Recently, I was reminded of how beautiful music is and the kind of impact it has had in my life. More importantly, I was reminded of the ways music brought about some of my friendships.

The other day I was texting with my friend and we began talking BlessTheFall, a band that I was really into in middle school and for a while in high school. For my friend, BlessTheFall was never that noteworthy until recently. Our talk of BlessTheFall led to a conversation about Escape The Fate. My mind was suddenly reminded of what I refer to as my "rock phase” at the mention of that band. It’s been so long since I’ve heard their music that I couldn’t help but be flooded of their songs and the memories attached to them. My "rock phase” has now be intercepted by my KPOP craze, yet I still love both.

Nostalgia is beautiful when there’s music involved. Mine included memories of when I met with one of my friends. We bonded over our shared love of Escape The Fate. I recalled all the times we went to the park and just listened to music. He would share a earphone with me and more often than not, it was his playlist we listened to. I miss those days, where you could just bond with someone over music. Where words were not needed, only lyrics were. I still remember his obsession of Your Favorite Martian and how while I liked those songs, I couldn’t understand his obsession. Oh how time passes by! Now, my music taste has broaden its horizons.

My best friend introduced me to KPOP, the genre I’ve been hooked on since I discovered it. Unlike my other friend, we didn’t really have the same tastes apart from just “KPOP.” We liked some of the same songs but the groups that caused my obsession did not do the same for her. I fell deep in love with Super Junior and she with EXO. Neither of us liked each other’s, but it was okay. I still loved the fact that I had someone to relate to. I have someone to share that love with and that’s all that matters. Now, we both are in love with BTS. Although she still couldn’t understand why I was upset when they came to Newark and I wasn’t able to go. Still, we can both share an irrational love.

KPOP united another friend and I in college. We were able to bond over our love and it was she who brought about my love of BIG BANG and (some) ballad. If anything, KPOP is all we talk about. Her tastes are different too. She is a huge fan of ballads while I have a hard time really getting into them. It’s ironic really, all three of us love KPOP but really, that is just an umbrella name for we all belong to different genres. Even so, a bond was formed.

It’s okay that we all have different tastes because the essentials are still there. Music is the love of our lives and what continues to bring us closer. Music is beautiful and can be life changing. All we need is love? No. All we need is music, love will come after.