*circa 2015

BTS had an interview on a TV show which features many kpop idols every week. The questions will focus on your recent album(s) and tour. The interview started like any other -- you'd introduce yourselves and calmly and honestly answer questions. Unfortunately, the host had another agenda in mind: attacking your gender identity.

BTS Outfits:

YOUR OUTFIT:

YOUR HAIR:

*INTERVIEW START*

MC: Hello everyone! I'm your host with the most, and we are here with some young boys who have stolen the hearts of young kpop fans everywhere. It's BTS! Please introduce yourselves.

BTS: 2, 3. BANGTAN! HELLO WE'RE BTS!

MC: Alright! Could you go down the line and introduce yourselves individually. Starting with you Rap Monster.

RM: I'm Rap Monster, the leader of this group. Nice to meet you guys. (he chuckles)

JH: I'm your hope. J-Hope! (throws up a peace sign)

SG: Hello everyone. It's Min Suga. (he kisses his fingertips and sends a flying kiss towards the camera)

BTS: (bursts out with laughter)

RM: (cringes at Suga's action)

JK: Hi. Nice to meet you I'm Jungooo! (he waves with his bunny smile)

SJ: Hello. I'm Jin. 

JM: Hi, I'm Jimin. (smiles and waves at the camera)

TH: And I'm V! (holds up a 'V' with his fingers)

YOU: Hello I'm Milo.

MC: Alright! Yes. Now that you're all introduced, let's talk about your new albums. The Most Beautiful Moment in Life. What is the theme of this album?

RM: (nervously shows his dimples) Yeah, so, I think for these albums we really want to portray youth. With our songs and our music video I NEED U, I think we really showed what youth means to us, from relationships to school to feeling insecure with oneself to being pressured by society. All of those things represent youth. And so, we think that The Most Beautiful Moment in Life is this time that all of us are experiencing -- and that older generations have experienced themselves.

MC: So you're saying that the most beautiful moment is your youth? Being a young person?

RM: Yes.

MC: Okay, that's interesting. Well, you all are very handsome young men--

BTS: Thank you.

MC: And I'm sure older people like myself wish we could go back to our beautiful moments, without all the wrinkles and whatnot.

BTS: (laughs at his joke)

MC: Um, so let's talk about being a young person. Do you guys-- are you guys in relationships? Do you guys still feel pressure from society? Are you insecure?

BTS: (looks at each other to determine who will speak first)

MC: Anyone?

JH: W-Well no. None of us are in relationships.

MC: None of you?

BTS: (shakes head) No.

MC: Do you have someone you like? Any celebrity crushes?

RM: (looks towards a shy Jungkook) C'mon. You have one, don't you?

JK: (wide-eyed) Huh?

BTS: (laughter)

JM: He likes a singer.

JK: I like... IU sunbaenim.

MC: Ooh, she's wonderful! OK. So since everyone seems to be single, what about anxiety? Have any of you battled with that? You have a song called 'Nevermind' which talks about facing troubles but never giving up.

..

Suga explains his intentions behind writing the song and shares his personal stories with the MC. After a few general questions about creating the albums, vocal lessons, and rapping, the interview turns in another direction.

..

MC: These albums give a more manly-man feel, even from your previous piece of work 'Dark&Wild'. Fans can see in your videos how much more tough and manly you've become, from the clothes you wear to the choreography. I'm curious, who's the manliest of the group?

BTS: (more relaxed since the beginning of the interview, members eye each other and crack small inside jokes every now and then)

JM: Can I say that I think RM hyung has been the manliest since the beginning.

JH: Yaahh so manly!

JM: (gives RM a thumbs up)

RM: Th-Thanks Jimin.

YOU: (you lean forward, looking around Taehyung's body as you're seated at the end of the line far from Namjoon who sits beside the MC) Oh, woww.

RM: I think Taehyungie is pretty manly these days, even though he's also small and cute.

TH: (smiles and winks at the camera)

YOU: (smiles at Tae's cuteness)

MC: Who's the least manly? (he asks while eyeing you)

JK: Mmm... Jimin-ssi.

JM: (cracks up and looks over at JK) Me?

JK: (shows his bunny teeth and looks at Jimin) Because you're short. And--

JM: Because I'm short?!

JH: Jiminie has a lot of natural aegyo.

