La vida no termina aquí

I’ll begin with the ticketing process. I was minding my own business on my way to work with my mother on November 18, 2016 when Big Hit decided to drop the Wings Tour video.

I was shocked!!! Amazed!!! Taken off guard. I was in the car and actually sat there and used up some of my data to watch this the first time. I had figured BTS was doing a world tour in 2017 but Big Hit is evil and I thought they would give some more warning. I thought wrong. Back to the trailer... I absolutely LOVE the remix of Interlude: Wings that was used. I watched that video repeatedly throughout the day. I’m still salty at Big Hit for only adding Outro: Wings to You Never Walk Alone vs. Outro Wings AND the remix. (I could also go into how Big Hit needs to release the MV teaser version of Blood Sweat & Tears but alas...). I had decided right then and there (actually before this) that I was going to try with all of my power and within a reasonable price range that I was going to make it to the Wings Tour. I was determined, KCON LA in 2016 was just not enough!!! I knew BTS would come to somewhere in California, be it Staples Center in downtown LA or Honda Center in Anaheim. I know they locations were settled by then but that DID NOT stop me from tweeting Big Hit hoping that they would be at Honda Center instead. (I experienced the evils of Staples Center and having to buy tickets via AXS. NEVER AGAIN TBH). 

I waited for days and Big Hit finally started releasing tour dates and eventually days when tickets would go on sale. As expected, BTS was coming to Anaheim. I thanked Big Hit and the high heavens that it was Honda Center. I only had to deal with Ticketmaster, nothing else! I underestimated the amount of people that were hellbent on buying tickets for the Newark shows. After seeing people talk about how fast the first show sold out, I was highly worried I wouldn’t be able to get my Anaheim tickets. I was stressing! So I did the only logical thing, when Powerhouse released the second set of Newark tickets, I tried my hand and attempting to get a pair. I wasn’t going to  be buying them, but I wanted to see how the process went. I had seen people talking about using the Ticketmaster app vs. the website so I had everything set up and ready to go. I’d like to say that I was extremely lucky because when those Newark tickets went on sale, I was actually able to snag two. I didn’t pay of course and let them go, but it quelled at least a little bit of my worries for when I had to buy my tickets later in December. 

The day had come. December 14, 2016. I was prepared to buy my tickets. Unfortunately because of times zones, I was at work when the tickets went on sale BUT my supervisor is an angel. I had told her the week before that I needed to take my break earlier during my shift so I could focus on buying my BTS tickets. She agreed! So there I was, sitting at the desk nervously waiting for the time to tick down. I had already had a Ticketmaster account with my credit card connected so that just made everything that much easier. I did have my mom also log in on her computer and phone and wait just like me. I had read from a few people that within the last minute or so of waiting, they began refreshing the Ticketmaster page and actually got to buy their tickets about 20 seconds faster than the allotted time. I also had read that people going to the second to cheapest tier of tickets (P4) had issues getting what they wanted because the seats were more limited compared to other levels. I was aiming for P4 because that’s where I sat for BigBang’s MADE Tour and it was a good view. With this info in mind, I bit the bullet and decided that I would go for P2 tickets instead. A whole $100 more but I didn’t want to have to pay more from scalpers later for any other section. So there I was, sat at the desk refreshing the Ticketmaster page every 3 seconds until the time came to buy them. I benefitted from the tip of refreshing because just as another ARMY had stated, I got my two tickets right before the actual time came. I WAS SO HAPPY! I had gotten two P2 tickets that were four rows from the general admission standing area as well as close to the extended stage!!! My mom tried and actually got two more tickets but we didn’t end up buying them for obvious reasons (and they were the elusive P4 tickets!). In my excitement I think I just listened to Interlude: Wings (and the rest of Wings tbh) and danced around for the rest of the day, I was excited!!!

In the months leading up to April 1, we got everything else together...not in a timely manner though lol. I love my mother and she has taught me many things including how to procrastinate. We probably could’ve gotten slightly cheaper plane tickets but it’s all water under the bridge now. We got plane tickets and booked our car and hotel and we were set. In the week before the concert I began my normal ritual of listening to the group’s entire discography. I did go back and find the Wings Tour setlist and listened to that exclusively in the few days prior. I also played the tour specific playlist for my mom just to reacquaint her with every BTS song I’d already had her listen to previously. 

