It’s been a while since I last wrote something really heartfelt in this space. Lately, my life archive has been kept in iCloud – and Instagram.
It has always been a dream of mine to attend a BTS concert. It felt like a goal I had been working toward for quite a while. Sitting in Section N59 at Busan Asiad Stadium didn’t come easily. Before screaming “Mianhae, Eomma!”, joining the Purple Ocean, and breathing the same air as BTS, there were Blood, Sweat, and Tears first (okay, maybe that’s an exagerration, but here we go).
The Ticketing War and Visa Woes
The first battle was winning the ticketing war. I’d like to think I’ve somewhat gotten used to it after “winning” tickets for the Agust D Day concert in Jakarta and the Hope on the Stage tour in Jakarta as well. But I know I was fighting against millions of ARMYs – and I made it! My girls and I (the “Jakarta Girls” from our trip to Jakarta for Yoongi’s solo concert) were over the moon when we all secured tickets for the June 13 concert.. It was BTS’ anniversary date, and I just knew I had to be there. We got our tickets fair and square – no ticketing assistance – just lots of prayers and trust to credit card. 😂
Next came the visa application process, and with it, my usual worry about having a “weak passport.” I applied in the first week of May directly at KVAC via the Simplified Application Process (using my BDO and BPI credit cards). I was anxious after learning that Paxie had already received her visa result. Part of me was hopeful, but another part had already accepted the possibility of rejection.
But I got a multiple-entry visa valid for five years!
As soon as I received the approval, I immediately checked flights and accommodations. As expected, prices were increasing rapidly due to demand. I booked my flight two weeks before departure and my hotel just five days before my flight. I was lucky to still secure a room, as most hotels were already fully booked. My friend Ana even offered to share her booked accommodation (just in case I couldn’t find one), but I wanted her to have a comfortable stay too – and I also knew I needed my own space for my usual morning routine and since I usually sleep and wake up early. I was able to book a hotel which is 30-minute ride to the concert venue, and 30-minute ride to the airport.
Manila to Seoul to Busan
I originally planned to land and stay in Seoul, then take the KTX train to Busan. But I eventually decided to stay in Busan for the entire trip (my flight had a two-hour layover in Seoul), which turned out to be a good decision since I was able to attend most of the BTS Festa activities.
I really wanted to stay and extend my trip to Seoul (especially since the flights were really expensive!); however, I had a very important commitment a few days after the concert that would have cost me a lot of money if I had missed it. I was thinking I would be very thankful just to attend the BTS concert.
I flew via Asiana Airlines from Manila to Seoul, then Korean Air from Seoul to Busan – my first time flying with both airlines. I paid a hefty airfare, but I treated it as part of the experience. It felt like an “ARMY flight,” While I don’t have any merch or visible hint that I’m an ARMY. Honestly, I felt so unprepared for the trip.
It was also my second time traveling “solo.” Coincidentally, my first solo trip happened exactly last year, on the same date, when I flew to Japan. I met Ana at the NAIA lounge, and we also saw each other again during our layover in Seoul. She even waited for me at the airport since she arrived an hour earlier. It felt like a warm welcome to her favorite country.
BTS Festa in Busan | My First Festa Experience
It was my first time in Busan, and I immediately fell in love with the city – its beautiful coastline, scenic views, and vibrant atmosphere. I honestly missed Korean fish cake and tteokbokki! The only challenge was getting around since most transportation options are via bus, but in my peak Tita mode, I mostly booked Uber to move around the city.
I would have loved to explore Busan’s famous spots, but I realized that Festa activities were only available for a limited time, so I made sure to make the most of them instead.
BTS Festa is an annual celebration held by BTS to commemorate their debut anniversary every June.
It is not just a single event, but a multi-week fan celebration where BTS releases special content and ARMYs around the world join in the festivities. Everywhere I looked, there were fans wearing BTS merchandise, or taking photos at Festa installations. We may all speaking different languages, but it reminded me how global the fandom is!
Some of the activities should be booked in advanced, while some are free to join – but expect long queue hours.
The entire city felt alive! The activities were perfect to build anticipation and excitement to the concert. I am planning to post a separate reel featuring all the BTS Festa activities I availed.
What I Wore During Concert Day
My friends know I usually wear dresses to concerts for practical reasons – I like being able to move comfortably and easily use the restroom.
But for BTS concert day, I decided to wear a black bodysuit and palazzo pants (Ana lent me her purple tassel/norigae for the Arirang vibes).
The BTS Concert Day
I didn’t plan anything in the morning and just stayed in my hotel. We agreed to meet leave around 2:30 PM from our respective hotels to meet at the venue. We arrived just in time to take photos and line up outside the stadium.
