How a 10-Second TikTok Sparked My BTS Journey and Changed Everything

K-Dramas and TikTok Became My Pandemic Lifeline

Picture this: it’s the height of the pandemic. The world is unraveling — sometimes figuratively, sometimes literally — and I’m finding solace in K-dramas, my distraction of choice. They offered a mix of escapism and catharsis — the emotional intensity, intricate storylines, and the sheer beauty of the production felt like a comforting balm to the chaos outside. My cousin, however, had other plans. “You have to download TikTok,” she said. “You study online platforms, don’t you? It’s like… research.”

Fine. Research. Sure.

The TikTok Video of BTS’s Jungkook That Started It All

That’s how I found myself staring bleary-eyed at my phone at 5 a.m. on my very first TikTok binge (one of many to come). I’d stumbled into K-drama TikTok (bless that algorithm), but then my cousin derailed me by sending the video. 

Ten seconds of Jungkook: intense eye contact, fluid dancing, bright colors, unexpected sound byte (lol not even BTS) — a visceral blend of sound and motion that felt like scratching a brain itch I didn’t know I had. It was stimming in its purest form, lighting up my neural pathways in a way that was both soothing and electrifying. My mind buzzed with a surge of excitement, lighting up in a way I hadn’t felt in months. It was the ultimate stimming video, and I replayed it until it was practically burned into my retinas — and yes, I can still see it (and hear it) when I close my eyes, four years later.

From TikTok Fancams to BTS Obsession

Within days, my TikTok algorithm recalibrated into a two-pillar system: academic social justice content and BTS. The former fed my need to grapple with systemic inequities and find like-minded thinkers, while the latter offered a joyful and creative outlet that felt like a lifeline in difficult times. Clearly, I have a type — niche internet rabbit holes with a dash of existential overcommitment. At first, it was the dancing that captivated me. Many of the TikToks weren’t even set to BTS’s music — just fan edits showcasing their synchronization and bodyrolls. Then came fancams, those tantalizing glimpses of live performances. By this point, I told myself I just wanted to know their names (cue ominous music: famous last words).

From Fan Edits to ARMY Twitter

The fall was quick and absolute. Before I knew it, I was editing my own BTS TikToks. My videos even got hundreds of thousands of views, which was as thrilling as it was surreal. My TikTok account is now locked down for various reasons (let’s just say that’s a story for another time). But the deeper I ventured, the more I realized I wasn’t just watching — I was connecting on multiple levels: with the mesmerizing content itself, with the vibrant community of fans who shared their stories and perspectives, and with a part of myself that had been dormant for far too long. YouTube became my next rabbit hole: “Run BTS” episodes, dance practices, behind-the-scenes clips — all consumed with the intensity of someone who’d just discovered water in a desert.

And then there was ARMY Twitter. That’s a blog post (or three or 100...) in itself, but suffice it to say, it was like diving headfirst into a hurricane of discourse, memes, and an overwhelming sense of camaraderie.

Why BTS Resonates with ARMY and Beyond

What struck me most about BTS wasn’t just their music — though “Spring Day” did send me into a deeply introspective spiral about life, the universe, and everything at 3 a.m. — but the connection they cultivated with their fans. They weren’t just performers — they were storytellers, advocates, and artists who made you feel seen. Their messages of mental health awareness, self-love, and hope hit me squarely in the chest at a time when I needed it most.

Rediscovering Joy and Purpose

TikTok had opened the door, but BTS made me stay. My feed filled with ARMYs sharing how this group had guided them through grief, isolation, and everything in between. Slowly, my worlds began to merge. The scholar in me found resonance in the way BTS’s work intersected with culture, identity, and community — like their music videos, which weave intricate narratives about societal pressures and personal growth, or their activism, such as their support for Black Lives Matter, which tied global movements to their platform in a meaningful way. The fan in me rediscovered joy — a rare commodity in those bleak days.

Somewhere along the way, I stopped being a casual observer. I was googling BTS’s UN speeches (and making fan edits with them * cough nerd cough *), dissecting lyrics, and diving into the dynamics of ARMY and its online fandom community — analyzing their cultural impact and interactions like it was my job (because, eventually, it was). More importantly, I started creating and sharing — whether it was video edits, essays, or conversations with friends — and that creativity felt like rediscovering a long-lost part of myself.

Where Do We Go From Here

And that's what this blog is for me now: a way to find my way back to my roots. I want to find my joy and creativity again. And I want to connect.

Share Your Story

What was your first encounter with BTS or another artist that changed your perspective? Did a particular moment or piece of content pull you in? I’d love to hear about your journey — share it in the comments or connect with me on social media!