There is no shortage of benefits to being an ARMY. But one of the best parts of being part of the community is getting to interact with others that share the same interests and passions as you. Thanks to numerous ARMY organizations around the world, every day there are more opportunities for ARMY to meet and connect with one another. We want to celebrate all of the hard work these groups put into their events, as well as inspire you to get involved with your local ARMY organization.
Cup-sleeve Events
When looking at the types of events put on by ARMY organizations, cup-sleeve events are by far the most common. In simple terms, a cup-sleeve event is a time where fans can visit an establishment—normally a small café or bakery—and with the purchase of a drink receive a cup-sleeve that has one or multiple members of BTS on it. These events are often held in celebration of the member’s birthdays, Festa, album releases, and concerts. However, oftentimes these events go beyond just receiving a collectible freebie. The organizations that host cup-sleeve events often will design multiple cup-sleeves and go all out decorating the café with photos and merchandise of the celebrated members. The event organizers will also normally invite small ARMY vendors to sell their products.
ARMY will also often use these events as a way to give back to their community. Some events will ask fans to bring in clothing or canned food to be donated, and they will occasionally receive a few freebies in return. This is a great arrangement because it allows fans to come together and enjoy a fun event while also making a change.
Cup-sleeve events are a valuable part of ARMY culture because it provides a space for fans to gather together, get to know one another, and celebrate the members. Additionally, it allows sellers to find potential buyers. In recent years, cup-sleeve events have become more prominent with many ARMY groups putting them on multiple times a year. Generally, the events are hosted by regional ARMY organizations, but they can be put on by individuals and fan sites. With so many events, there is likely an organization near you that will be hosting one in the near future, and it’s definitely worth checking out.
Regional ARMY Events
Regional ARMY organizations often go far beyond cup-sleeve events, though. Another common activity hosted by these groups are ‘watch’ parties when new BTS movies come out. While of course, it is enjoyable to see a BTS movie no matter where you are or who you’re with, it can be exciting to attend a designated viewing party. When attending events like this, people are often more open to talking to one another so it can be a great opportunity to meet new people and make friends. Additionally, some fans will bring freebies to these viewing parties in the spirit of sharing which is always a plus.
There are also a number of different meet-ups that these organizations will host as well. For instance, some will host photocard trading days. During these photocard trading events, ARMY are encouraged to bring their binders and trade their cards with other ARMY. These events sometimes will also have vendors selling photocards or other BTS-related products. Groups have also hosted random dance play parties. The host will play snippets from random songs, and everyone who knows the choreography runs to the middle and dances along. This is a fun competition that allows you to have fun and expend some extra energy.
There are far too many of these groups for us to mention even close to all of them. We encourage you to check on Twitter and Instagram to find the one closest to you. If you’re looking for a place to start: BTS France, BTS PH, BTS Australia, and ARMY MÉXICO are just four examples of how ARMY organizes events around the world.
Event Planners in Concert Cities
The recent announcement of Hybe sponsored events during the Permission To Dance On Stage concerts in Las Vegas excited many ARMYs, who knew to anticipate fun BTS-related activities around the city. But Hybe isn’t the only one trying to help fans have fun before the concert, traveling ARMY groups are also partnering with local businesses to create fun and memorable experiences for fans.
ARMYs Who Travel has evolved into a small business of its own dedicated entirely to hosting events for ARMY, particularly in cities where BTS tours. Last year in Los Angeles, AWT hosted a BTS club night, a meet-up at the Santa Monica Pier, a Korean BBQ dinner, and a tailgate before the concert. For Las Vegas, another club night has already been announced. Since ARMY will often travel many hours to attend a concert, events like these help fans connect in cities that they are unfamiliar with. It also helps ARMYs make friends from outside the area they live. It extends beyond events, though.
Before Hybe announced their BTS-themed hotels, Euphoria Dance announced their own block of hotel rooms dedicated to helping ARMY save some money while also staying in close proximity to others going to the same event. Hopefully, BTS will announce their world tour soon, giving more cities the opportunity to host events like this for traveling ARMY.
Getting Involved
Meeting up with other ARMYs is one of the best parts of being a BTS fan. There is a level of understanding between ARMY that lays the foundation for strong friendships. With so many groups around the world, it’s likely there is an event happening in your area. To find these organizations, searching Twitter for “BTS Your City Name” is best, and then searching in the nearby area as well. Furthermore, organizers are often in need of volunteers to ensure that the events run smoothly for everyone attending. If you have the time or resources, you can make a big difference by getting involved in your local ARMY organization. Finally, if there isn’t a group in your area, it’s the perfect time to start one. Of course, when gathering in person with other ARMY always check the regulations of the local government to ensure that it is safe to do so.
DISCLAIMER: We do not own any audio & visual content in this video except for the editing. ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO THE RIGHTFUL OWNERS. No copyright infringement intended.
Written by: Rachel
Edited by: Mheer
Checked by: Juju
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