Toronto to name street 'BTS Boulevard' amid K-pop group's tour; Maryland governor welcomes band

The global popularity of K-pop sensation BTS is extending to local government initiatives, with Toronto planning to temporarily rename a street section 'BTS Boulevard' in honor of the group's concerts. The city council recently approved a motion to designate a portion of a downtown street as 'BTS Boulevard' from July 21 to August 23.

Furthermore, the Toronto City Council has requested the city authorities to officially proclaim the concert dates, July 22 and 23, as 'BTS Weekend'. Big Hit Music, the group's agency, is currently in discussions with the Toronto authorities regarding the use of intellectual property for the street naming and the 'BTS Weekend' declaration.

Welcome gestures are also coming from the United States. Maryland Governor Wes Moore released a welcome video with Korean subtitles for BTS's concerts in Baltimore, held on July 10 and 11. In the video, Moore personally addressed each of the seven members by name, expressing his enthusiasm.

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The goal of seven people together is to bring the world together across different cultures, regions, and languages. This is really awesome.

"The goal of seven people together is to bring the world together across different cultures, regions, and languages," Moore said in the video. "This is really awesome." He then called out RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook by name, welcoming them to Baltimore and encouraging all BTS 'ARMY' fans to "scream!"

BTS is currently on their world tour 'ARIRANG,' which began in April at the Goyang Stadium in South Korea and is described as the largest-scale K-pop world tour in history. Previously, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum presented the members with a commemorative plaque during their Mexico City concerts, and French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife attended a Paris performance.

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Welcome to Baltimore. All BTS 'ARMY' everyone, scream!