Bangtan Herman Notes: Growing Up with Bangtan Sonyeondan

 

Heart and Seoul Travel Log: Food for the Soul Series 1 Entry #5 A Visit to Otsu Seiromushi: Black Pork, Floating Rocks, and Quiet Joys

On the evening of our second day in Seoul, we made our way to Otsu Seiromushi, the restaurant owned by Jin’s brother. Tucked inside a building in a business district in Seoul, the place was ready for our group to be accommodated. There was quiet excitement in the air.

When we were seated, we began with small servings of starters: a cold plate of sashimi and seasoned appetizers. The grilled Jeju black pig arrived soon after, and it was impeccable: greaseless, tender, and not charred at all. For a grilled meat dish, it looked and tasted healthy. I couldn’t help but compare it to the lechon black pig (a.k.a baboy ramo) I tasted during the PASLI Conference last April at the IRRI in Silang, Cavite. That version had subtle flavors of salt and tanlad. This one, however, was more refined. Thinly sliced, just one strip flavored the palate entirely.

The plate of sashimi was another star on the menu. Just like the grilled pork, it tasted fresh and clean. The tuna melted in the mouth, and there was a kind of discipline in the dish that made you want to eat with reverence. It made me want to take only what I could muster and consume; nothing wasted.

My favorite, though, was the oden-style soup with fish cakes and tofu. It was warm, comforting, and nourishing. I’ve been craving soup lately, perhaps due to my changing hormones as I enter menopause, and this bowl hit the spot. The warmth was bracing, the tofu made it even more comforting, and the elegantly wrapped fish cake pouches added depth and texture. This wasn’t just soup. It was a hug in a bowl.

Some of my companions ordered IGIN, the alcoholic drink that Jin himself helped develop. Even Zoe got a glass. I didn’t. Like Hoseok, I have low alcohol tolerance, but I appreciated the joy of everyone toasting and sharing this experience together.

What stood out just as much as the food was the installation art in the middle of the restaurant. It featured large rocks that seemed to float in mid-air, reflected in still water below. I remembered what Yoongi once said in an interview: “I wouldn’t mind being resurrected as a rock” (not in full quotation). It was a funny comment, but in that moment, looking at the quiet stones, it felt profound.

Rocks are silent. Steady. Enduring. They don’t need to prove anything to exist. They simply are. And maybe that’s what makes them strong.

That meal and that moment gave me pause. I was grateful to be there, with my daughter, with fellow ARMYs eating thoughtfully, sharing stories and getting to know each other a little more beyond our online personas. It was about tasting new flavors and appreciating the stillness, the artistry of the food and the community being built personally; relationally in a fandom space where we are often judged as nothing but screaming teenagers.

Let them. This is our joy. We earned it. It is sacred.

Truly Teena Ordoño, thank you for this well curated ARMY Tour package!

Heart and Seoul Travel Log Day 4: I do believe your galaxy

It was the height of Covid when I came upon this interview of BTS in Rolling Stone. It was one of their better interviews, I think, and of the seven, it was Namjoon’s that I was drawn to because there was a part in it where he speaks about the unnoticed, the ordinary, and even the forgotten carrying entire universes within. That each of us, even rocks, has the potential for growth and the capability to shine. The irony is, we don’t realize or recognize it until it is too late.

Believe it or not, I carried his words like a mantra the entire lockdown and it saw me through until the restrictions were lifted in 2022.

Fast forward to Festa 2025 where I found myself and ARMY Daughter at Café Far Ben in Seongsu. We ditched the Festa celebrations to bask in one of the galaxies of Kim Kyung Min, the sister Namjoon believes to have galaxies inside her. Sitting there, I realized, maybe it takes one galaxy to recognize another.

I’m glad we came back on a quieter day, when there were fewer people and space to breathe. Namjoon’s sister wasn’t there, which, in its own way, made it even more meaningful.

We were there to seek and share quiet moments of our own and yet, bound by togetherness. I was there to give respect and express gratitude. ARMY Daughter was there to stand by me. We were there for each other.

We were a mother and daughter, on our artist’s date: me, watercolor painting; Zoe, reading, taking pictures, and journaling. The café, on that day, exuded an energy of openness and calm. As if the very walls knew they were made to hold softness, silence, and the creative shaping of stories— our own galaxies soon to shine. When darkness comes to envelope us again, we have an array of stars to catch or look upon with love and hope. Being in the dark would be less frightening.

Apobangpo! Purple and true!

