One year since Borahaegas: That time I finally got to see BTS
One year ago, Las Vegas was completely taken over by BTS Army.
Call me dramatic, but one year ago I had the best weekend of my life.
I first became a fan of BTS in January 2020, when I was going through a tough and lonely time in my life. People often say BTS finds you when you need them most! And for me, that is what happened.
The band’s music, lyrics and videos became my connection to the rest of the world. But I wasn’t REALLY able to make many real friends in the BTS fandom until a year later, when I revealed to the world that I have always been a lifelong fangirl in a radio documentary.
By the time April 2022 hit, I had already been a fan of BTS for two years and was eager to see them live whenever it became possible. I told myself I would even travel to see them if I had to. So when I heard they were going to perform four nights in Las Vegas, I immediately worked my hardest to make it happen.
2022 was the year I turned 30, and it was my goal to catch up on all the things I lost out on in my late 20s once things started opening up. I even remember writing a bucket list of things to do. To no one’s surprise, “SEE BTS” was number one on the list.
This impromptu 72 hour weekend was the perfect excuse for a break from my busy life and an opportunity to FINALLY meet my online bestie Ting, in real life. To me, being part of a fandom is not REALLY just about BTS. It’s also about pandemic friendships and the lifelong pals I’ve made along the way. I can truly say that BTS brought Ting and I together!
Ting first messaged me on February 14, 2021, the day my radio documentary about BTS came out. For some reason, the piece blew up on Twitter, and Ting was one of the many people who DM’ed me about it. To this day we joke that we are each other’s Valentines! (Hi Ting!!! Love you!) And over the next couple of months, we’d watch BTS online concerts together and message each other memes, news and videos.
Still, I put a lot of trust in her to do much of the planning for our upcoming trip. She bought concert tickets, made hotel reservations and promised to meet me at the airport. While we had video called each other once or twice, we often joke that she could have scammed me! Thankfully, she was very much a real person. I’m so glad we were able to experience the concert and Vegas together!
To say the least, landing in Vegas felt like a fever dream because we had very little time to plan for the show given that we only found out about the concerts in early February. Flights were also very expensive with Coachella and Easter weekend falling at the same time. But alas, it was my 30th year! Go big or go home, right?
I look back at the weekend I went to see BTS with very fond memories because there is something very heartwarming to arrive in a city completely taken over by ARMY. Everywhere we went people were wearing BTS merch and carried BT21 plushies on their decked out concert bags. It was rare to go into an elevator or building without running into a few fans. People would even stop by and ask us if we wanted fan-made photocards. By the time I came home from my trip, I had a large zip lock bag full of them.
The city of Las Vegas also embraced the thousands of BTS fans arriving there, with many people dubbing the grand event Borahaegas. MGM Resorts announced BTS hotel room packages for those looking for accommodation. Just outside of the Vegas strip, fans could even go to a BTS photo exhibit and pop-up to see installations and behind-the-scenes footage of the band rehearsing. And at Mandalay Bay, there was a food pop-up known as CAFE IN THE CITY, where ARMY could consume all of “BTS’s favourite meals and drinks.” The food was only alright, however. I think I would have much preferred Jungkook’s 4AM rice snack.
I will be the first to say that all of these activities were a cash grab. But that didn’t stop us from doing it all anyways! It was nice to forget all my responsibilities for a weekend. And what better way to spend it by wearing cute clothes and doing BTS things?
Because we had travelled so far, we also decided to get tickets to see BTS for two nights. One of the best things about our travels is getting to meet new people along the way. It was during our first trip to Allegiant Stadium that we met our close friend Addie (Hi, if you’re reading!). One thing about Addie is that she’s a very talented illustrator, and she gave me one of her gorgeous prints which I now keep on my desk at work. We even met up after the concert, where we went on a j-hope photo tour, taking pictures around ARIA Resort & Casino and trying our best to pose just like him.
Now as for the BTS concerts themselves, it’s still kind of hard to believe that I actually got to see them after two years of waiting. While I had seen Permission to Dance: On Stage at least seven times via livestream, the live in-person experience just can’t be replicated. At this point, I had memorized the entire setlist and VCRs (pre-recorded videos that play in between songs). Though that didn’t stop me from getting hyped! Seeing Black Swan performed live is truly a work of art with the choreography. Not to mention, the transition between “Anpanman” to “Go Go” during the encore is just *chef’s kiss*
Plus, it would NOT be a BTS concert if the crowd (aka me) didn’t scream whenever the VCR scene of Taehyung and his paperclip comes on screen. Duh! Maybe that one scene alone was reason enough for me to go all the way to Vegas in the first place.
