BTS FESTA 2025: 20130613 Congratulations BTS 🎉

(Image source: BTS Weverse)
Happy 12th anniversary, my babies! Here's to many, many more years. 🎉💜

BTS FESTA 2025: HoSeokJin's 12:00 (Twelve O' Clock)

Q. As an ARMY, which title song would you recommend when introducing BTS to someone for the first time?

A. It's between "FAKE LOVE" or "ON" for me. They both have darker themes and sound a bit edgier, but they have strong, self-reflective lyrics that resonate with a lot of people. Plus, they're catchy in a way that you don't get sick of over time. 

Q. Which BTS song is the hidden gem you'd want to gatekeep for yourself?

A. Ooof, this one is hard... I have dozens, actually, but I think I've gotta go with "Paradise" with "Sea" being a really close second. (Although it's kind of cheating with "Sea" because it's actually listed as a hidden track on Love Yourself: Her and it's not even available digitally — I had to extract it from my CD to listen to it on my devices.) Oh, but then there's also "Louder Than Bombs"... and "Rain"... and "Love Maze"... and "House of Cards"... 

Q. What is ARMY's favourite BTS choreography?

A. Okay, these questions are way harder than I expected, maybe because their discography is so huge now. If I had to pick only one, I think I'd still go with "Blood Sweat & Tears" even after all these years. Not only does it look beautiful and complex, but it was this song's MV that got me into BTS. I remember thinking, "Damn, these guys can fucking dance." I also think it's one of the most unique and iconic choreographies in all of K-pop. But I'd follow this one with "Run BTS" and "ON."

Q. If ARMY could turn back time, which BTS concert would they go to?

A. Any concert on The Wings Tour in 2017. I had just gotten into BTS and missed this tour. I've watched the DVD set many times but it's just not the same as seeing the epicness live.

Q. Which original BTS content would ARMY like to see more of?

A. If we're talking long-form series, then it's definitely Bon Voyage. I actually think that series is some of my favourite BTS content of all time. I've re-watched each season multiple times. There's something about traveling with them — seeing a new destination through their eyes, seeing them experience local activities and explore landmarks, seeing their interactions with each other and the locals — that's genuinely fun, interesting, and exciting. It also temporarily satisfies my wanderlust. Of course, for a short-form series, it's obviously Run BTS!. This is the one show that I've watched almost from the beginning and is also how I got to know the members' personalities and their dynamics within the group.

Q. What's ARMY's favourite BTS lingo?

A. I'm going to have to say "lajibolala." It's a classic.

Q. What is ARMY's favourite music show performance?

A. I'm going to agree with Hobi here and say the "Boy with Luv" performance at SNL. It was such a small stage with no frills, just raw talent and great choreography, but they made such an impact. If we're talking about an awards show, though, I'm gonna say the 2019 MMA, which was just the most complex, extravagant, over-the-top performance I've ever seen at any awards show.

Q. If you could express your feelings toward BTS with one of their lyrics, which one would you choose?

A. From "Magic Shop": "You were the one who made your way to me / I do believe your galaxy, I want to listen to your melody / The stars of your Milky Way, how will they light your sky? / Don't forget that in the end, I found you at the edge of my despair / You are the last reason I was standing on the edge of the cliff, live." 

Q. How did you become an ARMY? (What made you fall for BTS?)

A. I was an avid watcher of Lilly Singh's channel back in the day and watched her "Parents React" video to BTS' "Blood Sweat & Tears" and I was just mesmerized by this MV. The visuals, the production, the choreography, the unbelievably pretty men. It was the first time I ever watched anything relating to K-pop in general, but I had never seen anything quite like this, and it was specifically this MV that made me fall down the BTS rabbit hole. I just kept clicking on all the BTS videos that YouTube recommended on the sidebar. I remember no one around me knew who BTS was, no one around me listened to K-pop, so I had to navigate all the BTS content on my own — the timeline of their MVs and the BTS Universe, where to watch specific content (RIP V Live), which accounts to follow, which translators were the most reliable. And here we are, nine years later, and they're the biggest band in the world.

Q. What's something interesting that happened to you that was related to BTS?

A. I've known my friend Iris for 12 or 13 years now (I actually met her through her boyfriend — now husband — who was friends with some of my guy friends, and she hired me to do the makeup for her bridal party at their wedding) but we weren't really good friends until a couple years ago when she became an ARMY and she reached out to me on IG about BTS.

