Adults say that we have it so easy.
They say I'm on my way to happiness.
Then how do you explain my unhappiness?
There are no conversation topics other than studying.
Outside, there are so many kids like me, living the life of a puppet
Who will take responsibility?

In 2013, the group came out with what's now known as the 'school trilogy'—three albums that dissected the expectations society have for the youth BTS speak about their own experiences as young people, criticising the school system and its demands. At the time, the eldest member Jin was only 21, and Jungkook was just 15 years old.

The world scares me, just let it stop.
Thoughts fill my mind, so I throw my future instead.
I don’t fit the horoscope and standards of success.
Thanks to that, my worries spread like cancer, god damn it.

From their eponymous album, this track is sung by Suga. The rapper contemplates happiness and expectations versus reality. A deeply introspective song, it serves as the introductory piece to the album, setting the tone for one of the group's most heartful releases to date. 

My heart is running on time, alone on the Snowpiercer.
I want to go to the other side of Earth, holding your hand, put an end to winter.
How much should my longings fall like snow...
Before the days of spring return, friend?

A long-time fan favourite, Spring Day is perhaps the group's most touching song from their entire discography. Written to commemorate the Sewol Ferry disaster (which took the lives of 304 people), BTS offers a layered lyricism that uses spring as a symbol for hope, life, and better days.

In the quote above, they also make use of a 'Snowpiercer' imagery—a fictional train that circles the globe in post-apocalyptic earth trapped in an eternal winter. You may have heard of it from Oscar-winning Best Director Bong Joon-ho's movie of the same name starring Chris Evans.

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It’s alright to not have a dream...
Who says a dream must be something grand?
Just become anybody.
We deserve a life.
Whatever big or small, you are you after all.

From the album Love Yourself: Tear, Paradise is all about accepting the simplicity of life and the possibility of joy in small things. Reminding listeners that letting go of trying to achieve unattainable goals may be a way to accepting oneself, the song taps into an all too familiar burden we all struggle with—the pursuit of happiness.

See also: 11 Inspiring Netflix Documentaries To Make 2021 Your Healthiest, Happiest Year Yet

Why do you keep trying to hide under your mask?
Even all the scars from your mistakes make up your constellation...
The me of yesterday, the me of today, the me of tomorrow,
(I’m learning how to love myself)
With no exceptions, it’s all me.

Another track from the Love Yourself series, this song talks about the difficulty of accepting yourself. The song's message closely resembles the group's campaign of the same name with UNICEF. 

See also: BTS Makes History As The World's Best Selling Artists Of 2020

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.

In Epiphany, Jin shares his struggles with anxiety and accepting himself. Due to its beautiful arrangement, Jin's silky vocals, and deeply touching lyrics, this song is a favourite of many BTS fans the world over.

See also: Practicing Self-Care Through The Five Love Languages

One light is ambition; some light is rebellion.
People's lights—all are precious.
The deeper the night, the brighter the starlight.

From Map of the Soul: Persona, Mikrokosmos speaks on the value of each person and the innate brightness they carry. One of the symbols BTS have repeatedly used in their albums is the image of a constellation—a million small stars (people) coming together to create something beautiful and eternal. Watch their performance on Jimmy Fallon in the video above!

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One day when this cheer dies down, stay...
Stay by my side.
Longer than seven summers and cold winters,
Longer than numerous promises and memories.

This subunit track from real-life best friends Jimin and V is a great anthem to listen to with your BFF. The duo speaks about their unique bond, hoping that after all the fame and glory have faded, their friendship will remain strong. Who doesn't feel the same way about their closest friend? 

See also: The De Villepins On Their Long Friendship With South Korean Artist Myonghi Kang

One day, the world stopped, without any warning...
Streets erased of footprints; I lie here, fallen to the ground.

There's no end in sight
Is there a way out?

Like an echo in the forest,
The day will come back around.
As if nothing happened,
Yeah, life goes on...

Even the world's biggest boy band wasn't immune from the throes of loneliness brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. With all their tours and concerts cancelled BTS decided to circle back and release an entirely self-produced and self-composed album. The first single from BE was Life Goes On which spoke about the loss of self and security during these difficult times. 

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