On June 22nd, 2025, at precisely 1:06 PM, Korean-Romanian association Han Kibun, in collaboration with the official fandom BTS Romania Team, hosted Welcome to BTS WORLD in Bucharest, an event meant to celebrate the return of BTS from their mandatory military service, as long as their debut anniversary that took place the same month, on June 13th. The event promised its guests a live show, where enthusiastic fans could sign up to perform their very own rendition of everyone's favorite songs, themed games, and even a Random Play Dance event. The showcase included live performances from amateurs to known local artists who wanted to spread their love for BTS. In the line-up, people could find dance cover groups such as The Leaders or IMPAVID, as well as singer Tăune Oana and more, all of them gaining the appreciation of the K-Pop community in Romania through their yearly participation in K-Pop Cover Contests.
Guests were greeted with a purple bracelet, which earned them a free lemonade at the venue's bar and some adorable BTS freebies. On top of that, the bracelet allowed them to participate in games that earned them various presents, ranging from goodie bags to vouchers that they could use at local Korean-owned shops such as KFOOD Bucharest. The lemonade was the perfect way to cool off from the unforgivable summer heat, especially with all of the Fire performances that we got to witness throughout the day. The Romanian ARMYs really said bultaoreune with the way they set the stage on fire – so much so that the event even made it on national television. Local news station PROTV covered the event briefly on their evening segment, showing videos from the event and interviewing some of the fans. For many, BTS isn't only a music group, they're a symbol of growth, resilience, and self-expression.
This event truly brought to light the impact that both BTS and the Hallyu Wave had in Romania, a country where Korean pop culture was once considered niche, thus showcasing how BTS helped open the doors to a new global fandom experience. The generational bridge between fans was also on full display as fans from all age groups gathered to celebrate: older fans gathered to reminisce about discovering BTS during their middle school years, and even parents were attending alongside their children. Younger fans spoke passionately about how the group's music helped shape their confidence and identity:
'They motivated me to start dancing!' confessed one eager fan. For this fan and for many others, BTS became a part of their life story.
However, the surprises were far from being over – not only did Welcome to BTS WORLD greet Romanian ARMYs with steaming hot performances and exciting games with the promise of prizes at the end, guests were also treated to a special limited-edition snack. Han Kibun partnered up with TuPanini Van to come up with a special panini recipe – one that included one beloved ingredient: kimchi. Created exclusively for the event, the panini combined the familiar warmth of a toasted sandwich with the tangy kick of kimchi as a culinary nod to the cross-cultural spirit of BTS and their global fanbase.
Lastly, we cannot forget to mention the hard work put in not only by the Han Kibun association but also by the BTS Romania Team. Beyond the music and celebration, Welcome to BTS WORLD carried a message of solidarity in the light of recent events in Romania. In true ARMY spirit, BTS Romania Team organized a fundraiser during the event to support a Romanian organization advocating for women's rights: FILIA Center. Thus, Romanian ARMY used their voice and their platform for good, making the moment count and raising over 300 dollars for the ‘You Are Strong’ campaign.
As the event came to an end, Welcome to BTS WORLD proved to be more than just a tribute, being a celebration of community, talent, and a testament to the lasting impact of BTS. After a night of powerful performances, shared joy, and meaningful initiatives, it became clear that the love ARMYs feel for BTS and for each other is something that will never leave.
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