As BTS's full-group comeback approaches in June, the entire city of Seoul is flooded with waves of congratulations from fans. ARMYs have prepared mαѕѕive celebration projects centered in Seoul - the heart of South кσяєα - to celebrate the group's comeback as well as attract a large number of tourists.
This movement is evolving beyond simple support into a "participatory celebration culture" where fans take the initiative to plan and engage themselves. Online, fans around the world are flooding social media with comeback celebration content using hashtags like #BTSWelcomeHome, while offline, cities are being transformed by fan-driven displays such as wrapping advertisements, digital billboards, and subway ads.
While most netizens were amazed by the huge investment in meaningful, beautiful plans and the everlasting love that ARMYs have for BTS after a 3-year hiatus due to military service, an incident happened with one of the fandom's major projects.
Specifically, on the 19th of this month, a large BTS fanbase on X posted a long status, describing how the "SpringDayProject_by_FR" at Hangang-daero Street Park, right next to HYBE was dismantled after a New Jeans fan destroyed the BTS welcome banner.
The individual clearly identified as a "Tokki" within a part of his ugly message left on BTS's banner despite the polite objections of the ARMYs present there. Although the fanbase did not elaborate, they also reported that other toxic NewJeans fans wrote a lot of bad things on the wall that was supposed to be a place for ARMYs to leave warm messages for BTS.
The fanbase wrote in their post that: "This behavior is completely unacceptable, disrespectful, and нєαятвяєαкιиg. Our team at @ArmyBaguettePro put so much time, effort, and love into this project. Seeing it treated this way is painful and disappointing."
The project, which initially made fans excited, ended in outrage. Fans left many comments expressing their anger at this uncivilized act:
- They wrote a lot of stuff related to that team and fandom plus they are the only ones who are pressed since last year about BTS and Army. Sick вαѕтαя∂
- Most korean bunnies being old men makes this even more embarrαѕѕing for them
- Can't even imagine how ignorant , selfish , jealous and full of hate one has to be that the do this to other artist
- Burn in hell jealous bitter *ss tokkis
- This is extremely disrespectful. Tokkis fιgнт day and night for their idols because they don't want their idols to be mistreated or bullied but they go on and ruin projects that fans put so much effort in? Very bad.
- All we do is mind our business and we still get attacked rather it’s online or in person
- What the---!?? So disrespectful, I hope karma will get them!
- Karma will soon befall them as they are losing their court battle
- That's so disrespectful. That's how low they can get
- I hope someone got photograph of this guy because I cannot imagine this isn’t some sort of crime in South кσяєαn, no matter how minor
- I know we have an ARMY who does restoration work on artwork. Maybe we can do a callout for help to professionally remove what he wrote over ARMY messages. I feel so bad for what happened but thankful for all of you
- Putting things in places that doesn't belong is a thing with that group and their fandom. Disappointed but not ѕнσ¢кed.
- Honestly I am left without words. The banner is beautiful and your hard work is much appreciated. It is a shame that some people can be so cruel and heartless that they have nothing better to do that try to bring others down. Sending you much bora love and support from
