I have always had a knack for arriving fashionably late, a trait that has followed me into the vibrant world of South Korean entertainment. For years, I resisted BTS. My hesitation was woven from threads of skepticism. I had never cared much for boy bands, a truth I still stand by. Western critiques did little to change my perception, often portraying K pop as a carefully manufactured illusion, echoes of the same dismissive comments once directed at groups like NSYNC. Then there was the shadow of the Burning Sun scandal, a bitter note that lingered in my mind for too long. But scandals exist everywhere, don’t they? If I listed them all, I would lose sight of the story I am trying to tell, and what a meaningful story it has become.

Members like RM (Kim Nam joon), Suga (Min Yoon gi), and J Hope (Jung Ho seok) came from rap backgrounds, and their early music was deeply influenced by the genre. Over time, BTS has embraced different musical styles, but rap remains an important part of their identity, a genre I have always appreciated. Hearing it in Korean adds another layer of fascination for me, although my journey learning the language began independently from K pop. For more on that, I wrote about it in my post Life@55 & Korean Language.

My discovery of South Korean cinema happened in much the same way. I still smile when I think about Parasite, a film that completely changed my perspective and left me wondering what else I had been missing. Perspective is a fragile thing, isn’t it? Sometimes all it takes is one story, one song, or one film to shift the way we see the world. One moment, we are standing still. The next, the ground beneath us has quietly changed.

One unexpected advantage of discovering BTS later in life, especially during their current break for individual projects and military service commitments, is that I have the opportunity to explore their work at my own pace. There is something wonderful about arriving late to a journey and realizing there is still so much left to discover.

I began with RM’s Right Place, Wrong People, an album that highlights his introspective lyrics and distinctive artistic voice. Then came V’s (Kim Tae hyung) Layover, an album I cannot stop listening to. His soulful voice and artistic vision continue to draw me in. Both albums were released before their enlistment, making this the perfect moment to explore their individual projects. Other members have also released solo work, and I am slowly discovering each of their artistic paths. I recently watched SUGA’s documentary about his album D Day, and it was just as captivating as the music itself.

Credit where it is due, my son Leo was the one who introduced me to BTS through Jungkook’s solo album Golden and RM’s videos. RM’s visual storytelling, in particular, captured my attention. The music videos are created by talented South Korean directors, and some carry artistic influences that reminded me of filmmakers like Park Chan wook, whose films are known for their striking imagery and complex narratives. As someone who loves South Korean cinema, I could not ignore those artistic connections.

Leo’s recommendations did not stop there. Through him, I discovered South Korean dramas like Mr. Sunshine and Twenty Five Twenty One, stories that opened another door into a world of storytelling that resonates deeply with me. He also expanded my musical horizons by introducing me to artists like Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, and Tyler, the Creator. Through these artists, I began to appreciate rap in a completely different way.

I still remember the day Leo looked at me and said, “Mom, have a seat here. I’m going to explain who Kanye is and what he does.” I laughed, but there was something beautiful about that moment. The roles had quietly reversed. The child who once learned from me was now the person opening doors to new worlds I had never explored.

I know exactly who to thank for my growing curiosity about all things South Korean, even if he still teases me about it.

If you are curious about BTS and willing to set aside preconceived ideas, I recommend watching their performance of Yet to Come with Anderson .Paak on drums, filmed in the California desert in 2022. For me, it captures something special about the group: their harmonies, their vocal range, their stage presence, and the connection between their music and their Korean identity.

What I have come to appreciate about BTS is not only their energy or their performances, but the way they tell stories. Through singing, rapping, choreography, and visual artistry, they create something that reaches beyond language. They remind us that sometimes the things we are most certain we will not connect with are the very things that have something meaningful waiting to teach us.

Image courtesy of Weverse