BTS’s first event in Brazil took place on August 1, 2014, when the group had been active for about a year. The seven members were still little known locally, but their fan meeting in São Paulo drew around 1,500 people. Isabela N., now 29 and a teacher, attended after following the group since its 2013 debut.

Isabela says getting a ticket was straightforward; sales did not sell out until several days later. She arrived at the Via Marquês venue at 9:45 a.m. and received queue number 578. The atmosphere outside was calm enough for her and a friend to pass the time at a cinema and a bookstore. Entry followed the numbered order, she recalls, but the crowd became much more intense inside.

She was initially close to the stage but moved away because it was difficult to breathe. Isabela describes constant pushing and says some people fainted, while others stumbled over bags and coats on the floor.

The event was a fan meeting, combining live performances with activities involving the audience. BTS performed songs including “No More Dream,” “We Are Bulletproof,” “Just One Day,” “N.O.,” “Jump” and “Boy in Luv,” from its first two EPs. Between songs, the members played games hosted by a presenter and translated into Portuguese. Jimin won a quiz about Brazil.

Fans sang along in Korean and held up plastic roses during “Just One Day.” Seven boxes at the entrance were set out for gifts to the members. The group appeared surprised by the turnout. “We’ve only been active for a year; we thought nobody would come to the fan meeting, so we’re shocked by how many fans came today,” RM said at the time, according to Isabela.

One of the games brought about five fans onto the stage to play with the members, a detail Isabela says still surprises her. In one activity, fans made a beat on the spot while rappers Suga, RM and J-Hope improvised. One participant received a bouquet and an autographed shirt. Isabela recalls that fans were told not to hug the performers or pull at their clothes. The event lasted about an hour and a half, followed by a “hi-touch” session for VIP ticket holders.

BTS returned to Brazil the following year with its “The Red Bullet” tour, attracting around 6,000 people. In 2017, the group sold out 14,000 tickets across two dates. By 2019, it was better known in the West and filled two stadiums. Fans are now waiting for another return, the report says.

Sources: Folha Ilustrada.