BTS is one of the most popular groups in music in recent years. The Korean group is a global phenomenon, and of course, Colombia does not escape it.
But how many ARMY (the name that BTS fans call themselves) are there in our country? That was the question that several groups of followers of the group asked themselves and thus the ARMY Colombia Census was born, which compiles interesting and revealing data on the fandom in the country.
More than 26,800 people responded to the call from various fan clubs who identify as ARMY in Colombia to answer a survey with several questions about their lifestyle.
According to this census, There is at least one ARMY in each of the 32 departments of Colombia. The census determined that the majority of the ARMY are women, with 1.9% men.
Another key fact is that although the majority of the ARMY is between 16 and 20 years old, there is an important part between 21 and 30 years old, as well as between 31 and 45 years old, which shows that the ARMY, contrary to what What many think, they are adults who have purchasing power. The census also concluded that more than 2,800 ARMYS in Colombia are also parents.
Photo: Courtesy BTS ARMY Colombia Funds.
Photo: Courtesy BTS ARMY Colombia Funds.
Courtesy BTS ARMY Colombia Funds.
“There is a myth about the K-pop community and that is that we are girls and that is not the case. We were surprised to see that most of us are adults who work and BTS is another part of our lives to which we dedicate a lot of time,” Laura, from the staff of the BTS Fondos ARMY Colombia account, tells us.
More than 84% responded that they would attend a BTS concert and more than half of those surveyed stated that they would spend between 600,000 and 800,000 in an entry. Between 5,000 and 10,000 people responded that they would pay between 900,000 and 1 million.
These data lead us to the main reason for the census: demonstrate that Colombia is a viable destinationfor an eventual presentation of the Korean band.
At the moment, the group is on a break, as several of its members are doing military service. However, fans expect BTS to return with a tour in late 2025 and early 2026.
Is a BTS concert viable in Colombia?
For the ARMY, it is not unlikely that the Korean band will perform in Colombia. “We see a BTS concert here in Colombia as very likely, because in addition to the fandom in Colombia, there is interest in surrounding countries. Those who have to risk it are the businessmen,” says Laura.
“We are a very organized fandom and we believe that the real numbers of the band in the country They are the best way to make clear the impact of BTS in Colombia. They will think it is a risk, but this census shows us that it is a concert that has a way of selling. It is a group that greatly moves the economic part of where they go. “Not only in tickets but in hotels, restaurants and all tourism.”
For them, the census is a market study, and the results can be very helpful for businessmen who are thinking about bringing the Korean band to Colombia.
ARMY: Beyond the fandom
For Laura, more than a musical fandom, The ARMY is a movement that impacts different aspects of life. “The fact that the members of BTS have a closer relationship with their fans and that they have been open with topics that other artists do not dare to touch on has allowed the ARMY to become empowered and feel that they can impact other aspects of life” , Laura thinks.
For several years now, the ARMY has been recognized as a political force: from his activism against the excessive use of violence by the police in several countries around the world (including Colombia). In 2020, the ARMY donated $1 million to Black Lives Matter.
In 2024, India’s ARMY raised thousands of dollars for the Palestinian cause.
Laura tells us that The ARMY in Colombia has also led social projects, such as donations to Unicef or tree planting campaigns.
There is no doubt that the ARMY is one of the most organized fandoms that exist. Only time will tell if it is enough to fulfill the dream of seeing BTS live in Colombia.
