So instead of doing SETTIMANALE this week, because I already did one a few days ago, I thought I could just talk about BTS. After all, if I'm going to look back, my life has never been the same since I clicked on that live performance of Dynamite on Tinydesk, 2 or maybe 3 weeks ago? Honestly, I'm not sure anymore when it started.
Before I write about BTS now though, let's go back to a few years ago. It's important to say this because it is relevant to my ongoing dive into the BTS-ARMY fandom.
I think it was probably 2015 or 2016. At the time I stumbled across G-Dragon and Bigbang. I really like G-Dragon and since Bigbang is a huge part of his life, naturally, I had to like that too. But I'm not particularly obsessed with the group. While watching music videos of Bigbang, I somehow stumbled across a video compilation of this Kpop group BTS dancing and singing to Bigbang songs. That encounter led to me watching Dope for the first time. I liked the song. I remember being awestruck with the choreography and I liked one particular face in particular, V. But for some reason, maybe it didn't resonate enough, or maybe life distracted me from pursuing any more hours on Youtube watching clips of Kpop idols, I have totally forgotten about them. Although I remember I even watched a live performance of Dope.
Now I realized they were getting so much hate then, but I wasn't aware. I thought they were good, their dance especially, but like so many other Kpop groups, they're just as equally good when it comes to performance. I wasn't convinced.
And then they blew up and I still didn't care. I chose to distance myself from the Kpop world because I was only waiting for G-Dragon's magnificent return. I stayed idle. I'm not particularly a fan of Kpop, I just like G-Dragon, that's what I keep telling myself.
And then BTS blew up even more, and more, and more, until it's gotten to the point where I keep wondering why they blew up in the first place. For a while, I've entertained the idea that Bigbang's absence contributed to their success. But now I know that wasn't the case, Bigbang was there in 2016.
All I keep saying to people is that they dance great. That's all I know.
And then somehow I think I ended up watching their Tinydesk live performance of Dynamite, which by the way, I already like (the song). But it was a pop song, and it's not hard to like a pop song especially with its catchy vibe. What really was a waterslide for me was the song Spring Day and Life Goes On. Those two songs started it all. And then I saw the Music Video Interpretation of Spring Day and the rest is history. The more I found out about them the more I admire them. I'm completely looped in.
I guess part of my journey is realizing why they got so big in the first place. I didn't understand it. In my head, there must be something else, something I haven't seen before, something different that could categorize beyond all other existing Kpop groups. Writing this I realized why I don't like Kpop- they're like replicas of each other. Same formula. Same strategy. Same look. And I'm the kind of person who craves individuality and creativity. That's why G-Dragon stood out for me in the first place. Maybe that's why BTS didn't stand out to me too, then.
Anyway, I kept digging and digging, and everytime I found out something cool, I still kept digging, and now I realize there is paradise under ground. I finally understand- their lyrics, their story, their work ethic, their intellect, their passion, their dedication, their fans-ARMY. They got so much more to offer than the genre of Kpop itself. It all comes together. Right now, everything about them is exactly what I've been looking for. Creativity, control, power, talent, humility, freedom, and most especially - a S T O R Y. They have a story. And I'm always up for a story. But not just any other story written by some company, but an autobiography. A story of ups and downs. A story of not giving up and finding yourself. To use a translated lyrics by them "I choose to crawl out of the dark abyss." That kind of story always gets to me.
I'm excited to be in this journey. It feels like a journey to myself. It feels like a reunion with Lilah Gran.
I am convinced.
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