Celebrating a decade of BTS: OT7 songs that defined my fandom journey

Happy 10th birthday week to BTS!

BTS is marking its 10th anniversary this week, and fans all over the world have been celebrating in their own way.

In Seoul, skyscrapers, bridges and major landmarks are lighting up in purple to mark BTS as a source of national pride. And over the past week, fans all over world have been sharing memories and listening to BTS songs from the past decade.

As for the BTS members themselves, they’re marking the occasion by sharing letters and endearing behind-the-scenes pictures and videos from over the years.

“I purple you, apobangpo!” wrote member V on Instagram, with the latter word meaning “ARMY forever, Bangtan forever.”

RM on the other hand, dedicated a handwritten letter to fans.

He wrote in part, “There was a lot of rain, wind, and love. We’ve built our own world that we may not make anyone else understand. Thanks to ARMY and the many people who helped us.”

Needless to say, I have been feeling a bit like an emotional mess. It’s only mid-week!

While I haven’t been in the fandom since day one, I am just glad to say that I’m here now and staying for life.

Over the last three years, I’ve shared my journey into the ARMY fandom a number of times — even broadcasting my adult fangirl shame on national radio.

However, I’ve never really dove deep into why BTS’s songs have driven me to become a fan in the first place.

So in honour of BTS’s 10th birthday, I’ve decided to go down memory lane and dedicate this post to seven OT7 songs that have marked my ARMY journey.

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The song that made me a fan - “Black Swan”

It was the middle of January 2020 when I decided on a whim to look up BTS on YouTube after a friend started raving about them. That led me to a live performance of “Black Swan” on The Late Late Show With James Corden, where the members were dressed in all black and doing a lyrical dance routine on stage. I distinctly remember thinking, “ Wow! This is art!” and found myself particularly mesmerized by Jimin’s flexibility and agileness on stage.

I soon looked up the lyrics to “Black Swan”, and was equally impressed with how profound the song is. The track discusses the group’s love for music, and the fear of losing one’s passion for creating.

That was enough to prove to me that BTS is more than just your average boy band. I had to learn more.

The song that made me want to see BTS live - “MIC DROP”

During my BTS rabbit hole, I came across a video of the group performing “Mic Drop” on Saturday Night Live. This was the performance that really made me want to see the group in concert for a variety of reasons. J-Hope’s stage presence! Jin’s iconic bridge! That dance break! Not to mention, Suga’s mic drop at the very end?!!

The performance was absolutely electric, and I could feel it through my computer screen. After I watched the video three more times (!!) in a row, I promised myself I’d have to see BTS live whenever the next opportunity presented itself to me.

The song that brightened my days - “Boy With Luv”

There was a time during the pandemic when I’d play this song at least 10 times a day. Yes, I realize that is a tad excessive. However, the bubblegum and cheerful concept was something that gave me pure joy when the world felt like it was falling apart.

“Boy With Luv” was like free therapy during a depressing time. After all, the song is happiness and love personified.

I still listen to this song when I’m feeling down. It’s absolutely timeless.

The song that marked my first BTS comeback - “Dynamite”

I’ll admit that “Dynamite” isn’t my FAVOURITE of BTS songs.

Out of BTS’s three all-English songs, I actually love “Butter” the most because it allowed the boys to showcase their personalities a bit more. HOWEVER, “Dynamite” will always have its place in my heart because it marked my first comeback since I became a fan of BTS.

This song was also released at the height of the pandemic in 2020, when I was getting up at 3AM to report breaking news to the world.

Waking up to this track during a miserable morning (it was still pitch black outside!) was enough to brighten my day. For that reason alone, “Dynamite” is worth celebrating.

The song that helped me channel my angst - “Baepsae/Silver Spoon”

I have to thank all the translators and interpreters for helping me understand this song because it is layered with meaning. The literal translation of “Baepsae” is a small bird known as a crow-tit. But it’s also a word used to describe a “try-hard”, because it refers to anyone who tries to walk like a stork. On the other hand, the English title of the song “Silver Spoon” refers to anyone who was born with a silver spoon in their mouths.

I truly believe that full academic papers can be written about this song alone! I identify with this track because it outlines the tension young people often have with their elders. Older generations tell us to work hard. But given the state of the current labour market and economy, younger people are not afforded the same type of privileges their parents had years before them.

