One of our good friends here in ABC Korea was lucky to attend BTS’ most awaited concert in Las Vegas. And she was generous to share her experience with us and all of our loyal readers!

Here’s her story.

It started out as an impossible dream. One that nobody really believed in. BTS concert tickets were notoriously difficult to secure. While I’d always considered myself blessed - my first BTS concert in 2019 was a free ticket from a friend who won them in a corporate event, I never really thought we could beat millions of ARMY to secure tickets to BTS’ concert in Las Vegas.

I should have known better, or at least I could have had more faith in my friends, because a month later and 15,000 km away from home, we were in an Uber to Allegiant Stadium.

“So who’s playing at Allegiant?” Our chatty driver asked as traffic slowed to a crawl nearing the stadium.

“BTS.”

“Oh, who are they?”

“A Korean band. They are playing four nights here.”

“Well, they must be real good cos’ it’s something special to be able to fill Allegiant.”

I smiled my acknowledgement under the mask. “Special” was probably putting it lightly to the sea of purple before us. As we cleared security checks, I saw fans from all walks of life, not just 15-year-old girls that the world liked to believe ARMY was.

Some dressed with their hearts on their sleeves while others carried handmade signs (Yoongi, marry me). And not all were ladies, or that young for that matter.

BTS’ mini “residency” in Vegas was a festival for all. The band had pulled out all stops to welcome ARMYs. From billboards in the heart of the Strip promoting the concert, to recreating iconic scenes from their music videos at the AREA 15 pop-up, and even their chart-topping hits (Dynamite and Butter) streaming as the Bellagio blew us away with its epic fountain display. Boy, did we feel right at home!

The fans returned the favour by coming out in full force. I met many ARMYs during my week in Vegas. Battling the casino crowds with BT21 toys hanging off their bags, dining in family restaurants with concert tees and even while appreciating Van Gogh in an immersive digital show.

During one night of the concert, RM shared that there were 50,000 in Allegiant, but from my vantage point high up in the stadium, it felt like more. Light-sticks lit the massive stadium corner to corner.

The queues for entry/exit/food/merchandise/restrooms were lessons in patience and my ears rang with every heart-thumping song (or any time the band hammed it up for the cameras; be still my heart).

Even though I had already seen the Permission To Dance set via their online concerts from LA and Seoul, I was looking forward to experiencing their live stage. The band more than delivered. Fireworks and the hard hitting number “ON”, kicked off the concert and immediately, the air was electric.

BTS was the pied piper and Allegiant moved to their rhythm. The energetic set-list kept everyone on their feet most of the concert and once again, I would like to request HYBE to release the concert remixes (especially “Fire” and “Blood Sweat Tears”) because those were sick.

While I enjoyed the whole set, I loved the encore section when BTS performed their older B-sides - Wings, Go Go and Anpanman. I’d like to think that they were a nod to their roots, when BTS filled lesser venues and maybe didn’t paint a city away from home purple.

Halfway through the concert, I was close to losing my voice and energy but the band was relentless. They sounded on point and their moves were still slick - a testament to hard work and training. BTS owned Allegiant stadium and even as the concert winded down, the fans were still high. We sang and danced with them and most of all, we laughed with them (especially at the hilarious handmade signs - DopeOldPpleLoveBTS I feel you!).

But all good things must come to an end. Fans eventually spilled out, in an orderly fashion and with masks on still, onto closed-off roads leading to the Strip. Inspired by a car of ARMY with purple flashing light-sticks, I blasted BTS hits from my phone to prolong the positive vibes and skipped my way back.

BTS made my first overseas concert one heck of an experience. Who would have thought that the stars (our schedules and ticket availability) would align so that the flower (in person concert during a pandemic and sandstorm) that can’t be bloomed would bloom in the Nevada desert?

The dream that can’t come true became a reality. Like BTS, we just got to dream bigger. Next time, we will pray for floor tickets and sound check.