HYBE Cinefest Review: TXT & BTS

This past week, I had the privilege to enjoy both Tomorrow x Together × About group TOMORROW X TOGETHER TXT (Tomorrow X Together) is a South Korean boy group formed by BIGHIT MUSIC and debuted on March 4, 2019. The group consists of five members: Soobin, Yeonjun, Beomgyu, Taehyun, and Huening Kai. Known for their powerful performances, creative storytelling, and diverse musical styles, TXT has become one of the leading fourth-generation K-pop groups. Their music explores themes of youth, friendship, growth, dreams, and self-discovery, allowing fans around the world to connect with their journey. Since debuting with The Dream Chapter series, TXT has released numerous successful albums and hit songs including “CROWN,” “Run Away,” “Blue Hour,” “0X1=LOVESONG (I Know I Love You),” “Sugar Rush Ride,” and “Deja Vu.” The group has earned multiple awards, topped international music charts, and built a dedicated global fanbase known as MOA (Moments of Alwaysness). Tap again to view profile → Close and BTS × About group BTS BTS (방탄소년단) is a South Korean K-pop group formed by BigHit Music and debuted on June 13, 2013. The group consists of seven members: RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. Known for their powerful performances, meaningful lyrics, and strong connection with fans, BTS has become one of the most successful and influential music groups in the world. Their music explores themes such as youth, self-discovery, mental health, love, and personal growth, helping them build a dedicated global fanbase known as ARMY. Since their debut, BTS has achieved record-breaking success across the global music industry with hit songs such as “Dynamite,” “Butter,” “Spring Day,” “Boy With Luv,” and “Fake Love.” The group has earned numerous awards, topped charts in multiple countries, sold millions of albums, and helped introduce K-pop to a broader international audience. Through their artistry, cultural Tap again to view profile → Close concerts in the cinema, thanks to HYBE’s Cinefest Week, and let me tell you, it was a good time.

Tomorrow X Together

Thursday was Tomorrow X Together’s Act: Tomorrow World Tour viewing. The concert itself had taken place in August of 2025, so it was fun to hear the members hyping up the announcement of The Star Chapter: Together’s release, when I’ve been listening to the same album for months now.

While the theater I was seated in was nearly empty (not many MOA in Ohio, I guess), the arena TXT performed was full to the brim with MOA of every age, gender, and race. What struck me the most about this concert was how interactive the members of the group were with their fans. I am an experienced ARMY and STAY-adjacent (thanks to my younger sister), so I am no stranger to K-pop concerts, but the amount of banter and back and forth the members of TXT had with MOA was adorable. When Beomgyu × Artist bio Beomgyu Real name: Choi Beom-gyuPosition: Vocalist, DancerNationality: South KoreanBirthday: 2001-03-14 Beomgyu is a vocalist and dancer of TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT), admired for his expressive vocals and emotional delivery. He contributes to the group’s musical depth with his warm tone and artistic sensitivity. Off stage, he is known for his playful personality, which adds balance to the group’s dynamic. Beomgyu is energetic and witty, often joking around, but also sensitive and thoughtful beneath his playful image. Tap again to view profile → Close asked MOA to be honest about whether MOA had wandered away from the group for a bit and then come back, and Soobin × Artist bio Soobin Real name: Choi Soo-binPosition: Leader, VocalistNationality: South KoreanBirthday: 2000-12-06 Soobin is the leader and a vocalist of TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT). Known for his calm personality and steady leadership, he plays a key role in guiding the group both on and off stage. He is recognized for his warm vocal tone, thoughtful presence, and ability to balance responsibility with approachability, making him a reliable and respected figure within the group. Soobin is a soft-spoken, caring leader with a shy but very affectionate personality and a love for small, cozy moments. Tap again to view profile → Close commented about how many hands were raised, I had to laugh. TXT and MOA seem to have a sibling-style relationship, which I found delightful.

Photo by me

I was very impressed with the camerawork at this concert–the cameraman had done his homework. He focused on the correct member for each of their parts of the songs, gave us plenty of group shots, and just the right amount of shots showing the whole stage. We got to enjoy the choreography properly, and there were no meaningless shots of the outside of the stadium, or random hotels (anyone who watched the Netflix livestream for BTS’s comeback knows what I am talking about). And the transition from Taehyun × Artist bio Taehyun Real name: Kang Tae-hyunPosition: VocalistNationality: South KoreanBirthday: 2002-02-06 Taehyun is a vocalist of TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT), recognized for his clear, stable vocals and strong technical ability. He is known for his analytical mindset, discipline, and attention to detail, often contributing thoughtful insights during interviews and performances. His reliability makes him a core vocal pillar of the group. Taehyun is logical, mature, and composed, with a straightforward way of speaking and a strong work ethic. Tap again to view profile → Close to Beomgyu in Danger? Absolute cinema.

Between the Beomjun subunit shenanigans, Frost raspy-voice Kai wrecking my bias, and the Crown nostalgia, I couldn’t help but realize what amazing vocalists this group is composed of. My first TXT song was Deja Vu, so hearing it live was exciting, and really showed me how much richer live performances can be. 

But what most stuck out to me was the amount of love and camaraderie the band holds with MOA. I think Soobin said it best in his final ment–“You make love feel visible”.

BTS

Photo from Instagram

Saturday saw me back in the cinema, ready for my seventh viewing of the Arirang World Tour. The Sao Paulo concert that I witnessed that night was probably the best performance I’ve seen to date. Sao Paulo was loud. Brazilian ARMY really showed up and made the band feel welcome. With all the unrest and upheaval their country is currently facing, I think it is safe to say they needed this.

This tour has been such a highlight for so many, seeing as how this is a four-years-in-the-making comeback for BTS, after their mandatory military enlistment and solo endeavors. 

Even though I have seen this tour seven times, I can easily say I will never get tired of watching the Run BTS choreography live. Music, the art and craft of it, is so very important to BTS. One need only watch and see the passion, joy, and fulfillment that performing their songs brings them, and live viewings like this help us get up close and personal, more so than a live concert could.

Once again, as with TXT, the cameraman understood the assignment. Most of the complaints I have seen online regarding the tour have been that the camera has a hard time focusing on the right member at the right time, but this was not true here.

Photo by me

I was impressed and moved by the fact that all seven members were speaking in Portuguese during most of the comments, further proving that BTS and ARMY love each other a lot, enough to learn languages and embrace one another's cultures wholeheartedly.

Overall, I am a huge fan of live viewings in cinemas like this. I got to experience BTS live in Tampa this past spring, but I was too busy taking it all in to truly hear and see and feel all that truly makes this tour what it is. The theater showings helped me do that, by putting me alone in a dark room with surround sound, a handful of fellow ARMYs to trade freebies with, and great camerawork. Some things you just can’t experience at a large-scale event, but can experience in a smaller setting, and vice versa. I am glad I got to experience both.

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I’m Juliana, a writer covering K-pop, BTS, music, fandom, and all the wonderfully complicated feelings that come with loving art.

Find more of my writing and BTS/K-pop thoughts on Instagram (@juliana_94_army/), TikTok (@disco.overload25), X (@juliana_94_army), and Substack (@discooverload25).