I say all this because I listen to the song when life feels out of control on my end. And while I can’t often do things to change how things turn out, at least I can channel some of my angst and frustration with the world through “Baepsae.”

The song that makes me feel alive - “Home”

It’s April 2022, and I’m about to wait for BTS to come back onstage for their encore during their Permission to Dance concert in Las Vegas. All of a sudden the opening tune of “Home” begins to play and the cheers start up again.

Yes, BTS are back on stage. But it also happens to be the song that makes me feel alive. This track evokes feelings of comfort and familiarity within me — much like a home.

I know it sounds corny, but being in a stadium full of ARMY feels like a safe place. There is no better way to celebrate that than singing along to “Home.”

My all time favourite song - “Save Me”

I’ll be the first to admit that I first discovered BTS at a particularly challenging time in my life when I was feeling a lot of self-doubt. While happier songs like “Boy With Luv” were songs I played on loop, “Save Me” was the track I gravitated the most to because it covers themes of loneliness and the need for companionship.

I was particularly struck by how subtle the song is in comparison to some of BTS’s louder and extravagant tracks like “Idol” and “Fire.”

And as minimalistic the music video was, I was captivated watching the members dancing on an empty grass field with no special effects or graphics. It proved to me that BTS needs nothing more than its talent alone to completely grab my attention. It’s exactly why “Save Me” is number one in my books.

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Fans worry about Blackpink Jennie’s health

(Photo credit: Getty Images)

Jennie was visibly unwell during the Melbourne leg of Blackpink’s world tour on Sunday June 11, having to leave the stage mid-performance. She was also absent during the show’s soundcheck earlier in the day.

Later that night, YG Entertainment released a statement informing fans that Jennie “was unable to complete the stage due to her deteriorating condition”, extending an apology to fans in attendance at the concert.

“Jennie expressed her strong determination to carry on with the performance until the end. However, following medical advice on site, we immediately took measures to ensure she receives ample rest and stability,” it continued.

Along with a busy touring schedule, Jennie has been traveling and promoting non-stop in recent weeks. From headlining Coachella, attending the MET Gala to promoting The Idol at Cannes, the 27-year-old has barely had a break.

Here’s hoping that Jennie and the rest of her Blackpink members have ample time to rest and will not burn themselves out too quickly. Get well soon Jennie!

NCT’s Johnny Suh fractures collarbone, will take a pause on promotional activities.

(Photo credit: Getty Images)

NCT’s Johnny Suh will be taking a pause on promotional activities after fracturing his collarbone.

According to his label SM Entertainment, the singer sustained an injury after hitting a studio door during filming.

“According to the results, his right clavicle is fractured, and he received medical advice that he should wear a brace to secure the relevant area and to minimize movement until recovery,” SM Entertainment told The Pop Herald.

“Johnny will temporarily halt all his scheduled activities and focus on treatment and recovery, and we will inform you of Johnny’s return to his scheduled activities at a later date,” the K-pop agency added.

Suh was set to perform a DJ set at ‘KVIBES Summer Fantasy’ in Indonesia this weekend under the stage name DJ Johnny Be. It is not clear if this is still going ahead.

Get better soon Johnny!

Stray Kids 5-Star debuts at #1 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart

Stray Kids made the top spot in the Billboard 200 with their latest release 5-Star.

This marks the the band’s third chart entry, and the third to debut at #1 following their 2022 albums MAXIDENT and ODDINARY.

According to Billboard, 5-Star launches with 249,500 equivalent album units earned in the United States in the week ending June 8. That marks the fourth-largest week by units earned for any album in 2023.

Stray Kids are not the only group to be in the top five this week. ENHYPEN debuted at #4 with their new mini-album Dark Blood.

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Never Have I Ever is oftentimes cringey, but it sure has a lot of heart.

The show’s fourth and final season just came out and I am truly sad that it is over! It’s wild to believe that an open casting call by Mindy Kaling made local Canadian girl Maitreyi Ramakrishnan into a star almost overnight. She really has a bright future ahead of her, and I wish her all the very best!

I recently had the opportunity to attend the launch of Never Have I Ever’s final season in Toronto, and even hear Ramakrishnan answer some fan questions. I particularly loved what she had to say about the roles she’d like to see for South Asian actors in the future.

“I want to get to a point where we have options on a Buzzfeed quiz. We’re not all Princess Jasmine!”

GO OFF, GIRL! Onwards and upwards!

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