SEOUL, South Korea – K-pop supergroup BTS returned to the stage Saturday in Seoul, performing for an estimated 104,000 fans at Gwanghwamun Square in their first concert since October 2022. The free concert, marking the release of their new album “Arirang” on Friday, drew massive crowds and was livestreamed globally on Netflix, reaching fans in approximately 190 countries.
The event, hailed as the largest public concert in South Korean history with around 260,000 fans anticipated in attendance, signifies the band’s return after a period where members fulfilled mandatory military service requirements. Only 22,000 fans with “Golden Tickets” were permitted inside the cordoned-off concert venue, while tens of thousands more watched from giant screens set up around the square.
“The road has been long, but here we are!” declared BTS leader RM, addressing the crowd. He occasionally sat on a stool due to a recent ankle injury. The band performed songs from “Arirang” alongside their signature hits, including “Dynamite” and “Mikrokosmos.” Jimin, another member of the group, expressed his joy at being reunited on stage with all seven members. J-Hope added, “BTS 2.0 is just beginning.”
The concert took place against the backdrop of Gwanghwamun Square, a historically significant location in Seoul. The square, situated near Gyeongbokgung Palace, has served as a site for both royal ceremonies and political demonstrations, symbolizing Korea’s resilience and cultural heritage. The stage itself was designed to resemble a triumphal arch, a rare honor reflecting the band’s impact on Korean culture.
“Arirang,” the album, is named after a traditional Korean folk song considered the country’s unofficial national anthem. It explores themes of identity and belonging and features collaborations with Western artists and producers, blending rap, powerful rhythms, and experimental sounds. Large Hit Music, BTS’s label, announced that the album sold nearly four million copies on its first day of release, and was pre-saved by five million Spotify users, a record for a K-pop group.
Fans traveled from around the world to witness the concert. Vivienne Ferrier, who flew from the United States, wore a hanbok-inspired outfit, incorporating traditional Korean dress and accessories. “I chose the colors red and white because the album is red and white, so I wanted to celebrate what they were showing to us,” she told CNN. Others donned purple, the symbolic color of BTS and their fanbase, known as ARMY.
Security was tight, with approximately 15,000 police officers and security personnel deployed throughout the area. The concert precedes a world tour scheduled to begin next month, encompassing 82 dates across 34 regions between April 2026 and March 2027. The band is projected to generate $1 billion in revenue from the tour, though the South Korean government emphasizes the band’s contribution to the country extends far beyond financial gains.
J-Hope admitted to the audience that the band had moments of uncertainty about whether fans would still remember them after their hiatus. The crowd responded with a sea of illuminated ARMY bombs, singing along to every song. “Seeing them on stage made me feel like I was welcomed into a family,” said Gabriel Miranda, a 34-year-old fan who traveled from the United States. “It was very expressive and beautiful.”
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