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Hey, Army!
You and I are so similar in our journey to find the boys and the impact they have had! There’s that part of you that camps out in the back of your mind and continues to wonder if you’ve lost your mind. All reason. Like, is this a mid-life crisis and I’ll snap out of it at some point? Do I just need a serotonin boost in this phase of life and they naturally give it and eventually I’ll move along?
That’s what my husband expected. That this was just another phase. Another thing that I would throw myself into, but the interest would quickly fade. Like my cookie decorating phase. It came and went with the holiday season and all I was left with were a ton of cookie cutters that would never again see the light of day.
But this. Them. They will stick with me. The seven. I’ve emotionally connected not only with them but their messages and who they are. As people. Not as entertainers. Not as good-looking boy band members. As people who have so sacrificially shared so much of themselves with us.
And Army. So yeah, some are off the rails and make me roll my eyes, cringe, or shake with anger when they put the guys in peril with their ridiculous airport antics. But for the most part, I adore the people who also appreciate the seven for the amazing people they are.
With so many people reaching out to me in private messages, emails or even comments on TikTok, I saw that there were so many like me. I wasn’t alone in this. There were others who “got” me and completely understood this love and appreciation for the seven. And the more people reached out sharing their stories of feeling alone on this Army journey , and the more content I consumed, I had a realization: We (as lonely whale type Army) witness these seven men connect. Constantly. They connect with each other and they connect with us. They have relationships we all envy. They understand the importance of belonging and being fiercely loved, celebrated and accepted. We see that. We want that. We need that. And the people around us don’t necessarily get it so we sit in that place of knowing, understanding, needing and wanting and having no outlet to find it, absorb it and thrive.
Until we meet other Army who are just like us. Those we can connect with. Those that walk beside us. Celebrate a part of life that others don’t. That grieve in moments that we also grieve - when others may think we’ve gone off the deep end.
What Army find in each other is exactly what the seven model for us and develop a thirst for. Love. Connection. Friendship.
So yeah, I’m going to stay connected. I’m going to continue to find ways to swim alongside the lonely. To be that person they can share a thought about what a lyric meant to them. Or how they are exceedingly missing Yoongi in the moment, or need to hear Hobi’s laugh. Because I get it. I need those things too.
We aren’t crazy. This isn’t a faze. And we aren’t alone. There’s a huge Army out here and hungry to share this journey of life that can’t be fully explained but can be completely felt.
Love you, Army!
Let’s make the most out of our time away from the seven so when they return, the entire world feels the explosion of our joyful reconnection.
The future’s gonna be okay. We’ve got each other. Our boys have trained us well.
Borahae.
Stefne
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74 comments
I couldn’t have said it better. I’m a baby army of three years and have felt so lonely until a friend told me about tiktok and being very close to 40 I found some friends I could connect with ❤️
Thank you, Stefne, for putting my BTS feelings into words! I’ve been Army since 2021. My grandchildren are Korean American and I’ve been very interested in learning about all things Korean. I stumbled across BTS and as I started reading about, watching YouTube videos, and finally finding out about Bangtan TV and Weverse, I found myself going deeper and deeper into the BTS rabbit hole. I’m hoping I’ll be able to get tickets to take my granddaughter to a concert when the guys are all back together. Fingers crossed!
I could t have said anything you said that perfect. Everything you said describes me and how I feel about BTS. My almost 16 year old granddaughter showed me these 7 intelligent, magical, talented, loving and humble young men in 2021. I’m 54 and was a lone Army but I’m so thankful that she did they helped me get through a very rough time. Their laughter, smiles and just them period is enough to help anyone in low places rise up out of the darkness. I will forever be a BTS Army! Borahae
I never had any qualms about being older Army – my attitude was if someone doesn’t like that I’m a BTS fan, too bad. But what was funny today… my nephew is a DJ at a radio station in a southern US state. Mostly a hip hop station. He could care less about Korean boy bands, until I mentioned Jungkook’s collaboration with Usher. Suddenly, he wants more info. HA! I talked non-stop for about 20 minutes, while he peppered me with questions. He had to go but I sent him a bunch of links. He doesn’t know the rabbit hole into which he has entered – and I sent him there. Wuhahahahaha!
I am 61 and discovered BTS this past year and became a K-Dram-aholic. I can’t wait to get off of work, eat dinner and turn on the TV. My playlist I listen to while I am at work is all BTS. I love these 7 young men for their talent and for the messages they spread. These 7 brothers transcend. They are true to themselves and show how 7 very different singing styles can blend to make the most perfect music. It’s like seeing a bouquet of different flowers. I cannot wait to see them all together again. I cannot afford their merchandise or their live concerts. I have gather glimpses through YouTube and TikTok. Thank you for the 529 project from someone sitting on the fringe of Armydom.