ARMY (2024)

ARMY or A.R.M.Y (아미; short for Adorable Representative M.C. for Youth) is BTS's official fandom name. It was officially established on July 9, 2013 after the first recruitment closed.

Meaning

2013

"A.R.M.Y" stands for "Adorable Representative M.C. for Youth" and it carries quite some meaning behind it, given that "Army" is associated with the military, body armor, and how those two things are always together, the fandom name basically means that fans will always be together with BTS.

2017

BTS and A.R.M.Y are almost mirrored images of each other and they have a relationship that is affected by each other. The symbol of A.R.M.Y is expressed as a door on their viewpoint who is waiting & welcoming BTS on the opposite door when BTS opens a new door.

Recruitment

1st Recruitment (2013)

The first recruitment opened on December 9, 2013 to December 31, 2013. The benefits of becoming an official member include:

• A.R.M.Y membership card.
• A.R.M.Y special goods (once per term).
• A.R.M.Y special newsletter (planned to be sent out once per term).
• Monthly A.R.M.Y events planned to be held.
• Opportunity to a free invitation to (once per term, advantage of first picks to choosing seats.
• Official fan site A.R.M.Y level upgrade adjustments (authority to enter Present for ARMY board).
• Advanced reservations to BTS concerts (after consultation with sponsors).
• First dips for fan-club members during open broadcasting and events (after consultation with sponsors).
• Chance to participate in open broadcasting participation events when new songs are released.
• And more special advantages.

2nd Recruitment (2015)

The second recruitment opened on December 19, 2014 to January 16, 2015. The benefits of becoming an official member include:

• A.R.M.Y membership card.
• A.R.M.Y special goods and the event book.
• A.R.M.Y Lotto Show twice a month and extra special events.
• Monthly birthday celebration video for A.R.M.Y members.
• Free pass for fan meeting.
• First purchase benefits for specific items on [BTS OFFICIAL SHOP] and 2% online cash rewards on purchases.
• Official fan community online A.R.M.Y level upgrade.
• Exclusive first pick reservations to BTS concerts.
• Exclusive first pick reservations for fan club members to attend open broadcasting and events.
• Chance to participate in open broadcasting participation events when new songs are released.
• Authority to enter the "2nd A.R.M.Y ROOM" board on Official fan community.
• Authority to enter the "2nd A.R.M.Y TALK" board on Official fan community.
• And more special benefits!

3rd Recruitment (2016)

The third recruitment opened on February 19, 2016, to March 4, 2016. The benefits of becoming an official member include:

• A.R.M.Y 3rd-Term Membership Card.
• Provide ARMY.ZIP Event Book.
• Pre-reservation to domestic (Korea) and overseas concerts of BTS.
• Pre-reservation to BTS' official Fan-meeting.
• Exclusive access to Fan Club Event Booth at BTS concert & Fan-meetings in Korea.
• Opportunity to pre-purchase of particular items at BTS OFFICIAL SHOP.
• Opportunity to participate in open broadcasting.
• Modify the levels of official Fan Café.
• Hold A.R.M.Y Lotto Show each month and others special events.

4th Recruitment (2017)

The fourth recruitment opened on May 8, 2017, to May 22, 2017. The benefits of become an official member include:

• A.R.M.Y 4th Term Membership Card.
• Membership Kit.
• Pre-reservation to BTS concert in Korea.
• Pre-reservation to BTS' official Fan-meetings.
• Exclusive access to Fan Club Event Booth at BTS concert & Fan-meetings in Korea.
• Opportunity to pre-purchase selective items at BTS OFFICIAL SHOP.
• Opportunity to participate in open broadcast recording.
• Modify the levels of official Fan Café.
• Monthly A.R.M.Y Lotto Show.
• Other Online/Offline special events.

5th Recruitment (2018)

The fifth recruitment opened on April 9, 2018, to April 22, 2018. The benefits of become an official member include:

• ARMY 5th Term Membership Card.
• Membership Kit.
• Pre-reservation to BTS concerts in Korea.
• Exclusive access to Fan Club Event Booth at BTS concerts in Korea.
• Levels of official Fan Café will be modified.
• Monthly ARMY Lotto Show.
• Other online/offline special events.

6th Recruitment (2019)

The sixth recruitment opened on July 15, 2019. The benefits of become an official member include:

• ARMY Membership Card.
• ARMY Membership Kit.
• The opportunity to buy exclusive ARMY Membership merchandise.
• Early reservation tickets and ticket raffle opportunities for domestic BTS performances.
• Opportunity to attend domestic TV music program broadcasts.
• Exclusive access to BTS Reverse Membership-Only image, audio and video content.
• Opportunity to participate in other online/offline special events.

7th Recruitment (2020)

The seventh recruitment opened on August 14, 2020. Two different types of memberships are avaliable: ARMY Membership and ARMY Membership: Merch Pack.

• ARMY Membership include receiving:
  • A mobile membership card.
  • The opportunity to purchase special membership-only BTS goods.
  • Benefits for purchasing BTS content on Reverse.
  • The opportunity to pre-book BTS concerts, and participate in raffles.
  • The opportunity to apply for attending music shows featuring BTS.
  • View members-exclusive image, video, and sound content on BTS Reverse.
  • The opportunity to apply for or participate in online and offline special BTS events.
  • The opportunity to purchase a Membership Kit.
• ARMY Membership: Merch Pack include receiving:
  • A mobile membership card.
  • The opportunity to purchase special membership-only BTS goods.
  • Benefits for purchasing BTS content on Reverse.
  • The opportunity to pre-book BTS concerts, and participate in raffles.
  • The opportunity to apply for attending music shows featuring BTS.
  • View members-exclusive image, video, and sound content on BTS Reverse.
  • The opportunity to apply for or participate in online and offline special BTS events.
  • The opportunity to purchase a Membership Kit.
  • Four Merch Boxes (you only have to pay shipping and handling).
    • Merch Box #1: Outbox, ARMY Blanket, Fabric Poster and Photo.

Trivia

• In ARMYPEDIA, RM revealed that A.R.M.Y was only one of the choices for the fandom name. If A.R.M.Y didn't get selected as the official fandom name, fans might have been called "Bang-wools" or "Bells".

Videos