"Excitement has been building in the Bay Area for the return of BTS. There was a long line outside Oakland Arena the first time the K-pop band performed in the Bay Area back in 2018. Lines were long, once again, for fans on Friday who were trying to get their hands on limited-edition merchandise. We talked with people in line and found those who waited up all night for things to open up."
"“We drove yesterday morning from L.A. Came straight here. Checked everything out. got something to eat. And came back,” said Marta Lopez from Los Angeles. Marta and Mario Lopez had been in line since 6 p.m. on Thursday. “We planned this. We were here last Sunday. We scoped everything out. We saw the tents. So, we knew exactly where things were. We did some research,” said Mario Lopez."
"And they brought money to spend, including hotel and travel expenses. The two expect to spend around $4,000 for the whole concert experience. “I think we are going to be about $1,500,” Mario Lopez said about how much they were going to spend on merchandise. Three loops around the track made up the line. Hundreds were hoping to at least get something, but were also trying to enjoy the experience."
"“Everyone is BTS ARMY. A couple of freebies being passed out. And these are just fans making stuff at home and passing out to everybody who is here in line,” said Kristy Balancio from Union City. That doesn't mean these fans aren't competitive. Most were line for one thing that they can only get here -- which may run out. “I want the jersey. The city jersey,” said Mia Hui from San Jose."
BTS performs the first of three nights at Stanford Stadium, with excitement building across the Bay Area. Fans previously formed long lines when the group performed locally in 2018, and similar demand returned for limited-edition merchandise. People waited since Thursday evening to shop, including travelers from Los Angeles who planned their trip around the venue and merchandise tents. Some fans expected to spend thousands of dollars total, with merchandise purchases alone reaching around $1,500. Fans shared freebies and community items while waiting, and many competed for items that may sell out. Location-specific jerseys were a major goal, including options with a favorite member’s name on the back.
Read at ABC7 San Francisco
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