"Run bulletproof, you gotta run..."

 ...and the fandom went berserk!

===================================================

by PAM

Nope, this post does not need any introduction.  Let's get right down to it... or I'd collapse from excitement!  Besides, I'm in a hurry... I have work to do!

Yes, yes, and YES!  The song, "Run BTS", that ARMY jokingly describe as a BTS song with its own fandom just got a choreography... and it debuted live at the "Yet to Come in Busan" concert!  The said concert is the campaign for S. Korea's bid to host the World Expo in 2030.  Needless to say, it gloriously lived up to everyone's expectations!  By "it", I mean the choreography... but I gotta say, a choreography can be awesome but if the performers are less than awesome, it will not work.  But we are talking about Bangtan Sonyeondan (BTS) here - the most phenomenal music group since the Beatles!  Except that, well, Beatles didn't dance the way these guys do.  Then again, no one, and I mean N.O. O.N.E., dances in spectacular grace, swag, energy, and synchronization with a capital "S" quite the way these seven young men do - while singing LIVE, that is!

Alright, as that old adage goes, "the proof of the pudding is in the eating".  So, here, help yourself...

"Not losing our spirit, make it move left and right
No matter who you are, make it move, left and right
Two bare feet are our gasoline, yeah, yeah..."

I was one of the millions of ARMY who missed many parts of the live concert in Busan because of less than outstanding service of the platform (whose name will not be mentioned here) that carried the live streaming worldwide.  To be fair, perhaps, any platform can collapse from the sheer force of BTS ARMY - all 45 million of us tuned in all around the globe -

Always creating a pandemonium in purple...
...that's BTS for ya!

including a platform from the Most Innovative country in Southeast Asia, East Asia and Oceana, and #6 in the world, according to the Global Innovation Index of WIPO... well, S. Korea, of course!     

While I was quite disappointed, at least, I can say that I saw the choreography of "Run BTS" on its inaugural performance - live.  The minute that screeching intro of the song sounded, and SUGA, saying "okay, let's go" in his hyper-attitude tone... I literally, hyperventilated!  Hahaha...  Also, I got to see them open the Busan concert with one of my biggest FAVORITE BTS songs, "Mic Drop".  So, that is more than enough for me.  Besides, I saw them perform live in their "Permission to Dance on Stage - Las Vegas" last April 2022.  It was not a 'privilege' nor an 'entitlement' because I saved up from my meager scholarship as a Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow to pay a considerable amount of money to see them perform live.  And, I travelled from State College, Pennsylvania to Las Vegas by foot, by automobile, and on red eye flight.  So, I'm good.  One of these days, I will post my AWESOME experience of seeing them perform live... with lots of photos and videos that I took in the concert.  Hehe...

But yes, the "Run BTS" choreography was beautiful, and the guys' performance was outstanding per usual.  Forgive me, but I have to say that JK did extra-awesome though -

JK - a TOTAL performer through and through!
And utterly gorgeous, too. 

both in his dancing and singing, and everything in between.  Excellent!  He has really grown to be such an incredible performer, my goodness me!  At mark 0:51 to 0:57 min, he just prowled through that performance like a human dynamo - relentless, fearless, flawless!  He just slayed left and right, up and down, and inside out!  And he never lost a single ounce of gorgeousness while doing so.  Who does that?? Man, this JK!  There simply is no suitable word to describe the talents of this young man.  He was impressive at mark 0:10 - 0:24 min - pitching, and setting the tone for the group - so very talented, seriously.  In all the synchronized dancing, he was absolutely captivating, especially at 2:02 - 2:08 min, and then... again, at 2:56 - 3:02 min.  He seemed to have expended enough energy to send a space ship to orbit!  His blending with Jimin at mark 0:34 min - 0:48 min was beautiful.  Aww, these 'Busan brothers' are just the most loveable performance duo that you'll ever find on the face of this planet - so overflowing with talents, those two.

Speaking of Jimin, aah... he left me open-mouthed and ready to drop - face first - at mark 0:57 - 1:03 min!  Dang, very smooth - too good!  He just oozed pure awesomeness.  At mark 1:57 min in their group synchronization down to his feature move where he simulated driving a motor bike at 2:23 - 2:28 min mark, he was on fire!  His concentration and energy was reflected on his face, and it swept me off my feet!  Right there and then, my heart just gave way... and I felt like crying. I just realized how I missed Jimin's live performances on stage.  That sweet young man that he is... simply gets transformed to attitude and swag, swag, swaaag on stage - nothing like it, no one like him!  Saranghae, Jiminaah!   

