Through His Tour, BTS’s j-hope Shows How ARMY is A Diverse Fandom, Not Separated by Age, Gender, Race or Language

Through his tour, j-hope has beautifully showcased that ARMY is the most diverse and united fandom in the world. No matter which city he performed, from Seoul, Brooklyn, Chicago, Mexico City, San Antonio, Oakland or Los Angeles, ARMY was diverse.  No matter where he performed, the crowds reflected a vibrant spectrum of people, fans of all ages, genders, ethnicities, religions, and nationalities, all coming together for one shared love: BTS. From massive arenas to outdoor festivals, j-hope’s stage lit up not only with his unmatched energy but with the voices of fans singing in perfect harmony, often in a language not their own, proving that music truly transcends all boundaries.

What stood out most was how j-hope embraced this diversity, constantly acknowledging the power and beauty of ARMY’s unity. He didn’t just perform; he connected, whether through heartfelt ending ments, fan interactions, or simply the way he looked out into the crowd with pride. Each city added its own flavor, and yet, the sense of togetherness remained the same. Fans from every corner of the world showed up, waving lightsticks and sharing tears, laughter, and unforgettable moments under one sky.

j-hope got off the stage and ran across those fans at the barricade reaching out his hand to touch ARMYs hands and then would stop at a random fan hold their hand, interact with them before starting his song = (Equal Sign) These moments have shown the diversity of ARMYs, from little kids, to guys, to older ARMY, etc, the diversity is truly beautiful.

When you think of music fandoms, most conjure images of screaming fans at concerts, fan projects, or social media trends. But BTS’s fandom, ARMY, is a phenomenon in itself—beyond fan culture, beyond music charts, and far beyond fleeting trends. ARMY is a global, multifaceted force made up of millions across every continent. They are unified by their love for BTS. However, they are driven by a shared sense of purpose, community, and global citizenship. Through their collective efforts, ARMY has proven that fandom can be a catalyst for change, a voice for the voiceless, and a living testament to the beauty of diversity.

A Fandom Without Borders

From the start, BTS’s message of self-love, mental health awareness, and societal reflection resonated across cultures. It was never confined by language or borders. Likewise, ARMY blossomed not in one place but everywhere. One could attend a BTS concert in Los Angeles and find fans from Brazil, South Korea, Egypt, France, and India all in the same crowd. j-hope’s tour, particularly his solo world tour debut and his groundbreaking performances at his ‘Hope On Stage Tour’, underscored this diversity. The crowd, full of flags, posters in different scripts, and people singing Korean lyrics from all walks of life, was a celebration of unity. And this wasn’t a one-off. Every tour, every concert, every fan meet shows the same thing—ARMY isn’t just one type of person. It’s everyone.

Age has never been a barrier. ARMY is made up of teenagers discovering BTS for the first time and grandparents who connect to their messages of resilience and hope. Gender identity and sexual orientation are embraced rather than questioned. People from various religious and cultural backgrounds gather side-by-side in peaceful celebration. The fandom has created spaces online and offline where acceptance is not just encouraged but expected. It’s a place where you can come as you are, and be embraced.

Multilingual and Multicultural

ARMY’s linguistic power is unmatched. While BTS primarily sings in Korean, their fans span every language group on Earth. This didn’t stop the fandom from memorizing entire Korean lyrics, researching Korean culture, or even learning the language. Many ARMYs have picked up Hangul (the Korean alphabet), joined language classes, or created resources to help others understand BTS’s content. Fan translators have formed entire sub-communities, tirelessly working to make sure every fan, regardless of their mother tongue, can connect with the boys’ words. Whether it’s live streams, Weverse posts, or interviews, ARMY ensures no one is left behind.

This deep cultural respect has fostered an environment of learning and appreciation, not appropriation. BTS often shares aspects of Korean heritage, traditions, and social issues, and ARMY listens, learns, and amplifies. In return, BTS also acknowledges and embraces the diversity of their fanbase. They’ve spoken at the UN, stood up against racism, and always expressed gratitude for their global listeners. This mutual respect has helped create a truly international dialogue, where fans don’t just support a band but grow as global citizens.

A Catalyst for Social Change

Perhaps the most awe-inspiring aspect of ARMY is their commitment to using their collective power for good. Over the years, ARMY has organized and contributed to countless charitable campaigns, many in the name of BTS, and many completely fan-led.

In 2020, BTS and BigHit Entertainment (now HYBE) donated $1 million to the Black Lives Matter movement following the murder of George Floyd. In less than 24 hours, ARMY matched that donation with their own $1 million contribution through the #MatchAMillion campaign. This wasn’t organized by a celebrity or influencer, just fans, working together across time zones, united in purpose.

