Serendipity Magazine by Serendipity Magazine

1 Serendipity Magazine

Celebrating 7 years with our Serendipity, Jimin

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Introduction

The Artist Interview: RUN PJM

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The Performer Interview: Jimin Uncut

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The Fashionista Jimin, A Style Icon Style Guide Fashion Design Jimicore Fashion Brand

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The Inspiration In Pursuit of Hˆˆpyness A Friend A Comfort A Presence Love Myself

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Appreciation

Introduction

We have divided the magazine into a few sections to touch on some aspects we feel are key to who Jimin is and his impact: The Artist - What his artistry means to us, how we have connected with his music and what we’re excited for in future regarding his journey in music production. The Performer - How he inspires us as a performer and how those in the dance industry connect with him more closely. The Fashionista - Work and analyses from fashion designers and fashion enthusiasts on his style and the positive impact he has. The Inspiration - Fan art, designs and think pieces on how Jimin has touched our hearts through who he is.

We hope you enjoy this magazine! Happy birthday Jimin!

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Within you will find, analyses, interviews, fan art work, designs, think pieces, Jimin appreciation and more! All from ARMY from so many different walks of life from around the world who came together to celebrate Jimin on his special day!

We can’t believe it’s been 7 years since Jimin debuted in BTS and he has come so far and still has so much ahead of him! A lot has happened over the course of these years and he has inspired so many of us. This magazine is made by ARMY for ARMY who love and appreciate Jimin. Within we share our experiences, stories and how he has touched our lives. Hope you enjoy this special edition magazine. Jimin is such an incredible person and it has been a joy to see this project come into fruition.

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An interview with @run_pjm A fan account for Jimin. Interested in connecting, for casual chatter about the man and his infinite talents. What was it that inspired you to create the account and what are your goals for it?

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I became a fan of Jimin’s already years ago but I really resisted joining stan twitter for the longest time. I was finally pushed to create my account mainly out of frustration over some of the fandom tropes or misinformation going around about him. First I was contemplating making a new “Introduction” video for him on Youtube. But without an audience I couldn’t count on anyone actually watching it. So short twitter videos it was. For me it’s not about my account, I don’t have any particular goals for it. The best I can hope for is just to do my small part in trying to rectify misconceptions or even introducing new considerations into popular narratives about Jimin. Jimin has many amazing skills and talents from dancing to producing and many in between. Can you tell us what it was that first drew you to him? I’d say it was his performance or, like I heard it described just the other day, his emotional commitment to it. First thing I properly watched from BTS was Blood, Sweat & Tears music video and just like millions of us, it was enough to hook me in. The way Jimin dragged his nails down his throat towards the end, I was convinced. I didn’t really realise the full scope of his dancing abilities until I started watching dance practice videos and special performances. First time I really took notice of his singing was with the release of ‘Sea’. Jimin has often been praised by his peers and other industry professionals for his vocal range and unique vocal colour. What do you admire most about his vocals? This I made a whole video about. I love Jimin’s voice but I really admire the way he uses it. His distinctive singing style, he makes it sound so natural that I’m not sure people really understand how much thought, practice and effort he puts into it. Jimin can use his voice like an electric guitar. We have seen Jimin grow and develop as both a songwriter and producer. What do you think of his works in these fields so far? Unfortunately, this is an area of artistry we have seen less of as of now. I respect his commitment to not putting out anything less than stellar but at the same time, I long to hear more. I’ve loved every song of his, including the unreleased ‘Kajjafeeluv’. I find Jimin’s songwriting to be like his dancing. It’s multilayered and expressive but can come off deceptively simple in its tidiness. There are

no loose ends, no abandoned intentions, nothing half-baked. His ear for melody is amazing but what I’m really looking forward the most is seeing more of his lyricism. Jimin likes keeping his cards close to his chest but in his lyrics it seems he can’t help but baring a little bit of his soul. Jimin has often been praised for his artistry on stage and his incredible stage presence. Are there any performances of his that are particular to you in terms of showing his artistry?

