7 Things We Learned From BTS and Their Music

 

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It’s Been 7 Years Since BTS Debuted. It’s Time to Recall 7 Lessons the Boyband Has Taught Us

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, chances are that you know, or have probably heard about the K-pop global phenomena, BTS – acronym for Bangtan Sonyeondan or Bulletproof Boy Scouts. By being the only third group in 50 years to have 3 number-one albums on Billboard 200 charts in less than a year, thus joining the ranks of the Beatles and the Monkees, BTS is undoubtedly the biggest boy band in the world currently. By constantly outselling and outperforming their American counterparts, BTS not only broke into the western scene by the way of the complete and utter destruction of practically every musical chart, they are dominating it.

Over the years with their gradual rise to fame and success, in addition to pumping out chart-busting hits after hits, BTS has taught us many invaluable life lessons through the way of their relatable lyrics and music. So below are some of the most remarkable things we learned from the 7-membered boyband:

1. Music Has No Language :

Music is universal and has the ability to heal people no matter where they are from. It is the most effective natural therapy, it transcends boundaries and languages to unite people. BTS being a South Korean boyband sings and produces music in their mother tongue, Korean. That didn’t stop them from touching the hearts of millions of non-Korean speaking people with their music. They went on to become one of the biggest boy bands, even if their songs were written in a language that the majority didn’t understand.

It’s because their music resonates with people, it provides them comfort and motivation. During an interview, they were once asked on their opinion why audiences internationally were able to connect to them despite the language barrier, they talked about the message behind their lyrics and how their passion for performing excites both themselves and the audience.

“ Even if there is a language barrier, people react pretty much the same wherever we go. It feels like music really brings us together”, one member Suga said. Jimin added, “ We give energy to our audience members and listeners, but we also draw energy from them.”

2. Don’t Be Afraid to Question the System:

BTS taught us that it is okay to be different from the norm, to question the wrong, and to fight for what is right. While most idol groups stuck to a slick apolitical formula that had a proven record for success, BTS made music and talked about the more controversial topics. The 7 membered boy band has always openly discussed topics like LGBTQ rights, mental health, and the pressure to succeed in a cut-throat society – all subjects that are considered taboo in South Korea.

Ever since their rookie days, they wrote lyrics that had a particularly bold stance, given the Korean government’s history of keeping an eye on controversial themes. They provided a refreshing change from the rigid K-Pop machine, by writing critical lyrics that questioned the system and touching topics no one dared to before.

“ Everyone said it, don’t go overboard. If you act as if you are a know-it-all and will be making music – You will make your home go broke. No matter what anyone said, I only lived how I wanted, guided by my own beliefs.”- Suga  

3. Hard Work Is the Key :

BTS has shown us that hard work, sincerity, and dedication to your craft are the ingredients to the recipe of success. They work tirelessly, pumping out hours upon hours of content. BTS debuted from a very small company in South Korea, Big Hit Entertainment, that was on the verge of bankruptcy. For the longest time, getting success and fame was unheard of unless groups debuted from much richer and powerful companies, unanimously known as the Big three: SM Entertainment, JYP Entertainment, and YG Entertainment.

Because they were from an unknown small company, they were constantly mistreated by the media, cut from broadcasts, made fun of incessantly, and struggled financially. They were literal nobodies and worked their way from the ground up. Despite all of the challenges and immense difficulties they were dealt with, with their perseverance and hard work, they overcame all their struggles to emerge as one of the most successful musical acts in history. 

4. It’s Okay to Not Be Okay :

“Run, run, run again – it’s okay to fall – Run, run, run again – it’s okay to get hurt.”- Run, BTS

BTS produce, write, and compose their own music that has depth and meaning into it. They incorporate their own relatable messages, struggles, and hardships in their songs, proving that a song can be a banger as well as a lyrical masterpiece. They cope with their own pain by writing music that also heals and helps others. They have never shied away from in expressing their fears of fame, of what it will do to them, their feelings on not having a dream, on their own struggles with depression, and losing their youth to fame.