And that’s just the beginning. ARMY has supported LGBTQ+ rights, environmental initiatives, educational scholarships, disaster relief efforts, and so much more. Organizations like One In An ARMY, a fan-led philanthropic collective, regularly coordinate monthly campaigns in line with BTS’s values, encouraging fans to donate, volunteer, and uplift marginalized communities. ARMYs have planted forests in BTS’s name, built schools or hospitals, and contributed to COVID-19 relief efforts across continents.

This is what sets ARMY apart: the desire not just to support their idols, but to embody their message. The love they receive from BTS isn’t taken for granted—it’s passed on.

Shaping the Internet

ARMY’s influence online is legendary. They dominate social media platforms like Twitter (now X), TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. BTS-related hashtags trend globally, often without promotional pushes, simply through organic conversation and excitement. But this digital presence isn’t limited to fanfare. ARMY has also used its massive reach to counter misinformation, support social justice, and amplify critical causes.

For example, ARMY together with other K-pop fandoms famously hijacked racist hashtags like #WhiteLivesMatter and turned them into feeds of BTS fancams, effectively drowning out hate. They’ve taken over comments sections, flooded poll results, and even reserved thousands of seats at political rallies, most notably during a Trump rally in Tulsa in 2020, only to leave them empty in protest.

ARMY’s coordination is unmatched, and they’ve proven time and again that when organized, they can shift narratives, break down prejudices, and uplift marginalized voices. Their ability to navigate the digital landscape with such precision and compassion makes them one of the most impactful online communities to ever exist.

The Personal and the Profound

While ARMY’s large-scale actions are incredible, the individual stories are just as powerful. For many fans, BTS and the community they found through ARMY saved their lives. From struggling with depression, anxiety, and loneliness, to coping with grief, abuse, or identity crises, fans consistently credit BTS and ARMY with giving them strength and reminding them of their worth.

Fan letters often speak of how BTS’s words helped them hold on for another day. Of how being part of ARMY gave them friends they never had. Of how j-hope’s laughter, Yoongi’s honesty, Namjoon’s introspection, Jimin’s compassion, Taehyung’s artistry, Jin’s humor, and Jungkook’s energy became lights in their darkest moments. The ARMY community itself is deeply nurturing, fans often support each other emotionally, financially, and mentally.

There are Discord servers where people check in on each other daily. Instagram accounts dedicated to fan mental health. Twitter threads that offer support during times of distress. ARMY isn’t just a fandom, it’s a support system.

Rewriting the Narrative of Fandom

Historically, fandoms, especially those dominated by women and young people, have been dismissed or belittled. They’ve been labeled as hysterical, obsessive, or irrational. ARMY, with its strong presence of women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and youth, has faced similar scrutiny. But they’ve also rewritten the narrative.

ARMY has proven that fandom is not trivial. It’s not just screaming or streaming, it’s organizing, healing, advocating, and creating. ARMY has written op-eds in major publications, translated scholarly texts, organized voter registration drives, and held cultural exchange programs. The fandom is made up of doctors, teachers, engineers, artists, students, parents, activists, all contributing in their own way.

In being unapologetically passionate, informed, and compassionate, ARMY has challenged stereotypes and demanded respect. They’ve carved out a space where fan culture is no longer dismissed but celebrated as a powerful force.

As BTS members pursue individual projects and complete their military service, the strength of ARMY has remained unwavering. They continue to break records for solo releases, raise funds, and support each member as fiercely as ever. And as BTS always reminds fans, this is not the end, just a chapter.

The bond between BTS and ARMY is unlike any other. It is built on trust, mutual respect, shared growth, and a love that transcends the usual bounds of artist and fan. It’s no wonder the world continues to take notice, not just of BTS’s incredible talent, but of the unstoppable force that is ARMY.

ARMY is more than a fandom. It is a global movement rooted in love, compassion, and action. It reflects the world not as it is, but as it could be, diverse, united, and driven by kindness. From making a difference online and offline, to being a source of healing and hope, ARMY continues to prove that music can spark revolutions, and fandoms can change the world. Through every like, stream, protest, and donation, they show that being a fan isn’t passive, it’s powerful. And ARMY? ARMY is the heart of it all.

Through his tour, j-hope has proven that ARMY is the most diverse fandom in the world—a vibrant, united force that defies all boundaries. From city to city, stage to stage, fans of every age, gender, race, religion, and nationality filled venues with love and energy that transcended language. Whether it was a teenager singing along to Korean lyrics in Oakland or a grandmother waving her ARMY Bomb in Los Angeles, j-hope’s performances brought people together in ways few artists ever have. The connection between him and ARMY wasn’t just built on music, it was built on mutual respect, shared emotions, and an understanding that being part of this fandom means being part of something much bigger: a global family where everyone belongs, exactly as they are. j-hope will be performing a total of 31 shows spread across 15 cities and will conclude on June 1 during his ‘Hope On The Stage’ tour.