Lea Salonga, son Nic attend BTS’ Arirang concert in New Jersey

Lea Salonga and her son, Nic Chien, had a bonding moment after they watched K-Pop supergroup BTS’ “Arirang” world tour concert at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Salonga took to Instagram to share photos and videos from the concert, including moments from the soundcheck, the main show, and snapshots of her enjoying the event with Nic.

“We made it to MetLife Stadium in New Jersey! I didn’t take too many fancams this time, given our seats I wanted to take them in with my eyeballs!” she wrote.

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The Broadway star also thanked BTS for the performance and noted the presence of many Filipino fans at the venue.

“Once again, lots of Pinoy ARMY! Thank you, @bts.bighitofficial for such a fantastic show!!!” she added. “Huge shoutout to the dancers! We felt like you were dancing just for us!!!”

The concert marks another BTS show attended by Salonga, who has long been proud about being a member of ARMY, the group’s global fanbase.

Last June, the award-winning singer also watched the first night of BTS’ two-day “Arirang” concert in Busan, South Korea.

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In a previous guest appearance on the “What A Life!” podcast, Salonga shared that BTS helped her get through the emotional challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The actress-singer recalled discovering the group through their 2020 hit “Dynamite” while spending time on YouTube during lockdown.

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“I’m watching YouTube, as most everybody does to try and get through the day, and I’m like what is this? What is this on my social media?” she said.

“I watched the video and the minute I saw V in that bottle green Gucci waistcoat and flared trousers, like pushing his hair back, I’m like—and I’m done, this is it,” she added.

The New Jersey leg of the Arirang concert comes after BTS members announced that they have decided not to submit their music for consideration at the 69th Grammy Awards amid the new Best Asian Pop Music Performance category formed by the latter. BTS said they hoped their work would be appreciated “for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language.”

Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. later expressed his disappointment over the boy group’s decision as the executive clarified that the Academy’s newly introduced category is to “celebrate diversity” and “not to divide” artists.

BTS is set to bring its “Arirang” world tour to Manila for three nights in March 2027. /edv