𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚢 𝚋𝚒𝚛𝚝𝚑𝚍𝚊𝚢, 𝚛𝚢𝚞𝚓𝚒𝚗𝚗𝚒𝚎!~

dearest ryry,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! you are such a shining star and i adore you so much. you're so strong and sassy and brave and smart, i admire you so much. professionally you are such an amazingly talented and hard working person, and personally you are simply one of the best people on this planet. i am so lucky to know you and i love getting to know you better. i hope you know how loved and admired you are, how beautiful you are, how irreplaceable you are, especially today but on all days because you should never feel anything less. i hope you get all the best things today and i will personally make sure there are cats involved, i have five at the ready to smother you with love (or be mildly aloof but semi interested). love you to bits, my ryry. happiest of happy birthdays to you!

love always and forever,
lili 😺💜

dear ryujinnie,

...or should i say you could be my ryuddaeng, my future wifey in the making, my fellow 01 trouble maker and twerk partner extraordinaire. i have so many little nicknames for you and i hope i can come up with so many more to help encapsulate the vibrant personality you have and how much you mean to me. we've known each other so long and i've watched you grow into this wonderful self assured beautiful woman that you are today. i can't get over how you take every concept jyp throws at itzy and make it your, excuse my language mark, bitch!! you are our wonderful center for a reason.

there are a million and one accomplishments under your belt that i can brag about and there's a million and one traits that i can coo and praise you over but i'm trying not to be too sappy here!!! too late, i'm crying 😭 i love you and i just love what you bring to, not only itzy, but to this community and to any and everyone else who is smart enough to pay attention. you're loyal, caring, intelligent and so so funny. i always have a great time with you whether it's stomping on the patriarchy or just doing fun dances in front of the camera and/or mirror.

you make people happy and now it's our turn to make you happy. i really hope you have the best birthday ever and you enjoy this minuscule moment where you are technically older than me. i love you and i'm eternally grateful to have you in my life and i hope you really do feel just how deeply i respect and care about you. we're family first and foremost and i know we're always going to look out for each other and have our best interests in mind.

ahhh, i need to wrap this up! i just want to say have the happiest birthday, eat all sorts of sweets, get every present imaginable and drown in everyone's love and adoration for you because you deserve it and you're worth it. i love you!! happy birthday!! 🥳✨🎉🎂🎁🎈

xx chaery

ps. i can't wait to manifest our MASH prophecy and live happily ever after together~

dearest ryujin,

i'm writing to you from the dungeon so i hope this gets to you in time! can you believe it's already been a year since we graduated from the (objectively best) arts school in the country?? and look at how much you've accomplished since then~~! i always knew you were a legend from the moment i laid eyes on you as a trainee but it's truly been incredible watching you grow into that potential and take over the industry one aggressive shoulder shimmy at a time. it's also been amazing to be by your side as your sister and friend through all of our ups and downs in this crazy world. we've seen each other at our most vulnerable, hopeful, scared selves just hoping and praying we would get to do what we love together. and although things didn't end up exactly as planned (sorry about that, this girl couldn't hack that choreo are you kidding?!) i'm so happy and grateful i can still be a part of your history and a part of your squad. you are WONDERFUL and a blast to be around. here's to all the fun times we've had and all the fun times we'll continue to have in the future. i love you, happy birthday, never forget!!!

all my love,
somi (soyours~)

our dear shin ryujin,

your birthday has arrived! 🎈🥳 there's so much i want to say about you and the way you glue our team together with your talent and coolness but i'm sure you're tired of hearing about how cool you are from your least cool unnie (i'm sorry if i've dragged your stock down just by sheer association~). i know we've always been total opposites from a personality standpoint (even if god humbled both of us from a height perspective) but i appreciate that you've always been unselfish about being patient with me, no matter how much of a battle that was for your aries sun. however, the aquarius uranus in you is truly unselfish and helpful and i feel like you've helped me continue to grow and get better as a result. you already know that i'm willing to pull out a weapon and subsequently end absolutely anyone who bothers you, but it's never been because i thought you needed it so much as i wanted to do my part in making sure everyone knows that you're loved and favored and they're entirely disposable if they don't align with this program. 😌 you're one of the cutest people i know and i always hold you in my heart and cry about our relationship and how much more i wish i could be doing for you all the time (i would say ask daniel to confirm this, but he probably has trauma from these repeated breakdowns) but until we have 40 years of friendship behind us that we can point to as the proof of this undying affection, please accept all my love knowing that you don't have a choice because i'm going to force it on you regardless. your astrological goals for this year are to avoid guilt, self-critique and danger and while i know i'm not going to be able to stop you from doing some kind of high-octane activities that are going to give me a headache, i'm going to do everything in my power to stop self-criticism in its tracks by reminding you that you're talented, beautiful, funny, and loved by me all the time. and if you refuse to accept my love, i'm rearranging the rooms in the new dorm so we're in the same one and you can't escape me. don't test me! you know i will!

