BTS Returns: K-Pop Superstars Thrill Fans in Seoul Concert After Military Break
SEOUL – BTS performed for a massive crowd in Seoul on Saturday, marking the K-pop group’s first full-group concert in nearly four years. The performance, held at the Gwanghwamun Plaza near Gyeongbokgung Palace, was livestreamed globally on Netflix to millions of fans, preceding a planned 82-date world tour that includes stops in France.
The return of the seven-member group follows a pause initiated in 2022, when members began fulfilling mandatory military service requirements in South Korea. “It’s been a long journey, but here we are!” group leader RM told the audience, according to reports from the scene. Jimin, another member, expressed his joy at the group’s reunification, stating, “BTS 2.0 is just beginning.”
An estimated 260,000 fans converged on Seoul for the event, many dressed in colorful attire and displaying the group’s signature light sticks. The concert site was illuminated with rainbow colors, and a large stage installation featuring three circular elements, representing the group’s latest album, “ARIRANG,” was prominently displayed.
The release of “ARIRANG” on Friday generated significant excitement, with nearly four million copies sold on its first day, according to Big Hit Music, BTS’s label. The album also broke Spotify pre-save records for a K-pop group, with five million pre-saves.
Named after a traditional Korean folk song symbolizing nostalgia and separation, “ARIRANG” features 14 tracks blending rap, powerful rhythms, and experimental sounds. Lee Ji-young, a university professor, described the album as demonstrating “a greater variety of genres, giving it a more mature and expansive dimension.”
Despite the celebratory atmosphere, the concert was shadowed by a recent injury to RM, who sustained an ankle injury. Big Hit Music announced that his participation in the performance would be limited.
The concert drew international attention, with fans traveling from around the globe. Gloria Moloney, a 22-year-aged from Australia, told Agence France-Presse she had traveled to South Korea specifically for the concert and to experience the country’s culture. Lee Yeon-seo, a South Korean attendee from Jeonju, expressed her excitement at being positioned close to the stage.
Security was heightened for the event, with approximately 15,000 police officers and security personnel deployed, along with road closures and restricted access to certain areas. The event also prompted a request from the Mexican president to South Korea for more BTS concerts to be held in Mexico, according to the BBC.
Formed in 2010, BTS achieved international success with hits like “Dynamite” and “Butter,” becoming one of the first K-pop groups to top the Billboard 200 chart in the United States. At its peak, the group rivaled artists like Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber in Spotify streams.
Carmen Low, a 32-year-old Malaysian fan, highlighted the enduring appeal of BTS’s message, stating that their focus on “introspection, resilience, and the courage to move forward, even when life seems uncertain” remains relevant in 2026.