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The first stop of The start of me as an ARMY was a get-together event organized for the enthusiastic souls in love with a boyband who are far from reach.
A room filled with unknown yet familiar people – dancing to the same beats that I dance when I'm home alone - people screaming, shouting, volunteers with cute bunny headbands, loud music, lots of love, support and unofficial merchandise, among other things were available under one roof, under the umbrella of (probably) the most important thing in their lives – BTS (Beyond The Scenes/BangTan Sonyeondan).
A room filled with unknown yet familiar people – dancing to the same beats that I dance when I'm home alone - people screaming, shouting, volunteers with cute bunny headbands, loud music, lots of love, support and unofficial merchandise, among other things were available under one roof, under the umbrella of (probably) the most important thing in their lives – BTS (Beyond The Scenes/BangTan Sonyeondan).
The ARMYs Meetup was nothing short of a dream for the
ARMYs in Mumbai. The event was organized by the Co-Admins Devika Pagdhare and Pranavy Yadav of the Instagram account Bangtan Bombay (@bangtanbombay) at Hope Center (BTS' member, JHope, is literally known for his smile, happiness and hope he spreads all over), Holy Cross Road, IC
Colony in Borivali on 21st October, 2018.
The project was to bring ARMYs together under one roof, where they could find solace and new friends. Even though KPop has garnered a large audience, the group mostly comprises teenagers and young adults. Children as young as 9/10 years old to a whole family attending a screening of a concert, the audience in the meetup looked like an actual sample of BTS lovers in Mumbai. Volunteers were distributed 💜 paper cut-outs, small 💜 rubber stickers to anybody who wanted them and helped whenever needed. So energetic and full of life!!
THE PRE-MEETUP
The organizing team and the volunteers worked hard. And it showed. Everybody registering for the Meetup was put in WhatsApp groups created area wise so that no one was left behind or had to come or go home alone. The WhatsApp groups before the event gave everybody a chance to get to know the other ARMYs better.
The group I was in, was for ARMYs from Churchgate to Santacruz. I actually met some people there. Hell, I never knew there would be 4-5 ARMYs living in the same area as me! I made some really good (and young) friends. Even though my social awkwardness may lead to the breaking of this friendship, it will be quite a long time till we actually do. The best part of our friendship is that we communicate over social media to keep it alive. Send each other memes, talk in gibberish, talk about ch*king, etc etc. Yk, the young stuff ;)
We understand and respect each other's lives and never try to interfere or force each other to meet.
Knowing that you’re not alone in something that provides you comfort, love and support - silent partners-in-crime - can be quite relaxing.
THE MEETUP DAY
On the day of the event, groups would meet at a designated place and travel together to reach IC Colony. I reached early with two of my just-met friends and waited a looooooong time for another one. (START COMING ON TIME. You were late for the movie too).
As soon as I and my friends *finally* reached, we met a couple of cheerful volunteers outside who were thoroughly checking the names on the register and letting people inside with a passionate smile. We could already hear loud music playing inside and people screaming. My heart was already beating fast. It was my first time to go to such an event and the energy radiating from inside the room was just astonishing.
I entered and for a few seconds, it felt like I was in a magical place. No kidding.
There were BTS members meme faces stuck on a wall. (MY FAVOURITE WALL)
After a series of random dances, people received their purple rubber stickers on their cheeks. One could gauge the excitement shining in the eyes as they met other similar people, connected to each other by huddling at the dance floor and dancing the signature steps of the songs.
© Afreen Khan
The event started with the United Nations Speech that Namjoon (RM) gave. Looking at the leader on a big screen, I couldn't believe that I was in a room filled with people who go through the same emotion as I do, every single time I hear it. I never imagined that I would ever witness a thing like this. I felt proud sitting with them. Watching our leader give his best at a speech. Watching the members supporting their leader by standing by his side, smiling. At that particular time, it wasn't just me who got nervous as soon as Namjoon started walking, it wasn't just me getting overwhelmed when he poured his heart out, it wasn't just me finding courage and strength in his words, there were 170+ people there with me.
Here's a small clip of what happened when Namjoon's speech got over:
Up next was the Wings concert screening. As a broke person who did not own a singler official or unofficial merch, this was the only concert I could afford. When members came up on screen and waved hi, WE ACTUALLY WAVED HI BACK thinking that they were right there! In front of us!! And then laughed and cried at our luck. 😀 I screamed the same way I would have had it been an actual concert. Just, less chaotic. The fanchants! Oh the fanchants!! The fanchants were amazing!! I loved every second of it! We cheered for every song and every member. I specifically yelled out loud and more during Yoongi's part *_*
Being a solo stan is completely okay till one doesn't disregard/disrespect another member. It's all the 7 members that make up BTS, disrespecting even one does not do any justice to them or their music. The timing of the event was from 3pm to 8pm and as it was mentioned, a 'concert screening', I thought it would be of the final Wings Tour which is 3 hours. So much so that when I found the Final Wings Tour on my favorite website, I watched one minute and then decided to watch it directly in the meetup. I had a little problem with the projector screen being small as for people sitting in the corner it was a bit problematic as the pillars blocked the view. However, I wasn't disappointed.
FOOD is up next! I expected not great but good food. I understand that with only Rs. 200 there's only a limited amount of things people can do. My hopes were a bit high regarding the food but the efforts of the volunteers made it up for me.
