Metro Manila is one of the lucky cities this summer because the BTS POP-UP: MAP OF THE SOUL Showcase opened their doors at Level 3, Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall last May 26.
It was in 2017 when BTS last visited the Philippines for their Wings tour. Since it’s been a while, Filipino BTS fans, or the so-called BTS ARMY / Pearls, were surprised and excited to know that Manila was on the list.
Last May 31, we, Krew members June, Yara, and Merx, went to the showcase to check out the amazing stuff awaiting the fans.
If you haven’t reserved a slot yet, are waiting for your schedule, or are not able to come to the showcase, then let us take you on a trip through photos.
PRE-REGISTRATION
Interested visitors are encouraged to register online to reserve a time slot on a specific date. This is the management’s way to limit and control the number of people who will be given a chance to shop, observing safety protocols.
To register, visit morningKall’s official Twitter account (@morningKall) for announcements. Specific dates for registration are posted so make sure to reserve a slot on your chosen date!
We initially reserved individual slots through morningKall’s website for our intended visit but due to the high volume of ARMYs reserving online, we were unfortunately unable to reserve the same schedule. Since we got different time slots, we decided to fall in line as walk-in customers instead (with the staff’s permission, of course!). Wouldn’t be much fun going alone while two of your friends wait for you outside, would it?
The line took around an hour and a half which isn’t too bad since approximately 30 people were already in line before us. The waiting time didn’t bore us at all since we were busy catching up, munching on snacks, and sipping coffee while in line. We haven’t seen each other personally for more than a year, after all!
While the exterior of the showcase venue looked really simple and minimalist with dark blocks, logo, and the typography—you shouldn’t expect anything close to it on the inside of the store!
Upon entry, you will be required to sanitize your hands and will be given a mini basket to place the items you will purchase. Along with the basket are small souvenirs from the event—an event postcard and a strap-on bracelet with the event title written on it.
Oops, a Mic Drop badge got to one of our baskets in less than a minute of merch shopping. Haha!
INSIDE THE STORE
As soon as you enter, you will be greeted by the (not so tiny) Tiny Tan characters on the left where pretty much anyone can take pictures with.
But wait, this is not the only IG-worthy spot where you can pose at! Across the room, there are two more spots you should never dare miss: a neon wings sign, which references to Black Swan and the famous set for their record-breaking song, Dynamite, on the adjacent side.
KREW Members (from left to right) June, Yara, and Merx, posing with a little funk and soul. 😉
At the center, an outstanding Birdcage inspired from ON’s Kinetic Manifesto Film: Coma Prima music video ison display.
Here’s a cute j-hope plushie posed inside the birdcage. Haha!
The store featured official merch items from Map of the Soul: 7 (the event’s main theme) such as t-shirts, cardigans, hoodies, caps, stickers, magnets, (extremely cute) figures, toys, pens, plushies, and many more!
The staff looked cool in their showcase jackets!
Impressive details. Notice the SOUL shadow here?
The ON illustrations and this zipper look really fascinating.
Stationery!
With the hellish summer season and pandemic blues seeping in, wouldn’t it be nice to have a cute towel to wipe those blood, sweat, and tears away? *cue that BTS song* 😉
Our personal fave corner! Look at these cute TinyTan magnetic plushies! Will you dare not take one home?
These TinyTan magnetic head plushies cost P480. We’d say it’s totally worth it!
BTS music videos from their album Map of the Soul:7 were played on a screen inside the showcase. It felt nice to listen to music and watch videos while also shopping!
This BTS bag looked like it had wings! Lol.
BONUS: Here’s a mini video compilation of our fun visit!
Fangirling indeed is more enjoyable when spent with friends. Since we’re still in a pandemic, we need to be very careful when we go outside. Strict measures are observed inside the mall and during the showcase such as physical distancing, wearing of masks and face shields, disinfection, and contact tracing. Only 30 visitors are also allowed inside the venue to shop for about 30 minutes.
Warning: you cannot exit the store empty-handed. 🙂
The BTS POP-UP: MAP OF THE SOUL Showcase in Manila is scheduled from May 29 to June 25, with more session dates and official merchandise to be added. To reserve a slot, check morningKall’s schedule and guidelines here.
Words by KREW Members Merceline Carrasco and Yara De Guzman.
THE KREW | MNL 