NUMEROUS events will be held across the globe this weekend as fans of BTS, collectively known as ARMY, mark their 10th anniversary with the seven-member Korean boy group.

The fandom’s anniversary will be on July 9, following the 10-year anniversary of BTS’ debut on June 12.

Of course, Filipino ARMY won’t be left behind during the special occasion. 

Days-long events are set in various parts of the country to allow fans to come together to celebrate the many achievements of the K-pop megastars. 

Among those planning to head to the special events are Filipino ARMY Danica Orobia, 26, Korinna Gutlay, 28, Sheena Mesias, 37, and Vani Bautista, 38.

Orobia has been a BTS fan since the boy group’s Boy in Luv era. She told republicasia that she felt emotional as she looked back on her past nine years of stanning BTS.

“Celebrating [our] 10th anniversary knowing that they’re still [seven], no one left, makes me so proud that I stan them and believe in them,” Orobia said.

Gutlay, meanwhile, officially became an ARMY in 2021, but she has been listening to the group since the release of Boy With Luv in 2019.

She said that she feels proud thinking that ARMY and BTS have been together for a decade.

“To be able to stay together for this long and withstand numerous controversies and challenges thrown our way is an achievement in itself. Best friends for the rest of our lives indeed!” she said.

Since she considers herself relatively new to the fandom, Gutlay said she wants to experience activities that would introduce her not only to ARMY’s traditions and festivities, but also to other members of the fandom.

“These occasions give me a chance to personally meet and interact with other ARMYs and make new friends!” she said.

For Bautista, celebrating BTS’ anniversary also means celebrating her friendship with fellow fans, regardless of how long they have known each other.

“Being a fan in general gives you that automatic connection with each other – the love for your idol, in our case it’s BTS. We may have varied personalities but we all come to agree and support the artists who have touched our lives,” she said.

Orobia and Gutlay will both attend Pearl ARMY Festa, Take Two! in Quezon City. 

Mesias and Bautista, on the other hand, are going to Bangtan Brews in Antipolo City.

For those who are interested in celebrating ARMY Day, here’s what you need to know about the events:

Pearl ARMY Festa, Take Two! 

The second year of Pearl ARMY Festa will be held at the Vertis North Atrium from July 7 to July 9.

The weekend celebration promises many exciting things for Filipino ARMY, including the launching of Army Glow-Up and the book release party for Beyond The Story: 10-Year Record of BTS. 

“See you next weekend and let’s celebrate 10 years with BTS and ARMY together!” ARMY Connect PH posted on Facebook.

The Army Glow-Up is a global campaign of the fandom that aims to give back to BTS by becoming a better Army for them. It will offer different activities such as The Wheel of Life, Self Discovery, and Mental Health. 

The book launch, meanwhile, will feature the 544-page book of BTS’ decade-long career that Apop translated into the Filipino language.

Another feature of the event is the Dalmajung Photo Booth where fans can take a photo with their bias or with the whole group. They may also opt to wear a hanbok that they can rent for the photoshoot.

There will also be Run Pearl Army and QUIZneyland, where fans will get to play a trivia game about their idols.

Those who want to participate will be required to register onsite at the TOB/ACPH Booth located at Level 1 Atrium. The event will be a first come, first serve basis, with limited slots.

Fans can also win a variety of prizes in the event’s Grand Raffle. These include life-size BTS standees, copies of Beyond The Story: 10-Year Record of BTS memoir (Filipino edition), special prizes from Ayala Malls Vertis North, hotel vouchers from Seda Vertis North, official BTS/BT21/TinyTan and collaboration merchandise, ARMY-made merchandise, and Korean goodies.

If you want to win one of these, don’t forget to register through this link.

ARMY Memoirs: A decade with BTS

It will be a nostalgic three-day event for Filipino fans as they walk down memory lane at the ARMY Memoirs: A decade with BTS.

This will be held at the Glorietta Activity Center and Palm Drive Activity Center on July 7 to July 9. Fans can join the fun for free.

BTS Philippines, the first fanbase of the group in the country, partnered with Ayala Malls and Globe Kmmunity PH to make this celebration possible. 

Activities include the unveiling of BTS era installation, BTS history wall, PH ARMY journey, BTS MNL concert memorabilia, and Run ARMY festa. It will also feature ARMY merchants and an ARMY night.

“We have never felt this young, so let’s run and celebrate with a bang!” BTS Philippines said in a post.

Bangtan Brews

Want to celebrate your birthday with coffee? Make it happen at Bangtan Brews at the mall atrium of SM City Masinag.

“It’s ARMY DAY on July 9 and the best way to spend is with your co-ARMYs! Chill, chat and have coffee the whole day at Bangtan Brews  at the mall atrium of SM City Masinag!” the mall announced on Facebook.

Cup sleeves, coffee art, and paint-your-bias activities will be offered at Bangtan Brews on July 9.

Fans can have access to a BTS-themed cafe located at the mall atrium, as well as a chance to paint fan-made blank ceramic figurines of their idols and taste BTS’ signature lattes in Run BTS. 

Run BTS is a variety series where Jin, RM, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook play games or participate in a variety of activities.

There will also be fan-made BTS souvenirs at the event.

What fans expect

Orobia and Mesias said they are excited to meet their co-ARMY at the Pearl ARMY Festa, Take Two! and Bangtan Brews, respectively.

“[S]a totoo lang, being with ARMY is one of the BEST experiences kasi hindi mauubusan ng pwede pag usapan, laging may topic na pwedeng ma-open,” Mesias said.

“It is also a kind of therapy most of the time. We always have these simple but meaningful conversations,” she added.

Bautista said there aren’t a lot of fan activities in the east of Metro Manila. But thanks to Bangtan Brews, she’ll have an opportunity to bond with her ARMY friends and meet more fans in the event.

Gutlay, meanwhile, recalled that the highlight of the first Pearl ARMY Festa for her last year was the wedding photobooth. This year, she’s definitely looking forward to the Dalmajung Photobooth.

Various activities, merchandise, and food that will be showcased in the celebration make her more excited.

“Last but definitely not the least, I’m looking forward to spending the weekend with my fellow ARMYs – people from all walks of life bound by the same love and appreciation for BTS,” she said.

About BTS

BTS, also known as Bangtan Sonyeondan or Bangtan Boys, debuted in 2013 under Big Hit Entertainment, releasing its single album 2 Cool 4 Skool.

The septet is considered one of the most popular K-pop groups due its chart-topping songs. 

BTS currently has five Korean-language studio albums and four Japanese-language studio albums, with Be and Map of the Soul: 7 – The Journey being the latest albums.

Two of its members, Jin and J-Hope, are currently serving in the military. The group’s agency said BTS members will reunite in 2025 after they complete their military duty.