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.💜
Behind the scene ARIH development:
1. 3 years ago, BTS members themselves came up with the initial concept, saying, "Let's make the noodles and drinks we want to eat." It's not a simple collaboration. The members really created this from the very beginning.
2. The direction was clear. No spicy or stimulating flavors. It was a taste that harmoniously blended East and West while preserving Korean sensibilities. They wanted something that all global fans could enjoy.
3. All the members love carbonated drinks, but the guilt they felt every time they drank one was a problem. So, the goal was to achieve three things simultaneously: "It must be healthy, have a lively carbonation, and absolutely cannot taste bad." From the development team's perspective, this was truly a Mission Impossible, lol.
4. The same goes for caffeine. Since there was a member who couldn't drink coffee, they decided to go with natural caffeine, but finding ingredients that could get export approval to the U.S. was another battle.
5. All seven members were incredibly actively involved.
They contributed their opinions on every single detail, from the flavor and ingredients to the concept. They said that reaching a consensus was the hardest part, especially regarding the noodles, because all the members were experts in the field. But that is also the reason why they created such high quality.
6. After settling on the flavor, they spent three months just on the brand naming. The members strongly pushed for "ARI," taking inspiration from the 2.0 album title "Arirang," but 3 letters are unregisterable as trademarks. It reportedly took three months just to persuade them to change it to "ARIH" lol.
7. The design was no easy task either. Their standards as BTS artists were so high that proposals kept getting rejected. Eventually, the members personally created and submitted a design guide. That is why the flavor, name, and design are all BTS creations.
8. The members reportedly said they "would highly recommend Dual Soda to their parents." They also said they carry the noodles, soda, and energy drinks with them when they go on concert tours around the world.
9. They didn't make it just to sell it; they made it because they genuinely wanted to eat it themselves. That is the message that emerged from it: "We hope you like what we like, too."
10. This is why it is different from just any idol collaboration product. 3 years, 7 members, and they did everything themselves; flavor, naming, and design. ARIH was truly made by BTS.
I know a lot of army who flew in to Vegas for the concerts are missing Borahaegas already but at least you guys aren't local and get hit with sadness every time you pass Allegiant on your daily commute like local army 🥲