BTS FESTA 2026: 20130613 Congratulations BTS 🎉

(Image source: BTS Weverse)

HAPPY 13TH BIRTHDAY, BTS!!! You're officially a teenager!

This is my 9th FESTA, and to celebrate, my friend Iris and I went to the theatre to watch the ARIRANG World Tour in Busan Live Viewing, which was AMAZING (they played "Dimple," "Ddaeng," AND "Magic Shop" for BTS Karaoke tonight!!!) except for girl sitting behind us who quite literally SCREECHED LIKE A BANSHEE every time Jungkook came on the screen. (I get that you're excited and I agree that Jungkook is a delicious specimen of a man, but please save your voice for an actual live concert, not a live viewing of a concert at a theatre because YOUR VOICE DOES NOT GET DROWNED OUT IN A THEATRE.) Oh, and Iris also got me a pack of the BTS x Oreo cookies, which taste exactly like brown sugar boba with a hint of maple and are delicious AF (and I have to limit myself to one per day because WOW THAT IS A LOT OF SUGAR). They're supposed to taste like hotteok, which is slightly nuttier and more cinnamon-based, but hey, close enough. 

HAPPY FESTA, EVERYONE!

BTS FESTA 2026: BTS Dinner Party 2.0

I can't believe it's already been 4 years. Their last FESTA dinner together was bittersweet and emotional and marked the end of an era. That having been said, I think they've been able to explore who they are outside the comfort of their group, and really grown up as independent people, artists, and musicians. And now that they're back together, BTS 2.0 is stronger than ever and taking over the world once again as if they'd never left. I am so glad I stayed on this roller coaster with them.

BTS FESTA 2026: Jungkook's NORMAL LOG

THE ORIGINAL MUSCLE PIG!

You know how people say, "Just watching you eat makes me full," and it's not true at all? Well, just watching them work out makes me fit.

BTS FESTA 2026: V's NORMAL LOG

This is why I could never be a celebrity. Or, at least, someone that has to look good. Or be fit. Or need stamina. 

BTS FESTA 2026: Jimin's NORMAL LOG

Further proof that packing is a universally hated task. I hate packing even for a weekend trip, so I can't even imagine having to pack for a world tour. Apparently it doesn't matter how rich and famous you are or how many assistants or managers you have. They won't help you pack, either. 

BTS FESTA 2026: Jin's NORMAL LOG

"People are supposed to get healthier when they rest, so why do we have to work out to get healthier?"

Ah, Jin always asking the important questions.

BTS FESTA 2026: SUGA's NORMAL LOG

I love how Yoongi has become such a pure guitar nerd. Like, you can tell he would just love to start a YouTube channel showcasing guitar gear. That's all to say that I can't wait for a BTS rock side project… (Oh, and hey, Red Hot Chili Peppers.) 

BTS FESTA 2026: J-Hope's NORMAL LOG

Okay, the headband he puts on before washing his face is such a throwback to my teenage years. Even the way he looks at himself and scoffs at how ridiculous his hair looks with it on is accurate… 

Also, I'm pretty sure his "casual" outfit costs, like, half my annual income.

BTS FESTA 2026: RM's NORMAL LOG

Yes, I really did just watch Kim Namjoon read a book for six minutes. On that note, I wonder why he hasn't gotten laser eye surgery. I also have really high eye prescriptions and if I had the money, I would absolutely be getting it. Not to mention, it's a third of the price in Korea than it is here. Maybe his cornea is a weird shape...

BTS FESTA 2026: BTS — "Hooligan" Official Performance Video

It quietly snuck up past "Fake Love" and "ON," but I can safely say that the "Hooligan" aesthetic is officially my favourite now — across all members. I mean, these fits? In leather and metal?! Fucking GOD-TIER. 11/10, A+++, and a hundred gold stars to whoever styled them for this.

God, I cannot fucking wait to see this performance live in person.

BTS FESTA 2026: Family Portraits

(Image source: BTS Weverse)
(Image source: BTS Weverse)
(Image source: BTS Weverse)
(Image source: BTS Weverse)
(Image source: BTS Weverse)
(Image source: BTS Weverse)

It's been 4 years since we got family portraits. 🥹🥹🥹

BTS FESTA 2026: 13th Anniversary Timeline

(Image source: BTS Official X)

IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN! 

FESTA this year seems much more curated and streamlined — no more unreleased dance practice videos from 10 years ago or having Muster/concert streaming marathons (a.k.a. BANGBANGCON)… Maybe because they just had their comeback and they're currently on tour and they're doing a global livestream of their Busan concert for FESTA (and yes, we already bought tickets for the Live Viewing — June 13 falls on a Saturday this year!). I do hope we'll get a song for FESTA, though (we got "Ddaeng" in 2018, Jin's "Tonight" in 2019, Jungkook's "Still With You" in 2020, RM's "Bicycle" in 2021, Jungkook's "My You" in 2022, "Take Two" in 2023, Jungkook's "Never Let Go" in 2024). They didn't release one last year, sadly, but it'd be nice to get one this year now that they're all back together.

But they're finally (!!!) releasing "Come Over," which is the exclusive bonus track that Suga produced for the vinyl versions of ARIRANG — and actually one of my Top 5 songs from the album. I bought the vinyl just to support it, but did I still have to convert a bootleg lyric video to MP3 just so I could listen to it on my iPhone? Yes, yes, I did. (Felt like I was back in the early 2010s again…) But I'm glad we'll finally be able to listen to it properly on streaming platforms! 

HAPPY FESTA-ING!

BTS VLOG: V's Vlog — One Lucky Day

Okay, a few things:

1. It's legal to eat everything you want if it's for work!!! THIS IS GENIUS. Now I just need to find a steady, well-paying job in which my sole responsibility is to eat really delicious foods.
2. Even BTS struggles to get tickets out of those goddamn parking payment machines. At least he didn't have to get out of the car because his arm was too short to reach it... BUT STILL! THE MACHINES DO NOT DISCRIMINATE!
3. "Why did I drag myself outside?" Ah, yes, the eternal question. The world is disappointing for everyone, even BTS. THE WORLD DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE!
4. Does it really count as shopping if you're the brand ambassador and you don't have to pay for anything? 
5. I really need to go back to Korea if only to eat those insane slabs of samgyeopsal everyday.

BANGTAN BOMB: BTS Visits Mexico's National Palace

Over 50,000 ARMYs gathered outside Mexico's National Palace to see BTS for 5 minutes with less than a few hours' notice. I gotta say, Mexican ARMYs fucking showed up and showed out. I don't think they'll be able to fit in a visit to Ottawa to visit Mark Carney when they come up here in August, but they might make some time for Drake, right?

BTS at the 52nd American Music Awards: Artist of the Year Award + "Hooligan" Live Performance

Congratulations to BTS on winning Artist of the Year, Best Male K-Pop Artist, and Song of the Summer at the AMAs this year! At this rate, HYBE will have to get another trophy room for them...