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For many the creative spark can come from something seemingly small to those outside fandoms. But for Angel it was BTS that allowed her to thrive. From there she dived deeper, finding a passion for K-pop as a whole with her account “Nojamsjournaling”, starting out alongside her BTS journey. The creative flow took shape, leading to her covering shows, interviewing artists, and even launching her own podcast, K-all. In what seems like a short time it’s her passion and her insights that have her set on a dedicated path. One she’s incredibly headstrong about: when asked about the term ‘fangirl’, she explained it in a way that even I hadn’t considered: ‘I actually think we need to reframe the concept of a “fangirl”.’ To be an expert in your field, shouldn’t you be a fan of what you’re doing? It’s the fan who has the drive to conduct the most in-depth research for an interview.”
So, dive in as Angel tells her story from BTS and beyond, the upcoming comeback, and what lies ahead. As you can see from our conversation, she’s incredibly headstrong and dedicated to her craft.
Let’s begin with BTS and what made you want to create the Bangtan database with lore as strong as BTS? I imagine there’s a lot to dive deep into. Was it easy for you to put all your learning of BTS as a fan into?
Angel: This website was actually born out of a college assignment. My mass communications professor assigned us a midterm project to create either a website or interactive slideshow about some historical figure who had a profound impact on the history of mass communications. I am quite a perfectionist when it comes to grades, so when assigned a project as massive as this, I always try to centre it around something I am passionate about. For me, my passion is BTS. And so, I humbly asked my professor if BTS could function as the focal point of my midterm project due to their incredible impact on mass media. I pitched them as pioneers of digital communication, fan participation and content production. The only caveat was that we had only studied up until World War I on communications in class, meaning we hadn’t yet covered digital media. One of the criteria was to include class readings and lectures, so I really had to contemplate how I could connect U.S. History to BTS history.
My professor said, and I quote, “You’re welcome to try.” And try, I did. I took that as a challenge: to demonstrate BTS’s prowess in communications and how their global impact has altered the online ecosystem. Before I could even touch modern content, I began extensive research on the origins of Korean media in America in the early 1900s. I studied the first Korean-language newspapers and the Korean Congress formed by immigrants, learning how early communications focused on advocating for independence. At that time, Korean-language media were incredibly scarce.
Once I established this foundation, the contrast with BTS became undeniable. I explained how thanks to the septet, Korean media can be found with a simple web search; one can find everything from Korean dramas to songs spoken and sung entirely in Korean. BTS’s music played a pivotal role in Korean becoming so popular in the U.S., with more and more international fans wanting to know the words to their favourite songs. In fact, due to the surge of global fans wanting to learn the language, BigHit Entertainment and Hankuk University of Foreign Studies jointly created BTS Korean learning textbooks for international fans. Such textbooks were actually adopted at six universities in four countries around the world. They are also available for purchase to anyone interested; I actually got one for Christmas from my parents!
I think I lost focus of your original question here, but what I will say is that I really wanted to create The Bangtan Database because BTS are more than just musicians; they are absolute masters of media. Between their early blog posts and self-produced variety shows to their revolutionary use of platforms like Twitter, YouTube, Weverse (formerly V Live), and Instagram—these K-pop juggernauts harnessed mass media to create a social media empire that cannot be ignored. You can pretty much consume any content imaginable when it comes to BTS. Think: webtoons, music videos, great music, interactive games, photo galleries, art exhibits, reality TV shows, documentaries, and virtual concerts. BTS don’t just adapt to the current media landscape, they are the architects that design the framework. I created this entire website in just three days without any sleep. The research was intensive and fatiguing but also exhilarating. Most of the information about BTS I already knew, so it just came down to diving into various research engines and plucking the sources that I wanted to cite. I also had to make a couple requests for access, which halted my progress from time to time, but when that unfolded, I looked for the next source to hold me over until that original wellspring of knowledge was unlocked.
The site is akin to an in-depth archive. How do you decide which content categories to include (e.g., “Beyond the Songs”, “Beyond the Studies”, etc.)?
Angel: I love that you refer to it as an in-depth archive because it immediately calls to mind RM’s Indigo, which he referred to as an archive (or rkive) of his youth. I think I wanted to echo that sentiment with this website to capture not only BTS’s global presence, but their insanely human side that allowed for them to touch so many hearts. Since Indigo functions like an art museum with each track representing a new exhibit, I wanted The Bangtan Database to be an art curation with its very own exhibits to explore.
