Give BTS a standout welcome for their return, asks Live Nation Philippines boss
MANILA, Philippines — On March 13, 2027, K-pop boy band BTS will be performing in front of Filipino fans for the first time in a decade.
It's been a long wait for Philippine ARMY since the group's last concert in the Mall of Asia Arena back in 2017 for the "Wings" tour.
Since then BTS has released six more albums, did two more tours, entered military service, and launched an extraordinary comeback with "Arirang."
But on March 13, 14, and 16 next year, Filipinos will soak up every moment the OT7 are inside the Philippine Sports Stadium.
The concerts are still seven months away but organizers Live Nation Philippines (LNPH) are already deep into the crazy preparations to ensure all the shows go smoothly.
The promoter's managing director Rhiza Pascua spoke to Philstar.com in an exclusive interview just how hectic things already were, sharing that her daughter and LNPH's operations manager Isabella is joining meetings every week just for BTS.
"Every week na 'yun. Security, safety, the venue, ano nang nagawa sa venue, pinagawa na ba 'yung banyo, pinagawa na ba 'yung ano, pinapatag na ba 'yung, yung mga gano'n. Crazy!" Pascua said.
ARMY connection
The executive is far from being a stranger to BTS, she's an ARMY herself. In fact, Pascua will be watching the group during it's Inglewood "Arirang" shows during the first week of September along with managing directors of other partner countries following a conference.
Apparently, the members — Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V and Jungkook — have also hopped on to the pickleball fad so finding a place in Los Angeles to play during dark days (days when they don't have a concert) is on organizers' minds.
RELATED: Arci Munoz shares front row experience at BTS Madrid concert
Being ARMY though does make it easier for Pascua to oversee BTS' return to the Philippines, as fans often share the same thoughts when it comes to their idols.
"Kilala ko yung mga ARMY eh, kilala ko yung mga leaders. Pag may fan project, sa akin sila nagpapa-approve," she shared. "Ako naman parang, 'Huwag na kayong magpaalam sa akin, hindi ko 'yan alam. Gawin niyo na, as long as it won't hurt the artist, it will make [BTS] feel better.'"
Another benefit to being ARMY, Pascua is going to ensure that no matter where the boy band passes from their hotel to the venue, red billboards will be flanking their windows as if they were in Las Vegas.
It's safe to say LNPH has a good relationship with BTS fans, only aggravated by scalpers and scammers who purchase tickets then try to sell them for three times the original price or run away with one's money.
Pascua even said that scammers would try to discredit LMPH by claiming tickets are being reserved for celebrities and influencers.
"Talaga? Kailangan ng BTS ng influencer? Parang hindi. Parang hindi kami gumagamit ng influencers ever," the executive stressed. "Kahit mahina yung mga shows,hindi kami gumagamit talaga ng influencers."
She also shared to Philstar.com one hilarious story about a scammer claiming they had a photo with Jungkook because the group's youngest member would visit their house.
A different experience
Initially BTS were only going to have two "Arirang" concert days in the Philippines. The third day was confirmed just last June, only after deliberations by Live Nation Korea and BTS' own management.
According to Pascua, her Korean counterpart was in contact with BTS' labels for discussions on which cities would be granted a third day.
RELATED: BTS fans help raise funds after Jimin kisses young cancer patient
"Kasi lahat asking for third day, fourth day. Humihingi nga ako ng fourth day, sabi nila, 'Abusado ka na!'," she quipped.
Still, Pascua considers it a great achievement securing a third day for the Philippines, hoping unable to obtain tickets for the first two days would get their chance.
The executive even reached out to fellow ARMY, particularly those with faster Internet, to give other fans a chance to see their idols — some for the very first time.
As it stands, the "Arirang" world tour is set to finish in the Philippines, a prospect that Pascua really finds endearing.
"Kailangan ibang experience, kailangan iba yung pa-experience natin sa kanila. Gusto kong maka-experience sila dito ng... things na hindi nila na-experience in other Asian countries," said the LNPH boss, bringing up her billboard idea again.
BTS has a dark day on March 15 so Pascua is busy trying to find activities for the members to do, which is hard to organize given each has different interests.
"Nag-iiba-iba sila ng lakad eh. 'Yung isa, ma-museum. 'Yung tatlo, gusto magkakasama. 'Yung isa, gusto rin mag-solo," Pascua shared, to which Philstar.com had a fun time guessing which members she was referring to.
Pascua has no idea yet what the dark day activity will be, but if BTS' handlers asked her, she'd close a museum for them and let them munch on Filipino food.
- Latest
- Trending
Exclusive
