Meet The Team
Ayushi
Nationality/Current Country: Indian/India
Birth Year: 1996
How long have you been an ARMY? Since late 2016
How did you first discover BTS? I was watching a choreography video and saw BTS’ “Blood Sweat and Tears” in my YouTube recommendations. I did not click at once but after being intrigued for 2-3 days, I finally checked out the video and absolutely loved it.
What made you transition from fan to ARMY? I started my first full-time paid job in 2016 and my entry into adulthood was accompanied with self-doubt and anxiety issues. There is a specific line in Dope which goes like I was in the studio while you were out there partying. This really defines my time from 2016-2019. I could relate to the lyrics and somehow my own journey paralleled with BTS’ journey which led me to pay attention to their words more. The lyrics comforted me and vocalized my thoughts, helping me come in terms with my doubts. I did find BTS when I needed them the most so, the transition from a casual fan to ARMY was natural.
Why did you decide to get involved with OIAA? I wanted to do something that can impact people’s lives positively. And, I was really inspired by OIAA’s work ethic. Being able to find organizations, plan and execute campaigns takes a lot of time and dedication. You need to have perseverance and I loved how there was a dedicated account that was really focusing on just charity work. Their consistency is commendable. So after years of following their campaigns, I decided to email them and ask if I can be of any help.
What is your role in OIAA? I support the team in content related tasks and sometimes, I also help them with SNS Research.
One fun fact about yourself: I don’t know if it’s a fun fact or not but I love writing poems.
Becca
Nationality/Current Country: British/England
Birth Year: 1999 - Year of the Rabbit (My favourite animal !!)
How long have you been an ARMY? Late 2017 I believe!
How did you first discover BTS? An old friend recommended me a few songs to me, at first I wasn’t super interested or liked it, but it slowly grew on me. After watching some videos of the members I got to know their personalities and I fell in love!
What made you transition from fan to ARMY? As I said previously, after getting to know the members personalities. They brought a lot of fun and light into my life which wasn’t so interesting at the time. We all know the rabbit hole joke...
Why did you decide to get involved with OIAA? I had been following them for a while, and really admired what they did, and how they brought people together for the greater good to help others all over the globe. I really like the way it brought the fandom together in a more grown up sense and was something I had never seen before. I was instantly interested and thought “I’d love to be apart of this.”
What is your role in OIAA? I suppose my ‘title role’ is being apart of the design team, but I tend to be an all rounder. I’ll help anywhere I can!
One fun fact about yourself: I LOVE Halloween!! Hm… that's not a super fun fact. I collect plushies? I’m a big softie and can’t sleep without them. I have 7 (?) on my bed at the moment... (Three of them are Build-a-Bear Bunny’s!) However, the one I cuddle at night is my ikea shark called Marky!
Catherine
Nationality/Current Country: Canadian, American / USA
Birth year: 1983
How long have you been an ARMY? Early 2019
How did you first discover BTS? I started watching kdramas and was enjoying the OSTs, which made me curious about other Korean music. In the back of my mind I knew there was a group called BTS, so I searched YouTube for their music. Once I realized that they also danced and found their choreography videos I was hooked.
What made you transition from fan to ARMY? Almost instantly I was fascinated by the overwhelming amount of content around BTS and how generous they were with sharing so much of themselves. All the members are so genuine and at the same time keep a great balance by being funny and entertaining too. Everything about it drew me right in and brought me joy.
Why did you decide to get involved with OIAA? I love the ARMY fandom and the amazing and funny things that can happen when everyone comes together. Being an older and introverted fan it was harder to find my place, fortunately OIAA was the perfect fit. Not only does it match with my day job in the nonprofit world, but it also allows me to help out in a small, quiet way and still feel like I’m making a difference.
What is your role in OIAA? I started out on the research team as receipts keeper, but now do a variety of things like manage birthday campaigns, get in contact with charity organizations, and keep an eye on the general and crisis donation forms.
One fun fact about yourself: I love to dance and take dance classes. I can even occasionally convince my dance instructors to use BTS music during class.
Dolly (Doriane)
Nationality/Current Country: French/Swiss
Age: 23
How long have you been an ARMY? Since 2013
How did you first discover BTS? My youtube recommandation made me fall into Jin’s lips trap, aka the “school of tears” and that’s how the ride begun.
