BTS to me is my youth. They are the memories of my teenage years, the experiences I always longed for, and the inspiration I always needed. I first found them when I was 13, back in 2019. At the time I had a traumatic experience that made me limit myself to only a bedroom, watching the news religiously, and waiting for the days to pass by. It was at that moment, days into this routine of letting time fly, that a particular group performed on the morning talk show I always watched. A door was opened, light shined into the room, and my day got a little brighter. I have never forgotten about them since.

Off and on I’d hear and see things about this group. On the radio I’d hear a song on my way to school, a friend would wear a hoodie with “Jungkook” on the back of it, and a video of a member dancing to “In My Feels” would appear on my feed. It was these little things that I was able to look back on now, little funny moments that reminded me of my childhood. I remember having so much respect for them in 2020 because I saw from afar what they did for their fans. I saw how hard they worked off and on and truly started to respect them.

I also remember a time in 2021 when I was reminded of them, once again, and started listening to their songs, a whole playlist, searching up the lyric meanings, and appreciating that there was a group who sang to inspire. A group that advocated for loving yourself and a group that would lead many to write in the comment sections about how their music saved them. They had me, a person who was looked down on by many for being different, get up and dance to a song that said “You can’t stop me lovin’ myself” alone in my room, and I wasn’t even a fan (yet).

Fast forward to 2022, I am reminded once again of them as they just spoke at the White House. I saw them once again and wanted to know even more. While searching for the Whitehouse speech I came across Namjoon’s UN speech and my heart was touched once again. Right then and there, they inspired me to do something that would impact the world like they did, to touch lives, and inspire people. I was truly interested in them once again and started watching them and everything they did afterward.

After a few months, it was June, and my Twitter, now known as X and TikTok feed was filled with BTS content. I would get recommendations on YouTube for video compilations of the members and music videos. At that time, I was going through another traumatic part of my life. I once again was scared, and I let my fear control me to the point where once again, I was stuck in my room, watching the clouds go by, being proud that I made it to another day. It was a day when everything hit so hard that I saw something on my Twitter feed like, “J-Hope Lollapalooza performance at 8 o’clock!” After reading more posts about the event, I decided to set my alarm and wait for his performance. I know I did this because it gave me something to look forward to, something to keep my mind off of all the things I was worried about. Looking back now, I am so glad that I did as when the live started, my life was changed.

A man jumped out of a stage similar to a Jack-in-the-Box and passionately poured his heart out to everyone watching.

For the first time in months, I felt peaceful. I didn’t have to worry about anything. I could just enjoy the music and dance.

Once again, a door was opened, light shined in, and I decided to finally walk through it.

J-Hope’s Lollapalooza Performance truly changed my life. At that moment, I understood why their performances are so highly spoken about. I got more and more into appreciating their music until I got my very first BTS album, Proof. I woke up at 5 am to watch my very first BTS concert, I woke up at 3 to watch my first BTS award show performance, and I went to my first theater concert screening. I connected with so many people around the world because of them, I laughed, cried, and found new things due to these 7 boys from Korea. I would have never ventured into writing my own raps before them. Never would have seen the possibility of one day making an album of my music. I also never would have even booked a ticket to South Korea and, in a few weeks, finally be able to see them in person and explore the culture of the place they call home. They inspired me and gave me many things but the dearest thing to my heart was the experiences and memories.

It’s these memories that pepper my youth, these small moments that I can laugh about. It’s as if they had always been there in my life and are a part of the story that makes up my teenage years. When I listened to my parents and heard about the artists that inspired them and made up their childhood, I always wanted someone like that from my era. I grew up listening to oldies, still do, and I love every song however everything had already happened. I never got to connect with many of the artists because most of them passed on. I wished for a childhood artist, and now I know I’ve found one.

Some may say they grew up with the Beatles, others with the Backstreet Boys, I can say I grew up with BTS. They truly are my childhood artists.

They are my youth.