On Saturday July 25th, McDonald’s brought the BT21 Universe to life with a special Toy swap Fan Meetup in New York City, celebrating the release of the BT21 Happy Meal®. Hosted by lifestyle influencer Sharm Sil of
Average Socialite, the free event brought together McDonald’s fans, collectors, families, and BT21 enthusiasts for an afternoon of trading, collecting, and celebrating their shared love of BT21.
Guests arrived with their BT21 Happy Meal® collectibles ready to swap, complete their collections, and connect with fellow fans over their favorite universtars. From comparing characters to helping one another track down missing toys, the meetup created a lively community moment where fans could share their enthusiasm for BT21 in person. Throughout the afternoon, attendees enjoyed themed photo moments, raffle giveaways, and plenty of opportunities to meet fellow collectors and fans. During the first hour, guests were also treated to complimentary McDonald’s fries and drinks while supplies lasted, adding to the celebratory atmosphere.
Throughout the event, fans expressed how happy they were to get their toys, trade and be among fellow fans. One fan said this was everything they hoped for and that we made their day. Fans were pleasantly surprise with when they saw the plus ups of the photobooths and raffle. Many of the fans in attendance shared that they came to the meetup to trade their toys in anticipation of BTS’ MetLife show on August 1st and 2nd.
With excitement surrounding the BT21 Happy Meal® continuing nationwide, the New York City meetup brought the fandom to life through a memorable in-person experience centered on collecting, connection, and a shared passion for the globally beloved BT21 Universe.The strong turnout also reflected the growing reach and cultural influence of the K-pop fandom, while highlighting how McDonald’s continues to create experiences that bring fans together, foster connections across communities, and celebrate the culture surrounding the fandom.