I have nothing but endless appreciation for actual knowledgeable accounts like JiminUncut who have done a lot to illuminate the extent of Jimin’s technical prowess in dance. A lot of what makes Jimin’s dance so beautiful, emotive and awesome indeed is in his superior technique that by design often remains invisible to us mere mortals unless it’s pointed out to us. But at the same time we can see that when employed by less knowledgeable people that technical jargon can quickly become nothing but a thin veil of “neutrality” and “objectivity” in obvious attempts of undermining him. In my opinion, it’s also ok to just love Jimin’s singing or dancing because of how it makes you feel. There is no need to always excuse or explain yourself with references to technique or experts. We all have our eyes and ears. We are part of the audience. It’s enough. Lastly, this is going to be difficult but do you have a favourite performance or song of Jimin’s? It was short but it was amazing: Jimin’s fan dance at MMA 2018. Saying that it was a cultural reset is in no way an exaggeration. Just the amount of fan art that single performance generated is legendary. I think one of the reasons I so love that performance is because it really showcased the depth of Jimin’s range in terms of style and personal presentation, and the kind of art that can be created when those extremes are purposefully combined. This is something Jimin excels in. In the fan dance performance he was cool but fiery, seductive but combative, gentle but sharp – A dancer and a martial artist.

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Jimin’s dance abilities in particular are often praised by industry professionals. How important is it for you to be able to discuss his techniques, for example, on a wide reaching platform?

The MAMA 2016 Boy Meets Evil / Lie performance. It was so stripped, yet technically extraordinary. The way Jimin took his time; the emotional impact of him simply rolling his head around was already immense, and that was only the beginning. And then the whole thing was in blindfold. Just because it’s Jimin, and Jimin will always be pushing himself and his performance to the next level.

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An interview with @JiminUncut 20+ years of dance experience in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, swing and hip-hop. Chim and Cat’s dance appreciation account for BTS’s Jimin! Your twitter account “JiminUncut” is extremely informative and encouraging for ARMY, giving a technical insight and analysis of Jimin’s dancing abilities. Jimin is an extremely talented dancer and it’s so helpful to have ARMY with technical knowledge on this to point out the finer details of his skills.

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What was it about Jimin and his performance that first caught your attention? Was there a specific performance or was it something that developed over time? Cat: I was first snatched by Jimin when I happened to see a live Blood Sweat & Tears performance on YouTube in early 2017. His visuals were stunning, but his dancing captivated me. I couldn’t help but wonder if he always danced like that. I was certain he’d had training before, but I was also fascinated in how he seemed to combine ballet techniques with popping, a completely opposite style. I’d never seen it done before. It led me down the rabbit hole, consuming every fancam possible and getting particularly caught by his contemporary Gayo performance, predebut contemporary number, Perfect Man fancam and MAMA 2016 blindfolded dance. Of course, there are so many other incredible performances of his now, but those were the most astonishing to me at the time. Chim: In 2017, I was watching a reaction video on YouTube of multiple reactors watching BTS. I honestly don’t really know why I clicked on that video, looking back on it now. But I did and I had no idea that everything was going to change in the course of seeing that. When Not Today was shown, it was as if time stood still. I just stared at the screen every time that “Pink Haired Guy” was there. I was 100% convinced he had dance training in his repertoire. You can see it in all of his movements. Then the choreography to end all choreography occurred. The time in the video is 4:03. I knew the choreo that was happening was intricate, difficult and that he was nailing it. Then… he shot me. What inspired you to create the JiminUncut account? Did you have any particular goals in mind? Cat: For myself, I kept looking for other dancers to validate the things that I was seeing. But there were far fewer dancers in the fandom back then, and even fewer with a rigorous background in ballet, which you need in order to spot some of the more subtle techniques. There seemed to be a mass confusion surrounding Jimin and his abilities. Many people chalked up his allure to “stage presence,” but they couldn’t describe it beyond that. It took

Your analyses of Jimin’s skills and performances are always very well constructed and clear, making them accessible and understandable to people with no background in dance. Is this something you took into consideration when creating the account? Cat: I don’t know that it was a conscious decision per se, but I have a lot of experience in teaching and academic writing. Whenever I teach or write, I always try to take the learner or reader’s perspective and assume they know very little or nothing about the subject material. Building from there, I try to break down complicated concepts and make them accessible to anyone who might come along with a passing interest. Also, I grew up in a professional ballet school, but I only took recreational classes. Having a foot in both worlds helps me keep perspective on what is needed for a professional dancer, but what is unusual or difficult for the common person. Using visual examples for each point that I try to illustrate is very important as well. We’ve considered a few other formats for our analyses, but I personally love writing threads where I can plan everything out, tell a story, and use video or picture examples at each step.

