I think many fellow BTS fans would agree that a lot of ARMY came for the visuals and stayed for the music. Okay, the visuals keep us coming back for more, too. But the music of the biggest boyband in the world right now can keep you hooked. Aside from the impressive vocals, swag rap skills, and mesmerizing melody, the lyrics have a way of speaking to your soul. One of the strongest themes in their discography: Self-love. The group’s leader, RM, once said, "If you want to love others, you should love yourself first."
Below, a few BTS songs with English translations about self-love to add to your self-care playlist:
1. "Magic Shop"
TBH, this song feels like BTS’ love letter to ARMY. One of the writers is Jungkook, aside from the usual producers of their tracks (including the rap line). They addressed this to fans who find themselves struggling with "days I hate being myself, days I want to disappear forever." It’s for those days when you can’t help but loathe yourself for your imperfections.
And they sing, "Let's make a door in your heart. / Open the door and this place will await. / It's okay to believe, the Magic Shop will comfort you."And they make you realize that if you show your best to others, you have to do the same for yourself, too. Let me tell you—there have been countless times when I sobbed to this song (I’m even tearing up a bit now while listening to it). On days when you feel down, just listen to it or find a video of them performing it live. It’s like finding comfort in friends through their soothing words.
Lyrics:
You gave me the best of me
So you'll give you the best of you
You found me, you knew me
You gave me the best of me
So you'll give you the best of you
You'll find it, the galaxy inside you
2. "I’m Fine"
Even with grief and darkness, don’t give up. That’s what this song urges you to realize. There comes a point when telling yourself that you’re okay feels awful, but there are also days when you have to push yourself. As one line in this song goes, there are times when "I'm the only one who can save me."
Lyrics:
I'm feeling just fine, fine
I'll let go of your hand now
I know I'm all mine, mine, mine
Cuz I'm just fine
I'm feeling just fine, fine
I don't want to be sad anymore
I want to see the sunshine, shine, shine
Cuz I'm just fine, just fine
3. "Idol"
Yes, it’s a bop, but when you read the lyrics, they’re quite empowering. It can be a message to your "haters" who want to bring you down. They can say anything they want, but toxic words don’t have power over you if you love yourself. As they say in the song, "I do what I do, so you do you. / You can’t stop me lovin’ myself."
Lyrics:
They point fingers at me, but I don't care at all
Whatever the reason for your criticism is
I know what I am (I know what I am)
I know what I want (I know what I want)
I never gon' change (I never gon' change)
I never gon' trade (Trade off)
4. "Dynamite"
Here’s another bop that has a natural ability to boost your confidence. Some might think it’s all vanity. "I’m diamond. / You know I glow up." Doesn’t it just sound like the perfect caption when you’re all cleaned up and feeling like a million bucks? However, we’re sure that at one or more points in your life, you didn’t have anyone else cheering for you but yourself. Sometimes, that’s all you ever need, really. Let this song feed your self-esteem!
Lyrics:
'Cause I, I, I'm in the stars tonight
So watch me bring the fire and set the night alight (Hey)
Shinin' through the city with a little funk and soul
So I'ma light it up like dynamite, woah-oh-oh
5. "Paradise"
This one is more like a wake-up call if you’re the type of person that keeps pushing and pressuring herself to be successful. What it makes you realize is that everyone’s happiness is different. "It's alright if the name of the dream is different / Be it buying a laptop next month / Or just eating and sleeping." You don’t need to compare your beginning or middle to someone else’s ending. "Stop runnin' for nothin', my friend."
Lyrics:
It's alright to stop
There's no need to run without even knowing the reason
It's alright to not have a dream
If you have moments where you feel happiness for a while
It's alright to stop
Now we don't run without knowing the destination
It's alright to not have a dream
All the breaths you breathe are already in paradise
6. "Epiphany"
This track from the Love Yourself era is a solo by Jin. The vocal king sings this ballad with such emotion that you can’t help but be enchanted. "Epiphany" means a sudden clarity and realization. This song talks about that life-changing moment when you finally let go of all pretensions and hate for yourself. Then, in the same moment, you discover how you can actually love yourself.
Lyrics:
I'm the one I should love in this world
Shining me, precious soul of mine
I finally realized so I love me
Not so perfect but so beautiful
I'm the one I should love
7. "Answer: Love Myself"
The title tells you already that it’s all about self-love. The unique message of this song is how you can learn to love all the parts of you. You can embrace your past, celebrate your present, and look forward to your future. You can do all this by being kind to yourself, forgiving your mistakes, and moving on—flaws and all.
Lyrics:
Loving myself might be harder
Than loving someone else
Let’s admit it
The standards you made are more strict for yourself
The thick tree rings in your life
It’s part of you, it’s you
Now let’s forgive ourselves
Our lives are long, trust yourself when in a maze
When winter passes, spring always comes
There are plenty of other BTS songs that will resonate with you at times when you need some self-lovin’. The beauty with their tracks is we can listen to them on demand any time online, so you’ll never be in short supply of empowerment and inspiration to #LoveYourself.
RIGHT THIS WAY FOR MORE BTS SONGS, ARMY:
10 BTS Songs You Need To Listen To If You're A Newbie Fan