“Dispatch” interviewed the boys last year for their dreams in 2021. (We expected them to mention the Grammys).
They answered. (But it was not the Grammys or anything we had expected)
“Standing in front of our fans again Meeting newly found Armies. That’s our new goal.”
“We will eventually be able to hold an offline concert, right? We will be able to see them again, right? I want to run to the day we will be able to. I hope we’ll be able to see our fans in 2021…” (2020, D’ICON BTS interview)
This is what BTS had told us at “Dispatch” a year ago. Their hopes and dreams in 2020 weren’t grand.
It wasn’t something like a record-breaking song (although they’ve accomplished that many times before), a Grammy win, or something as vast as changing the future.
Their dreams were in comparison, quite miniscule. Their goals consisted of “Meeting our fans”, “Dancing with our army”, and “performing in front of our fans.”
# 2021 December, 28th (KST) LA SoFi Stadium.
Then, in 2021, it finally came true. Just as Jimin had hoped, their dreams have become a reality. They certainly didn’t need “permission to dance.” They had created memories with the 500,000 fans inside the stadium and the 500,000 outside.
BTS put in all of their efforts for the sole reason of their fans. For two years, they hoped for the day they would see each other again, and it finally happened.
J-Hope initially grabbed the mic to speak, but he wasn’t able to speak through his tears.
Suga was quiet and looked rather melancholy. He skimmed the crowd and the stadium as if he were capturing this moment with his eyes.
Jin appeared with a flower in his hair. He named himself “The gift to Armies.” He lived up to his title as “worldwide handsome.”
“We’ve waited so long for this day. We were reminded again of how great and thankful we are that you all exist. I was often frustrated because of how much I missed you all but now I feel at ease. I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.” (J-hope)
“I told myself too often ‘It’ll die down by next month’.. soon, one month led to two, two to three, three to four, and before we knew it, it was two years. But today, finally, we got to see each other again. I’ve missed you all so much. I won’t ever be able to forget the feelings I felt today.” (Jimin)
“It feels unreal. I only felt it after the first half of the concert had happened. Upon seeing you all dancing and jumping, I now know where I stand. Let’s continue to see each other exactly like we are right now.” (Suga)
“Dancing and singing with our ARMY makes me very happy. I don’t wish for anything else but for our fans to be happy. If I see you happy, I’m happy. We promise to come back. I purple you! (V)
“ARMY is my source of happiness. Where we are right now, at this exact moment with you all, this is my happiness! I love you, ARMY.” (Jin)
“We really missed our fans. This dream-like moment with you all right now.. I missed it so much. It surprises me how my fans have this effect on me.” (Jungkook)
“You are all our existence, value, breaths, loves, and peace. You guys are living proof of all of these. We are the bullets, you guys are the “proof” and together, we’re ‘bulletproof.’ (RM)
Their fans felt the same way. From the way they moved and talked, it all spoke,” BTS.”
One dad enters the stadium, hand in hand with his daughter. One woman boasts of obtaining a ticket while her grandson was unsuccessful. Some fans split themselves into groups to perform a flash mob.
There are no restrictions or barriers to BTS’s music. The color of your skin, nationality, ethnicity, sex, and age are of no importance to being an army. From Asher who came from Jamaica, to Liv from the UK, a 2 year-old army, to a 68 year old army, fans of the group were all different and that’s what made it all the more memorable.
“I had succeeded in getting a ticket for the ‘Map of the Seoul’ concert but it got canceled due to covid-19. I waited for this moment for two years. I’m so excited that they’re back.” (Liv, 26, London)
“I was introduced to BTS through my daughter. “Love Yourself” is my favorite song because it helped me love myself. It would be an understatement to say that their music has changed our lives in ways more than one. Their music is comfort and peace to me and my daughter.” (Laura. 56, Tori. 17, Washington D.C)
“I came from the south all the way to the west to see the concert. I came prepared through YouTube yesterday.” (Mia, 21, Florida)
“I was supposed to see BTS last year with my younger sister but unfortunately, it was canceled. I waited for their return and I’m excited to hear “Dynamite”, “Butter”, “PTD”, and more!” (James, 40, LA)
“We’ve waited for this concert our whole lives. (laughs) We waited here since last night. I think we’re in for an emotional roller coaster.” (Mwiza (24), Tina (21), Washington D.C)
“I came here three days ago with three of my friends. One of my friends is actually flew in from the UK. My age isn’t a hindrance at all. We waited for this day.” (Teresa, 68, Minnesota)
“We became a member of the ARMY after seeing them at a concert once. We wanted to see them again and we’re finally here. Our daughter here is also at the age where she could attend. We’re going to sing along to “Dynamite” together because she’s also able to follow along.” (Reggine (29), Ralph (34), Raign (2), and 5 months in the oven, LA)
An LA resident who goes by the name “Joon Kim” voiced her thoughts.
“If Michael Jackson were to be resurrected, it wouldn’t amount to what BTS has created. I’ve lived in the U.S. for thirty years, but nothing compares to this.” (Joon, 52, LA)
She’s lived here for 20 years and claims to have seen nothing like this before.
“I’ve been to many concerts since I lived here. I’ve seen Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Maroon 5, and other legends. But nothing compares to the energy you get from a BTS concert. Everyone was up, standing for two hours. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
BTS has kept their promise with their fans. They had said that they’d meet again one day. They drew pictures of offline concerts, held with fans, having a good time with the image of the boys running around the stage.
The fans have responded as well. They had assured the boys that they’d stay exactly where they are, waiting and hoping for the big day.
Both BTS and the fans fulfilled their dreams. That one night in LA was brighter than ever.
"Finally!"
"Permission to Dance? Granted!"
"The day we've all been waiting for!"
"Thank you for keeping your promise."
"The promise from two years ago."
"LA is currently, Army Land."
<Photos by=Los Angeles, Hoyjin Song, Yeongwoo Jung(Dispatch)>
<Translated by=Justina Kim(Dispatch)>
