Army Meet Up: London

A.R.M.Y meet up: London

By

Kat Frost

Hi! My name is Kat, my friend Lili and I are part of the Street/Twitter team. Last weekend, 28th July, we both decided to go and experience a BTS Army meet up in London. This meet up was organised by a group called BTSUKARMATION, with the help of some volunteers.

We both enjoyed the meet up it was an unforgettable day and we both made some new army friends and amazing new memories.

Everyone arrived at different times, by themselves or in groups, UK residents or those on holiday there. Everyone was very accepting and many times we just walked up to random groups and began socialising. 

Sadly, despite many games being prepared, only 2 were executed, ‘Finish the lyrics’ and the popular ‘Random dance’, the latter was disrupted slightly due to technical difficulties but everyone enjoyed shouting out the lyrics and dancing along. 

During the meet up, some groups didn’t participate and just sat in small groups doing their own activities, which were accepting of any others that wanted to join, if they were anxious to join the big activities.

Lili and I, after indulging ourselves in some of these activities, decided to interview some people, as most people had sat down to chat and eat. Our first group was predominantly female and of a younger age, they were extremely friendly and nice and we had a lot of banter. We had approached them first without a real plan, but they were easy going and contributed a lot, with some in-depth answers. With the second group, we decided to change up the interviewees, and chose a predominately male group and they were older than the first group. Despite their short answers, they had a friendly and approachable atmosphere and overall were very nice to talk to. Last but not least, our third group that we interviewed were mainly chosen by random, but the feeling that they exuded was more calm compared to the first group but still more talkative than the second. As the previous two groups were very friendly and willing to be part of the interview and even half way through, a random ARMY joined the group and that just showed how friendly and welcoming most people there were. 

First Group

Q. When did you first become a fan of BTS?

A1. It was the Dope era

A2. I actually only got into BTS last October, so DNA was my first MV. But then my friend dragged me down. 

A3. Two weeks ago 

A4. I got into BTS in the Run era, so, like, very early

A5. When they first came out! I’ve been here like for the longest time guys!

Q. What does BTS mean to you?

A1. A whole lot! I adore them so much and whenever I’m having a bad day, all I have to do is listen to some BTS, watch BTS run, [and] like vine compilations, I don’t know, just I’m happy. 

A2. They make us happy. They're happiness to us.

A3. They put in a lot of effort, it’s just amazing 

A4. They’re like my second family, and Kookie is my husband. I love him so much.

A5. They’re inspiring and I just love Suga! Oh my gosh, he’s so kawai!

A6. Yeah, they're inspiration.

Q. Have they helped you through tough moments in your life?

A1. They have, they’ve made me think more positively, when I was going through a hard time. I don’t know, they just made me feel better about myself. Just to live through life and to enjoy what I can.

A2. Yeah, they helped me get out of a really toxic friendship. So, I got into them around the time I was in a really toxic friendship and they made me learn to love myself and, to put myself first rather than other people. 

A3. I always listen to them to get through work because work is very worrying. (Everyone laughs and agrees)

A4. Yeah, because a couple months ago I was stressing out with Uni UCAS and stuff, but listening to BTS makes me feel so much better and made all my stress just go away. So, I’m very appreciative!

A5. They helped me get through my anxiety, because I have very bad anxiety and I listen to them going to school and going back from school.

A6. They helped me through depression I guess, and through my stress and panic disorders, stuff like that.

Q. If you could say one thing to them [BTS], what would you say?

A1. Thank you so much for all of what you have done. Just to know, everyone really appreciates you, just stay as yourself as us ARMYs will be there to support you no matter what. 

A2. BTS, I love you so much.

A3. They're all amazing and I love all of the stuff they do and they're perfect the way they are, they don’t need to worry about weight or whatever. They’re all just perfect. 

A4. You’re amazing. Stay hydrated. Stay healthy. I love you guys so much. 

A5. BTS, just stay the way you are and don’t forget to make more songs, because I need to listen to them.

A6. Stay healthy, stay happy! You’re amazing as you are, and I love you and appreciate you so much! Thank you for all your hard work and have fun.

A7. You guys are like stars that shine. (biggest UWU) 

Group 2

Q. When did you first become a fan of BTS?

A1. Four years ago.

A2. Four months ago.

A3. Two and a half years ago.

A4. Roughly about a year ago.

A5. About a year ago as well.

Q. What does BTS mean to you? 

A1. They helped me find myself, because I was in a very dark place, but now I'm not.

A2. They mean everything to me.

A3. Decent music, laughter and love

A4. Happiness, because when you’re feeling bad, they help you be happy. 

A5. Just pure fun, pure fun. You can forget anything, when you listen to BTS.

Q. Have they helped you through tough moments in your life?

A1. Yeah, they did.

A2. Yeah, through my exam period.

A3. Yeah, from a break up.

A4. Yeah, very much so. Similar to him [points to A3].

A5. Yeah, it’s a distraction really.

Q. If you could say one thing to them [BTS], what would you say?

A1. Thank you for helping me find my smile.

A2. Thank you for being yourself.

A3. Love yourself.

A4. Hi? I don’t know.

A5. Thank you for entertaining me and the world.

Group 3

Q. When did you first become a fan of BTS?

A1. November, 2016.

A2. March, 2017.

A3. 2017.

A4. 2015.

Q. What does BTS mean to you? 

A1. Everything.

A2. They create unity, they bring a lot of people together, with their music and everything. And the message [they spread], even the things they do in their own spare time. So, I feel like they bring unity and make people happy. 

A3. Everything 

A4. They really just give me hope sometimes when I'm feeling down and stuff.

Q. Have they helped you through tough moments in your life?

A1. Definitely, especially recently. Even just to listen to their songs or see their faces, see their dances, and just how they bring everyone together, like today, it’s just amazing.

A2. I think, through their own experiences, how they, from the beginning, they were unknown, to how they worked hard, to be where they are today; it gave me inspiration and motivation to be more hardworking. And, they especially powered me through uni, my last 3 years, blasting their tunes, they powered me through. 

A3. Yeah, they have, because, a lot of times unmotivated and down and lonely, they bring out their message to give hope. 

Q. If you could say one thing to them [BTS], what would you say? [Another person joined the group at this moment]

A1. Thank you so much for inspiring me everyday.

A2. Thank you, just thank you.

A3. Continue your hard work, we will always be there to support you, woohoo! Fighting! 

A4. Thank you very much, for all your beautiful songs. And, I love you! [interviewers ears are very much dead]

A5. Just thank you for everything really!

Despite some hiccups, Lili and I really enjoyed the day and met some great armys. If there's an army meet up near you we highly recommend going to one!