Easy Origami Army Bomb Tutorial (Inspired by My First BTS Concert)
A couple of weeks ago, I attended my first BTS concert in Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium as part of their ARIRANG World Tour! I was so inspired by the sea of lights that I had to recreate one in origami form.

The concert itself was one of the most intense and unforgettable experiences I’ve ever had. If you could somehow bottle up all the excitement, energy, and connection of that night, it would probably be illegal. But also the best drug ever. 😂💜

toya pham holding an army bomb at BTS concert

For those who aren’t familiar with ARMY Bombs, they’re the official light sticks used at BTS concerts. They’re those glowing orb shaped lights you see fans waving during performances. These days, nearly every major K-pop group has its own unique light stick, but the tradition actually has some interesting history behind it.

Balloons being used by fans in solidarity before the use of light sticks

Back in the early days of K-pop, fans would bring colored balloons to concerts to show support for their favorite groups. Then, during the second generation of K-pop in the early 2000s, things evolved. BigBang leader G-Dragon helped design a crown-shaped illuminated light stick called the “Bang Bong” for fans to carry. And wow, did that idea flourish.

Today, an official light stick is practically a rite of passage for K-pop groups. When a new group announces their first light stick, it’s a sign they’ve truly arrived.

The variety is incredible. Katseye has their Eyeliner Highlighter, BLACKPINK has a light-up hammer, iKON has a baseball bat, TXT has their Moa Bong and ITZY has a light ring. Meanwhile, groups like BTS, SEVENTEEN, and Stray Kids have orb-shaped designs, each with their own unique details and symbolism.

Today, though, we’re focusing on the BTS ARMY Bomb.

Toya Pham folding origami

This origami version starts with a preliminary base and uses a few familiar techniques, including squash folds and valley folds. After that, the process is pretty smooth…

…like butter. (hehe, you know I had to 😎)

These origami ARMY Bombs can be used in all sorts of creative ways. Add one to a handmade greeting card for the BTS fan in your life, use them as decorations for K-pop themed parties, or tuck them into concert freebies to share with fellow ARMY. They’d also look adorable in a scrapbook, shadow box, or memory display alongside concert tickets and photos. Or, if you’re simply looking for a fun way to practice basic folds while celebrating your favorite group, this little project checks that box too!

So grab some paper, turn on your favorite BTS playlist, and let’s fold an ARMY Bomb of our own.


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More weird paper adventures coming soon ✨
Toya Pham