The fans gave us the wings that allowed us to be where we are.

Hear the words of Kim Tae-hyung, who with his brothers in music rose from humble beginnings to heights that touched the skies: “The fans gave us the wings that allowed us to be where we are. So we’re always thankful, and we know we’re here thanks to our fans.” These words, spoken with sincerity, carry the rhythm of ancient wisdom. For they speak of flight not earned by strength alone, but by the uplift of countless hearts. They remind us that greatness is never solitary, but always a shared creation.

The first jewel in this saying is the image of wings. Wings are symbols of transcendence, the power to rise above the earth and soar into realms unseen. But Kim confesses that these wings were not their own—they were given. This is humility: to acknowledge that one’s ability to rise is not solely the fruit of talent, but of the faith, devotion, and love of others. Just as an eagle cannot fly without the air beneath it, so too an artist cannot ascend without the support of those who believe.

The second flame is the recognition of the fans. They are not a faceless crowd but the very force that sustains the journey. Each cheer, each voice lifted in song, each sacrifice of time and love becomes part of the current that carries the artist forward. In the ancient world, heroes were not crowned solely by their deeds but by the people who honored and remembered them. Achilles was immortalized because poets sang of him, and kings endured because their people supported them. Likewise, Kim knows that fame without the devotion of fans is but an empty shadow.

The third truth is the vow to be thankful. Gratitude is not an afterthought—it is the bond that binds artist to audience, leader to people, creator to community. To be thankful is to keep pride from poisoning the heart. Many who rise upon the wings of others forget the source of their strength and fall swiftly into ruin. But to remain thankful is to keep the wings strong, to honor those who gave them, and to ensure that flight continues.

History gives us a mirror in the tale of Julius Caesar. He rose by the strength of his armies and the devotion of his people, but when gratitude gave way to arrogance, the bond between leader and followers weakened. Contrast this with Abraham Lincoln, who in humility continually acknowledged that his authority came from the people. Because he gave thanks and honored them, his legacy endured far beyond his life. Kim Tae-hyung’s words echo this same wisdom: strength is sustained by gratitude to those who support.

The fourth jewel is the reminder that success is never achieved alone. No voice sings to an empty hall, no flame burns without air. Every life, every triumph, is sustained by unseen hands—parents, teachers, friends, mentors, supporters. To recognize this truth is to live in humility and honor. To deny it is to live in pride and isolation.

The lesson for us is profound: recognize the wings others have given you. Be thankful for those who believed when you doubted, who lifted when you stumbled, who stayed when others walked away. Whether they are many or few, they are the reason you soar. Speak your gratitude aloud, for in doing so you strengthen the bond of loyalty, humility, and love.

Practically, take time each day to remember the “fans” in your life—those who support you quietly or boldly. Thank them, not only in words but in action, by honoring their faith with your integrity. Never imagine that you rise by yourself alone; always remember the wings beneath you. For in this gratitude lies the secret of enduring greatness, just as Kim Tae-hyung declared: “We’re always thankful, and we know we’re here thanks to our fans.”