Fans of K-pop sensation BTS on June 13 take photos at the trophy zone of the 2025 BTS Festa, which marks the 12th anniversary of the boy band's debut, at Halls 9 and 10 of Exhibition Center 2 at the Korea International Exhibition Center, aka KINTEX, in Goyang, Gyeonggi-do Province. (Xi Aiying)

By Xu Aiying

The 2025 BTS Festa, which commemorated the 12th anniversary of the debut of K-pop sensation BTS, on June 13 ended amid a huge response from the group's legions of fans.

This year's event held more meaning as it coincided with the completion of mandatory military service by all seven BTS members.

A Korea.net writer on June 13 covered the event at Halls 9 and 10 of Exhibition Center 2 at the Korea International Exhibition Center, aka KINTEX, in Goyang, Gyeonggi-do Province. Fans of all nationalities, ethnicities and races from all over the world gathered to pay homage to the group, speaking their countries' languages and holding their national flags.

From early morning, long lines of BTS fans formed lines that seemed to have no end. They took part in programs with props colored in the symbolic BTS color of purple, warmly greeted each other as members of Army, the global fan community of the group, and when their idol's music blared, they all cheered as if at a concert.

BTS fans from all over the world on June 13 gather for the 2025 BTS Festa, which marks the 12th anniversary of the group's debut, at Halls 9 and 10 of Exhibition Center 2 at the Korea International Exhibition Center, aka KINTEX, in Goyang, Gyeonggi-do Province. (Xu Aiying)

"I came to Korea to celebrate the full return of BTS members," Nefeli Sibley from Greece said. "Given their long hiatus, I hope that they now make music they love, and we Army members are always ready to cheer them on."

"I came to Korea to enjoy both the festa and J-Hope's encore concert (Hope on the Final Stage)," Ryan Campbell from the U.S. added. "As today marks BTS' anniversary, I'm really looking forward to what special events the concert has."

BTS members Jin and Jung Kook (left and right in top photo) on June 13 make a surprise appearance at "Hope on the Final Stage," an encore concert hosted by fellow member J-Hope (center), at Goyang Sports Complex in Goyang, Gyeonggi-do Province. The four other group members -- V, RM, Suga and Jimin (from left to right) -- are shown in the lower photo on two video screens on stage sitting with the audience as members of Army, the boy band's global fan community.

As Campbell anticipated, the highlight of the event was when all seven BTS members appeared on stage at Goyang Sports Complex, an unforgettable gift for the group's fans. Jin and Jung Kook made a surprise appearance on stage, and the other four members -- Suga, RM, Jimin and V -- watched the performance along with Army.

J-Hope pledged the full-fledged return of the group, saying, "It's time for all our members to return after finishing their military service. We have so much to show you. We'll prepare hard to present everything, so please look forward to it. Let's give our members a big round of applause. We've worked hard!"

Jung Kook, who was discharged from the military three days earlier, said with emotion, "I missed you all so much and am so glad to be able to perform in front of you after such a long time."

Jin and J-Hope were discharged from the military last year, followed by RM and V on June 10 this year, and Jimin and Jung Kook on June 11. After Suga finishes his duty on June 21, all seven members will be ready to resume their careers in K-pop.

The headquarters of BTS' management agency Hybe in Seoul's Yongsan-gu District from June 10 displayed on its building the official logos of the group and Army, the global fan community of the boy band, along with the phrase "We are back" as part of the 2025 BTS Festa. (Xu Aiying)