Jungkook — GOLDEN Live on Stage

(Photo source: BTS Official Twitter)
(Photo source: BTS Official Twitter)
(Photo source: BTS Official Twitter)
(Photo source: BTS Official Twitter)

1. Standing Next to You
2. Yes or No
3. Somebody
4. Closer to You
5. 3D
6. GCF in Budapest
7. Hate You
8. Shot Glass of Tears
9. Too Sad to Dance
10. Please Don't Change
11. Seven
12. Magic Shop
13. Still With You

Ooof, well worth waking up early for. Each song sounded amazing live, but the one that surprised me the most was "Somebody," which was actually one of my least favourite songs when I first heard it and is now one of my Top 5 on GOLDEN. (I initially thought there was too much voice manipulation on the recording to make his voice sound that deep, but that is his actual voice. It's incredible. He can literally make himself sound like a completely different singer.) I also thought he'd go with "Euphoria" for his encore, but he chose "Magic Shop" which immediately brought back memories of their Love Yourself and Speak Yourself tours, and I found myself starting to tear up out of sheer nostalgia. (God, I can't wait until 2025.) "Still With You" was the perfect song to end with — not just because she showcases his incredible vocals on it, but for the sentiment and the fact that he wrote this song specifically for ARMY. He could easily go on a world tour if he added some of his BTS solo songs and I would pay an exorbitant amount of money for those tickets. 

Jungkook Live at TSX in Times Square: "Standing Next to You," "Yes or No," "3D," "Please Don't Change," and "Seven"

So, this was the "special event" on Jungkook's promotion schedule. Yeah, just a casual SHUT DOWN OF TIMES SQUARE. There is no doubt that Jeon Jungkook is the world's biggest pop star right now. This really does seem like his golden chapter and I genuinely love that for him. 

Jungkook at iHeartRadio Live: "Seven" and "Standing Next to You"

Jungkook's studio recordings are goddamn impressive, but listening to the tracks live with an actual live band is a whole other level of spectacular. I don't know how many times I can say, "Jungkook's vocals are mind-blowing," but it's genuinely astounding how seamlessly he switches back and forth from chest voice to head voice to falsetto without losing power, momentum, and breath. "Standing Next to You" is perhaps the perfect display of his vocal range and ability. I can't wait to see his other live performances on this promotional circuit. Yoongi was right: We finally have an Asian pop star.

Jungkook on Good Morning America: "Euphoria," "Seven," "Dynamite," and Interview

Jungkook performing "Euphoria" on Good Morning America

Jungkook performing "Seven" on Good Morning America

Jungkook performing "Dynamite" on Good Morning America

Interview with Jungkook on Good Morning America

Jungkook once again proving why he's the Vocal King — not just in his incredible live vocal range, reach, and breath control, but also in the way the way he harmonizes with the backing track and adds ad-libs to different parts of the older songs. A true master at his craft. 

Congratulations, Jungkookie, on your solo debut! I am so, so, so proud of you, and it has been an honour to watch you grow up. I can't wait to see what you'll release next.

Paramore: This is Why 2023 North American Tour in Toronto at Scotiabank Arena

Paramore at Scotiabank Arena, Toronto
Paramore at Scotiabank Arena, Toronto
Paramore at Scotiabank Arena, Toronto
Paramore at Scotiabank Arena, Toronto
Paramore at Scotiabank Arena, Toronto
Paramore at Scotiabank Arena, Toronto
Paramore at Scotiabank Arena, Toronto
Paramore at Scotiabank Arena, Toronto
Paramore at Scotiabank Arena, Toronto
Paramore at Scotiabank Arena, Toronto
Paramore at Scotiabank Arena, Toronto
Paramore at Scotiabank Arena, Toronto\
Paramore at Scotiabank Arena, Toronto
Paramore at Scotiabank Arena, Toronto
This was my 6th time seeing Paramore live in the last 18 years, and they somehow get better and more impressive with every album cycle. Last night's two-hour setlist was a great mix of old and new, upbeat and mellow, and cynical and contemplative, with some incredibly nostalgic moments:

