(Photo credit: BIGHIT MUSIC)
I’ve had the joy of seeing BTS and some of the band’s members play in cities like Las Vegas, New York, Chicago and Amsterdam.
But nothing truly hits harder than seeing a group you’ve followed for years play in your home city. This past weekend, that dream was finally realized. It will easily be the highlight of my year.
To say anticipation for BTS’s arrival in Canada was high is an understatement. BTS was last in Canada in 2018 for the Love Yourself Tour in Hamilton. Though the band’s last real show in Toronto was 2015 for their Highlight Tour at the Phoenix Concert Theatre (a venue that only holds about 1,350).
How much has changed since those years! BTS (composed of members RM, Jin, Suga, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook) is now the biggest boy band in the world. The ARIRANG World Tour is projected to gross more than $2 billion dollars (CDN) in total revenue.
When BTS announced they would be heading on a world tour in January, it’s safe to say every month since then has been leading up to the Toronto concerts.
“BTS IS COMING TO TORONTO!” I remember typing in my group chat. And from there, the strategizing on how to buy tickets suddenly began. We bought BTS ARMY fan club memberships for presale. We signed up to buy tickets for multiple cities to better our chances at scoring tickets. We also relied on acquaintances for help.
(Photo credit: BIGHIT MUSIC)
In the week leading up to BTS’s concerts in Toronto, fan events at bubble tea cafes and K-pop stores were hosted in honour of the band. The Toronto Eaton Centre held a Comeback Fan Zone, giving people the opportunity to make crafts and take pictures at a photo activation. An official merch pop-up opened in Yorkville for people to shop official BTS Arirang merch. And at the Nike store, people lined up hours to take part in a limited time BTS merch collaboration.
(Photo credit: rkive/Instagram)
The excitement was further elevated when BTS members were spotted around Toronto. Members Jungkook, V and j-hope were seen at North York’s Empress Walk for a meal at Shinta Japanese BBQ. RM and Suga went to a hockey practice with the Toronto Maple Leafs. RM and j-hope also soaked in the sun on a private yacht on Lake Ontario. V shot a dance video outside of a small snack shop called Willy Wacky Exotic Snacks.
Members also ate well, having meals at Brown Tonkatsu, Pizzeria Badiali, Daldongnae Korean BBQ, Wonjoo Bunsik and a soon-to-be-opened restaurant called Hwaro Korean BBQ.
(Photo credit: thv/Instagram)
Still, as the concert dates approached, anxiety filled the air. Heavy rain and thunderstorms were in the forecast. Many hoped and prayed this would not be the case. At least two people I know even hired Etsy witches to cast the rain away. Desperate times call for desperate measures!
But alas, this brings me to Saturday. By 6pm, it started to pour. Then the thunder and lightning followed moments after. Everyone’s adorable concert outfits were soon covered by rain coats and ponchos.
People started to worry when Rogers Stadium staff started calling concert goers to get off the bleachers and onto the fan zone grounds for their safety. And while I started getting messages from friends worrying about the weather, I said I was staying put. The concert hadn’t been cancelled yet. Me and the thousands of fans still held onto hope.
Things thankfully took a shift by the time it reached 7:45 pm, just minutes before the show was scheduled to begin. The concert was announced safe to resume. Everyone around me cheered.
(My cute sailor outfit was replaced by a plastic poncho)
By the time the show officially started around 8:30 pm, BTS came out on stage clad in leather outfits, delivering high energy performances of “Hooligan”, “Aliens” and “Run BTS.”
It no longer mattered if our socks were soaking and our ponchos were uncomfortable. BTS was finally performing in Toronto!
“The way you are looking right now, you might be the most FIRE crowd tonight,” V said, lifting spirits even higher.
“I’m ready and the rain’s ready. Are YOU ready Toronto?” Jin, the eldest member added.
At other points of the show, BTS leader RM commented on Toronto’s loud cheers and energy. “God damn! Why you guys so sexy?!”
Throughout the night, the rain let up for much of the concert, allowing the BTS members to dance on stage more comfortably. The 360 stage, which sat in the middle of the stadium, also featured four extended catwalks that gave fans great views from the floor to the nosebleeds.
Korean pride was also in full display. During a section of the show, cloaked figures in red, blue and white congregated on the stage to form a yinyang circle inspired by the South Korean flag.
And during a fan favourite portion of the concert, members of BTS paraded around the stadium to their hit “IDOL,” which is blended in with the sounds of a traditional folk instrument called the gayageum.
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The encore portion of the show was the moment to pay lots of Canadian fan service. RM came out in a customized Toronto Maple Leafs jersey. V sported a denim baseball cap with a Canadian flag. Meanwhile, Suga had Canadian themed patches sewn onto his T-shirt.
By that point, the rain started pouring once again, but somehow it only made the experience more magical. BTS members ran across the stage playfully kicking puddles of rain at each other. At other points, they performed choreography to older tracks like “Dope.”
By the the time the BTS members performed the final two tracks, “Please” and “Into the Sun”, the atmosphere became even more sentimental. Both songs highlight themes of love, loyalty and devotion—things the band hopes to share with their fans for years to come.
“We are gonna never ever forget this night,” RM said during his final speech during night one of BTS’s concerts in Toronto.
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There is nothing like hearing a band you’ve been waiting for years to say the name of your home city. It gives you a sense of feeling that you’re seen, you’re important. But most of all, it’s a reminder of being part of a community.
I attended both Toronto dates, and I felt like I was running into people I knew all around me. (And thankfully, the weather was absolutely gorgeous on Sunday!)
It was also meaningful to actually get to spend the shows with my cousins and a group of friends, many of them who were seeing BTS for the first time.
There really is nothing like screaming and singing along with each other as your favourite band plays in front of you. It was cathartic. It was fun. It was a reminder that life is worth living!
Over the past week, I’ve met fans from Mexico City, Los Angeles, Missouri, South America and beyond. Each said they were enjoying their travels, and it was fun giving people recommendations on what to do or eat.
Having travelled for a number of K-pop shows, I have always loved how a city changes when a big K-pop concert rolls around.
I am so proud of the way Toronto showed up for the BTS concerts and to finally play the host.
May we get to share more special memories together soon.
See me elsewhere!
The BTS concerts in Toronto also marked one of my busiest professional weeks. On Saturday, I braved the rain to chat with fans as they were heading into Rogers Stadium. One of my favourite segments included hearing from male ARMY about why they love BTS. What a wholesome bunch of people!
I also loved hearing from some of the older fans, who shared why music has no age limits.
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