Reading Right Now: "Life Lessons" by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross and David Kessler

After reading a young adult book and a non-fiction book last month, I am back to my BTS Inspired Reading List which is my ongoing ARMY Glow Up Goal 2025. I am currently reading "Life Lessons" by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross and David Kessler— a book that Min Yoongi has read. Besides, it's MinMarch. My simple way to honor our genius PD-Nim!

From the very first pages, I can already connect its contents to BTS songs. Here are quotes I copied from the book.

• “No one can tell us what lessons to learn in life; the journey is ours to take.” This reminds me of Persona—Namjoon’s introspective exploration of identity.

• “We will learn that we are not alone, seeing instead that we are all connected.” A perfect echo of Lights from Map of the Soul: Journey.

• “At the end of life, they (the dying) become more genuine, more honest, more themselves—just like children and infants.” This reminds me of Inner Child—V’s song about embracing his authentic self, faults and all.

• “The key lesson of life: to find our authentic selves, and to see the authenticity in others.” Isn't this the core message of the Love Yourself albums? That by learning to love oneself, the discovery or reclamation of the "real me" is possible, thus, the capacity to look at others more kindly and capable of loving themselves, too.

• “We all have a negative side or a potential for negativity: denying it is the most negative thing to do.” This makes me think of What If… by J-Hope, where he confronts self-doubt and conflicting thoughts about himself and the music industry, as well as Moonlight by SUGA, a raw monologue on mental struggles and personal malaise. I am in the chapter on Authenticity, that's why! What I appreciate is, that reading this part of the book and reckoning BTS' songs, albums and music along the way brings me back to acts of compassion and of forgiving—toward myself and others. BTS' message of love and healing continues to inspire me in every season of my life. I am excited to uncover more connections between its lessons and BTS’ music. But I have to stop as my vision blurs from tears from the last paragraph on page 49:

"Who we are means honoring the integrity of our human selves. That sometimes includes those dark parts of our beings that we often try to hide. We think sometimes we're only drawn to the good, but we're actually drawn to the authentic. We like people who are real more than those who hide their true selves under layers of artificial niceties."

Cue in Magic Shop!

Kuwentong Bangtan: The Anima and the Gemini in J-Hope's Sweet Dreams

J-Hope’s Sweet Dreams (ft. Miguel) and the campaign leading up to its release have been nothing short of phenomenal. He performed it in the concert in Seoul prior to its official date of release making the experience a treat for fans and ARMY -- that was beyond special. What with the sweet and wholesome concept photos, we’re all left wondering where the sexy and sensual lyrics fit in the music video. At last. It is here!

After 12 hours – and more of live broadcast on Weverse that includes a fan meet (this is another story worthy of remembering in BTS History) today, fans and ARMYs from all over had it in full. The memes are out and comeback theories abound. This is me, jumping in the bandwagon.

Because I’m a big fan of Map of the Soul 7 and the Jungian framework from which it is based on, it is from this lens that I will base my theory.

The MV of Sweet Dreams is a striking fusion of sensuality and introspection, both in its sound and its visuals. The music video presents a world in chaos—his house flying, structures crumbling—yet in the end of, he meets a woman on the road and smiles at her. Through a Jungian lens, this imagery suggests the house as a symbol of the Self, while the woman represents the Anima, the unconscious feminine energy that serves as a creative and emotional guide. The timing of the release, following his military service and in the midst of Hope on the Stage Concert Tour, makes this moment even more significant. It is a meeting not just with another person but with a deeper part of himself—a grounding in his artistic roots even as the world around him shifts and changes.

At first glance, the sensual lyrics of Sweet Dreams seem to contrast with this interpretation, but they actually reinforce it. The Anima is not only an abstract muse; she is a source of intuition and passion. By including desire and pleasure in the song’s lyrics, Hobi is embracing the physical and emotional impulses that fuel his artistry. Creativity is not just about thought—it is deeply felt, instinctual, and alive in the body. The meeting with the Anima in the MV, then, is more than just recognition—it is a surrender to his true artistic self, a recovery of the emotions and desires that drive his creative expression.

It is interesting to note the word “Gemini” in the lyrics which can also be the embodiment of the Anima representing Hobi’s internal dialogue between two sides: one who dreams (cue in Future) and one who doubts (cue in What if). What ties this metaphor of the Gemini in the zodiac to the Anima of Jung is its balance and mediator role between opposing views be it conscious or not. The Gemini girl could be the voice that leads him into the realm of dreams where emotional honesty opens to the road of transformation.

This moment ties into HOTS Vol. 1, representing a return to Hobi’s roots in movement and expression. The chaos symbolizes destruction, but his smile as he meets the Anima/Gemini girl shows acceptance and trust in what comes next.

