After a four-year break, Okay-pop supergroup BTS returned Saturday with a large, free comeback live performance in Seoul, the place 1000’s of police locked down a central boulevard for the Netflix-exclusive spectacle that drew tens of 1000’s of followers.
“Annyeonghaseyo! We’re back,” RM, the band’s chief, advised the gang, utilizing the Korean phrase for “hello,” as they opened with “Body to Body,” setting off delirious screams from followers waving purple-and-red gentle sticks and thrusting smartphones into the air.
All seven members of the band — RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook — lately accomplished South Korea’s necessary army service, and hope to reclaim their standing as one of many world’s greatest pop acts.
The efficiency at Gwanghwamun Sq. launches a international tour spanning dozens of exhibits throughout the USA, Europe and Asia, which analysts say might generate lots of of thousands and thousands of {dollars} in income per quarter.
The hourlong live performance got here after the group on Friday launched its fifth album, “ARIRANG,” which bought practically 4 million copies in its first day, stated the band’s administration firm, HYBE. The corporate additionally stated RM had injured his ankle throughout a rehearsal, however he nonetheless carried out with modified choreography.
The BTS live performance, which started at 8 p.m., drew a number of tens of 1000’s to the Gwanghwamun space, together with 22,000 followers who secured free seats within the designated viewing zone and others who watched on screens close by. The present was streamed dwell on Netflix.
“It will be amazing because it’s been so long that BTS (was) not with us,” Dallila Di Tullio, a 32-year-old fan from Italy, stated earlier than the live performance, calling it a once-in-a-century occasion.
BTS debuted in 2013 and has a legion of worldwide supporters who name themselves the “Army.” It turned the primary Okay-pop act to prime Billboard’s Scorching 100 chart in 2020 with their first all-English track “Dynamite.”
Jung Dukhyun, a popular culture commentator, stated that the influence of BTS’ return as a full-group can be large at a time when international fandom for Okay-pop has grown a lot stronger, as proven by the success of Netflix’s animated sensation “KPop Demon Hunters.”
Stringent crowd controls
The darkish streets blazed with gentle as waves of followers sang and cheered from cordoned sections, a jubilant scene that unfolded beneath an unusually heavy police presence managing the crowds.
“I still vividly remember how, at our last Busan concert a few years ago, we asked you to wait for us. Thank you so much for coming here like this,” Jin stated.
The group carried out songs from their new album, together with “SWIM,” alongside hits like “Dynamite” and “Butter.” Some members appeared to tear up whereas thanking followers who braved the chilly night time, earlier than holding palms and bowing to the gang to shut the present.
Police and metropolis officers closed close by streets and roads, halted the world’s subway and bus companies, and sealed off dozens of surrounding buildings, in what amounted to a full-day shutdown of the district.
Hundreds of law enforcement officials maintained a good perimeter across the efficiency venue, channeling the crowds with a maze of fences and buses. Concertgoers started queuing by noon to safe spots alongside close by roads, passing by safety checks and metallic detectors at designated entry factors. The restrictions compelled close by outlets to shut and police to make use of their buses to shuttle marriage ceremony company to a close-by venue.
“I was hoping to (see) if we can go through some holes or be around. Apparently we cannot because they will be asking people to move,” stated Bernice Sanchez, a 52-year-old fan from Switzerland, as she regarded for a spot to attend.
Whereas South Korean officers have taken crowd security extra severely since a 2022 Halloween surge that killed practically 160 folks, critics say the controls went too far and undermined the symbolism of performing in Gwanghwamun, seen as Seoul’s non secular coronary heart and most distinguished gathering area.
Lots of of 1000’s have gathered in Gwanghwamun in recent times to mourn, protest and rejoice because the nation weathered tragedy and political upheaval. The BTS live performance got here a couple of yr after waves of demonstrators crammed the world, calling for the ouster of then-President Yoon Suk Yeol over his temporary imposition of martial regulation in December 2024. These monthslong rallies had been marked by a festive ambiance and a placing mix of politics and popular culture, with protesters singing and waving colourful Okay-pop gentle sticks, and ended with out main security accidents.
Drawing on tradition and heritage
The brand new BTS album, “ARIRANG,” takes its identify from a centuries-old folks track, thought to be an unofficial anthem in each Koreas, whose themes of separation, longing and quiet resilience have echoed throughout generations.
Gwanghwamun and close by Gyeongbok Palace supplied a sweeping historic backdrop to Saturday’s present, which was highlighted by lighting results that bathed the palace gate and partitions in purple, crimson and blue.
Suga advised the gang that the album’s title and the choice to carry out in Gwanghwamun mirrored the group’s concentrate on id. RM stated the band centered on making music that felt true to themselves as they reconvened to work on the brand new album.
“We wanted to show who we are and how we can come together,” he advised the gang.
South Korean officers, together with present President Lee Jae Myung, expressed hope that the occasion would promote the nation’s tradition and smooth energy.
Group’s comeback coincides with Okay-pop’s international rise
The group’s comeback follows an almost four-year hiatus pushed by South Korea’s necessary army service, which requires most able-bodied males to serve 18 to 21 months beneath a conscription system aimed toward deterring aggression from North Korea. BTS members started serving in 2022, with Suga the final to finish his service in June 2025.
Some analysts say the group’s “ARIRANG” world tour might develop into the largest Okay-pop tour ever by scale and income, with 82 exhibits deliberate globally in stadiums of round 50,000 seats. Ha Jae-keun, a cultural critic, stated BTS was more likely to have a “second heyday,” as they maintained a extremely highly effective fandom and would profit from the broader worldwide ascent of Okay-pop.
“We will do our best to give everything we got,” J-Hope stated
