[Opinion] N.O. to Studying?

At the risk of sounding very, very nerdy and... old, I present this entry. Be aware that this is entirely my own opinion.

I was flipping through KBSworld Youtube page, and was trying to watch Song Ji Eun's performance of Music Bank  except the part I that speed-buffered was halfway through Bangtan Boy's song entitled N.O. and I was.... mildly insulted by their theme.

Bangtan Boys (I'll call them BTS henceforth because that is their acronym, I believe) is one of the hottest rookies these past few months. Vomit-inducing stage names aside (like Rap Monster and J-Hope, excuse me for judging them based on the shallowest aspect), these young 'uns have been consistently performing songs that encourage their peers to not conform to general public expectations. Like....

Feel free to skip schools.
Why do we need to go to university?
What the hell is expensive cars and stable jobs are for?

Insert me and a jaw drop here.

I hope these kids are very young, because there is no way a normal youth/young adult/adult would sound so.... immature. So I took it upon myself to Google them up, and apparently the oldest is 21 and the youngest is 16. That... explains a lot actually.

I don't believe that school/university is a total waste of time. In fact, education can happen anywhere. But to blatantly dismiss a proven method of learning sounds very idealistic to me. Depending on the field you're pursuing, of course. Practicalities aside, there's always the technicalities that you have to learn of.

In my case, if a doctor relies only on books and dismisses the patients, then your practical skills rust away and you become very awkward at doing things that should only take 30 seconds (burn at this statement, self, you know it's for you). But you can't spot patients in need if you don't have basic knowledge about the diseases itself, so you still need to hit them darn books. It goes both ways, like a relationship :p

Which is why I was miffed at the song. It almost feels like they're dissing us the mere mortals who decidedly like studying, simply because we are doing things that conform to the society's expectations. Meanwhile, they are super cool because they are unpredictable and they choose their own paths in life.

Excuse me, you babies, I chose this kind of education, so don't patronize me. I may grumble every 30 seconds about said education, but it doesn't change the fact that it's something that I chose and I will darn well excel in this. Or... at least try to stay alive XD

Perhaps the way Korean parents are so darn uptight about education and public triumphs mold these kids into these rebellious children (yes, I will classify them as children, bite me). I get the vibe that they'll oppose their parents over every single thing, regardless of whether it is a good thing or not. Maybe I'm too pessimistic or cynical, and over-thinking it. I am of the belief that the elders are wiser, they know more, having been living here on Earth longer than I do, and it's worth it to insert their opinions into equations when doing something. I don't need to blindly follow them, there's a reason agreeing to disagree is an art. Making an informed decision is the key. How can you say you're covering all the bases when you reject an aspect that other people brings up at face value?

But since it's a Korean thing; to rank first in everything, it may explain why these rebellions exist. To be the prettiest, the wealthiest, the brainiest; almost like a chaebol. True chaebols are a dying breed in Korea, and now money rules all. Parents, older but maybe none the wiser, keeps on pressuring their child to be the best and not expecting anything lesser. I never understood it, and I probably will never, but this is probably the reason why N.O. exists.

And I'm a bit scared at the rate of new groups Kpop keep churning out with, because why would these people skip normal teen life just to earn money fast? I mean, I watch/read enough to know that idols/singers don't even make enough money for the first 2 years at least in the idoldom. They're actually in the negative during the first few years, especially if the public don't support them at least financially by buying albums and merchandises. It's common knowledge that the money comes from CFs and concerts, as opposed to albums and whatnot. And let's not even talk about the crazy workload, crazy working conditions, crazy contracts, and crazy fans. Feel free to add more crazy ______ after that.

Plus lately the idol wave is starting to wilt; public seemingly to appreciate the soloists more. Which... is probably a reason why K-companies are more adamant about World Domination :O Everything; the concepts, the images, the lyrics; they're all garnered to suck their claws into fangirls and not let them leave forever. Don't get me wrong, I love me idols, but lately the fans are all the young 'uns who can't even appreciate differences in opinions even online.

I'm not even articulating this issue properly. I should sleep. And maybe sort out my train of thoughts. :/

In the meantime, BTS gets a minus from me, especially because they advocate skipping school. I don't love school all that much, but even I know that it helps in shaping my soft skills. Then again, these kids are the ones who are passionate about performing on stages, not to be strapped and restricted by common society. That makes me a total opposite of them.

(AND HOW CAN I EVEN STAN KIDS WHO ARE BARELY LEGAL, FOREVER JUDGING MY FRIENDS FOR THIS) 

Misogyny, my ass.

Disclaimer: This is going to be a long, angry post. You have been warned. Stay off this page if you're unable to accept that people are allowed to have different opinions to yours.

Misogyny.

Defined as hatred or dislike of women or girls.

Trust people to freak the fuck out of this song. Apparently it's disgusting and full of misogyny.

Dude.

Newsflash: I have nothing against people who don't cover themselves up. Especially if they're not Muslims. Because covering yourself up FOR A MUSLIM, while remains as a must, is also something a girl must do with her own conviction. Otherwise that fiery passion will crumble halfway. I do try to nudge people along, because I love and care for them, but in the end they have to decide they want to do it, for themselves.

I also don't judge them, because I have no freakin idea of their internal monologue, their inner thoughts. They have been educated by their parents and molded by their environment, which makes them who they are. This is where husnu 'dzon comes into the picture. Always seeing people in their best light. Don't think negatively of them.

