BTS TinyTAN x McDonald's Happy Meal Collab Drops Wednesday 9/3: BTS Fans, Get Ready for New K-pop Fun!
McDonald’s x BTS, and you are not ready.
In a move that's sure to send BTS ARMY into a frenzy, McDonald's has announced its latest Happy Meal collaboration with the global K-pop phenomenon BTS, featuring the pint-sized animated stars TinyTAN.
Launching on September 3, 2025, in the U.S. and rolling out to nearly 70 countries worldwide, this limited-time offering combines classic Happy Meal favorites with collectible toys inspired by the seven BTS members. It's a nostalgic nod to the duo's blockbuster 2021 BTS Meal partnership, but this time, the focus is on TinyTAN's whimsical world of music, dance, and heartwarming adventures.
Whether you're a die-hard fan hunting for RM's charismatic mini-me or a parent looking for a fun kid-friendly tie-in, this collab promises to blend fast-food fun with K-pop's infectious energy.
What is the TinyTAN Happy Meal? It's a standard Happy Meal (options include a hamburger or four/six-piece Chicken McNuggets, fries or apple slices, and a drink like milk, juice, or water) packaged in vibrant purple boxes with a scannable QR code. Scanning unlocks the TinyTAN Power Up game on HappyMeal.com, where players can rhythm-tap along to BTS hits like "Dynamite" and "Butter" while the characters cheer them on.
Toy Details: For the first time in Happy Meal history, there are two full sets of seven collectible figurines each—one per BTS member: RM, Jin, Suga, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. The Throwback Edition (available from launch) dresses them in the iconic 2021 BTS Meal promo outfits for a retro vibe. The Encore Edition drops September 23, featuring fresh looks that homage this new collab. Toys come randomly in sealed packaging, so trading with friends (or fellow ARMY) might be key to completing your set.
Global Rollout and Events: While U.S. fans can grab it starting September 3 at participating locations (in-store or via the app), dates vary by market—check local McDonald's socials for updates. In Los Angeles, a "Magic Meetup" event at nya West on September 27-28 offers an immersive experience with music, games, and "Happy Meal magic." Supplies are limited, so expect lines reminiscent of past viral drops.
Why Now? With BTS fully reunited after military service and teasing new music and a 2026 world tour, this collab taps into the group's renewed momentum. It's also McDonald's way of capitalizing on K-pop's explosive growth, especially after hits like the 2025 animated film KPop: Demon Hunters boosted the genre's mainstream appeal.
Who Are BTS? A Quick Intro for New Fans
If you're new to BTS or TinyTAN, don't worry—this collab is the perfect entry point.
BTS, short for Bangtan Sonyeondan (Bulletproof Boy Scouts), is a South Korean boy band formed in 2013 by HYBE (formerly Big Hit Entertainment). The group is made up of RM, Jin, Suga, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook—each with distinct personalities and talents.
BTS has shattered records with over 40 million albums sold, billions of streams, and multiple Grammy nominations. They're not just musicians; they're cultural icons promoting self-love, mental health, and youth empowerment through hits like "Dynamite" (their first all-English Billboard No. 1) and "Butter."
TinyTAN: The Adorable Animated Alter-Egos of BTS
TinyTAN, launched in 2019 as "BTS Character" before rebranding, are chibi-style animated alter egos of the members.
Unlike the more whimsical BT21 characters (co-created by BTS), TinyTAN are realistic mini-versions—think RM's confident charisma, Jin's playful flying kisses, Suga's chic coolness, j-hope's mischievous grins, Jimin's mochi-like cuteness, V's signature V-pose smiles, and Jungkook's artistic creativity.
They've starred in shorts like "Magic Door" (over 106 million views), where they emerge from a portal to inspire a stressed-out girl, echoing BTS's themes of resilience and joy. TinyTAN have since expanded into merch (plushies, apparel, even Tamagotchi devices), ads (like P&G's Downey), and games like BTS Island: In the SEOM. This McDonald's tie-in builds on that legacy.
McDonald's Anime and Japanese Pop Culture Collabs: A Growing Trend
McDonald's has a history of anime and J-pop tie-ins, making them a go-to for cultural crossovers.
Their anime pushes gained steam in 2024 with the "WcDonald's" universe—a fan-inspired fictional restaurant brought to life with manga artist Acky Bright's packaging, a special Savory Chili sauce, and episodic shorts from Studio Pierrot (Naruto, Bleach).
Other hits include Evangelion toys, Hunter x Hunter meals, Detective Conan tie-ins, Jujutsu Kaisen sauces, and global Pokemon Happy Meals. These partnerships show McDonald's willingness to blend fast food with entertainment phenomena.
McDonald's K-Pop and K-Drama Partnerships: From BTS to the Hallyu Wave
On the K-pop side, McDonald's leaned in early with the 2021 BTS Meal, boosting global sales by 40% with Korean-inspired sauces, custom merch, and viral ads.
The TinyTAN Happy Meal expands this by offering global reach. Beyond BTS, McDonald's has tapped into groups like TWICE and ATEEZ and leaned into K-drama storytelling aesthetics in Japan, echoing emotional slice-of-life themes common in Korean dramas.
Why This TinyTAN Collab Could Be McDonald's Biggest Yet
This collab could eclipse past successes with its dual-toy sets and interactive game. With K-pop and anime dominating global culture, the timing is perfect.
For ARMY, it's a chance to collect, play, and celebrate BTS's enduring magic—while munching on fries. Head to McDonald's on September 3 (or check the app) to snag yours before they're gone.
Sources
McDonald's Corporate – Official TinyTAN Happy Meal announcement (August 2025)
Forbes – BTS TinyTAN toys and 2021 BTS Meal recap (August 2025)
Hypebeast – Collab teaser, toy editions, and LA event details (August 2025)
USA Today – Happy Meal contents and options (August 2025)
Attractions Magazine – Full list of toys and BTS member tie-ins (August 2025)
Billboard – Breakdown of each TinyTAN toy per BTS member (August 2025)
Quartz – Two-part toy release and ARMY reactions (August 2025)
Anime News Network – Evangelion and other anime collabs (2024)
CNA Lifestyle – Global rollout including Singapore (August 2025)
Deadline – Anime restaurant transformation project (2024)