so get ready for the longest shitpost I've ever made (and probably will ever make) about my TGM Highlight Tour Experience with my wonderful fellow BTS losers pinkie-syub and namjoon-for-life. I need to document this all RIGHT NOW because if I were to forget anything that happened and didn't get the chance to document I would fall apart. Who needs sleep anyway :D So after actively following the stories about TGM in Sanfran, Houston, and Atlanta, we were reasonably concerned about the fluidity of this venue in Toronto. The hall looked too small for the number of shirts sold, and naturally we were worried about TGM fucking shit up like they had at the other three locations. We decided to rent an apartment using AirBnB (which is really awesome if you've never used it) and the place we got was really quaint and cute, and a ten minute walk from the venue. Seeing as though TGM scheduled check in for 10am, we decided we would get there by 9am or 9:30 to make sure we would be there on time. So we get up around 7:30 and get super fly looking (obviously), and head out to the Phoenix Concert Hall. Upon our arrival at 9:30, there were already around 100 people waiting, some who had slept at the foot of the venue overnight. But no big deal, we were still early and some of the first people on the scene. That is, until everyone and their fUCKING BROTHER CUT IN FRONT OF US TO JOIN THEIR "FRIENDS". The once single file line ahead of us now spilled past the sidewalk and into the bike lane, some people even in the road at points. Even with that garbage, we still had a reasonably decent position in line. Now, the wait. From the time that we got to the line at 9:30 until around 4, there was NO MOVEMENT WHATSOEVER. Some really sweet fans would pass down venue information when they got it that kept us from going COMPLETELY insane. Also, some people passed out little freebies like at TRB, like little buttons and stickers and cards, so that was really nice. But jeez the Domino's located right at the end of the line suuuuure got a ton of business via hungry BTS fans. We eventually caved and got a pizza too. So by the time we FINALLY move, it's very unclear what our directions were. It wasn't until some time later that they had us separate into a VIP/Autograph Pass and a GA line. The ticket system was fairly unorganized, it was basically a bunch of people trying to check in at once and get their correct wristband before being herded into a gated area. It was very reminiscent of what cattle must feel like. Once we were in our little box with our green autograph wristbands, we waited another hour in the sweltering heat until they announced that they were going to start bag searches and get us in the building. At this point, we started hearing a LOT of screaming. We looked behind us to see BTS IN THEIR VAN DRIVING BY. I COULD ACTUALLY SEE HOSEOK AND JUNGKOOK IN THE VAN AND I THOUGHT THAT I WAS DYING. All of the Phoenix security and staff were so confused it would have been funny if I wasn't so actively distraught. To be fair, the staff at the Phoenix were awesome. Everyone I personally encountered was very nice and helpful. One lady in particular was super precious, she sang and danced and really helped move the line along without causing extra irritation. (At one point, she overheard my conversation and jokingly informed me that if all of the boys fell in love with me, it would be rude not to share.) Then, we were separated by either gold (VIP) it green (Autograph Pass) wristbands, letting all of the gold in first. Once they moved to green, we lost our killer front row spot, which was sort of lame for later on. BUT THEN WE WERE ON OUR WAY TO SEE OUR BOYS. So this part is actually a little fuzzy because I flipped my shit. I remember walking into re building and following the line, immediately hearing gasps and squeals. I entered a side room to see a long table at the other end of the room, at which point I stopped breathing. For the first time, I saw BTS up close (I'm not counting TRB Chicago because our row M seats at that concert were absolutely no comparison to the close proximity of the autograph session). It really took me by surprise how...people shaped, they were. Not that I should be shocked that they exist, but seeing them in person, not on a screen or from a distance, was very surreal. These boys, the same ones that I've followed via music video, bangtan bombs, and pictures, were suddenly three dimensional, space-occupying individuals. And then it happened. I saw Jin, and I COMPLETELY forgot everything I wanted to say and had rehearsed in my mind. I panicked. I thought I might throw up, or pass out, or some sad combination of the two. But I had to get my shit together, I was mere moments away from interacting with BTS, and I needed to make every second worthwhile. Hoseok was first in line. That was really, REALLY rough. It was hard enough being in the same room as my boys, but my first encounter would be with my ACTUAL SUNSHINE?? I could hear him talking once I was a few yards away, different variations of the phrases "Hello!" and "Thank you!" and "I'm your hope!" I get up to him already signing the poster that would become mine, and as he finished his signature, he looked up with his one of a kind smile. "Hi!" He grinned at me. Instead of falling apart like I wanted to, I managed to blurt out "THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU ARE MY HOPE YOU MAKE ME SMILE I LOVE YOU" or something similar to that. In any case, he probably didn't understand my incoherent ramblings, but he continued to nod and grin at me until I had moved