Worth focusing on is how our beloved J-Hope's dancing got to an even higher level of awesomeness - if that is at all possible, considering how out-of-this-world great he is already.  All the solo and collab performances

The formidable BTS Rap Line 'Trinity'
(L-R:  J-Hope, SUGA and RM)

that he's been having over the past months have obviously raised his confidence level - unleashing the 'growling' artist in him.. and he keeps 'growling' these days, indeed!  And, like JK, he does work soooo hard to perfect his craft - wonderful role models for young (and not-so-young) people, truly.  At mark 1:03 - 1:15 min, he gave the choreography an unforgettable character.  When I think of this choreography, that J-Hope move will be my mental reference  And his rapping at mark 2:28 - 2:53 min was pure 'muscle rapping' that only he can ever do.  Tough, tough, very tough - loved it!  Way to go, Hobi!

Oh, and speaking of 'muscle-rapping'... man, that SUGA! @a*k8%r485*&... aah, nooo... I can't type - I'm shaking. That 'little guy' with muscled throat and 'muscular rapping voice' just owned that stage everytime the spotlight was on him.. and even when it was not.  At mark 1:15 - 1:28 min, he just sprayed the stage and the universe that's watching the live stream with deadly rap bullets - almost as fast as a flying bullet, dang!  And his hair was sinfully gorgeous, too... and he moved like a 'criminal cat'.  He just slayed, slayed, slayed!  No mercy whatsoever!  So, naturally, ARMY just completely dropped dead in love!  I will admit... I was one of the fatalities.  "Marry me, Yoongi!"  Hahaha... (kidding... he's like a nephew to me.  Hahaha...)

At first glance, I almost did not recognize RM.  He cut his hair just before the Busan concert.  It worked... he looked like a young man having fun while pouring his heart out on stage rather than a distinguished CEO of a multinational bank as he looked at the TMAs.  He was dancing with energy,  agility and a touch of athleticism - yes, agility... and we are talking about RM!  He was matching the "3Js" energy, and successfully, too, I must say.  But the moment he caught the rap ball passed by SUGA at 1:29 min mark... all hell broke loose!  The patent RM baritone sliced through the digital signals from the livestream feed worldwide, and it was beautiful!  It was awesome that, perched up the pedestal, he closed the performance of the song, too.  Awesome, leader!

Speaking of 'closing'... as usual, I wish to close this post with a tribute to V but I think that the 'man of the hour' is Jin, so, I'll reserve the closing for him.  So, it's Tae, it is at this point.  Let me

Tae and his antics - always fun!

begin by saying, Tae did fantastic - I mean, f.a.n.t.a.s.t.i.c.!  After getting a bit concerned with him at the TMAs with less than perfectly timed breathing that sent some notes flat, he completely obliterated this performance in Busan!  He had all cylinders firing!  From dancing with gusto, to drawling his parts of the song with a roar of an engine... and keeping the charm at full blast, too - very, very effective, affective and affecting.  I loved his voice blending with JK, and those moments with Jin, especially with that vandana moves at 1:41 - 1:56 min mark... reminiscent of his 'card tossing' with JK at the Grammys.  Tae is so awesome in stuff like this... he gets the job done in ways that are jaw-dropping, memorable, and unforgettable - so artistic and creative!  And, I completely love that he performed looking like he was enjoying himself.  Watch him, and without you knowing, you are smiling!  That's our Tae - borahae! 

And now, Jin... ahh, Jin, Jin, Seok-Jin!  I had to replay the video and focus on Jin... because when will be the next time that we shall see him doing something like this with the other six members?  2025?  Man... but he did well in this performance.  He totally hit those high notes with his usual artistry. But... there was something in his dancing in this particular performance... which I can't put my fingers on quite accurately. Hmmm... at 0:51 - 1:15 min mark, his concentration seemed tremendous; at 1:41 - 1:53 min, he seemed to be having fun

Indeed, the best is yet to come...
we'll be waiting.

but you can tell he is being diligent in nailing the performance; 1:57 - 2:10 min, he was obviously watching everyone and moving with everyone in such painstaking accuracy; at 2:45 - 3:00 min mark, his concentration was almost tangible; and, in his solo vocals at 3:02 - 3:08 min, he just ripped through the air waves like a bullet train!  Towards the end of the performance, at 3:15 - 3:20 min mark, Jin was obviously giving his all in the choreography, stealing the scene altogether!  Damn, Jin, what did you just do?!  Tryin' a kill us all?  But we survived that... 

...what we're not sure we'd survive is the announcement later, after Busan, that Jin is enlisting for military service this coming December 2022... where he will remain in active service for the next 18 months.  The rest will be enlisting one by one, but with the maknaes all together in 2024.  They will return as a group in December 2025.  Three years and two months... it feels like three decades.   Oh, well... as we are ARMY, we trust BTS.  Therefore, we are certain that, indeed, the best is yet to come!

Alright, that's enough Vitamin B(TS)... for now.

***

Video credit:  The video featured in this post belongs to BangtanTV - thanks for the loan.

Photo credit:  All photos belong to Big Hit music except the second to the last, which belongs to an BTS OT7 fan site - thanks for the loan.

