[with ARMY ⑪] "They Never Make You Feel Excluded": BTS Fans From Peru and Mexico on Finding a Home in ARMY

At the Top of the Rockefeller Center Observatory, K-POPIT spoke with BTS fans Maria from Peru and Mariel from Estado de México, each of whom had traveled thousands of miles to experience another chapter of their journey as an ARMY.

Maria, a 41-year-old fan from Peru, has already traveled across the United States for BTS before, attending the group's Las Vegas stops of their ARIRANG tour a couple of months ago. Now in New York once again, she recalled how discovering a V fancam while searching for K-drama OSTs unexpectedly led her into the world of BTS.

Having become an ARMY in 2019 during the MAP OF THE SOUL era, Maria explained that she had always been an avid K-drama viewer but had never been particularly interested in K-POP. "It was like a never ending stream of content, you could just jump from one video to the other and get to know the members while also enjoying their content," she mentioned while talking about the pathway to becoming an ARMY.

Before discovering BTS, Maria said her perception of boy groups had largely been shaped by Western acts such as NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys, where there often appeared to be one clear frontman. BTS, however, felt completely different, with each member bringing a distinct personality and artistic identity that encouraged her to explore both the group and their solo work.

While BTS' message of self-love and authenticity resonated with her, Maria says it was ultimately the fandom itself that transformed her from a casual listener into a dedicated ARMY.

"Everyone is so welcoming, there are ARMY's teaching English, some teach Math, some Science and so there really are ARMY's from all paths of life," she shared. "Also they never make you feel excluded, there are hundreds of people from all over the world and from all ages that you will always have something else in common with everyone."

That same sense of community is what also drew Mariel from Estado de México to the fandom. Mariel first discovered BTS through a friend during the pandemic. Already an avid concertgoer and music lover, she said becoming a K-pop fan felt like a natural progression. Rather than being drawn in by visuals, it was BTS' musical influences and artistry that convinced her to give the group a chance.

Instead of initially being drawn in by visuals, Mariel said it was the artists and musical influences BTS shared with many of the musicians she already enjoyed that encouraged her to give the group a chance. V was the first member who caught her attention, but as she learned more about BTS, she found herself appreciating each member's individual artistry.

Being there with her mother, who had even done her nails in the “ARIRANG” color scheme with a BTS logo added that they have always encouraged Mariel to broaden her musical horizons, making this trip also a very meaningful experience.

"There's no one more expert than a fan," Mariel said with a laugh, adding that she wishes people would move beyond the stereotype that ARMY are simply young girls. In her experience, the fandom is made up of people from every age and profession, creating a community where everyone has something to contribute.

She also rejected the idea that musical preferences should define someone's personality or interests. "If you don't like pop it doesn't mean you're not interesting," she said, adding that K-pop fans are often unfairly judged simply for the music they enjoy. "Live the music, and let everything else come second."

Both women's dedication extends far beyond a single concert. Maria, who previously attended both nights of BTS' Las Vegas concerts, will also be traveling to Foxborough with fellow ARMY after the New Jersey show. Mariel, meanwhile, attended all three of BTS' Mexico City concerts before making the trip to the United States with her mother. She shared that both of her parents have always supported her passion for music, with her father even helping secure tickets which is an uncommon but meaningful display of encouragement that made the experience even more special.

Although Maria and Mariel discovered BTS through different paths, both arrived at the same conclusion: it was the community surrounding the group that ultimately transformed casual listeners into lifelong fans. Whether through the endless stream of content, the group's message of self-acceptance, or the willingness of complete strangers to welcome newcomers with open arms, their stories reflect why, more than a decade into BTS' career, ARMY continues to transcend borders, languages and generations.