Q. What are the moments of joy that being an ARMY brought you?

A. Honestly, there are too many to count. From listening to their music to watching their content to collecting merch to seeing them in concert, BTS is apart of my daily life. 

BTS FESTA 2025: Today's ARMY★613 Behind

Hobi: "I did a great job styling Jin. But look how you dressed me!"

Jin: "Yah, Hob, come on, this is an awesome outfit! You look like a total superstar, for real!"

Hobi, touching his hat: "What is this?"

Jin: "It's like you're at a dinner party!"

Okay, well, their fashion choices make a lot more sense now.

BTS FESTA 2025: Today's ARMY★613

(Image source: BTS Weverse)
(Image source: BTS Weverse)
(Image source: BTS Weverse)
(Image source: BTS Weverse)
THESE CUTIES. 🥹💜 (I don't get the theme, but they both look great!)

BTS FESTA 2025: Battle for the Anchor Position

BTS' 12th anniversary likewise makes me feel lajibolala, and now I am also craving chicken kalguksu…

Sigh, I can't wait for the return of Run BTS!.

BTS FESTA 2025: HoSeokJin Photoshoot Behind

Jin: "We've been working individually for a while, right?"

Hobi: "It's been a long time."

Jin: "Working as a team today made me feel so happy and cheerful."

Hobi: "It's almost been a year since you were discharged from the military."

Jin: "It's been 11 months already."

Hobi: "Time really flies."

Jin: "Time does fly. Let's look forward to the day our members are all discharged and we can all work together."

They've thrived so much with their solo work and they're so joking and playful here, but you can tell that they miss their team as a whole. I can't wait until all seven are back together.

BTS FESTA 2024: HoSeokJin Photoshoot (Classic ver.)

(Image source: BTS Weverse)
(Image source: BTS Weverse)
(Image source: BTS Weverse)
(Image source: BTS Weverse)
(Image source: BTS Weverse)
(Image source: BTS Weverse)
You know, I feel like Jin and J-Hope wasn't a pairing that was often put together within BTS, at least in their public content, so I love that they get this opportunity now. MY 2SEOK HEART!

BTS FESTA 2025: HoSeokJin Photoshoot (Switch ver.)

(Image source: BTS Weverse)Jin in J-Hope's Jack in the Box Concept
(Image source: BTS Weverse)Jin in J-Hope's Jack in the Box Concept
(Image source: BTS Weverse)Jin in J-Hope's Jack in the Box Concept
(Image source: BTS Weverse)J-Hope in Jin's The Astronaut Concept
(Image source: BTS Weverse)J-Hope in Jin's The Astronaut Concept
(Image source: BTS Weverse)J-Hope in Jin's The Astronaut Concept
Damn, they did such a good job re-creating these. But whereas J-Hope looked super serious and almost sinister for his Jack in the Box photoshoot, I think Jin just looks adorable. Man, I hope they upload the behind-the-scenes for this. Of course, now I'm thinking about what the concept switches would look like for the other members; Jimin doing Suga's D-DAY, Suga doing V's Layover, V doing RM's Indigo, RM doing Jungkook's GOLDEN, Jungkook doing Jimin's FACE...

BTS FESTA 2025: 12th Anniversary Timeline

(Image source: BTS Official X)
It's June 1, so you know what that means: FESTA HAS OFFICIALLY BEGUN!!! And all seven of my babies will be reunited by the end of the month!!! Y'all, we have waited THREE YEARS for this. I AM SO EXCITED.

BTS FESTA 2025: BTS NEWS

FESTA IS COMING!!!!!!!

Unboxing: Weverse by Fans — BTS FESTA 2024 Zip-Up Hoodie and Oversized T-Shirt

So FESTA was over a month-and-a-half ago, but my FESTA merch finally arrived last week. This year, BigHit actually released two collections for FESTA, one of which just included a keyring and a tote bag (there were more items available to purchase at the in-person event they held in Seoul) and the other one called "2024 FESTA by Fans," which is the one I was actually interested in. "Weverse by Fans" is a new concept for this year, and it allows the buyer to customize the items within a collection. There were four items available for the "2024 FESTA by Fans" collection, and I decided on the black zip-up hoodie and the black oversized T-shirt.

