June is probably the most awaited month for ARMYs. We’re always so spoiled during this time as we celebrate the debut anniversary of BTS. But this year’s FESTA is a little bit…different.
There was no doubt that there would be a FESTA this year even though two out of the seven members are serving in the military, but almost everyone was holding their breath. Even though we knew there would be a FESTA, we had no idea how it would turn out without the full member lineup. The only rumor we got was that the festival would be held at Yeouido Hangang Park, under collaboration with the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Seoul Tourism Organization, and several sponsors.
But then, the end of May came rolling around, and we got the cryptic FESTA timeline. While they usually display the time on the timeline poster, this year it was revealed through the last hashtag of every FESTA tweet on BTS' official Twitter account. For example, in this tweet about their Film Camera Photo, the previous hashtag means #.612_10 with a moon emoji, which means that the next FESTA content would be revealed on June 12th, at 10 PM KST. If the emoji following is a sun, the content would be out during the day.
A day after the timeline was revealed, Big Hit announced the release of a song for the fans in honor of the FESTA celebration called “Take Two” with the full member lineup. An official media statement suggested that BTS was “moving onto their second chapter after the first decade-long journey as artists.” It’s not an exaggeration to say that the song feels like a love letter from the BTS members to their fans.
Turns out, our worries about celebrating the FESTA without the total members were not necessary. A day later, they announced the “APOGBANGPO10” project and a photo shoot of the seven members with special messages for the ARMYs scattered around South Korea, Japan, and the US, followed by a video of the members discussing the project.
Besides that, each member also took part in several activities. Namjoon hosted a session called “It’s 5 PM and This Is Kim Namjun” during the main FESTA event at Yeouido Hangang Park. Seokjin appeared on Suchwita, talking about his stage in Argentina, his roommate-ship with Yoongi, and explaining the reason behind his famous acceptance speech during MAMA 2018. Yoongi having a drink with Seokjin on Suchwita, celebrating FESTA during his world tour, and sending a special video message before Namjoon’s session at the main event. Hoseok posted a heartfelt letter on BTS’ official Twitter, and surprised us by releasing “Arson (Rock Ver.).” Jimin posted a live clip of his hidden track “Letter,” and narrated the 10-minute quiz during Namjoon’s session at the main event. Taehyung posted covers of two jazz songs in “Le Jazz de V,” and had a phone call prank during Namjoon’s session at the main event. Jungkook, despite being busy preparing his upcoming album, took part in narrating the firework event that closed the FESTA celebration this month.
For the ARMYs who couldn’t attend the main event in Seoul, Big Hit has provided an interactive website and played both Yoongi’s and Hoseok’s documentaries in cinemas.
As usual, they also posted several unseen dance practice videos, and family portraits, though they didn’t call it a “family picture” this year. Of course, we couldn’t miss the BANGBANGCON as well, playing the 5th Muster in Seoul, the Muster Sowoozoo, and their first online concert “MOTS ON: E.”
BTS once again reassured us that everything will be okay, that their love towards us is real. We are their top priority, as they did everything they could to make us happy during this year’s FESTA despite having their schedules. With a whopping 400 thousand people attending the FESTA main event at the Yeouido Hangang Park on June 17th, we can truly get the message out to the world that BTS still has their fandom’s full support and are not planning to go anywhere, anytime soon.
“Rivers and mountains change over ten years.”
But thankfully, the love between BTS and ARMY hasn’t changed.
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Written By: RAM
Edited By: Aury
Checked By: Shelley