#bangtanpilgrimage #festa2025 #seoulsearching

Kuwentong Bangtan: The Message of BTS' OT7 at HOTS Final 2025

 

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Kuwentong Bangtan: On Fandom Culture and ARMY Life

Fandoms have their own culture. They come with values, language, rituals, etiquette, and yes—even an unspoken hierarchy. This culture doesn’t appear overnight. It grows from the constant interaction between fans, shaped by the music, messages, and presence of the artists they support. As idols create and evolve, fans respond creatively—with art, translations, analysis, projects, and community-building. In time, this back-and-forth shapes a fandom’s unique identity.

For ARMY, that identity includes streaming, voting, buying albums, organizing charity drives, translating content, archiving memories, and showing up for each other and BTS in countless ways. These weren’t random choices. They were responses: to the times BTS were overlooked; to industry gatekeeping; to narratives that tried to erase or undermine them.

I learned these things when I entered the fandom.

When we streamed, we weren’t just chasing numbers. We were holding space for BTS in a world that refused to give it.

When we voted, we weren’t just competing. We were reclaiming dignity for seven young men who dared to dream in an industry that prevented them to dream for themselves.

When we bought albums, we weren’t flexing. We were investing in a story we believed in.

It’s understandable that new ARMYs who joined during BTS’ military era experience the fandom differently. You’re entering a community that’s already diverse, vast and complex. You fell in love with legends. I did, during the pandemic. Veteran ARMYs fell in love with the boys who had to fight to be seen as legends. My daughter did, during the Wings Era. That’s why some practices, like streaming or voting, still feel sacred to ARMY. It’s not about pressure—it’s about memory. It’s not just about what we do, but why we do it.

And one thing that makes being ARMY so unique is that, there’s no rulebook. No official checklist that says: “This is how you be a fan.” And that freedom is beautiful. People come to BTS for different reasons, and love them in their own ways.

But this is where culture comes in, where the unspoken “laws” quietly shape our actions. No one told us to stream solid BTS playlists 24/7 (not mixed with other songs of Kpop groups) during comeback week, we just knew it mattered. No one officially announced that birthdays would be marked with charity drives or art exhibitions. But it became a norm, because it reflected what BTS themselves stood for.

Fandom culture isn’t about control. It’s about shared understanding built on trust, love, and lived experience. And when that culture is strong, it helps guide us not as rigid rules, but as gentle markers of care and respect.

So when veteran ARMYs speak up about streaming, or when we tell stories of the old fanbase days, it’s not gatekeeping. It’s memory-keeping. It’s passing down not just what we do, but why we do it. And in turn, we also have to LISTEN to how new ARMYs are experiencing things now because the fandom is alive, and it changes with every new heartbeat that joins it.

ARMY, we are so lucky to be loved by BTS. Namjoon, in one of the Permission to Dance concerts in the US back in 2022, said something unforgettable. He acknowledged the overwhelming love they’ve received from ARMY, but he didn’t stop there. He said it was a love that must not be taken for granted.

And so, they give back.

The variety, the breadth and depth of the content they created, produced, and released during their military era is worthy of their acclaim as global artists of this generation. They didn’t disappear. They doubled down. They lived up to their name—Bangtan Sonyeondan—because they love us.

And for BTS, ARMY will always be their biggest, loudest voice.

Apobangpo! Purple and true!

zarahG and AMI

Kuwentong Bangtan: Tita Mars on Growth, Resilience and Our ARMY Glow Up Journey

My ARMY chingu, Tita Mars Atienza, writer and life coach, had a Kuwentuhan Sonyeondan session with our small band of Tita ARMYs to celebrate SOPE Season. Inspired by Jhope's desire to continue learning and Suga's grit and resilience, we gathered on Gmeet one Saturday night to listen to Tita Mars walk us through stories of SOPE. Needless to say, we were moved to look at our own journeys of change and growth, and discover the hidden strength we bring fort at every step and every turn. 

Taking off from that meaningful session, here is an interview with Tita Mars that lay bare the value of growth, learning and resilience from the lens of BTS and ARMY life. Through this brief interview, we hope we are able to open doors of possibilities to glow up - ARMY or otherwise.

1. Icebreaker Reflection: During the icebreaker, we had a chance to laugh and share a bit of ourselves. How do you think small activities like these contribute to building resilience in everyday life?

Laughter and shared moments, no matter how small, remind us that resilience isn’t just about pushing through the hard times. It’s also about creating space for joy, connection, and lightness. I think about how Suga and J-Hope approach their craft: Suga, with his quiet introspection, finds healing through music, while J-Hope’s vibrant energy turns even struggles into something hopeful. Their balance of playfulness and discipline teaches us that resilience isn’t just about endurance; it’s about how we pause and recharge. When we engage in small, lighthearted activities like the icebreaker that we did, we build emotional muscle memory. This teaches ourselves that even in difficult times, there’s always space for laughter, creativity, and community. 