***

Saturday Photo, er...

 ...video, or, videos... and photos!

============================================

by PAM

Life has been incredibly busy with-a-capital-B over the past few weeks.  My calendar was a chaos with-a-capital-C, too!  But there were so many milestones achieved, too... and I am very happy, indeed! 🙏  However, I will probably need a month to chronicle all the favorable things that has taken place over the past four weeks or so.  One of the 'giddy happy' moments that I've had was two Fridays ago when my Executive Assistant and I paid our new campus in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna, Philippines a visit. The site is about 45 km south of the City of Manila, and it takes about 45 minutes as well to travel from the main campus to the new campus. 

I was happy to see that the first building to rise in that 44-hectare second campus of the University of Santo Tomas (UST, or "USTe" to its alumni) is almost complete now.  As the Sta. Rosa campus will be the Innovation Campus of UST, that first building is the Innovation Center.  It was donated by two of our alumni at the UST Faculty of Engineering through the Jollibee Group Foundation. We hope for it to operate next Academic Year.  By then, we hope that another building (or, maybe two) would begin to rise as well.  

I took a few photos and short videos, and tried to quickly stitch them to an 'amateurish' video just to remember that visit.  Here it is...

This was just a dream...

So, surely, dreams do come true!

The campus is located among beautiful and well-designed communities of Sta. Rosa - away from the signs of environmental neglect of the city.  When one stands at the rooftop of the three-level building, it's all green as far as the eyes can see.  And, from afar, one can see Mt. Makiling, Mt. Banahaw and the Laguna Lake.  It looks like its in the 'middle of nowhere' for now just because it is so vast and the subdivisions around it are just being developed, too.  But is only about 10-minute drive from Nuvali and about five-minute drive from the City Center of Santa Rosa City.  Surely, there's plenty of opportunities for Namjooning for students, faculty, staff and other stakeholders in the future.   

***

BTS:  BIG Winners at the 2022 TMA

That was a very inspiring visit to our new campus.  It reminds me of how dreams can actually come true... and, as BTS keeps reminding us, we must live our lives thinking everyday that the best is 'yet to come'.  Naturally, on our way to Sta. Rosa, we listened to BTS music.  

And today, they just won massively again at the The Fact Music Awards 2022 (TMA 2022), winning the GRAND PRIZE... five years in a row!  Woohoo! 💜🎉 And they won many more! 💜🎊 I hope to talk about this in another post.  For now, here they are at TMA 2022...

 

🎜 "Dream and hope, and go forward!" 🎝

I will admit, they left a small room for improvement per their own sky-high standard, after

These two... 💓

several months of working on separate projects... but still awesome, no doubt!  I have to say though that JK was spot-on, totally right-on-the-money in every note he sang - juuust beautiful! Per usual, his voice was on 'autotune' - so gifted!  He is very reliable in his vocals and stage presence, harmonizing with others so well, helping to bring out the very best in his hyungs' voices - 'born singer', indeed.  In fact, I do think he got better again - the raspy quality of his voice is on another level! This evening he was extremely good looking, too.  And, RM nailed.every.single.point.in.his.verses - that distinct power baritone of his and that crystal clear enunciation... my word, KING!  That pick-up at 1:41 min in the video was fantastic - it can be my meal for a month, and I'd be totally healthy!  And he was looking even more distinguished than ever before with that tall stance, heathy-looking dark hair in no non-sense style, and that confident aura about him that makes you want to invest your life's savings in whatever it is he's building - a worthy leader of the BEST group in the world. 'Fine wine getting better with age', and all that! Ahh, these two... really! 💓 

And, of course, J-Hope was himself - always a reliable and a delightful performer who knows when to adlib to get the performance to a higher level of energy.  He oozes more confidence

Seven icons of this generation -
simply phenomenal! 💜

on stage these days while looking relaxed, more so this evening at the TMA - 'the JITB effect'. The continuity he provided at 1:52 min mark just brought a smile to my lips - too good! Aw, Hobi... how to be you?!  Yoongi took a little while to hit his stride but when he did, it was awesome.  This was evident at 2:05 min mark... and then he just went on to slay the whole performance with his usual coolness!  Genius, and the rampant bias wrecker - that's SUGA for ya!  Jimin struggled a bit... perhaps, from emotions. But he has become very skillful in his singing, he can recover his grip of the tune quickly when it is slipping from his vocal grasp due to emotion (or flirtations!  Hahaha...), covering gaps swiftly - smooth, Jimin-aaah! He had special moments, too, and his singing was touching - full of emotions. I'm sure ARMY can feel that Jimin missed them... I sure did, aaaww!  

