Arirang - the Concertπ
Day 2 - TorontoπAugust 23, 2026
Yes, Toronto is very far from Calgary (2700 km one-way flight), but BTS only scheduled 2 concert dates for all of Canada - both in Toronto. The group had previously visited Toronto and Hamilton in 2015 and 2018 for a total of three dates. None of the memberβs solo tours ever came to Canada either. This certainly makes it extremely difficult for Canadian ARMY to see them. This year was no different.
Despite the fact that BTS scheduled 26 concert dates in the US - I refused to travel there due to the boycott of supporting the US in any way, considering Trumpβs aggression against Canada, and the illegal war they are waging against Iran. It certainly feels like BTS (or their management) favours the US over any other country, despite the optics and politics! π
Unfortunately, I was not able to buy tickets for Toronto when they first went on sale, but decided to purchase a ticket through viagogo out of sheer desperation. It was very expensive, but I considered the opportunity to see BTS in-person a bucket-list item. I was also unable to beat the masses in trying to get a ticket for Bangkok either, even though I have an ARMY membership with Weverse.[2]
Regardless, I arrived in Toronto on the 21st (to take care of some personal business) and to meet up with some friends and Toronto ARMY.π[3]
I still had not received my digital ticket from viagogo until a few hours before the concert. It was a huge (and stressful) gamble - but they claim they guarantee the tickets. I was going to be attending alone - so I just got ready and waited for the ticket to come through before heading to the venue.
Rogers Stadium is very strict - saying no flags or banners are allowed (which is crazy). So, I wanted to pay more attention to my outfit - rather than signage to show my appreciation for BTS! I did sponsor the Maple Hearts Banner project for the concerts, which saw banners distributed to participants on concert days. There was also the BTS Toronto Light Project - for the 2 concert days, where ARMY was to sing βWe are Bulletproof: The Eternalβ (Day 1) and βSpring Dayβ (Day 2) while a light show coordinated by ARMYβs phones and the WePix Arena app displayed a message to BTS. I had to study to memorize the Korean lyrics!
My prepared (Romanized) lyrics poster
To share with ARMY around me during the concert
Unfortunately the singing portion of the event by ARMY was cancelled, and the light show didnβt pull off (but at least I now know the Korean lyrics to Spring Day). People seemed to know about the fan plan, but they didnβt activate the WePix Arena light show effectively. It was a lost opportunity to show BTS how much Maple ARMY cares. But the enthusiasm in the crowd seemed to get across to the members anyway!
I stood in line to get my ARMY gift photocards, and then again to buy my ARMY Bomb and a Toronto stamp (RM jerseys were already sold out), and then met up with my friend from Mexico, Bren, who I had met on the BTS Boat Cruise. We wandered around and hyped each other up for the concert as we checked out where each of us were sitting on the floor.
I wish to thank Kimberly (who was beside me during the concert). She had travelled from London, Ontario to see the show and was a great concert mate. Thanks for cheering alongside me! I was in Section D2, Row 24, Seat 9 (close - but not close enough)!
View of the screen from my seats - yet the stage was still difficult to see with so many ARMYs in front of me.
BTS Surprise songs for Day 2 were Zero OβClock (one of my favourites) and Outro: Tear (from their 2018 album Love Yourself: Tear).[4]
Despite my Post-Concert Depression (PCD - itβs a real thing) it took me more than 3 hours, due to traffic, to make it back to the hotel. I had to shower, finish packing and grab a couple of hours sleep before heading to the airport to catch my flight to Egypt. I really canβt imagine how BTS travels non-stop for this tour and performs so exceptionally week after week! RESPECT!
This was the most amazing concert Iβve ever been to. It was worth every cent I paid! I will always remember this! I canβt satisfactorily express how grateful I am for BTS for sharing their music with all of us ARMY! Iβm also wishing BTS a healthy and successful time during the rest of their tour. Please come back to Canada! β€οΈπβ€οΈ
Yes, I cried during βInto the Sunβ.
If any ARMY attended Day 2 in Toronto and you would like to leave a comment, please do so below. See my YouTube shorts for video from the concert.
[1] BTS did produce 3 episodes of their variety show Run BTS! at Niagara Falls and in Toronto back in 2018. (episodes 69, 70 & 71)
[2] I was planning to visit Thailand in the Spring (2027) anywayβ¦so if I had been able to get a ticket I would have pushed up my trip to December.
[3] I previously lived in Toronto when I attended the University of Toronto. See my blog posts about pre-concert events - Toronto in the Time of BTS, SWIM Into the Sun
[4] Although secretly I (like most female ARMY) hoped for Baepsaeπ«¦, and Louder than Bombs.π£π
