On June 15, 2024, WTK attended an extravagant party that celebrated 11 years of BTS and Jin’s discharge from the military. The event, dubbed the BTS Prom, was held at the 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar in Manhattan, New York City. It started at 10 p.m. and continued into the night, wrapping up at 4 a.m.
Atmosphere and Attendance
Hosted by the K-pop organization, ANPANMANIA (with its founder Madi doubling as the party’s DJ), the BTS Prom was a night to remember! The event was primarily attended by ARMY from New York and surrounding cities, but fans from out-of-town areas such as Boston also joined in the festivities. Despite its grand setting, the event felt intimate as many fans knew each other, making it a cozy place for a reunion.
Dress Code and Attire
While dressing up was optional, many attendees came dressed to impress in suits and stunning dresses, some of which were custom-made for the occasion. One thing to note was the age range of most attendees. Many young adults missed out on their proms due to the COVID-19 pandemic, making this event even more special. Their shared love for BTS added a unique and touching element to the celebration.
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Highlights and Ambiance
The party atmosphere was vibrant, with fans in high spirits. One kind ARMY attendee was randomly handing out monochrome photo cards of BTS members.
The event space itself was gorgeous, featuring lighting that swirled and cycled through the colors of the rainbow, cushy plush chairs with tables, decorative bubble sculptures hanging from the ceiling, and large windows offering stunning views of the Manhattan skyline and busy streets below. The club’s staff were professional and collaborated seamlessly with the ANPANMANIA organizers.
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Entertainment and Activities
The venue boasted a bar overflowing with drinks and large-screen TVs playing BTS music videos and fan-made movies. Fans enthusiastically sang along to their favorite BTS songs and waved their ARMY Bomb light sticks, creating a lively and interactive atmosphere.
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A few words from Madi
WTK had the chance to speak briefly with Madi, the owner of ANPANMANIA. She shared insights about the event and the mission statement of her group. Madi started ANPANMANIA several years ago as a hobby, and her passion has since grown into a business that hosts parties and events nationwide. She expressed her gratitude to those who believed in her vision and helped her achieve success.
“We are dedicated to the mission of helping every K-pop fan meet one person that just gets them. No questions asked. What I thought would be one week of just helping K-pop fans make friends has turned into two and a half years of bringing thousands and thousands of K-pop fans together across the nation. I hope that this can continue, so that we can bring this worldwide. I hope that through our events, like BTS Prom tonight here in New York City at 230 Fifth Rooftop, we can encourage others to continue to support fan-owned and fan-created businesses. Because truly, we are the ones that drive the success of our artists.”
-Madi, ANPANMANIA
ANPANMANIA’s has one more event planned for June. After their successful June 25th virtual fitness class entitled “Bulletproof Fitness,” June 29th will be “BTS Club Night” in Washington, D.C.
Madi hopes to welcome more K-pop fans to join her journey. You can follow her organization on Instagram for updates on future events!
Did you attend the BTS Prom in NYC? Let us know your thoughts by tweeting to us @whatthekpop1 or leaving us a comment on Facebook and Instagram!
ANN was introduced to Kpop and became a Baby in 2015. She grew up with Japanese and Korean culture being a huge part of their life starting from just four years old! In addition to forever loving B.A.P, she also has respect and admiration for other groups and artists in the industry; too many to name! When not indulging in a cozy nap, she is busy daydreaming, checking out interesting cafes, and staying up to date with current events.
MEDIA: Amanda Moses for WTK, ANPANMANIA, 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar NYC, hypegirlmadi (Instagram).