Thousands of international fans of K-pop icons BTS flocked to the suburbs of Seoul on Friday for a highly anticipated celebration surrounding BTS FESTA, coinciding with the group’s 12th anniversary. The event marks a joyful reunion of the BTS members following their mandatory military service in South Korea.
Since their last group performance in 2022, BTS has not toured together since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and military obligations. Although all seven members were present at Friday’s gathering, only Jungkook, J-Hope, and Jin performed live for the estimated audience of 27,000, as per the group’s management agency.
Fans traveled from across the globe, eager to see the members, especially during J-Hope’s solo concerts as he wraps up his “Hope on the Stage” world tour. Many expressed their overwhelming excitement. Karla Linan Saucede, a 33-year-old fan from Mexico, shared that she came with friends, hoping to soak in the atmosphere and possibly catch a glimpse of the BTS members. “I want to enjoy everything because there are many things to do here and… I hope to see the guys maybe,” she said.
Ayla O’Ryan, 45, from Scotland described her emotions as “gone past excitement and into almost being numb,” reflecting on her practices to learn Korean in anticipation of attending this special event.
In light of BTS members RM and V recently returning from military service, excitement continues to rise as fans await the complete reunion once all members finish their obligations. The enthusiasm around BTS remains strong, hinting at future endeavors, both together and solo, fostering hope and connection among their vast global fan base, known as ARMY.
The latest festivities have sparked optimism for the group’s future, promising new music and performances that fans eagerly anticipate.
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