What made you transition from fan to ARMY? Mostly their dedication. I think seeing them so proud of debuting, so happy to be there gave me a lot of motivation as well. Their energy is communicative and I just felt like i had to follow them in this journey.
Why did you decide to get involved with OIAA? I kind of always saw them on my twitter Timeline, I thought that what they were doing was truly amazing and that, as much as I couldn’t really help money-wise, I wish I could so something to help a little bit. I saw them asking for design members, I tried my luck, because I always liked doing things like that. It’s not a big contribution but I’m still very happy to be able to be at least 1% helpful. I truly think that if we all give 1% of ourselves, we could achieve things that are thought to be impossible. I wish I could be a part of that beautiful group for a long time.
What is your role in OIAA? I'm part of the design team and I'm the Weverse account admin!
One fun fact about yourself: I'm a hiphop and waacking dancer
Erika
Nationality/Current Country: USA
Age: 39
How long have you been an ARMY? Since 2017, sometime after BBMAs but before AMAs.
How did you first discover BTS? I was in a Kdrama group, and some of the members kept trying to drag me into what I called “their Kpop cult.” I was able to resist, because I am strong. But then the clips of Taehyung being the absolute cutest sweetest thing in the universe started showing up and I just had to find out more about this magical creature. So I started watching compilation clips on Youtube. It led to meeting the others, and...
What made you transition from fan to ARMY? I wish I could say it was the music but that was probably the last thing I got around to. I was in love with seeing such kindhearted, dedicated, hardworking boys with such a great relationship where they supported each other and took care of each other, goofed around like real brothers. Then I fell in love with their choreography, then their mvs, learned their story, and finally really started paying attention to their actual music and lyrics - and wow. My respect for them soared over the moon. No turning back after that.
Why did you decide to get involved with OIAA? I didn’t discover ARMY Twitter until sometime after the AMAs, maybe December or January. When I joined, I was staggered at this powerhouse of people all organized and dedicated to helping these boys I’d come to love. I was thinking a lot about how the members of BTS always say they want to make a difference in the world with their platform, and how proud they would be to see this entire global force that they inspired doing good deeds around the world in their name. With such numbers, we could make a huge impact for people who really need it. And it would be so great for our boys to be known for having inspired their fans to do that. So when Ana asked if any ARMYs would be interested to organize a project to help Syrian refugees, I immediately jumped on board!
What is your role in OIAA? Facilitator; Research & Outreach Team. I am also in charge of being in love with all the talents that everyone on the team has and wishing I could hug them all 26/9! I help research and get in contact with organizations to help arrange the campaigns, occasional PR, and I also help advise with the direction and concept of the project.
One fun fact about yourself: I have been to exactly 2 concerts in my 39 years. Love Yourself at Citifield, and Love Yourself: Speak Yourself at MetLife. Both were amazing, but you knew that.
Euni
Nationality/Current Country: Philippines
Birth Year: 1997
How long have you been an ARMY? Since 2015
How did you first discover BTS? Through my friend who was watching N.O way back their debut, but I wasn’t a fan back then
What made you transition from fan to ARMY? The messages of their songs moved me to become their fan! I was going through a rough time but their songs from HYYH saved me. I will be forever grateful to BTS for saving my life.
Why did you decide to get involved with OIAA? I love volunteering! Volunteering with BTS projects is my way of showing my love for the seven boys and the fandom.
What is your role in OIAA? I am part of the design team and writing team.
One fun fact about yourself: Apart from being a part of 11 different BTS projects, I am also currently writing on a novel that I want to internationally publish someday!
Hopie
Nationality/Current Country: Romania
Birth Year: 1996
How long have you been an ARMY? Since October 2016, right after 'Blood, Sweat, and Tears', but before the first daesang and Spring day.
How did you first discover BTS? My then college roommates tried to turn me into a Jungkook stan...by showing me Dope. Therefore I bias Yoongi (and Jungkook).
What made you transition from fan to ARMY? The transition was basically non existent, because they became my musical hyperfixation instantly. I fell into the rabbit hole the second I saw them in BST and I fell hard.
