BTS lights up Las Vegas, plays concert for 50,000 fans

Members of K-pop boy group BTS perform during their concert at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday (local time.) Courtesy of Big Hit Music

By Dong Sun-hwa

LAS VEGAS ― Just before staging a concert at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday (local time), RM of K-pop titan BTS told reporters that the group would perform with an overwhelming burst of energy to fit the vibe of Las Vegas, a city often dubbed the "Entertainment Capital of the World."

Likening the city to an amusement park that gives him thrills and spills, the BTS front man added that he will do his best to make sure everyone in the audience enjoys the upcoming shows to the fullest.

The BTS members had a short meeting with reporters a few minutes before starting their Saturday concert. Courtesy of Big Hit Music

RM and BTS delivered on that promise.

The second leg of the "BTS Permission to Dance on Stage ― Las Vegas" show was a big party for some 50,000 concertgoers, who flocked to the city from all over the world to witness the event.

Chelsea, a BTS fan from the Philippines, holds a panel that reads in Korean, "Kim Seok-jin (real name of BTS member Jin), why are you so cute?" Korea Times photo by Dong Sun-hwa

"My friend and I arrived in Las Vegas on April 6 to see BTS' concerts," Chelsea, a BTS fan from the Philippines, told The Korea Times. "We actually went to the April 8 concert as well. It took about 14 hours for us to come here by plane, but it is easier to buy a ticket for the U.S. shows because the number of BTS concerts in Asia has decreased. We love BTS for their songs, messages and personalities. They have made my life more colorful."

Sharon, left, a 79-year-old BTS fan from California / Korea Times photo by Dong Sun-hwa

Sharon, a 79-year-old fan from California, said she first fell under the spell of BTS about five years ago.

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"I saw the members on a Korean channel even before they came over here," she said. "Their songs, moves and messages are amazing."

BTS' members perform during their concert at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday (local time.) Courtesy of Big Hit Music

During the concert, BTS members once again showed off their vocal prowess and polished choreography, but all of them looked more excited than ever, not only because they took to the stage in front of massive crowds, but also because they could clearly hear the thunderous screams of fans.

The HYBE stars played a series of live concerts in Seoul last month, but the audience members could not elevate the festive mood to the next level, as they had to abide by COVID-19 guidelines that banned them from screaming or yelling to cheer their stars. So BTS frequently asked them if they were truly getting a buzz from the concerts. This time, however, they did not have to do so, since fans were allowed to make any noise they wanted as long as they had their masks on.

BTS' members take the stage during their concert at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday (local time.) Courtesy of Big Hit Music

BTS member Jungkook during the band's concert at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday (local time) / Courtesy of Big Hit Music

Just like previous BTS concerts, Saturday's show started with the band's 2020 hip-hop track, "On." Getting out of a cage in which they were locked up, the members appeared on stage and performed two more powerful songs ― "Fire" (2016) and "Dope" (2015) ― before pausing to talk to their fans.

"Let's make tonight the night you will never forget," Jimin said with a beaming smile.

RM added, "This moment feels like a miracle because we are together with our fans right now."

The K-pop megastars, who turned Las Vegas into their own playground, where people can enjoy a wide range of fan activities on every nook and cranny of the city, commanded the stage with their high-octane energy and enthralled the concertgoers with their vibrancy. On top of their popular hits like "DNA" (2017), "Dynamite" (2020) and "Butter" (2021), BTS also sang and danced to some of the songs that its fans are particularly fond of, such as "Go Go" (2017) and "Anpanman" (2018).

BTS member Jin during the band's concert at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday (local time) / Courtesy of Big Hit Music

Although member Jin had to remain seated for most of the performance as he underwent finger surgery a few weeks ago, he stood up and danced to the songs whenever he was able to do so.

"When we were preparing for our concert about four to five hours ago, we were actually in our worst condition ever," Jin said as he wrapped up the event. "But when we stood up on stage, all of us suddenly brimmed with energy. Maybe our fans are our batteries that recharge us."

J-hope added, "Las Vegas is in the desert, but I felt like I was at the beach thanks to our fans. Today, I once again realized that so many people across the globe love us."

RM said, "When I visited Las Vegas for the first time in 2009, I promised myself that I would come back to this city and enjoy its vibe again in the future. But I never thought I would be on this stage with these amazing fans. Thank you for coming and I want to tell little Nam-joon (RM's real name) that your next night in Las Vegas will be amazing."