Kuwentong Bangtan: Beyond the Performance: Namjoon, Jin, and the Soft Power of BTS

Namjoon and BTS spoke at the United Nations. He and the 6 of them conversed with a sitting U.S. president; he delivered the speech infront of the press at the White House. But after his military enlistment, his first public speech wasn’t on a global stage. It was at his stylist’s wedding. And yet, the weight of this moment remained. This event and his presence, with Hoseok and Yoongi, speak of community, civic duty, and the sacredness of public service. His words, tender and weighty, remind us that leadership isn’t always tough. It can be tender. Sometimes, it’s intimate. Chosen. Intentional.

And then, there’s Jin, our Worldwide Handsome who stood onstage in Anaheim, worried that his culture might not resonate with a foreign audience and I-ARMYs. But when the audience sang with him, laughed with him, loved with him, he said it plainly: “You are my culture… my world revolve(s) around you.” Our Worldwide Handsome is our Worldwide Ambassador.

Sexy personas and thirst traps are industry staples, almost expected in the world of K-pop. But BTS has never settled for just what’s expected. Again and again, they step beyond the frame, choosing meaning, integrity and connection.

BTS is BTS. No one else compares.

Yes, we swoon. We giggle in our delulu. We clutch on our pearls. We are women and we have desires no matter how young or old.

But we also witness.

We honor.

And we grow.

So why reduce them to fantasy? Why contain them in a frame of performance built for consumption?

This is BTS. Artists. Storytellers. Citizens. Sons. Friends.

They are people. And so are we. All of us.

Apobangpo. Purple and true.

PPT Deck: Bibliotherapy Activity for Awake (Kim Seokjin, BTS Wings, 2017)

Kuwentong Bangtan: Moon Gazing

The full moon looked spectacular two nights ago. I took a photo of it and spent a few minutes moon gazing. Luminous. Mysterious. Silent. How it captures the fancy and fascination of artists and poets as metaphor to emphasize a point and to relay a message in a special way.

In Moon, Kim Seokjin sings about the companionship that BTS will always have with ARMY even in the darkest of times. This stanza from the song is my favorite. A source of comfort.

“You who stand by me

In the dark night and in the dark day

When you are sad

When you are sick

Just shining on me

I will be by your side

More brightly in the dark night”

Kim Namjoon on the one hand, sings and melody raps his way into my heart with Moonchild. He right away begins with contradictions moving on to the hurdles we all face in life.

“We're born in the moonlight

Ain't no fantasy

Can't breathe in the sunlight

Gotta hide your heart

We're born to be sad, sad, sad, sad

Suffer to be glad, glad, glad, glad”

Then eases into a reassuring chorus.

“Moonchild you shine

when moon rise its your time cmon on y’all

Moonchild don’t cry

when moon rise it’s your time”

Jin’s Moon and Joon’s Moonchild present the harsh realities of life. A personal battle. A struggle against the pressures of society. A failed relationship. The songs do not hide nor dismiss the dark moments and the shadows of our inner selves and a society that can be apathetic. It coaxes the listener to accept them because, just like the waning and waxing moon that has a dark side, it also goes through phases. We only need to understand this cycle of light and shadow. And BTS just like the moon, through their music and art, will always be with ARMY. Bright and constant in whatever form it takes in the dark sky of our lives.

Moon lyrics taken from Lyric Freak and Moonchild lyrics from Genius.

Bangtan Appreciation Post: Kim Seokjin

Hindi ako Jin stan pero, na-inspire ako ni Jin today. Awake ang una kong narinig na BTS song sa isip ko ngayong umaga. So, here is a Kim Seokjin appreciation post.

Dear Jin,

Kahit ano pa ang ilagay mo sa buhok mo, ribbons, pig tails, flowers o si RJ at magsasayaw ka dyan to the tune of Super Tuna, World Wide Handsome ka pa rin! Sobrang pinasaya mo kaming mga TOBBIES, Pearl ARMYs all, ngayong taon. #Jinhit ka talaga!

This appreciation post may never reach you, but the universe has a way of letting you know that what you do, makes a lot of difference to the personal and collective lives of people. Yung grade 3 student ko, ibinida nya last week sa akin na alam na niya ang dance steps ng Super Tuna. She has learning challenges, Jin. Through your song, she is able to move and understand the purpose of her arms, hands, fingers and legs. You make my work, a little bit easier and a lot more enjoyable!

Thank you for your humor and sincerity. Be well and stay healthy! Maligayang Pasko!

Tita Z

PS - pagpunta namin ng SK, ipagluto mo kami ng Kimchi Fried Rice, please?

Today is Jin Day!

 

What Makes Kim Seokjin Amazing 

 He does his homework and delivers it exceptionally well. For someone who claimed to having no talent for singing, Jin earned it the hard way. Nor was he a dancer but he worked triple time not just for himself but for the group to achieve efficiency and precision.

 He does not take himself too seriously. We saw it in full display at the PTD concert from day 1 to 4.

 He is an amazing storyteller. Watch Run BTS episode 143.

 He knows how and when to break the ice. In the SBS interview last July 24, 2021, he addressed the interviewer, a senior and experienced anchor man in South Korea as “hyung”.

 He knew what to do with his strengths. They say he was only in BTS for his visuals, so, he claimed it and became our World Wide Handsome.

 He adds an extra dash of charm to World Wide Handsome. He will cook Kimchi Fried rice for Jimmy Fallon when he visits Korea. How to be you, Jimmy Fallon?

 He takes rest seriously which is good for mental health and well-being.

Happy birthday, Jin! Borahae!