Last night, I went to see Forever We Are Young: The BTS ARMY Story at the Director’s Guild of America in Hollywood, and it left me with so much to think about. Watching the movie brought back memories of my own journey with BTS and ARMY, and I couldn’t help reflecting on just how extraordinary this fandom is—not just in its love for BTS but in its individual contributions and collective strength.
This isn’t just a review of the movie; it’s a personal reflection on what ARMY means to me and why this global family is so much more than just a fan club. Seeing the film reminded me of how ARMY’s dedication has been a driving force, pushing BTS to incredible heights—heights that, honestly, we hoped for but probably never imagined happening so fast. Yes, BTS worked tirelessly, but ARMY matched that energy every step of the way, making sure the world noticed.
When I first became part of ARMY, I was blown away by how organized it all was. I’d seen other fandoms—mostly casual, showing up for concerts or trending hashtags here and there—but ARMY was on a whole different level. It was strategic, collaborative, and, at its core, a grassroots movement. I remember seeing fan projects pop up everywhere—billboards, charity drives, streaming parties—and thinking, How are they doing this? It felt like family, and it was all so welcoming, so inclusive. It didn’t matter who you were or where you came from—you belonged.
BTS once said in an interview, “ARMY is not just fans; they are our companions, our equals. We walk together.” That quote has always stuck with me because it perfectly captures what I was experiencing: this wasn’t just about supporting BTS—it was about walking alongside them.
For me, things shifted in 2017. I went from a casual participant to someone who wanted to be actively involved. Watching BTS work so hard while constantly being overlooked struck a chord in me. I knew that feeling—being unseen despite your best efforts. When they won Top Social Artist and so much of the general public still didn’t know who they were, something in me clicked. I decided to dive deeper and help push their music into mainstream awareness.
Jimin once said, “Effort makes you, and you will regret someday if you don’t do your best now. Don’t think it’s too late but keep working on it.” That’s exactly the mindset we adopted—no shortcuts, just relentless effort, because we believed BTS deserved to be seen and heard.
I started working with other ARMYs—fundraising for ads, organizing radio pushes, and even visiting radio stations with CDs and goodies for DJs. We put up ads for DNA and the Love Yourself series in places like Hollywood, San Francisco, and Chicago. It became a full-on mission. I wasn’t alone, of course. There was a whole network of ARMYs alongside me, but I found myself stepping into leadership in ways I’d never imagined. It was exhausting but rewarding. And through it all, BTS’s words echoed in my mind—like when RM said during a concert, “No matter who you are, where you’re from, your skin color, gender identity: speak yourself.” I felt like, in my own small way, that’s what we were doing—raising our voices for something we believed in.
What surprised me most was how much confidence I built along the way. Talking to industry folks, managing projects, rallying teams—I never saw myself as that person before. But BTS and ARMY made me realize I was that person. And I’ll never forget Jin’s words during a speech: “Those who keep trying without giving up are the ones who succeed.” It made me realize we were living that out in real time.
ARMY, in turn, became a family. Even though we might not know each other personally, there’s a thread that holds us all together: love. Fierce, passionate, unshakable love. BTS poured their love into us, and we pour it right back—rippling out to touch not just BTS but each other in powerful ways. Jungkook once said, “The only thing I can do is to give my all and repay your love with my best.” And that’s exactly how ARMY feels too—we give our all, not because we have to, but because we want to.
Being part of this has changed me in ways I’m still discovering. Yes, I gained leadership skills, but more than that, BTS taught me to keep going, to keep moving forward no matter how hard things get. ARMY taught me to love passionately and openly. And together, BTS and ARMY taught me how to love fiercely.
Watching the film last night reminded me that while no single movie can capture everything, it’s the living, breathing love between BTS and ARMY that continues to write the real story—every single day. In many ways, it brings to mind one of my favorite scriptures:
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8)
If I could say one thing to BTS, it would be thank you—for being our voice, for opening your hearts to us, and for creating the soundtrack to so many of our lives. And to ARMY: thank you for being the most supportive, loving family anyone could ask for. We may live different lives, but at the core, we share the same heart—and that’s what makes all of this so powerful.
As BTS once said in a message to ARMY:
“You are our wings. Without you, we can’t fly.”
And truthfully, they’ve been our wings too.
Reflective Question for Readers:
Whether you’re ARMY or simply someone seeking deeper connection, what spaces in your life have taught you to love fiercely?
BTS Quote Bibliography
“ARMY is not just fans; they are our companions, our equals. We walk together.” – BTS, interview with Rolling Stone Japan, 2017.
Link: Rolling Stone Japan article (via fan translation)
“Effort makes you, and you will regret someday if you don’t do your best now. Don’t think it’s too late but keep working on it.” – Jimin, from BTS’s 2016 Festa Anniversary message to ARMY.
Link: BTS 2016 Festa Full Letter (English Translation)
“No matter who you are, where you’re from, your skin color, gender identity: speak yourself.” – RM, UN General Assembly Speech, September 24, 2018.
Link: Full UN Speech (Video & Transcript)
“Those who keep trying without giving up are the ones who succeed.” – Jin, during BTS’s 2019 MAMA Speech (Mnet Asian Music Awards).
Link: 2019 MAMA Acceptance Speech (YouTube)
“The only thing I can do is to give my all and repay your love with my best.” – Jungkook, Weverse Magazine Interview, 2021. Link: Weverse Magazine Interview (English)
“You are our wings. Without you, we can’t fly.” – BTS, message to ARMY in 2016 The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Young Forever concert closing comments.
Link: Fan Recap of 2016 Young Forever Concert (Translation)
© 2025 Amelie Chambord
Soul Path Insights 
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