[Film Review] BTS Yet to Come
ARMYs all over the world have been simmering with excitement at being able to see the seven members in glorious HD and with the theatrical release of the Yet to Come concert held in Busan during October 2022.
BTS Yet To Come. Image: BTS Official Twitter.
There was a bittersweet air to the concert with the announcement that all seven members would be fulfilling their mandatory military service in the days after the performance. It felt a little like watching The Sixth Sense only the second time around. You already know the twist but the second viewing allows you to notice little hints here and there, so that the true intention is fully revealed. Why they got so emotional during their speeches, the longing looks towards the crowd and the group shot at the end of Forever Young, it all makes sense now.
As I made my way into the screening, I was looking forward to seeing the members on a large screen and also the tracks being played with cinema quality audio. The lights went down and the introduction video started to play — you could already notice some tentative arm waving and some small cheers. The opening track of “Mic Drop” had everyone dancing in their seats and when “Run BTS” finished, there was a loud cheer. Finally, the very reserved and British crowd were starting to warm up to the Bantan magic.
“Got ARMY right behind us when we say so.” Image: BTS Official Twitter.
We were wooed by the vocal line and their wistful camera angles, accompanied by their pitch perfect renditions of “00:00 (Zero O’Clock)” and “Butterfly”. Then came a change of pace with the rapline and their high octane, energy and attitude filled “UGH!” and the last ever (according to RM) performance of “Cypher Pt.3”.
A quick costume change which brought back the seven members with their most popular hits to date and a party mood once again. We made head hearts and shouted back at the screen when asked to reply, it was the closest that we would get to a BTS concert, at least for the time being. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to witness any ARMY bombs at this showing however I have seen that other screenings did bring a full on, unabashed concert vibe to the cinema.
The final third of the film was clearly edited to break even the strongest of ARMYs. The ending-ments from each of the members had a swelling soundtrack which added to the realisation that we will not see BTS as a full group until 2025. The encore was perfect with the lasting image of V pointing to the banner he cheekily stole from a fan. It read: “There have been many changes, but we remain the same” (translated).
BTS Yet to Come. Image: BigHit Music. Image: BTS Official Twitter.
I managed to grab a couple of ARMYs before everyone piled out of the cinema. Sophie, a Jung Kook bias, simply said: “They just are amazing.” Whilst her friend Lydia, a Suga fan, commented on the vibe of the evening: “The energy came through really well, I loved how people in the cinema got involved, clapping and responding to the screen. Hoping to see them in concert wherever and whenever that might be. I feel it was a bittersweet ending.”
My friend, despite not being an ARMY, commented that she was stunned by the choreography and the unrelenting stamina and enthusiasm that definitely filtered from the screen to everyone in the audience. We now need to keep our trust and faith with the members and ensure that when they finally return, we give our full and emphatic support. Everything changes but the longstanding mutual love and respect between BTS and ARMY, I’m sure will be enduring.
Edited by Chelsea Cheetham.