1. You First
2. The News
3. That's What You Get
4. Playing God
5. Caught in the Middle
6. Rose-Colored Boy
7. Running Out of Time
8. Decode
9. Last Hope
10. Big Man, Little Dignity
11. Liar
12. Crystal Clear (Hayley Williams song)
13. Hard Times
14. Told You So
15. Figure 8
16. The Only Exception
17. Baby (HalfNoise song)
18. Crave
19. Misery Business (with fan performance)
20. Ain't It Fun
21. Still Into You
22. This Is Why

It's crazy to think that I discovered them totally by accident in 2005 — my friends and I arrived early at a small dingy bar in London, Ontario, to see Armor for Sleep and Funeral for a Friend, and decided to stay inside to watch this underage band open for them. (I was so impressed that I decided to buy a copy of their debut album after the show. They were selling them out of a suitcase.) And now they sell out arena tours. 

Thank you, Paramore, for deciding to stay together and letting me grow up with you.

Jungkook at FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Opening Ceremony: "Dreamers"

Frankly, I don't care about sporting events, but our Jungkookie is all grown up and I AM SO PROUD OF HIM. 🥹

(Addendum, 11/21/22: Re-posted with the full official version from BANGTANTV.)

Jin at Coldplay Music of the Spheres Tour at River Plate Stadium in Buenos Aires — "The Astronaut" (with Coldplay)

"About six months ago, one of their members called me up and he said, 'I have to leave the band in December for two years and join the army in Korea because that's the rules there.' And he said, 'I need a song that says goodbye to everybody for a little while, that tells them that I love them.'" — Chris Martin

Jin's last words on stage were, "I love you, ARMYs."

This was such a beautiful, precious, and momentous performance. It's so surreal for me to see Jin performing with a band that I've been listening to for over 20 years, and I'm sure equally surreal to him to perform with his long-time favourite musicians. I'm so happy for him that he got this opportunity. What a way to go out before enlistment. Jin, we will be here when you come back. 💜

World Expo 2030 Busan Korea Concert: BTS Yet to Come in Busan — Live Viewing

BTS Yet to Come in Busan
BTS Yet to Come in Busan
BTS Yet to Come in Busan
BTS Yet to Come in Busan
(Photo credits: BTS Official Twitter)

Okay, so I stayed up until 7:30AM livestreaming the BTS Yet to Come in Busan concert and I have NO REGRETS. It was SPECTACULAR. Once again, BTS has reminded us why they're top performers and the biggest artist in the world. First of all, the set list was incredible:

1. MIC Drop
2. Run BTS
3. Run
4. Save ME
5. Butterfly
6. 00:00 (Zero O'Clock)
7. UGH!
8. Cypher Pt. 3: Killer
9. Dynamite
10. Boy with Luv
11. Butter
12. Ma City
13. Dope
14. FIRE
15. IDOL
16. Epilogue: Young Forever
17. For Youth
18. Spring Day
19. Yet to Come

BTS Yet to Come in Busan
BTS Yet to Come in Busan — "MIC Drop"
BTS Yet to Come in Busan — "Run BTS"
BTS Yet to Come in Busan — "Run BTS"

