BTS World Tour: ARIRANG in Toronto — Day 1

(Warning: This is a very long, photo-heavy post!)

THE DAY HAS COME. BTS WORLD TOUR ARIRANG HAS FINALLY ARRIVED IN TORONTO. 

First of all, merch. There are people that waited hours and hours for merch yesterday and today. (If you watched the local news yesterday, you'll know that ARMYs started lining up for merch at 2:00AM for the public merch sale.) But my friend Iris got the VIP soundcheck package for Day 1, which means she got access to VIP shopping, which means a separate merch booth just for VIP ticket holders. And she got there at 8:00AM, so not only did she get all the merch items we wanted, but she only had to wait in line for 30 minutes. (Almost all items have a limit of one per person for this tour, but I wanted the items that she didn't want and vice versa, so it worked out perfectly for us.) Thus, thanks to her, I didn't have to line-up for merch at all for this tour. It's like karma finally paid me back for having had to wait dozens of hours for merch at all their previous tours. (Yes, I will treat Iris to lunch, don't worry.) 

Without having merch to worry about, I decided to get to Rogers Stadium around 4:00PM because I wanted to stop at ARMY ZONE first and didn't know what the line-ups would be like. Toronto is, so far, the only stop in North America on the ARIRANG Tour that got an ARMY ZONE — it's basically a booth set-up for ARMY Membership holders to get a free gift. (FYI, our gift was a set of exclusive photo cards with TORONTO printed on the back.) Of course, I didn't have to get there nearly as early as I did because there was no line-up at all by the time I got to the ARMY ZONE booths. Went straight to a staff member, showed my concert ticket and my membership card, and got my pack of photo cards within 2 minutes. (Turns out, the line-ups are typically at opening time with virtually no-line ups later in the day.) Of course, I still had to wait for soundcheck to be over at 6:00PM to meet with Iris. Which meant I had 1.5 hours to kill. (In order to preserve my phone battery, I literally vaped and people-watched for over an hour. Even I am impressed with myself.)

The weather started off pretty great — warm and sunny. Over the next hour, there was a little drizzle here and there, but nothing crazy. Rain was in the forecast for today, so I had brought two waterproof ponchos with me and put one on just in case. By the time 5:30PM rolled around and I went to line-up to get into the stadium, it started raining. By the time I got through bag check and ticket scan and walked into the stadium's fan area to meet with Iris, it was pouring. Thank god I already had my poncho on because I would've been soaked within a couple minutes. Of course, by 7:00PM, the thunderstorm started. Lightning streaked across the sky, a weather delay warning was put up on the big screens, and the people that were already seated in the metal grandstands were asked to head outside of the stadium for safety. 

Obligatory ARMY Bomb photo (In the Rain edition)

By 7:30PM, with the delay warning still in effect, the security was allowing those of us with floor seats to go into the stadium. So Iris and I — who had seats in different sections — went off into our own section entrances. By 7:50PM, even though it was still pouring rain, the venue made the announcement that the concert will go on as planned. I gotta say, it really speaks to the dedication of BTS and their staff to continue with the concert. I mean, I know that cancelling a concert results in a plethora of losses — for BTS, their company, and their fans — but honestly, artists have cancelled concerts for much less. And man, I am so glad the concert went on, because torrential downpour or not, it was FUCKING INCREDIBLE.

ACT I: Setlist

1. Hooligan
2. Aliens
3. Run BTS 
4. They Don't Know 'Bout Us
5. Like Animals
6. FAKE LOVE
7. SWIM
8. Merry Go Round

BTS performing "Hooligan"

BTS performing "Aliens"

BTS performing "Aliens"

BTS performing "Aliens"

BTS performing "Aliens"

BTS performing "Run BTS"

BTS performing "Run BTS"

J-Hope performing "Run BTS"

BTS during 1st ments

Jimin during 1st ments

Jin, Jimin, and V during 1st ments

BTS during 1st ments

BTS performing "Like Animals"

RM performing "Like Animals"

RM performing "FAKE LOVE"

Jin performing "FAKE LOVE"

J-Hope performing "Merry Go Round"

Act II: Set List

1. 2.0
2. NORMAL
3. Not Today
4. MIC Drop
5. FYA/FIRE Medley
6. Body to Body
7. IDOL 

BTS performing "2.0"

BTS performing "2.0"

BTS performing "2.0"

BTS performing "2.0"

Jungkook performing "NORMAL"

Jungkook and J-Hope during 2nd ments

Jungkook during 2nd ments

Suga during 3rd ments

J-Hope during 3rd ments

RM during 3rd ments

Encore: Set List

1. Come Over
2. Butter
3. Dynamite
4. DJ Spin That (Toronto Day 1): Outro: Wings
5. DJ Spin That (Toronto Day 1): DOPE
6. Please
7. Into the Sun

