1. During CROWN, I remember thinking they could be my classmates, yet were courageously pursuing their dreams in front of millions of people. 2. Like TXT, MOA are team players and fiercely supportive of our friends. Their longevity is because they know who they are and what they mean to each other. 3. Despite having the ultimate face card, Beomgyu happily makes a fool out of himself to make someone laugh or feel better. He's silly, but he feels deeply and expresses himself maturely in his music. He is his members’ biggest fan (ggum-gyu) and acts like a true middle child that glues together his hyungs and dongsaengs. 4. Beomgyu is my ult. My only other bias is Jimin of BTS. They’re both adorable, kind of a dork, and the high-EQ heart of the group. 5. On the cusp of high school graduation, I heard 0X1=LOVESONG, and it captured the "in-between" of adolescence. I wanted to quickly grow up, while also fearing that the best was past, that I’ll never live five minutes away from my friends. I was already mourning the end of my youth. LOVESONG reminded me that the intensity of every moment, every exam and fight and failed driving test, eventually fades out to a forgiving oblivion in the rearview mirror, and to enjoy the ride. 6. My first TXT concert was the Taipei stop for ACT: TOMORROW. I was scared to go alone, and my Mandarin isn't great, but I didn’t want any more regrets. It was a magical night, as sparkly and liminal as MOAs have said. Beomgyu’s parents were on vacation in Taipei, and he seemed so happy to share this moment with them. 7. Starlight. The first album I purchased, and I was lucky enough to draw Beomgyu's signature. 8. I’m entering law school at the University of Virginia this fall. The cost of attendance is $300,000. I'm grateful for my scholarship of $35,000/year ($105,000 over three years), but it leaves me 2/3 of the cost to cover through unsubsidized loans. 9. My family helped with my undergraduate expenses, but our circumstances have changed. My father (our sole source of income) is undergoing extensive rehabilitation following a series of strokes recently. We're uncertain whether he's can work or fully recover his speech and motor abilities. I'm hoping to minimize the financial strain on my family, as we're already cutting into his savings during recovery. Throughout college, I held a part-time (later full-time) job to contribute. However, working isn't advisable with the extreme course load of first year students and the school’s strict employment policy. Thus, I’m looking for other possibilities. 10. From the beginning, TXT defied the trends of 4th gen. It takes courage for five kids to go against the grain and trust in their own capabilities. I was overjoyed when we finally achieved a music show Grand Slam, yet they’ve never once appeared impatient. They’ve taught me it’s okay to walk at my own pace: take a year off to recharge, spend time with family, travel the world (working at guesthouses for free room), and hone my applications. It’s hard to remember why I was in such a rush all my life. Now, when I feel behind or lost, I remember that TXT carves their own path, and so can I. 11. I've witnessed the law’s immense capacity for injustice: abusive correctional officers, coercive prosecutors, even defense attorneys ready to sell out their clients for easy money. But this environment has showed me the profound responsibility an advocate takes on. I’ve seen what a meaningful difference I can make with phone calls and applications, from sealing records to help someone get a job, to obtaining reentry resources close to home. Securing parole for my very first applicant was one of the best moments of both of our lives. From my incarcerated penpals, I’ve learned how to be a good listener, and their stories drive me toward the day when I can do more. Whether that means continuing my work with death row inmates, or advocating for other populations, I am optimistic about using the law to uplift those most marginalized and least empowered. *Caption for image: ggum-gyu! (and yeonjun's reaction)