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Chim: I had done a couple of Jimin Dance Analyses previously on a blog forum that had gotten a lot of views. This was back in early 2018. Honestly, I was amazed when that was happening. I never thought anyone would want to hear what I had to say, but I enjoyed talking about Jimin and his talent, so it was a joy for me to analyze his work. I was asked by a friend to consider reaching another audience and I did not immediately jump at the chance. I knew Twitter had a character count and I can be “wordy” at times. I also was newer to the platform and wasn’t entirely comfortable navigating it. However, as the friend persisted, I started to entertain the idea and finally figured, “Sure, why not!?” So, I started the account and was running it entirely by myself. I very quickly began to realize that one person was not going to be able to handle what was happening. I noticed Cat, her responses and kindness, and could tell she knew dance. She and I started chatting and she came on as a full partner about 2 to 3 months into the life of the account. I had absolutely no expectations when I started the account. I never thought it would be so well received by the most supportive and amazing followers. I didn’t even expect followers at all, so I have been entirely blown away by the support the account has received.

me a while to realize that the things I could see in his dance were because I had grown up in that environment and these techniques were virtually invisible to everyone else who didn’t know what to look for. I wanted to try and help others see what I saw and understand on a deeper level what makes Jimin so talented. Coming across Chim’s analyses, I felt for the first time someone else really got it. We started talking, became friends and soon after, I joined onto the account as a partner.

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Chim: One thing that I did want when writing the analyses was for people to be able to glean information about dance. I firmly believe in learning something daily and I wanted people to be able to point out exactly why they favored someone’s dance. In the past, I have seen many people try to express why they were drawn to a particular genre or dancer and not be able to verbalize what it was that struck them. In my mind, that must be frustrating – really liking something, but finding yourself unable to explain that appreciation. So, all in all, I wanted to provide information to help people access and fully appreciate dance, and ultimately Jimin whose dance we find exceptional. I wanted to be able to discuss how difficult many things he does are and I wanted him to be understood for his innate talent and hard work. So I believe the intention behind the account was two-fold: to broaden an understanding of Jimin, his talent, dedication and hard work and to offer a way to broaden that information to appreciate dance as a whole. Jimin has often been praised by industry professionals and fellow performers about his dancing and his unique style he brings to each performance. From a professional point of view, what do you think it is about his dance that is so captivating? Cat: It really is a combination of factors. One of the major things I would say is how he combines dance styles into something unique, and how he adds so much passion and emotion to each performance. A dancer can be technically perfect, but if they cannot truly interpret and embody the music and the message of the piece, something will fall flat. Fancy tricks will only hold an audience’s interest for so long. The art of dance comes from the passion of the dancer and the emotions they bring to the stage. When those emotions are combined with honed techniques used in new and innovative ways, that’s when the magic really happens. Jimin is one of the most expressive dancers I’ve seen on stage, and his emotions are so sincere, not put on or overacted. One advantage that he has over other dancers is that he has close up cameras on him and he does not need to emote to a far away audience. That helps him keep his expressions more realistic. Even then, the sheer range he has – from hard to soft, exuberant to wistful, conflicted to playful – he truly can fit into any genre, both in technique and emotion. His versatility is truly astonishing and he’s always looking for ways to spice up a performance, leading him to never perform a dance the same way twice. Chim: I agree. Often times we see dancers and they are technically brilliant. They can execute difficult moves with ease and you know they are incredibly talented. However, it stops there. These dancers are outstanding in the technical aspect of dance, yet there are many facets to the discipline and art of dance. There are the training (physical) aspects, the body type, the lines, the toe point, the muscle memory, etc. Then there are the mental

Cat: It’s absolutely not easy. Ballet and hip-hop/urban/popping are completely opposing styles. What we mean by that is that the way you train your body for each is completely different. For ballet, which is the foundation of contemporary, you focus on directing all your energy upwards. You need to straighten your body, extend your arms, and keep everything aligned. The more you are aligned and over your centre of weight, the better you are able to balance and turn. Ballet dancers are trained to be conscious of every muscle and how it either contributes to improving a technique or improving their body line. It’s also about fluidity – ballet is smooth, every move flowing into the other and while the limbs must be strong, every technique is meant to make the body look soft. Hip-hop and urban, on the other hand, encourage dancers to focus their energy downwards. You need to be loose and your movements sharp. There is often a lot of strength, attitude and tension to each move. Street dance in particular is about illusions and tricking the human eye, often with robotic or puppet-like moves. You need to be able to isolate muscle groups and engage them independently of each other or in ways that are contrary to natural movement. Instead of flowing through the music, you are thinking about how to hit each beat. Popping on beat makes both the music and dancer’s movements more impactful. Ballet dancers that try to cross over to hip hop often find themselves looking stiff, unable to lower their centre of gravity and loosen up their neck, arms and spine. Hip hop dancers that try to cross over to ballet often find themselves looking awkward, unable to get their body into proper alignment or unable to consistently stretch their legs and point their toes.