Fast forward to Saturday, April 1, 2017. The day of the concert. I had wanted to take the day off of work, but my mom (who I work with) didn’t want to miss out on getting paid that day, so we went to work. We were the from 7:30 am to 2:00 pm. We had already preplanned everything and were already packed and ready to head to the airport. Flying with carry on only luggage is such a breeze AND we ended up getting TSA Pre Check so it literally took us about 5 minutes to get through everything and on to our gate. We flew into John Wayne Airport because duh it’s way closer and our hotel was literally down the street. We got to our hotel, changed our clothes, and headed out around 6:30-6:45? I had read that at the Newark and Chicago stops the doors were opened earlier so I didn’t expect there to be much of a line. My mother took this to mean that we could leave later, but whatever at this point. We were SHOCKED that there were still a bunch of lines around outside. I know there other cool stuff to do around the venue but I my precious time was running out! After waiting in line for about 20 minutes we finally made it in. My mom had drank some coffee before we left the hotel (bad decision tbh) and had to use the bathroom but I was worried that the concert was going to start. We decided to find our section then she would go back. We passed the life-sized BTS cutouts and I should’ve listened to my mom and taken my pictures then, but I was desperate ok! We found our seats at about 7:55 and the concert started at 8:05. Once I had gotten to my seat the kind ARMY volunteers were still handing out the bags for the Fire ocean and Rainbow ocean projects. I didn’t have an Army Bomb or buy one (I’ll keep that $60 for something else tbh) but I promised myself I’d actually participate and use my phone flashlight. My mom returned from the bathroom and once again commented on the fact that everyone was screaming at the music video (LMAO but I agree) and then... the lights went down! 

From this point on I think I’ll make each song it’s own paragraph...

As previously stated I knew what song was coming anyway,  but still. The first VCR came up with ensuing screams and then... Not Today! I have a love and less love relationship with this song. It sounds so noisy sometimes but then others I can’t get enough? And listen to it or watch the MV on repeat? Anyway, BTS started the concert on the main stage, which wasn’t like exceedingly far from me, but not the closest either. I liked the live performance etc etc. I was sufficiently whelmed at this point lol. Also this was the beginning of the assault on my eardrums. The screams were SO LOUD. My mom had randomly put some earplugs in her purse and she already had to use them. 

Next was Am I Wrong. I actually really like this song, but didn’t like the choreography all that much. I had watched some of the music show performances but I was still meh. (Maybe it’s because I get tired of music shows and watching the same choreo in different outfits for 4 weeks lol). Anyway I didn’t now what I was expecting buy actually seeing the choreo made me love it soooo much! I’m sorry for distrusting you Son Sungdeuk, it’s great! 

On to Baepsae/Silver Spoon/Crow Tit/what have you. One of my favorites! I will just say that I love this song and the choreo... so many hip thrusts but I love. If you didn’t know, my absolute, unwavering, all time favorite is J-Hope aka Dance King Jung Hoseok. He was being very rude during this song and I don’t appreciate it!!! I felt so attacked! He killed his end segment, I need to find a video of his gloriousness. 

It was Dope when I realized that BTS was using live band audio. And for that I am eternally grateful. I figured there wouldn’t be a live band but I’m glad they used the recording from the Seoul concerts because BTS + live band is better than any studio recording (for the most part) and I love. I absolutely love the guitar in this and I was not disappointed. Anyway, Dope was dope. I had already seen them perform this at KCON and seeing it a second time live was just as good as the first. After writing about Baepsae I’d just like to say that Jung Hoseok was incredibly rude during Dope as well. He can’t just do a simple hip thrust. I had watched fancams from previous stops and during the hip thrust parts he did these really small controlled thrusts and man. I was dead! He’s gotten so bold since Blood Sweet & Tears came out and I’M SUFFERING!

After Dope was the second VCR. I need to find video of it and all of the VCRs because the music in this one was great! I hope and pray that Big Hit uses the music from the VCRs in actual BTS music but I won’t hold my breath. I’ll just tweet at Big Hit and Hitman Bang with my wishes which will go unheard. 

After the VCR ended, it was time for the solos to begin (no pun intended lol). It started off with Begin, Jungkook’s solo. I love this song and it’s actually one of my top favorites from Wings. I wanted to be at least a little surprised about some of the performances since I had already spoiled the setlist for myself, so I didn’t watch any fancams of the member solos. I knew Jungkook was going to dance the whole time but I was still blown away? The footwork was so intricate and he was doing all of that AND singing live. He was wonderful. I honestly stood there and had THE BIGGEST smile on my face the whole song. I don’t really have a bias list for BTS but after the concert he’s definitely in my top favorites with Hoseok and Yoongi now.