BTS during 4th ments

Jimin, V, RM, and Jungkook during 4th ments

J-Hope during 4th ments

Jungkook and V performing "DOPE"

Jungkook and V performing "DOPE"

Jungkook and V performing "DOPE"

BTS during final ments

BTS during final ments

BTS performing "Please"

We've seen them perform in rain before, but never like this. BTS gave it their all in a fucking TORRENTIAL DOWNPOUR, which honestly made the experience all the more memorable. I wasn't sure how I was going to like the 360 stage but it honestly gave everyone in the stadium equally amazing views. I didn't think there was a particular side that they favoured — they even changed the choreography so they would be facing all four directions throughout a song — and all members made sure to spend time all around the stage and on all four ramps. Plus, RM in a Maple Leafs jersey, V in a Canada hat, and the rest of them with Canada patches sewn on their shirts made their Canadian visit a little more special. They acknowledged, more than once and by more than one member, that they know we've been waiting nearly ten years for their return and they're so happy to be back. While there has been criticism of HYBE continually treating their Canadian fans as less than their US counterparts, tonight was proof that they love us and love being here.

I can't wait to do it all over again tomorrow.

BTS EPISODE: BTS FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Halftime Show Sketch

The most insane schedule in the middle of a gruelling world tour for a 3-minute performance. Honestly, these guys are truly of a different class.

And I get to see them live in TWO DAYS!!!!!

BTS EPISODE: BTS ARIRANG World Tour in Busan Sketch

I watched the Busan concert in theatres just over two months ago and now there's only THREE MORE DAYS UNTIL I GET TO SEE THESE THEM LIVE IN MY HOMETOWN!!!!

Harry Potter x Tim Hortons — Back to Hogwarts Collection: Colour Changing Stir Wand, Golden Snitch Timbits Holder, Golden Snitch Caramel Timbits, and Hogwarts 6-Pack Donuts

So, the Harry Potter collaboration with Tim Hortons, Back to Hogwarts, launched last Wednesday, and the dual Potterhead-Canadian in me was DETERMINED to get it all. So I did. (Minus the drinks. Because in my world, donuts are only to be eaten with coffee or tea. Plus, if I'm going to consume that much sugar, it is damn well going to be in pastry form.)

Harry Potter x Tim Hortons: Colour Changing Stir Wand

I obviously got the Colour Changing Stir Wand — with a price tag of $19.99, it's the most expensive item from the Back to Hogwarts collection — which apparently turns blue when you use it to stir cold drinks. (Seems like a missed opportunity to make one for hot drinks, too, but I digress.) I got it purely as a collector's item and, frankly, it will never be used for any other purpose than to be displayed proudly on my dedicated Harry Potter bookshelf (on which all my other Harry Potter memorabilia and multiple book editions sit). 

Harry Potter x Tim Hortons: Golden Snitch Timbits Holder

Harry Potter x Tim Hortons: Timbits Box

Harry Potter x Tim Hortons: Golden Snitch Caramel Timbits

As with the stir wand, I also got the Golden Snitch Timbits Holder as a display item, and the lady that took my order very kindly asked if I'd like my Timbits in the holder or in a separate box. I obviously got the Timbits in a separate box because the holder was sealed in plastic, and will never be sullied by food items, much less sticky donut holes. On that note, though, the Golden Snitch Caramel Timbits are fucking delicious. Like a Honey Dip Timbit, but filled with caramel and sprinkled with sugar crystals. Like all the food items from this collab, these are definitely bordering on too sweet, but they're addictive, especially for those who love caramel. A solid 8/10. And only 50 calories each! 

Harry Potter x Tim Hortons: Hogwarts 6-Pack Donuts Box

I also got the Hogwarts 6-Pack Donut Box because for $11.99, I can get all four of the Harry Potter donuts as well as an Apple Fritter and a Maple Glazed in a fancy limited edition Harry Potter box, instead of getting each Harry Potter donut for $2.79 each and not getting the fancy box. (For those who can't math, you're basically getting two more donuts for $0.83.) Now, I had to limit myself to one donut a day because hi, I'm diabetic, so I ate half of one in the afternoon and the other half in the evening. And thus, it took me four days to eat all four different house donuts. 

Harry Potter x Tim Hortons: Ravenclaw Blueberry Donut

The first one I tried was the Ravenclaw Blueberry Donut, which is a blueberry jelly-filled yeast donut topped with blue fondant icing and "blue crunch pieces." I love jelly donuts and the blueberry flavour is quite delightful, but the fondant on such a large surface of donut on top of the jelly filling is overwhelmingly sweet, so this is a 7/10 for me. Honestly, if the topping was blue sprinkles or even just glazed with the blue crunchy bits instead of fondant, I probably would've given this an 8. 

