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BTS is known worldwide not just for its catchy tracks and mesmerizing dance moves but also for its uplifting messages and the healing presence they provide. For many fans, the band serves as unexpected yet powerful life coaches, offering positivity and inspiration that resonate deeply.
BTS’s journey from humble beginnings to international stardom is a testament to their perseverance. The group started in a cramped one-bedroom apartment, training 16 hours daily in a poorly ventilated studio. The group's rise to fame wasn’t instantaneous; it resulted from years of dedication, personal sacrifices, and overcoming countless obstacles.
This hard-fought journey is documented in their lyrics, which strike a chord with fans worldwide, showcasing the resilience and humility of these seven men shaped by their struggles and critics.
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Note: This article reflects the author's opinion and is not listed in any particular order.
Some moments where BTS members advocate mental health issues
In various interviews, song lyrics, and shows, the BTS members repeatedly talked about mental health and depression. They have also shared their journey to cope with it. They include:
- Suga's interview at Rolling Stone
- BTS interview with Entertainment Daily
- The UNICEF collaboration
- JIn at In the Soop Season 2
- Jungkook at the Vogue Interview
1) BTS Suga's interview with the Rolling Stone
Many a time, the BTS rapper, songwriter, and producer Suga has opened up about mental health and depression. He was featured on the digital cover story of Rolling Stone in 2021, where he talked about his depression and his struggles to cope with it.
In 2016, after releasing his debut mixtape, Agust D, he suffered from depression, which made him isolate for a while.
He told the magazine,
“I’m comfortable now and feeling good, but those sorts of negative emotions come and go. So it’s almost like cold weather. It may come back in a cycle over a year, year and a half,”
The BTS rapper also mentioned how ARMY helped him to push through the phase.
“But when I hear people say that when they listen to my music, and feel comfort and are consoled by those lyrics that express these emotions, that makes me feel very good. It’s very encouraging."
During the interview, Suga discussed his challenges with his parents regarding his career choices. He shared with the magazine that his parents initially disapproved of his decision to pursue a career in rap, a genre they were unfamiliar with.
However, he also acknowledged their perspective and understood their concerns. This opposition became a driving force for him, fueling his determination to prove himself to them.
2) BTS' interview with Entertainment Weekly
In 2021, BTS members appeared in Entertainment Weekly, discussing mental health, the pandemic, and ARMY. In this interview, they talked about their advocacy, such as the Love Myself campaign, which they presented at a United Nations youth summit, and their #ENDviolence partnership with UNICEF, bringing these issues into the spotlight.
The BTS members started the interview on a lighthearted note at Big Hit Entertainment's Seoul headquarters. Later, it took a more serious turn as Suga spoke about the mental health issues of celebrities,
"We feel that people who have the platform to talk about those things really should talk more, because they say depression is something where you go to the hospital and you're diagnosed, but you can't really know until the doctor talks to you."
RM explained,
"That's why we have the concept Love Yourself. We don't want to preach 'Do this or don't do that,' because that's not the way that we want to spread our message."
He continued,
"So we thought that love, the real meaning of it, starts with loving ourselves and accepting some ironies and some destinies that we have from the very start."
3) BTS and UNICEF collaboration
The collaboration between UNICEF and BTS sprouted out of the Love Myself campaign in 2017, which discussed violence and child protection. After the campaign's success, they continued it and promoted self-love and well-being among children and young people.
In the press release, the BTS members said,
" We started LOVE MYSELF as a way to reach young people and help improve their lives and rights. During the process, we also strove to “LOVE MYSELF” ourselves, and we as a team and as individuals grew as well. We hope that many people felt how the love received from others can become the power that allows them to love themselves.”
In 2024, these collaborators announced the #OnMyMind initiative, the second chapter of their Love Myself campaign. This new initiative aims to support and improve youths' mental health globally.
To kick off #OnMyMind, BTS, their label Big Hit Entertainment, and UNICEF have invited participants to send electronic postcards via the Korean Committee’s UNICEF website.
RM noted regarding this campaign,
“We believe that you will continue to support the Love Myself campaign to create greater positive energy in people’s lives.”
4) BTS Jin at the In The Soop 2
In The Soop, a renowned BTS show, featured the members' candid moments discussing mental health topics. RM, Jin, and Suga participated in the show, and in season 2, Jimin shared some techniques to improve mental health. He said,
"To me, resting is not putting meaning into time spent for self-improvement. Laying down all day or gaming all day. We live in a time where when I say gaming is my hobby, many ask why I’d do that. They instead suggest I be more productive by working out or doing something to develop my career."
He further explained,
"They often say things like “Find a hobby.” But I wonder is, that really ‘rest.’ You know, those days when you’ve done absolutely nothing, that people might look at you and say, “You wasted your day away.” That’s the kind of living that gives me rest.”
5) A Vogue interview with Jung Kook
The younger member of this K-pop band, Jungkook, had an interview with Vogue Singapore in 2021. In the interview, he talked about his hobbies, achievements, artistic exploration, and many other things. In the end, he talked about mental health and his positive attitude towards life.
He shared,
“Effort makes you. You will regret someday if you don’t do your best now. Don’t think it’s too late but keep working on it. It takes time, but there’s nothing that gets worse due to practicing. So practice. You may get depressed, but it’s evidence that you are doing good"
He added,
"I understand that hard work and the outcome are two separate things. I’ve learnt how to accept the result.”
The influence of Bangtan Boys extends far beyond music and dance; they are champions of mental health advocacy, using their platform to promote messages of self-love and resilience. Their personal stories, struggles, and successes have become a source of comfort and empowerment for millions.
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