BTS is consistent in their messaging of change, growth and evolution. These themes span 5 eras of their discography. As the Military Era comes to a close in three months, we are seeing a BTS in constant motion and movement. The beautiful thing about their on-going narrative is that, they remain tethered to their roots as they clear paths and pave new ways of creative expression.

Only Bangtan! Apobangpo! Purple and true!

Book Review: Little Rhino Lost (Gourlay and Bauza, Otter-Barry, 2025)

 

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A post shared by Zarah Gagatiga (@zarahgeeh)

Book Launch: 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝘿𝙄𝙎𝘼𝙎𝙏𝙀𝙍-𝙍𝙀𝘼𝘿𝙔 𝙆𝙄𝘿𝙎 𝘼𝙍𝙀 𝙊𝙉 𝙏𝙃𝙀𝙄𝙍 𝙒𝘼𝙔

 

Writing, Roots, and Resilience: The Story Behind Tales from the 7,000 Isles: Filipino Folk Stories

I am the featured author of the Pamana Children's Library in Chicago, Illinois!

“For the month of March, we are also honored to feature Zarah Gagatiga, the author of Tales from the 7,000 Isles: Filipino Folk Stories, now available in the Pamana Children’s Library. In her heartfelt article, “Writing, Roots, and Resilience”, Zarah reflects on the personal journey that led to the creation of this treasured collection of Filipino folk tales. She shares how this project, born from a deep connection to heritage, became a source of strength and healing during a time of personal challenges. Zarah also pays tribute to her late collaborator, Dianne de Las Casas, whose dream of preserving Filipino stories lives on through their joint work. Join us in celebrating the enduring power of storytelling and its ability to foster resilience, connection, and remembrance.”

Because it's National Women's Month, here is an excerpt where I fondly remember my co-author, Dianne delas Casas and Bernie Solina-Wolf.

Dianne has since passed on in 2018, and the artist who created the book’s cover, Bernadette Solina-Wolf, has also crossed this realm unto the next. In my imagination, they are together, creating stories and beautiful art in a place where everything is at peace. Their stories live on here on Earth, and while I miss them so much, our friendship continues through the book we lovingly collaborated on. 

Full article -> https://tinyurl.com/mse8vnac

They even included a plug and a promo of our forthcoming book, Filipino Folk Tales for Children: Stories of Wisdom and Wonder (Tuttle Publishing). Thank you, Pamana Children’s Library!

Read about Pamana Children’s Library story and our mission by visiting our page on the Rizal Center website: https://rizalcenter.org/programs/pamana-childrens-library/

Book Preview: Filipino Folk Tales for Children: Stories of Wisdom and Wonder

 

Kuwentong Bangtan: The Breadth and Depth of BTS' Discography & Hope On the Stage Seoul

J-Hope’s 3 day concert #HopeontheStage in Seoul finally ends. The tour will commence in a few weeks, making its first stop in the US. For us, ARMY, it wasn’t just a concert—it was a story told through music, dance, history ans Bangtan lore that die hard and veteran ARMY know by heart.

From the very first song, “What If”, he set the stage for an introspective journey, questioning realities and possibilities; entertaining doubts versus potentials of growth. As the setlist progressed with “Pandora’s Box” and “Arson” we saw him confront the weight of ambition, the struggles of being in the industry, and the fire that has both fueled and challenged him. This wasn’t just a performance; it was a narrative of self-exploration and resilience, revealing the depth of his artistry beyond the bright and energetic image many associate with him.

The turning point of the concert, at least for me, came with “1 Verse”, a decade-old track that still holds its power. This moment wasn’t just about nostalgia—it was a reaffirmation of his identity as a rapper, an artist, and someone who refuses to be boxed in. From there, songs like “Mic Drop”, “Dis-ease”,and “Outro: Ego” became acts of reclamation—Hobi taking ownership of his journey, his craft, and his future. And yet, even in his solo stage, BTS was never far from the story. As he performed “Neuron”, a tribute to his dance crew, scenes of BTS’ dance practices played on the screen, weaving his personal journey with the group’s history. The intertextuality of the performance was breathtaking—it showed how Hobi’s evolution is inseparable from BTS’ legacy.

This is why BTS remains irreplaceable for ARMY. Hope on the Stage wasn’t just about J-Hope proving himself as a solo artist; it was about him carrying BTS’ history forward while paving new paths. He isn’t leaving BTS behind—he’s taking us, ARMY, with him into the future. Watching this concert, even online, reinforced why we are here for life. This is more than music. This is a story of dreams, struggle, and triumph, told in a way only BTS—and J-Hope—can.

To casual fans and listeners, to concert-goers who secured a ticket by whatever means, I do hope you at least take these points into consideration. You will enjoy the concert, too, and perhaps understand why ARMY can be overtly proud and so generous in sharing the joy of BTS while at the same time being protective of them.

This is what we mean when we, ARMY, say #BTSis7. Apobangpo! Purple and true!