Sokvin Vann found herself stuck in a routine almost four years ago. Encouraged by her brother, she channeled her love for K-pop and BTS into creating BTS Army Toronto. Despite facing a personal loss when her brother passed away soon after, Vann continued to nurture the fan club, organizing events, giveaways, and supporting local Korean businesses. As BTS prepares for their long-awaited return to Toronto after more than a decade, BTS Army Toronto, now led by Vann and her son Jordan, is gearing up for the concerts. The fan club has grown into a tight-knit community, fostering friendships and shared passion for music.
BTS, as part of their Arirang World Tour, is set to perform sold-out shows at Rogers Stadium over the weekend. The City of Toronto recently renamed a portion of Yonge Street to BTS Boulevard in honor of the concerts. The city also declared BTS Weekend in Toronto, lighting up the Toronto sign in purple, the color associated with BTS and its fans. BTS’s meaningful lyrics on topics like mental health and self-love have endeared them to fans like Vann, who admires the group’s intention to make a positive impact through their music.
BTS’s tour marks their only Canadian stop, with the outdoor venue in north Toronto hosting the group. The band’s rise to global stardom has been remarkable, with their album “ARIRANG” debuting at the top of the Billboard 200 in the U.S. Vann, who has attended multiple BTS concerts in the U.S., is excited to see the group perform in her hometown after previous cancellations due to the pandemic.
Fans like Aira Uy, who had tickets to the 2020 show that was canceled, see BTS’s Toronto concerts as a chance to fulfill a missed opportunity. The excitement for BTS’s visit is evident, with fans flocking to the official merchandise pop-up store on Bloor Street. As fans gear up for the concerts, BTS Army Toronto is actively engaging with the community, offering guides to the city and hosting pre-concert events for fans to connect and share in the anticipation of the shows.
Vann is eager to experience the unique concert setup at Rogers Stadium and is looking forward to the special connection she feels with the BTS community. Post-concert, she anticipates the bittersweet “post-concert depression,” but ultimately sees the experience as a source of gratitude and inspiration for the journey ahead.
