Jaypeee

This was at the end of the article but I want to write it first:

One thing that needs to be made clear about this album is that, no matter how much the rumour mill is trying to spin it, it is by no means the end of the successful band. "Oh, I'm not leaving BTS. Absolutely not. This is the first time I'm launching a solo project like this, so I'm trying to stand up and take my first steps. But I'm ambitious and I have willpower. So I don't want to miss the opportunity to do both. So I will try my best not to lose control and steer these two ships at the same time. A lot of bands split up and fall apart, but I hope that doesn't happen to BTS. I just love the music, I love my job, I love the band members and I love myself. If I can keep both projects going, I think it can be something legendary in the long run".

Other important parts of the article:

"The k-pop industry hasn't stopped growing since we debuted with BTS [in 2013]. It's become a lot more complex and has brought a lot more people into its structures. I think there are a lot of lights, but also some slippery shadows. Many of us started our careers very early as a group: we slept and lived together as teenagers. We became a real family, which is great, but this culture has also affected me a lot, because sometimes I find it difficult to be treated as an adult who has autonomy in his decisions. I'm perceived as just another cog in the crew, in the context of a mass phenomenon",

Did you ever feel like you were getting completely lost in this delirium of success? "I used to think so, but the funny thing is that I am fully aware that it was my own choice to devote myself to the k-pop industry. Nobody pushed me into it. But yes, I have lost myself at times. Although perhaps saying this is an excess of 'self-empathy'. There is no answer. Except that, if k-pop is about recharging the batteries of a mass audience and I'm responsible for doing that recharging, then I have to keep my feet firmly on the ground. As an adult, as a musician and as a human being. And these ten years of my career have helped me define who I am and learn to love myself. But I'm still in that process, you know? All these internal struggles will be recorded on records and videos," he explains.

"Music is really necessary for the world, but, when it comes to my music, sometimes I feel like I'm producing something unnecessary. If I were to die tonight, I don't think anything would change. It might matter to some people for a while, but a farmer or a street sweeper is more relevant to the functioning of society. When I ask myself about the role of our generation in historical terms, when I look at all the digital platforms and communities out there, I am overcome with confusion. There are a lot of people who don't want to think. They have frenetic lives and turn to music or television to escape, so the last thing they want is someone trying to lecture them from a pedestal. In that context, I wonder how I can make my music matter. I haven't found an answer yet, but I keep trying to bring my own perspective to it.

As to whether he is afraid that the army he has on Instagram (42.4 million followers) might one day turn against him for a silly mistake or a blunder, RM answers bluntly. "Yes, it scares me. It scares me 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When I was younger I tried to come across as a cool guy who doesn't give a shit what other people think, but I don't think that's right anymore. I care about the publicity dimension of my career and the influence I can have on others. It stresses me out, yes, but I think I can handle it. That's why I don't retire or do things like go out and drink the night away and then drive drunk. I'm human, I can make mistakes, but I will do everything in my power to be the best version of myself. One of the keys is to treat this job for what it is: a job. I don't think artists have any special rights or status.

Here we go @mommyofpinkears! I've been quite strict with the main list, only including fics that have Joon as a dad from the very start (read till the very end for bonus fics) and have excluded pregnancy AUs (I mean that's a whole new list in itself). If anyone has any fics to add to this list, please comment or DM or ask! I'd love to get more recs myself!

---

Always (@hollyxqx) [A,S] - the story of how almost divorced, disgraced idol kim namjoon tries to put his life back the way it was after the world found out he was married and had a kid.

Faith (ao3) (AndrastesChosen) [A,S,F] - It's time to let yourself believe in someone. You're probably an idiot for it, but you're going to put your faith in this man named Namjoon. (AKA You fall in love with underground rapper Namjoon and make a difficult choice so he can follow his dreams)

Somewhere between the lines (@caelesjjk) [A,S] - you can hardly wait for your date New Year’s Eve. It’s the first time you’ve felt confident enough to dress up with the intention of letting someone who isn’t your ex husband, undress you at the end of the night.

On with the show (@joheunsaram) [A,S,F] - Eight years after announcing their retirement, Dark & Wild seems to have been left behind. For Namjoon, he could never forget the time his dreams became a reality, and he’s determined to retake the charts by storm once again. Struggling with raising a teenage daughter, the loss of his wife and poor writing projects with terrible bands, he’s now had enough. So with a little help from the only remaining active fan site, he embarks on a mission to convince his bandmates that a comeback might not be the mid life crisis they think it is.

Goodnight Nabi (@sahmfanficbts) [A,S,F] - It’s been years since his Nabi (Butterfly) flew away with angel wings. Kim Namjoon meets you, a librarian at his daughter’s school, who reminds him of life’s beauty and love he’s sure he doesn’t deserve. It will take a strange convincing from the other world to help him let go of the past and embrace… you. The question remains: Is he ready?

Flat sprite and saltine crackers (@miscelunaaa) [F] - Being a parent on a normal day is a challenge. When you add a sudden stomach bug to the mix, you and your husband have to play in master mode.

Henry (@mooniyooni) [F] - A/N: This is basically a too-sweet throw up Dad!NJ drabble that made me giddy to write at 4am

Wrapped around (@herecomesjoon) [F] - Together, you made life, and in that moment, you were no longer the only girl in his life. (Also check out: Big Heart, Lessons & Please Hold)

July kiss (@personasintro) [F] - maybe there’s something magical about July

New Parent Syndrome (@1kook) [F,S] - You love Namjoon, honest. But you love your daughter Hyejoo even more— it’s not a controversial sentiment when you know he’s the same way! —and going back to a regular adult life sans kids absolutely sucks. (Or so you thought.)

Dilf (and love) (@yoonpobs) [F,S] - it’s been too long since you and namjoon had time to yourselves

Forever home by yours truly lol [S,F] - Namjoon’s love for your baby runs deeper than you could have ever imagined in your wildest dreams. When a hint of your own past shines through the cracks, will he be able to assure you that he’s here to stay?

---

Bonus mini list (a.k.a. fics where dad themes become apparent later) not to mention these are some of my absolute favourite fics of all time so I'm just looking for opportunities to rec them lol

Bear & Sparrow (@sahmfanficbts) [A,S,F] - Namjoon is an illegal alien, an immigrant looking to cross the border illegally, just like you. The journey is perilous. Will you both be able to make it?

Americano (@hamsterclaw) [A,S] - You’ve just opened your own cafe in a small suburban town. Namjoon owns the hardware store next door. He’s hot, he’s handy and suddenly you are in way over your head.

Guilty (epilogue) (@xjoonchildx) [S,F] - as the man at the top, kim namjoon has almost everything he wants. almost. could a familiar face from the past change his future?

he is just on another level of beautiful…🤍

+ joon.