7. BTS: K-pop powerhouse poised for dynamite return

She has travelled to Brazil, London and the United States alone to watch K-pop boy band BTS' The Wings and Love Yourself concert tours in 2017 and 2018.

- Joanne Soh Lifestyle Correspondent

The healthcare professional in her late 40s, who wants to be known only as Ms Gen, is planning to do the same upon learning BTS is mounting a massive global tour in 2026.

"I'll probably fly to Seoul, or anywhere that I can get a concert ticket," says Ms Gen, founder of Boraland, a homegrown BTS community on Telegram. The channel allows members to buy and/or sell BTS merchandise and share content about the band.

While she has not booked her leave dates for 2026 yet, as she is still waiting for concert dates to be announced, she has plans to go with her Army (BTS' fandom name) friends.

According to a Bloomberg report in October 2025, BTS are planning their biggest tour ever, with about 65 dates all over the world, including more than 30 shows in North America. It will be the South Korean supergroup's first proper tour since 2019.

The septet comprising Jin, 33; Suga, 32; J-Hope, 31; RM, 31; Jimin, 30; V, 29; and Jungkook, 28 went on a temporary hiatus in June 2022 when each member had to fulfil his mandatory military service.

Ms Gen is not the only Army working his or her 2026 schedule around the group's comeback plans.

Customer service supervisor Esther M, 33, too, will attend as many concerts as possible throughout the length of the tour. She also plans to fly to Seoul to catch all seven members performing together for BTS Festa on June 13, an annual celebration of the group's 2013 debut.