Almost four years ago, Sokvin Vann found herself stuck in a rut in her life. Encouraged by her brother, she turned to her passion for K-pop and the popular boy band, BTS, to create BTS Army Toronto. This local fan club, named after the broader BTS fan community known as the “army,” organizes events and meet-ups to unite fans through their shared love for the South Korean group.
Tragically, shortly after establishing BTS Army Toronto, Vann’s brother passed away. Despite her grief, the 43-year-old continued to expand the organization into a vibrant community that brings together hundreds of fans through events, giveaways, fundraisers, and support for local Korean businesses.
As BTS prepares to return to Toronto for the first time in over a decade, Vann, along with her 24-year-old son Jordan Vann and a team of around 10 individuals, is gearing up for the highly anticipated concerts at Rogers Stadium.
Vann expressed, “I started this for the community, but unexpectedly, it has brought me immense returns. This community has created friendships that I never imagined possible. Meeting people who share your passion and love for music is the most gratifying aspect of this journey.”
As part of their Arirang World Tour, BTS is set to deliver sold-out performances on Saturday and Sunday at Rogers Stadium, entertaining approximately 100,000 fans over two nights with their hit songs like “Swim,” “Permission to Dance,” and “Butter.”
Recently, the City of Toronto unveiled BTS Boulevard on Yonge Street, from North York Boulevard to Finch Avenue, in honor of the upcoming concerts. The temporary renaming features a red design inspired by the tour’s branding and will be in place until September 23, according to the city.
To further mark the occasion, the city declared Saturday and Sunday as BTS Weekend in Toronto, illuminating the Toronto sign at Nathan Phillips Square in purple, a color associated with BTS and their fans.
The BTS Army is renowned for its passionate fandom, with fans displaying extensive knowledge of the band’s history, members, and music catalog. Fans use terms like “army” or “bias” to refer to their favorite BTS member.
Toronto Welcomes the Only Canadian Stop on BTS World Tour
Vann attributed fans’ dedication to BTS’s ability to connect through their music, addressing themes such as mental health, self-love, personal challenges, and growth through their lyrics.
She stated, “The depth and purpose behind everything BTS does, from their lyrics to artwork, is truly remarkable. It’s not just about creating music for profit; it’s about making music that can make a positive impact on the world.”
Prior to this tour, BTS had been on hiatus since 2022 as each of the seven members fulfilled mandatory military service, as required for able-bodied South Korean men aged 18 to 28.
The outdoor venue in north Toronto is the sole Canadian stop on the extensive worldwide tour, spanning 88 shows across 34 cities in 23 countries until March 2027.
Since their debut in 2013, BTS has risen from underdogs to global sensations. With their first all-English song, “Dynamite,” debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2020, BTS made history as the first Korean pop group to achieve this milestone. The influence of K-pop continues to expand in North America, exemplified by last year’s Academy Award-winning film “KPop Demon Hunters” and its popular track, “Golden.”