The Soundtrack of Our Youth: When Twice Defined Our World
For many of us, the Twice discography isn’t just a collection of hits—it’s a chronological map of our emotional growth. When we were fifteen, songs like 'What is Love?' painted a picture of romance that felt as sweet as candy, a feeling of flying high above the clouds where the world appeared entirely beautiful. At that age, love was simple: it was tied to the rhythm of our favorite idols and the bright, infectious smiles of our bias group. During those formative years, academic pressure was balanced by the simple joy of supporting our idols, whether that meant pulling all-nighters at study cafes or pinning our academic milestones to the promise of attending a concert.
Milestones and Memories: Love as a Life Compass
Looking back at the career-defining timeline of our own lives, it is clear how much Twice influenced our trajectory. At nineteen, the motivation to excel in mock exams was fueled by the singular goal of seeing our idols on stage; at twenty and twenty-one, the drive to move to Seoul and pursue a career in the arts was an extension of that same love. In this sense, loving the group wasn't just a fandom activity—it was a strategic navigation tool. We pursued the things we loved, turning passion into an e-t-o-r-n-a-l milestone that shaped the people we have become today.
Love is not merely a sweet candy-coated dream; it is an enigmatic, at times painful, yet indispensable catalyst that forces us to reconcile our external expectations with our own internal growth.
The Mid-Twenties Crisis: When the Music Hits Differently
The transition into our early twenties often brings a harsh, unscripted reality. Around the age of twenty-two, the vibrant, candy-colored version of love we once danced to began to feel like a fading memory. The silence of loneliness replaced the melodies, and the existential question of 'What is love?' shifted from a catchy hook to a complex, math-like equation that seemed impossible to solve. Navigating this desert of solitude felt like a direct betrayal of the hopeful, high-flying promise Twice had once broadcast to our ears, leaving many of us to grapple with the realization that adulthood is rarely as rhythmic or joyful as a pop chorus.
Finding a New Compass in Literature
In the midst of this professional and personal crossroads—at the age of twenty-three, when everyone else seems focused on job hunting and career building—seeking the answer to love meant looking beyond the radio. This search led to Dolly Alderton’s memoir, 'Everything I Know About Love.' Much like a K-pop idol’s growth from a trainee to a seasoned pro, the book documents the raw, unpolished reality of a person stumbling through their teens and twenties. By reading about someone else's embarrassments, heartbreaks, and wanderings, the realization began to dawn: we are all works in progress, mirroring the way our favorite stars evolve through their own public-facing trials.
The Ultimate Realization: Loving the Internal Universe
The most profound takeaway from this period of deep reflection is the shift in perspective regarding self-love. For years, our emotional energy was directed entirely outward—toward idols, friends, and the external world. We realized, perhaps too late, that we were neglecting our own internal universe—our own personal galaxies and solar systems. As we mature, we start to understand that love is not just a destination or a feeling we receive from others; it is a foundational act we must perform for ourselves first. Even when the world feels like it is turning its back, the person standing in the mirror is the only one who stays.
Looking Toward an Exclamation Point
While the definitive answer to 'What is love?' remains elusive, it is no longer the frustrating question mark it once was. It is a dynamic, challenging, and essential part of life that can bring both tears and laughter. Embracing the uncertainty is part of the process, and as we look toward the future, we do so with the resolution to keep the self-love consistent. The complex, difficult lesson of love has finally started to illuminate the path forward. Ultimately, this journey isn't meant to end in a simple definition, but to be a story that finishes with a strong, confident exclamation point rather than a weary question mark.
Source Article: Read the original Korean news here
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