What happened at the Buenos Aires fan gathering?

On October 20, local time, fans gathered at a BTS-themed cafe in Buenos Aires, a day before the group's first full-group concert in Argentina. According to Yonhap News Agency, the fans shared a common thread: during hard times, BTS's music and messages gave them comfort.

Who are the fans speaking out?

Argentine fan Fabiola, 54, is known locally as the "ARMY mom." Estela, 50, is a math teacher. Maria, 56, is a cardiologist from Chile who came to Argentina for the concert, and Valeria, 37, is a nurse and fan club member.

How did BTS help fans through grief?

Fabiola said she held her dying father's hand while playing BTS videos, and that the videos helped her endure their final time together. Estela said the group's messages were a comfort after her husband died suddenly, describing BTS as "like an oxygen tank." Maria said BTS lyrics helped her cope with patient deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Did fans respect the members' privacy?

Despite their excitement, fans chose not to wait at the airport and instead stayed away from the hotel, the report said, respecting the members' privacy.

For international fans

BTS is a seven-member South Korean group, and its fandom, ARMY, is active across Latin America, where many fans have built community around the group's music and messages.