Why did you decide to get involved with OIAA? I was procrastinating studying for exams, translating in my language because I had too much free time on my hands (hint: I did not. I was barely sleeping), and then decided the only thing OIAA is missing was The Map TM.
What is your role in OIAA? You know that map with the projects submitted to a form? I do that!
One fun fact about yourself: I'm as tall and Jungkook, and my hands are the same size as Yoongi's. Biases well picked if I do say so myself. (Not like I had a say in picking them.)
Larissa
Nationality/Current Country: Germany
Birth Year: 2000
How long have you been an ARMY? Since the end of August 2017.
How did you first discover BTS? It was in summer vacation. Bored me found a video on YouTube about Koreans pronouncing Western names. After I watched that, YouTube kept suggesting me Kpop themed videos and I found them fascinating. I had known about BTS before as I was a Troye Sivan fan and after they talked about him a lot in BBMA interviews, I found some tweets about that from time to time. But I was never a boy group type of person and was totally sure that they were not special at all. But knowing they were the biggest Kpop group, I had to check them out now that I knew more about Korean music. The first video of them that I watched was the Billboard interview (I care a lot about the personalities of the artists I stan, that's why I watched an interview first). They didn't seem that special to me. I don't remember what happened next but suddenly I fell in love with them.
What made you transition from fan to ARMY? I think that probably happened like half a year later, when I got to know other Armys, joined Army projects and got involved in Army Twitter. That's when I got more into the materia of BTS’ message.
Why did you decide to get involved with OIAA? I supported them from the beginning when they first started, because I found the idea amazing and I had always wished for a project like that in our or any fandom I was in before. I helped translate for them and organized the #AnpanARMYxLYTour project for Berlin. After that they asked me if I want to be part of the team, so how could I say no, right? ㅇ~ㅇ
What is your role in OIAA? I help with the Instagram account as a part of communication team and I'm also in the Research Team (I may not have done much for that one though, oops..)
One fun fact about yourself: I tend to talk to objects. It happens that I call my laptop “baby” and pat it, but that's totally normal.
Lena
Nationality/Current Country: Serbia
Birth year: 1999
How long have you been an ARMY? Since the summer of 2017! (approximately June-July)
How did you first discover BTS? I was watching reactions on the FBE channel and stumbled upon a k-pop one. BTS immediately stood out to me and I went to check out the full video (I think it was the DOPE MV) as I was mesmerized by the way they danced. Cue the whole denial stage of 2 months (as I was never a full fledged fan of anything until them) that had me vehemently denying being a fan even though I was already in too deep in MV theories and past the stage of knowing just their names.
What made you transition from fan to ARMY? While theories and dance got me hooked, what really made me stay is their music, their personalities and the positivity of their influence. It took me while to go through their whole discography, to hunt down all the songs and covers, but at the end of it I knew that was it for me, I was an ARMY.
Why did you decide to get involved with OIAA? I believe I followed OIAA from near the beginning and I was amazed at the idea of micro-donations and what impact it can make. And even though I had no way of contributing until recently I kept up as much as I could so when I saw the application for new design team members I decided to try. It took me a few days to muster up the courage to fill out the form but here I am!
What is your role in OIAA? I am a member of the design team!
One fun fact about yourself: I’m way too curious for my own good to the point that I had a friend that used it to her own advantage, if she wanted to know something about an interesting topic she’d just ask me a question knowing I wouldn’t rest until I knew the answer and I’d be able to easily relay it to her later. She never had to do the research herself the whole time we were roommates. I laughed so much after she let me know what she was doing.
Liana
Nationality/Current Country: Greek. I live in a small town in the Greek countryside.
Birth Year: 1977
How long have you been an ARMY? Since January 2019
How did you first discover BTS? I was watching a TV show and the hosts were talking about an online voting for the most handsome man of 2018 who was BTS V. They then proceeded talking about K-pop and the whole K-wave movement but their comments were derogatory and disrespectful. They were making fun of the appearance of V and other idols and described the music as childish. I had never listened to K-pop and I was intrigued to know more. So since BTS were mentioned in the show, I searched for their music videos on YouTube and I was stunned! I watched one after another and I was hooked by the music, the lyrics, the visuals! I loved everything! I soon learned their names and was binge watching bangtan bombs, logs and videos showing their real, wonderful selves.