Naturally, I wanted these exhibits to spell out “BTS”, whether it’s “Beyond The Seoul, Beyond The Songs”, etc. Since I wanted to analyse BTS’s impact on mass communications, I decided the best way to do that was by focusing on the socio-political elements of their music (Beyond The Songs), their digital media ecosystem (Beyond The Socials), their partnership with UNICEF (Beyond The Seoul), their popularisation of the Korean language (Beyond The Studies), and their delightful early ventures into social media (Beyond The Screen).
Beyond the Exhibits, I felt it was important to establish some background on the group for readers who might be engaging with their content for the first time—like my professor. So, the drop-down menu of the home page includes “Beyond The Scene”, which properly introduces the team in a standard guide-style manner. Additionally, I included a “Born To Sing” section that goes into BTS’s early influences. I felt it was quite important to establish BTS’s early hip-hop influences. After all, the Bangtan project was originally a ragtag crew of three young rappers before developing into a hip-hop-infused idol group! I think this section is particularly important in light of Arirang, an album rooted both in Korea and in global music. This area of the site showcases influences like Ryuichi Sakamoto, Epik High, and Tupac.
For you, what is the most satisfying part of compiling together the database?
Angel: The most satisfying part of compiling together this database was actually fully fleshing out the sections once I had my research done. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing your work come alive in an interactive digital space for readers to peruse. I had the most fun working on the “Beyond The Songs” section. Analysing BTS lyrics is my favourite pastime, so being able to take a deep dive into their metaphors and then present them in a way that someone like my professor could understand and appreciate? That was the ultimate reward. Plus, I got 100 on the assignment and a student spotlight for it. That’s why it’s published today.
ARMY is a fandom that is full of incredibly clever people who are great at compiling theories and spotting clues. How do you link things together yourself in terms of research and your own findings?
Angel: My brain has always functioned analytically; I was a Swiftie before I could crawl, so I was essentially ‘raised’ on Easter eggs and hidden liner notes. Her lyrics truly primed me to become a master of decoding hidden messages and searching for meanings throughout her songs. Once I found BTS’s discography, it felt like I struck gold. Not only is their music embedded with literary references and Greek mythology, a single lyric could contain several forms of Korean idioms or wordplay while simultaneously signalling something different in English.
The more I listened to their music, the more I could recognise such patterns in their cadence or flow or word choices, and I was hooked. I think when I compile theories, I always circle back to the lyrics. I think their music tells all the stories that they want the world to hear. I also revisit old music videos, recall Instagram posts with certain captions, or look to Namjoon’s WEVERSE letters for secret codes. Sometimes, even a simple belt might spark a theory. Take j-hope’s Mona Lisa belt, for example, which turned out to be a single! I still think his surf belt was an early signalling of their lead single “SWIM”.
To be an ARMY, it’s never dull, and comebacks are always fun for us to come together and create theories about the logos, concepts, and future sound. What are you most excited about with ARIRANG?
Angel: Honestly, it’s my first time seeing BTS on tour as a whole group. I’m most excited to see my favourite artists on stage in the same place at the same time, performing the music I have dedicated my career to right in front of me. For ARIRANG specifically, I’m excited to see how they intertwine Korean culture into the global BTS sound we know and love, mixing Western hip-hop influences with perhaps Korean traditional instruments or exploring all kinds of genre-bending sounds with lyrics so soul-igniting they can prompt me to write a dissertation about them.
If you really want an in-depth answer on my ARIRANG thoughts, check out the piece I wrote for Genius Korea titled “Here’s Everything We Know About BTS’s ‘ARIRANG’ + ARMY Predictions”, which should drop a couple days before the album release! I can’t wait to hear the music, soak in each lyric, and wake up at 7AM for their Netflix livestream concert!
I am also really excited to dive into BTS: The Return, their new documentary that goes behind the scenes on the music-making. I’m sure I will have a lot to talk about over on my podcast, K-ALL!
Out of all the eras, which BTS one is something that you hold special personally?
