K-POP MUSIC SAVED ME

K-POP MUSIC SAVED ME

By Cosette Awad

I’m sure you’ve witnessed all kinds of bullying in this world, but have you ever imagined that people get bullied because they listen to K-pop?

I am one of them. I’ve been called childish because some people believe that it is exclusively for teenagers, and although that was their explanation, teenagers all around the world, particularly in the Middle East, are bullied for listening to K-pop. It’s almost a taboo for some to admit that they listen to k-Kop because they are too afraid of being mocked.

I’ll tell you something about K-pop: it’s the most innocent and heartwarming music I’ve ever heard. It’s just my opinion, but k-Kop idols inspired me to write novels. I’ve been on the edge of my life many times but listening to my idols singing or giving speeches inspired me. They make me want to do better, be better and I look up to them, even though some are younger than me.

Seeing how hard they work day and night to provide their incredible music, drives me to do the same. They showed me that dreams may come true and that you can achieve anything out of nothing.

Model: Etienne Deb

Instagram; @ayteeyen

As a writer, poet and novelist, I have inspirations, as do many other artists. Every artist in the world has someone who inspires them. For me, it’s Jaebom from Got7, as well as all of the 7 members from Got7. Jackson Wang inspired me to write “My Faraway Star,” my first novel about the K-pop industry. Jaebom inspired me to write the second book in the sequel “Ace” and “To my Fairytale boy,” an entire novel about my love of K-pop and my hope of meeting my idol one day. Both books will be available soon. That is how my idols inspired me and many other K-pop fans.

I made this intro to tell you about my favorite music, K-pop, and to tell you that many people misunderstand it; it’s not silly, it’s not just for teenagers and it’s full of beautiful meanings and muses.

And today, because I have this beautiful Cosy corner in this outstanding magazine to express my feelings and give the world a glimpse into my world, I wanted to give a voice to teenagers and adults that, like me, have been inspired by their idols, saved by their music, and bullied for loving those incredible human beings who adore their fans and never miss an opportunity to tell them that they owe their success and everything to those who supports them.

Nathan 28 From Brazil

People hate K-Pop not because it is bad music; most dislike it because it is actually successful, and some people hate seeing others thrive.

Others hate them because of their fanatical fans, which is unfair because the majority of fans are also inspired and inspirational. And some of them hate K-Pop just because they despise what they don’t understand.

Model: Etienne Deb

Instagram; @ayteeyen

I used to hate K-pop for no other reason than its popularity. I didn’t like K-Pop, therefore no one else should either.

When I was younger, I used to mock and bully my best friend for her love of K-Pop and for posting videos and photos of idols on her social media accounts, and l ended up losing her friendship because of that. I regret doing that and I even decided to explore K-Pop. I’m a fan now.

Joy 18 From Lebanon

Hi, I'm Joy, I’m a good person but a bad writer. All I want is to send a message to teenagers like me to be strong.

I want to talk about music, especially K-pop music.

I have learned that life is just like a movie and that we are the spectators. In every chapter you will have a good part and the good part is how Kpop music helped me and let me enter into “My Universe” and the bad part is when “Boys meet the devil”.

Kim Nam-joon from BTS once said at the United Nations speech, about self love, “No matter who you are, where you’re from, your skin color, your gender identity, just speak yourself. Find your name and find your voice by speaking yourself.” So that’s why you have to respect every person. I have been up to many bullying at school because I love Kpop, even if you are a good person people always waits for one mistake, one wrong thing you do to judge you. But BTS said “Love yourself” and inspired us to really love ourselves and put ourselves first. They let their army enter to the “Magic shop” and tell us that “Life goes on”, that’s why sometimes we have to make it “on” and I tell you not to listen to those monsters who don’t understand about how K-Pop made us grow with them and “Make it right” .

So “Wake up” to the most beautiful moments in life. We are teenagers and we deserve all the love. So trust me that “You never walk alone” and “Face yourself” to “Be” and say “N.O” to those haters that doesn’t respect the K-Pop lovers, Army, Exo-L, STAY, BLINK, IGOT7, etc… For this, just know that “Love is not over”. Trust me, don’t “Run” from your past and give it a try to have a “Begin” ing, wishing upon a star that one day you will have a “Good day” maybe “Not today” but one day…

Those kind of people, the haters, are a “Lie” and they will even bring the “Best of me” and you instead of returning the hate by hate. We are better than all the monsters that broke us and hate us.

Joy used BTS songs titles to write this letter.

Celine A.M. 16 From Lebanon

Some people think that k-pop is nothing but waste of time. But to me it’s everything, especially BTS. They changed my life completely to the better. Through their music they helped me overcome many difficulties in my life since their music filled the loneliness in my heart. Because it is about subjects like: bullying, elitism, mental health and their struggles. The more I got to learn about the song lyrics,the more I realised they were talking about things I was going through. They taught me through their music and their words that its never too late to achieve something. You just have to put your faith and mind into it and that you may go through difficulties but that means you are on the right path, just like Kim Namjoon said: “life is a sculpture that you cast as you make mistakes and learn from them”. I think that it’s unfair they get so much hate and harassment comments for helping people, at the same time they don’t have privacy. People think that they are a distraction, but to me they are my inspiration to keep going and never give up. Not only they are talented in music but also in society and famous people in society take their words seriously especially Rm. His words go straight to the heart. Bts made me believe that light doesn’t come without darkness. They carried the universe on their shoulders and wore it like a pair of wings.