• WE FINALLY GOT TO SEE "RUN BTS" LIVE AND IT HAS A FULL CHOREO AND IT WAS INSANE AND DEAR GOD I HOPE THEY RELEASE THE DANCE PRACTICE.
• I also can't believe we got "Cypher Pt. 3"! I don't think they've performed this live since I became an ARMY six years ago. It was so fucking good. Rapline fucking slayed this.
• THE LIVE BAND!!! So, so, so, so good!
• Surprised and somewhat disappointed that "Born Singer" didn't make it on the set list, especially since they re-released this song officially for Proof, and it's the first song on the album, too.
• They made up for it with "Young Forever" and "Spring Day," though. Always gets us in the feels, especially with that beautiful ocean of ARMY Bombs.
• Jin is releasing his single next!!!
• I can't believe this concert was free. Not just the livestream, but for everyone who attended in person. 
• That having been said, Weverse really needs to figure out their technical shit. Their stream crashed after 4 songs. It's unacceptable, especially after advertising this free livestream for weeks.
• Naver also needs to figure out their technical shit. After Weverse froze, everyone moved over to Naver, which was listed as one of the official streaming sites for this concert. And then their stream crashed after the 6th song.
• Bless those Twitch users who livestreamed the concert from JTBC. They're the real MVPs here, and the reason why anyone was actually able to watch this concert from home.
• Weverse better upload a replay of this concert. We missed huge chunks of the broadcast.
• 49M people tuned into the official livestream. That's more than the entire population of Canada, and almost the entire population of South Korea. The power of ARMY knows no bounds and WEVERSE SHOULD KNOW THAT.
• I hope Yet to Come becomes a city-takeover tour like they did with Permission to Dance: On Stage. It would be incredible. A global festival and celebration of BTS and ARMY.  🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

BTS at The Fact Music Awards 2022: "Yet to Come" and "For Youth"

This video will probably get deleted for copyright soon, so enjoy this performance — BTS' first one together since they announced their group music hiatus — while you can! 

And with that having been said, a HUGE CONGRATS to BTS for winning 7 awards today, including the Artist of the Year Daesang, extending their record as the artist with the most Daesangs of all time! 

Red Hot Chili Peppers: 2022 Global Stadium Tour in Toronto at Rogers Centre

Went to see Red Hot Chili Peppers for the first time tonight at the Rogers Centre and it was fucking magical.

Red Hot Chili Peppers 2022 Global Stadium Tour at Rogers Centre
Red Hot Chili Peppers 2022 Global Stadium Tour at Rogers Centre
Red Hot Chili Peppers 2022 Global Stadium Tour at Rogers Centre
Red Hot Chili Peppers 2022 Global Stadium Tour at Rogers Centre
Red Hot Chili Peppers 2022 Global Stadium Tour at Rogers Centre

It was everything I expected and more. The setlist for Toronto was particularly spectacular:

1. Intro Jam
2. Can't Stop
3. Dani California
4. Universally Speaking
5. Here Ever After
6. I Like Dirt
7. Snow (Hey Oh)
8. These Are the Ways
9. Soul to Squeeze
10. Nobody Weird Like Me
11. Throw Away Your Television
12. Otherside
13. The Heavy Wing
14. Black Summer
15. Californication
16. Give It Away
17. Under the Bridge
18. By the Way

They played all my favourites — "Otherside," "Californication," "Under the Bridge," "By the Way," "Can't Stop," "Dani California" — mixed in with some newer songs and some insane string jams between Flea and John. This concert (and this tour as a whole, really) proved that the Red Hot Chili Peppers, a band that is older than I am, is still rocking as hard as ever and that these guys that are nearly 60 have some of the most incredible stamina I've ever seen. Honestly, it was just an honour to be in the same space as some of the most legendary rock musicians of all time.

BTS V LIVE [J-Hope + Jimin]: 호비팔루자 (HOBIPALOOZA)

Okay, I'm still on a high from watching J-Hope's stage at Lollapalooza tonight.

That was the perfect set list: all the tracks from Jack in the Box mixed in with my favourites from Hope World ("Blue Side"! "Hangsang"! "Piece of Peace"! "Base Line"!), a couple of his solo songs from BTS albums ("Ego" and "Just Dance"), and ending with "Chicken Noodle Soup" with Becky G (the first live performance they've ever done together!). They say K-pop stars are created, but J-hope was born for this. He has an incredible stage presence and raw performance power that cannot be taught or duplicated. I know he's a perfectionist, but I can't even believe he ever doubted that he could pull this off. This man could do an entire world tour with this set list and each show would undoubtedly be sold out. I'm so glad that Jimin flew out to support him in person and gave him the confidence that he needed. This was the most adorable, pure-hearted, post-concert livestream I've seen yet. 

