By Amanda Moses
Five-time Grammy nominated, chart-topping Korean sensation band, BTS, now has—for the first time ever—a full comprehensive pop-up shop selling exclusive merchandise in the United States.
On April 15th, hundreds upon hundreds of fans lined up overnight just to get their hands on exclusive, official merchandise at the grand opening of the BTS POP-UP: SPACE OF BTS located on the third floor of The Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards.
The enthralled fans, dubbed by the seven-member group as ARMY, discussed their favorite biases (a K-Pop term to describe your most loved band member), and sang some of BTS’ hits as they awaited their turn to get new merchandise lines such as the 2022 DALMAJUN and BTS in Busan. In addition to the new lines, the store also holds IN THE SOOP, TinyTAN, BTS PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE, BUTTER and more.
BTS, an acronym for Bangtan Sonyeondan or “Beyond the Scene,” debuted in 2013 and has become a global sensation, selling out concerts with its seven members: RM, Jin, SUGA, J-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook. Fans at the pop-up shop’s grand opening described the South Korean band’s music as pure positivity, providing a sense of comfort and hope to those who are having a difficult time in their lives. Their genuine personality and vibrant music helps to create an ambiance of acceptance and encouragement to love oneself.
Stephanie Alcaide waited outside of Hudson Yards since 11 p.m. they day prior to the grand opening, leaving straight from her job in Queens, just so that she and her friends could be one of the first to access the limited-edition items at the pop-up shop.
“I came early because I wanted to find more merchandise because I know a lot of it was going to sell out. I tried to be here as early as I could,” Alcaide said, “I really like [BTS’] message through their music. Many people say ‘Oh you don’t understand the [words]’ but it goes beyond language. Once you learn what the lyrics mean than you can understand what they are trying to teach everyone, it doesn’t matter what your age is.”
Alcaide first saw BTS perform at the Billboard Music Awards in 2018, and while she has always been a K-Pop fan, the band of seven members struck an everlasting chord with her.
The shop contains clothing, slippers, hats, purses, lots and lots of memorabilia photo albums and pictures, as well a plethora of other fan favorite items.
BTS POP-UP: SPACE OF BTS will be open from April 15th to July 14th, Monday through Saturday 10 am to 8pm, and Sunday 11am to 7pm.
Photos by Amanda Moses
