[CHICAGO] From Mocktails to a 'Baby Hope Tree,' Chicago Gets Ready for BTS

CHICAGO — There are no purple-lit landmarks or BTS-branded street signs lining downtown Chicago. But a day before BTS takes the stage at Soldier Field, signs of the group's arrival are beginning to appear across the city in quieter and, in some cases, more personal ways.

BTS will bring its "ARIRANG" World Tour to Soldier Field on Aug. 27 and 28, with both shows scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has proclaimed the two concert dates "BTS Day in Illinois," officially recognizing the group's return to the state.

Still, compared with some earlier stops on the tour, Chicago has relatively few large-scale public attractions built around the concerts. Instead, fans arriving in the city are piecing together their own BTS itinerary, moving between a brand pop-up in the heart of downtown, fan-organized events and a newly planted tree along the lakefront with a connection to one of the city's most memorable BTS performances.

One of the most visible stops on Aug. 26 was the ARIH Zone at Pioneer Court, just off Michigan Avenue. Running from Aug. 26 through 28 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the pop-up sits in one of Chicago's busiest downtown areas, surrounded by stores, office buildings and tourists walking the Magnificent Mile.

The location drew more than just BTS fans. People walking through the area who appeared unfamiliar with the group also stopped to see what was happening and joined the line, bringing the BTS-related event into the regular flow of tourists along Michigan Avenue.

The experience began before visitors entered the main booth. While waiting in line, staff members assigned each person a drink they thought would suit them, and after a wait of roughly 10 to 15 minutes, visitors moved inside, where the selected ARIH beverage was turned into a mocktail.

The actual experience was quick, lasting only around three to five minutes, but the setup gave visitors several things to try along the way. Separate areas offered noodles, soda and energy drinks, while visitors received a small goodie bag containing stickers, a soda, an energy drink and a complimentary noodle product after completing the experience.

For people attending the concert, the downtown pop-up is only part of ARIH's presence in Chicago. The brand is also scheduled to operate a booth at Soldier Field from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on both concert days.

A much quieter BTS stop can be found along Chicago's lakefront. Near the water stands the newly planted "Hope Tree," a fan project created by the j-hope collective in celebration of j-hope's 32nd birthday and planted through the Chicago Park District's Green Deed program.

Its location adds another layer of meaning to the project. The tree stands near Grant Park, adjacent to the stage where j-hope made history with his solo headlining performance at Lollapalooza in 2022.

Unlike the downtown pop-up, finding the Hope Tree takes some effort. Located in Lakeview Park at coordinates 41.882994, -87.613553, the tree is roughly a 15- to 20-minute walk through the park. The route leads toward the lake, where rows of boats stretch across the water before the small tree comes into view near the shoreline.

The Hope Tree is still noticeably young, smaller than many of the established trees surrounding it, but that is also part of its charm. Its leaves looked fresh and healthy Wednesday afternoon, and its open location allowed sunlight to reach it easily. Birds moved through the surrounding trees and gathered nearby, making the spot feel particularly peaceful despite being only a short distance from downtown Chicago.

Fans have affectionately referred to it as the "baby Hope Tree," sharing photos of its growth and hopes that j-hope will one day see the project himself. With the tree still in its earliest stage, visiting it feels less like seeing a finished monument and more like seeing the beginning of something fans hope will remain in the city for years.

Elsewhere in Chicago, local fans and businesses have organized events around the concert weekend, from BTS-themed cupsleeve events at cafes to vendor events at KPOP NARA, along with giveaways and photo opportunities.

Rather than one major citywide attraction, Chicago's BTS celebrations are spread across the city, from downtown pop-ups and cafes to the small tree by the lake. By the evenings of Aug. 27 and 28, the focus will shift to Soldier Field, where tens of thousands of ARMYs will gather for BTS' two Chicago concerts.