BTS ARMY’s latest bias: Drool over the band’s latest red carpet walk

As the year draws to an end, K-pop fans know it’s time for the Korean year-end award shows & holiday specials. This year is no different except that it is – even with added social distancing measures and the absence of an in-person audience, the show still went on!

Held at the KBS Hall in Seoul, South Korea, the 2020 KBS Song Festival, Gayo Daechukje, took place on December 18th. The star-studded event couldn’t go on without the biggest band on the planet, BTS. 

Before the BTS members walked the red carpet, ARMY caught a glimpse of the band arriving at the venue. While some of the members were already dressed for the show, most of them were still half-ready, huddled in their puffy jackets due to the zero-degree weather on the day. 

Photographed by the K-media, pictures of Jungkook, Jimin, V, RM, V, and Jin circulated around Twitter creating a buzz before the real event had even started. Band member Suga had not attended the event, as his recovery hiatus after undergoing shoulder surgery last month is still ongoing. 

Red carpet looks

Arriving first on the KBS Song Festival’s red carpet, BTS emphasized that punctuality is hotter than any fashionable look they’ve ever worn. (It might also have to do with a tight superstar schedule.)

Nonetheless, the BTS members looked exquisite clad head to toe in Alexander McQueen’s AW20 collection. Each of the six looks was designed by Sarah Burton, the brand’s creative director since McQueen’s passing in 2010. 

Some of the outer layers had distinct color-blocking patterns that refreshed the traditional style of formal attire. The subtle color palette of the collection included black, white, and dark beige tones. In addition, hints of leather details were incorporated into the attire, like J-Hope’s leather belt & cross-body sash accentuating his upper bodyline. 

However, leader RM stood out with his calf-skimming leather trench coat. Jin & V looked dapper, matching in their two-toned (black & grey) overcoat & suit jacket, respectively. Jimin wore a striking beige trench with a cinched waist. And lastly, Jungkook went classic with his bolero-style suit jacket.

Main event

The winter song festival had an impressive lineup of K-pop idols and special collaborative performances. After all, the show had to satisfy the K-pop fans in and around the world. The show was live-streamed via KBS World YouTube channel and broadcasted locally on the KBS TV channel.

BTS put on a nostalgic yet beautiful three-song performance at the show. The first song on the BTS setlist was the band’s 2015 track “I Need U” from The Most Beautiful Moment in Life Pt. 1. The group went back to their roots on this one and presented a redolent performance with new energy; debut era ARMY loved this throwback.

The performance continued with a melancholic mood as the BTS boys sang their hearts out on the latest title track “Life Goes On” from the new album BE and ended the performance on a positive note with “Dynamite”. The Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper was sung along dazzling retro dance moves bringing in a delightful climax to the BTS performance.

Special tribute 

Every year, junior (hoobae) K-pop groups present a cover song of their favorite senior (sunbae) groups as a tribute. In the 2020 KBS Song Festival, Stray Kids did a sensational cover of BTS’s “Dionysus” – in all its Greek-god glory – followed by a five-star Michelin performance of their own song “God’s Menu”.

We wonder if BTS caught the electrifying cover performance of “Dionysus” by their hoobae (junior) group at the show. 

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With not more than a week left to 2021, many more K-pop special events await us and we look forward to them. Don’t worry, we’ll keep you posted!