The moment the announcement dropped, phones lit up and group chats exploded with excitement– K-pop group BTS was returning. Four years, no music or entertainment, but fans never lost hope. Across every social media platform BTS stans, otherwise known as “ARMYs”, shared reaction videos, emotional posts and predictions on their new album. The global fandom has been reignited.
“Just put a raging scream right here,” senior Neydi Galvan Guerrero said. “I was like ‘no for real?’ I was actually in shock. They’ve lied to us multiple times saying ‘oh we’re going to come back,’ they never came back. With the military you know, we already missed them so I was surprised.”
BTS, arguably one of the most influential groups in the music industry, have been on hiatus since 2022 due to obligations with mandatory military service and solo projects. This comeback this March marks the first time in years that all seven members will be reunited to make music, making this announcement unforgettable for fans.
“I was pretty hyped [hearing about the world tour],” senior Claire Sadowski said. “Because I was planning on buying concert tickets. I want to get as close [to them] as possible without spending a million dollars.”
Ticket prices have been a hot topic among ARMYs. Since further global outreach with their ‘BE’ album and their single ‘Butter’ fans have suspected concert ticket prices to skyrocket along with the rapidly growing fanbase. Many supporters have expressed their concerns about obtaining the tickets before others.
“[The prices are] astronomical, in this economy,” Galvan Guerrero said. “We can barely afford to live this life and you want us to buy one ticket. It’s gonna run us a band. The prices alone are one thing, but fighting with the stans and getting in the queue, by the time I go to buy it– out. It’ll be out.”
BTS has built a reputation of delivering performances that are powerful both emotionally and technically. Past tours always sent loud roars in the venues they performed in but it’s been years since their last performance together, so fans question if it will give the same energy.
“Well they’re older now,” senior Andrea Ortiz Figueroa said. “So they’re definitely not gonna have as much stamina. I’m being realistic.”
Beyond the hype of their return, BTS’s comeback represents a deeper connection for fans. The relationship between fans and the music they produce evokes emotions in fans from years of growing with them. Many fans are anticipating their new album along with their world tour.
“Give me a free ticket,” senior Lisbeth Mata-Rodriguez said. “[I want] the songs to be more meaningful. I don’t want them to write it to just write it. [It needs] more vibes. Feel it in your heart.”
On top of anticipation for the album’s release in March, many are hoping that they bring back songs from previous albums to perform during their tour. BTS’s last world tour was towards the end of 2019, so many fans now in high school have yet to experience a live concert from them.
“Where can I begin,” Galvan Guerrero said. “‘Blood, Sweat, and Tears’ and ‘No More Dream.’ Why? They were released before I started getting into K-pop. They’ve never been performed where I was able to see it. It looks so good where you just need to rewatch it multiple times. I need them back in their emo era, their starving era.”
Compared to past tours, this one will be one to celebrate their return. As anticipation builds, one thing will be certain– lifelong memories for fans will be made.
“I would probably start crying out of happiness,” Sadowski said. “[Their songs] are just so good, it makes me happy to be an ARMY. I feel it might be more meaningful because I’ve kind of grown up with them. So it’s like a lot of nostalgia and memories.”