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Jimin seems to be able to switch his style between contemporary/ballet and hip-hop/urban/popping. Is this something that is easy to do with a background in dance or is it more difficult than he makes it seem?

aspects. The tenacity to continue during pain, adversity, harsh critique, blisters, bruises, injuries as well as the dedication to the art and respect for the process. The understanding of your own body, thresholds, plateaus, and even breaking points. But then there is passion. That in a sense is what ties it all together. That is what is tapped into when the music suddenly takes over and the technique is governed by muscle memory, when the years of hard work, late hours, sore muscles and tired feet have instilled a foundation that allows you to truly feel as if you are flying. That is what connects you to the audience. That is what the audience sees when a dancer puts their heart into every move and that is what is seen when Jimin dances. To me that is what is so captivating. You see a person who is allowing you to see emotions, thoughts, feelings, movements, moments physically in front of you. It’s a gift that is vulnerable and powerful at the same time. That is why he captivates me.

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So to see someone able to fluidly switch from one style to the other, and even combine different elements of each – it really is extraordinary. If two dance styles are similar, having a background in one can absolutely help you in learning the other. But when they are opposite and demand completely different things from your body, a background in one can hinder your learning of the other. Sometimes it’s easiest just to start fresh, with no other style ingrained in your body. But Jimin managed to learn both, and both at a high level. And then use them to create his own unique style. Our words always fail to describe how mind-boggling that really is. Chim: It is incredibly difficult, if not impossible even in some instances. The body and muscle memory is a very helpful yet tricky thing. If you are used to pushing your energy up, elongating and extending, as with ballet for instance, you are not going to know how to connect with the differences in hip-hop where the energy is down and outward. Each style requires its own set of rules, placements and connections with the music. There is also a different mentality that comes along with different styles, and you constantly need to think about the feeling of the moves, your attitude, facial expressions and the way you carry yourself. There are many layers that come into play and to get them all to work together to do the opposite of what has been asked up to that point is difficult. Jimin has been mentioned as an inspiration to many young dancers and performers. Is this kind of inspiration/role model something important to dancers/performers? Cat: What an interesting question. I think it differs for every person. I think it’s amazing to have inspirations and role models to look up to and aspire to. Especially if they break through a barrier or show the world that something previously thought impossible, is possible. It opens up the door to other performers who now know the heights they can reach or the different avenues they can explore. It creates dreams and opportunities. However, it’s also important to want to make your own way, to make a style or signature that’s unique to you. Everyone is different and everyone has different strengths. The goal shouldn’t be to copy or become a second version of the role model who inspires you. You’ll never stand out that way or bring anything new to the table. You may even be disappointed if you can’t match up. Your strengths may not align with theirs – different body types, training or experiences will change the trajectory of what you are capable of. Jimin had his own role models, but he also had a strong desire to make his own mark on the world and be known as a great singer/dancer in his own right. I think that’s the healthiest attitude to take. Chim: Oh, I like that question. I think as with many things, there is a yin/ yang. It is always good to have an inspiration, someone who motivates you to be the best version of yourself that you can be. The caveat lies where we

look to duplicate who they are and disregard ourselves. That is dangerous because you may not know then what you are capable of because you were so focused on being someone else. As an inspiration, Jimin is brilliant and he is also humble and knows how to extend respect to his fellow artists. So, not only as a dancer is he inspirational, as a person he is as well. So, all in all, allow your inspiration to push you to cultivate the best of you and don’t let yourself take a back seat to who they are. You can be the best version of you when you allow yourself your moments to shine.

Chim: All of them...but if I had to choose, Not Today will always have a special place in my heart. That was when I saw Jimin and immediately Jim-In’d. I also really enjoy the Fake Love routine and dance break, the MMA 2018 fan dance as well as the 2019 I Need U routine. I love all of the Black Swan choreo and how he just flows through it so beautifully. But we can never forget the Boy Meets Evil blindfold dance, the trust that began while J-Hope was leading him to the stage and the incredible performance that followed. I could honestly name all of them because there are so many qualities to him and his dance that are so beautiful and mind-blowing it’s truly impossible to pick just one.

Thank you for your time!