In all seriousness though, being in a stadium with more than 50,000 fans and their glowing ARMY Bombs is just a surreal experience. Because we were there on BTS’s fourth and final show in Vegas, we also saw the group’s PROOF comeback announcement directly after the concert. Those were some of the loudest screams I have ever heard in my life.
While I can safely say I had a hunch something was coming, I didn’t think an album announcement would come back so soon. I can honestly say that being in that room was a euphoric experience.
(If you so please, you can watch me completely lose it below just so you have a sense of what it was like in that stadium…)
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Nevertheless, it’s wild to think that a year has gone by since I saw BTS in concert because so much has changed since then.
This year marks the band’s 10th anniversary together as a group. However, it’s bittersweet knowing they’re doing solo activities right now before each member will eventually enlist in the military.
Life goes on, but our moments together remain.
When I look back to my big weekend in Vegas, I don’t exactly consider the BTS concert itself as the main highlight.
Don’t get me wrong, seeing BTS is a complete dream come true. However, I actually look back fondly at all the other things surrounding the big event. The friendships, activities and fun that was had along the way is what I remember the most.
That’s because seven Korean men who don’t know my existence made that all happen. Now I have friends for life and memories I’ll never forget. It’s why I’m grateful for BTS every day.
Related reading:
Just before I headed to the BTS concert, I worked on a radio documentary about K-pop bands and how they are redefining the live music experience with virtual shows. Please check it out if you have a moment. I’m glad livestreamed concerts have continued to stay post-COVID lockdown.
In other news…
P1Harmony is coming to Canada and Latin America
Many fans of P1Harmony (also known as P1ece) were sad when the group announced they were touring earlier this year with no Canadian dates. After all, Keeho needs to come home! Thankfully, our prayers and dreams have been answered. The group will be touring Canada and Latin America in July! That being said, the only Canadian dates are Toronto and Vancouver.
The P1Harmony boys were also in Paris this past weekend to perform at KBS Music Bank. That’s where they did a cover of NCT 127’s “2 Baddies”, which they absolutely killed!
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Blackpink’s Jisoo gets tipsy on “My Alcohol Diary”
I truly believe Lee Young ji’s “My Alcohol Diary” is one of the funnest ways to watch artists promote their new comebacks. What could be more entertaining than seeing K-pop idols get a little wild and tipsy during a fun interview? While I have always pictured Jisoo as an introverted and quiet person, I really loved seeing this fun side of her!
Jisoo, who has been promoting her new single “Flower”, recently performed the song live on tour in Japan. I didn’t expect to love the song when I first heard it, but it has stuck with me since. Gone are the quintessential EDM sounds and trap beats often heard in Blackpink’s music. “Flower” is simple and gorgeous, and Jisoo looks stunning in the music video.
In other Blackpink news, the girls will also be one guests on Carpool Karaoke on “The Late Late Show with James Corden.” The special will air on April 27 at 10 p.m. EST.
j-hope, IU, The Rose’s Woosung and Ryuichi Sakamoto to feature on Agust D’s new album D-Day
Over the weekend, Suga of BTS revealed the tracklist for D-Day, the final part of the Agust D trilogy. The 10-track album will feature fellow BTS member j-hope, Korean pop singer IU and The Rose vocalist and guitarist Woosung. Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto, who passed away in late March, is also credited as a featuring artist in a song called “Snooze.” D-Day officially comes out on April 21, and it already sounds like a legendary project!
What I’m watching
By the time the next EMMY Award nominations are announced, I expect to see Beef getting all the nods. I have not been riveted by a television series like this since Squid Game. In fact, Beef is so good I binged all 10 episodes in a day.
Starring Steven Yeun and Ali Wong, Beef follows two people who let a road rage incident burrow into their minds and consume their every thought and action. The reason why I love this show so much is because it’s about rage, something that’s often looked down upon in Asian communities. We’re known to put our head downs, not cause trouble and are expected to quietly move on with our lives even when things treat you unfairly. I always say that everyone is about three degrees from spiralling out of control because life really is unpredictable. Steven Yeun and Ali Wong perfectly portrayed the pent-up angst, frustration and sadness of their characters. This show is 10/10.
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we always shall have Tae and the paperclip; the Dynamite/Butter dance break transition; and those Black Swan outfits. 💜
I can't believe it's been one year already! Cue the tears. I miss this all so much and I miss you!!! BTS has changed my life. It sort of feels weird to admit that a music group has impacted my life in such a drastic way, but they have brought me so much comfort, happiness and hope. I feel like I am closing out my 20's on a much better note than how it started... and that's largely due to BTS and the ARMYs I've connected with. Borahaegas was an absolute dream of a weekend- and I hope every ARMY can experience something similar.