BTS in Europe - Berlin Days 1 & 2

Come Back Home

By

Lisa

So there I was.

Back in the homeland, on my way to the Capital. My lil German self has been living in London for a few years, but here I was, back home, to see BTS in Berlin.

Living in a foreign country is weird. Sometimes I feel like I split myself in half. Constantly comparing old and new lives, old and new cultures. Having seen BTS in London already, I would have even more to compare. How would a German venue cope with Army, compared to the ones I heard so many chaotic things about?

Surprise number one was when we actually saw the booth for official numbering for our standing tickets. It was happening, it was organised, we queued, and got our numbers.

The lady said there was no use in coming back until way after the doors opened, so we took off again. We saw the bits of Berlin wall still standing, took pictures, jumped from east to west, had a bit of a conversation and went to look for food.

It was funny. I didn’t really notice anything weird or different around London on the concert days. But here, every now and then, even a while away from the venue, some BTS shirts or accessories here, a note or sticker there… It was like Berlin turned into Armyland. Not out and loud, but for those in the know to see. A bit like a fantasy drama, where the magical world is visible only to those who are gifted to see it.

In the evening, we went back to the venue to get queuing. The Lady from the numbering was right. While we were led around a few buildings in a huge circle to meet the actual end of the queue, our originated spot was empty already. To my pleasant surprise, the area was also quite clean. I heard that German fan bases organised a Trash Squad to keep the place free from litter, which seemed to work quite well.

Surprise number two on that day: Once in the venue, QR codes and banners for Army time were handed to us. Good venue I thought, remembering the issues people had to organise things in a certain other place.

Then there it was. That magical moment when you enter the arena, and while excitement and adrenaline takes over, making it hard for your memory to keep up and save it all, you still try your best to soak it all in.

I thought seeing them for the not-first time would take a bit of the magic away, but it doesn’t. Every day is unique. Every day is exciting, special, and magical. When in London, they spoke of Harry Potter and Kingsman, hearing them speak English was surreal and amazing, but nothing can describe the feelings I had hearing them talk in my mother tongue, about the country I was born in.

The struggle, however. was the same. Standing, torn between watching them, trying to catch anything on camera, while debating to wave the army bomb or participate in the fan chants and keeping the anxiety in check. I remember my friend drifting a bit further, naturally being swept away in an ocean of Army. When the credits rolled, I collected my friend and we both just communicated in feels, somehow ending up at the hotel.

This is where the story would end. But full of Adrenaline we decided we would go and try for tickets the next day as well. So we found ourselves at the ticket box early in the morning. A few hours, minor and major panic attacks later, I stood there, tickets in hand, shaking. This was more stressful than buying them initially, from the safety of a computer.

Good thing: We managed to get seats, so we could go get changed and eat, before returning, finding our seats and getting ready for day two.

For a strange reason, I remember this concert the best. Maybe because it was the last, maybe I had more time to recap.

When I first discovered BTS it was dark times in my life. Times I don’t know how I would have coped without these 7 silly boys. If I would have coped at all. With the old songs, medleys and new songs it was like my own Army life replayed. The pain I felt, trying to suppress it, letting it go, and finally starting to heal. I felt truly blessed that of all tours, Love Yourself was the one I was able to see.

Even more so, when Namjoon gave his speech about Division.

Words can’t describe how it felt, hearing him talk about our countries being divided. These were things my friend and I were talking about before. The times that wall still stood and divided friends and family. What we, while still young when it came down, experienced. How we were children of both sides. How we, like him, hoped that Korea as well will be united one day.

Of all the things in all the concerts I’ve visited, this will be the most precious memory.

I never thought it was possible to take so much away from a concert. Or wanting to visit the same concert over and over again. Thinking back, I remember that Jungkook was hurt. I saw him cry in shame on the first day in London and stand and dance a little on the last day in Berlin. Reminding me again that painful times can get better, bit by bit. That while we hurt we can still do our best, and he did. I am proud of him and the boys, even though I don’t even know them. I am happy to have discovered them and to witness their journey.

While I don’t think they will read this, I still want to say: Thank you BTS, please take care. I hope I will see you again.

You can follow Lisa on Twitter: @coffeemicdrop

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