Nearly four years ago, Sokvin Vann found herself stuck in a routine. Encouraged by her brother, she channeled her passion for K-pop and the globally renowned boy band BTS into creating BTS Army Toronto. The fan club, named after the larger BTS fan community, organizes events and meet-ups to unite fans over their shared love for the South Korean group.
Tragically, Vann’s brother passed away soon after she established BTS Army Toronto. Despite her grief, the 43-year-old persevered in expanding the organization into a vibrant community that hosts numerous fans at gatherings, arranges giveaways and charity events, and advocates for local Korean businesses.
Excitement is building as BTS prepares to make their highly anticipated return to Toronto after more than a decade. Vann, along with her 24-year-old son Jordan and a dedicated team of around 10 individuals, is gearing up for the event.
The fan club is eagerly anticipating BTS’s sold-out performances at Rogers Stadium as part of their Arirang World Tour. The city of Toronto recently unveiled BTS Boulevard on Yonge Street to commemorate the concerts, featuring a red design inspired by the tour’s branding.
Known for their passionate fandom, BTS fans, also known as the “army,” have intricate knowledge of the band’s history and music. Vann attributes this devotion to BTS’s meaningful music, which touches on themes like mental health and self-love.
Before their hiatus in 2022 for mandatory military service, BTS had become global superstars since their debut in 2013. The group’s Toronto stop is the only Canadian leg of their world tour, spanning 88 shows across 34 cities in 23 countries until March 2027.
Vann, who has attended six BTS concerts in the U.S., is excited to finally see the group perform in her hometown after previous cancellations due to the pandemic. She views the upcoming concerts as a special homecoming for both BTS and their fans.
Fans like Aira Uy are eagerly anticipating the concerts, with the city of Toronto also embracing BTS’s visit by temporarily renaming a section of Yonge Street as “BTS Boulevard.” The official BTS merchandise pop-up store in Toronto has been a popular destination for fans ahead of the shows.
As the concert date approaches, Vann’s BTS Army Toronto plans to engage fans at the Toronto Korean Festival and host pre-concert events near the venue. Vann is particularly curious about the unique concert experience BTS will provide with their 360-degree stage setup.
Ultimately, Vann looks forward to sharing the concert experience with the BTS community and believes it will leave a lasting impact on fans’ lives.