hope would be quite dim, wouldn’t it?" – RM

• “We are all in different parts of the world, in different environments and circumstances, but at this moment, I hope we can all give each other a warm pat on the back and say, ‘It’s okay.’” – Jimin

The Power of BTS’s Music

BTS’s music transcends any one genre—it’s a powerful blend of styles that can make you feel every emotion. Whether they’re singing about joy, sorrow, or overcoming obstacles, BTS brings it with unmatched energy and passion. And I mean heavenly levels of musical perfection!

Here are some of my favorite lines from their songs that I hold close to my heart:

“Don’t be trapped in someone else’s dream.”
(No)

“Even all the scars from your mistakes make up your constellation.”
(Answer: Love Myself)

“Although I’ll fall again, I’ll make a mistake again, and I’ll be covered in mud, I believe in myself because I’m a hero.”
(Anpanman)

“And you're going to be happy,
Like the snow that just settled down,
Let’s breathe, like the first time.”
(Zero O’Clock)

“I want to tell you, that darkness
Exists everywhere, don’t be afraid of it,
Whatever night may swallow me, I won’t give up,
The fight for you, we’ll shine.”
(Louder Than Bombs)

“It's just that loving myself
Doesn’t require anyone else’s permission.”
(Answer: Love Myself)

“If you have moments where you feel happiness for a while,
It’s alright to stop,
Now we don’t run without knowing the destination,
It’s alright to not have a dream,
All the breaths you breathe are already in paradise.”
(Paradise)

“In a sigh, a lot of worries are hiding,
Stop thinking about it, you already know it all,
In the middle of the road, in the moment you want to give up,
Shout out louder
So what, what, what.”
(So What)

“Nothing lasts forever,
You only live once,
So live your life, not anyone else’s.
Take chances and never regret, never
Never be late to do what you wanna do right now
Because at one point of someday,
Everything you did,
Would be exactly what you will be,
Right?”
(O!RUL8,2?)

BTS has touched my heart in ways that words can’t fully describe. They’ve given me more than just music; they’ve provided a message of hope, self-love, and perseverance that I carry with me every day. Their music will always be a part of me, reminding me to embrace who I am, to love myself, and to keep going even when the road gets tough.

If you haven’t checked them out yet, I can’t recommend it enough. The journey is worth every step.