SINGAPORE – Eager BTS fans snapped up the first set of the K-pop boy band’s TinyTan collectibles at McDonald’s stores in Singapore on Sept 25.
There are a total of 14 TinyTan toys to collect – with matching character cards – across two sets. Each Happy Meal comes with a limited-edition BTS-themed blind box.
In the first set, called the Throwback Edition, the seven BTS members – RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook – are dressed in outfits used for the McDonald’s BTS Meal that was launched in 2021. It is available until Oct 15.
From Oct 16 to Nov 12, the Encore Edition set will be released, featuring the members dressed in outfits inspired by McDonald’s.
At the launch time of 11am, there was a queue of about 10 people at the Bedok Mall outlet – decked in purple balloons, BTS’ official colour – which The Straits Times visited.
Garnering the most attention on launch day was homemaker Tess Poh, 44, who bought 14 Happy Meals at one go.
From her 14 blind boxes, she got six of the seven members, and completed her set by exchanging one of her repeat items with another fan. Following this, several other fans approached her to exchange their repeated figurines as well.
She donated half of her 14 meals using the Donate The Meal tab upon ordering and took the rest home for her husband and in-laws.
The Donate The Meal option is available for in-store purchases and on the McDonald’s app. When selected, the Happy Meal will not be prepared, but will be tracked throughout the campaign. At the end of the promotion, the total number of meals will be donated to a local beneficiary.
After unboxing her 14 figurines, Ms Poh proceeded to buy another seven meals, and donated all of them.
She was most excited to get the Jimin figurine as he is the reason she became part of Army, the name of BTS’ fandom.
Ms Poh says: “When BTS made their debut (in 2013), he was the last one to join and faced a lot of criticism. I like that he continued to work hard and perform.”
She is anticipating the group’s big comeback in 2026, when a new album will be released and a global concert tour expected to take place. She watched J-Hope live when he held his concert at the Singapore Indoor Stadium in April.
For now, she is looking forward to the next figurine drop on Oct 16, which will add to her collection of BTS merchandise. “I will buy 14 meals again and not stop until I get the full set,” she adds.
Homemaker Pauline Chew, who is in her 40s, donated two of the four meals she purchased. Like Ms Poh, she plans to return to McDonald’s for the next TinyTan drop to add to her collection of BTS photocards, Lego and calendar.
She says she went from “just a listener” to full-blown fan during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, when she watched BTS’ performances online and was drawn to their characters.
Ms Chew will be attending the BTS Movie Weeks screening at Shaw Theatres on Sept 26, and is anticipating the group’s reunion after all seven members have completed their national service.
BTS last played in Singapore in January 2019 as part of their Love Yourself World Tour, and the sold-out show was held at the National Stadium.
“I’m hoping they will return to Singapore for a concert,” says Ms Chew.
Brothers Haris Sufyan, 18, and Haziq Sirhan, 16, were in line to buy the toys for their mother, who is a big BTS fan. They reached the outlet at 10.30am.
While they initially planned to buy three Happy Meals, the students ended up with five.
They got one RM figurine and four Sugas, one of which they exchanged with another fan for Jungkook instead.
“Mum gets the toys and we got breakfast,” says Haziq.
