Fans of South Korean boy band BTS, also known as Bangtan Boys, threw a cupsleeve event to celebrate the birthday of one of the band’s members and raised $300 for Ten Lives Cat Rescue at Boba Lova Tea & Snack Bar on Saturday March 18.

“I am Army, meaning a fan of BTS,” Louise Sutton said. “Army is like a huge family, and I wanted to include a local business and local organization in our events. I chose Boba Lova because it has a great atmosphere and the staff and owner are wonderfully supportive of our events. Last month I hosted an event for J-Hope, another BTS member, and I plan to host even more for the other members as well.”

Sutton, who organized the event, said that Yoongi, also known as Suga, is one of the rappers in BTS and a well-known fan favorite. The event, known as the “Yoongi: Marry Me Saga,” came about because fans are well known to hold up signs at BTS shows that read Yoongi marry me and Sutton thought it would be a great way to style her own celebration of his 30th birthday.

“Suga is a member of my personal favorite group, BTS, so I wanted to celebrate his birthday to acknowledge all his hard work,” Sutton said. “Last month I hosted an event for J-Hope, another BTS member, and I plan to host even more for the other members as well.”

For those who haven’t heard of a cupsleeve event, Sutton said that events such as this are often put together to celebrate events, especially those that revolve around members of popular bands.   

A “cupsleeve” is that little slip of cardboard you put over your hot coffee cup to keep from burning your hand.

 “An event host will have decorative cup sleeves designed and printed to give away for each drink purchase or attendee,” explained Sutton. “Some folks use them for their drinks and to take photos, and others simply collect the cup sleeves. It’s just a great time to listen to music, take photos, and meet other fans. I like to include a donation drive, raffle, and fun photo backdrop in my events too!”

Those attending the event had a chance to register ahead of time in order to guarantee themselves a gift bag with different tiers of merchandise. Proceeds from the event will go to help Ten Lives Cat Rescue in Pawtucket.

“I chose Ten Lives Cat Rescue for this month’s donation drive because Suga’s nickname is ‘Little Meow Meow,’ so a cat rescue seemed fitting.” explained Sutton.

The cat rescue, which has been open since 2018, has rescued over 1,700 unowned cats in its time.

“The cats who enter our program receive veterinary care, including spay or neuter, and are placed into loving adoptive homes,” said Founder and Exectutive Director Melissa Rodas. “Many of the cats who enter our program have lived difficult lives outdoors and have not received medical care; this has led to medical issues above and beyond routine veterinary care. With support from the community we are able to rescue and care for the medically fragile and under-socialized cats in Rhode Island.”

The three tiers of fandom were referred to as “love, engagement and marriage.” The love tier came with two raffle tickets, a Yoongi cupsleeve, a photocard with the rapper's picture on it and a commemorative sticker. Each tier above that offered extra incentives for fans.

Those who registered for the engagement package also received an extra raffle ticket along with a wedding favor bag and a wedding invitation postcard. The biggest fans, who spent at least $20 on the marriage tier, received not only four raffle tickets and everything in the engagement set but also a blank marriage certificate just waiting for them to add their name to Yoongi’s and a custom whiskey glass.

Soknin Ky, who owns Boba Lova, working alongside her brother Soeuth Ky said that this is not the first event fans of BTS have thrown at their establishment. The events bring in new customers to the only seller of mochi doughnuts in the state, Soeuth said.

With a wide variety of tea flavors, including creme brulee, taro, ube, strawberry and more, Boba Lova said they wanted to do more than just open another bubble tea shop. Deciding to bring something new to the state, Soknin and Soeuth said they chose mochi donuts as a way to add some snacks to the menu. During the event Boba Lova had several flavors of the treats available: blueberry pie, key lime pie, matcha and, their most popular, churro flavored along with a few others.

The tea and snack bar weren’t the only ones drawing on the event to do business. Kesea Reid was there on behalf of Your Hope Beads, a bead jewelry business she started with her mother, Heather. Their favorite band member j-hope, another of the rappers in BTS, was the inspiration for their company’s name.

In addition to Your Hope Beads, Artist Katie Haus of Monsterful Crafts was there to display her collection of handmade cross stitched keychains, painted canvases, stickers for which she had made the art and personally painted tic-tac-toe boards.

“I would invite anyone who didn’t attend to join us in June for Army’s annual ‘Festa’ event celebrating BTS,” Sutton said to those interested in BTS events. “You can find out more by following @btsarmy_boston on Instagram, or follow me, @shopsevenswans, for our next cup sleeve event in the fall.”