on. Honestly, the rest is such a blur. The order (if I'm remembering correctly) after Hoseok was Yoongi, Jimin, Jungkook, Namjoon, Seokjin, and then Taehyung. It was my ultimate goal to say something unique to each one that applied directly to them personally. Of course in my flustered state, I'm not sure if they were able to understand anything I was saying. But, in any case, I told Yoongi that he's a fantastic rapper. I told Jimin that he's perfect and beautiful no matter what. I told Jungkook that he has a beautiful singing voice and I love him. Namjoon might have been the only one to give a competent response when I told him that I appreciate how hard he works and that I really recognize his talent. I made sure to tell Seokjin how fucking WONDERFUL he is, I told him he's an amazing dancer and he works so hard and I love him so much, which was really important to me. And then Taehyung, the moment where it gets a little sour. I'm walking past the table at an unfortunately quick speed as the staff is rushing me along the table, giving me only a second or two to spill my heart to each member. Taehyung was the last at the table, and as I walked up to him, I was immediately pulled away by a staff representative and told to move along. My plan of having a unique message was instantly ruined, my only response was to yell "TAEHYUNG YOURE SO CUUUUUTEEEE" as I was abruptly taken from the table (heaven on earth), clutching my poster with a death grip. The lady moving us along was honestly so rude, I was angry at her for the rest of the night (and still am). This is where us moving in the autograph line was unfortunate, it meant that we suddenly had dozens of people who were initially behind us suddenly crowding the stage, taking spots that we would have had. It was sort of lame, because obviously we were stuck behind some fairly tall people (at least from my short person standards). Everyone was pushing and shoving to get closer, the entire experience feeling like a hot and sticky mob. The amount of groping/being groped was unbelievable. Soon, a representative came on to remind us that NO PHOTOGRAPHY WAS ALLOWED, and said it was the request of the band (bullshit, maybe the request of TGM). Only half an hour late, the actual concert activities started with the opening act. His set was five songs, and actually not so bad. Obviously I was there for BTS, but his music was fine and he seemed to get good reception from the crowd. That was nice, I would have felt bad if everyone was apathetic to his performance just because they wanted to rush BTS onto the stage. And then. The BTS performance. *-* They only played four songs, which I knew beforehand, but it was still slightly unfortunate. They started with N.O, just like at TRB. Of course they were fucking flawless, and of course I didn't listen and got a few semi decent shots of them. After no was Dope, Boy in Luv, and I NEED U. Having already seen these numbers at TRB, there were no real surprises. The biggest surprise though was HOW CLOSE THEY WERE. Of course, I had already been close at the signing, but this was totally different. Even crushed up against countless sweaty bodies, it was magical to see BTS actually people-sized and tangible. I could see the individual hairs on their heads, the drops of sweat beading at their temples, the fine wrinkles in their clothing, the imperfections in their skin, literally everything. That alone would have been enough to kill me. After their (too short) set list, the venue made another announcement about hi touch, saying that it would be in the same room as earlier and we would be escorted soon. We wanted to get a head start so we pushed out way closer to the doors and waited anxiously. When the doors finally opened, we shuffled back into the room, where our lovely BTS boys were waiting in a line. I can't remember this part quite as well either, but I think the order was Namjoon, Seokjin, Jungkook, Taehyung, Yoongi, Hoseok, and Jimin. In any case, this part was way too fast, but I made sure to try and talk to each mber again. These were less personal, composing mostly of "Great job"s and "Thank you"s and "I love you"s. But being able to look them in the eyes and touch their hands was incredible. Most memorable was Jimin, who grabbed my hand (even though it was just supposed to be a high five) and held on tight for a moment, his small smile turning into a wide grin. He looked so genuinely happy it's still warming my heart, and I can still feel his hand on mine. In a daze, I wandered out to the lobby where they were giving out the Highlight shirts, and that's that. Compared to the other venues, I would say that this one definitely ran the smoothest. Some things still weren't organized the best, but it was significantly better than the last ones. It was inconvenient that TGM didn't actually start checking in people until nearly six hours late, but thanks to other ARMYs, we were able to keep our spirits high. Of course it was also a bit rough driving back home directly after the concert, still jittery and hype, and not getting back home until nearly three when I have to leave for school at 7:30am, but some things are worth losing sleep over, in this case an amazing opportunity to show my undying love for my bulletproof boyscouts. The experience of seeing BTS for the second time and to actually have an intimate moment with each member is one I wouldn't trade for anything in the world. Thank you again to pinkie-syub and namjoon-for-life, you helped make this one of the best days of my life. ā¤ļø
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