SEOUL – BTS kicked off its highly anticipated comeback with a free concert at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on Saturday, March 21, 2026, drawing an estimated 260,000 fans and triggering a massive citywide mobilization, according to reports. The performance, broadcast on Netflix, marks the group’s first in years following the members’ completion of mandatory military service.
The concert’s location was a deliberate choice, according to HYBE Music Group APAC President, who stated that HYBE Chairman Bang Si-Hyuk envisioned the performance taking place in a location that reflected BTS’s origins and its global impact. “Our chairman Bang has said that if we are focused on the identity of BTS being this band that was created and originated from Korea, which gave so much joy to the world and to many fans around the world, then this historical moment and it has to be in Korea and it also has to take place in the most iconic space in Korea,” he said, as reported by the Korea Joongang Daily.
Gwanghwamun Square, situated in the heart of Seoul, holds significant historical and cultural importance for Koreans, having served as a gathering place for social and political discourse throughout the nation’s history. The square underwent extensive renovations, including the installation of advanced digital and multimedia facilities, and reopened in August 2022.
Beyond Seoul, the group is preparing for a world tour, with a scheduled performance in Busan on June 12-13, 2026. The city is actively preparing to welcome fans, with the Seo District initiating plans to transform a neighborhood into “Ami-dong,” a name intentionally evocative of the group’s fandom, ARMY. District council member Kim Byeng-gune spearheaded the initiative, drawing inspiration from the popularity of Daegok Station in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, which became a tourist destination due to a coincidental character match with baseball star Shohei Ohtani’s name.
Seo District Vice Head Kim Jae-hak stated that the district is “preparing to develop various programs that will maintain the connection with our region,” in anticipation of BTS’s continued success. Plans include the installation of purple landscape lights – a color closely associated with BTS and its fans – at Mount Cheonma Observatory. Local officials have even consulted with the National Institute of Korean Language to officially standardize the English spelling of “Ami” as “Army.”
Local officials hope these efforts will encourage fans to explore Busan’s broader tourist attractions, including Gamcheon Cultural Village, the Tombstone Cultural Village, Mount Cheonma, and the Ami Catholic Church. The group previously performed in Busan in October 2022 as part of South Korea’s bid to host the 2030 World Expo.
Prior to the Seoul concert, both RM and Jin of BTS used the Weverse platform to urge fans to prioritize safety and follow the instructions of event staff and security personnel. RM emphasized the importance of “order and consideration” from fans, while Jin expressed gratitude to those who had supported the group’s return.
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