I've been asked about my 'bias' many times. Honestly, I am not sure if I have one. I've always been just about their music and phenomenal talents. I am about their rapport and synergy as a group, which shine through in all their features onBangtan TV and their other activities - inside and outside BTS. As they grow and evolve, we see the depth of their artistry, and the growing breadth of their personal interests and colorful characters, which are all fascinating and impressive. I cannot begin to explain how proud I am that these wonderful young men hailed from 'my side of the planet'... not that they ever put boundary to their musical influence because they are all about inclusiveness. So, yeah, I feel that I do not have a 'real' bias. Is that possible? Perhaps....
Admirable young men who hailed from 'my side of the planet'.
I have to say though that JK is like 'the son that I never had', therefore, he is very special to me. 💜 Watching him do what he does as a BTS member and as JK, the person, warms my heart. From his younger days when he was that incredibly cute-as-a-button kid with a load of raw talents that he slugs around patiently and enthusiastically while he stares with his expressive eyes... and to these days where he has evolved to this wonderful young man with tons of talents that are manifested inside and outside BTS... it is always a delight to watch him. He seemed to have grown in wisdom, too. He chooses his words wisely these days, and when he speaks, the words are good and well-spoken, too. He remains athletic and fun-loving, well-skilled in his favorite sports and other activities that calls for athleticism, and enviably smart in using logic when dealing with practical things and highly complex things alike. I imagine that if he was a family, he would be that one person whom you'd call when you're in a great danger... because you know, he can figure a way out for you... and would execute the plan himself in the most impressive knight-in-shining-armor way! He continues to surprise us with maturing artistry everytime he resurfaces from 'mini social media hiatus' that he takes every now and then. He becomes more and more of a man's man with that 'take-charge' confidence minus the attitude. He remains polite, cute,
JK - he, himself... the one and the only - the closest being to perfection. 💜
funny, and with that laid back stance that belies his competitive spirit. These make his sweet gestures towards ARMY all the more special... and, I imagine, very swoon-worthy to young ladies. He continues to spread his wings as an artist, and soars high with his mega talents, the level of which keeps becoming more and more unreachable for other artists. As his 'pretend Mom', I am very, very (very, very, very) proud of him! And, if I could talk to him, I'd say what that song by NSYNC says, "(God must have spent) A little more time on you", because he is the closest being to perfection - and my dearest and one and only son, therefore, fave young man in the history of the universe! 💖💜
And, what about the fantabulous, RM? Ah, Namjoon is like a favorite nephew who is intelligent, well-mannered, loving, and so talented... but fierce, too, when provoked - typical of a self-made young artist who went through so much, and came out victorious... therefore, he knows his worth, and is confident about it. 💜 His confidence makes him all the more good-looking. He is someone that I am so genuinely proud of, and it is always a delight to watch him grow so gracefully as a person and as an artist. To me, he is like that nephew that you spent time babysitting, and therefore, saw him grow up; that nephew with whom you swap books with; that nephew that you wish your son would emulate as a role model; that nephew that you hope would become your son's best friend; that nephew whose photo you carry in your wallet together with that of your son's; that nephew whose visits to your home are something you always look forward to because you know it would be a treat to listen to his stories, the new books that he read and the new art pieces that he's seen; that nephew whom you hope would introduce you to a girl that he loves and adores who is as perfect as him... who is perfect for him. He is that nephew for whom you have been saving up to buy that fabulous work of art that you know he'd love... and give it to him as gift on his inaugural as President of the country. Aawww... I'm tearing up! 💜💗
Back in Penn State University while waiting to travel to Las Vegas to watch "PTD on Stage - Las Vegas".
