“It felt like becoming movie stars”
BTS (Jungkook, Jin, Jimin, RM, J-Hope, Suga) experienced something truly unique during their Tokyo Dome concerts on the 17th and 18th. The atmosphere at the Japan leg of their ‘Arirang World Tour’ became a global sensation among ARMYs, not just for its spectacular stage production, but for an unfamiliar yet incredibly impressive audience culture observed in Japan, unlike any other country.
Japanese fans, who packed the concert hall, held Army Bombs (light sticks) and fan posters in their hands, rather than smartphones. It was remarkably rare to find fans holding up cameras to film the stage. According to Sports Keeda, a Hallyu-specialized media outlet, when this particular scene was broadcast worldwide via livestream, social media platforms were flooded with comments like, “This is how you truly experience a concert.”
Following the performance, RM conveyed special thanks to the Japanese fans. He remarked, “These days, everyone is constantly on their phones for everything. But today, you watched us directly with your own eyes, not through smartphones. It was truly wonderful. For these two hours, it felt like you transformed us into movie stars.” RM’s heartfelt statement quickly became a trending topic among fans.
The reaction from Japanese ARMYs was equally passionate. User @bts7forever07 stated, “Japanese ARMYs gave the BTS members the best audience experience. Everyone had a happy and unforgettable moment,” while @stateofgrace_95 commented, “This is exactly what BTS meant when they asked us to put down our phones and just enjoy together.”
Japanese Copyright Law Prohibits Filming: Shaping Concert Culture
The prohibition of filming at Japanese concert venues stems from both cultural background and stringent legal reasons. Japan enforces strict copyright laws concerning performance videos, which do not permit audience members to record fancams and distribute them on social media. Security personnel within venues actively work to prevent any filming activities.
Some fans, however, expressed a sense of regret. @koolietjeon lamented, “On the other hand, it’s a shame we couldn’t get fancams of the random play dance segments. Those were some of the best moments, like ‘I Need U,’ ‘Spring Day,’ and ‘DNA.'” While there’s no single definitive answer on which approach is superior, the unique scene at Tokyo Dome has undeniably sparked a new conversation about ideal concert-going culture.
After successfully concluding their two performances in Tokyo, BTS is now set to kick off their North American tour in Tampa, USA, starting on the 25th.
