It was possibly in 2015/2016 when we found BTS (Thanks YouTube!). My daughter fell down the BTS rabbit hole fast. She watched anything and everything, and I mean everything, she could find online about them. Language barrier or not. She got so much joy out of their videos– I can’t tell you how many times she watched the silly/funny moments- she would just search BTS (easy for her to type!) and watch everything that came up. Eventually, she was singing Happy Birthday to all our family members in Korean (bear in mind this is my Down Syndrome daughter, and has a speech issue, so it is her version of it 😊).

Once it was clear she was invested in BTS, I had to learn their names and songs to make sure I, at least, understood who she was fangirling over (and that their music was appropriate). And that was that I was also sucked into the vortex. She loves Jin and referred to him as her boyfriend for years. As she got older, she told us she was going to Korea to marry him. She knows a lot of the dance moves from the music videos and still remembers them to this day. She has other favourite K-Pop bands- EXO and TXT being the main ones. She had a One Direction period but has returned to K-Pop. Her Dad and I have very varied taste in music. I like classical, country, rock to pop and everything in between. I think the only music I am not overly into is Heavy Metal/Death Metal, whereas he likes most music including blue grass, punk and heavy metal, so our daughter has been exposed to a lot of different music and enjoys much of it.

For me, I love their message and their lyrics. As a mum and a grown women who is more than old enough to be their mother (my son is 27), it is intensely personal for me. Their music makes me FEEL and resonates deep in my soul. I hadn’t realised how numb I had become over the years. I was so isolated, mainly due to having two kids with special needs. Friends came and went and rarely stuck around. I lost ‘me’ and my joy. Sure, I was happy and enjoyed my kids, but life was just life – one day after another. I also lost my joy for music. Think years of listening to the Wiggles and the like! I have laughed and cried (so many tears!) while listening to BTS’s music. I love how varied they are in talent, considering they are all in a group, especially now they have had solo careers – they are like oil and water but together they work.

I love something about all of them. RM for his leadership, emotional intelligence and intelligence overall; J Hope for his dancing (wow) and warm, sunny personality (he always makes me feel good- he is my Hope); Suga for his sarcasm and wit (I am totally here for it); V I love his deep voice, he reminds me of Michael Bublé and jazz; Jung Kook the cheeky youngest, such a vibe! He also seems the most approachable of the lot. Jin for his self-confidence and Jimin is so kind and empathetic. As a group, they work as they have so many different personalities which mesh so very well and their message is one of hope and light, self-love and about being who you are. I want this for the world. A world, which is inclusive and loving, not harsh and horrible.

RM is my bias, but I tell you, they are all bias-wreckers for me- although J Hope and Suga top that list. My top 10 BTS playlist on Spotify- well let’s say, it has over 30 songs on it currently as I just can’t decide!

We are waiting for the day they are all released and hopefully, reunite. And even better, come to Australia on tour as we would love to see them in concert. Or even meet them! Total fangirling over here 😊

I could go on and on but will stop here 😊