I watched FESTA 2022 and FESTA 2026 back-to-back, and was it one of the best decisions I've made in my life? Yes.
I could finally see what Hobi was talking about when he said, “I think we should spend some time apart, to learn how to be one again.” Looking at them today, it really reflects in everything they've become.
I remember Namjoon talking about finding who they were as individuals and how their solo music might strengthen Bangtan's overall music. He wasn't wrong. Their adventures as solo artists really did shape Arirang and what BTS 2.0 looks like today. You can see pieces of their individual journeys in what they're creating together now.
One thing that stayed with me from the 2022 dinner was Namjoon saying, “It feels wrong even to say that we're exhausted.”I'm glad now they're taking things slow and moving at their own pace. I'm glad they're making memories that will stay in their heads and hearts, memories that aren't constantly filled with pressure, high emotions, or trauma. They look lighter somehow, and that makes me happy.
They said, “Trust us. Stay with us. Be with us.”
And we did.
It doesn't matter if you joined ARMY yesterday, during Chapter 2, or before the 2022 dinner. You did. We trusted them, and they trusted us. Looking back now, I think that's what makes all of this so emotional. They asked us to believe in them when the future felt uncertain, and four years later, we're here watching it all unfold exactly the way they said it would.
I don't know. Watching FESTA 2022 and FESTA 2026 back-to-back just made me feel grateful. Grateful that they took that time. Grateful that they chose themselves for a while. And grateful that we all got to witness them learn how to be one again.💜
A manager asked me when I was bringing more “kpop oreos” and I said “never because there’s no such thing. There are BTS Oreos and when you tell me your favorite BTS song I’ll bring more or you can find them yourself.”
hoseok just called me poor in 7 different languages as he whipped out his louis vuitton accessory trunk that stores his fred jewelry necklace from seokjin and his audemars piguet royal oak double balance wheel openworked watch well alright then