Angel: My most special era with BTS is their “Butter” to “Permission To Dance” era. Since that was my “baby ARMY” era, I got to experience peak happiness getting to know each member, deep diving into their discography and waking up before school on various occasions for the PTD livestreams.
However, my favourite eras are “Dark & Wild” and “Wings”. I just love those albums so much. Dark & Wild is such a delightful mixture of hip-hop, R&B, and pop rock. The adolescent angst is top tier, and so are the songs. My favourites are “24/7=Heaven”, “Hip Hop Phile”, “Look Here”, “Rain”, and “BTS Cypher Pt. 3: Killer”. Okay fine, it’s the whole album! As for the Wings Era, this album so brilliantly interweaves Herman Hesse’s novel Demian not only into the lyrics but also into the actual short films that accompany the album tracks. I will never get over how the songs take on a whole new meaning after reading the book. I actually wrote an entire Wings analysis through the lens of Demian for an AP Lit course, which I’ve been planning to work into the Bangtan Database! Stay tuned for that.
Besides the database, you run a K-pop podcast, K-All. What was your gateway into the K-pop realm, and what made you want to podcast?
Angel: It was the summer of 2019, and I was casually scrolling through YouTube when a colourful video thumbnail caught my eye. It read: Kill This Love by BLACKPINK. Naturally, I clicked. The group’s powerful presence, intricate choreography, high-budget visuals, and the sonic tagline—“BLACKPINK in your AREA”—were unlike anything I had ever encountered before. As a long-time Swiftie, I felt as if my musical world had been turned upside down. Quickly diving into the K-pop universe, I learnt the choreographies, discovered the rich online fandom culture, and picked up K-pop lingo like “biases” and “photocards”. From BLACKPINK, I expanded my playlist to include groups like TWICE, LOONA, ITZY, and EVERGLOW. I was a full-on girl group stan, and I was very committed to my craft.
However, everything shifted on my 17th birthday when I saw BTS perform at the Grammys in 2021. Their performance had me in a trance. And then there was this one blonde-haired countertenor who just stood out to me. Suddenly, I grew curious about these ‘bulletproof boy scouts’. I started to gently include BTS songs within my girl group rotation. Finally, in May, I watched the Butter music video, and the second I saw rainbow highlights, Jimin? Oh, it was over for me. Turns out he was that same blonde-haired member who captivated me at the Grammys. The Jimin effect is real, and I am living proof.
But here’s the thing: it wasn’t just Jimin’s angelic voice and superstar glow that drew me in (though they absolutely played a part). It was the group’s lyricism and artistic drive that ignited my inner creative flow. After watching several of their performances and reading the English translations of their lyrics, I realised that these seven artists not only motivated me to dance but also taught me how to love myself through their messages of self-love and respect for others.
What started as curiosity transformed into passion—and eventually, into purpose. While taking a spontaneous Stony Brook University podcasting course, I decided that instead of merely creating a show concept, I wanted to try and produce one. After all, my favourite artists are producers of not only music but also fully fledged series like SUGA’s youtube chat show ‘Suchwita’. If they could make their own meaningful magic shops full of introspective conversations, why can’t I?
I pitched a K-pop podcast to my professor called K-ALL, dedicated to highlighting the full spectrum of Korean artistry from K-pop hits to hidden indie gems. In true ARMY fashion, I created a very persuasive slideshow with the most intricate details on how I’d bring this show to life and who I’d want to share the platform with. My professor was floored and connected me to a female-run podcasting network called Emerald Media to pitch my show to. All it took was one look at my show deck, and they selected me to join amongst their other audio originals like The Royals of Malibu. I figured podcasting is a unique way for artists to deep dive into their discography and have a genuine conversation about what they do.
What I adore about the podcast is that I am able to talk to all kinds of industry professionals: entertainment journalists, K-pop groups, producers, songwriters, interpreters, solo artists and K-rock and indie bands. I named the show “K-ALL” because I believe K-pop is an umbrella term for a multitude of sounds. K-pop is truly a prime example of cultural hybridity, as it involves the back-and-forth exchange of music, lyrics, and styles from all walks of life. The “ALL” allows for anyone to be welcome to share a love of music, whether they guest on the show or lovingly add to the discussion in the comment section.