Model: Etienne Deb

Instagram; @ayteeyen

Mars 22 From Lebanon

Everyone mocked me as a kid because I was the quiet and shy one. My classmates hated me and used to call me names. I used to come home every day and sit alone in my room. I had no social life, no friends, and I avoided leaving my house because I was terrified from strangers. I had no one to talk to and my confidence was non-existent.

When you don’t have anyone to spend your time with in life, like other kids, you create your own world, your escape, which isn’t really an escape; it’s the only way to cope with reality. And my haven was Superjunior, Block B, as well as all K-Pop music. They were my only friends back then. And, to be honest, that is what has empowered me and helped me get through life until now. They encouraged me not to give up, especially Superjunior, and they helped me greatly in getting through everything; they were literally my childhood friends.

Later in school, my classmates who knew I liked K-Pop bullied and tormented me even more for loving K-Pop. Some of them used to call me “pig,” while others would make racist remarks like “Are they even boys?” “They all look the same.” “Their music is crap.”

Years later, when I left high school four years ago, I was at my weakest, and I went to the extreme of not wanting to exist, but the universe had other plans for me.

Because of Superjunior songs, shows, and everything else they do, I was able to conquer every challenge. They helped me a lot and literally make me smile even when I don’t have the will to. Leeteuk especially, brightens my days with his smile and laughter. I can’t help but smile whenever I see his smile. And that is my story of how I survived.

Mona Breis 25 Videographer and editor From Lebanon

My journey with K-Pop began seven years ago, when I immersed myself in their art and music, learning a lot about South Korea, Koreans, and their culture. When I first expressed my interest in K-Pop, people mocked me, calling it foolish and a waste of time. Even my parents were irritated, and they scolded me for purchasing merchandise for my idols. My siblings and I are huge K-Pop fans, and our parents eventually came to understand and support us at the end.

I learned a lot from them over the years. About their hard work and dedication, their boldness, courage, talent, and art.

People previously told me that I am childish for loving K-Pop, that I need to mature and that K-Pop is not suitable for my age. But they have no idea that I get my inspiration from my idols and their music, and that K-Pop is part of my life of Mona’s life. Meanwhile, my profession as a photographer and editor fills me with passion, art and life. All of their music videos and photoshoots are a constant source of inspiration for me; they are not just a part of the music industry; for me they are THE music industry.

My wish is that one day the world appreciate K-Pop.

Model: Etienne Deb

Instagram; @ayteeyen

Sabrina Breis / Content Creator from Lebanon

My journey with K-Pop began seven years ago when I was sick and unable to accomplish anything with my body, which was why I couldn’t leave the house. That was how I got into K-Pop, and it was what got me through the days, but they were also my inspiration and the reason I smiled. BigBang and Suju were the first bands I listened to; they were different from what we knew, with a different language, culture, and style, but I adored their music and personality and they inspired me.

When you love an idol, it is not necessary for them to be from your country, to share your culture and style, or even to speak your language. Music is a global language. I was criticized, especially because our idols looks different, and they used to tell me that only teenagers listen to K-Pop and that it makes no sense. Their main justification was that they practiced a different faith than us. “When are you going to grow up?” they used to tell me. They have no idea that this is art. And it has no gender and no age.

As a content creator, I am always motivated by them, my ideas and my emotions when I listen to their music. Especially in terms of how they create and film their music videos. No one, in my opinion, can compete with them, especially in my country, where they are criticized without reason. In conclusion, K-Pop music is full of emotions and remains a source of inspiration for K-Pop lovers.

Lilianny OLiveira 39 Agent from Brazil

From complete ignorant to huge fan. It’s actually not hard anymore to understand the popularity of kpop idols and songs. But I honestly see beyond the catchy beats and the cute faces. The hard work they invest and the professionalism behind every single song and performance is what first got me.

Diving into this new style for me showed also a dark side that comes for fans of kpop. As our idols get more popular, we anonymous fans become less popular among our friends and family. The followers that starts to unfollow, the relatives that throw a “ funny” ( not so funny) joke and that friend that “can’t understand” this love for kpop. So we listen to “you are too old for this” or “you are too young”, “find something useful to do”. And this is how bully develop in silence among the ones that should care about us. Since comes from people near us, that “white kind of bullying”, we just realised that the impact was so devastated when the wound is open.

There’s also the bullying coming from complete strangers everytime there’s news about any kpop song or idols on social media. We comment always expecting those haters behind their screens to “draw their swords and apply “justice to humanity”. As if somehow their lives becomes more useful if they spread their anti kpop spray towards fans.

My message is for you, who can’t understand why we are kpop fans. Try to get some knowledge about it. Who knows, you might even end up liking. If not, at least get out of this bubble and understand that the world is big with variety of cultures and people, and we all have different tastes in life. Everyone has the right to listen to their own music and they should be allowed to do it without feeling ashamed or having the need to hide it.

Model: Etienne Deb

Instagram; @ayteeyen

Model: Etienne DebInstagram; @ayteeyen