Two weeks had passed since global sensation K-pop group Bangtan Sonyeondan, more popularly known as BTS, took Manila by storm for the third time.
The septet group, comprised of Rap Monster, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, V, Jimin and Jungkook, returned to the country and held their two-day Manila leg for “2017 BTS Live Trilogy Episode III: The Wings Tour” last May 6-7 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Whether you were #TeamBahay, #TeamLabas, or #TeamConcert during those two days, you all feel the same thing: You miss BTS and want them back again. Well maybe next year, right?
Why don’t we all take a look back at the flower path memories Manila had with BTS?
1. PH A.R.M.Y.s singing along to BTS songs even before the concert starts
It was remarkable, beautiful, and breathtaking how language barrier didn’t seem to affect us Filipinos when it came to music. Maybe Filipinos, in general, loved singing (karaoke, anyone?).
Even in K-pop, we have the knack for memorizing the full romanized Korean lyrics of our idols’ songs (other than the fanchants).
During Day 1, fans were singing along to the music videos being played before the concert started. But what melted this writer’s heart was when the fans sang along to “Spring Day” MV while waving their Army Bombs (official BTS light stick). It was such a majestic, and touching sight, indeed.
During Day 2, it’s also hard to move on from Suga, whose raps emit fire, as he let the fans sing his complete opening lines in “Blood, Sweat & Tears.”
2. BTS speaking in “deep” Tagalog, translated ending VCR
During “Wings Tour” in Bangkok, member Jimin had a very cute blunder in his goodbye speech as he uttered “salamat po (Thank you in Filipino)” instead of “khob khun khrub (Thank you in Thai).”
Maybe he just missed the Philippines so much? It seemed evident with the many mushy Filipino words he said during their two-day concert here.
It wasn’t only him though! All seven of them took turns in sharing their learned Tagalog words that elicited squeals and giggles all over the arena.
Some of the words they said were: “Salamat po,” “Mahal ko kayo,” “Nag-enjoy ba kayong lahat?” “Gigil niyo si ako,” “Gusto ko madalas tayo magkita,” “Mamimiss ko kayo.” And the sweetest of all was, “Kayo ang aming pakpak.”
Even their long VCR before “Outro: Wings” was translated into Filipino, just a bit too literal and “deep.” Nevertheless, the effort was recognized and that’s all that matters.
3. BTS’ colorful, unique solo acts
We’re not sure when we’d see these spectacular solo performances again but who could forget seeing Jimin dance with his eyes blindfolded during “Lie.” He looked like he was floating in midair while he was being carried by men like a work of art.
Or who could move on from J-Hope’s super fun and heart-tugging performance of his song “Mama” dedicated to his mother? After watching that performance, I bet everyone would agree that he totally emits those sun rays, brightening up the whole arena.
Did anyone expect Jungkook’s solo to have such intense choreography?
Maybe some of you have wiped their eyes the moment Suga performed “First Love,” since the way he rapped his soul out evoked such strong emotions.
4. Classic songs’ medley
PH A.R.M.Y.s were blessed with a medley of BTS’ older, but all-time favorite tracks namely “N.O,” “No More Dream,” “Boy In Luv,” “Danger,” and “Run.”
During this segment, the boys scattered around the arena to meet their fans.
5. “Wings” and “You Never Walk Alone” albums’ songs in flesh
The main course of their “Wings Tour” was to showcase their new songs live.
It was a great experience for fans to witness them perform in person their record-breaking new tracks such as, “Blood Sweat & Tears,” “Spring Day,” and “Not Today.”
They also sang all their songs from the new albums except “A Supplementary Story: You Never Walk Alone.”
6. Heart thumping Fanservice
Another highlight was the various fanservice the group did to their fans. It was great to have witnessed some of it up-close!
Member J-Hope exuded radiant beauty and took one fan project banner from the person in front of me.
The oldest member Jin—wearing glasses—also did something cute as he ducked and stared at the fans in our area.
Jimin and V made Twitter pulsate with their heart fluttering actions too. Jimin was seen holding a fan’s hand while singing his line in “Run.” V, on the other hand, stood and stared at his fans for a great deal of time before reaching out his hand to one lucky fan.
Another memorable experience was when Jin showed his love for their PH fans as he pulled out a paper with the word “Mahal Kita” written on it.
Who could also forget when rap line Suga and J-Hope showered the fans with the same water they were drinking during “Cypher Pt.4”?
There were plenty more unforgettable moments, of course, since BTS seemed to love teasing their fans a lot.
7. PH A.R.M.Y.s’ Fan Projects
PH fans prepared various fan projects for both Day 1 and Day 2 in Manila.
During “Spring Day,” fans covered their light sticks with pink and green plastics to produce a wonderful pink ocean with touches of green, as a reminder of flowers blooming in Spring.
This beautiful photo of the Spring Day Ocean is by @miaaguila! Thank you so much! #NewCoverPic #WMMOceanPH https://t.co/d6c8kTkOpH
— 원해많이마닐라~ (@wonhaemanila) May 16, 2017
https://twitter.com/miaaguila/status/864301632552484864
During Day 2, fans made a wonderful PH flag ocean during “2!3!.”
PH FLAG OCEAN 😍💙💛❤️🔥 @BTS_twt @happeesy @BTSPHUNION @KingNamjoonPH #WINGSTourInManila #BTSWingstourinmanila pic.twitter.com/DZTmJ4WRN2
— 𝑌𝐷. 。°˖ ✧ (@yelledomingo_) May 8, 2017
https://twitter.com/RoxyUnnie/status/861247664586842112
Aside from the ocean fan projects, the boys noticed the banner fan projects for both days. Some members even took and held them while showing the banners to everyone.
One of the biggest project prepared by PH A.R.M.Y.s was the Giant Army Bomb Ver. 2 in Mall of Asia, displaying BTS videos in the big globe.
https://twitter.com/josieseok/status/860636703933030400/video/1
The BIGGEST ARMY BOMB found only in the PH! I finally saw it! Kudos, again, to all the pips behind this project!🙌👏 #BTSBBMAs #BTSBombInPHv2 pic.twitter.com/DBLqypWwbX
— T O S H 🇵🇭 (@mitoshiela) May 13, 2017
PH A.R.M.Y.s, what moments were tattooed in your minds?
by Hotaru Niitsu
