More Than Music

First off, I’m super happy to be finally joining this Community. Korean culture is one after my heart, so yeah, shout-out to those that tagged me on everything I was missing out on not being here. When it comes to Kpop, just like K-dramas, I have a deep connection to them.

I think my first journey when it comes to K-pop was through K-drama OSTs, and yeah, I do know that they aren’t the same thing but that was my first experience. My parents are the ones who introduced us to K-drama, and from there, I got deeply into their OSTs which felt like the kind of music I would typically listen to.

Then, my best friend introduced me to a boy-group named Bangtan Sonyeondan (BTS), and I remember not being particularly interested at first but I like being supportive of whatever she likes, so I started listening so we’d have more things to talk about.

I remember the period I found BTS as a group. I think it was 2021 and that was a year where I was in a really low estate. I genuinely searched and yearned for something that would make me happy. In any way. Then, on this particular Sunday where I pretended to be paying attention to these boys my best friend was showing me, I saw someone and it was like my heart stood still.

This person had the brightest smile that seemed to light up his whole face. In the midst of the seven boys I saw, his stood out for me. In a daze, I pointed and asked my friend “Who is he?” And she said, “Oh, that’s Jung Hoseok. His stage name is J-hope, and he is called the sunshine of BTS.” And that, my dears, is what began a forever love.

From watching several videos of BTS, just to catch a glimpse of this man, who doubles as the lead dancer, I started looking at the others and before you knew it, I had over 300 songs of BTS downloaded on my phone where I listened to for hours.

I’m an ARMY (fans of BTS are called that), and one that is proud to say that these seven boys saved me. Their music brought a happiness that was lacking in my life. And I defend them anywhere. I am from a part of the world where most people are quick to judge you, mock you or hate on you for liking K-pop. It’s weird to me because they’ve never taken the time to listen to these people, and they just straight up hate on the basis of, “You listen to those boys that look like girls?” like be so for real, are they the ones that made themselves?

I guess you can look at me some type of way but I’ll tell you for free that I’ve ended relationships with people that insulted them in any way. I don’t tolerate it, and I find it disrespectful to just hate on people you don’t know because they don’t fit into a particular narrative that you’re used to. I remember a guy I was dating once saying that he hates them, and I have to choose between him and them. Well, you can already tell who I chose.

Anyway, my love for BTS is loyal and will forever be, and through them, I got into the songs of other groups and K-pop artists. Like TWICE, ENHYPEN, and SEVENTEEN, which is my favourite boy-group after BTS. And then solo artists like Taemin, Baekhyun (who is extremely underrated for the kind of talent he has) and a lot of them.

So, K-pop to me is deeper than most people would think. It more than music. It’s a culture that healed me, and I bless the day I found it. Once again, I’m happy to find a community that enables me share just how much I love the Korean culture without inhibition of any form. Thank you for the reminder, @oluchi31. You're a gem.

Jhymi🖤

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