BTS Jin's 'concert' in UAE: Superfans spend hours making freebies for cinemagoers
While the stars themselves have not arrived, fans are bringing concert culture to life through live viewings held at local theatres. From BTS' j-hope's concert viewing to BTS' Jin's live session earlier this weekend, fans have been ecstatic to build a community here. Some spent up to 9 hours creating things they could hand out to fans.
"For me its the joy of giving, and that I'm giving something related to BTS is even greater joy for a crafter like me," Filipino expat in Dubai Irene Isabel Luzon says. The 32-year-old has been giving out freebies within the community since 2022, when she started her crafting business.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
For this event, Luzon put together purple string bags with photocards of Jin, stickers, candies and pearl hairclips. "I usually spend about Dh50-70 on supplies, and this time it took me about 2-3 hours to prepare the freebies."
Over the years, Irene has made many "instant friends" by handing out these freebies.
Across the hall, in another theatre, Lara A., a 23-year-old media professional was giving out little bags with a handmade bookmark, bracelet and a lavender candle.
"My friend and I spent nearly Dh150 on these," she said, adding that they both spent nearly nine hours combined to put all the things together and create the goodies by hand.
"I think this is what brings us all together, the joy of community and spreading happiness. I love seeing their faces light up as I hand them a little bag."
Meanwhile, in Abu Dhabi, BTS fan Percy, was delighted to receive several freebies. "They gave away 'Run SeokJin' VIP lanyards, 'concert tickets', Jin Ramen and a supertuna headband."
"Can you imagine everyone was wearing a 'Super Tuna' headband inside. It's so cool, pretty and funny at the same time," the Senior Jewellery Consultant who travelled all the way from Ajman said.
The screening saw relatively full theatres, with fans bringing out their ARMY Bombs (lightsticks for concerts) as they sang along to Jin's popular tunes. The Run Seokjin Episode Tour was inspired by Jin's YouTube variety show called 'Run Jin', where he completes challenges and plays games with guests. In the concert, he translates that by speaking playing games with concertgoers, like 'guess the song' and 'spin the wheel'.
TikTok user 'percruz' took to the social media platform to share how ARMYs in Abu Dhabi brought out their lightsticks to sing along at the concert. Watch below:
Ani Rai, a 34-year-old Nepalese expat, said: "Even though I couldn't attend Jin's concert in person, I'm so grateful I had the chance to watch the live viewing in the theater. I can't even put into words how happy and excited I was seeing him on the big screen surrounded by fellow ARMYs. It was one of the best moments I could imagine."
As fans walked out of the theatre, they hoped for the band to perform in the UAE, as they discussed how the country is an ideal location to host such an event.
Concert in UAE?
The UAE is not immune to the speculation, with many here hoping that BTS returns to the Emirates, especially considering their KCON performance in Abu Dhabi in 2016 marked one of their earliest global stops.
In June, Yu Ri Park, Deputy Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Dubai, spoke to Khaleej Times in a personal capacity. She said that there is a "possibility that BTS will perform in the UAE in the future".
She elaborated that the "UAE is rapidly emerging as a regional hub for Hallyu" and continued to say that the nation "is well positioned to host such a popular and attractive event as it has a world-class logistics and transportation infrastructure".
Marn, an expat who was walking out of a block screening hosted by fanclub BangtanUAE, said that she is hoping for a concert in the country, and that the major band could be hosted at Etihad Arena, that has seen many other major celebrities perform.
Saving up to see the band
Fans are "really excited" and also "scared" as ARMY gets increasingly competitive to grab tickets for the much awaited concert tour in 2026.
On the other hand, 21-year-old Indian student Jiya, says that she "can't express her feelings in words" as she walked out of the concert live viewing. She anticipates that tickets for their concerts in 2026 will be "sold out in 2-3 minutes", but is saving to see them in Korea, regardless.
Adrianna, an expat from Peru, says that she will try to get tickets "anywhere". The 26-year-old plans to save for the upcoming tour and is hoping to catch the K-pop stars either in the UAE or South America.
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