Harry Potter x Tim Hortons: Hufflepuff Lemon Meringue Donut

The second one I tried was the Hufflepuff Lemon Meringue Donut, which is a yeast ring donut filled with lemon cream and custard with a "meringue crunch." I don't usually love custard fillings as much as jelly, but the lemon cream is a DREAM — it has a good amount of tartness to offset the insane sweetness — and it does actually taste very similar to a lemon meringue pie, so I give this a 9/10.

Harry Potter x Tim Hortons: Gryffindor Strawberry Cheesecake Donut

The third donut I tried was the Gryffindor Strawberry Cheesecake Donut. Like the Hufflepuff one, this one is a yeast ring donut with a double filling, but with strawberry jelly and a cheesecake cream filling, topped with white fondant and strawberry bark pieces. As mentioned, I am a sucker for jelly donuts, but I am ALSO a sucker for cheesecake, so this also merits a 9/10 for me, and only because I would've preferred an icing sugar topping rather than fondant. 

Harry Potter x Tim Hortons: Slytherin Chocolate Pistachio Donut

Finally, I tried the Slytherin Chocolate Pistachio Donut, which is a yeast donut filled with chocolate, and topped with pistachio fondant and "green crunch pieces" that apparently also contain pistachio. This was the biggest disappointment, my least favourite of the four, and the only one I wouldn't recommend. It seems like the chocolate filling is the same as what they dip their chocolate dip donuts in — that is to say, it is more of a runny chocolate syrup rather than chocolate cream or custard. The pistachio flavour in the icing so mild, it might as well not contain any pistachio at all, and then at least those who have nut allergies could try them as well. Honestly, it's a crime to call this pistachio anything. 3/10 for me, and only because it's still a yeast donut. I wouldn't pick this above any of Tim Hortons' other donuts.

Anyway, this is the most donuts I've ever eaten in the span of a year (maybe even two?) and I don't feel the need to eat donuts again for a long, long time, but I am glad I got to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the first Harry Potter movie with Tim Hortons. Although, it occurred to me that they should've just waited until next year, which is the 30th anniversary of the first book — and is frankly more important to Potterheads.

ARIH Modern Noodles in Vongole, Truffle Bulgogi, and Gochujang Butter

ARIH NOODLES HAVE FINALLY ARRIVED IN CANADA!!! 

After months of being exclusive to the US, ARIH Modern Noodles (a.k.a. BTS instant noodles) is finally available here. Granted, we only got 3 of the 7 flavours so far — Vongole, Truffle Bulgogi, and Gochujang Butter — but I'm not even mad about it because a) it seemed unlikely that Canada was even going to get them, and b) they're literally the three I wanted to try the most. (Note: I have not actually tried them yet. I got them and was just extremely excited about it.)

ARIH Modern Noodle in Vongole, Truffle Bulgogi, and Gochujang Butter

It looks like they'll be exclusive to PC retailers here; they were first seen at Shoppers Drug Mart, and I have also seen them at No Frills, which means they'll likely be available at Loblaws, too. Shoppers is retailing them for $9.99 which is definitely steep for a pack of 4 instant noodles, but Iris' dad got them for us on Senior's Day last Thursday, so we got a 20% discount on them. (Bless him, he went to five different locations before finding them.) And hey, $2 for a meal is basically unheard of in this economy, anyway.

Now, we're just waiting for the drinks. (And hopefully, they'll have zero sugar options by the time they hit Canadian shelves.)

Dining Out: Mango Bingsu at Snowday Bingsu Cafe

My friend Iris and I decided to take advantage of the total BTS takeover of Toronto this week to go down to the Royal Ontario Museum to take part in their ROM Quest: BTS this afternoon. It's a BTS-themed scavenger hunt that takes you all over the museum to answer questions through Scavify. It's fun and interactive and you get to feel a bit like a kid again going through the museum and all its galleries. Everyone gets a participation prize, too — ours was a ROM pencil that changes colour with heat. In case you're interested and in Toronto, the BTS one is running every weekend through the rest of August!

Mango bingsu

After we left the ROM, we went over to the Eaton Centre to check out the BTS Comeback Fan Zone event (honestly, it was just a big photo op and writing notes to tack up to a wall, kind of disappointing) and the BTS Nike by You event at the Nike store (unfortunately, the line-up was way too long and we didn't love the designs enough to merit waiting), and then took the subway back uptown. On the drive back home, we decided we deserved some bingsu for all the steps we got in today (10,864!), so we dropped by Snowday and shared the mango binsgu. I maintain that the watermelon bingsu is the ultimate summer dessert... but c'mon, I'll never say no to mango. I was my first bingsu love, after all.

Snowday Bingsu Cafe

5 Glen Cameron Rd.

Thornhill, ON L3T 5W2

(905) 597-8838

Dining Out: Chirashi Don at Mi-Ne Sushi

After two back-to-back disappointing dinners this week, I really needed a win. So I went with my mom to Mi-Ne Sushi.

