My BTS journey

 I'm bored so I found this BTS ARMY tag which seems fun. I thought I'd answer them.

QUESTIONS: 

When did you discover BTS?

I actually discovered BTS in 2016. That was the year I got into G-Dragon and Bigbang. Youtube and its algorithm recommended me this BTS video clip of the members dancing to Bigbang songs. Right away, I fell in love with their personality. 

Consequently, I got curious and I searched them up, but it didn't stick. I forgot about them and I didn't pay attention until they got so popular in 2018 that it became impossible not to. I remember thinking in 2018 when they received their first american award, "Oh wow, BTS? I know them!" But that was it. I still didn't care enough to revisit their discography. 

Fast forward to 2021 when the BTS Meal from Mcdonald's came out, I thought, "How did they get this far?" or "When did they get this big?" The last time I remember, Bigbang was the biggest K-pop group, not BTS. The hype of the whole Mcdonald's collaboration became so massive that it was enough to make me ask the big question "WHY". My goal then is to at least understand "why", I wasn't planning on staying for good. Joke's on me because I never left since.

What song did you hear first?

In 2016, I believe I heard their songs "Blood, Sweat & Tears" and "Dope". But back then, subtitles and translated lyrics weren't a thing in K-pop. So I went with the beat. I heard "Dope" first. And I couldn't say that there was something special with the song. It was just that... dope, like a thousand other songs that came out that year. I would say this though, the choreography got me. And that was enough for me to watch a live version of the song. But it didn't do it for me. It wasn't from any special stage so wearing the same clothes they wore in the music video threw me off. It was bland. Though their performance was great, in my mind at the time, so was every single K-pop group out there. 

Then I decided to find another song. Maybe if I find two more songs that are as equally "dope", I'd stick around. I saw "Blood, Sweat & Tears" next. I may have seen a third song but I can't remember. Maybe it's "Fire". Anyway, let me tell you something about BS&T. It's not for me. Not then, not now. I can't explain why because I don't get it myself. It has all the makings of a Liz approved song and music video but it didn't get there. Maybe I didn't like the melody altogether. That was enough for me to close the book and never return.

Until.

2022. I heard "Dynamite" because I was intentionally looking for new songs on Spotify. I love "Dynamite" because it gave me Michael Jackson vibes and I love MJ. Besides "Dope" which made it to my unplayed "K-pop" playlist", "Dynamite" made it to my main playlist. I listened to it regularly. But that was it. It was a trendy pop song which is in english so naturally it didn't mean anything special. I liked the song but not enough for me to say I like the artist. This was around the time of the Mcdonald's collab too, so add it together, plus the fact that every single reactor on Youtube were reacting to BTS, I decided to take a peek myself. See what the hype is all about. 

I think I saw a live performance first from Tinydesk. It was a medley of their songs. So I heard Dynamite, Save Me and Spring Day. All of which were toned down, with a live band, and just their vocals. Not too much production. Not too much music. No choreography at all. But it was exactly that, that I needed to hear. That was enough for me to keep going.

What song made you a fan?

Continuing the story from the time I saw the Tinydesk performance, both "Save Me" and "Spring Day" caught my attention. I looked it up on Youtube but the studio versions didn't do it for me. I liked the unplugged version more. But I was convinced enough to keep looking and there I found, "Life Goes On". It was the first song that I listened to non-stop. But to say that that song was the one that made me fan, was an overstatement. 

It was actually "Spring Day" which made me a fan, which solidified the status. The overabundance of BTS reactors on my Youtube homepage actually helped me with my journey. I followed along as they discover BTS because just like everyone else, I didn't know where to start. BTS discography was insane. But ARMY was helpful in the comments. As they guided the reactors I would watch, it guided me too. And that led me to watching theories regarding the"Spring Day" music video. Since then it didn't matter if I liked the music video or not, or the beat, or the aesthetic. What mattered was the message which soon I found out was a major part of BTS discography. 

Who was your first bias?