Cat & Chim: Thank you so much for interviewing us! We are always so delighted to talk about Jimin and his dancing. ^_^

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Cat: Oooh, now that is a tough one. Blood Sweat & Tears obviously captured me first and I must have watched every single fancam in existence. No matter how many times I heard the song or saw the choreo, I couldn’t get tired of Jimin’s dancing. Something new fascinated me each time. I was also captivated by Lie since I could see his ballet/contemporary and popping combined so clearly in it. And I think the blindfolded Boy Meets Evil performance at MAMA 2016 will always stick out in my mind as something incredible. I couldn’t fathom how someone could keep their equilibrium and continue spotting to the front while blindfolded. It truly set Jimin in another league for me. Finally, the MMA 2018 Idol fan dance and Fake Love solo… I think I was in shock for an entire day. The visuals, his stage presence, the groupwork – it was all so stunning. Honestly, I could list more and more – Jimin tends to amaze with every new performance. He’s always keeping us on our toes.

Jimin has done several notable dance performances. Do you have a particular favourite or one that is special to you?

Jimin’s Soft Contemporary Dance By @armytutor_art

Jimin is the only one who has learned contemporary dance among BTS members. He was one of the top students in school and clearly very talented! Let’s talk about basic facts of contemporary dance and what Jimin learned about this beautiful dance style.

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Emerged in the 1900s, Contemporary dance is a style of expressive dance that combines elements of several dance genres including modern, jazz, lyrical and classical ballet. Contemporary dancers strive to connect the mind and the body through fluid dance movements. Contemporary dance stresses versatility and improvisation, unlike the strict, structured nature of ballet. Contemporary dancers focus on floorwork, using gravity to pull them down to the floor. This dance genre is often done in bare feet. The goal of a contemporary dancing class is to prepare the mind and body for a wide range of movement possibilities: forms, qualities or dynamics. That’s why you can find contemporary dancers learning different kinds of dances or body-mind training, from ballet to martial arts. The music. A wide variety of music can be used for contemporary dance pieces depending on what the dancer is aiming to express. A special component of contemporary dance is that the music and dance do not have to match or be in sync. Typically, simple music is selected because the dancer will be portraying the bulk of expression visually, the audio should not be too overpowering. The dancer should relate to the music in some way to give them inspiration for their movements. The choreography. Traditionally, dances have been choreographed in a particular way which the dancer is taught to execute precisely. Some contemporary dance choreographers will leave elements of randomness in the dance where the dancer can improvise to portray the emotion freely. Ideologies behind the dance. Most dance styles focus on the aesthetics and appearance of the movements but do not implement a deeper meaning. Contemporary dance does the exact opposite! Jimin, just like in contemporary dancing, took things to another level with his expressive delivery of the song’s dramatic choreography, telling a message as much with his body as his vocals. For example, the choreography for his Wings solo track “Lie,” which he co-wrote. The main strong points of Jimin are: balance, facial expressions, body

control and musicality, which he definitely took from his contemporary background. There are certain moves in the piece that make Jimin shine gracefully. He takes a blend of ballet in his dancing, such as a pirouette (a rotation or spin in ballet). Relevé is also an important and difficult movement in ballet as it requires the strength of the ankle, foot and knee, but Jimin pulled off highly difficult details with precise posture even at the tip of the toe.

Dancing as an art by itself is important as it helps reduce stress and tension in both the mind and the body. With contemporary dancing, creativity is key. It helps one express themselves and this expression of self may be therapeutic to some people. Jimin is a perfectionist who’s always working on himself and trying to move forward. Although the types of dances he performs are mostly different from his major, he’s constantly practicing so that he can be even better than he’s at the present. Jimin, you’ve worked hard!

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As a passionate dancer, Jimin gained positive reactions from media like “Jimin smoothly dances as if there’s no gravity”,”Jimin performs with his body and arouses viewers’ emotions with each of his moves “, “This is a work of art that no one can imitate”, “So stunning”.

Chaînés are turns that move across the floor by making half turns on relevé with each step. They are a wonderful way to travel across the floor while still dancing.

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The Style Icon Written by Hannah

Park Jimin is what I call a style icon. He never fails to impress me with his impeccable sense of style and how diverse it can be. He does have some stand out staple pieces of clothing like his skinny black jeans and Chelsea boots but he’s clever in the fact that he can create such eye catching outfits with these pieces. It’s all about the styling as well as how he carries himself while wearing the clothes.