2. Resilience and Reinvention: You talked about resilience and reinvention in our session. Can you share a personal experience where reinvention helped you overcome a significant challenge, and what lessons can we apply from your journey?

Reinvention for me is an act of courage. It’s choosing to meet ourselves again and again, even when life forces us into unfamiliar territory. One of my biggest reinventions came when I moved - and left - my place of healing, Cebu. It was terrifying, and there were moments when I questioned everything. But just like Suga, who transitioned from underground rapper to global artist by embracing every phase of his evolution, I realized that growth requires shedding old versions of ourselves. Reinvention isn’t about abandoning who we were. Moreover, it’s about allowing ourselves to expand. 

The lesson? Growth is uncomfortable, but staying stagnant is even more painful. Instead of fearing reinvention, we should ask: Who am I becomng? What new possibilities open up when I trust myself? 

3. Call to Action – Resilience Pledge: The resilience pledge was a powerful way to conclude the session. How can we ensure that the commitment we made today translates into long-term actions, even when we face setbacks?

Making a pledge is easy when we feel inspired, but true resilience is about showing up even when motivation fades. Just like how J-Hope dedicated to his craft by practicing endlessly to perfect every move, we need daily habits that reinforce our commitment:  

Anchor our pledge to something tangible. Write it down, create a vision board, or set reminders on our phones. Make it real. 

Find your hype squad/ fan club/ advocates.Whether it’s friends, a community, or a mentor, let's surround ourselves with people who uplift us and remind us of our why. 

Embrace setbacks as part of the journey. Just like artists who refine their work through trial and error, we, too, evolve through our missteps.

If you’re ready to take your resilience to the next level, I invite you to join my Women Empowerment Retreat at Villa Viram, Tagaytay on March 29. It’s an immersive experience designed to help you reclaim your power, reconnect with your authentic self, and build a life rooted in confidence, joy, and purpose. Because resilience isn’t just about surviving; it’s about thriving. And we all deserve that. 

Secure your spot via: https://forms.gle/G26NJqaBCf9tcTMi9

Get to know Tita Mars:

Through her book, Becoming Sheroes: Stories of Heartstrong Women

Through this Author Interview: Marissa Atienza

My BTS Inspired Reading List for 2025

 

Fandom Culture: Multistans and ARMY Life

Multistannig has deeply affected me because a friend I once knew as a fellow ARMY had been dishonest and turned her back on our friendship and connection to become a multistan. This has left me feeling hurt and betrayed. She never apologized especially when well meaning people tried their best to bridge and salvage any love that was lost.

Her decision, especially during the sensitive time of BTS’s military service, made it even harder to process and understand. Grappling with multistanning in this context only amplified the emotional weight of the experience.

I feel the tremendous loss. I still grieve. It has been a year and a half. I have been struggling to wrap my head around this experience; this fan behavior. Recent events that I read online made me realize the complexity of this phenomena.

Multistaning, or being a fan of multiple artists or groups, is a common and natural part of enjoying music, but it can be a controversial topic in highly dedicated fandoms like ARMY. On one hand, there is nothing ethically wrong with being a multistan while identifying as an ARMY. Music is a universal language, and people can find inspiration and joy in the works of multiple artists. On the other hand, the dynamics of fandoms, particularly ARMY’s unique sense of unity, can make multistaning a sensitive subject, with some potential downsides.

BTS has always championed messages of love, inclusivity, and individuality. Their music and ethos encourage fans to embrace their passions and celebrate diversity, including musical tastes. Supporting other artists while loving BTS aligns with these values. Multistaning doesn’t inherently diminish one’s dedication to BTS; it reflects an openness to exploring different creative expressions, which BTS themselves would likely appreciate. For many, being a multistan is simply an extension of their love for music.

However, the collective power of ARMY relies on unity and focused support, particularly in areas like streaming, voting, and defending BTS against industry challenges or unfair criticism. Multistaning can sometimes dilute this collective effort, as divided attention may result in less participation in initiatives critical to BTS’s success. This can be especially significant during times when the fandom is rallying to support the group in competitions or to achieve milestones.

Another concern I observed is the potential for multistaning to undermine fandom solidarity. BTS has faced many obstacles in their rise to global fame, and ARMY has often served as a protective shield against criticism and marginalization. Aligning with other groups, particularly those whose fandoms have had conflicts with ARMY, might unintentionally create tension or be perceived as disloyal. It becomes even trickier when these rival fandoms engage in actions that disrespect BTS or their fans.