Jin was calm and steady. I don't think there's anything in this world that can perturb Jin these days when he's performing - such a professional singer he is, indeed. He connects well with ARMY when he is performing with that perfect balance of beautiful singing, charm and unmasked hints of emotions.  It was just lovely to watch and listen to him - the perfect hyung with his committed and professional approach to singing, performing... and anything BTS!  Goosebumps, Jin! 💜 Tae sounded so well, as usual, of course!  That deep voice of his sounded like it's coming from a reservoir in his chest seemingly made of stainless steel that returns a million 'mini echoes' as the notes collided with the wall of the reservoir - unique sound that only Tae can make.  Is there a scientific explanation to this?  He seemed out of practice with his breathing though... or, perhaps, too excited this evening? He was very busy with so many things that did not require singing the past days.  So, I hope that he can find enough time to practice making those 'mini echoes' take Busan by storm.  We love him, of course... always!

All did their best, and it is MORE THAN enough for ARMY, really!  We are overjoyed... and we cannot wait for Busan!! 

Great job, ARMY!  CONGRATS, Bangtannies!  💜💜💜💜💜💜💜 Woohoo!

***

Video credit:  (1) I own the first video, and (2) the owner of the second video is indicated in the video itself.  Thanks, YouTube, for the video links.

Photo credit:  (1) JK and Namjoon: Grabbed from the IG account bts_daily.news, (2) Collage: (i) screenshot from TMA, and (ii) grabbed IG account bts_daily.news.  Thanks for the loan. 

***

RM Day

 

Happy birthday, Namjoon! 🎂🎈🥳🎉 

May happiness - deep and true - be yours today and everyday. May this new year in your life be filled with realizations of the many exciting possibilities in your horizon... and may the Almighty bless you always with the right endeavors to pursue and the right timing to pursue them, the right motivation to inspire and energize you in pursuing them, the right people to accompany you with passion and joy in your pursuit, and may success and fulfillment walk with you every step of the way; and may the Almighty favor you with wonderful outcomes that make your heart sing at all times! 🙏🤗❤️  Most importantly, may you be surrounded by love, love, love, and more love... lots and lots of deep and true love - at all times, every second of everyday, all the days of your beautiful life!  🙏🤗🥰❤️💜

Thank you for being such a great leader for BTS, a good role model for young people in your love of learning and patronage of the Arts, your commitment to your artistry, and your kind and loving ways towards your BTS brothers and ARMY.   

***

Photo credit: The first image was grabbed at the BTS fan page on Weverse while the second image was grabbed from RM's IG page - thanks for the loan.

***

A special holy day...

 ...in honor of our Blessed Mother + some nostalgia.

===============================================

by PAM

My day started at 4:00 a.m. as usual today, but it wasn't an ordinary day because, today, we are celebrating the Feast of the Nativity of our Blessed Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, in our Roman Catholic faith.  And so, my day started with a Mass, celebrating the blessed Mother's birthday.  I went for the online 5:40 a.m. recitation of the Holy Rosary followed by the Mass at the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag where my siblings and I (except one) were baptized.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAMA MARY!

I was born and raised in Manaoag, Pangasinan.  My family moved to Manila when I started elementary school.  My siblings and I used to go home to Manaoag every summer and stayed with our maternal grandparents.  My grandfather was a farmer.  Growing up, we enjoyed going with him to his farms especially during harvest time where our grandmother and her cousins brought the farms' produce to the different marketplaces in the province, and would bring us goodies of various kinds when they returned.  We used to wake up very early in the morning and ride in our grandfather's cart with our dogs.  The cart was pulled by his cow or carabao, whichever he preferred to accompany him for the day.  After the day's work, he would take us to the river where we swam like there was no tomorrow with the cow/carabao and the dogs!  Haha...  It was especially enjoyable when it was raining, and we raced to the river in the rain.  The water current would be faster than usual, and we rode the current using plastic basins - water tubing style.  Sometimes, our grandfather would take us to his family's orchard, where we picked fruits and have a little picnic under the trees.  During the picnic, he would often tell us about his stay in Guam, USA as an overseas worker, and where a sibling and a number of cousins of his reside.  It was during these picnics that I learned to speak English from him.  The first English word that I learned, I learned from him... and it was "salt".  

Later, our visits became less frequent, especially after our grandparents passed.  These days, we rarely visit but whenever we do, we'd always pass by the Minor Basilica first.  So, I feel very 'at home' in hearing the Mass from the Minor Basilica... it brings back memories of our childhood with our grandparents.

***

Because the Blessed Mother is our Patroness...

Today is extra-special because, for the first time in two years, we finally are able to hear the Rector of our University (University of Santo Tomas or UST) give the "Rector's Report" - a tradition in our University.  Our Rector is a devotee of the Blessed Mother, and so, important events in his Rectorship are usually held during Church Feasts that involve the Blessed Mother.  