What made you transition from fan to ARMY? I was watching BTS videos and the screen of my tablet went black. I saw my reflection on the screen. I had the widest smile and realized my cheeks were hurting because I was smiling the whole time. I was filled with joy and comfort and just like that I knew I wanted to love and support them forever. BTS with their music, their words and way of living gave me hope and reestablished my faith in humanity. For the first time ever I felt empowered to do things that can make a difference to the people around me.
Why did you decide to get involved with OIAA? One thing that I love about our fandom is the will to be and do better. I followed OIAA a little after I became ARMY because it was a source of positivity and I admired all the work they were doing. I applied to be a part of the team in May 2019 and on Christmas Eve of the same year I joined the most amazing group of people!
What is your role in OIAA? I’m a member of the Research Team. My work involves finding and vetting charitable organizations that could be suitable for a campaign with OIAA. I also conduct research for relief organizations when crises strike a part of our world.
One fun fact about yourself: I’m a Simmer! I have been playing the various instalments of the Sims game series since their first launch back in 2000.
Louise
Nationality/Current Country: Sweden
Age: 32
How long have you been an ARMY? Since 2016
How did you first discover BTS? I used to like K-pop in my younger years and asked a friend if she was willing to introduce me to the new acts in 2016 because honestly, it was just a darn jungle. I accidentally saw an I NEED U performance while on YouTube and thought that I needed to check this group out more.
What made you transition from fan to ARMY? I’m not sure you can really pinpoint when you transition into becoming an ARMY. After countless of videos, getting to know them as people and artist, and going through their discography (realising they pretty much don’t have a bad song)... everything just resonated with me. And I once you’re really in, you don’t get out. Why did you decide to get involved with OIAA? Honestly? I just responded with a suggestion to the famous tweet and got added to a groupchat that was active while I was asleep and then woke up to a link to discord. I do like to help people so I thought I’d at least check it out. Then I suddenly was organizing everything and I just felt like this could really be something. And now here we are.
What is your role in OIAA? I'm officially a part of the communication team. However, I basically step in wherever I'm needed and step in to help whatever team might need som backup (my knowledge is very limited when it comes to design and research though). I'm also the person anyone can contact if they need support emotionally or if there is a situation they don't know how to deal with.
One fun fact about yourself: I compete in Crossfit on a VERY basic, very hobby level, cause its fun to challenge yourself.
Malika
Nationality/Current Country: Morocco
Age: 22
How long have you been an ARMY? Since 2015
How did you first discover BTS? I was a kdrama fan since 2012, although i’ve heard about kpop, it wasn’t my preference, I first heard of BTS because ARMYs were talking about them in a comment section under one of Ryan Higa’s videos, he said BTS when he meant ‘behind the scenes” and everyone misunderstood and were freaking out lol “I need you’ was just released then but i didn’t listen to it.. i used to follow a lot of kdrama fanaccs on IG, one of them shared the dance break of dope when it came out ! i checked the group and i was really impressed, then I forgot about it until the reaction from FBE popped up in my suggestions in youtube, I realised this group was everywhere i went and it couldn’t be a coincidence, i became invested after that.
What made you transition from fan to ARMY? I liked their music,dance, how genuine they were, their bond and their hard work, their story.. at some point I realized I spent so much time on them and that I am, too, an ARMY !
Why did you decide to get involved with OIAA? I was always interested in humanitarian work, I read a lot about people’ different needs and struggles and I always wanted to help somehow, since I can barely donate due to my personal reasons, i thought i should join OIAA’s team and help them as much as I can.
What is your role in OIAA? I’m part of research team and design team!
One fun fact about yourself: I enjoy reading about cultures and knowing people from different parts of the world.
Michelle
Nationality/Current Country: USA
Birth year: 1995
How long have you been an ARMY? May-June 2017
How did you first discover BTS? Youtubers React episode on Kpop
What made you transition from fan to ARMY? It was a steady progress as I was learning their names and personality and in one of those moments I think I discovered their mixtapes. I read their lyrics and realized that they were something truly special and exactly what I needed in my life.
