TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT) Ult Group Scholarship

My name is Desiree Lopez, and I am a fourth-year undergraduate student at San José State University majoring in Business Management Information Systems. I plan to pursue a master’s degree in the future if circumstances allow. My passion lies in cybersecurity, and I aim to use that knowledge to make technology safer for those around me. I want to help my loved ones understand how to protect themselves online. In a world where nearly everything we value is stored digitally, such as our identities, finances, and memories, cyber safety is more important than ever. I currently pay for my education through financial aid and the support of my parents. Even so, making ends meet is a challenge, and every bit of assistance helps me stay focused on my studies and my future. I actually became a MOA twice. The first time was during Tomorrow X Together’s debut, when their youthful energy and storytelling immediately caught my attention. But as the pandemic deepened and the world felt heavier, my interest in music faded. For a while, I didn’t realize how much joy I had lost. Then, in January 2023, my best friend and I decided to watch the premiere of “Sugar Rush Ride.” As the countdown ended and the video began, I felt something awaken in me, a spark of excitement I hadn’t felt in years. Laughing and fangirling reminded me of a piece of myself I had forgotten. TXT brought that joy back into my life when I didn’t even know how much I needed it. Before long, that spark carried us all the way to Los Angeles for the Sweet Mirage Tour, an unforgettable experience that felt like coming home. My bias is Beomgyu. There’s something deeply comforting about his energy and the way he fills the room with laughter while also showing sincerity and care. As a middle child, I see a lot of myself in him: someone who uses humor to bring others together but sometimes feels misunderstood for being “too much.” For years, I struggled with people telling me to tone down my personality, to be less loud or expressive. Watching Beomgyu be unapologetically himself has been healing, reminding me that being genuine is something to be proud of. His balance of playfulness and emotional depth inspires me to live more authentically. My favorite TXT song is “Deja Vu.” In today’s dating world, love often feels fleeting or transactional, but that song reminds me that deep, unconditional love still exists, even if only in song. The lyrics “약속해, 몇 번을 반복해도 나의 미래는 너야 빛의 베일에 신부처럼 반짝일 널 세게 안을 거야 마치 déjà vu” (“I promise, no matter how many times I repeat, my future is you; I’ll hold you tight, shining like a bride in a veil of light, like déjà vu”) resonate deeply with me. The way those words are sung makes my heart ache in the best way. It’s the kind of emotional honesty that makes TXT’s music so special. Every time I listen, I find hope in their sincerity, even during moments when I’ve felt uncertain about my future or my worth. While TXT hasn’t directly influenced my career path, they’ve shaped who I am and who I aspire to be. There have been nights when I’ve felt completely drained from classes and work, sitting at my desk with my laptop open and “TO DO” playing softly in the background. Hearing Beomgyu laugh or the members getting loud in a childish way gives me strength. It reminds me that even when I’m struggling, I’m not alone. They remind me to keep working hard, to approach every challenge with sincerity, and to treat others with kindness. TXT represents growth, vulnerability, and perseverance, and those are the same values I want to carry into my professional and personal life. At their concerts, I look around and see thousands of fans singing together in different languages, united by the same emotion. That feeling of connection and belonging is what I hope to bring into the world in my own way. Whether through cybersecurity, friendship, or simply kindness, I want to make people feel safe, seen, and understood. Just like TXT did for me.