The annual Report usually covers all the accomplishments of the University in the previous AY, and it is submitted to Rome - to the Pope, since UST is a Pontifical University.  This particular Rector's Report covers the accomplishments of the University from January 2020 to July 2021 - at the height of the pandemic.  The Rector invited top administrative and academic officials to attend in-person at the Grand Ballroom of the Blessed G. Paredes, O.P. Building - home of our Office for Alumni Relations. I feel honored and very fortunate to have received an invitation to this very special event.  And, it was extremely humbling to have been mentioned by the Fr. Rector in his Report.  

I particularly love what he said in his 'Reflection and Conclusion' (1:21:55 mark in the video): "How did the University get through the first 18 crucial months of the pandemic?  Responding... was essentially love's labor... we accompanied our students in their struggles, both in their academic and personal lives... we learned the value of meaningful connections with fellow members of the Thomasian community... in the process, we experienced what it means to be truly blessed with life, with health, with friends, with family.  The pandemic taught us the value of what it means to be a Thomasian community.  We are a community that looks out for the welfare of each other during a time of great uncertainty... we are a community guided by the virtues of 'Tria Haec' (these three): faith, hope and love... what reverberates are these two messages: be grateful, be open to others.  Gratitude enables our spirits and allows us to see as the direness of our reality, whereas empathy opens our hands and palms to reach out to those who need our time and resources.  Gratitude and empathy are the principles that allow us to redirect our focus on the things that we can change. And, also, together they inspire change from within ourselves driving us to serve with humility and sincerity; and allowing us to touch the lives of those around us in ways we never thought possible. 

The Rector of the University of Santo Tomas,
the Very Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., Ph.D.

"The Lord has given me the opportunity to lead the University at a time of great uncertainty and ordeal.  With His unending grace, we have seen the light of this day.  We have gone past the episode of the darkest hours of this pandemic - I hope and pray...  We did not experience complete campus closure during the pandemic... we were made to experience this once-in-a-generation global health crisis for a reason. We were meant to survive... there is truth to the saying, 'the enormity of the tasks that the crisis demanded from us may have been too much for each and everyone, but not enough to break our spirit as one Thomasian Community.' More than a time of hopelessness, the pandemic is a defining moment that brought out the best in us.  It is a time that brought Thomasians closer to one another, and closest to God.... never have I seen this University so united, so strong in the face of adversity.  May God be our beacon and strength in the coming days, all the days of our lives."   

His words were, indeed, relatable.  It was like hearing our own thoughts from the deepest recesses of our hearts.  The whole event was indeed wonderful... but more than anything, it was GREAT to see colleagues and friends in our dear Thomasian community after a long, long time!  Thanks be to God!

After the event, I was able to finally see my new (physical) office... albeit temporary.  It is located in the same building... I just needed to go a few floors up.  It was great!  I went home today with very light spirit... very happy, and ready to start working hard once again for my beloved University and for God's greater glory!

***

Photo credit:  The first photo was grabbed from the online Mass at the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag.  Thanks, YouTube, for the video link.  All other photos featured in this post belong to me.  One was taken by someone else for me.

***

Tiny mini break with "the Queen"...

 ...because it's badly needed.

=====================================================

by PAM

Relaxing at my sister's 'plantita' haven...

'no place like home', indeed!

I spent the last three weeks or so mostly 'imprisoned' in my 'little office' in my bedroom - working on a number of tasks and a 'major, major' deadline, which I, thankfully, beat last Friday.  

I still work from home most of the week.  My real office at home is located at our attic... but I've been too 'in the zone' lately to even climb the attic.  The ideas come rushing early in the morning... by 4:00 a.m., and I feel that climbing the spiral stairs to the attic would 'spill' the ideas from my head. Hahaha... So, after my morning prayers, I immediately move from my bed into my office chair, and allow my keyboard and little notebook to catch the ideas... first, as jumbled words that make no sense.  By noon, and after three mugs of coffee and a quick breakfast bite though, the words 'rearrange themselves' in sentences and paragraphs that make some sense that they actually excite me!  The excitement usually burst to a surge in energy that I usually dissipate to a 20- to 30-minute exercise... with BTS music, what else!  Haha...  After breaking a sweat, I go for a quick trip to the shower.  All that make for my noontime break... and then, I continue working with a refreshed mind.  This time, I let my imagination guide me to organize the burst of ideas in the morning... and transform them to a professionally composed material that is worth-sharing with colleagues at work.

And then, the evening comes... by then, I'd be too exhausted to do anything else but eat, browse the www for a little bit... and fall asleep.  The whole cycle repeats itself.  Today, however, it's different.  I woke up early in the morning, and went for the 6:00 a.m. Sunday Mass as I usually do.  And, I resolved to NOT DO ANY WORK!  So, after Mass, I had a good breakfast with my sister, and just spent the whole morning hanging out at our front yard. My sister is a 'plantita' (a person with green thumb and uses it to grow plants with much gusto).  I enjoyed the cheerful chirping of the birds atop the tree, and just soaked up the sun 'peeping shyly' from the thick dark clouds and the cool after-rain breeze.  It was good!  I felt that my mind got refreshed. If the bounce of my hair is any indication that the 'tiny mini break' did my body well, then, the whole decision to abstain from work is very good! 

