What unfolded inside a packed theatre in Kolkata on April 11 was more than just a concert screening. It was a shared cultural moment, as fans of global K-pop group BTS gathered at a PVR INOX screen in South City Mall to watch the Arirang tour live turning a cinema hall into a full-blown fan arena.
According to Outlook Respawn, the energy inside the theatre began building even before the show started, with fans chanting the names of all seven members, Kim Namjoon, Kim Seokjin, Min Yoongi, Jung Hoseok, Park Jimin, Kim Taehyung and Jeon Jungkook — in unison.
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Dressed largely in purple, the colour associated with BTS and their fandom ARMY, attendees brought light sticks, merchandise and even exchanged fan-made memorabilia, creating a sense of community that extended beyond the screen.
From Seoul to Kolkata: A shared concert experience
With the broadcast of the live stream of the concert at Goyang Stadium in South Korea, people around the world came together as one, although the fans at Screen No. 3 in Kolkata felt that distance did not matter.
The actual performance combined a massive production set-up with bits of Korean culture. Some traditional musical instruments, choreographies derived from heritage, and design elements that resembled Korean architecture formed part of the performance.
At Screen No. 3, fans sang their favorite songs, danced in aisles, and showed real-time reactions during the event, which otherwise would be a passive spectatorship activity.
Much more than a concert
To some extent, the screening session represented a gathering between people who have been communicating for a long time via online platforms. Discussion topics covered everything from their connection with BTS to the influence the group had on them during challenging life situations.
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It was evident that the fandom space often turned out to be a support network as the group of strangers came together because of their shared experience and continued meeting in reality.
Connection that goes beyond borders
Perhaps one of the most moving moments was when BTS paid tribute to fans present at live screening centers all around the globe. The moment brought down cheers among the crowd inside the theater in Kolkata.
Even as the concert ended, fans refused to leave as they clicked photographs and recorded videos. It is not only the memory of the concert that would remain, but the feeling of being part of a bigger community that connects all over the world.
With the Arirang world tour set to continue across multiple cities, similar live screenings are expected to bring fans together again, both in India and across the world.
