‘It’s great to celebrate BTS together’: BTS ARMY join forces for meet-ups across the UK

‘It’s great to celebrate BTS together’: BTS ARMY join forces for meet-ups across the UK

There’s no denying it – BTS are a global phenomenon.

Since their debut five years ago in South Korea, the idols have grown from being one of Korea’s most popular K-pop groups to selling out a world tour and hitting number one on the US’s Billboard 200 chart.

And judging by the showings at the UK BTS ARMY meet-ups, their influence is growing even more.

The UK BTS ARMY Twitter account, which represents the BTS fanbase in the UK, organised meet-ups for fans of RM, Jin, Jimin, Jungkook, Suga, J-Hope and V across England, with hangouts in London and Manchester taking place last weekend and a further meet-up in Birmingham organised for 5 August.




Metro.co.uk went down to Battersea Park in London, where over 200 ARMYs of all ages and genders gathered to share their love of BTS.

[LONDON MEET UP]

“So show me, I show you”

Passing on all the love and support from the UK to @BTS_twt ?#UKBTSARMATIONMEETS – Leila pic.twitter.com/6Swmq4lQXM — UK BTS ARMY (@UKBTSARMATION) August 1, 2018

Adisa, 18, told us that she came to the meet-up to meet ‘loads of people are into the same thing as us. It’s not very mainstream here yet. It’s just a chance to meet up with other fans.

‘It’s really nice to know the K-pop community.’

Her friend Alanta, 17, added: ‘It’s good for the whole of the UK to come together for this.’

Over 100 people gathered to celebrate BTS in Manchester (Picture: UK BTS ARMY)

Alana, 17, agreed, telling us: ‘I’m just a really big fan. I went to the last meet-up, so this is my second one. I think it’s about meeting people who share the same interests and passion as you, and it’s great to celebrate BTS together with people you haven’t met before.’

And explaining why the BTS ARMY in the UK is growing, she said: ‘They’re becoming more successful in western society, because they’ve broken that language barrier. They’re doing well in the UK because there’s nobody like them, they’re quite unique.’

Thank you @UKBTSARMATION for the London meet up today for @BTS_twt met some amazing people ? then went and got some Korean food with @SpareAccountBTS ? pic.twitter.com/YG1r1wrjh3 — Amber | 김석진 | Epiphany | (@ambygell) July 28, 2018

[LONDON MEET UP]

ARMYs in Groups based on their bias Group photo order: RM, Jhope & Jin, OT7, Jungkook#UKBTSARMATIONMEETS @BTS_twt – Leila pic.twitter.com/ABk0J0wm8S — UK BTS ARMY (@UKBTSARMATION) August 1, 2018

[LONDON MEET UP]

ARMYs in Groups based on their bias Group photo order: Jimin, V, Suga#UKBTSARMATIONMEETS @BTS_twt – Leila pic.twitter.com/4c13xigMuY — UK BTS ARMY (@UKBTSARMATION) August 1, 2018

Tom, Matthew and Liam were also at the BTS meet-up to meet likeminded people, with Liam saying: ‘It’s definitely a closeknit fandom in the K-pop community. It started as niche, it’s not niche anymore, which is nice. It’s very open and loving.’

And while the majority of the meet-up was made up of women, they were representing for the lads.

Matthew – who was wearing a pretty epic ‘I’m Jungshook’ t-shirt – told us: ‘We do notice we are a minority, but we still have to represent. We don’t care. If other people see us here, they might be tempted to come next time. So the more male fans, the better.’

The BTS meet-up featured performances of BTS’s dance routines, games and raffle giveways, as well as attendees gathering into groups by bias to celebrate their favourite member.

At both the London and Manchester meet-ups (over 100 ARMYs attended the Manchester event), the fans filmed messages of appreciation for BTS ahead of their concerts this October.

And while not everyone we spoke to had managed to get a ticket, we reckon these meet-ups prove that BTS will get a very warm welcome when they arrive in the UK.

Update: The Birmingham ARMY held their meet-up on 5 August.

Birmingham meet up yesterday, the hyung line ?- Mina pic.twitter.com/P62XNEn4SQ — UK BTS ARMY (@UKBTSARMATION) August 6, 2018

Thank you everyone that helped and came to the meet up, it was soo nice to meet/see you all can't wait to do it all again!! ??? – Mina pic.twitter.com/IKDcZpO7QE — UK BTS ARMY (@UKBTSARMATION) August 5, 2018

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