Colombia: Fans of South Korean group BTS gathered outside Bogotá's El Campin Stadium on Friday, hours before the band's concert, in a day marked by long lines, gift exchanges among fans and activities organised by supporters.
Since early morning, hundreds of members of the group's fanbase, known as ARMY, lined up to enter the stadium's preferred sections, while others exchanged gifts, displayed BTS merchandise and wore accessories, photographs and messages dedicated to the band's seven members. Reuters footage showed long queues around the venue and concertgoers passing through security checkpoints before entering.
"When I first got to know them, I was going through what you could say was a difficult time internally, and through their songs I found a light again," fan Isabella Aguilon said while waiting to enter the concert.
The anticipation surrounding the performance also attracted fans from other countries.
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"I had the opportunity to buy tickets here in Colombia, and I thought, why not? I can take the chance to get to know the country, come see these seven guys that I care about so much, and also spend time with Colombian ARMYs," said Lizeth Hernandez, a Mexican fan who visited a BTS exhibition in Bogotá on Thursday.
The band BTS, formed by RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook, made its debut in 2013 and helped turn Korean pop music into a global phenomenon with their upbeat songs and dances, building a huge and loyal fan base around the world.
BTS is performing at Bogotá's Nemesio Camacho El Campin Stadium on October 2 and 3 as part of its ARIRANG world tour. According to Bogotá city government information, more than 50,000 people are expected to attend each show.
Beyond drawing tens of thousands of fans, the concerts are expected to generate more than 99 billion Colombian pesos in economic activity through spending on food, accommodation, local transportation, shopping, and souvenirs, according to Bogotá's tourism authorities.