They have inevitably taught us a very essential life lesson, that it is okay to not be okay sometimes. That it’s okay to be afraid and vulnerable. Their songs are raw, and they aren’t afraid to lean on their fans, known as ARMY, for support, just as the ARMY looks up to their music for comfort and support. “ We started to tell stories that people wanted to hear and were ready to hear, stories that other people could not and would not tell. We said what people were feeling – like pain, anxieties, and worries. That was our goal, to create this empathy people can relate to.” 

5. Don’t Give Up:

“Because the dawn right before the sun rises is the darkest. Even in the far future, never forget you off right now. Wherever you are right now, you’re just taking a break. Don’t give up, you know”- Tomorrow, BTS

As mentioned before, BTS was an underdog group, battling to succeed against other bands that came from established studios with larger budgets. The odds weren’t in their favor, to break out in a market that was incredibly saturated and not inclusive was a herculean task and they faced a multitude of hardships on their way up. Even when they were gradually becoming mainstream, they were falsely accused of plagiarism, of rigging awards, were deliberately defamed in order to stop them from getting success and changing their underdog status.

They were slandered and regularly received death threats.  “Accusation came before the cheers were over. We just had to work hard, we couldn’t do anything. Dream, enthusiasm, and effort seemed to have no power.” RM said at a concert. Despite all of this, they were not deterred. They taught us how important it is to not give up, to not stop running towards your dream. 

“ If you can’t fly, then run – Today we will survive. If you can’t run, then walk – Today we will survive. If you can’t walk, then crawl – even if you have to crawl, gear up – Aim your gun! Ready! Fire!”- Not Today, BTS

6. Love Yourself :

Self-love is the key to happiness. BTS has taught us about the importance of self-love through their Love Yourself album series. The three albums detail the progression of a romantic relationship, from the blissful beginnings to the devastating conclusion, followed by a surprising revelation that comes in the song “Epiphany”, that shows such relationships are doomed unless we can first learn to love ourselves, complete with faults and all. 

“ I’m the one I should love, in this world – shining me, the precious soul of mine. I finally realized, so I love me. Not so perfect, but so beautiful, I’m the one I should love.” Jin sings in Epiphany. In collaboration with the United Nations, the group launched their Love Yourself campaign: having the courage to face your faults and weaknesses and having compassion to forgive yourself for them. When the band addressed the UN in 2018, RM stood behind the podium and said, 

“ Maybe I made a mistake yesterday, but yesterday’s me is still me. I am who I am today, with all my faults. Tomorrow I might be a tiny bit wiser, and that’s me, too. These faults and mistakes are what I am, making up the brightest stars in the constellation of my life. I have come to love myself for who I was, who I am, and who I hope to become.”

7. You Never Walk Alone :

The heart of BTS You Never Walk Alone album is that we grow as individuals, each in our own way and on our own path, but in togetherness, we create unmeasured synergy. The song relays a message of comfort to today’s youth, “ We can laugh if we are together.”  BTS always reminds us to give importance to our loved ones and the time we share with them. They have taught us that in unity lies the greatest strength. That even if we feel lonely, we are not alone. We are always surrounded by people that love us. And BTS has also taught us that we can always rely on them and their music like a shoulder to lean upon. 

“Tell me your story. I want to hear your voice, and I want to hear your conviction. No matter who you are or where you’re from, your gender identity, your skin color, speak yourself.”- Kim Namjoon

At the end of the day, the grand megastars BTS, underneath their polished appearances and showstopping performances, are just 7 guys who love music, each other, and their fans. They were discriminated against, looked down upon, cut from broadcasts, and made fun of. But they never gave up and they are now on the top of the world.

Though they’ve grown and changed in plenty of ways, they are deep down still the same 7 Korean boys that came together in hopes of doing what they love: making music. And their journey to success is definitely an inspiration to all. They’ve taught us many important lessons throughout their career of 7 years. As an ARMY myself, I hope they remain together and just as big as an inspiration in the years to come, Amen! 

Written By - Radhika Rathi

Edited By- Khushi Prajapati

 

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