The rain: April 2018

Hi! I am back! My exams are over and I can finally write! Okay, so although I am not being totally honest, my exams have been over for a while now its just I didn't feel like writing. Anyways, let me just start with this article.

K-pop. What is K-pop? Well, it stands for Korean pop and it is addictive, that's why I am calling it a drug. People will wonder, how can someone be addicted to music in such a manner that it starts to actually become harmful? I have no answer to that question. It is what it is. K-pop is a totally different type of music genre its not like your plain ol' vanilla pop it is way better and if I am being totally honest, I don't understand most of it.

Before I start voicing my various theories on the genre let me first walk you through how I got addicted to it. (it may get a little dramatic)

Some time in November, 2017: The day it all began.

The day started as any other day, little did I know that this was the day, my life would change forever. I never knew of the evils that lurk in the darkness of this world. I never thought that I would ever be a part of that dark world. It could never occur to me that my own best friend could do something like that to me. She sashayed into my house with her ancient mobile phone and forced me to listen to these demonic group called BTS. I hated it, and if I could go into the past right now I would go and slap myself really hard for hating it.

Mid December, 2017 : The first time it hit me.

After she introduced me to this dangerous drug that drove me to the brink of losing my sanity. I came face to face with terms like "bias", I never felt the need to use words like that because I had never been faced with picking a favorite. I had started understanding the mesmerizing language of these demons from hell. I had also come to understand that these demons disguised as angels to fool the innocent. I had started singing along.

January, new year: The drug is changing me.

I never thought I will say this, but they make me want to dance. They make me want to learn their dance choreographies. On New Year's eve all I wanted to do was dance to their songs. I couldn't bring myself to dance to anything else including 'Despacito'. Everyone dances to that song, but not me. I craved 'Blood, Sweat and Tears' by BTS.

Mid January, 2018: I get introduced to a new drug 'English Speakeu.'

I think it has finally happened. I, Annie has finally cracked. I found myself watching BTS speaking english, and blushing. Yes, I blushed. Those boys make me smile. They have changed everything I thought I knew about myself. It is not normal anymore. It is unhealthy. If I don't make it, just know that I never intended it to go this far.

February, 2018: I think I have forgotten english.

If not forgotten, then most definitely forgotten how to speak it without it sounding like Korean. The way I speak sounds like Korean, my accent has been affected.

mid Februry,2018: Withdrawal symptoms.

I thought of getting over it, I couldn't. It made me cranky, I tried, I really did. I didn't want to be addicted anymore. This is beyond my control. I can't put up with this anymore. I think I will go back to it.

March, 2018: I now know who I love.

It came to me slowly, but now, I know that I am in love with Jungkook. Things will never be the same again, he has affected me in so many ways. He is perfect. In fact I don't think I will ever like any other boy. I don't find any guys from my country attractive anymore. My standards have become higher, if speaking to me was difficult earlier, it's impossible now. All I know is that Jungkook is the one for me, no one else.

Yay! So, now you know my journey, although highly exaggerated, it gives a little idea of what K-pop does to people, or rather what it did to me.

Here are my various observations:

1. It is marketed as a very innocent genre:

Very rarely have I found any song about any dark, shady topic, there is no song with abusive words in it, no song about sex or drugs or any other thing that may become really awkward to listen to in the presence of your parents.

Speaking of innocent, the idols also maintain a very boy-like or girl-like personality. They dress in clothes that make them look cute and innocent rather than hot. What I love about K-pop is that the guys don't try to become hunky and "manly" the way Harry Styles or Niall Horan just changed. The little boy personalities really suited them.

2. The lyrics are beautiful rather than just being meaning less.

The song lyrics are genuinely beautiful, they have meaning and depth and more often than not are about addressing some social issue. Another thing I love about it is that body positivity is a topic that boy bands sing about and not just girl groups. In my opinion it is really important to talk about it, I mean the beauty industry is everywhere and is doing what it does best, making beautiful people insecure about what their looks, and in a world like this it is really important that people who have a large fan base talk about getting over these issues.

3. They dance.

Their dance routines are wow. They are not like any average pop star who doesn't dance, just holds a mic and sings. They dance. I really respect that, their routines are super tough and they sing while dancing and they still don't breathe heavily. Their singing doesn't show that they are possibly really tired because of their dancing.

4. They are humble. So humble.

All of them work so hard, but consider themselves no better than their fans. They live like ordinary people rather than rich, bratty pop stars and that is something you don't get to see very often. They talk about working hard and not being good enough in their live streams, they say that what they do is no big deal and that they should work harder. I am in awe of these people.

That aside, just between you and me, I have realized that I know these people so well, I know exactly what their personalities are and who they are, although I have never in my life met these people or spoken to them. That is the power of the Internet.

Before I wind up, let me tell you who my favorite groups are and who all are my bias.

1. BTS