The thing is, when I started to learn more about K-Pop, I was more and more amazed by the talent, the dynamics, the culture. And, as I usually tend to develop hyperfocus with new things, I began to learn like crazy about this new world.

I decided (actually, my heart told me) that I needed to teach about K-Pop, not only as a fan, but as someone who wanted to educate about ending racism, learn about new cultures, break stereotypes, and so much more.

I saw a huge opportunity to make a change. I was determined to, at least, help them to break some prejudgments not only about Asian culture, but the world in general.

So, I started a little club after classes, at the school. A lot of kids stayed. We learned more about every continent, we did projects, ate food from other countries. It was the club that had the most kids. And, as I started to share with other kids that I liked K-Pop, they said similar disrespectful things I’d said before I really learned about K-Pop. I realised how much racism we have in ourselves, even if we don’t want to.

We grew up in a society that doesn’t take time to learn, to think differently, so I felt bad because my students’ thoughts about other cultures were originated by us, the adults (me included), and no one was interested in stopping it. Some of their comments were quite aggressive towards some artists, and this surprised me a lot. I had to talk very seriously with them several times because they were being very disrespectful not only of Asian culture, but towards their classmates who liked K-Pop (mostly girls) and me. I told them that I was only wanting them to respect other’s choices, and that I wasn’t trying to make them like what I liked. It was harder than I thought. And I know a lot of them still think the same.

But I saw some kids showing a smile while defending them because of how much they liked K-Pop. I saw some kids feeling brave to say for the first time ‘I like it too’. Before that, it was impossible to hear a boy saying it, because of how mean their classmates would be if they knew. But now, they felt safe. And I treasure that in my heart.

I saw some of the rudest boys being amazed when I told them that Jungkook sang in the World Cup in Qatar. They liked the song before knowing it, so they felt truly shocked. I showed them that Suga is an ambassador of the NBA, and with other examples, I taught them K-Pop is not for girls only. They can like it and not change anything about their identity. They probably still don’t like it, and it’s completely fine, but I know something changed in their minds, even just a little part.

I like other K-Pop artists, but everything started with BTS. They are my first love. They changed me. All of this was because of them. They truly made me a better person. They taught me about life, love, respect, and society. They even helped me to be a better teacher, and I can’t be grateful enough.

Just one more story: I did online classes during the pandemic, and it was horrible. It is a scar I will forever carry in my heart. I couldn’t see my kids in person for two years. I couldn’t hug them. I couldn’t see them grow up. I saw them extremely depressed. And then, the masks. I didn’t see the entire face of some of my students until 2023. I can’t explain how painful it was. Teaching is my everything in life. I learned about true love when I became a teacher. I watched the video of Permission to dance when it came out, but I wasn’t a fan then. When I watched it again, already loving them, it affected me very hard.

One day, I watched the performance at the United Nations General Assembly, and I started to cry. I cried a lot. In the video, the kids take off their masks, and smile. In the performance, there are a lot of adults and kids dancing with them outside. Even writing this now makes me feel emotional. Plus, they use sign language, something I truly appreciate because of how much we need inclusion. It heals the pain that I had. That song is written in my heart forever.