Sometimes, you just need to say 'no' to the constant 'nagging' of work in your brain.  Just because you work from home does not mean that you need to work yourself to death lest others think that you are not working hard enough.  At the end of the day, it's your output and the outcomes of your hard work that matter and the real indicator of your efforts.  No matter how much we enjoy our work, rest is still necessary.  We can work very hard to our heart's desire, but we also need to give ourselves time to recuperate.  This is what the weekend is for.

And so, today, I will continue indulging myself to things that make my soul sing.  The songs from a previous post (on BTS, who else?) still hum in my head, especially "Spring Day".  So, today, I take advantage of my new-found empowerment against the bondage of unchecked enslaving passion for work by enjoying more of BTS's music.

♫ "You know it all, you're my best friend... 

the morning will come again

No darkness, no season can last forever."🎜

 

That music video (MV) afforded BTS the 2017 Mnet Asian Music Award (MAMA) for Best Music Video.  This is their first win in a five-year winning streak: 2017- "Spring Day", 2018 - "Idol", 2019 - "Boy with Luv feat. Halsey", 2020 - "Dynamite", 2021 - "Butter"; and their second nomination in the same award category.  Their first nomination was in 2016 for the "Blood, Sweat and Tears" MV.  To date, these make BTS the winningest group in the history of MAMA in this category (5 wins), and they have garnered the most number of nominations (6), too, in this category.

Personally, "Spring Day" reminds me of my "birthday post" in this blog from July 2020 - at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.  In that post, I let off steam from the pandemic-induced stress, and I also spoke about the promise of spring.  It turned out that that was the last birthday that I celebrated with my father. He passed in December that year. He was not afflicted with COVID-19 but his old age-induced sickness was aggravated by the limited access to health care that time due to the pandemic. After my father passed, I became very attached to this song by BTS. While it is quite sad for me, I continue to listen to this song... especially when I am under a lot of stress and I need to dwell in the warmth of my father's love to keep going such as in my recent post here. 

The song almost accurately describes the longing for a loved one... and the hope that someday, such longing will be soothed by eventually meeting that loved one once again. The superb rendition of the group of the beautiful lyrics, on an easy-on-the-ear melody, is remarkable. The blend of the melancholic singing of the vocal line that exposes raw emotions and the moody rendition of the rap line of verses that attempt to mask pain with toughness grips the listener's longing heart in a tug-o-war between vulnerability and emotional resilience.  If one listens to the song, one will be left in emotional pieces... but when one watches the video, one will find solace in its hopeful theme.  The group conveyed hope effectively, and it is amazing!  This is probably the reason why the group won the MAMA Best Video for this one - very well deserved, indeed!      

So, I thank BTS for this song, especially the brilliant RM and SUGA, and their music industry 'father', Bang Si-hyuk (or "Hitman" Bang), for composing and producing this song.  As of this writing, the song has not fallen out of the Melon Music Top 100 Charts since its release as the title track of the BTS album, "You never walk alone" in 2017.  As such, ARMY fondly refer to it as "the Queen"... and rightfully so, too.

Alright, my 'tiny mini break' is over... time to start getting into 'work mode' again.  Let's go!

***

Photo credit:  All the photos in the collage featured in this post belong to me.  They may not be used for other purposes.

Video credit:  The owner of the video featured in this post is indicated in the video itself, Hybe Labels. Thanks, YouTube, for the video link.

References:  MAMA website, Melon Music Chart and BTS Official Website.

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JK Day

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JK! 💜

It's "JK Day" to everyone who speaks the BTS language in a universe that's strewn with the beautiful purple hearts! 💜 So, I'm just dropping by to greet our one and only 'golden maknae', Jeon Jung-kook, or simply 'JK'.   

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JK! 🎂🎉💜

Stay good, happy and healthy, JK.  Thank you for being the sweet and thoughtful person that you are in your own unique way, and for being God's blessing to many, many people who are just getting by through life because of the daily inspiration that you bring through your music, tremendous talents, good vibes... and just being you.  Lots of love to you today... and always! 🙏🤗😘💓💜  

***

Spotlight on our Golden Maknae

To celebrate this young man's special day, let's recall one of his own favorite BTS songs, "Euphoria"...

♫ "I'm so happy, I can't breathe...

Take my hands now...

You are the cause of my euphoria..."🎝

Such an awesome vocalist and a performer, JK is.  And he gets better still... he leaves us breathless with his talents.  And he gets even better as an individual, too.  We are simply in awe... and just very proud of him.  

And now, "Euphoria" with his BTS brothers...