Chirashi don

I got the chirashi don and it was PERFECT. I've always said this, but Mi-Ne consistently serves incredible quality sushi with beautiful presentation and amazing service, and this time was no different. Totally made up for the food disappointments this week. Plus, I said I'd make Mi-Ne my regular sushi spot, and I am making good on my word!

Mi-Ne Sushi

8865 Woodbine Ave.

Markham, ON L3R 5G1

(905) 470-1688

Friday Five: Human resources

 This week's Friday Five:

1. What do you brag about? Great shopping deals. There are few things as satisfying and brag-worthy as getting an insanely good discount on something you really want or need to buy.
   
   
2. What do you complain about? BAD DRIVERS. (You know the type. The ones that think stop signs are just suggestions.) I swear, the Government of Ontario is basically giving out licenses to anyone these days.
   
   
3. What makes you laugh? Deadpan humour. But also really inappropriate, politically incorrect humour...
   
   
4. What have you recently changed your mind about? Taylor Swift, surprisingly.
   
   
5. What non-work-related subject do you geek-out over? BTS, obviously. Even after a decade, it's the one subject that I cannot shut up about once it's been brought up.

Dining Out: Esquites; Al Pastor, Birria, Sirloin, and Baja Fish Tacos; and Guacamole at La Cantina del Pueblo

For Minji's birthday (and first real outing since she gave birth to her son a month ago), she suggested going for lunch along with Daniel and the kiddos at a new Mexican restaurant in Newmarket that she found on TikTok called La Cantina del Pueblo.

Esquites

We decided to share the esquites and guacamole and then we all got our own tacos. The esquites — sautéed corn kernels with mayo, Cotija cheese, and chili powder — arrived first and was delicious and satisfying as expected. And then it was taco time! We all got two to start; I picked the al pastor (marinated pork with onion and pineapple) and the birria (marinated beef with onion). They give you a tray of extra sauces and toppings (like radish slices, pickled onions, cucumber slices, and lime wedges) to customize your tacos with. And they were also good about putting the cilantro on the side for me and Minji. I was expecting the birria taco to come with broth for dipping, but they don't provide that here for some reason. Overall, the birria taco was decent, but the al pastor taco was better with more flavourful and tender meat.

Al pastor and birria tacos

The tacos here in general are pretty small, so Daniel and I decided to order two more. And that's when we realized that the guacamole hadn't arrived yet. Turns out, our original server didn't input it into their system even though it was the first thing we ordered. Our original server, however, seemed to be busy socializing with his girlfriend/wife/special lady friend (?), so he told the busboy (who was literally still holding a tray and dish rag) to take our order. Thus, we ordered the guacamole again and then our second serving of tacos. He asked if it was for take out, and I said no, it's to eat inside the restaurant. He looked unsure, so between Daniel and I, we confirmed with him THREE TIMES that all of the food was "for here" and even made a hand gesture indicating the table.

Approximately 10 minutes later, all the food we ordered with the busboy? Arrived in takeout containers. I looked at him and said, "No, we didn't want take out. We wanted the food FOR HERE." And he said, "Ohhhhh, I thought it was for take out!" So he apologized and came back with our food on plates. Well, at least he was nice.

Sirloin and Baja fish tacos

After that whole mishap, we finally got to our second serving of tacos. I went with the sirloin and the Baja fish. The sirloin was good and pretty tender, maybe even more so than the meat in the birria taco. But the winner for me was definitely the Baja fish. The piece of fish was huge (almost couldn't wrap the tortilla around it); super soft and plush on the inside, perfectly crunchy on the outside, and paired with pickled onion for a most delightful bite. 

Guacamole with chips

Then we got to the guacamole and WOW, if this wasn't single-handedly the most disappointing guacamole I've ever had in a Mexican restaurant, ever. It was basically smashed avocado with a sprinkling of cubed tomatoes. No salt, no seasoning, no lime, no red onion. Literally nothing but the avocado and the tomato. I don't say this often, truly, but I could've made better guacamole at home. We had to get a salt shaker from another table and the extra lime slice that came with our initial tacos to SEASON OUR OWN GUACAMOLE. At least the chips were crispy, I guess?

Between the miscommunications with the staff (and let it be noted that it was NOT BUSY — there were, at most, two other tables) and the general disappointment we had with the missing item and then the mistaken take out order and the completely unseasoned smashed avocado acting as guacamole, I can't say I would ever come back to La Cantina del Pueblo when there are significantly better Mexican restaurants around. (For example, La Mexicanada is literally down the street.) I just can't believe this place has such a high rating. 

La Cantina del Pueblo

446 Davis Dr.

Newmarket, ON L3Y 2P2

(905) 898-8484