There’s also a risk of comparison when multistans support multiple groups. Even with good intentions, comparisons can lead to unnecessary conflicts and diminish the appreciation of BTS’s unique artistry. Additionally, praising another group while in ARMY spaces can be interpreted as a lack of focus or respect for BTS. This is especially sensitive in fandom politics, where loyalty often defines group identity and purpose.

On the flip side, multistaning can foster personal growth and joy. It allows fans to experience a broader range of music and creativity, which may even deepen their appreciation for BTS’s artistry. However, it’s essential for multistans to balance this by staying true to BTS’s values and respecting ARMY’s collective efforts. Morality in fandom is less about exclusivity and more about maintaining a respectful and supportive engagement with both the group and fellow fans.

Ultimately, multistaning is a personal choice that isn’t inherently right or wrong. It comes down to how it’s managed. If a multistan respects BTS’s legacy, supports ARMY’s unified efforts, and avoids contributing to fandom conflicts, they can enjoy the best of both worlds. Balancing the love for BTS with an appreciation for other artists requires intentionality, but it’s entirely possible to do so without compromising one’s identity as an ARMY.

So. I have put my emotions aside and allow logic and reason to prevail. I will heal from the wounds inflicted by a person who never recognized or acknowledged the depth of my loyalty and connection.

Today, I choose to be good in the midst of my grief.

It’s time to move and carry on.

Kuwentong Bangtan: Happy 6th Year, Mono!

 Happy 6th year, "Mono"!

RM's second mixtape, "Mono", truly resonated with me. Sonically, I find it diverse, blending genres that diversify my listening experience. Each track invites me to delve into RM's thoughts and emotions, transforming the mixtape into a poignant narrative that reflects his life.

Lyrically, "Mono" speaks of themes of life, love, and loneliness, providing an intimate look into RM's psyche. I appreciate how he shares his struggles and triumphs, creating a relatable narrative that resonates deeply. It feels comforting to connect with someone who articulates those feelings of isolation and yearning so well.

Forever Rain pushed me to accept stoically the realities of being abandoned by a dear friend who left me hanging and used up. It became my theme song for a while as I grappled with issues of loyalty; the risk of being open and vulnerable; giving my best without expecting anything in return, but to be respected as a person and what I am able to contribute, though small and immaterial it may have seemed to others. In everythingoes, I find the courage to move on by pursuing art that I can do and eventually, leading me to my “ARMY Glow Up”. Moonchild remains as one of my favorite anthems especially in times of sorrow and defeat.

"Mono", RM’s art and music, has healed and saved me in more ways I can do and imagine.

Ultimately, RM's talent, skill, and intelligence shine throughout the project. His

ability to weave thought-provoking lyrics with innovative production elevates "Mono" beyond a typical mixtape. It inspires me to explore my own emotions and creativity, reaffirming RM's place as a significant voice in contemporary music.

Stay safe and dry, friends, family and ARMY chingu!

Photo/poster by: @sincityarmy on Threads

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Kuwentong Bangtan: Celebrate NamKook Month with Home RUN: Relax, Unwind, Nurture

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Kuwentong Bangtan: Yoongi's Call to Action

I’ve read Yoongi’s letter multiple times, and each reading reveals deeper insights. Conversations with my ARMY daughter and fellow Tita ARMYs have helped me find clarity and peace amid the worries.

On the surface, Yoongi’s letter is a heart-wrenching apology from someone caught in the crossfire of sensationalized media. But when you look closer, it reflects the cultural nuances of a country deeply rooted in a complex history of geopolitical conflict that continues to shape modern life both locally and globally. Beyond the lines, Yoongi’s letter is a powerful “call to action” for ARMY to stand firm in our support for BTS—all seven members.

The members have ongoing projects that deserve our full attention:

JK’s documovie

Jikook’s travel documentary

Jin as a tourism ambassador

And in just a few months, Hobi will be discharged from MS

‘Scootergate’ has undoubtedly impacted the members’ activities, with Yoongi carrying much of this burden. By extension, all their projects are affected.

This is the perfect moment for ARMY to rally together and show unwavering support and love for all seven members.

At 3 PM today, Manila Time, the teaser for Jin’s Soul Tourism promotion will be released. Later, at 8 PM, a new episode of Half Star Hotel in Lost Island will drop. When you can, please watch these, along with JK and Jimin’s travel docu. Organize watch parties for JK’s upcoming movie, plan Hobi’s homecoming celebrations, and share NamkookMin content online as their birthdays approach. And of course, keep streaming Yoongi’s albums!

In doing this, we are not just supporting BTS—we are protecting and cherishing them, as one and as seven.