Music. Music is my calling. It whispers sweetly into my ear while I work through my life.

Growing up I listened to a variety of things. Anywhere from Missy Elliot to Tool and Godsmack. As time went by I started to realize that there was more than heavy rock and hip pop. I started to develop more on the heavier side with post hardcore and metal. Listening to Mudvayne, Korn, Of Mice and Men, Marilyn Manson and Cane Hill. Those bands were my babies and part me knows they always will be there for me when I need a helping hand. As soon as I got into seventh grade though things shifted to the lighter side of things and I started going towards the usual sceney-weenie-genre phase. Bands such as Paramore, My Chemical Romance, Fallout Boy, Green Day and many more. I still listen to some of these groups but on rare rare occasions.

Then there was eighth grade. Basshunter was my everything and I held it very close to my heart. For me that year my world was house music with its fast beats and shimmery sounds that made my heart race.

However, the summer right before my freshman year I had a whole new spin on music. After the metal, the hip pop, the alternative, the soft rock, and the house music I finally settled with something a bit out of the ordinary. Dark punk cabaret along with some amazing folksy European music. I fell in love with two artists in particular. Amanda Palmer and Beirut. The pitchy voice cracks and the harsh violent words of Amanda Palmer made me feel like there was something ok with not being perfect. Unlike many of the other sad songs I’ve ever listened to (such as “Hate Me” by Blue October) Amanda Palmer’s song lulled me to sleep as I knew it would be ok. She sang songs for me that told me that messing up was acceptable and that basically our world is screwed. For once someone was on my side with everything and they didn’t even know I existed.

Then there was Beirut. Zach Condon’s low toned vibrato voice filled my mind with everything in this world that could’ve been, should’ve been, and would’ve been beautiful. With the way he knows how to play every instrument and the fact that he can sings; he had my heart wrapped in their music. I thought that that is exactly where I should stay. So for over half the year I was in love with these two and searched for people like them. I did and was still hooked.

Then toward the end of the year that stopped. My goodness. You’d think that those two would’ve been it. I should’ve known that my music horizon would never really stop growing. I should’ve know, but I didn’t. So then I rediscovered KPOP. I understand that so many people hate this genre of music and mostly because of misinterpretation. However, I am in love with this music. It honestly makes me smile no matter how sad I am and I’ve never had that in my relationship with music. Never. It was like meeting my true love. It makes me so happy and sweet. I wouldn’t be surprised if I gave someone cavities because of it.

KPOP is my new baby. I take care of it and I make sure I don’t lose my hold on it. That in itself sounds crazy, stupid, and slightly creepy but when something makes you this happy after going through every sad song that you could find you start to become desperate to stay happy. Being in a hole of nothing but sadness and anger for such a long time I was relieved that KPOP came into my life. It changed everything. It might seem so strange to others that something like this could change so much about how I saw things; but I know it is for the best.

Knowing it isn’t everyone’s favorite I’ve learned to just ignore it and do what makes me happy. I can’t waste my time to try to please others just because they don’t like what I like. I was embarrassed when I first started listening to this music. I shouldn’t have been. The thing is that there will always be people who don’t understand. That’s ok. But I like KPOP and if someone else doesn’t than I’m not going to let them slow me down. It’s me and that is all anyone should ever want from me.