To be honest, the Busan concert experience was rather chaotic – there were no clear signages, marshals, or barricades to guide concertgoers to the correct queues. We were just lucky to line up in the right one where the gates opened, and we entered smoothly through Face Pass validation. We also received BTS gifts and photocards after ticket verification at the entrance.
with Paxie and Ana – so happy to do it with my Jakarta gurlz!!
We had time to hang out in the hallway before heading to our seats around 6:00 PM. I was thankful it wasn’t my time of the month- I didn’t have to keep going to the restroom. 😀
Seeing BTS Live for the First Time
There were so many emotions while I was waiting in my seat. First thing I did was make sure my ARMY Bomb was synced and in concert mode. Can you believe I even bought my own lightstick?
I wanted the full BTS concert experience – and I got it. Surprisingly, most of the ARMYs in the concert were using the new version.
When the concert officially started and they stepped onto the stage, I just kept saying, “Oh my God, oh my God.” I wasn’t even screaming – I was mostly still, maybe teary. It felt like I couldn’t believe I was living inside my own dream.
And then there they were – on stage.
And I was there, breathing the same Busan air as BTS.
They are real.
I couldn’t believe I was there yelling “Mianhae, Eomma!” for Yoongi, doing fan chants for real, hearing Jimin and Jin’s parts in Magic Shop, and so much more!
The energy inside the venue was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.
They are so good at what they do, and I really love and admire their consistency. Even after being on the top, they performed, danced and sang so well that night. The most beautiful thing is seeing them enjoy the concert.
What Makes a BTS Concert Different?
It’s true when they say there is no bad seat in a BTS concert. Knowing how BTS work, they are very intentional with everything that they do. The stage design and production are immersive with extended stages, massive LED screens, and carefully planned choreography.
I love the synchronized ARMY Bomb lightsticks! Before the concert, you can set yours to Concert Mode and enter your section and seat number. It is amazing to see the Purple Ocean in person!
BTS Arirang Busan Day 2 Setlist
I avoided checking setlists and fan cams before the show to keep the experience spoiler-free, though I knew BTS often surprises fans with different songs each night.
Main Set:
Hooligan
Aliens
Run BTS
They Don’t Know ’Bout Us
Like Animals
Fake Love
Swim
Merry Go Round
2.0
Normal
Not Today
MIC Drop
FYA
Fire
Body to Body
IDOL
Encore:
Come Over
Butter
Dynamite
dimple (first time since 2020)
Ddaeng (first time since 2019)
Magic Shop
One More Night
Into the Sun
BTS’ gift to ARMYs who attended the BTS Arirang Concert is so precious! I read that HYBE would even facilitate the shipping of gifts to ARMYs who weren’t able to receive theirs during the Day 1 concert.
BTS Concert Tips for First-Time Attendees
If you’re attending your first BTS concert, here are some helpful tips:
- Wear comfortable clothes – but still have fun expressing yourself. Some of the ARMYs were featured in the LED Screen during the Body to Body song.
- Wear proper shoes (running shoes are better than fashion sneakers) I wore sneakers, but I still prefer wearing running shoes – something with arch and bounce.
- Double-check your section and seat number. Take a screenshot and send to your Army Friends Group Chat (might come in handy)
- Bring your ARMY Bomb + extra AAA batteries
- Pack light (passport, power bank, cash/card)
- Pack food, bottled water and mints (some concert venues allow food inside)
- Arrive early and know your gate entry
- Prepare ARMY gifts if you feel like sharing the love – but no pressures. Some ARMYS gave mints and biscuits which are good to have during concert.
- Most importantly: just enjoy the moment
Heading home after the concert is always a challenge. If you can leave the venue earlier, it’s best to book your ride or take the train or bus before the crowd surge starts.
I wanted to say I’ve checked this off my bucket list – but honestly, I still want to go to another BTS concert. The post-concert depression is real. It’s emotional, overwhelming, and grounding all at once. It truly is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I’m thankful for the privilege to experience it.
There is no better time to do it than now, especially while they all still want to perform and be BTS. I was telling my friend, what if one day one of them decides that they no longer want to do this?
Anyway, thankful to be in this journey with friends, and I’m also happy that through BTS, I was able to reconnect with old friends and colleagues, even if just through messages.
I always admire BTS and their artistry, and I’m so happy they exist in this time.
Most of all, this trip gave me a quiet kind of clarity. That it’s okay to chase things that feel personal and emotional, even if they don’t always make sense to others. Because in the end, those are often the experiences that shape you the most.
Here’s my Busan Visual Diary
