BTS Shakes Anaheim

With the rising international popularity of the Kpop group BTS, known for their spectacular choreography and upbeat songs, fans were thrilled at the news that the group was coming to the United States for their BTS Live Trilogy Episode III: The Wings Tour. Tickets were sold out in the first couple of minutes, ultimately requiring the idol group to add another date, which sold out quickly as well.

A total number of 18,000 multiracial fans gathered at the Honda Center on April 2, 2017 to witness the live performance of the seven Kpop idols. Fans gathered as early as 8 in the morning to stand in line for BTS merchandise, which was sold out 20 minutes after the booths were opened. While waiting for the actual concert doors to open, fans entertained themselves by interacting with one another and handing out handmade posters and postcards of the idols.

One hour before the concert started, the doors of the gigantic stadium were finally opened, allowing the excited ARMIES, the official name for fanclub members, to rush to their seats and await the appearance of their idols. Fans were covered in their BTS merchandise holding the official lightsticks chanting, “Kim Namjoon! Kim Seokjin! Min Yoongi! Jung Hoseok! Park Jimin! Kim Taehyung! Jeon Jungkook! BTS!”

BTS breaks records in their US leg of their world tour.
[Source: Kpopmap]

At last the concert began with thunderous screams and shouts from the diverse crowed as the popular song “Not Today” played. Following the song, each member had a solo performance and several group performances. For the final two performances, each section of the stadium put a colored bag on their light stick, creating a rainbow effect.

Madeline Kim shares her experience: “It was an incredible experience that words can’t explain! Even though I was sitting next to people I did not know, I knew that we all had a connection through BTS. I’m so glad that I was able to participate in the rainbow ocean and watch the bright lights glow up the room. It was totally worth the wait!”

The concert that took place in Anaheim is just one example of the group’s growing fan base. In addition to the concerts in the United Sates, BTS is touring nine more countries and hosting thirty-two more concerts. BTS’s popularity is certainly going to rise in the future with their many international fans.