I hope that the whole 19-song (!!!) set list gets officially re-uploaded by BigHit. It would be a real shame if we couldn't re-watch the glory that is J-Hope's first concert as a solo artist. 

With that having been said, I hope Weverse fixes its shit. Never mind the terrible lag between the website and the app. With 14.9 million people watching this at the same time, they really needed to make sure the livestream went smoothly without crashing every 5 minutes. They know how many fans BTS has and can guess just by previous statistics how many people would tune in. I appreciate the fact that they livestreamed this for us for free, but that only means that that many more people would be watching. I won't even get into how this new version of Weverse has completely fucked up the ability to watch any paid content on the website or through a computer. You have to use the app or you're shit out of luck. And any of the Weverse Lives so far also don't have subtitles because it doesn't have the ability for anyone to add them. At least J-Hope and Jimin knew this, said "FUCK IT," and went back to V Live. 

BTS V LIVE [J-Hope]: Saying hello 🔥

YASSSSS, ONE MORE WEEK UNTIL JACK IN THE BOX IS RELEASED!

BTS V LIVE [Jungkook]: 이 뭐선일이고

Watching Kookie literally and metaphorically clean up is immensely satisfying. 😌

BTS V LIVE [V]: 녹화 끝

Tae, responding to a comment: "If the members were still here, I would have convinced them to all come here but they've all gone home."

Tae, responding to another comment: "You want to watch a movie together? STOPPP, a movie is 2 hours! We've already done an hour."

Tae: "Guys, let's turn off the lights and have a brief nap."

Tae, whispering: "I didn't know it would turn out like this."

Tae, to his phone: "Wake me up at 8:57PM."

Tae's Phone: "Yes, I will wake you up in 10 minutes."

Tae: "To be honest, I've wanted to do a livestream while laying down completely."

WHY IS HE LIKE THIS? 😂😂😂

BTS V LIVE [BTS]: Come Back

Namjoon: "The big contents we've prepared haven't been released yet."

BTS: "What is it?"

Namjoon: "You know, the big contents."

BTS: "What? Is it out already?"

Namjoon: "You know."

Jimin: "I don't know what it is, but LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT LATER."

BTS: "Not sure what it is. What?"

Jimin: "He's making me nervous."

Jin: "Is it not out yet? Isn't the schedule announced?"

Tae: "It's out!"

Namjoon: "Really?"

Jin: "It's not out, it's not out."

Tae: "It's out!"

Jin: "[The staff] said it's not."

Jimin: "Turn around and look at them!"

[BTS bickering]

Jimin, pointing behind the cameras: "Look that way, Taehyung. Look that way."

Namjoon: "It's announced that it'll happen!"

Yoongi: "They shared that it'll happen."

Jin and Jimin: "No, it hasn't been announced!"

Tae: "But they said—"

[BTS bickering]

Jimin: "Yet to be announced, Taehyung."

Jin: "Taehyung! SHHHH."

Tae: "But, I—"

Jin: "TAEHYUNG! SHHHHHHHHH!"

Namjoon: "But, wait, let me just say one thing."

Jimin: "NO, DON'T DO IT."

Namjoon: "It's not announced yet even though it's coming up so soon?"

[BTS bickering]

Yoongi: "I thought it was announced on the schedule..."

Tae: "No, it's out!"

[Tae checking with staff]

Tae: "IT IS OUT!"

[Tae making slapping sounds off-screen]

Namjoon: "That [sound] could cause controversy."

Jin: "Taehyung, stop it, this might lead to controversy."

Tae: "Oh, um... Sorry, I tap dance a bit..."

Jungkook: "What? What are we talking about now?"

