BTS dyes Las Vegas purple, turns city into playground

Several buildings in Las Vegas have lit up their billboards in purple with the phrase, "Borahaegas," a combination of "Borahae" and (Las Ve)gas, for K-pop band BTS' concerts there. For BTS and its fans, "Borahae" means "I will love you till the end." Courtesy of HYBE

By Dong Sun-hwa

LAS VEGAS ― Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, the arena where K-pop titan BTS is staging a series of concerts that began Friday (local time), is the largest in Nevada and can accommodate an audience of 65,000. But it seems the seven superstars and their management company HYBE thought the facility was not big enough for the group and its fans ― hence, for the first time in K-pop history, they turned the entire city of Las Vegas into a BTS playground to ensure fans got the fullest experience.

BTS-related items in Las Vegas' BTS-themed hotels / Courtesy of HYBE

When they arrive at a BTS-themed hotel in Las Vegas ― which includes the MGM Grand, Bellagio and Excalibur ― fans will find several photos featuring members of the band on their beds, as well as a welcoming message from them, and a white T-shirt specifically designed for the upcoming Las Vegas shows.

"How was your trip to Las Vegas?" the message begins. "Thank you for coming all this way. We've been waiting for this moment to meet you. Let's have a wonderful time together."

"Behind the Stage: Permission to Dance" photo exhibition in AREA 15, Las Vegas / Courtesy of HYBE

Fans wanting to see more behind-the-scenes pictures of BTS should go to the "Behind the Stage: Permission to Dance" photo exhibition in AREA 15, which costs $25. Inside a dark room illuminated in purple ― a symbolic color for BTS ― a series of attention-grabbing photos and videos are displayed. Some of them feature BTS members during their concerts, while others capture their dance practices, offering a sneak peek into the K-pop megastars' life beyond the facade.

While listening to uplifting BTS songs being played at the exhibition, visitors may find a moment of healing by recalling words of encouragement said by members in the past, which are also on display. One of the most eye-catching is the remark by Jin that reads, "I always cast a spell, saying, 'I'm the best.' I believe in myself, and I encourage myself by saying, 'It's okay, you can do it.' And, like magic, I find myself doing well.''

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People line up to buy BTS-related goods in AREA 15, Las Vegas. Courtesy of HYBE

Another destination should be "BTS Pop-up: Permission to Dance in Las Vegas," a free pop-up site exhibiting immersive sets and inventive installations, among others. Also located in AREA 15, the colorful and enchanting space filled with BTS-related items allows visitors to meet large-sized Tinytans, the animated characters inspired by BTS members, and different props seen in the music videos of the septet's hits, such as a basketball hoop structure seen in the BTS' 2020 hit "Dynamite" video.

Candice, a BTS fan from Oklahoma / Korea Times photo by Dong Sun-hwa

The crown jewel of the exhibition is in a bright yellow space inspired by BTS' 2021 summer banger "Butter," where people can imagine they are being dipped in butter as gigantic butter-like structures hanging from the ceiling slowly move up and down. They can also purchase some exclusive merchandise outside the store, although there are long queues.

"I arrived in Las Vegas yesterday," Candice, a BTS fan from Oklahoma who was donning a T-shirt with the name of BTS rapper Suga, told The Korea Times, Friday (local time). "I am currently staying at a BTS-themed hotel and I just bought a T-shirt for the Las Vegas concert, which seems to be the most sought-after item right now. I became a BTS fan in 2017 after accidentally finding the group on YouTube. My first BTS concert was in November in Las Vegas and I am so excited about the upcoming show. I hope BTS knows how it has changed so many people's lives. I found them at a bad time … but they brought me so much joy and happiness."

BTS members' favorite foods are served at the Sea Breeze Cafe in Mandalay Bay. Courtesy of HYBE

Now, it's time to delight the taste buds. At the Sea Breeze Cafe located in Mandalay Bay, fans can enjoy some of the favorite foods of BTS members ranging from gimbap (seaweed rice roll with diverse fillings) and galbijjim (braised beef short ribs) to ice cream sandwiches, which are curated by the Michelin-starred restaurant's chef Akira Back. A set menu consisting of an appetizer, an entree, a dessert and a beverage costs $60.

Bellagio's Fountain display in Las Vegas is choreographed to BTS' songs. Courtesy of HYBE

Watching Bellagio's BTS Fountain display is one of the best ways to end the day. The world-famous water show has been choreographed to feature two BTS songs, "Dynamite" and "Butter," giving people a visual delight while experiencing an auditory pleasure. Observing which buildings or structures changed their colors to purple to welcome the K-pop phenomenon and its fans is another source of entertainment for visitors.

Aspiring K-pop stars at "HYBE Multi-label Auditions" in Las Vegas, Friday (local time) / Courtesy of HYBE

HYBE is holding another big event in Las Vegas ― the "HYBE Multi-label Auditions" ― that will last until April 16. Seven music labels under the management agency, including Big Hit Music, Pledis and Source Music, are seeking out the next K-pop stars among 14,000 aspiring singers aged between 11 and 19.

"Since different labels are looking for different talents, all seven of them decided to hold auditions together and pick the applicants they prefer," a HYBE America official said. "If an applicant is selected by more than one label, he or she can choose which company to ink a contract with."

Among the judges is Son Sung-deuk, an acclaimed choreographer who has been working with BTS for many years.

And he and his compatriots will select trainees from among American teenagers to 11-year-old twin sisters born in Korea and a plethora of other hopefuls, who have flocked to the audition venue in search of their dream of becoming a K-pop star.