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He almost always has jewellery on whether that be just earrings or pairing them with necklaces and rings. He’s made me enjoy wearing jewellery again, especially rings, I enjoy looking for different types of rings to wear as well as wearing multiple on my fingers. I think this can really make an outfit pop and give a completely different vibe. Although his colour palette doesn’t stray too far into colourful I think he makes darker colours look so stylish and gives them colourful and strong personalities even though they don’t look like that on first glance. Chelsea boots are something I love to wear myself so I definitely get the appeal of wearing them and as shown by Jimin it can really make a somewhat casual outfit look a lot more upmarket and stylish. Jimin definitely knows what he’s doing with his outfits and knows what works well with his body shape. He’s the king of styling and pairing that with his constant confidence we all know he can make literally anything work.

23 Serendipity Magazine Style Guides by @girlwithiuv

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Style Guides by @girlwithiuv

25 Serendipity Magazine Style Guides by @girlwithiuv

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Style Guides by @girlwithiuv

27 Serendipity Magazine Style Guides by @girlwithiuv

Park Jimin Fa

by: IBISCO @rai

Long Coat â&#x201A;Ź1500

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Shiny leather. A waterproof coat which can be used as an elegant raincoat. The button is a yellow crystal, like Swarovski and a butterfly pin also has crystals.

Boots

Jacket â&#x201A;Ź800 Faux leather, to respect the environment and animals. The jacket has a steel belt and steel chain. The steel chain is an additional accessory, which can removed to use the jacket without, if preferred.

Blue velvet Ch Swarovski crysta The boots can be a zip at the back zip is embellish reflective Swa

ashion Design

iningonmyshoe

Boots €1000

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Black Leather. High quality faux leather. Retro style boots, with a gold appeased plaque. Park Jimin signature on the heel.

s €500

helsea boots. als on the heels. e fastened using of the book. The hed with a Blue arovski crystal.

Slipper €500

Hand bag €1500 Black and blue velvet with flowers. It’s a big bag, you can use it for all days, e.g. school or travel bag. Park Jimin signature. Swarovski crystals shaped like stars, on the handles.

Special slipper. It’s pink to show colors are not gendered. All genders can use the colors. Pink slipper made with faux leather and red Swarovski. Park Jimin signature on the sole.

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Jimicore Fas by: Sam @

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shion Brand @jhwmin

Filter Fashio

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by: Sam @

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on Collection @jhwmin

Filter Fashio

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by: Sam @

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on Collection @jhwmin

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Artwork by @JMpromise13

“In Pursuit of Hˆˆpyness” An Essay by a BTS Jimin Fan by: Yeri

Five years ago, on a rainy Saturday afternoon, I just finished binge-watching a good TV series on Netflix. Suddenly, I felt my stomach grumbled and then realized that the last meal I took was seven hours since.

Exhausted, I returned to my room undecided between reading Paula Hawkins’ book or binge-watching another Netflix series. I ended up on social media instead. I stumbled upon a friend who is into K-pop. Back then, I hated K-pop, but somehow, my lazy fingers clicked a link that led me into a life-changing video. It is BTS “I Need You” MCountdown Rehearsal Jimin-Focused Fancam Video. I watched it and watched it again for the number of times I already lost count of. I found seven boys who all look, sing and dance really good. However, my attention was locked on one single guy. I was flabbergasted by how charming, graceful and fanciable Park Jimin of BTS is. I clicked the recommended videos one after another. From fancams, to dance rehearsals, to live performances, to music videos. I read introductions, blogs, articles, features, everything about Jimin. I got officially hooked. And this is how my life as a fan began. As it was, my chosen career path is too harrowing and it was my passion for music and fangirling Jimin that kept the balance. A lot of times, the pressure of so many expectations and failures would just want you to give up. Through those years and when times get rough, my idol Jimin saves me. His music and life story have gotten me through the toughest times in my life and he is such a huge inspiration to me. Jimin’s world-class and superior talents in singing and dancing are undeniably impressive to inspire many. Apart from that, my main reasons for considering Jimin as my influence pertain to his great personality and

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A few minutes later, I became a matter of their moment. I just graduated College and apparently, they seemed not happy with what my life goals were. My father is a lawyer and a professor while my mother is a successful entrepreneur. At that time, I am a struggling freshman law student thrown into the horrors of law school, while my friends are out partying enjoying their youths.

