In a unique blend of faith and fandom, Taiwanese fans of the globally popular K-pop band BTS are turning to Yue Lao, the Taoist god of love and marriage, to help them secure tickets for the band’s upcoming concerts. The shows are scheduled to take place in the southern city of Kaohsiung this November, marking the band’s return to Taiwan since their last performance in 2018.
Faith and Fandom Intersect
With BTS concerts known for selling out rapidly, fans are exploring all avenues to ensure they can attend. Many have taken to visiting Taipei’s Bangka Longshan Temple, where they offer prayers to Yue Lao. This practice, which started gaining traction on social media a few years ago, involves setting up altars with snacks in purple packaging—the official BTS color—alongside group merchandise and concert seat maps.
Jessie Chuang, a 26-year-old fan, explained, “It’s really hard to get tickets for BTS concerts, so everyone says praying to the God of Love is the most efficient. After all, it’s another kind of matchmaking.” This sentiment is echoed by university student Ye Yu-ting, who believes that if one truly believes in the power of Yue Lao, their wish will come true.
A Cultural Phenomenon
The phenomenon highlights the intersection of cultural traditions and modern fandom. The belief in Yue Lao’s ability to connect people through his red thread of fate is traditionally associated with love and marriage. However, fans are creatively applying this concept to their quest for concert tickets, viewing it as a form of divine matchmaking between them and the coveted seats.
BTS announced their much-anticipated world tour earlier this year, with the Kaohsiung concerts set for November 19, 21, and 22. The excitement surrounding these events is palpable, as fans eagerly await the chance to see all members perform live once again.
This unique blend of faith and pop culture underscores the lengths to which fans will go to connect with their favorite artists, demonstrating the deep cultural and emotional ties that music can foster.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