BTS 2024 FESTA by Fans — Zip-Up Hoodie

BTS 2024 FESTA by Fans — Zip-Up Hoodie(Front and Back)

BTS 2024 FESTA by Fans — Zip-Up Hoodie(Front Logo Detail)

The customizable components for these two items were exactly the same. The colours of the actual product and the graphics could not be changed, but the sizing and amount of graphics could. I wanted to keep it simple as these are products that I actually want to wear, so I just chose the FESTA 2024 logo for the front and the BTS symbol on the back (both in a reddish pink tone which, again, was not customizable), but they turned out exactly as I wanted.

BTS 2024 FESTA by Fans — Oversized T-Shirt(Front and Back)

BTS 2024 FESTA by Fans — Oversized T-Shirt(Shirt Tag)

BTS 2024 FESTA by Fans — Oversized T-Shirt(Front Logo Detail)

BTS 2024 FESTA by Fans — Patch Set

I gotta say, the quality of both the hoodie and the shirt are excellent, in the fabric, stitching, and form. They feel stronger and thicker, like they wouldn't easily tear, shrink, or stretch. Each item also came with a set of two patches — one of the BTS symbol and one of the BTS letter logo — that can be ironed on any fabric item for customization. With the BTS Island: In the SEOM by Fans collection and now this one, I'm excited to see what other customizable collections they'll come out with next.

BTS EPISODE: Jin — Seokjin on June 13, 2024, Weather Clear ☀️

I quite literally started tearing up the moment I saw Jin entering the stage on that bicycle during the livestream. I can't describe the kind of odd relief that I felt upon seeing him after 18 months out of the spotlight. I know he kept mentioning how nervous he was, but I really can't imagine how overwhelmed Jin must've been on this day — being discharged from the military the day before and then having to record a second verse to "Super Tuna" and learn new choreographies before going straight to rehearsals for FESTA, all before meeting and singing in front of millions of ARMY — with no other members there to take off the pressure. He did so, so well, like he never left. It's finally the Jin era and I can't wait to see him shine.

BANGTAN BOMB: RM's Radio at the BTS FESTA 2023

[On a water taxi]

RM: *waves* "No one's watching me." 

RM: *continues waving* "Surprisingly, nobody really cares." 

RM: *still waving* "Hello! Yes!"

[pans to an empty river with no one watching]

[On a live phone call]

RM: "Oh, can I ask where you live and who you are?"

Person on phone: "Wow, no way."

RM: *laughs*

Person on phone: *singing "Take Two" a little too well*

RM: *eyes widen* "Oooh!"

Person on phone: "Hello everyone, it's Jungkook! Nice to meet you!"

RM: "Aaaiiiishhhh!"

RM: "Ten years means we're now seasoned singers. We have to stay on our toes and do even better. I want to be someone that moves forward from the present. When I look back at the past, a lot of things feel distant to me. I'm focusing on the present right now and doing my best, so I think you'll be able to look forward to me and our team moving forward. We'll do our best to make sure that you don't regret sending us your love. Trust me!"

I mean, at this point, I don't think there will ever be an ARMY who regrets becoming an ARMY. Eight years, five concerts, and (at least) $100,000 on merch later, there hasn't been a single day that I have not given BTS my whole heart. 

BTS FESTA 2024: Message from Jin — June 13, 2024 on Weverse Live

(Image source: BTS Official X)
(Image source: BTS Official X)
(Image source: BTS Official X)
(Image source: BTS Official X)

The way my eyes immediately started tearing up with the first line of "My Universe." 🥹

Jin, thank you for coming out to celebrate Festa with us. Even though you were just discharged yesterday and were so nervous to meet us again, your presence was such a precious gift. I'm so glad you're finally home. 💜

BTS FESTA 2024: Happy 11th Anniversary, BTS!

(Image source: BTS Official X)
HAPPY 11 YEARS, BTS!

I can't be in Seoul for the in-person Festa event this year, but at least there will be a livestream of Jin's hug event so we can all celebrate Festa and Jin's return together. On that note, can I just point out the meticulous planning of BTS' enlistment? Not only is there new content being released every few weeks, but there will not a single anniversary where there's not at least one BTS member present. Hobi will be back in three months, Suga will be back in 8 months, and the rest will be back for their 12th anniversary next year — almost to the day. One more year until all seven of them will be reunited. Festa 2025 is going to be insane.