I dragged myself into the kitchen. On the way, I found my mother with her friends chitchatting on a stormy day over Beringer wine and some Abba music in the background. I tiptoed my way but still got noticed by one of my aunts who then called me.

positive outlook. Jimin is amiable that is friendly and kind. He is charming who has a â&#x20AC;&#x153;magicalâ&#x20AC;? effect that makes people like him. He is polite, likeable, considerate who always thinks of others. He is understanding, sincere, thoughtful and generous. Jiminâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s humility will draw you further to him. He is truly an Angel from above. Here are some of the unforgettable reasons why Jimin has astonished me: 1. Jimin maintains his close family ties and gives protection to his parents and brother by keeping them private and out of the limelight.

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2. Jimin almost stopped studying dance because his family cannot afford the school fees. Nonetheless, his teacher allowed him to continue without paying for the tuition fees. In return, Jimin worked hard and persevered. He came from humble beginnings and remained grounded even if he has succeeded. 3. Jimin gives back and donated several times to various educational institutions and organizations to help students who are in need. It shows how Jimin values formal education and relates to less fortunate children but very eager to study. 4. Jimin spends so much time perfecting his craft. His hard work and determination are the reasons why he is successful now. 5. Jimin constantly shows and expresses his love for the members as if they are his own family. One time, he cried on stage and confessed that the members are the reason for his happiness. 6. Jimin always looks after the welfare and safety of the members whether it be on stage or not. He said that he wanted to continue doing the things they do with the members as BTS for a much longer time. 7. Jimin never hesitates to give compliments and praises to the other members. It shows how secure he is with himself and believes his core skills. 8. Jimin always congratulates the fans for winning the award because he believes that the awards they received rightfully belong to ARMY and not to BTS. 9. Jimin has made so many posts checking on fans and ensures their safety and good health. He finds time to make sure the fans are taking care of themselves and shows them that he loves and appreciates them. 10. Jimin said that he does not think of his birthday as special and does not anticipate it but Jimin started the tradition of giving gifts and congratulating the members on their special days.

Jimin’s life is not just a bowl of cherries. He has said that he is now happy but he has gone through so much to be in such state. With such a worthy personality, Jimin will be my forever life coach. Presently, I have completed my studies and am still pursuing real happiness that I hope would somehow, someday come to me just like it did to Jimin.

“Remember, there is a person here in Korea, in the City of Seoul, who understands you.” Park Jimin, Youtube’s Dear Class of 2020, Virtual Graduation Event

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On a final note, this essay is written to commemorate Jimin’s date of birth. His birthday is one special occasion that must be celebrated ostentatiously. It is the day that an amazing person who has influenced millions of lives was born. Happy Birthday, Jimin!

Artwork by @noiremiu

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A Friend Written by Jazz

Jimin feels a lot like he is an old friend from school. I’m just three weeks older than him so we have things in common in terms of age. He has such a comforting personality. He knows how to have a laugh and joke, with that cheeky side to him but at the same time he has a very caring persona. He knows how to offer support to others and be supportive to ARMY.

2020 has been very lonely and feeling very restrictive, which is something I have to deal with often with being disabled but even more so now, but BTS have been like a hand that’s holding me when I feel like I can’t hold on and Jimin feels like a friend that is there for you when you really need to be held.

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There’s a great sense of comfort from him that when I’ve had a bad day or my disabilities are getting the better of me and I question everything, just watching clips of him, reading things he has said, anything is an instant mood boost. I got into BTS on bed rest in January and by the time I was well enough to be able to go out and live life as best as I can, we were announced to be in a pandemic and a lockdown was shortly put in place where I live.

And though we don’t have the chance to personally know him, in a way it feels like we do because despite being part of the biggest group of our generation, he doesn’t have a big ego about himself. He’s able to still be a 20 something year old from Seoul.

Artwork by @TT19319

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A Comfort Written by Hannah

Comfort is one of the words that instantly come to mind when thinking of Jimin. Especially now during such hard times, he has become (alongside the rest of BTS) a beacon of hope and light when things have become so dark and uncertain. He realises how hard it must be for all of us and wants to alleviate some of that pain that we feel in whatever way he can. He chooses to do this, he doesn’t have to do any of this and yet he wants to. I am so thankful I have discovered him and I hope to continue to be inspired by him for a long time.

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It’s what has influenced my own actions and perceptions about myself. He has further helped me to realise that I don’t need to fit in a box or force myself to be like others. That being my true self is the most important thing and to make sure I look after myself and be as happy as possible. I believe he is a genuine, kind-hearted person who wants the best for the people he loves, a quality that makes him such a beautiful human. You can tell he is the type of person who would do anything for his friends, who would love them and care for them with all his heart. Being friends with someone like Park Jimin must be such a comforting experience.