I, Jacky, Jacqueline De La Cruz, am the junior standing beaver who is currently attending classes for a bachelor's degree in hospitality and tourism management at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. I want to use this degree to eventually work in the entertainment industry with jobs in touring management to help fans see their favorite artists in places never thought of! A great chunk of inspiration comes from stanning TXT. I would love for more MOA to see TXT in a variety of cities! I plan to pay my studies through my jobs, which I work three at the moment, and scholarships I am able to apply for. I became a MOA in the grand year of 2020, with The Dream Chapter: Eternity being my first comeback with TXT. Initially, when I first got into K-Pop through BTS in late 2019, I told myself I would never get into another group, but fast forward a few months later and suddenly my entire world revolved around my tubatu. What grasped my attention in these early months was the clips I would see on my Twitter timeline randomly, whether it was a silly clip of the members joking around, or a serious clip of them setting the tone for an event or learning something new. In the end, after jumping on the wagon and watching a couple episodes of To Do, their variety show catered just for them, I fell in love with their personalities and how well they interacted with one another. It was not just a group of boys put together to make music, no, it was a family. Although there are only two groups I am into, I am extremely passionate about TXT to the point where I would consider them the ult of ults, because of how relatable they are. They are all so young and have gone through the hardships young teens and adults have experienced, and sing these stories through their songs. With songs like Run Away, Ghosting, We Lost The Summer, Take My Half, and so many more that resonate with the angsty listener, I too clung to these songs because of how much I related to them. It was amazing that despite the obvious difference in fame, whether one has millions of followers and the other a nobody, both sides of the coin have experienced and felt the same hurt the other has. With TXT, they helped me feel like I was not alone. There is one member, who is my bias, that stuck out to me. Soobin, the leader of the group, is my biggest inspiration. I aspire to be like him. He is so thoughtful and cares about his members, his family, so profoundly, I too have started bettering myself to be that attentive to my friends, to be the pillar they can lean on, the same way TXT lean on Soobin. His natural leader aura and perseverance to work through anything are not what solely got my attention. His charisma, humor, and overall personality was the deal sealer for me. I have never seen or met anyone who is as kind, emotionally intelligent, and funny as Soobin, and he inspires me to be a better person. If you had asked me a few months ago what my favorite TXT song was, it would no hesitation have been Cat & Dog, but the English version!! However, with the recent release of their album The Star Chapter: Together, my favorite song position has now, without a doubt, been claimed by Take My Half, which is Beomgyu's solo song from the album. Now, a favorite moment for me with TXT would be when I got to line lead for four stops during their tour. It was nice to have a good system going so no one would have to sleep outside on the streets, and just us, the leaders, had to remain outside for any late night stragglers. It was definitely a learning experience and I loved it because we got to keep everything organized and helped so many moas see TXT in a peaceful manner! Tubatu has inspired me to step out of my comfort zone on multiple occasions!

My name is Gianna Shaw, and I am a twenty-year-old college student entering my sophomore year. I would describe myself as kind, positive, and deeply connected to nature. I aspire to earn my bachelor’s degree in marketing at West Chester University of Pennsylvania and hope to inspire others by sharing my story. My desire to be a safe space for my loved ones and to support others through their struggles drives me forward. A great source of that inspiration has been Tomorrow X Together (TXT), a K-pop group that has significantly shaped my life. Initially introduced to K-pop through BTS, I was curious about other groups, and when I watched TXT’s interviews, I was instantly drawn to their humor and sincerity. Beomgyu quickly became my favorite member, and their music gave me comfort and motivation. TXT’s central message—the trials of youth and the journey into adulthood—encouraged me to step out of my shell. Because of them, I began reaching out to new people, building friendships, and even getting my first job. Their music helped me navigate heartbreak and loneliness, reminding me that no matter who comes and goes in my life, TXT would always be there. After graduating high school in 2023, my life changed drastically. My mother and stepfather divorced, and my brother chose to move with her to Pennsylvania while I stayed in Florida with my stepfather to pursue college. Suddenly, I was separated from my twin for the first time, and I quickly became overwhelmed. My stepfather worked twelve-hour days, and I spent my mornings in college classes and nights at work. We only shared dinner once a week, and I felt increasingly lonely. I began handling groceries and cooking while my mental health deteriorated. Eventually, depression and anxiety left me unable to work or attend class. I isolated myself, unable to leave my house without panic attacks. When TXT announced their 2024 tour Act: Promise, it gave me a reason to push myself again. I battled my anxieties and attended their concerts, though I remember little because of my dissociation. Shortly after, I visited family in Pennsylvania, hoping for healing. But in June 2024, tragedy struck. My mother relapsed and overdosed, and just days later, my stepfather’s close colleague died by suicide. Five days after that, my stepfather also took his own life. Losing him shattered me—he had been my father figure for ten years, and I had lived with him up until that moment. In the midst of grief, I cut ties with my mother due to her addiction and moved in with my grandparents. Despite the darkness, TXT remained my anchor. I filled my space with their posters, plushies, and music. They gave me comfort when I could not leave the house for months. On July 2, 2024, TXT released We’ll Never Change. The timing felt like fate. That song reached me when I was at my lowest, reminding me I was not alone. It healed me in ways I cannot fully describe. My favorite TXT memory was attending Act: Sweet Mirage in May 2023 in Duluth, Georgia. It was my first time with floor tickets and VIP access, and the experience was magical. Just days after graduating high school, I was filled with joy as I stood only five rows from the stage, surrounded by fellow fans who shared my love for TXT. That night remains one of my most cherished memories. Today, I am proud of my progress. I have returned to work, this time at Target, motivated by the thought of funding future TXT tours and albums. I will be seeing them again this year during Act: Tomorrow in Newark and Dallas, something I look forward to immensely. My education will be supported through scholarships, grants, and private loans, as I am financially independent. TXT has also inspired my career goals. Though I am not musically talented, their marketing captivated me. The way I became a loyal fan—and how much joy I find in supporting them—sparked my passion to work in music marketing. One day, I hope to work with artists like TXT, helping share their art while thanking them for the role they have played in my life.

