An Unexpected Meeting - The Day I First Heard BTS
It was a warm spring afternoon at a small café in the heart of Seoul.
Having moved to Korea a few months earlier, I was still adjusting to a new life.
As I sipped my coffee, unfamiliar music caught my ear.
Bright voices, an energetic rhythm—it was impossible to ignore.
Before I knew it, I found myself searching the song online.
That song was by BTS.
That moment was the beginning of something unexpected.
A Foreign Melody, A Familiar Feeling - How Their Music Spoke to Me
The Korean language feels familiar yet distant to me.
But BTS’s music needed no translation.
Their songs brought out emotions I had locked away during my military service:
loneliness, loyalty, resilience, hope.
For the first time, I thought,
"Maybe this music was meant for people like me."
Breaking the Wall of Prejudice - How My View on K-POP Changed
Before moving to Korea, I dismissed K-POP as flashy entertainment for the younger generation.
BTS shattered that belief.
They were more than performers.
They were storytellers with a powerful, honest voice.
Through them, I learned an undeniable truth:
"Prejudice is often rooted in ignorance."
Stories in the Lyrics - BTS Messages That Touched My Heart
"Spring Day" and "Answer: Love Myself" left the deepest marks on my heart.
Themes of loss, waiting, healing, and self-love mirrored my own experiences as a veteran.
Through their music, I realized:
"Songs aren't just listened to—they are lived."
A New Family - Connecting with ARMY
Living alone in Korea sometimes felt isolating.
Yet BTS bridged that gap effortlessly.
The ARMY community welcomed me with open arms, regardless of age, nationality, or background.
One simple question, "Are you ARMY too?" turned strangers into friends.
BTS created a world where connection was effortless and genuine.
A New Daily Life - A Veteran Living as a K-POP Fan
Today, BTS is woven into my daily routine.
I kick off my mornings with "Mic Drop" and unwind at night with "Epiphany."
Walking through Seoul, seeing BTS everywhere,
I feel proud to be part of this vast, colorful universe.
Once a soldier in uniform,
now a dreamer at heart, thanks to BTS.
Lessons Learned - What BTS Taught Me About Life
The Army taught me resilience and responsibility.
BTS taught me self-acceptance.
They helped me see that the struggles and victories of my life
make me who I am—and that’s more than enough.
Thanks to BTS,
I continue to grow as a veteran, a Korean American, and a human being.
My Story, Our Journey - Looking Forward
This journey with BTS isn’t a single chapter.
It’s a lifelong adventure.
Living in Korea, hearing their music every day,
I continue discovering new dreams.
And just like that first day I heard them,
"I hope tomorrow brings another song that touches my heart."
