MEXICO CITY - Dancers bounced to the sound of BTS on an avenue in Mexico City, clapping and screaming at a pep rally kicking off a string of concerts by the South Korean superstars.
And K-pop fervour in Mexico is not limited to fans like these young people. Many parents approve of all this passion for the group, which returned to the world spotlight in March following an almost four-year pause so its members could carry out their obligatory military service.
BTS will perform shows in the Mexican capital on May 7, 9, and 10 -- and the more than 135,000 tickets on sale were snapped up in a matter of minutes. President Claudia Sheinbaum even tried in vain to arrange more concerts.
Jude Pelaez was among the dancers who showed up Monday on Paseo de la Reforma, a major thoroughfare in Mexico's capital, for a BTS promotional event to get fans ready for the concerts.
Some kids danced while others put on temporary tattoos, as a poster with black-and-white photos of the seven group members rose up between two street posts.
"Like everyone here, I'm so happy," Pelaez told AFP. "We do these types of events to emotionally and psychologically prepare ourselves, and to prepare the energy and vibe of the place."
"That makes Mexico different," he said.
K-pop fever in Mexico goes beyond dance. Some groups meet in cafes with BTS posters to eat noodles. Other fans take language classes in the South Korean cultural centre.
Lucio Campos decided to learn it when his adolescent daughter asked to go to South Korea for her 15th birthday.
"BTS was born with the idea of transmitting healthy questions for young people," Campos said. "Their war cry is 'let's live life, let's live it healthily, let's live well,' and obviously this fascinates me."
Campos said the music contrasts with what he called the sexuality of reggaeton or 'narcocorridos,' a popular subgenre in Mexico that celebrates drug trafficking.
In a room with band photos, Lucio pointed his finger and names the group members. His daughter Ana corrected him. "This is Jin," she said.