Look how far we have come this past year, as individuals and as one ― welcoming so many new friends and family into our arms and hearts to celebrate the love and respect we have for BTS, all that they have done, and all we have achieved together. While this may be an open letter to those ARMYs which we saw arrive in 2020, we will not forget the kindness of ARMY as a whole, welcoming in a new era of fans and showing us the way when so many avenues were closing. Thank you, ARMY.
Now, 2020 ARMYs, how are we holding up? Still there? Get ready, because as the world changes and heals, BTS has even greater things to come. There are many things that we as fans who have come in this time have missed thus far: fan signs, live in-person concerts, and live performances. Our interaction with BTS has been completely digital. We rushed to find out things about them via the internet, living vicariously through previous fan concert footage, interviews, etc. BTS, being the hard workers they are, released plenty of content over the pandemic for those recently tuning in, as well as for those who have been in for the long haul. 2020 brought us some excellent content, such as the first online concerts which served as the very first concerts for the new ARMYs to experience. We received BangBangCon and Map of the Soul ON:E, which provided some of the closest interactions with them since being ushered into the fandom. Peering through screens, we cheered and sat in awe of the members virtually.
We also got our very own vacation-themed reality show. Since the pandemic halted travel, instead of another season of Bon Voyage we were gifted with BTS In The Soop (with a second season peering over the horizon, as well): a show featuring the members relaxing in the forest, de-stressing — a true gift during a time when we wanted to picture ourselves lounging away in a forest, too.
We as a fandom have been waiting patiently, alongside the members, for the day that we can all meet once more in concerts and fan signs. As the world begins to heal, there is always hope that moving forward in the near future we will once again share stadiums together and sing our hearts out. For some, it will be as though no time has passed at all, and for 2020 ARMYs and others, it could be a brand new experience. Nonetheless, it is one that we will have the chance to share with one another and bond over.
Now it’s September 2021, this past week saw BTS fly out of South Korea for the first time since the outbreak of COVID-19, arriving in the U.S. nearly a year and a half after their last visit. Arriving under a diplomatic agenda as special envoys of President Moon, they stepped off the plane in New York and delighted ARMYs with the first set of the much loved ‘airport photos.’ Traveling around as global icons, BTS turned heads at the airport. We have seen previously that some of these airport photos include ‘punishments’ from Run!BTS episodes, such as silly hats or shirts. ARMYs frequently band together to spread the word so that there is space and privacy for the members to exit the airport safely, maintaining respect for the group. Trending on Twitter, ARMY wished the members a safe flight, the first time that had been possible since the pandemic began. It was a moment to behold, seeing ARMYs from everywhere, young and old, the new and the ones that have been here since the start, joining together once again for BTS.
With love in our hearts, let's send a shout out to 2020 ARMYs, for joining in this journey despite the distance and obstacles that have come, and share in our hopes and dreams that this will be over soon. We have strength from one another and from the members. Looking forward, our spring day is coming and what a glorious time it is that awaits.
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Written By: Skylar
Edit By: Esma
Checked By: Aury