Lie. Oh Like. Jimin did such a good job. I had actually seen little snippets of it, but I wasn’t ready. After seeing his outfit, I was offended. That low cut shirt and his collarbones were too much!!! Lie was great. I particularly loved the part where the backup dancers lifted him up. I had promised myself I wouldn’t take too many pictures/video because what’s the point of enjoying a concert through a phone screen (I am a terrible multi-tasker ok) but I tried to get a picture of when they lifted him up. I don’t think it turned out that well but whatever. At the end of the song my mom told me that she had really liked Begin and Lie. Success!!! 

Next was Yoongi and First Love. I know it’s more of a chill song so I was wondering what he’d do for his solo stage. I expected Yoongi to come out and stand while rapping and there would probably be a piano. What I wasn’t expecting was for the stage platforms to rise with 4 string instrument players!? I was shocked!!! Yoongi did fantastic and I really loved the strings. I was watching someone’s fancam later and they pointed out that towards the end it was either the strings or the recording but So Far Away’s music was playing in the background. How perfect tbh. I enjoyed it!

The next few songs are part of my favorite parts of the concert! (I’m not kidding. Lost, Save Me and I Need U are some of my top BTS songs). It was finally time for the extended stage to be used in all of it’s glory. Our seats were on the side of our section closest to the extended stage so we could see when the platform would lower for BTS to get ready for their next performance. The platform rose again and out popped Jin, Jimin, Taehyung, and Jungkook to bless us with Lost. Once again, I didn’t watch fancams minus a few seconds so I didn’t really see all of their choreo. I love Lost and the choreo for it was cute and not overly taxing, which I liked. 

Save Me. My ultimate favorite BTS song. I was blessed with being able to see Save Me at KCON but this time it was on the extended stage so I was so close. I about died at this point. My favorite song with them only 50 feet (I don’t know really I’m just making this up ok) in front of me where I can actually see their facial features etc. Magical. I, along with most other people in the venue, sang our hearts out. It was great. 

I Need U was next. If I say that Save Me is my ultimate favorite, I Need U is next. It only got bumped to second because of Save Me tbh. For some reason I had read the setlist wrong at first and had left I Need U out of my tour setlist playlist and I was bumming myself out for no reason lol. Like I was sitting there thinking how could life go on with me seeing BTS in concert but them not doing I Need U. Then I looked it up again and got myself together lol. I know the crowd was hype for the whole concert but there was just something about I Need U that seemed really special. I have watched so many videos of I Need U performances but it took this concert with the extra backup dancers to really understand one part of the choreo. Towards the end when Jungkook I think is in the middle and everybody falls down around him. It really looks like a flower opening up/blooming. How I managed to not notice this before, I’m not sure but I thought that part was especially awesome. Once again, thank you Son Sungdeuk for you superior choreography. 

I feel like there as a VCR at this point. I was trying to keep a note open to keep track of stuff like this but I gave up after Dope lol. Anyway if this is correct VCR that I’m thinking of, it has Namjoon in it but THE BEST part about it is that the music in the VCR ends up being part of their hidden track from 2Cool4Skool, Path (Road, Gil, whatever you want to call it). I was really touched. That song totally pertains to the tough journey of youth themes but it’s shocking they used it considering they’ve been paying it dust is fiveever. So the VCR is of Namjoon and his Wings short film and lo and behold, the telephone booth makes an appearance which segues into his performance.

For Reflection, Namjoon’s solo, the platforms on the stage rose and what else but the phone booth. It wasn’t until this solo that I began to realize that for every solo before and after Namjoon’s, the members got to wear these really pretty sequined blazers. I feel like Namjoon’s outfit was from the Japanese designer that he’s really into right now, but I can’t be certain. So Reflection. I liked it well enough but it’s grown on me even more and the live performance made me love it even more. I knew people were going to do some fanchants and they were so loud! It was during the part where he repeats, “I wish I could love myself.” He said that and the crowd chanted, “We love you.” I guess since Chile he’s been changing the lyrics to “I wish we could love ourselves” after the chants and he did the same for this performance. At the end of him performance, Namjoon went back into the phone booth which was a great transition into Taehyung’s solo.

Sitgma. So the lights on the stage dimmed as Namjoon went into the phone booth and of course he went below stage is Taehyung came up and out Taehyung came from the same phone booth. I really love Stigma and I’m so glad he pulled it off. I know from the first Seoul concert Taehyung struggled a little bit with the high notes in it but not that day. He did such a great job. 