Why did you decide to get involved with OIAA? Graduated college and I felt like I needed to do something different in my life. Something that required going back to my roots in volunteerism and community outreach. OIAA happened to fall right into my lap.
What is your role in OIAA? Research Team Leader, story writer (when we need a storyline for the activities), and the occasional Spanish translator/communicator. If you see a little brontosaurus emoji responding to tweets, that’s me!
One fun fact about yourself: I will find a way to cry in a movie regardless of the genre.
Michelle (Sammie) S.
Nationality: Chinese American
Birth year: 1987
How long have you been an ARMY? Since January 5th, 2018
How did you first discover BTS? I first heard about them in the Spring of 2017, during their Wings Tour. At the time a friend offered to sell me some extra tickets she had, but I didn’t take them because I didn’t know who they were (I know! So much regret.). It wasn’t until after the BBMAs, when they were being interviewed by Ellen, that I really looked into them. I honestly thought that I would be over my KPOP phase (been listening to KPOP casually since 2009), which is why I didn’t really take it further when I discovered who they were. However, their success in gaining American media’s interest was something I couldn’t ignore any longer.
What made you transition from fan to ARMY? During the New Years, I knew my niece was a huge BTS fan, so I played the DNA MV for her on our projector and witnessed her complete passionate excitement over them. The following week, as I was listening to their music on Spotify I texted my niece, “Who is the angelic voice at the beginning of Blood, Sweat, & Tears?!” I was shocked to learn that it was actually one of the members of BTS and not a female vocalist. From that point, I had fallen down the Bangtan rabbit hole (Thank-you Jimin). I knew I had become a full fledged ARMY when I stayed up until 2 AM in the morning chatting with ARMY on Amino and becoming really active on r/Bangtan. I had never felt comfortable putting myself out there on social media before BTS, but for some reason I felt really intrigued by the fandom and really motivated to connect with other BTS fans.
Why did you decide to get involved with OIAA? I had seen so many ARMY ran charity campaigns on Twitter & Reddit and was always touched and inspired but I never had enough confidence to donate to a group that I didn’t really know. & maybe it was serendipity, because at the time I was also considering a career change, perhaps work for a nonprofit organization and do some good for the world. That's when suddenly OIAA opened up application for recruits. Because most ARMYs I had encountered were so wholesome and caring people, I didn’t think twice about it and submitted my application.
What is your role in OIAA? I’m part of communications (mostly Animo & Facebook) and part of the design team. But I love being able to contribute to the team anyway I can and filling in the gaps if possible.
One fun fact about yourself: I'm mainly part of the design team and admin for FB and Tumblr. But I love being able to contribute to the team in anyway I can and filling in the gaps if possible.
Nicky
Nationality/Current Country: Philippines
Birth Year: 2001
How long have you been an ARMY? Since 2013
How did you first discover BTS? I stumbled upon a video called '130208 정국' a Bangtan Log and the rest is history.
What made you transition from fan to ARMY? I was fascinated by the meaning of their songs and how relatable it was, up until now the music they make just matches with the trials I face it really matches, I’m just growing up with their music.
Why did you decide to get involved with OIAA? Way back October 2018, I saw a clip where a professor in South Korea was talking about OIAA. I was fascinated that a group of ARMYs thought about doing non-profit campaigns and wanted to join.
What is your role in OIAA? I'm part of the design team.
One fun fact about yourself: I’m in the medical field.
Pati
Nationality/Current Country: Canada/unceded and never surrendered Algonquin territory
Birth year: 1989
How long have you been an ARMY? Since August 2017
How did you first discover BTS? Through YouTuber react videos. Not Today is my JAM.
What made you transition from fan to ARMY? A combination of seeing how much creative control BTS had over their work and joining in on award show voting.
Why did you decide to get involved with OIAA? I was part of the founding team! I’m active in social justice in my personal and professional life, so I really like the idea of being able to use fandom power to help others.
What is your role in OIAA? I'm the web team leader. Any mistakes you see on the website are my fault lol.
One fun fact about yourself: I'm trying to get healthier/physically stronger. The way I'm trying to do that is by bringing my video game systems to the basement and only playing while I'm exercising.