However, as I grew older, I noticed I had a growing desire to connect to my South Korean culture, my parents, my extended family back in South Korea. I started to recognise the value and sense of pride I had in being Korean. I like to think it was inevitable I would feel this way. But it wasn’t until the COVID lockdown in 2020, that it really changed for me.

I’d heard of BTS before 2020, but at this point I didn’t really know anything about them, and I recall thinking they had already been around for quite some time, without my knowledge. On one of those endless lockdown days, I clicked on a YouTube music video of Dynamite by BTS and had no idea it was about to send me on an entirely new path.

I wasn’t just caught by their good looks and infectious energy. I also immediately felt a sense of pride that they were showing the world what it was to be Korean and even without knowing who these seven men were, I knew I was rooting for them. Their global influence was extremely special and profound. And as I fell into the rabbit hole of their entire discography over the next few months, I was completely shocked and impressed with their talents and diverse musical styles. They completely surpassed my expectations.

I got to know them more by watching their entire variety show, Run BTS, and the Bon Voyage travel series.

As I consumed more and more Korean content, I didn’t realise how it was affecting my own Korean language skills.

My Korean reading, writing and speaking skills have always been quite basic, as I was born and raised in Australia and English became my first language. I was embarrassed to speak Korean to other Koreans because I knew how terrible I was.

But through consuming the BTS content, I was picking up new vocabulary and becoming faster at hearing and understanding Korean dialogue. Even my parents noticed I started speaking more fluently with them at home.

I must credit BTS with giving me a stronger sense of identity and connection to my culture. I am proud to be Korean because of BTS.

Through their lyrics, each of their individual personalities and messages, I felt truly understood in a way I had never felt before. They have helped me overcome so many obstacles in my life, and I’ve also been able to make new lifelong friendships and connections through them.

Although I will always wish that I became ARMY much earlier, I am so grateful I found BTS when I did, and I know the best moment is yet to come.