♫ "When I'm with you, I'm in utopia..."🎝

And because we will always be with him, and he with us, in 'our own purple universe', here's a tribute to that purple loyalty, "Still With You" - a song that he wrote and co-produced for ARMY, which was released on limited media platforms in June 2020...

♫ "Behind the faint smile that looked at me

I will draw a beautiful purple shade.

Though our footsteps maybe out of step

I want to walk this path with you.

Still with you..." 🎝

The song has a lovely Spanish sonata vibes about it that makes you want to stand and sway a bit.  It highlights JK's fast-transitioning voice that allows him to sing with his very own romantic tone without losing the accessible 'K-Pop' appeal of the song he sings.  It is very unique, actually... and this transition adds to the already very thick quality of the BTS sound where his voice is central, being the main vocalist.  Most of all, he is able to create that 'purple universe' where the mutual 'purple loyalty' between him and ARMY makes millions of purple hearts beat in the lovely rhythm of this song. 

JK's impressive vocal prowess that's continuously evolving was on spotlight in the song, "Stay Alive" - the soundtrack of the digital comics on Webtoon, 7FATES: CHAKHO.  It was produced by another BTS genius, SUGA (Min Yoongi) - a brilliant record producer.  The song was released in February this year.  

♫ "At the end of this endless nightmare

that I don't know if if it'll ever end

You raise me up everyday..." 🎝

This song is an evidence of JK's limitless capabilities as a vocalist.  He singlehandedly provided that patent BTS 'layered' vocals quality with his very own voice.  He showed the range of his vocals depth - rhythmic, power, falsetto... and he sang with emotion whether in whisper or in 'full-throttle' power... and all the transitions were seamless, smooth - beautiful.  SUGA's brilliant production put one JK voice quality on top of another, piling thin and thick 'slices' of JK's beautiful vocals that make the listener's spirit fly on cloud 9.  The song served as a 'catalogue' of the various things that JK can do with his singing voice with SUGA's beautiful tapestry of sound as a background, even enhancing the effect of JK's voice to the listeners... bringing JK's voice in parcels of 3D notes that burst in the ears in alternating soft-fast-powerful-slow motion - too beautiful! The notes keep playing in the ears after hearing the song in a long time.  A genius vocalist and a genius producer... ahh, ARMY is too spoiled!  We only get the very best from BTS!  It's no wonder why ARMY's 'purple loyalty' is limitless, too. 

And speaking of 'purple loyalty', JK wrote another song that he released on the 9th anniversary of BTS's debut last 13 June 2022.  It's his song for ARMY, and it was released also on limited media platforms.  It's called, "My You".  It's beautiful... and the "my" and the "you" can go both ways... 

♫ "All these lights are colored in by you

All these times are precious due to you...

On a starry night

Hope my you sleep tight

Shinning purple light

Thankful to be by your side now."🎜

Sometimes, the most beautiful sentiments are felt deeply when expressed in the simplest of words.  Sometimes, the true profundity and sincerity of sentiments or ideals are best expressed not in abstract words but in words whose meaning is easily understood... heartfelt, relatable, straightforward and will not be subject to misinterpretation.  Sometimes, expressing the depth of one's affection - love - can be felt not by the poetic beauty of verses but by the humility in offering one's self through the warmth of simple but comforting words.  JK hit all that with resounding success with this song... that's why we know that he has been growing as an artist, and slowly occupying all the rooms for improvement when he started as a very young main vocalist of BTS.  And he is able to do it because he has something that not so many brilliant artists like him has paramount in their hearts in pursuing their artistry - LOVE.  And, he gives it away piece by piece in every song, in every performance, in every conversation with ARMY.  

JK did not go for the usual thickly layered BTS song production quality for this song.  He kept it brief and simple... after all, 'simplicity is beauty'.  He went for a 'conversational approach' rather than singing an 'editorial' about life.  Sang with the calming beauty of JK's voice, "My You" is a 'simple serenade on a quiet starry night' for the subject of his affection: ARMY.  And ARMY identifies with it... and all 'starry nights' for ARMY henceforth will be accompanied by this song... and JK.  As such, through this song, he made himself even more accessible to ARMY... whenever they need a conversation with one who doesn't really know them but love them so much.  This song is that song that takes them to a 'private' conversation with JK... where JK offers nothing but love. 

And because 'love begets love', JK has our love, too - always.  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JK! 💜     

***

Photo credit:  Photo belongs to JK, grabbed from his Instagram (IG) page.  Thanks for the loan, JK.

Video credit:  The owner of the videos featured in this post are indicated in the video themselves:  BTSPurpleYou, Hybe Labels, Bangtan TV - thanks for the loan of the videos.  Thanks, YouTube, for the video links.

*** 

'Save me'...

 ...'cause I'm 'drowning'.