With handing out food parcels, the volunteers also gave out.. PHOTOCARDS + PERSONAL MESSAGES!!! 💖💜
I will confess that at first, I did hope to I get a Yoongi photocard but soon realised it was group photo and my heart calmed. I love them all but Yoongi, 0.01% more. :D
Stay tuned to hear what the organizers of the event had to say about the event and the difficulties and also how I used my first ever BTS photographs!!
What were your memorable moments from the ARMYs meetup? Let me know in the comments below!
Follow me on Instagram!
The project was to bring ARMYs together under one roof, where they could find solace and new friends. Even though KPop has garnered a large audience, the group mostly comprises teenagers and young adults. Children as young as 9/10 years old to a whole family attending a screening of a concert, the audience in the meetup looked like an actual sample of BTS lovers in Mumbai. Volunteers were distributed 💜 paper cut-outs, small 💜 rubber stickers to anybody who wanted them and helped whenever needed. So energetic and full of life!!
THE PRE-MEETUP
The organizing team and the volunteers worked hard. And it showed. Everybody registering for the Meetup was put in WhatsApp groups created area wise so that no one was left behind or had to come or go home alone. The WhatsApp groups before the event gave everybody a chance to get to know the other ARMYs better.
The group I was in, was for ARMYs from Churchgate to Santacruz. I actually met some people there. Hell, I never knew there would be 4-5 ARMYs living in the same area as me! I made some really good (and young) friends. Even though my social awkwardness may lead to the breaking of this friendship, it will be quite a long time till we actually do. The best part of our friendship is that we communicate over social media to keep it alive. Send each other memes, talk in gibberish, talk about ch*king, etc etc. Yk, the young stuff ;)
We understand and respect each other's lives and never try to interfere or force each other to meet.
Knowing that you’re not alone in something that provides you comfort, love and support - silent partners-in-crime - can be quite relaxing.
THE MEETUP DAY
On the day of the event, groups would meet at a designated place and travel together to reach IC Colony. I reached early with two of my just-met friends and waited a looooooong time for another one. (START COMING ON TIME. You were late for the movie too).
As soon as I and my friends *finally* reached, we met a couple of cheerful volunteers outside who were thoroughly checking the names on the register and letting people inside with a passionate smile. We could already hear loud music playing inside and people screaming. My heart was already beating fast. It was my first time to go to such an event and the energy radiating from inside the room was just astonishing.
I entered and for a few seconds, it felt like I was in a magical place. No kidding.
There were BTS members meme faces stuck on a wall. (MY FAVOURITE WALL)
Kewl friend Shireen matching them meme faces
© Afreen Khan
© Afreen Khan
A boomerang which HopeWorldians didn't know they needed
© Afreen Khan
After a series of random dances, people received their purple rubber stickers on their cheeks. One could gauge the excitement shining in the eyes as they met other similar people, connected to each other by huddling at the dance floor and dancing the signature steps of the songs.
The event started with the United Nations Speech that Namjoon (RM) gave. Looking at the leader on a big screen, I couldn't believe that I was in a room filled with people who go through the same emotion as I do, every single time I hear it. I never imagined that I would ever witness a thing like this. I felt proud sitting with them. Watching our leader give his best at a speech. Watching the members supporting their leader by standing by his side, smiling. At that particular time, it wasn't just me who got nervous as soon as Namjoon started walking, it wasn't just me getting overwhelmed when he poured his heart out, it wasn't just me finding courage and strength in his words, there were 170+ people there with me.
Here's a small clip of what happened when Namjoon's speech got over:
© Afreen Khan
Up next was the Wings concert screening. As a broke person who did not own a singler official or unofficial merch, this was the only concert I could afford. When members came up on screen and waved hi, WE ACTUALLY WAVED HI BACK thinking that they were right there! In front of us!! And then laughed and cried at our luck. 😀 I screamed the same way I would have had it been an actual concert. Just, less chaotic. The fanchants! Oh the fanchants!! The fanchants were amazing!! I loved every second of it! We cheered for every song and every member. I specifically yelled out loud and more during Yoongi's part *_*
Being a solo stan is completely okay till one doesn't disregard/disrespect another member. It's all the 7 members that make up BTS, disrespecting even one does not do any justice to them or their music. The timing of the event was from 3pm to 8pm and as it was mentioned, a 'concert screening', I thought it would be of the final Wings Tour which is 3 hours. So much so that when I found the Final Wings Tour on my favorite website, I watched one minute and then decided to watch it directly in the meetup. I had a little problem with the projector screen being small as for people sitting in the corner it was a bit problematic as the pillars blocked the view. However, I wasn't disappointed.
FOOD is up next! I expected not great but good food. I understand that with only Rs. 200 there's only a limited amount of things people can do. My hopes were a bit high regarding the food but the efforts of the volunteers made it up for me.
With handing out food parcels, the volunteers also gave out.. PHOTOCARDS + PERSONAL MESSAGES!!! 💖💜
I will confess that at first, I did hope to I get a Yoongi photocard but soon realised it was group photo and my heart calmed. I love them all but Yoongi, 0.01% more. :D
Stay tuned to hear what the organizers of the event had to say about the event and the difficulties and also how I used my first ever BTS photographs!!
Part 2 coming soon!
Follow me on Instagram!
Thank you for covering this blog🥺This absolutely warms my heart.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading it and loving it. I'm now a Korean Entertainment Journalist! Do follow my Instagram if you'd like to. :)
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