Meet the fans who travelled to Busan for BTS’ free concert

BTS don’t do things by halves. After being announced as ambassadors for the South Korean port city of Busan’s bid to host the 2030 World Expo, much of the internet went wild over the prospect of what that might mean for their favourite idol group. They soon announced a free concert in the city – creative boundary-pushing, capacity-less and open to all. A bold plan given that no other artist has managed to ignite quite such a furore or indeed recruit so many into their fandom, known as ARMY. And rightly so — beyond the group’s discography of thundering, hyperactive bangers, their salient message of ~ learning to love yourself ~ has resonated with millions around the world.

With initial forecasts from Busan’s city administration suggesting that over 100,000 fans would likely congregate for the free event, it was swiftly relocated – from a specially-created outdoor stage to a more structured spot in the city’s 50,000-capacity Asiad Stadium. Crucially, standing tickets were still free and raffled via the WeVerse app, while ticketed seats were all-but fought over when they went on general sale. Despite stratospheric hotel price hikes, trains into the city were almost entirely booked up all weekend; and thanks to the last of Korea’s pandemic restrictions lifting, international fans could at long last make the trip over from every corner of the Earth. With a reported 70,000 fans travelling to the city especially for the event (almost 50 million streamed it live online), many must’ve made their way there without even having secured a ticket. No biggie! Such is the collective, we-are-family experience that BTS has garnered among their fans, even getting close to playing a part in the moment would do.

The fact this was all part of a bid for Busan to host the 2030 World Expo felt secondary on the ground this weekend. In addition to their concert, the K-pop behemoths brought their recent exhibition, PROOF to the seaside – a showcase of their tenure as a band to date – as well as a pop-up shop, a gloriously garish drone light show, themed hotel packages, and an official afterparty for when the show was over. Only BTS could make a centuries-old global event – one up there with the Olympics and World Cup – pale in comparison to the empire they’ve forged around themselves. Of course, the concert itself far exceeded expectations: a showcase of hits past and present, with members as likely to be playfully interacting with each other as they were powering through impossible-looking choreography. It felt wholesome. It also felt really emotional. And yes, it did feel a bit like goodbye for now.

BTS’ agency HYBE have since confirmed that, after the release of their various solo projects (eldest member Jin’s is imminent), the band will embark on a hiatus to complete their military service duties — as is the case for all South Korean men under the age of 30 — before reuniting in 2025. To the cynics who have been hurt by boybands in the past, this might seem like an optimistic plan, but BTS’ promise that the best is “Yet To Come” feels like something worth clinging on to.

i-D sent photographer Park Injun to Busan meet ARMYs of all ages and quiz them on their fandom.

a fan with short bleached hair dressed in all denim looks over their shoulder

Kat, 25, student

How far did you travel to attend the concert? Were you waiting long?
I traveled from Germany and I waited three hours in line but it was worth it for my first BTS concert!

Why do you love BTS so much?
They have a true and sincere connection with each other and with ARMY. I grew up together with them, being the same age as Jungkook, and they have supported me in my process of becoming an adult.

Describe ARMY in 3 words?
Passionate, compassionate, sincere.

Favourite BTS song?
The three Trivia songs!