=============================================

by PAM

I've been 'swimming' against the current in the 'turbulent waters' of work for the past three weeks or so, and I am very, very (very, very, very...) tired!  As the 'water' is new, and I've never swam here before - in fact, no one has ever done it before - I am getting all whipped by the unforgiving current!  Dang!  All my (aging) braincells are exhausted, and they are quitting on me.  I feel like my brain functions are on the brink on either 'work paralysis' or 'sit down protest'.  They refuse to process anything that's work-related.  And, so, I'm here... in my safe haven where I can have  little respite... and nudge my imagination towards anything that's beautiful... and not work-related!  But before I can do that, I need to be injected with pure energy as my tank has been completely zapped, exhausted, emptied. I 'need saving'!  And who else can deliver energy by the megajoules in an instant but the phenomenal lifesavers... BTS? 💜  Ah, thank God for these wonderful souls and their music!  

So, let's do it then!  Let's hear the soon-to-be birthday boy, the amazing JK, pitch for the group. And the other soon-to-be-birthday-boy who is also their equally amazing leader, the fantabulous RM, follows through... and the rest of the awesome group usher us into our "Magic Shop"... and out stargazing in our fantastic BTS "Mikrokosmos".   Here we go...

🎜"Save me 'cause I can't get a grip on myself...

...within this pitch black darkness, you are shining so brightly.

Give me your hand save me, save me..."🎝

Ah, that felt good, huh? 💜🙏  I like this "Tiny Desk" format because it's possible to listen to their voices clearly.  They all did great in "Save Me".  Their voices sounded crisp... that SUGA fast verse, hyped by all the guys, sending the notes to a mini explosion by JK's surprising power hyping (5:51-6:04 min mark) is worth 10,000 megajoules of energy; the notes rolled on J-Hope's lap (mark 6:05 min), and he 'dribbled' the notes beautifully with a pretty jam with JK (6:15 mark); the handsome 'Kim duo' in the vocal line, Tae and Jin, nailed their jam (4:55 - 5:22 min mark) - lovely.  They all sang with emotions, too, but with that show of camaraderie that is always happiness to see.  

This is one of my favorite live renditions of "Dynamite" because, among others, the 'raspy' quality of JK's voice is quite prominent here. My fave is how his voice transitioned from rhythmic to raspy to falsetto in one seamless go (2:34 - 2:46 min mark) - remarkable!  So hard to believe... but it's JK - his talent in singing is limitless.  Everyone did well though.  Loved that Jimin-JK-Jin-Tae jam in "Spring Day", too (9:18 - 10:10 min mark). Too beautiful!  It's like watching a doubles tennis match between Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.  In their jam towards the end of the song (11:07 - 12:52 min mark), JK's raspy voice was a thing that sends you to the clouds... and Tae sang from the clouds itself - that hits different, and he knows it, too.  But that J-Hope-JK jam (10:12 - 10:30 min mark) is just goosebumps-inducing!  And SUGA's jam with Jimin (10:48 - 11:05 min mark) can be your only companion to the moon and back, and you'd feel heavenly. 

In the whole set, everyone can see the irreplaceable role that Jimin plays in the performance.  His energy is given, and it's always awesome.  But, as I said before, and I'll say it again here, his unique voice timbre and singing style, truly brings balance to the all-male sound of the group.  When he jams with any of the members, especially with the rap line, the contrast brings out the features of the other members' voices.  He brings harmony in the BTS sound.  It's like seeing a black-and-white photograph slowly getting colors until the images totally come alive and jump at ya!  That's Jiminssi for ya - pure awesomeness! 💜

While we're at it, let's continue feeling good, and recovering from all the stress in the past days.  Here's a shot from the (not-so-distant) past - all fun and just very good performances.  Let's go!

♫"Spread, spread my wings... 

wings are made to fly..."🎜

Ahh... there is SO MUCH that can be said about that set - all great and incredible such as JK's spot-on pitch - all the time, SUGA's verse at 6:48 - 7:11 min mark, punctuated by RM's baritone and J-Hope's energy; and the whole rap line jam at 6:28 - 7:49 min mark.  I can go on and on, and on, and on.   But I have to say that, when I think about this performance, one thing stands out in my mind by a few Megajoules of energy: RM's verse at 1:14 - 1:53 min mark.  All mega rapping talent served up in his prominent baritone and loads of charm from our fantabulous leader there - unforgettable! 💜

Do you feel like you're flying now?  Yes?  Me, too!  Kudos to the 'wind beneath our wings' - these seven lovely souls, sending us good vibes from the soulful Seoul!  

Alright, time to 'get out of the water' for a while... and 'fly'!  All the best, ARMY! 

***

Video credit:  The owners of the videos featured in this post are indicated in the video themselves: BangtanTV and NPR Music - thanks for the loan of the videos.  Thanks, YouTube, for the video links.

***

If BTS were my family...

...in a parallel universe, that is.

================================================

by PAM

So, I'm an ARMY... and a very proud one, too. 💜 

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 on Bangtan 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! 💜

***

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!" 🎝

***

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.

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