Now time for THE BEST solo performance of the night. Every other solo wishes! Jung Hoseok and his solo MAMA. It may not be my favorite solo musically but Hoseok’s whole stage/performance/everything >>>> the other solos. His stage presence alone is out of this world. People say it all the time and he knows, he was born to perform on stage. Where’s that Lady Gaga gif. He’s talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show-stopping, spectacular. I was blessed because Hoseok’s solo was the only solo that got performed on the extended stage. I was just that much closer to perfection. He came out from under the stage and sang/rapped/did the choreo with his backup dancers. The choreo isn’t difficult at all but I enjoyed it! He’s so expressive and such a great dancer. Once it got to his adlib part he ran to the runway between the extended and main stages and sang his little heart out before he made it to the main stage. I know it was just the backup dancers but I wished he could’ve had the choir like in Seoul. Anyway, Hoseok was great, everything was perfect. I love him soooo much! 

Finally, the last solo! Jin with Awake! Awake is another one of my favorite solos from Wings. I listen once then keeping replaying. So I hadn’t even watched a fancam of Jin’s at all so I didn’t know what I was expecting stagewise. I honestly really liked how they did his. The stage had 5 platforms that could change in height and they put Jin in the middle platform. The strings from Yoongi’s solo made another appearance on the other four platforms. At one point during the song Jin’s platform was elevated above the others and then later on it went in the reverse with the strings being elevated above Jin. I also enjoyed the screen in the background using graphics from HYYH Pt 1&2 album covers. Jin did fantastically and hit his high notes with ease. Perfect tbh! 

Next is the most hype performance of the night! Cypher Pt 4. Was I ready for this? I don’t know but I loved it. God bless the performance director for putting the subunits/Hoseok/Cypher on the extended stage, it makes everything better. I saw Namjoon, Yoongi, and Hoseok get their water bottles ready and the water went flying. Thank goodness I was just out of range of water hitting me. Their outfits during Cypher make me cackle but they looked so cute and totally into the song. I think my favorite part besides the song was watching them walk around the stage and hype up the crowd. Namjoon had me laughing so hard trying to do some type of dancing during part of Hoseok’s? part. It was so funny. I also love Yoongi for modifying his lyrics outside of of Korea and saying, “Click clack to the bang bang fuck you and you.” I had to sing along and laugh about it. I haven’t mentioned my mom too much because it was hard to talk to her with the headphones in but she really enjoyed this performance. I think it was her favorite from the night. She doesn’t always stand up during concerts (especially the kpop ones we’ve been to) but she stoop up for the end of cypher. She even clapped! 

Next was Fire. I love Fire. This where the preplanned Fire ocean fan project came in. I had my bag ready!!! The Fire ocean ended up working out really well. The upper bowl had red bags while the lower bowl had yellow bags. It was really pretty! I got some pictures too. I know it would’ve been too difficult but I kind of wish the yellow and red were alternated between sections versus upper and lower. I can’t really complain though. It was my second time seeing it, the first being at KCON. It was great. I only wish that they had done the special ending choreo for Fire at these concerts but that is but a minor gripe in the big scheme of things. ALSO. I feel like Fire had some kind of remix plus live version going on and I hate Big Hit for not releasing it at all. It was fire lol. We’re all missing out and being deprived.

I’m pretty sure there was a ment here but I can’t remember. Shame on me. After the ment they segued into their older song medley. These songs are some of my favorites with respect to live versions. I won’t do a paragraph per song because they didn’t even do the whole song but I’ll say that I really enjoyed watching them just freestyle to the music. I think it was during Boy In Luv? that they did a bit of choreo but other than that I loved watching them work the stage. They did shortened versions of N.O, No More Dream, Boy In Luv, Danger, and Run. I died many times when Jung Hoseok and his rude self stayed on my section’s side of the extended stage and did dance moves from some of the various songs. It’s NOT FAIR!!!! I noticed that the setlist for the US Wings tour stops were void of War of Hormone for some odd reason. I’m not complaining though because it’s my least favorite BTS song EVER! Also, I was happy to see Run in the setlist. That song has been disrespected! It didn’t do as well digital downloadwise vs. I Need U, Fire, BST but it’s still so good! I was happy to see its inclusion. 

On to 21st Century Girls. I enjoy this song, the choreo is adorable, I love it! I only have one complaint. As stated, I love the live versions of BTS songs, with two exceptions. This being one of them. I didn’t particularly care for an instruments in this live version. Like the song is still nice, but...eh. The prechorus and chorus seemed so bare? I don’t know the word. But there’s some horn sound or whatever and that get’s replaced with who knows what and I wasn’t exactly feeling it. I loved everything else though so they get a slight pass. 