Tae: "DINING TOGETHER."

Namjoon: "Ahh, I feel so relieved."

THE UTTER CHAOS. On that note, I can't wait for the dinner video to come out. My favourite part of Festa!

BTS V LIVE [Jungkook]: Let's Get It

Just as I think we're getting overloaded with content today and it's only fucking 8:00AM, a wild bunny decides to livestream at the beach and HE IS AS ADORABLE AS EVER.

(And here I am trying to get ready to for work but I'm reading live translations on Twitter instead...)

BTS Permission to Dance: On Stage in Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium, Day 4

Allegiant Stadium. 7:30PM PDT.

The final day of BTS' Permission to Dance: On Stage in Las Vegas. 

ARMY Bomb activated!
BTS Permission to Dance: On Stage in Las Vegas
BTS Permission to Dance: On Stage in Las Vegas — "ON"
BTS Permission to Dance: On Stage in Las Vegas — "Fire"
BTS Permission to Dance: On Stage in Las Vegas — Opening Ments
BTS Permission to Dance: On Stage in Las Vegas — "Blue & Grey"
BTS Permission to Dance: On Stage in Las Vegas — "Black Swan"
BTS Permission to Dance: On Stage in Las Vegas
BTS Permission to Dance: On Stage in Las Vegas
BTS Permission to Dance: On Stage in Las Vegas
BTS Permission to Dance: On Stage in Las Vegas — "HOME"
BTS Permission to Dance: On Stage in Las Vegas — Ending Ments
BTS Permission to Dance: On Stage in Las Vegas — "Permission to Dance"

Tonight's set list:

1. ON
2. Fire (Remix)
3. Dope
4. DNA
5. Blue & Grey
6. Black Swan
7. Blood Sweat & Tears
8. FAKE LOVE
9. Life Goes On
10. Boy With Luv
11. Dynamite (Remix)
12. Butter
13. Telepathy 
14. Outro: Wings
15. Stay
16. So What
17. IDOL
18. HOME
19. Anpanman
20. Go Go
21. Permission to Dance

Thank you, BTS, for another spectacular concert that I'll never forget. 

BTS V LIVE [J-Hope, V, Jimin, and Jungkook]: Ppyong 😊

Jimin: "One time, I made ramen and sat on the couch for just a second... and woke up 6 hours later. I mean, the ramen was so soggy, the noodles were enormous."

Tae: "Have you ever fallen asleep on your phone and you wake up like, 'I should wash up now!' But it's already morning?"

I mean, they've gotta be the most relatable celebrities in the world...

BTS V LIVE [RM]: Nam Joon..

"Just like the love you guys give us, to be honest, there have always been people who dislike us. They've always existed. We might be at fault for that, maybe... but often times, that's not the case. There have always been people who hate us. After all, there can't possibly be a team of people who are loved by everyone. The fact that there are people in America who hate us means that we've risen to become part of the mainstream, really, which is actually a good thing. So, especially since it's so taxing for ARMYs when it comes to responding to each and every thing and negative energy, I want to say that there is no need to care so much about such negativity. Moreover, that's what those people want. They want to attract attention. So I ask that you please don't give too much care to those people as it's also a waste of energy to respond to such things."

"We've always been at the position of underdogs. We've always... how should I say this. We've always been the kind of group that people didn't put a lot of bets on. But truly, we were able to come this far thanks to the power of each and every one of you combined. We're just doing what we have always done. I mean, when did we ever do anything to get acknowledgement from anyone? It's not like people acknowledged us then, either. We make something meaningful and share it with people, whether it be through music or concerts. That's the reason why we started doing this. We wish to keep our energy focused on that reason."

This. This is why I became ARMY, why I'm still an ARMY, and why Namjoon is the perfect leader for BTS.

BTS V LIVE [Jungkook]: I'm sleepy🐰🐰🐰

WHY. IS. HE. SO. CUTE???