By Honorary Reporter Oshini Navodya Jayamuni from Sri Lanka

Photos = Kaori Takano, Sierra Bussey, Sheta Ng and Manamita Datta

K-pop megastar group BTS recently released its three-CD anthology album "Proof," a reflection of the first nine years of the boy band's career.

BTS fans worldwide marked the event with excitement, with some expressing their feelings through creative methods. 

The following are four fans who created works to mark the album's release in interviews conducted from June 15-16 via direct messages and email. Among the fan art I've seen, these stood out when I first saw them on Instagram.

Embroidery by Kaori Takano from Japan
Takano enjoys embroidery as a hobby while raising her children. Having first listened to BTS songs at the recommendation of her friends, she said she loves to make embroidered works inspired by the group and dedicated her most recent pieces to "Proof."

"It took me about three days to finish it," she said. "First I selected my favorite photos and scenes from the music video and drew the picture I wanted to embroider on cloth. Afterwards, I matched the thread colors with the photo and started sewing. BTS is a part of my life and I'll continue to positively support them."

Kaori Takano created embroidery work inspired by the new BTS album "Proof."

Nail art by Sierra Bussey from US
This American joined the BTS fan community Army at age 16, around the time the group debuted. "Army doesn't only represent BTS fans but is also a celebration of acceptance and widening of views of other cultures," she said. "This is an opportunity to make great friends from different backgrounds and countries."

Bussey created a nail art design inspired by the song "Yet to Come." She handprinted the designs on the nails and used stickers for the lettering. "My nail art was practice to see if I want to do this as a career," she added. "So I wanted to start it off with something I’m passionate about, which is BTS."

Sierra Bussey created nail art based on scenes from the music video for the BTS song "Yet To Come."

Paintings by Sheta Ng from Hong Kong
Joining Army in 2017, Sheta Ng said BTS gave her the motivation to work hard and become a better person. Her latest Cloisonne work "Proof Dreamer" is based on "Proof." She focused on using rich colors in the painting, while mainly using purple for the main objects. Each object represents BTS songs: feathers represent "Wings," the paper airplane "Spring Day," balloons "Permission to Dance" and the microphone "Born Singer." 

She also did a painting based on a scene from the music video for "Yet To Come," mainly using gouache and colored pencils. 

Sheta Ng's paintings have been inspired by BTS songs like "Proof Dreamer" (left) and "Yet To Come" (right).

Illustrations by Manamita Datta From India
Joining Army after seeing BTS perform "Fake Love," Datta said becoming a member was one of the best decisions in her life. "I feel like I've got a companion. BTS is like my best friend. All of the fans are like a family," she said.

The budding illustrator uses several mediums and has created fan art centered on K-pop. "My illustrations are not only based on the group's recent songs but also capture scenes from past albums," she said. "It represents their story and who they are. I portray their music through my art."

"BTS are not just musicians, dancers and models but preachers of well-being. I hope that their music and influence reaches more people."

Manamita Datta's comic-like illustrations are based on the music video for "Yet to Come."

enny0611@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.