Ok, I know there was a talk here! They asked if we were enjoying the concert and tried to bluff and say they were at the last song. THESE BLATANT LIES. I had noticed there were only 6 out of 7 on stage and Hoseok was missing. I was internally freaking out and hoping he wasn’t hurt until I realized that Intro: Boy Meets Evil was next!

I knew it was coming but it just warms my heart that Hoseok got to do MAMA and his Boy Meets Evil intro even if it was only half. I was getting into it and EVERYTHING and then he stopped right at the part where he’s supposed to do that butterfly kick, I think that’s what it’s called. Either way, I was blessed to see him do that live, I was so happy!

The Boy Meets Evil cutoff turned into Blood Sweat & Tears. I always think it’s cute when this transition happens because Namjoon is standing there in the dark helping Hoseok put on his blazer for BST. This song is another one in the setlist that got the superior concert remix. I HATE Big Hit and wish this version was also released. It sounded great with the band and I’m sure the studio would sound fantastic as well. 

Last before the “encore” but certainly not least was Outro: Wings. This song is actually my 3rd all time favorite BTS song after Save Me and I Need U. The rainbow ocean was supposed to happen after Outro: Wings and right before 2!3! but people got their bags out early including me. I had the bag over my phone but then I realized I needed some pics or video of this legendary song. Not like I hadn’t been singing along to everything the whole concert but I was jumping up and waving my phone around and having sooooo much fun. It’s such a great song to play at concerts. Everyone was on their feet having a great time. I was in heaven!! Because this was Outro: Wings and not it’s shorter counterpart Interlude: Wings, we got Hoseok rapping his piece. It was so cute because everyone was crowded around him hyping him up. I literally only have one gripe with this live version. It’s a hip-house song with great house elements but the house beats are weakened by using the live instruments and I felt part of the instrumental was lacking, other thank that, this song and performance were perfection.

This is were the alleged encore comes in although if you’re stupid enough to leave at this part, I worry about you. The lights went down and then started the BTS chants. They were only gone about 2-5 minutes then the screens showed the last VCR. It was a nice really touching one about how they’re making their way through life, supporting each other. Seven boys but one goal, etc etc. Really sappy, lovely stuff. 

Now everyone was ready and the rainbow ocean was in full effect. It looked soooo pretty! They started singing 2!3! and the whole crowd sang along. It’s a really heartfelt, personal song and you could really feel the sincerity in it. My mom later asked me what the song was about and after I explained it to her she said that she could definitely tell that this song in particular was super important and comforting. I think that says a lot for a woman that only listens to kpop because I make her and has no idea what’s going on besides that. Back to the song. I know the goal was for the fans to sing that last part of the chorus without BTS and we did such a great job? Everyone was so loud and I was so proud, we did well! I got a little video of at least the rainbow ocean because it was so pretty!

Finally and unfortunately, the last song of the night, Spring Day. I actually really love Spring Day after a few months. When it came out I knew some would find it a bit boring but I really enjoy chill BTS music. I wasn’t that enthused with the choreo, like it’s really great and I see people gushing over it and I’m just sitting here like yeah ok. But once again, the live performance reeled me in, I have a newfound appreciation for it. I didn’t want the song to be over. 

I think this is where this happened but if it didn’t, oh well. All of BTS gave a little spiel about enjoying the concert, etc etc. I should’ve listened better but my mom kept asking me what they were saying, she should’ve taken out the earplugs lol. I was especially touched when Jungkook said his ment in English. I know Namjoon had gone on the V+ chat a few days prior mentioning how much Jungkook had practiced this part. They all ended up holding hands and bowing to the crowd multiple times.

After all was said and done the lights came up and I’m pretty sure it was the Interlude: Wings instrumental? I don’t remember was played as BTS walked around the stage waving and thanking fans. It was all very cute. I loved when people threw a bunch of Pokemon on stage and Taehyung only picked up the Eevees and held them in his arms/put them on his head. Also cute was Yoongi and Hoseok picking up the Minnie ears and doing the Nae Nae around the stage. Everything was adorable. I didn’t want it do end, they looked like that had so much fun. Finally they slowly made their way from the extended stage to the main stage, messed around a lot more then did one big bow with the backup dancers and made their way offstage. Before everything was officially over a concert practice video ran during the credits of the Wings tour stuff. And then, that was it. I couldn’t hear properly but I had the time of my life. I only wish BTS/Big Hit can get bigger and even richer and then they’ll actually take a live band on tour with them. How awesome would that be!