When thinking about Kim Namjoon, one of the first things that comes to ARMYs’ minds is his love of nature, animals, and particularly trees. This is such a distinctive characteristic that the term “Namjooning” was coined —alluding to spending time in nature, among other thoughtful activities that make our lives happier.
However, he is associated with trees in a variety of ways. For example, the spelling of his name in Japanese, Na-mu-ju-n, led that side of the fandom to give him the nickname Namu, which coincidentally means tree in Korean. Additionally, he also owns many bonsai trees, each of them with its own name. He was even seen taking one with him during the filming of “In The Soop.” And of course, just like he did on that show, he’s known for enjoying hiking in nature as well.
With all these associations, it shouldn't come as a surprise that he would also use trees as a metaphor for himself and his own growth.
We are like a tree
On a VLive Livestream back in 2016, Namjoon shared that he had spoken to a counselor, Mr. Ju, that helped him deal with his feelings since there had been a lot on his mind. Mr. Ju offered advice in the shape of a nature influenced metaphor.
Image credit: https://www.vlive.tv/video/17820
We can think of ourselves as a tree, while our thoughts are branches of our young days, which hurt and confuse us as they grow. However, these branches don’t stay the same throughout the years; they can be pruned as we become older. Eventually, we can become adults, along with the thoughts we’ve cultivated, and become a great, big tree.
Being the considerate person he is, Namjoon decided to share this story with ARMYs, in case it could help someone that felt similarly. This message was especially intended for young people who are just starting life and still trying to make sense of themselves and the world around them. The conflicting emotions, constant new experiences, as well as concerns over the person one will become, are common worries of the youth. This kind of message, of course, goes hand in hand with BTS’ ongoing mission of giving solace to the youth in their times of struggle.
However, even if this message was originally intended for young people, it still resonates with us, no matter our age. At any stage of life, we are still afflicted by our thoughts, the kind of person we are and will become. Once more, BTS validates our feelings and comforts us. Empathy has always been one of their most appreciated characteristics after all.
We can become great trees
There’s value in storytelling. Stories are a great instrument to teach lessons that might be difficult to understand in other ways. Just like how Mr. Ju guided Namjoon with this metaphor, he helped ARMYs, giving us a new tool to make sense of our confusing thoughts and lives. We were comforted by knowing that we are not alone in feeling this way, but we could also start applying these ideas to our own lives.
The tree metaphor can go a long way. First, it teaches us to take care of our thoughts and our emotions — pruning them — and to consider them as a part of our growth. Second, it teaches us resilience. We can get better at dealing with our difficult thoughts and emotions as we continue growing for a long time like trees do. Finally, even if it’s not a direct lesson from the story, Namjoon taught us that it’s healthy to get counseling and ask for help. In fact, all of the BTS members have continued to reinforce this message through the years.
Namjoon is becoming a great tree
Just a few days ago, in his letter to send off 2020 and welcome the New Year, Namjoon briefly revisited the tree metaphor. After what was one of the most challenging years in recent memory, he found himself struggling with many thoughts again. They were like branches that kept on coming back even when he pruned them. His conclusion on that particular day was that he still had a long way to go to become a great tree.
Through 2020, the BTS members’ honesty and acknowledgment of their struggles has been a source of strength for ARMY. This isn’t the first time Namjoon wrote his thoughts and shared them with us, but there are still valuable lessons to take away. In these letters, he examines his complicated feelings, openly recognizes his negative thoughts, and finally expresses his hope for the struggles not to be in vain. This exercise is a good way of pruning his branches, and we could all put it in practice as well.
Image credit: encurtador.com.br/loxy4
Yes, he still has a long way to go to become a great tree; it’s his lifetime journey. But he has grown so much since that VLive Livestream back in 2016. Namjoon, along with the rest of BTS, has helped countless people by sharing a bit of himself so candidly. He has paved the way for ARMYs to follow his example and become a beautiful forest of great trees.
Namjoons’s long journey to become a great tree has not been in vain.
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Written by: Rebeca
Edited by: Vera
Checked by Mheer
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