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This past week, my entire personality was basically taken over by one thing, k-pop. Not even just k-pop in general, but specifically BTS and their new album, Arirang. To celebrate their comeback.
I'm not even exaggerating when I say I lived in that album for days. Like, if you checked my brain, it would just be their lyrics.
From the very first tracks, I knew I was finished, it had this mix of traditional Korean vibes and modern beats.
It got so into in my head that I was singing it when I was eating and even brushing my teeth.
I was literally performing my own mini concert in my bathroom.
But listening wasn't enough, I had to see the music video. And the visuals? Please...I don't know where to start from.
It's actually not fair. How can people be that talented and still look that good?
Now let's talk about the concert, because this is where things got serious.
Obviously, I could not attend the concert physically. Let's be honest, ticket price alone would have sent me into early retirement.
So I did what any loyal fan would do...I watched it live on Netflix.
And when I say I watched it... I WATCHED it, full concentration like I was preparing for an exam.
The moment it started, I lost all sense of reality... I was screaming in my room like BTS could hear me personally.
Let me not lie to you, the choreography did not follow me. I followed it in spirit. My body was doing its own remix version. But the energy? 100%.
If someone walked into my room at that moment...they would think I was hosting my own concert.
And the crowd were much. And I was happy because seeing that kind of love and support for BTS reminded me why I like them so much in the first place.
I got emotional when they sang some of their previous songs. I was like, “Why am I tearing up? Who sent me?” But that’s the thing with BTS, they have a way of making you feel things unexpectedly.
I was pained that RM had to sit almost all through because of his ankle injury. But despite that, he still made the event memorable and worthwhile.
After the concert ended, I just sat there staring at my screen like, “So… what now?” It felt like I had just returned from an ecstatic journey.
Even my friends are tired. If I start a sentence with BTS, they already know they’re about to hear a full lecture. But I don’t care, this is important cultural appreciation.
If you had told me last week that I would be this invested, I would not have believed you. But here I am, fully converted for the week, living my best K-pop life.
I have no regrets...except maybe the fact that I didn’t attend the concert in person.
But it’s fine. I will be there next time... even if it means I have to start saving from now till forever.
Until then, Netflix concert it is. And my imaginary front-row seat is still very valid in my head.
So that was my K-culture experience this week, and I enjoyed every single moment of it.
