august || Taejin ✔✔

26. End

"It felt so good to be appreciated. It felt nice to be idolized. It felt even better when someone considered me as their role model. But honestly, it was scary. I was so scared to commit mistakes or for others to know the mistakes I committed. I was scared for others to know about my past. Or my secrets. Because I was afraid to be judged. I was afraid to disappoint the people who look up to me. I was afraid that it would affect my family. My career. My self. It was hard living up to others' expectations.

People think that making your own choices is disobedience. Keeping a secret is betrayal. Making mistakes is a failure. Your dark past defines you. Privacy is non-existent. Your mental health doesn't matter.

One thing people always forgot, I am human too. Just like you, I also commit mistakes. I make wrong decisions. I sometimes choose the wrong sides. I was not the ideal person people used to think I was. I was not perfect like how I was always described. Isn't it hard to live in a world of ideals?

I know my life is now an open book. It was revealed five years ago. I was fortunate that many took it positively. Considered to be some sort of bravery. I was glad. Though some took advantage to crush us down, in the end, the good won.

That past reminded me that I am human. That I am living. That I am a normal person. I have feelings and emotions too. I also get hurt. I also cry. I have fears. I have pains. I have problems. I have insecurities. I have faults. Just like you.

My past makes me stronger. It taught me lessons about life and moving on. It makes me hopeful for the future. It makes me trust the process of love and healing. It makes me patient and it strengthens my faith in the people who truly love and care for me.

My past doesn't define me. Same with you. What others think of me, whatever the narrative about me, will never define me as a person. I am confident, at ease, and content that as long as the people I love know who I am and the truth, I guess that is what matters.

Let me end my speech by reminding everyone that we only have one life to live. Do not let others dictate your life. Do not let them speak for you. Do not immerse yourself in the ideals of this world. I know it's easier said than done. And it's okay. That is when you learn. That is when you realized that your opinion matters too. Yourself is important too. Learn how to love yourself and don't give a fuck to what others perceive of you. Don't be afraid. Life goes on. I promise you.

Someone asked me, why did I choose to make a speech in a small school in the countryside? If you're not yet aware, this is where I met my husband. He is one of the people who believed and supported me through one of the hardest parts of my life. We lost in touch for so many years, but I was hoping we would see each other again. And we did. Now we are married.

It's just a reminder to stay hopeful. There's still something good in this world. Keep the people who sincerely trust and care for you. I hope you'll find yours soon."

Jin held Taehyung's hand as soon as they walked out of the convention center. Taehyung smiled as he stared at his husband's hand wrapped around his.

"I'm so proud of you." Jin softly said. Taehyung rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed by Jin's compliment. "That would be the first and the last. Speaking in front of the young students made me more nervous than speaking in front of the boards."

Jin giggled at Taehyung's remarks. Initially, when Taehyung was invited to speak about empowerment, he wanted to decline. He felt he wasn't the right person to speak about it. But with Jin's support, he accepted. He said it was nice to share his thoughts and experiences to motivate others who might be experiencing the same.