My first bias is V because of his visual. I saw him in 2016, in the music video for "Dope". But as you know by now, that didn't last long. I wouldn't even call it a bias because I simply saw him for his looks.

Who is your current bias?

Looking for my bias was intentional. When I decided to know their names and look them up, I intentionally searched for Jimin first, just because it's the name I keep hearing about. And he did not disappoint. He is exactly what I was expecting.

Jimin will always be my ultimate bias but someone else come and go alongside him. And that someone depends on the day.

Who is your bias wrecker?

My first bias wrecker was Suga. I loved his mixtape. I loved his rap style. Then I think I shifted next to RM when I found out he liked the same things I do. Then it became J-hope and Jin simultaneously. I remember watching compilation videos of Jin knowing he would make me laugh. And I often find myself anticipating J-hope's part in BTS songs. Then it was RM again when I heard Mono. Anyway yeah, mostly the rappers I guess.

What are your top 5 favorite songs?

This is difficult. But I'll try to name the ones that hold significant meanings to me.

1. Spring Day

2. Black Swan

3. Magic Shop

4. Zero o'clock

5. Epiphany

What song have you listened to the most?

According to my stats, in 2021 it was "Epiphany" first and then "Life Goes On" second.

In 2022, it's probably a song from Mono (most probably "everythinggoes"), Jimin's "With You", or RM's "Wildflower" but I'm not sure because my stats didn't show.

This year (January 2023), it's probably "Crystal Snow" or J-hope's "Future".

What is your favorite solo song?

I'll name one from each member. It seems fair that way.

Jin - Epiphany (but lately "Awake")

Suga - So Far Away

RM - everythinggoes

J-hope - Future

Jimin - Promise

V - Winter Bear

Jungkook - Euphoria 

What is your favorite album?

This is hard because when I discovered BTS, I didn't listen to the songs chronologically per album. So I can't say I have a favorite. I don't own physical albums too, nor do I know which songs are in the same album. I'll just say "Proof" so it's all in one album.

What is your favorite music video?

Black Swan for sure.

What is your favorite choreography?

Black Swan, Fake Love, and Airplane pt. 2.

What is your favorite lyric?

Oh boy. We'll be here forever. I'll name a few.

Magic Shop : "I know you're hesitating because even if you say the truth, in the end it will all return as scars."

Zero o'clock : "When the second hand and the minute hand overlap, the world hold its breath for a brief moment."

Intro: Nevermind : "If you feel like you're going to crash then accelerate more."

                                "Moss surely grows on a stone that doesn't roll."

Answer: Love Myself : "Even all the scars from your mistakes make up your constellation."

Awake : "Maybe I can't touch the sky, but I still want to reach my hand. I want to try running. Just a little more."

Tomorrow : "The dawn right before the sun rises is the darkest."

ON : "Choosing to descend into the dark abyss"

Outro: Wings : "My back hurts in order to let my wings sprout."

Who is your favorite vocalist?

The thing about BTS is every single member has a role to play. No member is alike. No member sounds alike. No member does it alike. But if I were to really choose, it's Jimin or Jin.

Who is your favorite rapper?

Again, every single member has a role to play. No member is alike. No member sounds alike. No member does it alike. But if I were to really choose, it's Suga.

Who is your favorite dancer?

And again, every single member has a role to play. No member is alike. No member dances alike. No member does it alike. To each is their style. But if I were to choose, it's Jimin.

Hmm.. but sometimes it's J-hope.

What is your favorite BTS era?

I wasn't lucky enough to experience their eras because I became an ARMY in 2021. But if I were to imagine I were around in any era, probably the "Love Myself" era.

What is your favorite performance?

Oh man. This is hard. But it's also easy.

If I were to choose one, I'd choose "Attack on Bangtan" Live On Stage Epilogue Japan 2016. Their energy on stage is unbeatable.

What is your favorite side project? (ie Run BTS, BT21, TinyTan, BU, etc.)

Run BTS, Bon Voyage, and In The Soop.

Have you seen them in concert?

Not yet. But I will. I will make sure that I will.