Dear Class of 2020

Dear Class of 2020...
...Yours Sincerely, BTS

by

Charlie Murray

Making my family watch the entire Class of 2020 YouTube Live graduation ceremony was an achievement on my part. Another achievement was graduating of course, but I could not have asked for a better or more fulfilling graduation than one where BTS was by my side.

After an hour of my heartbeat racing in anticipation, which consisted of speeches by the Obamas and Beyonce, and skits from The Simpsons, Justin Timberlake and more, it was finally time for my family to see what a BTS speech looks like.

BTS - Twitter

And I have to say, it exceeded expectations. ARMY have seen time and time again just how skilled BTS are at touching our hearts through speeches. Whether in their home country, talking in their native language to Korean fans, or at Wembley Stadium, confessing their thoughts to tens of thousands of international fans, or even at the UN giving a more formal speech addressed to a more general audience, BTS have flawlessly displayed how their words speak to us on a level that makes us listen.

As expected, our leader Namjoon started off the commencement speech, with an anecdote that even made my family crack a giggle, about his own middle school graduation. He shared that he took a picture with his friends, and kept it as his profile picture for years. His words struck me as sincere congratulations from a fellow person in his 20's, and were felt strongly.

I was so happy to see that each member got their own chance to say some words for my graduating year, and each individual part of the speech felt very much like it suited whichever member it came from.

Jungkook emphasised how he has tried to grow as a person since his graduation day, and how being with the members has helped him continue to do well. He was reflective, and encouraged us to also look at ourselves in this way.

Seokjin’s words particularly resonated with me. As a generation that constantly compares ourselves to others, hearing Seokjin talk about how he also used to measure his progress against that of people who were ahead of him, was reassuring and reminded me that everyone works at their own pace, so do not be upset if you feel like you have not accomplished enough yet. Even the inspirational and accomplished Kim Seokjin has worries like that.

Yoongi’s words were wise and measured. He was honest that there are things we can, and should, try to change about ourselves and the world, but there are some things that we should let go of as we cannot control them. He was encouraging whilst warning us against stressing over things out of our hands.

Jimin’s words were focused on his worries for our physical and mental health, and I believed every word of his sincere concern for us. His words, “There is a person here in Korea, in the city of Seoul, who understands you,” were found comforting by many ARMYs. Even if you are not a 2020 graduate, no matter your situation, Jimin understands and accepts you.

Hoseok’s words also stood out to me; as well as being honest about how he is struggling with making music nowadays, his words were evocative of the lyrics of ‘Ego’: he implored us to trust ourselves and be the leaders of our own lives, even when we question our decisions. Those words are especially needed for those of us graduating into an uncertain job market.

Taehyung’s speech was very Taehyung-like, with references to memos and photographs. He reminded us that even if times are tough now, we will be able to look back at fragments and admire ourselves for how far we’ve come. He also cheered for us in sign language; typical of Taehyung to use a meaningful gesture to ensure that anyone could feel his pride for us.

Namjoon rounded off the speech, admitting that they still felt uncertain and anxious, just like all of us. And that is what made the speech resonate with us. We are aware that BTS feel as anxious as we do, and that is what made us believe in their words.

BANGTANTV

My heart rate seemed to slow down once BTS were off screen, and so began the 3 hours of waiting until they came back again. And as they did, I felt my heart, already bursting with pride, get pushed to its limit.

We were aware from the trailer that Boy With Luv would be played. As a song that defined this time last year, it is a bittersweet fact that this time last year, we would regularly dance to it and “oh my my my” at concerts and in our bedrooms with no care in the world, and it was lovely to see BTS bring it back. It is a song about appreciating small things, and checking up on each other’s lives, so it was a sweet choice of song.

But then. When the words ‘Spring Day’ appeared on screen as it tilted down to see the boys sat together, I could barely believe my eyes. A lot of us were expecting a recent hit like ON or Black Swan, but instead they performed a song that they know is dear to many ARMY’s hearts, and which we know they have been listening to while thinking of us.

After that kick to my emotions, I wasn’t sure what else to expect. And then, Mikrokosmos started to play. The song that we all associate with the end of a Speak Yourself show, when the fireworks are going off and ARMY and BTS are yelling goodbyes to each other… they sang that, in the empty Seoul museum, one more time for us. As that song is so intrinsically linked to the touring lifestyle that BTS are missing dearly, and they are used to performing it in the centre of a full stadium, it must have been hard for them to have sang it just with each other beside them. And yet, they looked so euphoric as they did silly dances and smiled with each other, their smiles infectious and making me feel that the world was good, just for a moment.

BANGTANTV

In a fashion that mirrored the intent of the speeches, BTS’ song choices weren’t just empty words they chose to show off their performances or achievements (and even if they were, I wouldn’t complain) - they were words that conveyed that they miss us to the same degree that we miss them. They rejected the chance to show off complex choreographies, and instead sang to us the songs that we as a fandom find comfort in.

During this difficult time, and this milestone of graduation, I’d like to thank BTS for being by our sides for all of it. It is times like this that make the world feel brighter, and our shoulders feel less burdened by the weight of everything. I would also like to thank the Obama's for putting this together and adding BTS to the lineup, as a worthy voice to carry today’s youth to the next chapter of our lives.