i truly love you so much. have the best birthday! we're going to make this your best year yet~ 🎉🎈🎊💕🤗😻👑

forever & always,
lia~ 💜

DEAR RYUJIN,

HEY BESTIE i can't believe the other best rapper in the game THE NICKI SHINAJ TO MY AUBLEE GRAHAM IS HAVING A BIRTHDAY and it is time to turn UP. you are one of the DOPEST and most talented people i know taking it way back to our days on reality tv days when i was rapping with seulgi and you were almost getting poached by yg. you're the standard for rappers, and i always enjoy getting together for our BESTIE NIGHTS because i know you're gonna have the same questions during movies as me as to why white people make some of the choices that they do. fictional or otherwise. ANYWAY HAVE THE BEST BIRTHDAY MAY YOUR WISHES OF HAVING WONHO POP OUT A CAKE OR SOMETHING COME TRUE but not while i'm at the party please wait for me to exit first before that part begins.

PEACE AND BLESSINGS,
MARK

dearest ryujinnie,

you will forever be the godmother to both damien and kkoongie and lover of all black cats, but you're also a very important person to me too. i'm so happy we've been able to get closer recently and i hope we can continue to get closer, because you're part of the found family now and i love and adore you. you deserve all the love and happiness that will definitely come pouring your way today.

horrifically,
taeminnie

DEAR RYUJIN,

i can't believe it's your birthday already JUST TWO WEEKS AGO it seemed like we were exchanging animal crossing christmas presents. you have always been such a good friend to me and i really don't deserve you but i am accepting your friendship anyway. i hope you get the color of birthday party you want and erik shows up to your party because he's still the best villager. I LOVE YOU HAPPY BIRTHDAY i hope we celebrate so many more together and you eat a million cakes today (i will take the extras off of your hands i'm just saying)

LOVE,
HAECHAN

dear icinus goblinus ryujinnie,

today we bless the asteroid that was launched by aliens that fatally hit the earth and extinguished the dinosaurs that became fossils that turned into oil that fueled the truck that took the concrete to build the hospital where our all powerful ryu was born~ you're always busy putting smiles on everyone's faces so please allow yourself to be surrounded with love and appreciation today and not just today but every!! day!!! please meet me in our designated corner to be the icing goblins we were destined to be.

💚💚💚 icinus goblinus jungwooty

RYUJIN

my phone corrected to caps so i had to leave it, you know i don't argue with autocorrect. HAPPY BIRTHDAY i know we just started talking but i can say with complete honesty that you're already one of the people i look forward to hearing from most each day. you're funny, and you're witty, smart, YOU'RE CUTE and you're also So Tuff. i'm glad we're friends YOU BETTER GET USED TO ME ASKING RANDOM QUESTIONS ALL THE TIME you're always such a good sport when i ask like, your favorite ice cream or what the worst dream you've ever had is (i want to know both of these answers btw). THANKS FOR BEING BORN TG YOU WERE ok now bring me that piece of cake with your face on it and extra icing 🤲

🐄🥰🐈
juyeon

dear ryujin,

it's been a while since i last wrote you, and i'm sorry for that. time really does fly when you're busy, doesn't it? how have you been? are you keeping well? how are the kids? i'm kidding about that last one but i'm serious with the others. i hear it's your birthday today though, that's super cool! have you got any birthday wishes that you want to come true this year? i promise i won't press you on what they are, you don't have to worry! we can't have them not coming true, right?

i know this letter is only brief, i'm scratching it out between rehearsals and working in the studio but i wanted to make sure to get this written out and sent so it would reach you on your special day. i hope you get spoiled rotten and that all of your best birthday wishes come true for you this year. have you ever had a birthday wish come true? i hope you're not too old and cool now for birthday wishes!!

anyway, i need to wrap this up now, i'm being called back to the office but i promise i'll write you again soon. happy birthday, shortstack.

all my love,
chris x

Dearest Ryupaul,

How do I say 'happy birthday' to thee? Let me count the ways:

1) Happy birthday! Thank you for being one of my sisters from another mister.
2) Bon anniversaire! I appreciate you being in my life and bonding with you over being part-cat.
3) 생일 축하해! I hope that your 20th year of life is one with more good memories than bad ones.
4) Feliz cumpleaños! If anyone tries to mess with you this year, I'll 🤬 them up. (If only because me 🤬ing them up would be considerably less painful than if you 🤬ed them up because I throw a weak punch.)
5) お誕生日おめでとう! I hope that COVID-19 is over soon so we can go on a family vacation soon. Let's family vacate before your 21st birthday. Deal? Deal.
6) 生日快乐! For your birthday, I will send you special treats, and maybe some extra special treats for your cats because your birthday doesn't count unless you've properly celebrated it with your fur children.
7) ⊑⏃⌿⌿⊬ ⏚⟟⍀⏁⊑⎅⏃⊬! This is how they say it on Mars.
8) Parabéns a você! I'm going to wrap this up, but I hope that you enjoyed my letter as well as the strange language lesson that you did not ask for.
9) Alles gute zum geburtstag! Much much love to you.
10) С днём рождения! Mic drop.

