Tennis player Naomi Osaka, left, speaks with BTS member Suga at an NBA game in 2022. Captured from Instagram
Tennis player Naomi Osaka, left, speaks with BTS member Suga at an NBA game in 2022. Captured from Instagram
What do a Tony winner, a wrestler, an author and a tennis star have in common? A love for the global phenomenon BTS.
As the seven-member boy group gears up for a historic comeback with its first full-length album in six years, its global fandom, known as ARMY, is also preparing to showcase its full support.
While K-pop fandoms are widely perceived as predominantly young and female, ARMY has continuously broken the stereotype with demographics spanning not only the globe but also various professions and industries, featuring Oscar winners, rappers and even wrestlers among its ranks.
Ahead of Friday’s “Arirang” album release, here are just some of the famous personalities who are excited for the BTS comeback.
Naomi Osaka
Naomi Osaka / Captured from Instagram
Naomi Osaka / Captured from Instagram
When Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka met BTS’ Suga at an NBA game in 2022, she mentioned loving a lesser-known song of the band — “Autumn Leaves” from its 2015 album “The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Part 2.” The top-ranked women’s singles tennis player at the time posted that she told Suga, who produced the track, that “it was a great song,” and that she was fulfilling a promise she made to herself. A true ARMY, Osaka revealed that she even used to run an Instagram fan page dedicated to member J-hope’s forehead. Recently, Osaka also expressed excitement on her Instagram over the upcoming BTS comeback and Netflix documentary.
Lea Salonga
Lea Salonga / Captured from Instagram
Lea Salonga / Captured from Instagram
Filipino Broadway icon Lea Salonga is all set for June, when she plans on flying to Busan for BTS’ concert, coinciding with the group's 13th anniversary. In an interview with a Filipino news outlet, Salonga expressed her excitement for the event. “My hotel, my flights are all set. [I just don’t have the show ticket yet.] That’s literally the only thing left.”
Salonga, the first Asian actress to win a Tony Award, is known for the role of Kim in the critically acclaimed musical “Miss Saigon,” and for playing Eponine in “Les Miserables” on Broadway. Aptly, Salonga’s favorite BTS member is V, saying she “gravitates” toward his baritone voice, describing it as a “warm embrace.”
Paulo Coelho
Paulo Coelho / Captured from Instagram
Paulo Coelho / Captured from Instagram
One of the most popular ARMYs during the onset of the global pandemic was none other than Paulo Coelho, Brazilian author of the bestselling novel “The Alchemist.” Coelho publicly expressed support for BTS on X (formerly Twitter), saying the group is the “most important band in this world,” and signed several of his books, intending to send them to BTS members. In 2022, Coelho even participated in an interdisciplinary academic conference in Seoul dedicated to the band, praising BTS for its positive influence.
Chloe Zhao
Chloe Zhao / Captured from Instagram
Chloe Zhao / Captured from Instagram
When you’re part of ARMY, it’s only natural to try to promote BTS music everywhere. Chinese filmmaker and Oscar winner Chloe Zhao decided to include the track “Friends” from BTS’ 2020 album “MAP OF THE SOUL: 7” in one of her biggest film projects. The song, performed by BTS members V and Jimin, was included on the official soundtrack of Disney’s “Eternals” (2021), part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. “It’s one of my favorite BTS songs, and I like Jimin. He’s very cute,” she said in an interview.
Jeff Satur
Jeff Satur / Courtesy of Jeff Satur on Instagram
Jeff Satur / Courtesy of Jeff Satur on Instagram
In a recent interview, Thai singer-actor Jeff Satur expressed his desire to collaborate with BTS, mentioning the band’s upcoming comeback. “I’ve been an ARMY for a long time, and if I could work with anyone, it would be BTS, I hope, one day. It’s gonna be a very interesting project.” Satur is a longtime ARMY, releasing covers of BTS songs since 2021, and has mentioned the band’s online variety show “RUN BTS.” He even invited the band to appear on his own variety show, “Running Man Thailand.”
John Cena
John Cena / Captured from X (formerly Twitter)
John Cena / Captured from X (formerly Twitter)
John Cena is an American wrestling world champion, bestselling author, actor and ARMY. The crossover star has spoken multiple times about how the band’s songs and positive message resonated with him. At a 2025 Fan Expo in Dallas, Cena shared how the band helped him during a difficult time in his life. “What BTS specifically did for me is they found me at the right time in my life to give me hope and inspiration through who they are as people … They reached a 48-year-old dude who was struggling with self-worth.”
Tablo
Tablo / Captured from Instagram
Tablo / Captured from Instagram
The ARMY with the most personal connection to BTS on this list is Tablo from Korean trio Epik High. BTS members RM and Suga have personally credited the hip-hop group for their love of the genre, saying they found musical inspiration in Epik High’s artistry. Both are members of High Skool, Epik High’s fandom, and have collaborated with Tablo multiple times, making this a mutual fandom.
When BTS asked the world last month, “What is your love song?” for its upcoming album, one of the first to answer the question was Tablo, showing his love for the 2016 track “Spring Day.” In February, Tablo discussed theories about “Arirang” on his “Hey Tablo” podcast, playfully talking about the then-blank album covers and his expectations for the upcoming record.