SUGA is like that nephew who has always been 'your favorite project' as an aunt. 💜 You know that he is a genius but it frustrates you that he gets bored in school because what he learns in a 'traditional' education system is just a little drop in his massive reservoir of brain power... and the drop jiggles and makes a lot of noise when it reaches the surface of the massive self-discovered and self-thought knowledge in the reservoir, and it hurts his ears! And so, he yawns, he rolls his eyes... and rolls out of the classroom! Hahaha... It exasperates you that he always takes numerous catnaps during family gatherings. So, very often he is left out in family portraits, and you always have to photoshop him in it! Hahaha... But everytime you find out that his band is playing at his school, you drop everything and go... even if he did not invite you! Hahaha... and you buy a roll of tickets and give them away to his band's fans, and you hide in the shadows while you dance like a crazy woman to his songs as he sets the stage on fire... uhm, no, not literally setting on fire, just figuratively! Haha... he might be a 'rebel' but he is not an arsonist... that's Jack-in-the-Box Hobi! Hahaha... Yeah, the great Yoongi is 'an acquired taste'... but once you enter his web of spell, there is no way out. Trust me, you will erase the word 'exit' or 'out' from your dictionary once you become a Yoongi fan. 💜
Hobi is like an A+ student to me. 💜 No, he is not a typical 'favorite student' because it is wrong to have favorites in school, but he is 'that student' who always comes to mind when there are major tasks in school. Hobi is like this highly talented student who works so hard, organized, diligent, and highly disciplined. And, he is so humble, supportive and friendly that his classmates always run to him for help. As such, his peers would love to see him succeed, too. When there are big events and projects at school, as a teacher, you would love Hobi to be a part of your Team because you know that, with him in the Team, you will get the job done, and done very well, too! He will use his charisma and sense of humor to encourage everyone (including the likes of Yoongi. Hahaha...) to work with the Team, and he will run the 'extra mile' to exceed expectations. And after he graduates, Hobi would be that former student of yours who becomes a family. He would be that alumnus who would always be happy to 'give back' by sharing his blessings and words of wisdom with struggling students. Hobi is a great role model for students... and because I am an educator, I'd love me a lecture hall full of Hobis! 💜
Work (Penn State U) + 'ARMY duties' = joy
Jin is like a favorite young cousin. 💜 He is this young cousin whom you'd love to have around in the kitchen when you cook - filling it with laughter and good cheers. He is your source of the perfect ingredient for the best homecooked food: LOVE. He is this young cousin who'd drive you to the farmer's market on weekends to buy ingredients for the weekend family meal... and would sweetly carry your basket for you. And because he is so handsome, you'd enjoy all the attention from girls as they secretly ogle on this handsome young man who walks alongside you, carrying your basket like a gallant prince straight from a fairy tale. In your head, you keep telling the girls, "hmmm... just you wait until you hear him sing!" And you walk with such pride... and, smugness - admit it or not. He is also one of your trusted persons because he is that responsible young cousin with whom you can leave your only son, and he'd guide your son through teenage life including enrolment at school... although sometimes, he'd lead your son to boys' 'crazy adventures', too. That's alright because, you know, he will be responsible, and your son will be in good company. In fact, he gives your son a lesson in tennis regularly... and what a relief because you always fear that your son would hurt himself doing competitive boxing. Wouldn't it be great to have Jin as a young cousin? For sure, it would be! He is already my young cousin... in a parallel universe. 💜
Jimin is like your best friend's son, and is your godson ('inaanak' in Filipino), too. 💜 As the bond is 'spiritual', it is as good as a blood relationship, and it is lasting. He is that boy whom you bought Christmas and birthday presents for all his life... and he is so thoughtful that he values them like treasures even when he already earns 100 times more than what you earn... and it makes your heart swell with pride and love. He was that boy with whom your only son played with while you and your best friend 'gossiped' about your favorite artists... and your little boys' screams, shrieks and giggles will always be music to your ears... and shall resonate in your heart for the rest of your life. And now that that boy is a successful grown-up, you enjoy the regular visits from him... the sweet messages that he sends every now and then, asking how you are doing, and telling you to always take care. Aww... that made me tear up, too! Jiminaaaaah, saranghaaaeee!! 💜
V (Tae): the prettiest face you'd ever lay your eyes on in this generation.
Last, but totally not the least... ah, Tae. He is like your long-time neighbor's only son who was your only son's playmate. 💜 They wrecked havoc in the neighborhood all their naughty-boy's lives that it's a miracle the neighborhood survived all this time! They were these boys who ran around your Christmas tree, almost knocking down the tree each time! As the boys grew up, they would sneak out to shop together in the nearby Mall on their own as they disliked the outfits that you and your neighbor buy for them with Tae being the 'mastermind' of sneak out plans. While you grimaced at their choice of outfits... when they are already wearing the outfits, one wink from Tae gets you in his spell, and you nod your head in approval... and you surprise yourself because you actually meant the approval! And now that they are grown-ups, Tae is like this handsome and very talented young man who paints every town red that he sets his prettily shoed feet unto. But you know when he's home because he never fails to honk his fabulous car until you draw open your front window curtain so he can say hello to you... with his killer wink that has become so 'deadly' that it never fails to make your heart flutter with the joy of just knowing this wonderful young man, who, over the years, have become like your own son, too! 😍
Ahhh... I have a third family, and it's BTS. How awesome! 💜
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Back to 'ARMY duties'...
Today, we are commemorating the 2nd anniversary of the release of "Dynamite". So, let's celebrate with this...
🎜 "I'm diamond, you know I glow up. Let's go!" 🎝
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Photo credit: (1) Collage of BTS photos during their attendance at the 2022 Grammy's were grabbed from BTS Big Hit official IG account and Bangtan TV - thanks for the loan. (2) JK - grabbed from the "Butter" video by Hybe Labels. (3) Collage of my own photos and BTS "Permission to Dance On Stage - Las Vegas" from the IG accounts of J-Hope, JK and RM - thanks for the loan. (4) Collage of my own photos and those grabbed from BTS Big Hit official IG account, and from Jimin's and JK's IG accounts. (5) Tae's photo grabbed from SBS K-Pop Inkigayo video - thanks.
Video credit: The owner of the video is indicated in the video itself, Hybe Labels. Thanks, YouTube, for the video link.
