Have you seen articles, tv shows, performances, and girls screaming about a boy band called BTS? I have heard many comments about them.  “Why are there so many of them?”  “They all look the same.”  “They look so feminine.” “Yeah, they are good performers.”  But it's not only about how they dance and sing. 

I will go over my impression and opinions about BTS on how they impact today’s youth and mental health awareness.  These are only my perspective and everyone has the right to different opinions. 

They are highly involved in their writing music and express the hardships of life that fans connect to. 

They sing about the hardships of society, pressure, love, and despair.  Today a lot of people feel alone and disconnected. These concepts help normalize people's feelings and do not make them feel weird and different. Also, they provide encouraging information such as the concept of “love yourself” and “speak yourself.” 

FYI, “ARMY” is what BTS fans are called.

They connect to the fans and share so much love for them and every moment thanking the army. They model kindness, empathy, and being humble. 

BTS and their fans both have both participated in donating to nonprofits and volunteer work. They bring a sense of community and purpose to be part of something that is bigger. 

BTS collaborated with UNICEF to end violence to promote love and kindness with the youth. BTS recently spoke to support people through the hardship of COVID-19.

I have heard so many stories of how people were saved by BTS through their own hardships since they express the human emotions of sadness, anxiety, and despair. Also, I have stories about how parents and their child/ teen are able to connect through BTS music and performances.

How did BTS get so popular?

This group was an unpopular group when they debut 2013 and they put in the effort and hard work to get where they are today. It shows that hard work and effort is difficult but you can get through it with the support of others. People sometimes feel so isolated and alone in this age of technology and social media. Also, feeling “crazy” and “weird” about their own struggles. Their message shows that we are not alone and can get through tough times. 

My most favorite part of them is they bring in psychological concepts such from Carl Jung and inspire youth to learn and explore.  Fans had started reading Jungian material to better understand BTS’s message in their songs. This is the most important time where mental health awareness is essential and people need to talk and be aware. To show more compassion and empathy towards each other. 

The most meaningful aspect of BTS for me, is they are very proud of showing the Korean culture. 

As a Korean American growing up in America, I often felt different and tried to blend into the American culture. I remember always comparing myself, awkward, and not able to express myself fully.  When I choose my career as a social worker and a therapist, my family didn't really understand what I did and I didn’t know how to explain it. Mental health is highly stigmatized in Asia and it comes with a lot of shame and guilt. With BTS’s message about mental health, it has been encouraging and has brought me hope that slowly mental health awareness will be acceptable. 

Thank you for reading my perspective of BTS!

If you are feeling stuck and lost in your life and want to practice loving yourself, speak yourself, and be your true self.  Check out my website to learn more about me and how I help people with anxiety. I also offer a free 15 minute phone consultation. My specialties include anxious teens, social anxiety, career driven professionals, and Asian American psychology.

I would love to hear people’s comments about how BTS impacted your own life or just why you like them.