BTS Return: Concert Livestream Tops Netflix Charts Globally

BTS performed a live concert Saturday evening at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, South Korea, drawing a crowd estimated between 40,000 and 50,000, according to Seoul city officials. The performance, streamed live on Netflix, marked the K-pop group’s first performance together in nearly four years, following each member’s completion of mandatory military service.

The concert celebrated the release of BTS’s fifth studio album, “Arirang,” which was released Friday. During the performance, the group debuted “Body to Body,” a new song incorporating elements of the traditional Korean folk song “Arirang,” often considered an unofficial national anthem of South Korea.

Netflix reported that the livestream ranked among the top 10 most-watched programs globally for the week, achieving the number one spot in 24 countries. This event represented Netflix’s first live broadcast originating from South Korea and its first global livestream of a concert, according to the streaming service.

Hybe, BTS’s label, stated that approximately 100,000 fans gathered in the city center for the event, a figure lower than the 260,000 anticipated by local police. The discrepancy in crowd estimates is attributed to the methodology used by Seoul’s crowd monitoring system, which relies on mobile network connections and may not accurately capture attendees using international roaming or without cellular service.

Security was heightened for the concert, with around 15,000 police officers and security personnel deployed, along with road closures and restricted access to surrounding areas.

“Arirang” has already achieved significant commercial success, with nearly four million copies sold on its first day of release, according to Hybe. The album’s lead single, “Swim,” topped Spotify’s Daily Top Songs Global chart for three consecutive days, from March 20th to March 22nd. “Body to Body” secured the second position during the same period.

BTS is scheduled to begin a world tour on April 9th in Goyang, South Korea. The tour will encompass 82 dates across 34 cities in Asia, North America, Latin America, and Europe, including two performances in Paris in July.