I was sitting high in the rafters at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, surrounded by 60,000 screaming BTS fans waving glowing light sticks, singing in Korean and English. 

I don’t gamble, smoke, drink much or care about the Las Vegas spectacle. Yet there I was over Memorial Day weekend, screaming and singing my lungs out with thousands of K-pop fans from around the world.

 How did I let this happen?

When South Korean music phenomenon BTS captured the world’s attention, I joined the millions of fans of all ages and genders known as ARMY, the official name for the BTS fanbase.

Getting tickets to see BTS is notoriously difficult, even in South Korea. Their stadium shows sell out in minutes. If you’re not a member of the official fan club, forget it!

Then one day at work, a friend texted me. She was in the online queue for BTS tickets and asked if I wanted any.

I knew the BEACON’s editor-in- chief Cloie’s mother-in-law, Hillary, was also a huge fan. So I said yes to two.

Before I knew it, Cloie was on the phone with Hillary, playing matchmaker and making sure she was comfortable traveling with a stranger. Hillary and I quickly shrugged off any hesitation.

After all, we were both 61 and we both loved BTS.

 During the concert BTS members take turns to speak to their fans. With the giant screens, everyone is guaranteed a good view.

A GOLDEN GIRLS GETAWAY

Hillary and I met a few times before the trip to get to know each other. She invited her sister Natalie to join us, and together we planned our “Golden Girls” road trip.

As the trip neared, I wasn’t sure I wanted to go. Just six months earlier, I had moved to Grand Junction from California, and I was already living outside my comfort zone. The thought of traveling with people I barely knew, sharing a room, dealing with car sickness, crowds and overstimulation had me questioning the whole adventure.

When I was younger, I would have jumped at opportunities like this without a second thought. So what changed?

My comfort zone, apparently.

But the eight-hour drive went by quickly, and soon we were pulling up to the Excalibur Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas strip.

 Lunch stop with Hillary in AZ. Bringing our own food was the best idea. 

Vegas was exactly what I expected: blinding lights, smoky casinos and expensive food. We managed to make one hotel room work for three people, and to save money, we brought our own food and drinks.

Despite the inconveniences, we “Golden Girls” made a good team. We spent plenty of time together, but we also gave each other space. I walked around to see the sights. Natalie spent time at the pool. Hillary met other ARMY fans in the casino.

Fans from around the world poured into the city for the first of four concerts. Everywhere we went, we spotted people carrying BTS bags, wearing shirts with the members’ names and comparing concert plans with complete strangers.

It was so exciting to be a part of it all. For a while, I forgot how much I dislike crowds.

A STADIUM OF JOY

On concert day, about 200 ARMY fans gathered at our hotel to socialize and exchange handmade tokens known as “freebies.” These small gifts are a beloved part of BTS fan culture. Fans make bracelets, photo cards, stickers and random keepsakes to share with one another, usually with no expectation of anything in return.

 Hand-made or self-designed freebies from all the ARMY fans I met. 

There was so much joy in that room. I met a 10-year-old boy ready for his first concert, a husband proudly supporting his wife’s passion, a Canadian woman traveling solo to see her favorite band and a 74-year-old grandmother returning for her third BTS show.

That evening, we wilted in 95-degree heat outside Allegiant Stadium, waiting in massive lines to get inside. Roads were closed to accommodate the sea of people moving toward the gates. 

After what felt like a five-mile hike, we found our seats high in the rafters. From there, we had the perfect view of the stadium, the screens and the light show.

Then the lights changed.

 BTS The City took over Vegas with signage, fan pop-ups and fireworks. 

I put in my ear plugs as soon as the members of BTS walked into the arena. I’ve learned from past K-pop shows that the screaming is something to behold and an agony if you’re not prepared.

This was a dream come true for all of us. BTS were on military hiatus for four years, and somehow we all managed to make our way to Las Vegas to see them. It was certainly a night to remember. 

I have no regrets about my adventure. The trip reminded me why connection, sharing the load and new experiences are important. Sometimes it takes a stadium full of screaming K-pop fans to remind you there is still plenty of joy waiting on the other side. 

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