jin’s smile as he saw the members! they all hugged and i cried pic.twitter.com/OaDUfNoDEx
— hourly taejin (@hourIytaejin) June 11, 2024
BTS ARMY all over the Philippines came out in resurgent force June 12 to celebrate the discharge from the military of Jin, the band’s oldest member, on June 12 itself, and to pave the way fo the 11th year anniversary of BTS on June 13. TheDiarist.ph spearheaded the cupsleeve event APOBANGPO (ARMY forever, Bangtan forever) in select cafes in select SM Supermalls, from MOA all the way to Cebu, Camarines and Davao. “SeokJune” is a month of celebration for BTS ARMY worldwide.
In a most touching scene, Kim Seokjin strode out of the military camp gate, did a snappy salute, then both hands raised in greeting, received the bouquet handed him by staff, then walked to meet—in an ARMY-heart-stopping moment—the boys, led by leader RM who was playing the sax. One by one j-hope, V, Jimin, JK rushed to Jin to give their eldest a tight, tearful hug, Later in a Weverse Live, they would be joined by Suga, the band’s prolific composer, producer, performer. The members took a leave from the service to celebrate Jin’s special day.
In the Philippines, ARMY fanbases (see full list below), with TheDiarist.ph, gathered and talked BTS over drinks and food, watched videos, took selfies with the boys’ standees, collected the cupsleeves and other keepsakes prepared by ARMY. Hundreds and hundreds of cupsleeves were snapped up by ARMY customers.
At Nineteen Degrees at SM Mall of Asia saw continuous queues as TheDiarist.ph did the cupsleeve event from 10 am to 10 pm with BTS ARMY Quezon City, Hush Angels ARMY. TheDiarist.ph also had the support of its longtime collaborator Bench.
It is interesting to note that TheDiarist.ph, a website, with YouTube and social media platforms, dedicated to personal essays and experiences founded by veteran Philippine journalists, many of whom are ARMY, first went live on Dec. 4, 2020, on Jin’s birthday.
APOBANGPO means “ARMY forever, Bangtan forever,” and was coined by Jungkook, the band’s youngest member. Now, more than ever, this battlecry holds true for BTS and their ARMY.
I don’t know if you are aware but there is so much meaning behind BTS&ARMY logos. BTS logo is them waiting for ARMY at the door, opening the door for us.The ARMY logo is the opposite, is ARMY waiting at the door for BTS
Additionally if you combine the logos you get a shield🥺😭 pic.twitter.com/EUMAPqKxSF
— Nicolle⁷ (@EgosShadow7) May 15, 2024
It’s been a storied journey—watched by the whole world—for the seven Bangtan boys who are now all enlisted in the military: RM, Jin, Suga, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook.
Exactly. Just like this. https://t.co/0BAk4jQFuY pic.twitter.com/yEck4dXMyP
— Cypher⁷ / Shesawseesaw (@cypherluscious) May 19, 2024
When everyone thought the popularity of BTS would dip while they’re on a pause, the contrary happened. BTS members keep on ruling music charts the world over, they’re constantly talked about, and real ARMY never wavered in their support for all the projects that BTS prepared for them while in the military, such that enlistment-era ARMY were born.
BTS’ albums, singles, music videos have been keeping ARMY busy—distracted, actually—from the boys’ absence.
Just last month, band leader RM released his second solo album, Right Place, Wrong Person. In March, j-hope released his six-track EP, Hope on the Street Vol. 1. ARMYs can also watch its accompanying docu-series on Prime Video, where j-hope opens the door to his wonderful world of dance and introduces his mentors and contemporaries who became great influences on him. In April, V delighted ARMYs with his solo single, Fri(end)s.
D-Day: The Original, featuring in a digital code the last three shows of Suga’s mega-successful concert tour last year, is now also available for purchase on Weverse. It includes the guest performances of fellow BTS members RM, Jimin, and Jungkook, Suga’s joint performances with them, and a lot of behind-the-scene footages. And ARMYs are over the moon with the 28 photo cards of Suga and the posters that are rolled, not folded (because Suga himself said he didn’t like folded posters), that come with every purchase of D-Day: The Original.
Occasionally, the Tannies would post messages on Weverse, or photos and videos on their individual Instagram accounts.
BTS’ military enlistment does feel like the boys and ARMYs are in a long-distance relationship—just like how military families feel when their loved ones are deployed. Each one went the extra mile to keep in touch, until the day comes when they return and everyone feels like no one ever left. Nikko Dizon
God made men and sent Kim Seokjin as an apology pic.twitter.com/ZZsx7LAZEh
— JJ ♡⁷ (@BE_JJ_7) May 15, 2024
The following are participating ARMY fanbases and cafes at different SM Malls for “APOBANGPO: An ARMY Cupsleeve Event” on June 12, 2024:
• BTS ARMY Quezon City Ph, Hush Angels ARMY: Nineteen Degrees, SM Mall of Asia
• BTS ARMY PH: Dakasi, SM North Edsa
• ARMY Yah, Cookymonsteerrr D’Prints: Paik’s Coffee, SM Manila
• BANGkada of Borahae from Manila: Taste of Czaczacza, SM Southmall
• Bangtan AMhie, Mood.eastmnl, Home- A happy place for purple hearts: Wouldulike, SM Masinag
• BTS ARMY Sorsogon: Serenitea, SM Sorsogon
• Sidus Productions, Foam Coffee, SM Clark Tech Hub 9
• AmbiMerch by Ambivert Army: Caramia Cakes & Gelato, SM San Pablo
• Ortus: Bubble Tea Station, SM City Cebu
• BTS Noona: Kurimi Milk Tea Bar, SM Bacoor
• BTS ARMY Bicol: Kelia’s Cafe, SM Naga City
• Boraland-Camarines Norte: Momoyo Ice Cream and Iced Coffee, SM City Daet
• BTS-ARMY of Cebu: A Little Tea, SM Seaside City Cebu
• Community of ARMY, ARMY Davao: Daleachious Cafe, SM Lanang Premier
• OnlyBangtanPH
• Bangtan Hwaiting, Hallyu Waves: WouldULike cafe, SMDC Light Mall