Park Jimin is the type of person I majorly look up to. I can’t say there are many public figures that have such a positive influence on me like Jimin does. Although I don’t know him personally I appreciate how much of himself he chooses to show us. What he does show us is such a strongminded and powerful individual, who has grown so much over the years and become someone that many people can call an idol. For me personally his strong willingness to be who he wants to be without regrets is what I admire the most.

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Artwork by @ProjectA_Julia

A Presence Written by Ruth

When I was asked to write about Jimin my mind exploded with ideas. What should I go with? How do I put into words what he means to me and what I love about him? I’m sure many other people would have the same problem. I do hope my limited abilities with the written word are able to convey what’s in my heart and mind when it comes to him. I could spend days writing about the kind of person he is. His compassion and kindness, his love for his members and family, his love for ARMY, his dedication to his craft, how considerate, thankful and humble he is.

I first saw him randomly on TV back in 2018 performing IDOL. I realised later that I had seen him before but I hadn’t made the connection at the time. I saw the boys on TV in 2017 at the AMAs. I remembered the jacket he wore when I saw it again. Life wasn’t going so well at that point so I didn’t pay it much mind then, sadly. When I saw IDOL I was mesmerized by the whole thing but there was something about Jimin (of course I wasn’t aware that was his name at the time) that stood out to me but I couldn’t put my finger on it. I watched more and more performances and videos and things became clearer to me as to what his was drawing me to him in particular. Jimin has this amazing ability to create a world on stage with his dance, aura, charisma and voice. It’s almost hypnotic to watch and he has this pull that takes you into that world too. It’s as if time slows down and you exist in that moment and space with his performance and everything else falls away. That kind of ability and talent is something so unique and precious. I remember my father watching the ballet and opera when I was little. He was always so transfixed by the performances and I never really understood it properly until I found Jimin’s performances. He weaves an intricate new world with each performance and you get drawn right in. I’ve seen him perform the same songs many times over but each time is as captivating and nuanced as the last. He truly is a remarkable individual both on and off stage. I’m glad I found him and the rest of the boys, I’m much happier with them and ARMY in my life.

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The more I thought about it the more I started thinking about what it was about him that caught my eye in the first place and perhaps share that with you.

All these things swirl in my head when someone asks me about him. It’s one of those things that’s hard to condense into a small space, a bit like him.

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Artwork by @rainingonmyshoe

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Artwork by @sosofiiyaa

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Artwork by @sosofiiyaa

Love Myself Written by Sam

Jimin is such a wonderful person, I first found out about him through his stage performances then his kind heart captured me. He really inspired me to truly love myself, flaws, blemishes and all, and to express myself freely especially through my attire and my passions. He is so so hardworking and caring and honestly there is so much to say about him! He inspires me in so many different aspects, especially the arts and with his music.

It is going into my fourth year as an ARMY and I continue to marvel at how incredibly skilled and multi-faceted Jimin is, the Map Of The Soul ON:E concerts were so so so exquisite. It was lovely to see different aspects of Jimin as a performer and also how empathetic and compassionate he is, being so candid about the current situation and how it has affected him, but how much he enjoyed performing as well. There truly is a man in Seoul who understands us.

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I love the various interpretations of Filter, there is so much pressure to fit into a box but there shouldn’t be restrictions on how we express ourselves and who we are. Nothing should hold back your colourful, vibrant self! I have explored so many different styles and colours and this is all part of who I am. The Filter performance was so captivating and the lyrics are so fascinating. He is a great artist and performer.

Promise is a really special song for me and it feels so much like a hug, it’s so reassuring, knowing that things will be okay and the night will end. Jimin is so honest about his ups and downs and it’s so refreshing knowing that it’s okay to not be okay at times, it’s okay if things aren’t perfect, we’re not alone and it will be okay. This isn’t the end of the road.

Appreciation

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Special thanks to all contributors, this wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be possible without you!

Run PJM @run_pjm Jimin Uncut @JiminUncut Marie @noiremiu ARMY Art Tutors @armytutor_art Sam @jhwmin Ruth @rgchimminie Hannah @min_mochii Jazz @sleepingpixiee Yeri @parkyeri4jm Ibisco @rainingonmyshoe Jovana @tt19319 Sofia @sosofiiyaa Julia @projecta_julia Andrea @girlwithiuv Tiko @bunnymaknae97