My name is Priya Parikh, and I am a senior in college who plans to pursue graduate studies in developmental cognitive neuroscience. I’m fascinated by how the brain supports learning, memory, curiosity, and behavior throughout our lifetime, and I hope to specialize in topics like substance use disorders and the genetics of brain diseases. These subjects are growing but are often overlooked, and I hope to develop interventions that can help future generations. Down the road, I aspire to become a professor or mentor who not only teaches but also learns alongside others. I want to help others find that same sense of purpose and joy in their education that I’ve been fortunate enough to experience. To fund my education, I plan to apply for grants, fellowships, and other academic funding opportunities available to graduate students. I’m also preparing to work in a related full-time position, such as in research labs or social work, to support myself while gaining hands-on experience in helping others. During my freshman year of college, I overheard my friends talking about TXT while playing an intense game of badminton. I was completely clueless about who they were talking about, having little exposure to K-pop. My friends’ eyes had lit up, and they sent me home with multiple song recommendations. I didn’t expect much, but suddenly something clicked. In a week’s time, I excitedly told them that I had listened to their whole discography and binged various TOxDO episodes. Initially, I was drawn to their stunning visuals and catchy songs, but I stayed because their music spoke to me immensely. For a long time, I was afraid of growing up, having found comfort in my youth. I chased that nostalgia of adventure and fantasy that’s so present in TXT’s lore. Their music helped me see that growing up doesn’t mean losing that magic; it’s about carrying it with you into adulthood to cherish. The five members bring this message to life beautifully. With TXT, I can’t see anyone else carry this story like they have. I especially connect with Beomgyu, whose personality balances joyfulness and vulnerability, emotions he draws from to create songs like Panic and Take My Half. When listening to them, I feel proud of how far he’s come. I have two songs that hold a special place in my heart. The first is Maze in the Mirror, a song that feels like pure comfort. It captures the struggles of self-doubt, and it was deeply relatable as I transitioned into college and dealt with anxiety. I loved it so much that I bought a guitar to learn it, and hearing it live recently was a full-circle moment that left me sobbing. I also love Blue Orangeade for its bright tone and its theme of opposites coexisting. This song inspired me to explore beyond my comfort zone and write my first poem about the insecurities I faced. I often felt pressured to stay positive and had an irrational fear that once people see me unhappy, they would leave. However, this song encouraged me to explore the relationship between opposites coexisting to create something beautiful. In this case, it allowed me to connect with the less confident parts of myself. TXT’s music doesn’t just comfort me, but it also inspires me to create and reflect on myself. In sophomore year, I remember questioning my career choice and being conflicted between following a more lucrative path that didn’t excite me or pursuing a PhD in psychology, which I loved but demanded years of commitment with no immediate pay-off. Just when I needed it, Taehyun, in a New Year’s Weverse post, wrote about the uncomfortable feelings that occur when hard work is not instantly rewarded, but reassured us that effort doesn’t go wasted even if recognition is delayed. This message inspired me then and fuels my desire to pursue graduate school, especially with the current funding cuts in research. Despite uncertainties, I am dedicated to understanding how our brains support and cognitively process growth, learning, and curiosity. Taehyun’s encouragement has inspired me to embrace the long path of research, knowing that perseverance and passion can create a meaningful impact in my own life and the lives of others.