BTS Break Cultural Barriers and Make History – First Korean Artists to headline Wembley Stadium.
BTS, or Bangtan Sonyeondan – (Bulletproof Boyscouts,) a seven-member global kpop sensation from South Korea formed in June 2013 and now the biggest group in the industry made it into the history books last weekend, selling out two shows headlining the iconic and prestigious Wembley Stadium – (1 June – 2 June 2019.) The group not only brought smiles to the faces of their fans, but also sunny skies. This was one of only two European stops on their Love Yourself: Speak Yourself World Tour, the other European stop being Stade De France in Paris (7 June – 8 June 2019,) with 8662 less seats than Wembley Stadium’s staggering 90,000 seating capacity. Both Wembley dates sold out within 90 minutes of going on sale in record time.
The stadium tour was a sequel to their previous arena Love Yourself Tour from 2018, where new songs from their latest EP: Map Of The Soul: Persona (released April 12, 2019,) made exciting additions to the stadium tour setlist, including a head-banging and electric opening to the show with anticipated Greek-God inspired pop-rock song ‘Dionysus.’
BTS consists of seven members, who are known by their stage names: RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook. The Love Yourself: Speak Yourself Tour allowed members to intimately connect with their hugely diverse fanbase, known as ARMY. The BTS ARMY fanbase is an inclusive and welcoming community, comprising of all genders, races, religions, ethnicities and ages. Being amongst a stadium of 90k ARMY was truly overwhelming and a lot to digest at once. Almost every ARMY inside the stadium was geared up with the official ARMY Bomb version 3 light stick, which was connected via Bluetooth to the official light stick app. As the bass increased on BTS music videos playing before the show began, the ARMY Bomb light sticks started to pulsate stark white synced in time with the beat of the song. Throughout the duration of the concert, the ARMY Bomb would change colour to match the tone, mood and beat of the song, pulsating and rippling around the stadium in heartbeat-like waves.
The message of BTS’ music is delivered through many genres including pop, hip-hop, R&B, EDM and pop rock, clearly resonating empowering messages to the masses, heightening their appeal with the lyrics penned by the members themselves, which they also produce. Leaving behind the record-breaking ‘Love Yourself’ trilogy of albums, BTS’ message not only teaches the youth of today to love and embrace their flaws and mistakes, but also takes an even deeper, intellectual approach with Map Of The Soul: Persona, based on the book Jung’s Map Of the Soul, about the theories Carl Jung created for psychology. ARMY take keen and refreshing interest in the meaning and messages behind every album and song, often theorising and making intelligent connections between different eras of BTS.
Crazy pyrotechnic explosions and water cannons ensue.
Loyal fans who plan to attend the Speak Yourself Tour having seen the previous Love Yourself Tour will be treated to further exciting surprises in store on the 24-song long setlist with regards to special effects and an increased budget and scale, including: water cannons, lasers, confetti cannons, pyrotechnics and even bouncy castles. Yes, you heard correctly, large pop art coloured bouncy castle inflatables set with slides, all while maintaining stable vocals. Other special effect highlights include youngest member Jungkook (21 years of age,) gliding through the air above pitch seating looking like Prince Charming took Mary Poppin’s job for the day during his solo song ‘Euphoria,’ and Jimin inside a snow globe like bubble, poised like a doll and ready to pop the dome during his solo song ‘Serendipity.’
Personal highlights of the Wembley show included J-Hope’s solo track ‘Just Dance,’ as the rapper danced with boundless energy on staggered raising platforms. Mic Drop takes its place as my favourite group performance of the night. The view of 90,000 ARMY participating in fan-chants and dancing along to the addictive bassy beat whilst rabidly waving fiery red-light sticks is a sight I will never forget. The most breath-taking memory I captured was the rainbow ARMY Bomb light stick ocean, after BTS encouraged the audience to participate in a mass-effort Mexican wave, bursts of colour filled every ARMY Bomb in the stadium in a ripple of energy and light – a symbol of hope, unification and a feeling of belonging.
Though BTS have reached what many would consider the peak of their career, they remain the same humble group of youth’s that many fans grew up with since their humble beginnings back in 2013. Their own country of South Korea would mock their edgy style and name, looking down on their small company label. On the final Wembley show, rapper, main dancer and choreographer J-Hope (Jung Hoseok,) even expressed his gratitude and pride in a prepared English speech for being presented with such a momentous opportunity, noting the vast fan base stretching out before him:
“I was just a little Korean boy, but now I became someone’s love, someone’s pride- different races, countries and languages. It’s not easy, at all, so it’s amazing and unbelievable.”
After emotional ending speeches were given by all seven members, leader RM (Kim Namjoon,) announced with regret that the last song would begin. Or so he thought. Suddenly the heavy drum beat opening of their 2016 single ‘Young Forever’ blared out, as ARMY lifted yellow phone torch lights and ARMY Bomb light sticks to the sky in a gentle swaying unison, as BTS stood dumbfounded and speechless at the touching surprise organised for them. There was not a dry eye in sight, as even I struggled to sing at the moving view- voice catching in my throat as the tears blurred my vision watching BTS become weepy. After an attempt to pull themselves together, leader RM asked ARMY to promise:
“Let’s stay young forever together!”
BTS selling out such a respected and iconic Stadium as Wembley in these xenophobic times is truly a feat that can’t be denied. BTS broke UK records on April 19, 2019- becoming the first Korean artists to hit number one on the official UK album chart with their latest EP Map Of The Soul: Persona. ARMY certainly gave them the warm welcome back they deserve, proving music transcends language. BTS proved they are a group for people of any walk of life, if you have an open-mind and heart, you can enjoy music without prejudice.
This was a very interesting article and it was amazing to read about their growth over the years and the connection they have with their fans. Will be following more of their activities and music in the future!