... and all concert goers and organizers alike can attest to that

As Covid-19 numbers go down, countries have slowly been easing restrictions for gatherings and events. These more relaxed restrictions, however, aren’t exactly enough to allow everyone to enjoy gatherings, get-togethers, and concerts like they once used to prior to the pandemic. But one of the things Covid-19 has reminded humankind is that if there’s a will, there’s always a way. And for concert organizers and goers alike, there’s “always a way to make a way” for their profession, their passion, their purpose, and their beloved idols.

ARMY Bomb at the concert in Seoul and an ARMY Bomb at the Mall of Asia iMAX 2D Cinema

Recently, BTS held its “Permission to Dance Tour” concert in Seoul, South Korea, which unfortunately was not fully open to foreign concert goers, due to their government’s restrictions and protocols in place to prevent the importation and spread of the virus in their country. This isn’t out of the “new normal” for HYBE Entertainment, the management of the international bestselling group. Globally, they are known to set the standard for online-streamed concerts, breaking records with highest satisfaction ratings. But this time around, they wanted to take it a notch higher, given that other countries have more favorable protocols.

On March 12, HYBE Entertainment offered a global live-streamed event that was extended to Philippine cinemas, after a month of meticulous planning and coordination. Representatives from HYBE Entertainment in Seoul also flew in to collaborate with one of the country’s leading internet providers alongside the owner of one of the most sought-after cinemas in the metro earlier this year to run a feasibility test for smoother viewing experiences.

Having a glimpse of the concert in South Korea and how it was also experienced here in the Philippines, I could say that cinema and mass streaming—when done correctly—could be the future of global concert events.

On the Seoul Olympic Stadium concert grounds

“I saw the experiences of the Filipinos, and I wanted to shout and sing like them. It felt like they were with us in the concert. I was jealous and so happy for the other ARMYs,” Sanghee Lee, an attendee from Busan who drove for four hours to Seoul to see the BTS concert, says. ARMY is the term used to call a BTS fan.

From left: Ashley in front of the Seoul Olympic Stadium; Kate with her friend inside the Olympic stadium’s concert grounds

Ashley Baek, a local from Seoul who has experienced watching BTS concerts online and was present in the recent PTD Tour says that “although the experience in the actual venue was more exciting , I love how Big Hit Entertainment also considers the people who couldn’t come to the physical concert.”

“ were all so handsome and their performances were incredible. It was exciting to see how all of us really used the clappers as hard as we to show our appreciation. It was funny because from holding the army bomb to using the clapper, taking photos and videos whilst rain was pouring- the ARMYs were unstoppable!” says Kate Garcia, a Filipino who is currently working in Seoul as a teacher, reminiscing her experience. In accordance with South Korea’s guidelines for concerts, shouting, standing, and cheering were prohibited, part of the country’s Covid-19 preventive measures at the time of the event in Seoul.

On the local cinema stream experience by BFM

Borahae From Manila (BFM) is one of the biggest official groups of ARMYs in the Philippines, having over 12,000 registered members who not only congregate to show love for BTS but also take the lead in organizing some of the biggest events that support the band’s efforts to give back to society. In its official statement, “BFM supports the UNICEF Love Yourself Campaign by launching a year-round donation drive.” The recent BFM PTD Live Cinema Global Viewing Event in the Philippines is also tied with its efforts to support the global campaign.

BFM founder and one of the event organizing group’s administrators, Joan De Venecia-Fabul, says that the team “had three weeks to mount their event with strict health and safety protocols for the benefit of almost 500 attendees.” She adds that the experience, overall, was “magical from start to end.”

“Fangirling (...) was so much fun, and cheers and screams filled the cinema,” adds Joan, who is a lawyer by profession.

Kankan Ramos, another BFM administrator, says that it was “an amazing experience” without the “fear of judgment.” She also mentions that “every single person in that 481-strong crowd was tested so that helped calm my fears the virus.” Kankan adds that, “Without a doubt, for the time being of the concert, I forgot about the pandemic.”

Cinema stream attendees at the Mall of Asia IMAX 2D Cinema

Local ARMYs at the Mall of Asia IMAX 2D Cinema

BFM member and cinema stream attendee Carmela Tanjanco felt that “the concert experience here in the Philippines is much closer to a genuine pre-pandemic concert vibe, compared to the highly restrictive in-person concert in Seoul.” She has been attending Korean Pop concerts from other Korean idol groups, and she says that the crowd is very well-behaved because of the South Korean government’s restrictions in place.

“ are a great way to bring the concert experience to people who cannot come to the concert venues due to travel restrictions,” says Carmela. “It also helps the artists generate more income to earn back production costs if they need to limit seat capacities due to government restrictions on crowds.”

Kate Garcia, from the perspective of one who also has experienced both online streaming and the physical concert in Korea, says she’s “happy that HYBE offered the concert on multiple platforms! gave opportunities for everyone to support BTS, watch the concert and have fun! Of course, seeing them live was a totally different experience, but seeing other ARMY friends worldwide enjoying with fellow ARMYs made sure that BTS has set up a high bar in future global concerts!”

Marga Baula, PFP CFO of Unicef Philippines (right) with a representative from Unicef Korea

It seems that cinema streaming is the future of global concerts. The attendees and organizers have spoken. Are you ready for this kind of future?

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