How does someone admonishing you for overexposure translates to insecurity and reflects their need for control? Maybe it's a liberal and open-minded thing to expose all you want according to how you want to, but there's a level of modesty and dignity and social cues that people should take heed of. You're not the only person living in this world. Men get all heated up and lusty seeing the boobies. Girls huff about blaming the men for the hormones, declaring that men shouldn't look at them with those naughty eyes.

DUDE. YOU ARE TEMPTING THEM. That's why they are watching. That's why porn exist. They don't have the same anatomical familiarity, of course they're going to stare. It's the same way how pervy fangirls fan themselves and declare proudly that their panties are wet or [insert variations of this sentence] whenever the men do sinful hiprolls, wear super fucking tight pants that reveals all the bulges and the bubble peaches.

It's the law of attraction. Why are men misogynist and women oppressed when men want someone they treasure and love to be exclusive to themselves, but when women ogle over the men then it's okay? Fucking hypocrites. Don't even lie, girls are even better when it comes to giving the once-over covertly. Men are obvious. Their eyes go up and down. Women are experts at checking out people. Excellent 360-degree vision field. I can say this because I know I do it. (And I'm not proud of it, and I do try to control myself.)

Let me break this down according to MY RELIGIOUS VIEWS.

My religion wants the men and the women to lower their eyes. Women to cover up so that men understands that these XXs are to be treated with respect. Both parties are to be responsible. Their bodies are exclusive. Only special and selected ones are gifted with these exclusive privileges.

The message my religion wants to convey?

You're special.

You're precious.

You are your own master.

Either people welcome it or they push it away, or maybe interpret it the way they want to (thus the need for a good teacher to help along the way maybe).

This is why I don't watch MVs. This is why I don't watch variety shows (much). This is why I don't watch music broadcasts. These groups of men and women sing about love, sex, breakups, society and whatever that rocks their boats and sells its visual with sexual innuendos. Always.

I don't judge people who watch them, I just prefer to ignore them- the materials, I mean. Not the people.

Now let's talk about ~misogyny~, as per how I see it as, according to my bringing up, and my religious belief.

Ever had that annoying little brother who always tell you you're wearing too little? I do. My brother is even more particular about my clothes, because I am a potential blackhole for them; my actions can bring the men in my house either closer or farther from Hell's Door later in the Afterlife. I remember being scolded BY MY BROTHER about my clothes a few years ago. Not in the mean way, even. Just a simple "Your clothes are too much of a see-through". I was annoyed. My clothes, my body. Now that I'm older (and hopefully wiser), I understand that my body is my responsibility, and that means my spot in Heaven is all on me. My brother is being a GOOD brother for telling me.

Which is weird because I can turn a blind eye everytime my mom nags me about how my pants is too tight or my veil doesn't fully cover my chest. Sure, I'd feel bad, but my fashion is my fashion. I guess it's genetically wired into us to oppose our parents.

Again, now that I'm older, I'm even much more conservative as to how I dress at home (yeah feel free to gasp and let your jaw drop or something) because what I wear is going to be what my brothers see. I have three brothers. They're all at various stages of puberty. I know they know about sex. I know they know about porn. I know they imagine and fantasize about womanly curves. I'd rather my body stays mine, even if we're family. All it takes are mental images.

(I'm not as particular with my girlfriends though. We all have the same thing anyway. I do observe the religious limitations between women, however.)

In the end, I don't even know what I want people to understand. Covering up doesn't mean you're traditional and boring and geeky and insecure. Asking your loved ones to cover up is not a sign that you hate women and their awesome blossoming physicality, nor does it makes you a possessive asshole who wants us women to be forever oppressed.

Islam encourages females to be leaders, to make movements in the bigger scope of life. We even get to do it without resorting to manipulate men's fatal weakness for our bodies, again, the purpose of covering up. Not saying that men are horny 24/7 though. I want men to acknowledge me for my awesome abilities to live life with dignity. I want them to look at my eyes, not to my boobs. I don't want to give my body in exchange for respect and attention.

That to say, I have no problem with people who thinks of their exposure as a weapon, or as a privilege. Feel free to flash your body or dress the way you want to. It doesn't diminish my respect for you, because I understand that we are different. Husnu 'dzon, they say.

Like I said, my life is not just bounded by what I want. My life is a gift, and an investment. My life doesn't stop the moment I drop dead and my body gets stuffed six feet under. My life right now will continue later in the Afterlife, and what I do right now will determine how I spend the rest of my Afterlife.

I don't know if anyone is going to read this, but PLAY NICE. This is my opinion after all. Feel free to flame me, but I like stimulating conversation (I'll be pissed, but I'll be mature about it). Don't worry, I'm really, really good when it comes to agreeing to disagree. Wonder why people can't extend the same courtesy to me.

And yes, my opinion is largely based on my religious belief. Don't question that. You can ask me to elaborate though. I didn't spend 5 years studying extra religious subjects in High School just to bend my opinions for those who doesn't see my religion the way I do. And I do admit that I'm not the best Muslim, or even a decent one, but I know I'm trying to be better.

Trust Kpop to make me come out of my shell. Now I'm wondering how South Korean's Confucian roots view their females as. Then again, a large portion of SK don't particularly brand themselves as a member of organized religion anymore, so it might be a moot point.

PS: Ignore grammatical errors, or feel free to point it out if you're anal about it the way I do. It's 1AM and I'm supposed to be studying for Paediatric exams tomorrow... oh wait it's today.