Toronto’s BTS Boat Party
Following an incredible BTS-themed event in Toronto this past August,[1] I wanted to interview the organizer, Karen Mak of Noodle Goose Games.[2] We connected online via Instagram before I made the trip to TO, and I was so excited to meet her in person and to attend this event. Her enthusiasm is infectious!
DD: Karen, please tell us a bit about your background and your company.
KM: I started out my career studying music and then pivoted to a career in healthcare. It was actually through my research into game-based learning and applying it to healthcare that led to the creation of Noodle Goose with my business partner, Dan Kilby.
Co-founders Karen Mak and Dan Kilby
onboard the schooner Kajama.
DD: How did you come up with the idea of doing a boat tour?
KM: The idea for Noodle Goose’s BTS-inspired boat party evolved from me wanting to create a Run-BTS inspired walking tour and Kilby saying that it wasn’t cool enough. Kilby isn’t an ARMY (yet), but had the correct instinct that if we were to do this walking tour idea, that it would need to end at a super cool final destination, such as an interesting venue or a boat. As soon as he said “boat,” my heart started racing and essentially my imagination burst into a fantasy of a Swim-themed boat party for ARMY.
The tallship Kajama (alongside Harbourfront Centre)
with ARMY boarding (pre-sail).
DD: Were you worried about putting so much of your personal money on the line, or were you optimistic that ARMY would come through?
KM: I was not at all worried about the upfront cost of this event because we had already tested out BTS and game content months in advance and I truly believed that I could deliver an experience that ARMY would love. On top of this, we believed that even if we could earn a few hundred dollars from this, we would gain other benefits from doing this event, including delivering an ambitious project, forming partnerships with other businesses and being able to test out the hypothesis that BTS fans love immersive experiences and games.
DD: What was the biggest challenge?
KM: The biggest challenge was having the event on a ship. The cruise ship company only allowed my team 60 minutes total aboard to set up prior to the event starting, all while I welcomed 175 guests. This meant having all 6 sponsors pre-preparing so many things the night before and day of and fighting rush hour traffic to arrive on time for those precious 60 minutes. We had a total of 14 event crew including Noodle Goose and vendors on board. We worked so well in sync and pulled this event off successfully for the first time and that makes me really proud of the team.
DD: How did you find your sponsors?
KM: Our sponsors included two companies we knew from previous events (CSC KPOP and Ran Foods), two companies we approached early in the planning process (Comma and Petal and Relic), and two companies who approached us midway through our boat party marketing campaign (Daydream Adventures and Cold Coffee Worx). Each sponsor leant their resources including product, staffing and magical experiences for our guests! We also had two companies including Crush Soda and M&M Designs who donated prizes to the party. Together, we all worked to make this event go from awesome to amazing and completely magical. Thank you to our sponsors and donors for their support!
DD: I absolutely loved the food by Comma! Karen, when did you become an ARMY?
KM: I became an ARMY after rewatching BTS on Carpool Karaoke[3] during the COVID-19 pandemic.
DD: Can you tell me a bit about what the night was about?
KM: This night was about ARMY having a place where they could fully immerse themselves into a uniquely Toronto BTS fan experience. From feeling like they are on a tall ship like the one from the Swim music video, to bonding with ARMY while dancing and singing, to views of the Toronto Skyline and bonding over the excitement from the fans just a day before BTS hit the stage and reunited with ARMY in Canada after years away. For Noodle Goose, it was also about demonstrating Noodle Goose’s capabilities and proving that small independent creative studios have the skills to put on one of the grandest and most immersive fan experiences in Toronto outside of the BTS concert itself.
During the sail, with the Toronto skyline in the background
(photos provided by Karen Mak)
DD: Honestly, Karen, the cruise was an amazing event and something I will never forget. The whole weekend was incredible, and it started (for me) at the boat cruise! Can you tell me what was your favourite part?
KM: To think that we pushed this event to the fullest point of immersion with our partners who I just mentioned. We even developed a puzzle in our video game based on the event!
DD: Now that the event is over, if you could tell ARMY and/or BTS something, what would it be?
KM: That ARMY is truly so genuine and kind; they made my BTS summer so fun and unforgettable. Without ARMY, this boat party would not have been possible. Their support and enthusiasm made me believe that I can create something even greater! I am now planning a K-pop inspired game show experience for fans who want to feel like they are on a tv set.
DD: Is there anything else you would like to include? or promote?
KM: I would love if ARMY spread the word about our mission to make accessibility an act of creativity and design. When we design our experiences, whether they are game days for people with disabilities, corporate events and galas, or game shows for live events, we do our best to help people with varying resources and abilities to participate.
DD: Karen, I was totally impressed with this event and all the amazing things that were planned and executed so well. Everyone I spoke to on the cruise told me they were having a spectacular time. I met an ARMY from Mexico there, and we have become good (long-distance) friends. I want to thank you and Kilby, and all the other people involved, for creating such an incredibly momentous night. I wish you the very best of luck with your company, and I hope that ARMY will continue to support you. Borahae! 💜
[1] You can read my previous post about the event here: Swim Into the Sun
[2] Noodle Goose website - https://noodlegoose.ca/; IG; Threads; Tik Tok
[3] For those who are not familiar, ‘Carpool Karaoke’ is a recurring segment on the The Late Late Show with James Corden on CBS. They also have a YouTube Channel. The following article is worth the read/watch: Emily Belfiore (2020) Watch James Corden Audition to Be in BTS During Their Epic Carpool Karaoke. E! News. Posted online February 26, 2020.
You can see some of the Carpool Karaoke on YouTube with a quick search. I liked this edit by @TaeYoonBangtanie’s BTS ''ON x Black Swan'' Carpool Karaoke With James Cordon
