Written and Photo by Mary Angela Aquino
Ba Da Ba Ba Ba ~
Seems familiar? This iconic sonic logo of McDonald’s was released last April 19 in a newer version made by the well known Korean boy band, Bangtan Sonyeondan, generally known as BTS. It is to announce their most recent collaboration with Mcdonald’s— the BTS Meal.
Released in the Philippines last June 18, the BTS Meal consists of 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, medium fries, medium Coke, and its two new dipping sauces, Cajun and Sweet Chili. What makes it new and distinct from the regular McNuggets meal is its sauces, mainly handpicked by BTS, inspired from McDonald’s South Korean recipe. Cajun is a hot mustard sauce with a taste of sweetness and slight sourness, completed by a flavor of Cajun spices. On the other hand, Sweet Chili, from its name, has a sweet and chili pepper heat flavor, with a slight taste of vinegar.
McDonald's Philippines sold almost 3.5 million pieces of chicken nuggets on the release date. In addition, the total sales also reached 1,000% higher compared to the daily average sales of nuggets. With thousands and hundreds of ARMY, BTS’ fandom, it is not impossible to hit that mark. This is definitely a good buy for their fans, compared to their other official merchandise that are more expensive. The nuggets, soda, sauces, and take-home paper bags are put in a special packaging imprinted with the McDonald's and BTS logo. It is like buying one of their merchandise with a cheaper price that will also satisfy their hunger— hitting two birds with one stone.
As someone who is fond of the fast-food chain and who admires the boy band group, the BTS Meal experience is definitely fun. It is not just about hopping on the trend; it has somehow made the fans feel that they were dining with BTS by eating the same meal with them. Satisfied hunger, official merchandise-like packaging, taste of Mcdonald’s South Korean recipe, a support for the Bangtan boys— surely, it is worth the price for making my stomach and heart full.
Amidst the hype for the BTS Meal, it is also receiving an ample amount of hate. Some keep on insisting that there is nothing new about it, just the regular McNuggets meal with new sauce. According to Variety, an international newsletter, BTS collaboration is the latest installment of McDonald’s Famous Orders program, which featured partnerships with J Balvin and Travis Scott, the first celebrity meal at McDonald’s since Michael Jordan’s 1992 McJordan burger. Just like the BTS meal, their collaborations are just similar to the original menu of McDonald’s but with a twist. Thus, McDonald’s does not really create a new, original, and unique recipe with their collaborators, instead they are more focused on upgrading their current menus.
The collaboration was not intended only to promote McDonald’s. It is also significant for BTS, especially for their fans because it is considered as another big project for their idols. Some food deliverers are leaving homophobic statements against BTS. Others are also creating content and posting it on social media sites where they are ripping off the special packaging or even wasting the food itself. All of these are completely unnecessary for they are just wasting their time hating on people who would not bother to mind them. They are just giving the BTS meal more publicity; noting that bad publicity is still publicity.
Regardless of you being a fan or not, the meal is worth the try. These sauces are a must-try, especially for spicy food lovers. On the packaging, the Cajun might seem spicy but wait until you try the Sweet Chili. At first, it’s just a mustard flavor but after a few more tastes, you will have a taste of its spiciness. Meanwhile, the Sweet Chili starts off as a sweet sauce but will dissolve spicy.
With its cost, Php 260.00 (price varies), you get a meal that is enough to make you full and at the same time, get to experience a taste of McDonald’s South Korea with the sauces. Buying the meal separately, a 10-piece McNuggets with medium fries and medium drink, will cost you much more compared to the BTS meal. Moreover, the general public, especially non-fans, are given a chance to taste the new sauces by ordering the regular McNuggets and pick Cajun or Sweet Chili as their dipping sauce.
Despite the positive or negative reception from the masses, the BTS meal will keep on rollin’ like butter, as the sales soar higher. As this day marks the official establishment of the fandom, ARMY’s birthday, BTS has also released their new single and comeback song, “Permission to Dance”, premiered earlier at 11:00 AM KST. On top of that, McDonald’s is celebrating on their behalf. Today is the last day for their BTS meal promo, free upgrade to large fries and Coke through the McDonald’s application. The taste of McDonald’s South Korea will be up for a limited time only so “get it, let it roll!”
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