From dance parties, aerial yoga to pottery workshops: Meet the Toronto sisters behind Bangtan Ball events
After discovering BTS during the pandemic, sisters Marissa and Jules Lee wanted to find new ways to party with ARMY
As corny as it sounds, people will always say that BTS finds you when you need them most.
For me, it was during a tough time I was experiencing at work back in January 2020. Despite BTS not knowing my existence at all, they became a source of joy during an uncertain time. That only carried on during the pandemic. And while the last three years have had many ups and downs, I don’t think I would change a single thing due to all the friends I’ve made along the way through loving BTS.
I am what people would describe as a “pandemic ARMY.” But hey, so are thousands of others around the world who found joy through BTS over the last couple of years!
That’s why I instantly connected with Toronto sisters Marissa and Jules Lee, who also discovered BTS around the same time.
Through their love of BTS, the pair wanted to find more ways to connect with fellow K-pop fans. That inspired the creation of Bangtan Ball, a series of BTS-related events made by ARMYs, for ARMYs.
Since launching their first dance party in June 2022, the Lee sisters have organized a number of other events that include other dance parties and group socials inspired by many of our favourite Run BTS episodes that include pottery workshops and aerial yoga. Despite only starting just a year ago, their events have since proved to be a big hit amongst the Toronto K-pop crowd. Tickets to their parties often sell-out within days!
I chatted with Marissa and Jules about their love of BTS, why partying with ARMY is so fun and how loving a K-pop band has made them closer as sisters.
I will get into the birth of Bangtan Ball soon. But first, how did you become a fan of BTS?
Jules: I was first to get into BTS in our family. It was like the day that Toronto went into lockdown in March. I remember specifically because my partner was in Mont-Tremblant for a boys’ weekend.
I didn't know that we were going to be separated for a month just because of safety concerns. But the day that we locked down, I was texting him and I was like, “I just want to watch YouTube.” I've always been obsessed with YouTube and I was watching a bunch of carpool karaoke. I didn't really know anything about BTS before watching Carpool Karaoke. I was like, “You guys are kind of cute.” Then the rabbit hole started. I watched everything I could from that point on and then I slowly began to show Marissa and our other sister and my mom. I basically recruited the family.
Marissa: When Jules first introduced us to BTS, I was definitely in the camp of like, “What? You’re into a boy band? That makes no sense.” Which is funny, because back in the day, we were very into One Direction and other boy bands. I think my love for BTS was very gradual at first. I started to be like, “Yeah, damn their songs are so catchy! They’re kind of funny.” And then one day I woke up and I was like, “I’m in love with BTS!”
People talk a lot about becoming “Pandemic ARMY.” What did they do for you during COVID?
Jules: For me, it was a lot. I was alone for an entire month. I got glimpses of socialization through Marissa and our dad and our sister because we formed a little bubble. But other than that, it was like me and BTS in my apartment for a straight month. So they were just like my best friends. It was really important to have them during the pandemic for me.
Marissa: Right before the pandemic, I actually launched my own [digital marketing] business. I've never done it before, didn't realize how demanding it was and how exhausting it is. BTS became not only an escape. But honestly, the whole Love Yourself campaign, that message they tout, really hit home for me. As an entrepreneur, I was always second guessing myself. And that whole “Love Yourself” campaign built confidence in me.
And so it's funny, I started my business with BTS, and I actually just closed my business last year. It was at the exact same time that BTS had announced that they were going on a break. I closed my business after they had went on a break because they had talked about how they’re ready for a new chapter and they’re ready to explore things by themselves. That’s how I feel. My whole pandemic trajectory followed BTS a little bit.
So how did your love of BTS lead to the start of Bangtan Ball?
Jules: We were watching the replay of BTS’s Permission To Dance: Seoul concert. It must have been our 12th time watching this concert at that point because we [had seen] this concert in LA and Las Vegas and also through other online streams.
So, we were chatting a lot throughout the show and we were just talking about how we would love to dance with ARMYs. And we are NOT clubbers. Like, we’ve never gone clubbing at all. But then we were like, “Why don’t we just do that?” So that was the birth of the idea.
So none of you guys have gone clubbing before…so how exactly did you even get to the point of making that idea into a reality?
Jules: It was a lot of trial and error. Like I said, Marissa and I don’t have any experience with partying…AT ALL. So it was cold-emailing as many venues as we could. I contacted a bunch of bars and smaller clubs and got quite a few responses. But nobody seemed to be as enthusiastic as the venue we started with, which was Clinton’s [in Toronto’s Koreatown].
