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For many, the global phenomenon that is BTS needs no introduction. But for those on the periphery, like myself not too long ago, the sheer scale of their impact might be surprising. I wasn’t the kind of fan who lived and breathed everything BTS. Concert tickets weren’t a life-or-death mission, purple merchandise didn’t dominate my wardrobe, and my walls remained poster-free. That’s more my daughter’s style. My connection to BTS was different, and profoundly personal. It started with one song: “Permission to Dance.” This wasn’t just a catchy tune; it became, as my therapist aptly put it, my “happy place” during a particularly challenging period. And a year later, the sentiment still rings true.
Initially, I admit, I was an outsider looking in. The language barrier felt significant, even with their English tracks, and the makeup seemed… excessive to my untrained eye. My teenage daughter and her friends, of course, saw it differently. “Boyfriends who can teach us makeup skills!” she’d exclaim with teenage enthusiasm. Point taken.
Then “Permission to Dance” was released in the summer. The infectious beat and uplifting message broke through my initial hesitations. The lyrics resonated deeply: “Let’s break our plans and live just like we’re golden, and roll in like we’re dancing fools. We don’t need to worry, ‘cause when we fall, we know how to land.” During those heavy days of COVID-19 restrictions and personal anxieties that felt like a physical weight, this song was a lifeline. It was the gentle nudge I needed to get out of bed and face the day. I had always been skeptical about the real power of music, but BTS and “Permission to Dance” changed my perspective entirely. They helped me find my footing when I felt like I was losing it.
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“Permission to Dance” opened the door to a broader BTS universe. “Butter” and “Dynamite” followed, each delivering the same energizing boost. To my daughter’s mortification, my living room became my personal dance floor, mirroring their choreography daily. But the joy and freedom I felt overshadowed any self-consciousness. When she challenged my “ARMY” status, insisting that true fans knew each member by name, I took it as a fun challenge. Jin, Jimin, J-Hope, Jungkook, and thankfully, the non-J trio: V, RM, and Suga. It was a crash course in BTS identity. A friend, another dedicated ARMY, suggested “Run BTS,” their variety show, as a way to further distinguish their personalities. And so, hidden under my duvet, escaping the stresses of isolation and personal issues, I dove into “Run BTS.” Laughter became a daily therapy session. One episode, in particular, where they were drenched and hilariously struggling to identify forbidden words, triggering water blasts, brought a guilty pleasure of amusement amidst my own struggles. I devoured over 150 episodes in a week, completely captivated.
The magic of BTS lies in their collective energy. Each member brings something unique and irreplaceable to the group dynamic. RM’s thoughtful and inspiring words, J-Hope’s infectious laughter, Jimin’s heartwarming hugs, V’s playful and witty remarks, Jungkook’s captivating blend of charm and charisma, Suga’s subtle yet genuine warmth, and Jin’s confident and humorous “worldwide handsome” persona – these are all essential ingredients in their global appeal. They resonate on a deeply personal level with millions. Buzzfeed quizzes even confirmed my personality alignment with J-Hope, Jin, and Jimin – caring, quirky, and comical. Another quiz jokingly predicted a museum wedding with RM. While I won’t hold my breath for that, it speaks to the connection fans feel with each member.
But BTS is more than just entertainment. Songs like “Idol,” “Mikrokosmos,” “Save Me,” “On,” and “Life Goes On” carry powerful messages. WWE superstar John Cena perfectly articulated this, stating, “They advocate self-love, to not be afraid of failure, and that you are enough. I don’t care how you feel about them… how they conduct themselves as human beings and the message they send to the world, man, that’s something special.” This positive message is a cornerstone of their global impact.
One of the unexpected gifts BTS brought into my life was a shared joy with my daughter. Teenage moodiness would melt away as she enthusiastically talked about her “bias,” Jungkook. His captivating stage presence and undeniable talent are undeniable, especially to teenage girls. But it’s his perceived shyness and humility that make him relatable to her. In a period when school and social life were disrupted, BTS filled a void for her, and undoubtedly for countless fans worldwide. Gratitude seems like an understatement.
Ultimately, BTS, and “Permission to Dance” specifically, offered me a path forward. A year prior, I felt lost in a whirlwind of personal turmoil, unsure of how to regain control. Then came “Permission to Dance,” offering a simple yet profound solution: dance. And I did. That daily dose of brightness, that morning dance ritual, became my anchor. Self-love transformed from an abstract concept into a tangible mantra, and with BTS as an unexpected soundtrack to my journey, I started moving forward. And we still are, my daughter and I, each in our own way.
The recent news of a “hiatus” sparked a wave of worried messages. The term itself carries a heavy weight, hinting at potential disbandment. While the future remains uncertain, my hope is that this is simply a new chapter, not the end. But regardless, my daughter, myself, and ARMY around the world owe BTS a debt of gratitude. Now, it’s our turn to give them permission to dance on their own terms, to pursue individual paths, and to live the lives they deserve. We trust that their best is “Yet to Come,” whether as BTS or as individual artists, and we will be here to support them every step of the way. Borahae. 💜
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