Chances are at some point in your life you have heard of K-Pop, or more specifically of the seven member group, BTS. I, myself, am a part of their international fanbase; we call ourselves. A.R.M.Y- which is the acronym for “Adorable Representative M.C. for Youth.” Within the past few years, this particular group has gained publicity from media after media. I am not saying winning the Billboard Music Award for “Best Social Artist” for two consecutive years is a minor accomplishment- it is quite major in retrospect- however, it could be considered a smaller feat to what was to come for the beloved group.

 

On September 24th, 2018, the world-wide famous K-Pop band made history- and filled the hearts of millions. It’s not everyday that a Korean band gets the opportunity to address the United Nations in such way that leaves the world so stunned and craving for more.

 

In BTS’s previous album releases, they have been repeating one phrase over and over again. This term is “Love Yourself” and it holds quite a sentimental value to the band and their fans. It has been made known that the upbringings of this particular group has been far from a fairytale. For example, the leader of BTS, Kim Namjoon or known as his stage name RM, never once had his parent’s support in the music industry. This epidemic caused this rapping monster (pun intended) to feel a form of self hatred. Through his music, he tries to find peace with himself.

 

Trying to “love yourself” can be one of the hardest obstacles to overcome in life. Here is some of what he had to say, “We truly have the best fans in the world. I used to imagine that I was a superhero who could save the world. In an intro to one of our early albums, there's a line that says, 'My heart stopped when I was maybe nine or ten.' Looking back, I think that's when I began to worry about what other people thought of me, and started seeing myself through their eyes. I stopped looking up at the night skies, the stars, I stopped daydreaming. Instead, I just tried to jam myself into the molds that other people made.”

He also seems to touch on themes of ordinary people. “And I'm sure that I, and we, will keep stumbling and falling like this. BTS has become artists performing in huge stadiums and selling millions of albums right now, but I am still an ordinary 24-year-old guy. If there’s anything I've achieved, it was only possible that I have my other BTS members right by my side, and because of the love and the support that our ARMY fans all over the world make for us. After releasing our Love Yourself albums, and launching the Love Myself campaigns, we started to hear remarkable stories from our fans all over the world how our message helped them overcome their hardships in life and start loving themselves. whose stories constantly remind us of our responsibility. So let's take our one more step. We have learned to love ourselves, so I urge you to speak yourself. I like to ask all of you 'What is your name? What excites you and make your heart beat? Tell me your story.' I want to hear your voice. I want to hear your conviction. No matter who you are, where you're from, your skin color, your gender identity, just speak yourself. Find your name and find your voice by speaking yourself.”