To the 21st-Century Girl — “Don’t Be Scared” and Rise｜BTS “21st Century Girl” Translation & Commentary

2025.10.17

🌈 To the 21st-Century Girl — “Don’t Be Scared” and Rise｜BTS “21st Century Girl” Translation & Commentary

Hi, it’s Mayu 💜 Thank you for reading this morning.

Following last night’s arc — I Need U → Killin’ It Girl — from collapse to rebirth, today we greet the morning with “21st Century Girl.” It’s J-Hope’s voice of hope delivered straight to the heart: a hymn of self-liberation. Though it cheers on women, the message truly resonates with anyone ready to live as themselves.

💫 Excerpt (Adapted)

You are complete. You’re worthy to act.
Noble, and cute all the same.
Light — that is your truth and your way.

Whatever they say,
you’re the best as you are.
Don’t be scared. Yes or No — you decide.

21st-century girls, live your own life.
Don’t mind the gaze. Step in as the new you.
Say it — “I am strong.” “I am enough.”
Let go, free yourself, cut it off — release the weight to the sky.

🔥 Chapter 1｜The Code “Don’t Be Scared” — Reclaiming Agency

“Don’t be scared,” “You decide Yes/No” — a recall from a world of outside ratings to the world where you are the subject.

The beautiful order: Value → Action → Being
You have worth → You may act → You are noble (and cute!)

💜 Chapter 2｜Who is “Girl”? — An Audience Beyond Labels

“Girl” symbolizes anyone ready to return to love. In tandem with last night’s Killin’ It Girl — “You killin’ it” — it expands into an anthem for Awakened Ones who have found their inner light.

I Need U = collapse & longing (the voice searching for light)
Killin’ It Girl = blessing of rebirth (hymn to those who noticed the light)
21st Century Girl = self-propelled awakening (declaration to live as light)

🕊 Chapter 3｜Let go / Free yourself / Cut it off — Three Steps to Unfasten Attachments

Let go: others’ gaze, comparison, outdated self-images
Free yourself: release guilt and obligation; restore agency
Cut it off: decide distance from dependency and manipulation

What remains is your true choice. That’s why the song resolves in raised hands and a shared cry — the chorus of liberation.

🪞 Chapter 4｜Building Immunity to Evaluation

Anticipating cold stares, the lyric still says brightly: “Don’t lower your head. You’re already beautiful enough.” This isn’t the strength to be rated — it is the strength not to be swayed by ratings. The song re-inscribes: self-worth ≠ the sum of external scores.

🌸 My Note

With this song in the morning, my body faces forward first. Saying “I am strong. I am enough.” out loud makes the chest feel lighter. Today again, I’ll raise my hand and say “Yes” to my own life.

🌟 Conclusion｜The Morning of a “Hope Cycle” — To the One Who Rises

Collapse I Need U → Rebirth Killin’ It Girl → Self-drive 21st Century Girl
The answer isn’t outside anymore. You decide your Yes/No.
Don’t be scared. You are already more than beautiful enough.

Full Translation — “21st Century Girl”

You are wholly worthy; you may do what you choose. You are noble, beautiful, and adorable. Light — that is your truth and your way.

Let them laugh or criticize; whatever they say, whatever the world says, you’re the best to me — perfect as you are.

So — don’t be scared. No matter what they say, you’re okay. You are strong — can you hear it? Whether it’s Yes or No, you decide.

Girls of the 20th century — fear no more. Your life is yours; smile pure as a child. Girls of the 21st century — don’t mind the gaze. It’s time to be born as the new you.

Say it — “I am strong.” Say it — “I am enough.” Let go, free yourself, cut it off — those old pains, that past, those binds.

All my women, raise your hands! 21st-century girls, lift your voices! Shout and let your being resound!

Passersby may murmur, “Who is she?” Don’t mind them — their gaze isn’t yours to carry.

You are already beautiful enough. Don’t worry. Truly — you are beautiful.

Everyone wants to love you; you were born to be loved — perfect, just as you are.

⭐️ What “Awakening” Means

Noticing the heart that wants to save someone. Carrying the courage to walk each day like a prayer, unafraid of solitude.

BTS’s music is a path back to the power to think and the heart to feel. Step into the light without fear — the wings are already within you.

📖 From Magic Shop

K — Kindness
To think from another’s place; to rejoice when someone is cherished with no return expected. Kindness softens society — and returns to you.

If you want love, give love. If you want joy, bring joy to others. If you want to be forgiven, forgive. If you want peace, create peace around you.

May BTS’s hope reach you. 🙏✨