Nojamsjournaling is your place to show off your articles, from interviews with idols to events. How did you get into writing and creating your own corner of the internet to document the journey?
Angel: I actually started “Nojamsjournaling” in 2021 alongside my BTS journey. Their music really reignited my creative flow. Early posts will reveal that this Instagram account actually began as a bullet journaling page! I remember crafting away for hours on bujo designs dedicated to Jimin’s Serendipity and even my exploration into other boy groups like TXT.
As it evolved and I evolved, it started to change from a bullet journaling account to a curation of everything I love musically to now exhibiting my professional written pieces, interviews, event coverage, KCCNY collaborations—and of course, my continued fan-centric reels! I have always been a creative being, so I decided NojamsJournaling was the perfect platform to showcase whatever direction my creative flow was taking me in. I don’t believe we should ever put ourselves in a box, but rather stack on top of it until you build a tower of accomplishments that you’re truly proud of.
What is the most exciting aspect of writing about concerts and being in the centre of such a bustling industry?
Angel: The most exciting aspect about concert coverage for me is reliving the moments of artist-to-fan interaction. There is something so sacred about a musician singing on stage and the audience chanting back each lyric with pure euphoria. It’s a moment where multiple hearts combine as one, pulsating synchronously to each song. I really love revisiting my concert footage as I write so that the reader experiences the event vicariously.
Many of us fall back in love with our creative tendencies after discovering a group. Was that your case with BTS?
Angel: Absolutely! Thanks to the shining septet, I have launched a variety of projects: The Bangtan Database, Nojams Journaling, K-ALL, and my first YouTube venture, Angel Dawn Reacts. I was always cautious of putting myself out there before I got into BTS, but their music and self-expression really encouraged me to spread my wings and fly. BTS motivates me to do everything that I do, quite honestly.
Whenever I want to take a break, I listen to one of their songs and remember all that they did to achieve their dreams. They’ve touched my heart not just through their music, but through their words, their laughter, their simple moments and their genuine passion for what they do. As long as I am able to keep creating, I will, and I truly thank BTS for teaching me to love myself and speak for myself in every situation. It’s how I got to where I am today.
Being a big fan of K-pop, you’ve curated your socials to reflect your fangirl side alongside the profession. Have you ever felt the need to conceal or tone it down to feel like you can be taken seriously?
Angel: Honestly, not at all. My professionalism speaks for itself through the quality of my output. Because I approach every project with such high stakes, I’ve established a foundation of trust that makes my ‘fangirl’ label an asset rather than a liability.
I actually think we need to reframe the concept of a ‘fangirl.’ To be an expert in your field, shouldn’t you be a fan of what you’re doing? It’s the fan who has the drive to conduct the most in-depth research for an interview. It’s the fan who can write a truly informed piece for a smaller artist just starting out. Only a fan knows a group well enough to help its personalities reach the masses. If the world were run by ‘fangirls’, I think we’d get things done a lot faster.
To those within the profession who are balancing the two, what have you found works for you in your approach to interviewing and posting about your appreciation for musicians, etc.?
Angel: I’ve started viewing myself as a ‘K-Pop scholar’. I got that term from a journalist I interviewed (the lovely Nicole Fell from The Hollywood Reporter), and it resonated with me. To succeed, you have to go beyond just consuming the music and start critically engaging with it. My journey from connoisseur to professional made me realise I’m an essential pillar in one of the most effective cultural systems the world has ever seen. I’m not just a spectator; I’m helping shape how K-pop is understood and shared. So, don’t conceal that inner fangirl—embrace it. It’s exactly what makes you stand out.
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And being in an industry such as K-pop, for those unsure how to navigate it, what advice would you give that you feel has worked for you?
Angel: There’s a saying that goes, “Never let them know your next move.” Instead, I live by “Never let me know my next move.” I’ve gotten this far by embracing new opportunities rather than shying away from them. If I had been too afraid to try a new venture, my proudest projects would have never come to fruition. I never planned on starting a podcast. I would have never expected that to be my next move, but here I am doing it full-time!
Looking ahead, what would be the biggest goal to achieve on your platform?
Angel: My biggest goal is and will forever be to interview BTS. I want to thank them for moulding me into a better human. Their lyrics have truly made up the brightest stars in the constellation of my life.
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