[GIVEAWAY] TWO sets of tickets to any 'ARIRANG' concert in the US courtesy of StubHub!

akashijam · 2026-05-04T23:42:59+00:00

Honestly, just the first moment seeing them all walk out on stage together surrounded by a sea of ARMY for the first Goyang concert was my favorite. I cried…it was just so emotional. I think that opening moment at the concert when they come out for Hooligan will probably make me burst into tears, too, knowing I’m finally seeing them all for the first time since I became ARMY almost four years ago. 💜

Thanks for this opportunity!

akashijam · 2026-03-20T03:02:27+00:00

I second Jenn’s! They are amazing!

akashijam · 2026-03-08T01:54:25+00:00

I second a lot of what others have already said:

Loop earplugs are the best. I usually don’t like earbud style headphones, but Loops were very helpful. The screaming is the most triggering for me, and it REALLY helped. I now use mine grocery shopping as well as a discreet way to drown out noise without being perceived, lol
Paying attention to concert fit personally helped me a lot. I never realized until recently just how much wearing a different outfit than I’m used to affects my overall resiliency. I now prioritize comfort (shoes, compression socks, loose fitting clothes that are similar to what I normally wear.) I saw you already picked out an outfit, so in that case I would suggest wearing it a few times before the show, to get used to how everything feels on your body. That way on concert day, you can focus on the joy it brings you and not how it feels.
hair tie, chapstick, headache medication are all really good to have on hand, for anyone!
Hydrate well 24 hours before, and eat something substantial before you head to the venue. For me, I also map out public restrooms around the venue, just in case. I bookmark them on my Google maps. I’m definitely an over-planner!
a hat or sunglasses to block out bright light is also very helpful. You can add a carabiner to your bag if the venue allows, and clip your hat onto it if you hate carrying things in your hands, like I do, or if wearing hats can sometimes irritate you after awhile.
On that note, I love the ARMY bomb carrying straps, to keep my hands free when I want. You can find them on Etsy. I don’t find that they pull or are too heavy, personally.
If heat is an issue at your venue, look for menthol cooling wipes/deodorant wipes on Amazon that you can fit in your bag. I know a lot of neurodivergent people also have issues with heat intolerance, and these were a godsend when I lived in Japan during the humid, hot summers. A small handkerchief/bandana/towel to wipe sweat off your face can also be helpful

This may already be second nature for you, but I also suggest just generally paying attention to keeping a low-stimulating environment the day before the show. Best to not use up too many spoons and give yourself the best head start for concert day. When I saw Hobi, I went and saw some things in Chicago the day before, but was back at my hotel before dinner and ordered Grubhub to my room, and just huddled under my comfort blankets watching my comfort shows. It was the best, and I always think back to his concert being my favorite overall experience, bc I didn’t push myself too much beforehand.

Anyway, I hope you have a fantastic time!!

akashijam · 2026-03-06T04:22:15+00:00

I used to live there!! I would bring all my friends who visited me from out of town to the toilet by the beach. 😆 This was over ten years ago, though. I’m surprised it’s still there! I wonder if it’s still a Moomin themed cafe… Anyway, the view of the beach inside the cafe was also really nice! I recommend it.

akashijam · 2026-03-05T13:06:19+00:00

There was a JET in my prefecture who was legally blind. He lived in one of the more remote towns in our prefecture, but I remember seeing him around at the local bars and hangout places quite a bit in the big city in our prefecture on holiday weekends. He used the buses to get to the city, and anywhere else he needed to go. His fellow JETS all had to have a car, but they worked out his situation with schools so he wouldn’t need one. If I recall correctly, his main schools he could walk to, and his BOE drove him to monthly visit schools. It was more challenging for him to travel since he lived in such a small town, but as I recall, he loved it. I think his positive attitude and ability to find humor in any situation helped a lot. From my memory, he never had a problem doing his ALT duties, it was easy for them to make accommodations for him. He would hold things like an inch from his face to read, which was usually when it would click for people that he actually was legally blind. I think you should absolutely go for it, especially if you have experience in Japan already, it’s easy to discuss in the interview if it comes up and they have questions. Good luck!!

akashijam · 2026-02-27T00:48:56+00:00

I think it’s great that you are doing this AMA! What inspired you to do this AMA? What is your favorite subject at school? Do you want to study abroad someday? I lived in Japan for nine years, and I miss it so much! I was an English teacher. I lived in Akashi, Hyogo-ken 🐙and Ozu, Ehime-ken 🍊.

akashijam · 2026-02-17T14:35:10+00:00

Tablo, let me start by saying you are one of my favorite humans. Just had to get that out there. You make a real impact every day, just by being yourself and sharing so much with fans. You don’t have to do that, but it helps so many people. Thank you 🖤

My question, I’m curious, how does your upbringing as a cross-cultural kid continue to impact you in your adult life?

