Winning prizes at a birthday party for BTS. Here’s an inside look.

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(Edited)

It’s no secret – I’m an ARMY! This means being a fan of the Korean artists named BTS. On my Facebook page, you’ll find that I had my first face-to-face seminar at Café Euphoria 7, a BTS-themed café here in Lipa City, Batangas.

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Dear Self, Our Moment Is Yet To Come
Thanks to Ate Gen, Ate Ellen, Ate Steph, and Ate Nica, the mental health seminar was held on November 30, 2022 with over 15 attendees.

Dear Self, Our Moment Is Yet To Come

I discussed the importance of communicating with our inner self and its connection to BTS’ history, specifically the influence of Jungian psychology in their album, Map Of The Soul: Persona.

PH Hermoso (2019) said BTS explores the “individuation process which is a psychic process that builds up to a deeper, unique realization of one’s self.”

Then I facilitated a letter writing activity where the participants could address their past self with kindness and understanding.

One of the ARMYs who attended the seminar commented, “Medyo nababawasan Yung pagkainis ko at panic. Ibang klase Yung nagawa Ng breathing exercise e. Mabuti di nyo napansin na napaiyak talaga ako while doing that. Ang Gaan sa pakiramdam. Thank you tlaga.”

English translation: “My anger and panic lessened after the event. The breathing exercise felt different. Thank goodness you didn’t notice I was teary-eyed while doing that. I felt relieved. Thank you so much.”

I even sold some merch!

A few months later, I was back at the café to celebrate two BTS members’ birthdays: J-hope and Suga.

SOPE birthday party
The event was named SOPE after combining their names – a common thing that we do when we build “ships” in the fandom.

The organizers took their time in decorating the place with balloons that match each member. They even facilitated some party games.

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Guess what? Our team won a round! It was so funny because I was their designated “screamer” – I shouted our team name to be called. Needless to say, I was drained after the games.

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So I received a loot bag with limited edition cup sleeves, pictures, and other goodies.

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It wouldn’t be a birthday party without the birthday cake. But first, we put J-hope and Suga’s standees and sang them the birthday song.

Lastly, we had a raffle round, and I truly hoped to win the first prize because it was packed with albums and membership kits, but another ARMY got it. I tried to hide my gentle envy with a smile hahaha.

In the end, while Ate Gen and Ate Ellen are settling the orders, I took the mic and sang BTS songs. My mind drifted to how my Sunday would’ve gone differently had I not been an ARMY. Had I not met BTS.

BTS inspired me to be a wounded healer
In my perspective, they are the original wounded healers. As young as they were in 2013, just barely entering their twenties, they knew that music has a great healing purpose.

Through writing their own lyrics and composing their own melodies, they voiced out what many others could not: social injustices, pressure to have dreams, and mental health issues.

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(photos edited in Canva)

Not long after, they embarked on the Love Yourself campaign in 2018 with the aim to love themselves as well. It started with a simple question, “Who is BTS?”

Who is RM (stage name) and Kim Namjoon (real name)? Are they different? Can they live in harmony?

Staying in the entertainment and music industry had definitely scarred them in many ways, but the moving forward has led them to be more vulnerable and honest about it.

Despite being wounded, they continue to spread a message of hope and healing. The most striking piece of their music for me was ‘Inner Child’ by V of BTS.

V recognized that his past was difficult, where as a child, he “ran towards the endless light” and how he “wants to hug the many thorns in the rose that used to sprout.”

As a result, the healing energy I get from them has transformed into improving my mental health and more.

Thank you for reading 💜

Are you a fan of an artist as well? Share your interests down below!

ᴬˡˡ ᵖʰᵒᵗᵒˢ ᵃʳᵉ ᵐⁱⁿᵉ ᵘⁿˡᵉˢˢ ˢᵗᵃᵗᵉᵈ ᵒᵗʰᵉʳʷⁱˢᵉ



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4 comments
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It must be fun being with the same crowd that appreciates what you love the most Ish!

The Jessica Soho episode last night was a blast for KPOPpers be like.

Gusto ko din ang BTS but not an army, si wife ang army nakikinig sya madalas sa mga MV nila pag walang ginagawa so walang no choicee haha.

Life goes on ata yung title nung kanta na gusto ko sa mga songs nila.

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The Jessica Soho episode last night was a blast for KPOPpers be like.

Yun nga topic namin kahapon, na may line din between being a fangirl/fanboy. Papanuodin ko pa siya today 😅

Life goes on ata yung title nung kanta na gusto ko sa mga songs nila.

Yeaahh the chill and sentimental vibes, no? 😍

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😊

Ish is an army! 😆

Kyaa~

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Aw that was kind of fun! Though, I'm a dummy when it comes to anything Kpop, I can tell you really had a great time!!! Nice to meet you!

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