Sincerely,
Catniel Kang (the 3rd).

happiest of birthdays, miss ryujin 🌻🥳🍰

knowing you is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. it's strange to think that there was a time when i didn't, because now it is impossible to imagine a life without you. really, who else would film food vlogs set to sensual music with me? even if there were volunteers, none of them could ever compare to you or your smile that illuminates the darkest of spaces. i know this to be a fact, because you've brought so much light to my life with a single yet devious grin.

ever since our first conversation, you've shown me nothing, but kindness, love, patience, and acceptance. it's funny to think back on, because i recall how nervous i felt at the time. i wish i could remember why, perhaps because first impressions are everything, but what i do know is that it didn't last for long. rather than me try to slow fade and vanish into the nether, we laughed and laughed and laughed as if we've known each other for centuries, and maybe it's true, maybe we have. but i knew then what i am still confident in now: i hope to make you laugh for a long time, in the next life, and each one that follows. who knows? maybe you'll be taller than me by then.

in all seriousness, i'm not sure if i'll ever find enough words to adequately express my gratitude for you and everything that you've done for me. as fierce as you are, you're one of the most loving and compassionate women that i have ever known. it's true that women mature faster than men, because you are wiser than i could ever hope to be. it's because of your guidance that i've learned to find myself again and again, and it's because of your perspective that i've learned to see a little clearer. some days i still feel like crawling, but you've taught me how to carry on and focus on what, and who, matter the most. i can't tell you enough how much i admire that strength about you. it has led me to believe that, without doubt or hesitation, you could easily cut my legs off from the knees down… but that fear doesn't take away from the days that we've shared, the memories that we've made, or the roots that you've planted in my life. you're 🌻, after all.

how lucky i am to know you and best of all, to call you my friend. you might be shorter than me, but i really look up to you, ryujinnie. i am blessed, honored and proud to know you, and i look forward to taking over the asmr/cafe vlog world by storm, and stealing enough snakes to start a sanctuary. i hope that today, and every day to come, is full of love and laughter and a lot of hydration. you deserve everything good in the world, and should anyone test that, i'll help you get rid of the body. i love you!!!

yours,
kooberry 🐰

my baby my honey my daisy my ryuddaeng~~🖤

is it really your birthday already??! time isn't real, i'm certain of this because it really feels like we just celebrated yesterday, but it doesn't really matter since i would celebrate your existence every day if i could. who wouldn't? i can't think of a single person (who matters) who wouldn't feel like the luckiest to be able to fit snugly and warmly within your bubble every day, to share a space with such a fiery queen and to be able to take care of you well, too. i know it's not something you often let me do since you're naturally so independent, but it makes me feel good whenever you let your guard down and let me be a leader for you

don't get me wrong, i really, really admire your independence and your strength that comes from that. i catch myself wishing that i had more of both, but we always admire the qualities in our best friends, right? there's a lot about you that i love!! i love your spunk, your tenacity, how soft and sweet you can be when you think nobody's looking. i also love the way we can fight like street cats and then snuggle up together by the end of the day. i think i knew from the day we started talking in the kktalk trainee chat that you were someone special, but it wasn't until our first real day of practice together when you kept your promise of hugging me that i understood just how special you really were and how much you and your friendship would mean to me. i could count to infinity an infinite amount of times and it still could never measure the amount of love i have for you.

there aren't many people who i feel really truly understand me or my heart completely, and i don't mean to sound like a broody young adult protagonist (call me yedward 😔) either, but it's true. i've always felt different, and like i don't really fit in certain spaces with certain people, but you never made me feel like that. i felt so comfortable and at total ease with you right away and i feel it even stronger as we continue to grow together. i can only hope that i make you feel the exact same way because it's what you deserve – a safe space you can retreat to whenever you feel lost or vulnerable or anxious or scared. i'll always shelter you if you let me.

i have many moments where i look at you and i can't believe that someone like you really exists. you're such a unique person, and you're the type to inspire so many young girls to believe in themselves, to work and to be strong and passionate. you're an all-rounder and gifted even beyond that which is something that people can sense whenever they get to know you, in person or on the screen. every day i feel as though i got so lucky to be able to debut with such a naturally gifted group of girls, and to be able to be a leader... i didn't understand it back then, but i know now that i have it so good. you've taught me so much along our journey. you've taught me about confidence, being comfortable in my skin, humility, steadfastness. i owe so much of my success as a leader to you and the rest of itzy.

i'm getting so tired and my eyes keep welling up which means i can't see so there are probably a million typos throughout this letter BUT I DON'T CARE. 😭 my nose also keeps stinging and my cheeks are burning so i'll close this off by reminding you that i love you beyond words, and that i'm so thankful to your eomma and appa for bringing you into this world because you make the world a better place to be. my world especially. let's keep going down this path together for a long time~

happy birthday ✨🎉🥳🎂,
your yeddong~