Ron Does Stuff

Here’s another documentary that I wanted to watch during an important time for the fandom — Dream Week, specifically — but life and an actual paying job got in the way. But I am putting in extra work to get this out so it isn’t too late!

The documentary starts with the boys getting ready to perform for the first time at Lollapalooza back in 2022, three whole years now. I remember the nerves I felt waiting for the stream to start and then the utter pride at seeing them smash that performance.

Check it out here!

Again, I know this shouldn’t come as a surprise, but it really such a joy to me how different the approaches are to the different documentaries made about the Hybe groups so far? Despite the serious opening scene, I liked how less than 10 minutes into the documentary the tone turns a little playful and entirely different from either J-Hope In The Box or SUGA: Road to D-Day.

I also liked how it doesn’t shy away from the pandemic, especially since Tomorrow x Together’s story is intricately tied to it. They were caught in the middle of it! I mean, all of the idol groups were, but at least their seniors had a “life” before the pandemic. They barely had a year.

Because finally getting to tour was such a celebration for them, the first quarter of the documentary had the same celebratory air as well, showing the guys enjoying their performances in Chicago and New York and doing some sightseeing as well that I for sure saw in their free YouTube content as well.

It’s in New York, however, that things start to turn. Beomgyu gets sick and he can’t even ride the van or complete an interview. I distinctly remember this as it was happening and it’s a credit to my social media timeline that I wasn’t exposed to doomsayers. I wish I could say the same now but oh well!

I do wish that they just came out and specifically said what it was the Beomgyu was suffering from at the time, but given the amount of manti behavior online and even in real life in the K-pop space, I can absolutely understand them being vague about it. There’s some controlling fans out there!

Another segment of the documentary that really tugged at my heartstrings was Yeonjun visiting his family in San Francisco. The wonder in his eyes as he looks at everything that stayed the same but also the curiosity in his eyes at everything else that changed? Him saying that all of this looked so big before and now it looks so small? Maybe it’s because I’m already one foot in the grave but all of it hit me right in the heart.

The documentary does have a similarity to earlier documentaries on BTS like Burn The Stage, and that these guys really turn their performances and concerts into an athletic event. Them telling each other that they just need to get through the final part of the concert starting from “Opening Sequence”? I’m amazed not just at their dedication and their perseverance but at their physical stamina as well.

Also, stream “Opening Sequence” on Spotify!

Watch the dance practice!

Of course, the climactic point of the documentary is their Lollapalooza performance. I liked how they structured it so that the past concert dates look like training for the Lollapalooza one in Chicago, an observation made by the guys themselves while rehearsing for their Lollapalooza set. And I also love that Hobi and Jimin make an appearance, even though I already knew this from before as it was happening. It just warms my heart to see them interact!

As we all already know by now, that Lollapalooza performance was a success but it’s so heartbreaking to hear Soobin’s self-doubt still persisting. The pain is even more pronounced now in 2025 knowing that it continued to persist even after their time headlining Lollapalooza the year after. Thankfully, Soobin seems to be doing better now. And their time as headliners in the 2023 Lollapalooza was great!

All in all, watching this documentary in 2025 is both a nostalgic and bittersweet experience, seeing them enjoy the successes they achieved at the time while also knowing some of the challenges they’ll face in the future. I do kinda wish I watched this as it was released because ending it with the news that they were going to be Lollapalooza headliners would have been an immediate lift to one’s spirits.