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| ▲ This file photo, taken on Nov. 27 (U.S. time), shows different BTS fans wearing purple clothing on the first day of BTS' offline concert series. (Photo by K-odyssey) (Yonhap) |
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 28 (Yonhap) -- SoFi Stadium, a concert venue located in LA for K-pop megastar BTS' concert, was colored with purple, a representative color of BTS, on Saturday (U.S. time).
On the first day of BTS' series of live in-person concerts, tens of thousands of people gathered outside the concert venue from early in the morning.
Fans wearing purple T-shirts and masks greeted others by saying "Borahae" and asked each other where they came from.
"Borahae," a phrase used between BTS and ARMYs, means "I love you."
There were also many fans who colored their hair purple, a symbolic color of BTS.
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| ▲ This file photo, taken on Nov. 27 (U.S. time), shows number of BTS fans waiting in line to see BTS' first offline concert in two years. (Yonhap) |
BTS will hold a total of four concerts starting from Sunday (KST) to Dec. 2.
According to BTS' agency, Big Hit Music, there are around 47,000 fans watching each concert stage. It is predicted that an additional 200,000 fans will gather to see BTS at a separate cheering area with a large electronic display screen.
Fans were seen waiting with excitement for BTS' first offline concert in two years.
One fan named Amy (23), who drove 17 hours from Seattle, Washington, said with a smile, "I'm very happy to finally see BTS," adding, "It's an opportunity to shake off the feeling of being intimidated by COVID-19."
Victoria (27), another BTS fan flew across the U.S. continent for six hours by plane from New Jersey, said, "I'm so nervous and excited to see BTS in person," adding that she wished BTS would sing her favorite BTS song "On."
Prior to the actual concert, several ARMYs also performed an impromptu dance performance.
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| ▲ This file photo, taken on Nov. 27 (U.S. time), shows fans dancing to BTS' songs ahead of watching the actual concert. (Yonhap) |
The fans dressed up as if they were performing on a music show and showcased their dance moves, while other fans cheered on.
In addition to ARMY, SoFi Stadium was also ready to welcome BTS and fans from around the world.
SoFi Stadium had written "Welcome back" in Korean and in purple as well as presented a notice announcing BTS' concert on a large electronic display on the roof.
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| ▲ This photo, captured from SoFi Stadium's Twitter video, shows the stadium's welcome message to BTS and ARMY. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Before the concert, SoFi Stadium also took measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
At the entrance to the concert venue, there were numerous notices that explained COVID-19 vaccination certificates should be submitted, and announcements were frequently made to remind people that masks must be worn at all times.
The local U.S. media was also quick to report ARMYs' enthusiasm ahead of BTS' series of concerts.
NBC Southern California said there were fans waiting for more than 10 hours to buy BTS' merchandise goods such as T-shirts and official light sticks.
Variety, an American media company, said, "Korean pop sensation BTS, known for such hits as 'Butter' and 'Dynamite,' is in Los Angeles to perform their first in-person concerts since the start of the pandemic, drawing tens of thousands of fans to stand in a line outside of SoFi Stadium that spirals out over a mile long."
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