Two Years In. A Lifetime of Moments.
When ARMY Project 529 began, our goal was simple: Don’t Bangtan alone.
What we didn’t fully realize was how quickly that intention would turn into something bigger. To something deeply human, deeply emotional, and home for so many people.
Over the last few years, AP529 has become a place where:
Baby ARMY found their footing and learned all about the history of BTS and ARMY
Longtime ARMY finally found their people
Strangers became roommates, travel buddies, seatmates at concerts, chosen family, etc.
Joy and grief were both welcomed without explanation
This year, we watched content together. We screamed together. We cried together.
We not only waited out the enlistment days and cursed black-hat cameramen, we also celebrated personal milestones, shared hospital updates, held space for each other when life was heavy, and rejoiced in each others’ successes.
When the world felt overwhelming, we logged into Discord… and felt okay again. And when the members FINALLY returned, we celebrated! Boy, did we celebrate!
What We Built Together
In the past year alone, AP529 has been:
Weekly watch parties that turned BTS content into connection.
Livestreams across time zones, including European mornings and U.S. nights.
“Screaming” Lounges for concerts, lives, Festa, and discharges.
Holiday card exchanges that turned names into real addresses and real care.
Book Club discussions that deepened our understanding of the members and each other.
Magic Shop hangouts that were therapy in a streaming lounge.
KDrama watch parties that helped us escape the real world and swoon over clichéd rom-coms.
In-person meetups in Kansas City, Chicago, London, Amsterdam, LA, Dallas, NYC, and beyond.
A safe space for older ARMY, shy ARMY, healing ARMY, loud ARMY, feral ARMY, and any ARMY looking for community.
It’s where someone joined “just to lurk”… and ended up finding their tribe.
Where many of us went to our first concert not alone.
Where our banners made it onto concert screens—and our hotel rooms exploded with screams.
Where a single TikTok about chickens turned into a global community. And yes, where pizza once got delivered to the wrong hotel a month later and somehow became legendary.
What You Told Us
“I was trying to resist BTS… but then I found reasonable adults who just wanted to make fandom better.”
“I have never felt so at home with a group of strangers before.”
“This community carried me through cancer.”
“I came alone, nervous, and walked into a hotel lobby full of family.”
“For the first time, I didn’t have to Bangtan alone.”
“KC solidified it—this is my tribe.”
“I can come in any mood and know I’ll be accepted arms wide open.”
“This project gave me my purpose back.”
“It’s made my journey into ARMY that much more enjoyable.”
“I feel connected. I feel confident. I feel home.”
Every quote, every story, every laugh-until-you-can’t-breathe moment… that’s the project.
Not a platform. Not a schedule. Not an algorithm. Not a cult… although, there have been accusations… 😉 Just a community who wants everyone, no matter who they are or where they come from, to feel safe and welcomed to love and celebrate BTS.
Looking Ahead to 2026
If the last two years were about surviving the wait… 2026 is about living the comeback together.
A new album. A tour. New memories waiting to be made. More “screaming” lounges. More hotel rooms full of laughter. More banners, watch parties, trips, tears, joy, and “remember when…” moments.
We’re not going anywhere. And neither are you. Thank you for showing up. For trusting this space. For loving Bangtan loudly and honestly. For choosing community over isolation.
Here’s to everything we’ve built. And to everything still ahead!
