Some thoughts after Day one of BTS freedom....
Joonie and Tae are out. JK and Jimin will be sprung from the Army today. So much to process...already.
Yep. The TV was turned on for the discharge. Yep. Weverse was fired up to see the HYBE HQ live, I missed Tae, because sleep. And I saw Joon this morning.
That’s s lot to take in for a random Monday/Tuesday in my neck of the woods in the USA.
So some random thoughts, in no particular order, before we do this all over again tonight.
Thank God they are done. Joon was clearly suffering, and still is, from insomnia and probably some form of anxiety. Enough. Get right Joonie, and I am proud of him for describing how he feels in body and spirit - and that he is getting professional help for his medical issues.
Tae had fun in the military and did well. If you are are surprised, you have never watched a single eppy of Run BTS. The dude is an athlete and loves challenges. Special Warrior? Counterterrorism unit? Sure, why not. Glad he was able to push himself and find new levels of maturity along the way.
We also know that our very good boy, the Celine-wearing, Cartier-watch bearing goofball with a side of TATA mic lurks an inch beneath the buff surface. As it should. Even if he now describes himself as a trained killer. Details, details.
The moment that broke me, part 1: When Jin came to the live, and they both said - in like a second - that he looked exhausted. Like they were worried about him level of exhausted. And he didn’t deny it. Jin has been doing everything, we all know the list, and we know the dude ain’t getting sleep with FESTA this week, prepping for his concert tour and then jumping on the road. He needs to chill.
Moment that broke me, part 2: Joon saying he went to a Buddhist temple and bowed 108 times before he went to report for enlistment. The action is meant to be meditative, a rumination on suffering. He said he then screamed in the car. Angst personified.
Joon coming out, playing the sax with the wrap-around sunglasses, to replicate the Squirtle meme from Pokemon is perfection. No notes.
Are there any flowers left in Seoul to give to the guys getting out today? Holy cleaned out flower shops. I don’t know who gave the biggest bouquet. All were stunning.
The saesangs and fools who turned out, despite being explicitly told not to, are pure trash. Some dressed completely in incognito. Pro tip: if you have to cover yourself to make sure you are not ID’d…you are probably doing something wrong. Also take note: Joon and Tae thanked the fans who turned out in front of HYBE, with zero love given to the stalkers who did the wrong thing.
Thinking about how Tae won’t have Yeontan waiting for him at home. Thinking about Joon saying he is re-doing/arranging his house, from closets to the walls, akin to a total fresh start. Those are profound changes.
I am struck how they keep saying they are shocked ARMY/the world is still interested and waited for them. Dudes, did you forget the albums, videos, merch, documentaries and TV reality shows you banked for us to dine on while you were gone? I appreciate they are grateful, but yo, reality check. Your clout is still good.
Curious what struck you during this experience? What are you looking forward to today?
Thank you for this - there's definitley a cumulative effect as each one completes their service. I won't lie - with the state of the world, I kept thinking, "just let them come home safe and whole." As an overachieving oldest daughter, I can relate to having to shoulder so many burdens while also still trying to allow one's inner child to experience zany crazy silliness.
I can't even imagine how insane the reaction will be with Jimin and JK. And then I hope we all rebound and erase any doubt that BTS is 7 by welcoming SUGA both as the last one and as himself.
^_^
My heart is full and at peace. My leader and my family are coming home.