Hi, Hana. Wow. What an incredible story. I’m extremely sensitive to anything involving BTS, and hearing your story made me cry. First of all, as a Portuguese person, I feel ashamed of the discrimination you faced from Europeans. How is that even possible?! I, too, discovered BTS back in an era when their logo was a bulletproof vest. At the time, I was already 40, and no one understood. What did I see in them? I was criticized, ridiculed. No one—not even family and friends—could understand why, at my age, I was fascinated by seven boys, Korean ones at that. No one saw beyond that. They’re seven Korean boys—you? A mother with three kids, and you look crazy! Today, in Portugal, everyone knows who BTS are, but they don’t really know them. They aren’t just seven Koreans; they’re a source of strength for so many people. For me? They’re a pillar I need—I can’t and don’t want to live without them. Imagine how much I cried when they came to film the music video in my country. In 2019, I crossed the ocean on a Friday to see them for the first time in New Jersey at the concert on Saturday. I returned to Portugal on Sunday. I was at Wembley for the concert where they surprised us with “Young Forever.” Those moments are precious to me. God willing, I’ll see them in Madrid in June. Thank you for sharing your experience. It's love... Pure love... Greetings from Portugal 💜🇵🇹

The lady singing Arirang brought tears to my eyes. Standing there, singing on a stage without shame, proudly and erect, is so powerful.
I'm Dutch and there were many survivors in my country of the same disgusting slavery when Japan occupied Indonesia (which still was a Dutch colony during WW2). The world is smaller than we think, and we have much more in common than we realise.

Thank you so much Hana! BTS also changed my life! I’m 67 and was one of those Korean babies brought to the US and adopted out. I experienced terrible racism for most of my life and was ashamed of my heritage. BTS has given me the courage to embrace my cultural roots and be proud of being Korean. I talk about it all the time now. I’m now applying to reinstate my Korean citizenship and would like to move back. Their messages of self love and denouncing Asian hate have helped me more than you can know. Seeing Jin live last summer was life changing for me! And bonding with all the other armys.

For the past several days since ARIRANG’s realease, I’ve been streaming the whole album regularly. I love BTS and their songs that much. Listening to the album and watching BTS content help keep me afloat, especially these days when the world is in turmoil from crises that threaten peace, humanity, and the very fabric of life in this planet.

I wish I could explain ARMY’s love and support for BTS to those closest to me without getting so much as a raised eyebrow from them. Your post couldn’t have summed it up more clearly and eloquently. Thank you for sharing your experience of BTS with us. In these days when rapid-fire short-form content is trending, people’s attention span seem to be shrinking even more. Nevertheless, I will try to share your post with others in the hopes that they will give it the attention it deserves.

I’m hoping BTS will get all the awards, accolades, and recognition they deserve for ARIRANG and for everything they’ve been working so hard for - not just because they are worthy of those things but also because the world has to see and hear what BTS is all about. The world needs BTS even if the world doesn’t know it.

My mother used to sing Arirang to us as small children, I’d hear her quietly singing it to herself… while she worked at times. This song means everything to me. Footage of the ‘halmony’ singing Arirang brought me to tears… quietly beautiful.
Thank you Hana and BTS💞🇰🇷

I wiped tears of emotion from my eyes numerous times. You have captured the spirit that binds us to 우리 방탄소년단. From one ARMY to another, 감사합니다.

Hana, what a searing and poetic story you have shared. I'm grateful to you for giving BTS a platform, glad you for transforming your life, and touched that the platform and message of BTS has made your life better in ways you did not anticipate.

What a beautiful video essay Hana! I was especially touched to hear you’ve bloomed into someone who refuses to let criticism weigh you down and rather let the love and beauty of the world lift you up. That’s truly what BTS has brought to my life. Thank you for your kindness and support of our Bangtan in the beginning and your diligent support even now. I’m looking forward to watching more of your video essays. 💜🫶

Woah what a beautiful story. I cried in every part especially when you said you gave them platform when everybody look down on them and that lady singing 'Arirang' broke my heart.
I wish this world became little warm to those 7 boys too especially korean people, seeing them getting criticised nomatter what they do by their own people hurts more and more 💔 And sorry you had to go through all that

요즘 보면 방탄 이들은 해외 있을 때가 더 마음이 편한 거 같다는 느낌을 받네요 응원합니다🎉

Dear Hanna from Korea, for me BTS has opened a whole new world. Their songs and the meaning of the songs are so precious. I am a 72 year old mam and grandmother and proud ARMY. I love BTS very much and they are the reason i traveled to Korea in october 2024. I hope to visit Korea again soon. I love Korean food and Korean drama's. I wil see BTS in concert in Brussels because sadly they are not coming to the Netherllands this year. Thank you so much for your warm words and beautiful story.

Thank you, Hana. This video is beautiful. It's a breath of fresh air to see a Korean appreciating BTS sincerely. They deserve that and more. Lately i see a lot of comments, viedos, reports of Koreans criticizing Arirang for not being Korean enough.. I hope they see this video so they'd realize what they missed to see. Thank you for what you did for them when they were starting. I wish i have been an ARMY during that time. Nevertheless, im here for boralife. 💜

Dear Ms. Hana, I hope more people, especially more Koreans, watch your video.  From what I've seen on social media, there was backlash from the comeback event from locals about all the fuss. I hope they realize how lucky they are to have these global superstars who love their country so much. As an international ARMY, I know there are a lot of us who want to adopt them as 'sons of our country'. We imagine having the distinction of being the country that is the home of Bangtan Sonyeondan. Well, it was a nice dream. For all the Koreans who feel disappointed about the comeback of BTS, I hope you watch this video and feel a little more appreciation for your national treasures - BTS.

BTS FOREVER AND ALWAYS  🫰🫶💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

I‘m army since the end of 2015, 42 and from Germany - listening to you I am getting goosebumps and even prouder of the 7 men we call Bangtan Sonyeondan 💜

Oh my gosh. Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. I hope that those 7 amazing guys, get to see this.
Thank you again 💜

i am sooo proud of bts

Interesting, your explanation of the ARIRANG album logo shows Jung Kook’s genius in him designing the logo. 😮

hi hana, i am a 2024 army and the comeback of bts is a bit overwhelming but definitely enjoying it. Your story and your content brought so much tears in my eyes but because this narrative is so genuine and heartfelt. Despite all the negativity that has been amplified by the minority, I would like to commend your dedication to this content because you help us ( army) who love BTS so much, understand more of bts’s direction and passion towards their music. I was bawling my eyes out listening to ajhuma singing the arirang song and this is the first time I felt the intensity of the song and it’s historical importance to korea. AGAIN, THANK YOU SO MUCH

“A life where you don’t need to explain yourself. A life where you don’t need to prove yourself. That is the gift BTS  gave to Koreans  living abroad* wow Hana, this is so powerful statement!