BTS Return with ‘Arirang’ Concert: Watch Highlights From Seoul Comeback

SEOUL — K-pop group BTS returned to the stage Saturday night in a historic performance at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, marking their first full-group concert in over three years. The free concert, broadcast live globally on Netflix, drew tens of thousands of fans and signaled the official return of the group following the completion of their mandatory military service.

The performance began with a sweeping visual of Seoul’s Gyeongbokgung Palace, transitioning to reveal the seven members of BTS – RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook – standing before it. “Hello, Seoul,” group leader RM addressed the crowd, “We’re back.” The concert opened with “Body to Body,” a track from their newly released fifth studio album, “ARIRANG,” which incorporated elements of the traditional Korean folk song of the same name. They followed with performances of new songs “Hooligan” and “2.0” before formally greeting the audience.

“We are finally here, and we are seeing you again,” Jimin told the crowd, expressing his emotion at the reunion. The setlist included a mix of new material and established hits, with the group performing songs like “Butter” and “MIC Drop” alongside tracks from “ARIRANG,” including “Aliens,” “FYA,” “Swim,” “Like Animals,” and “Normal.”

J-Hope declared from the stage, “BTS 2.0 is just getting started,” although Jin thanked fans for their patience, saying, “Thank you for waiting, ARMY!” The concert culminated with performances of their global hit “Dynamite” and the fan-favorite “Mikrokosmos.”

The concert took place despite an ankle injury sustained by RM during rehearsals two days prior, according to Big Hit Music. The label stated that RM would participate “to the extent possible,” and he performed throughout the show while seated and utilizing a walking boot. “Although there will be limitations to his performance, RM will participate on stage to the extent possible and hopes to connect with ARMY and the audience,” the statement read.

The choice of Gwanghwamun Square, a historically and politically significant location in Seoul, was deliberate. The performance marked the first time a pop concert had been held in the square, and underscored the themes of identity and cultural pride present in the “ARIRANG” album. The album’s title itself is a tribute to the Korean folk ballad, considered the country’s first recorded song. The album also features “No. 29,” a track consisting solely of the sound of the 1,255-year-ancient Divine Bell of King Seongdeok, designated as South Korea’s National Treasure No. 29.

The “ARIRANG” album sold nearly 4 million copies on its first day of release, according to HYBE, BTS’s management company. The concert drew an estimated 260,000 people to the square and surrounding streets, with 22,000 fans securing tickets for designated seating areas. Authorities carefully managed the crowd’s dispersal after the show, taking nearly two hours to clear the plaza.

Netflix streamed the concert live using a 23-camera setup, marking the first time the platform has broadcast a standalone concert. Brandon Riegg, Netflix’s vice president of nonfiction sports and series, described the event as a significant opportunity to connect with fans globally. Live TV veteran Hamish Hamilton, known for directing multiple Super Bowl halftime shows and the Academy Awards, directed the concert, emphasizing the goal of creating an immersive experience for both in-person and at-home viewers.

BTS is scheduled to perform at a Spotify event on Monday and will appear on “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” for two nights later this week, marking their return to the U.S. Stage after a four-year hiatus.