🎉 BTS Marks 12th Anniversary with Emotional Reunion at 2025 Festa

 

On June 13 and 14, 2025, BTS celebrated their 12th anniversary in grand style with the long-awaited BTS Festa at the INTEX Exhibition Center 2 in Goyang, South Korea. This year’s edition was especially meaningful: it marked the reunion of RM, V, Jimin, and Jungkook following the completion of their mandatory military service, while Suga is nearing his discharge as a social work personnel. The two-week festival of in-person and virtual events drew over 60,000 visitors and showcased the group’s evolution over more than a decade.

 

## A Reunion Two Weeks in the Making

 

For the first time since 2018, all members—except Suga, who will soon gather under one roof to commemorate June 13, the date that BTS officially debuted in 2013. The INTEX venue hosted roughly 20 interactive booths, including DIY stations where fans could create personalized memorabilia and photo spots designed around each member’s favorite themes. Over two nights, J-Hope’s solo world tour culminated in an encore concert that saw surprise appearances by Jin and Jungkook, who joined him on stage to perform both solo tracks and classic BTS hits, much to the delight of ARMY in attendance.

 

## RM’s Heartfelt Letter to ARMY

 

Leader RM set the tone for the celebration with an emotional open letter posted on June 13. He wrote:

 

“Happy Birthday, BTS. 6/13 is here again. I can’t believe it’s June 13 again. I’ve been waiting, waiting, really waiting.”

 

Reflecting on the group’s 12-year journey, he continued:

 

“The 12th anniversary. 12 years old! It feels like my niece from the multiverse. I’m glad you grew up well. Listen to your parents—well, maybe just a little.”

 

In his message, RM admitted he never imagined BTS would reach this milestone. He expressed profound gratitude for the fans’ unwavering support, acknowledged the challenges they have overcome, and shared his hope and determination for the road ahead. Translations of his letter spread rapidly on social media, moving many ARMY members to tears and celebration.

 

_Source: India Today, “BTS RM Emotional Letter on Band’s 12th Anniversary Moves Fans to Tears” (https://www.indiatoday.in/entertainment/music/story/bts-rm-emotional-letter-on-bands-12th-anniversary-moves-fans-to-tears-2740145-2025-06-13)_

 

## Reflections from the Members

 

While the Festa primarily focused on the anniversary, members also shared insights from earlier landmark experiences—such as their first Grammy appearance—and how those moments continue to inspire their artistry.

 

**V** remarked on performing on stages beyond his imagination:

 

“Uh… first, I went with a lot of expectations because it was an awards show that we had always dreamed about. But I felt that it was a wider, bigger stage than my expectations, and I thought that if we were to ever perform here, I would like to become someone who can really perform well and perform here.”

 

**Suga** reflected on presenting at the Grammys:

 

“It was a fun, new experience… I had only dreamt about the Grammys, but we got to go in real life. We also got to present an award. Next time, I want to go as award recipients.”

 

**Jungkook** shared the gratitude and motivation he felt:

 

“First, I heard that it was the most difficult award show to go to out of all of the award shows, and I thought about how grateful I was towards our fans for just being able to go. I was so happy watching the singers’ stages at the award shows and got a lot of motivation.”

 

**Jimin** spoke of newfound ambition:

 

“I think I gained a lot more ambition. I thought about how we came all the way here and that this probably isn’t the end. It was a moment where I really felt that there were more things we could do in the future and where I became curious about how high we could go.”

 

**J-Hope** recounted his emotions at the Grammy Awards:

 

“The Grammys was a place that was like a dream, so I didn’t really feel anything when I just arrived. There was a question mark as to whether this was really the Grammys that I had imagined. But the performance began and the moment I saw the stage, I think the question mark changed into an exclamation point. Wow, I really came to the Grammys. I really felt the most when presenting the award. This is definitely the Grammys. I came to the Grammys.”

 

**Jin** likened the experience to a fairytale:

 

“The Grammys… it was an interesting place. It was as if I had gone inside a fairytale? It was really cool. I hope a day will come when we also become the stars of that stage.”

 

_Source: Soompi, “BTS Talks About Presenting at the Grammys, Preparing for Comeback and More for 2019 BTS Festa” (https://www.soompi.com/article/1330564wpp/bts-talks-about-presenting-at-the-grammys-preparing-for-comeback-and-more-for-2019-bts-festa)_

 

## Looking Ahead

 

With Suga’s discharge imminent and the full group reunited, BTS fans eagerly anticipate what’s next. The energy at Festa—both nostalgic and forward-looking—underscored the group’s enduring bond and the members’ individual growth. As RM concluded in his letter, “I’ve been waiting… really waiting,” ARMY around the globe will no doubt be ready to write the next chapter of BTS’s story together.