Down Shifting from the PTD On Stage Las Vegas Online Concert: Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion

Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion

On Day 3 of the concert, socmed went crazy when Kim Taehyung recognized the men in the fandom in his end ment. He did it again on Day 4 to the joyous roaring of the men in Allegiant Stadium.

Notable tweets from @GidKidDad, @KpopDad, @WhatChaGotosay and @testdrivexagb best describe this sweet and simple gesture as groundbreaking.

@GidKidDad https://twitter.com/GidKidDad/status/1515332592941223936?s=20&t=wpD3sMjZoBh7kAROzZNoVw

@KpopDad https://twitter.com/KpopDAD1/status/1516159934739611653?s=20&t=wpD3sMjZoBh7kAROzZNoVw

@WhatChaGotosay https://twitter.com/WhatchaGot2Say/status/1515737887966261248?s=20&t=wpD3sMjZoBh7kAROzZNoVw

@testdrivexagb https://twitter.com/testdrivexagb/status/1515212527516504068?s=20&t=wpD3sMjZoBh7kAROzZNoVw

My heart swelled with pride watching Taehyung on Day 4 engage the men and women in the audience. Fancams even caught the members’ reactions. They too were hyped and pleasantly surprised. This acknowledgement of diversity and inclusion in the fandom debunked the myth that ARMYs are merely 15-year-old girls screaming over androgynous Asian men.

OT7 reaction: https://twitter.com/dulcetbang/status/1515249842276118528?s=20&t=wpD3sMjZoBh7kAROzZNoVw

 Grace, Glee and Gratitude

I hope this groundbreaking gesture turns into a tradition in BTS concerts or when ARMYs gather at fan meets in the near future. Just like “Borahae! I Purple You!” (another Taehyung invention), it shows the depth of gratitude the Tannies have for ARMY; their grace to distinguish and articulate significant human experiences; and their infectious glee seen and felt in everything they do on stage, on screen and online.

It is customary for BTS to deliver their end ments before the final song. After giving ARMYs a production of high caliber, heart stopping visuals and soaring music the Tannies bring you down to a place of love and comfort. They assure everyone, themselves included, that the bond between BTS and ARMY is eternal. The divide that exists is real, but we know that we never walk alone. I don’t know about you, but their end ments always make me feel special. Kim Namjoon, particularly, has a way with words and language. He speaks to the collective ARMY, but I know, he is also communicating with me on a very personal level. Great leaders are capable of doing so.

RM made a full bow, along with Park Jimin, at the close of D4. An act of utmost respect. There was a hint of sadness that flitted in the air. It was short lived since Hybe dropped the teaser for the comeback album. The fandom is staying focused on the art and the music making process of Bangtan despite the elephant in the room.

Using We Are Bulletproof as tag line, Bangtan is reminding ARMY who they are and what they are made of.

We are forever, Bulletproof. We are not seven with you. Let’s go!

 

Down Shifting from the PTD On Stage Las Vegas Online Concert

I am relatively a baby ARMY who has seen five BTS concerts yet: Sowozoo, the 8^th Muster; PTD On Stage, PTD On Stage Live Seoul, Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Albeit online, all five shows have left me asking for more Bangtan content to consume, to enjoy with ARMY friends and to ponder on the big and small things in life.

It is taking me a while to change gears. Like a movie in my mind, I play some scenes from Day 4 of the PTD On Stage Las Vegas concert over and over again. On repeat. I relish the moments that define my relationship with Bangtan and the fandom. I dream of the day when I can see them perform live. For now, I can only imagine the euphoria of witnessing the power and the purity of OT7 in the flesh.

I do not know when that day will come, but these remarkable moments from Day 4 of the PTD On Stage Las Vegas concert are keepsakes I hold close to my heart.

 From adversity to opportunity

Jin danced and sang with a cast on his left hand. Ah, resilience personified. For performances that were too complex to do because of his injury, he sat on a chair singing while looking at the members finish the routine. It wrecked my heart into tiny little pieces. His injury did not prevent him from practicing and performing as best as he can with the group though. He was even apologetic for being injured, a burden to his brothers. This mathyung does not throw his weight around.

At ending ment, when J-hope appreciated him and gave him credit for his professionalism, he felt diminished. The love and respect of a younger member who happens to be the best dancer in the group was too much to take. It was my first time to see World Wide Handsome bashful and blushing. He looked so damn sexy.

The Tannies have had injuries while on tour. Back in 2018, Jeon Jungkook had a minor accident in his hotel room in London. His left foot required stitches so he sang sitting down. Kim Taehyung had a similar predicament last October 2021 and was relegated to a comfy seat during the PTD On Stage. These mishaps led to altercations in Bangtan’s performances, but for some strange reason, their routines looked enhanced.

The Hybe production team and the Tannies are capable at turning adversity into golden opportunities. We know what happened to J-hope and JK days before their Grammy performance. With only one day to prepare as a complete unit, they called on experience and pulled out all the stops to deliver a performance never been seen on a Grammy stage.  Bangtan’s brand of teamwork and professionalism are unparalleled.