ARMY Forever, Bangtan Forever. 💜

BTS FESTA 2024: "Life Goes On (In the Forest ver.)"

I know they released "Dynamite" to cheer us up during the pandemic's first global lockdown, but "Life Goes On" is actually the song that got me through it (and the subsequent lockdowns after that). It's that one song that I'll listen to time and time again just for the comfort it brings me. 

(But I gotta say, if there's one thing BTS is bad at, it's lip syncing.)

BTS FESTA 2024: "Anpanman" Stage Cam at TODAY Citi Music Series

I'm going to be saying this a lot during this Festa, but I can't believe this was four years ago already. 

GOD, I MISS THEM SO MUCH. 😭😭😭

BTS FESTA 2024: BANGTAN BOMB — Billboard Hot 100 #1 Skit Recording Sketch

This was such a monumental moment in music history. For any Asian artist to debut a song at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 was unfathomable at the time. It's been 4 years since, but I'm still so, so proud of them. No one has been able to achieve what they've achieved so far, but if and when that happens, no one will be able to deny it: BTS paved the way.

BTS FESTA 2024: BANGTAN BOMB — JiJinJung's RADIO Honey FM Behind-the-Scenes

Though the original JiJinJung Radio broadcast is no longer available (it was streamed on V Live, which is now defunct), I'm glad we can re-live it in this 5-minute behind-the-scenes video. I don't even think they could fathom at the time just how enormous "Dynamite" would become. (I also can't believe this was four years ago? When the whole world was on lockdown? And we were robbed of what would've been BTS' most epic tour to date? Yes, that same tour that I had gotten soundcheck tickets for that got cruelly cancelled and I'm still extremely salty about it?)

But also, Tae's jump-out-of-the-chair enthusiasm just to deliver a fake traffic report was an energy I didn't know I needed.

BTS FESTA 2024: Jungkook — "Never Let Go"

Every year, the BTS members release a song dedicated to ARMY for Festa (and we've gotten some real gems like "Ddaeng," "Still With You," and "My You") and this year, it's Jungkook again with this super-catchy, upbeat, pop track. (He actually explained why the hook is repeated for so long — he had planned it as a performance song with a "house genre dance" but didn't have the time to film it. I really hope he gets to show us one day.)

Every day I wonder if this all is just a dream

Everything falls into place

'Cause you're right here with me

Without your love I'm nothing

You mean more than you know

And words escape me whenever you're close

I tried to put it into words but it don't measure up

My pen and paper could never do quite enough

It's the truth, it's the truth

We got something real nothing could break

And when the days get longer

You fill my world with wonder

Everybody needs somebody

You been that somebody

So stay with me and keep holding on

Never let go (go, go, go, go, go)

Never let go (go, go, go, go)

Never let go (go, go, go, go)

Never let go (go, go, go, go)

Never let go (go, go, go)

Never let go (go, go, go)

Never let go (go, go, go)

Never let go (go, go, go)

Never let go (go, go, go)

Never let go (go, go, go)

Never let go

Every town I'm in, you're the one I'm with

With me from the start

Always the best part of my day

Being who you are

Being who you are

In the dark, you were the light that led me to you

I'm grateful (for you)

It's simple (with you)

I'll never (leave you)

I'm better (with you)

It's too good (with you)

It's my turn

To give back for all that you do

And when the days get longer

You fill my world with wonder

Everybody needs somebody

You been that somebody

So stay with me and keep holding on

Never let go (go, go, go, go, go)

Never let go (go, go, go, go)

Never let go (go, go, go, go)

Never let go (go, go, go, go)

Never let go (go, go, go)

Never let go (go, go, go)

Never let go (go, go, go)

Never let go (go, go, go)

Never let go (go, go, go)

Never let go (go, go, go)

Never let go

Never let go

They have never let us down with content during Festa. Even though they've been on a group hiatus for two years and all of them are in the military now (though Jin will be back for this Festa!!!), they've still planned out so many things for us and I'm always grateful that we have them to look forward to before we're reunited in 2025. 💜

(Addendum, 06/12/2024: Updated with the official Lyric Video.)