By now you might have seen the #PersonaChallenge where people post two photos and speak about their personal growth.
#PersonaChallenge I'm an introvert but I'm starting to be more outgoing, I can be serious, goofy or depressed I'm a doctor, a model, a wife I put on masks, play different roles, personas All of them are me Learning to love each part has been difficult but I'll get there
The challenge is based on the song “Intro: Persona,” which was revealed when BTS’s comeback trailer came out Wednesday.
seen a bunch of trans army doing this so uhh. heres me going from one type of cute to another, but becoming much happier in the process 2017 vs 2019 (they/he pronouns) #PERSONACHALLENGE
2013 - 2019... whew #PersonaChallenge
It was created by Josh, 23, from New York.
Josh asked his followers on Twitter to post a photo comparing their current selves to themselves in 2013, and it became a viral trend.
persona challenge post your 2013 vs 2019 self https://t.co/14jKzXWrQy
The hashtag also went beyond BTS fandom, prompting it to trend for hours.
#PersonaChallenge is trending #1 worldwide!!
Josh said he had no idea it went viral until the next day when he saw the tweets and the articles about the challenge.
“The fact that so many people are taking part in this just shows how truly relatable BTS are especially with the youth,” he said. “This is actually one of the reasons as to why I love this group. I love the messages that they convey in their music, the topics that they explore politics, social issues, coming of age issues and more.”
Josh said he also jokingly took part and that there are no strict rules for the challenge.
#PersonaChallenge
Some people have been sharing glow-ups.
2015-2019 ... thank u puberty #PersonaChallenge
2013 emo me vs 2019 bald headed me #PersonaChallenge
i been wearing yellow for 20 years🤔 #PersonaChallenge 1999 2018
oop i wanna do it #PersonaChallenge 2014 2018
And some people have been sharing stories of personal growth. Elizabeth Ward, a 19-year-old student from Nottinghamshire, England, told BuzzFeed News she decided to share her story of trauma she faced from a young age.
At 13, I had a scoliosis surgery which threatened my life as it was a very dangerous surgery. I developed anxiety and I started to hate myself massively. At 19, I have worked through most of my trauma and insecurities. I'm actually starting to love myself. #Personachallenge
“I found a lot of confidence in my feelings from Namjoon’s fan cafe entries about how he’s been feelings,” she said. “I tried posting one to my Twitter about my anxiety and how I was truly feeling since I’ve never done it before. It was one of the best feelings in the world for me. Like I was being the real me for the first time in years.
“I decided to push myself further when I was the persona challenge, which was all about growth. I had changed a lot since my surgery, so I decided to tell the world for the first time about what happened and what I faced.”
Ward added that she thinks the challenge is amazing.
“This challenge is a way of showing the growth of yourself in such a positive light,” she said.
Rosan Powierza, a 26-year-old content creator from Las Vegas, told BuzzFeed News hers was to reflect and see how far she has come.
2014 vs 2019 In less than 5 years, so much has happened. My mindset & goals have completely changed (in a good way of course) and its thanks to @BTS_twt #PERSONACHALLENGE
“I enjoyed scrolling through peoples posts, and of course most of them were very positive and uplifting,” she said.
Amanda, a psychologist and kindergarten teacher from Venezuela who is living in Mexico, told BuzzFeed News she doesn’t give herself enough credit for the positive changes she’s made in her life.
2013 vs 2019. I used to struggle with my weight and the way I perceived myself, but almost six years later I’m finally at a place where I’m comfortable with myself. #PersonaChallenge 💜
“I’m used to thinking the things I’ve achieved are not enough and that I should be in a better place, but the truth is my path has been rough and the little things I’ve done to become a better person over the years do matter,” Amanda said. “BTS’s music reminds me of that, and this challenge was a good opportunity to show it.
“If BTS saw it, I think they’d be really proud. We need more positivity in this world, especially online, and little events like these never fail to show the good in people.”
Keith, a 22-year-old studying for a master’s in physics, told BuzzFeed News that at first he thought it was a fun ARMY project, but then he realised how much he grew over the past few years.
2014 vs 2018 #PersonaChallenge Please use he/him pronouns
“For me, that little post showed to the world how I survived, how I came out as trans and started being my true self,” he said. “For me, the challenge was a showcase of how we grew along with BTS. Just imagine Skool luv affair beside Answer.”
Amira, an 18-year-old student from London, told BuzzFeed News she took part in the challenge “to not only support the release of BTS’s new comeback trailer, but also to interact with ARMYs across the globe to come together and celebrate our growth”.
14 YEARS OLD ⟶ 18 YEARS OLD #Personachallenge
Priti, a 20-year-old student nurse from the East Midlands, posted a tweet about how she grew to love her appearance.
2013 vs 2019. the first photo is embarrassing but i grew up being made to hate my appearance & skin tone & now i love my skin tone & i’m learning to like my facial features. also thank u braces, skincare and better makeup skills! #personachallenge
She told BuzzFeed News she took part after seeing some of her Twitter mutuals sharing stories of things they overcame in their life.
“I got inspired by them, as well as the Persona trailer, to share something that I have overcome,” Priti said. “I’m still working on fully loving myself and it’ll take some time for me to get there. I still have many days where I feel very down about myself, but I wanted to share my progress of where I am right now and that I have grown so much to love myself in my own skin and embrace my features after years of being belittled for my skin tone and appearance.”
She added: “The hashtag to me is so empowering and uplifting for not just ARMYs, but also for anyone who looks through it.”
Markia, an 17-year-old high school senior from Chicago, told BuzzFeed News she got the courage to talk about herself in the hashtag after seeing other people do it.
2015-2019 i wasn’t really happy but during the span i got panic disorder and started being more of myself #Personachallenge