JK: Yes. And... but the only manly thing about him is his abs. His face is like a baby.

BTS: (chuckles)

MC: Hm. I thought you guys would've said Milo... hm.

YOU: (your heart flutters) Me?

RM: Milo?

MC: Yeah, because... (looks at his TV crew with a blank stare, then chuckles while looking down at his cards) she's a girl.

YOU: (your heart sank to the pit of your stomach)

RM: Well.

SG: THEY are also a guy, so what are you trying to say?

BTS: (a few uncomfortable eyes look towards management, then towards Suga)

MC: (chuckles) Ah... this generation. Nevermind. Let's talk about performing. How do you feel when you perform?

RM: Um, when we perform its the greatest feeling. I can speak for all of us that when we see the crowd cheering and clapping and smiling, it gives us lots of energy. We love it. (his eyes get huge as he waits for the next question)

MC: And I'm sorry but I just have to ask. Milo... is it weird performing with a group of guys?

RM: (bites his tongue and sighs)

BTS: (you feel the members glance at you)

YOU: Well, I'm a guy so why would it be? (you fold your arms, feeling annoyed with this MC's constant infatuation with your gender)

MC: No, I mean actual men.

YOU: (you can feel your hands shaking and sweat appearing on your forehead as you're not able to defend yourself because of you're slight shyness)

SG: Actually, Milo is an actual man. And woman. It's called being gender non-binary.

MC: Non-binary -- all these fancy terms. It makes no sense. (looks at his staff) If you're a man you're a man; if you're a woman you're a woman.

JK: (stares with open mouth)

SJ: It's not that simple. If Milo feels like--

MC: Don't try to explain it. There's just certain things she can't do because she's a girl.

SG: Is that so? (he asks with much attitude)

MC: Yes and I-I'm not saying that women can't do as much as men. I'm saying... look at your lyrics. Since you're a boy band, it's no surprise your lyrics talk about having romantic feelings for a girl. Isn't it weird for you to be singing about needing a girl? Unless... you're lesbian.

YOU: It's not weird. It's no different than singing about a boy.

..

By this time, the TV staff have stopped the camera rolling and signaled for the host to stop talking. BigHit staff are speaking with the camera team, looking very serious. A nervous staff member quickly comes up to you all and takes off your mics. The MC scoffs while standing up.

..

MC: I hope I didn't make anyone mad, but these are questions that fans are curious about.

BTS: (all look towards our staff, seeing a red-faced manager)

SG: Fan questions? Yeah right. (he mumbles, clearly agitated)

Manager: Sorry, but that'll be all today. BTS won't be able to continue the interview. We're going to leave.

..

You're all motioned to stand up and leave the studio. The maknaes look pretty shook, but everyone is confused and uncomfortable. You leave the studio with managers by your side. Tears fill your eyes and you try to blink them back as you walk to the green room. As soon as everyone steps foot into the room and the doors are closed, your waterfall begins, but you quickly wipe your tears and go to one corner of the room.

..

Manager: Everyone pack up your things. We're heading back to the dorm once I clear things with the director.

BTS crowd around you to see if you're okay. Namjoon, Hobi and Suga are the first ones by your side.

JH: Don't cry. Don't cry. (he pats your back)

RM: Milo, I'm sorry I couldn't defend you more. That MC was really ignorant. Seriously ignorant.

YOU: You did nothing wrong. (you wipe your tears with your head down, embarrassed at your low state)

SG: Seriously, that dude was spewing stupidity from his mouth. He calls himself an MC? He better find another job quick.

YOU: Why the hell was he trying to assume my sexuality? Like a girl can't sing about a girl?

RM: Honestly, don't think about any of that stuff. People are ignorant because they don't understand, and because they refuse to educate themselves with what's going on with the youth today. Just clear it out of your mind, Milo.

JM: Wh-What matters is that we're here for you, and we respect who you are. (he says from behind Hobi)

SJ: Yeah, kids. We should pack up and get going. Milo, you're strong.

Your members start to disperse to their bags as you're left on the couch to pull yourself together. You just hated when someone questioned your gender. Yes, it's confusing to come to terms with being both male and female, but it's not that confusing. All you wanted was respect. You were in a boy band after all, so clearly one part of your physical being passed the masculine test, but the other part would still grant odd looks from the kpop world. You just wanted to be accepted for who you are.