In this inaugural episode hosted by writer and BTS stan Virginia Duan of Mandarin Mama, she tells three origin stories: how this podcast came to be, how she found BTS, and how she became a BTS fan.
Noona ARMY Podcast discusses the particular challenges and aspects of being a middle aged female fan of K-pop global sensation BTS.
Hallo there – I’ve been enjoying several of your Youtube videos, and decided to look for more information about you, hence here I am watching your first podcast … are you surprised? I really like your style : blunt (hallo, are you talking about me?) ; inappropriate (ditto) ; always wanting to talk about BTS (would I please shut up?) ; the ‘wrong’ age (hey, kid, I could be your mum).
I came to BTS much later than you, though I can’t remember when I first heard of them – perhaps a year ago. I really started working hard on finding out more and more about them much more recently. And yes, they found me when I needed them I think : stuck in a stressful job with demands far outstripping time and resources and management pressures becoming increasingly relentless, I became ill and – frankly as a result – lost my job. My health promptly worsened (as is often the case when pressure is reduced) with some sort of heart attack and diagnosis of diabetes (still trying to get that under control. I’m 65 tomorrow and still need to find work, which may be hard given all the circumstances.
At this time, I, like you, feel as though BTS are my friends … and, coming from a family of many males and few females, and living far away from my family, they are my brothers. Maybe I should feel like they are nephews, but sorry no – I have no children so perhaps I have never grown up – that’s fine by me.
I recognise the loneliness you talk about, too. Homeschooling is demanding and must mean that opportunities for adult interaction are limited – that’s what folk say anyway.
For me, divorced, living alone, and distanced from my friends because they have other priorities, I can go for literally weeks without speaking to anyone. Thankfully I’m an introvert, I write, and have penpals, I read, I watch Netflix, I journal, and I accost random people in the shops and start conversations. I often find that they know me and my dog/s … even though I am not good at recognising them! My loneliness is not crippling: I’m depressed but working on it (my black dog has been a familiar companion since I was a child).
BTS is a fine companion because their message is inclusive and positive, their relationships with each other and their fans are clearly genuine, their writing is thoughtful, deep, moving and challenging.
I am pleased that they have maintained their own language rather than conceding to demands that they work more in English, even though it makes it harder for me to fully understand their music : once I do, it is actually much richer. Language – whatever it is – sits at the root of our relationships with ourselves and others. I’m a Scot, living in England : you may think it daft, but when I meet another Scot, and hear the different tones and rhythms of our tongues, I feel at home with them immediately. I’m glad you are teaching your children Chinese because – well, it’s a smart move, given how the world is likely to be in future, but also it offers them access to a vast range of history and culture that is theirs if they want to explore it.
I am quite capable of gushing interminably about the varied qualities of BTS and the way they can uphold and inform all sorts of life’s aspects, and do start to embarrass myself! However, I think we are on the same page, here. Like you, I tend to ramble, and try to reign that in a little, buuut sometimes I think I’m funnier then, too.
My aim, now, is to go through your podcasts and see how your particular route is progressing. I look forward to holding your hand for a little while through this. xxxx Margret
Hi Margret!!! I recognize your name!! Thanks for hunting me down and for sharing your story with me. 🙂 I really appreciate it. I know of another BTS fan in Scotland, too!! There is something comforting about hearing our mother tongues or accents, if that makes sense. I am on my blog Mandarin Mama a lot more often if you want to go there, too. I am so grateful for the internet – making it so much easier to make connections with real people around the world. Much hugs to you!! Can’t wait to chat with you more about BTS and all sorts of other things. 😀
Just discovered I’m noons army- am doing a binge. Thank you for this.