Marissa: It's been a very growing process, but at the same time, and it's not been without its mistakes, bad judgment calls and bad investments. But it's a lot of fun, actually. I think we both thrive off of the stress of it.
So then you held your first event in June 2022. What was it finally like to put that into reality?
Marissa: As soon as we found the venue and who we wanted to partner with, that's when the nerves started. Trying to find people to come to the event was probably the most stressful thing. We didn't have ARMY friends, so I think me and Jules went to nearly every single K-pop event we possibly could in the month leading up to our first event. We were hustling so hard. We printed out photocards for everybody. We made little gift bags, and we're just giving them away to people who were into K-pop hoping that they would come to our event.
We actually sold out before the actual day, which shocked us because we were like, “How are we going to find 200 people to party with us? We have no friends, this isn't possible.”
[On the day of the event], we knew that we wanted to be on stage and be like the hype women for the crowd. We knew we were gonna have to dance all night. But I don't think either of us were prepared for how much cardio that requires. I also didn't anticipate how responsive the crowd was going to be. But then as I looked out to the crowd of people giving back the same energy to us, I was like, “Whoa, if this is how BTS feels, I think I would die.” They have an audience of this x 10,000!
How have hosting dance parties allowed you to find a community of other fans?
Jules: Our DMs are always very full and some days I’m too overwhelmed to even open the app.
I think the fact that we have been able to attach our personalities to Bangtan Ball, people have began to trust us. I think a lot of ARMYs are looking for friends and looking for like-minded people. And because we’re so upfront about us running these events and us being behind them, we’re automatically friends from the get-go.
How has starting Bangtan Ball together made you closer?
Marissa: I really like working with Jules. Because I’m a big BTS fan, I find it very difficult to watch new content from BTS by myself. Anytime there is a new Run BTS episode out, I’m like, “Man, I need Jules!” I want to be able to talk to somebody and laugh together!
I genuinely don’t think this would have happened if we didn’t have each other. We rely on each other so so so much.
Quick fire questions:
Your bias and bias wrecker in BTS.
Jules: My bias is Yoongi [Suga] because I think we’re very similar in our personalities. He’s also very, very attractive. I love how passionate he is.
My bias wrecker is Jungkook because he is very sexy and very talented. I think we also we have that in common. I think I’m pretty good at almost everything that I try off the bat. Such a humblebrag! [laughs]
Marissa: V…because his face. Bias wrecker changes every day. Right now, it’s Namjoon.
First song that caught your attention?
Jules: DNA.
Marissa: Spring Day.
In a few words, describe what it was like to see BTS live for the first time.
Marissa: My husband is going to be so mad at me for saying this. “Better than my wedding!”
Jules: I’ve seen them four times in person. I would say each time it is the best time in my life. Hands down.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. Follow Marissa and Jules on Instagram!
Come party with Bangtan Ball on May 27th!
In honour of 10 years of BTS, Bangtan Ball will be holding their 10th FESTA BTS Dance Party on May 27th at Toronto’s Axis Club! If you’re in the city that weekend, Bunni Pop readers can also get a discount to the event.
Just use the promo code “bunnipop” at checkout to get your ticket for 50 percent off! Click here to buy tickets.
In other news…
HYBE embarks on new project using artificial intelligence
HYBE, the company behind stars like BTS and TXT, is using artificial intelligence to create a song sung in multiple different languages. MIDNATT is the alter ego of 39-year-old singer Lee Hyun, who released a new single this week called “Masquerade.” The song was originally recorded in Korean and then engineered into English, Chinese, Spanish and Vietnamese with the help of AI audio tech company Supertone. The music video for "Masquerade" can also be "viewed" in six languages, but the video is exactly the same in each one. Only the audio changes.
The song itself has all the ingredients of a K-pop hit with its upbeat, catchy tone and superb vocals. But while I am amazed by the complexities of AI, I am curious and a bit skeptical of what that means for music in the future.
Don’t get me wrong, I think AI can do a lot to make songs more accessible in the coming years. But what might it all mean when it comes to an artist’s ownership of his/her own voice? And will companies start using AI to write lyrics and songs? It appears it’s already happening. I am a bit worried about how technology will affect the arts in the future.
P1Harmony announces early June comeback leading up to Canadian and Latin America tour
P1Harmony will be making a comeback next month with their sixth mini album HARMONY: ALL IN on June 8.
The announcement came with the teaser titled “Baring My SOUL”, starring member Soul. This comes just before the group heads on their Canadian and Latin American leg of their tour this July. Hope to see you there!
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