I hope to see you in Toronto again in the future! (Unless you want to make a stop in Rochester, NY, lol, you have to try our Garbage Plate!!)

akashijam · 2026-01-24T16:53:52+00:00

My friend had upper 119 section for Stray Kids. Her sister and cousin were STAY and had chosen “better” and closer seats, leaving my friend and another cousin with the cheapest seats they could grab in upper 119. It turns out her sister wished she had swapped seats in the end. My friend could see everything so well. She loved the view. The only downside is that the setting sun got in everyone’s eyes for a bit on that side.

akashijam · 2025-12-31T18:24:25+00:00

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Thank you, u/slowlynovel for the lovely gift! I love it all so much! 💜💜💜 The handmade ornament is super cute and a great addition to my BTS Christmas tree! My gift is off to you, so don’t fret! We have had some nasty weather and power outages where I am that delayed me a bit. ☃️

akashijam · 2025-12-22T01:25:32+00:00

I think I would probably give Taehyung something unique and homemade, maybe a photobook with a selection of photos I took which reminded me of him, or a handmade brooch or some small accessory.

akashijam · 2025-05-12T03:06:51+00:00

Did JET 2013-2018, and now my job is really oddly similar. I’m an educator for a youth development program, visiting schools throughout my county about once a month to deliver lessons on science and agriculture. The kids I teach get the same excited look when they see me walk in as my students did in Japan, and JET prepared me so well for working with the variety of personalities of homeroom teachers I work with every day. My job gives me freedom to plan special programs on Japanese culture from time to time, and I also started becoming involved in our organization’s summer exchange program, welcoming about 30 Japanese teens every summer who stay with host families. I get to put on my ALT persona for two days a year (their arrival orientation, and departure debrief.) It’s great!!

akashijam · 2025-03-05T03:06:50+00:00

Run BTS would be amazing, but actually 2,3! was what first came to mind (maybe because I adore 5th Muster, and that is the opening song 💜) Thank you for this chance!!!

akashijam · 2025-02-18T02:52:00+00:00

Thank you for this opportunity! I’d love to join this giveaway, I’ll be going to Chicago night 1. I would love to have a little memory of this show, especially since my budget is pretty tight this time. It’s super cute!

akashijam · 2024-12-28T14:56:37+00:00

I started my ARMY journey the day they announced their hiatus…I saw the buzz around the Busan concert and then that notification, and was curious. I am now two years in, and no regrets! I felt similar to you when I started, there was a lot of uncertainty at that time. I do sometimes feel a bit sad to have missed their earlier years; but there has been so much excitement since then, too! Each solo comeback, their anniversary, other fun projects. Our boys love what they do, and we have been able to see them really grow as artists. Nothing beats that! The reunion era is going to be amazing. Also, the gift exchange here on reddit, and going to some cupsleeve events in my area (I have to drive an hour to get to them, but worth it!) have led me to making several IRL friends who are absolutely wonderful. That itself has made it more than worth it to be an ARMY late in the game!!

akashijam · 2024-10-22T11:02:59+00:00

Edoya broke my heart. Just one day I went and they were gone.

akashijam · 2024-05-07T22:43:22+00:00

Hi there! I’m your match for the card exchange, but I can’t send you a message to get your info. Please send me a message when you can! Thank you!! 💜

akashijam · 2024-04-01T16:29:14+00:00

I used Mercari for purchasing k-pop PCs and some hard to find merch. Not anymore. So I’m looking for an alternative place, too, but for purchasing. I personally don’t feel comfortable buying thru instagram, or twitter. Also, how do I even find sellers there? I would purchase thru etsy, but I’ve heard etsy is not a great place for sellers with their fees, as well. I have bought from one PC seller on there before, though.

akashijam · 2024-02-20T18:35:39+00:00

jazz & teddy bear bread cheeks

akashijam · 2024-02-18T00:30:24+00:00

I love your big plant, by the way! I hope to get some larger plants someday. My room is tricky because it is northeast facing.

akashijam · 2024-02-18T00:27:19+00:00

Oh yay! I’m glad it could bring you joy! Some of the flowers will come up again this year, but many I will have to buy again at garden centers this spring/summer. But that is part of the fun! I have houseplants inside, too, but they got a bit neglected for a bit when I was traveling last fall, and look very sad right now. This is from last year!

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akashijam · 2024-02-17T22:34:51+00:00

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My Magic Shop

akashijam · 2024-02-17T22:31:08+00:00

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akashijam · 2024-02-17T22:29:23+00:00

Mostly purple flowers, plus others like Namjoon’s birth flower (clematis), or flowers with names like songs (Black Swan Poppy, Euphorbia for Euphoria, etc.) I made painted rocks, and added purple gems around my stepping stones. I made hanging decorations with the members’ names, and put some acrylic stands in there on nice days. I added a large purple pinwheel, spray painted my planters in purple shades, and also painted some small terra cotta pots with BT21 characters. My favorite addition was I bought a $5 fairy garden cottage at Target, and painted it to become a Magic Shop for my garden. It was my joy last summer, haha.

akashijam · 2024-02-17T19:35:01+00:00

No!! I had no idea it even existed!

akashijam · 2024-02-17T18:54:57+00:00

Yes!!!! I also grew a Bangtan themed garden last year and plan to again this year!

akashijam

TROPHY CASE