The Permission to Dance on Stage concert is set to begin on Nov 27, marking the Bangtan Boys’ return to stage for an in-person event, after two years. The last time fans had an opportunity to see the boys live was during the Love Yourself: Speak Yourself world tour back in 2019.
The concert will take place at California’s SoFi stadium on November 27 and 28, followed by December 1 and 2. For those who are not too keen on venturing into crowds just yet, the event will also be live streamed from the venue, so you can watch it from the comfort of your home.
And as we wait for the videos and pictures from the concert to come flooding in (thank you, fancams!), here is a recap from their on-stage performances.
Seven boys.
Seven unforgettable moments.
And one fandom that cherishes it all.
1. RM’s speech at the BTS Love Yourself Tour
Yes. We are starting with the waterworks.
During the final show of the Love Yourself: Speak Yourself tour, group leader Kim Namjoon (stage name: RM), left ARMYs emotional as he spoke about how he learned to love himself and reminded fans that despite the tour coming to an end, the journey of loving ourselves is an ever-continuing one.
According to a fan translation, Namjoon concluded the speech with, “I wish there was a better word than ‘Love’, but I really truly love you. Please know that.”
Right back at ya, BTS.
2. Suga skips lines to prove that BTS does not use playback
In what was a cleverly timed move, BTS member Min Yoongi (stage name: Suga) skipped a part of his rap verse while performing Mic Drop at the 2017 SBS Gayo Daejun music festival.
Suga, who was just 24 back then, simply went quiet mid-verse as he smirked cheekily at the camera, thereby shutting down all critics who had suggested that the boys resort to lip syncing in order to keep up the vocals along with their intense choreography.
Pros don’t need playback, you see.
3. Jimin dancing blindfolded
The 2016 MNet Asian Music Awards witnessed what is considered to be one of the most iconic performances by Park Jimin (stage name: Jimin).
During his dance routine for Intro: Boy Meets Evil, Jimin left audiences awestruck as he not only managed to nail the choreography, but was also somehow effortlessly in sync with dance partner Jung Hosek (stage name: J-Hope), all while being completely blindfolded!
Loved by fans for his unabashed cuteness, Bangtan’s Mochi set our hearts fluttering with that performance and 5 years later, we are still recovering from those silky smooth moves and impeccably timed body pops.
4. Jungkook and Jimin at the MMA 2020
If there is any dancing duo we love more than Jimin and J-Hope, it is definitely that of Jimin and Jeon Jungkook (stage name: Jungkook).
During the Melon Music Awards 2020, Jungkook and Jimin left viewers spellbound with their performance during the intro for Black Swan, but the highlight of the choreography was the moment when Jungkook lifts up Jimin and does a quick turn in one sweeping, elegant motion.
The swirl of backup dancers clad in black, perfectly set off the immaculate white of JiKook’s costume, giving the scene an unearthly, almost divine glow.
It was truly one of those moments that simply cannot be put into words. And if you haven’t had a chance to witness the magic yet, what are you waiting for?
5. Suga bowing to his parents on stage
During an interview with Rolling Stone, Suga had opened up about how his parents were not fully supportive of his decision to pursue a career as a musician. So, it is only natural that when he saw his parents attend his concert for the first time in 2016, he became emotional.
Suga broke down as he got on his knees and bowed to his parents from the stage.
6. Jungkook flying above the audience
Sounds unreal, right?
And that is exactly the way Jungkook looked as he smoothly glided above the audience during his solo performance of Euphoria for the opening leg of the Speak Yourself concerts at the Rose Bowl stadium in Los Angeles.
It started out as a perfectly (extra)ordinary performance but just before the chorus, when the audience expected Jungkook to break into a dance move, he stepped onto a hook, and soared high above the audience as he hit the notes of the verse.
While we can only imagine how scary it must have been from that dizzying height, Jungkook pulled off the glide with unbeatable style and kept singing through it all!
You’ve gotta see it to believe it.
7. When ARMYs stunned the boys into silence
Let’s face it: Everyone cries when you pull out this particular video. And by everyone, we mean, EVERYONE – including BTS themselves!
It all began with the staff secretly conspiring with the fans at Wembley stadium to surprise the BTS members. Before the boys came on stage, they displayed a message on the screen, urging the 90,000 strong audience in attendance to sing the chorus of Young Forever when they displayed the words ‘ARMY Sing’ on the screen.
The boys of course had no idea, so when the crowd broke out singing, they were shocked and eventually got teary-eyed at the gesture. After the crowd quietened, each of the members expressed their gratitude at being showered with this much love and support from their fans.
And while we were not there in person, it doesn’t mean we didn’t find ourselves dabbing our eyes and furiously blinking away tears when we saw the video.
We cannot wait to see all the surprises the boys have in store for us at the Permission to Dance On Stage concert.
As we eagerly await their return, we are also practising our good ol’ fanchant for the moment when BTS finally come rushing out on stage, amidst the floodlights, the cheering and of course, the glow of ARMY bombs.