We are so excited for Hobi’s upcoming tour, HOPE ON THE STAGE! By request, we’ve made some FREE files that you can print at home (or work, we won’t tell!) to show your support for j-hope and AP529.
It was when he was in middle school that Park Jimin became interested in dance and started attending Just Dance Academy, where he learned popping and locking. He decided to audition for an entertainment company a few years later at the suggestion of a teacher at his high school. This led him to Big Hit Entertainment—he passed his auditions and joined the company in 2012. Jimin jumped into his training head first, waking up earlier and going to bed later than everyone else. It was this work ethic, which his dance teachers had noticed in him years before, that would earn him the final spot in the lineup of the group that would become Bangtan Sonyeondan. Over the years after BTS’ debut this drive would lead Jimin down a path of intense self-criticism, soul-searching, and self-realization. While he would begin his career desperate to live up to the image everyone else had of him, eventually he’d come to realize that the best person he could give to BTS and his fans was just himself…
In Ask AP529 Episode 7, Leslie gives us a tour and explanation of the ARMY membership options on Weverse, showing us exactly how we can navigate the sign up process. She also takes a deep dive into the (currently) discontinued Merchandise Pack membership options and speculates on whether we might see it return in the future.
In 2018, BTS was riding a huge wave of success, but they were also struggling to regroup after nearly disbanding at the beginning of that year. Outside, it was business as usual. There were comebacks to produce and promote and a tour to rehearse and prepare for. Inside, the members worked on reconnecting with not only each other, but their passion for being in BTS. Jimin—throughout WINGS two years prior and then in the beginning of the “Love Yourself” era—struggled extensively with imposter syndrome. Logically, he knew he had talent but he still didn’t think it was enough. That he was enough. Determined to find more he could contribute, he turned his hand to songwriting. He knew he wanted to say something, but wasn’t sure how to do it. So he went to RM for advice, who told him, “Music is the solution.” In other words, trust the process and just be honest. So Jimin got back to writing, defaulting quite simply to what he does best—encouraging others. When he feels lost and depressed, he reaches out to make others happy, whether it’s ARMY or his other members. Over the next few years, we’d see this play out time and time again, including throughout the Pandemic. While he often can’t see the forest through the trees, what Jimin really is to BTS (and to his fans)—more than his astronomical talent—is love. And that love is more than enough.