In anticipation of Saturday’s special live performance, marking the highly anticipated return of K-pop sensation BTS, Seoul has transformed into a vibrant open-air festival. Fans have flooded the city, turning ordinary weekday streets into scenes of joyous celebration.
The historic stone walls of Sungnyemun gate, a 600-year-old national treasure of South Korea, were illuminated with the iconic white and red logos of BTS and their new album, “Arirang.” A deep, resonating sound accompanied the display, as silhouettes of the seven members emerged in a burst of radiant light, prompting fans to capture the moment with their phones.
The familiar melody of the Korean folk song “Arirang,” played on the traditional “taepyeongso,” filled the air. As the video transitioned to scenes of the members carrying traditional lanterns, cheers erupted from the crowd, each fan eager to record the captivating scene.
This light projection show is part of “BTS The City Arirang Seoul,” a collaborative project by Hybe, the K-pop powerhouse behind BTS, and the Seoul city government. The project celebrates the group’s comeback, and on the opening night, approximately 600 pre-registered fans were granted access to view the event in staggered rotations, ensuring safety and crowd control.
International members of ARMY, the dedicated BTS fanbase, expressed their excitement for both the event and the band’s return.
Rayane, a 29-year-old Brazilian student studying Korean in Seoul, shared, “I think it’s important and it’s so cool because, of course, I live in Korea, but it can make other people know more about Korea.” She continued, “I waited around four years for its return. So I’m so happy now.”
Anna, a 30-year-old exchange student from Germany, expressed her enjoyment of the light show: “I’m really happy that my exchange student time is at the same time as the BTS comeback.”
The event followed the release of BTS’s fifth studio album, “Arirang,” marking their return after a three-year and nine-month hiatus from group projects due to the members’ mandatory military service.
Claudia, a Spanish university graduate, lauded the new release as “a really ambitious project” and “something completely new that has never been done before,” expressing her anticipation for Saturday’s concert at Gwanghwamun Square.
“What I really want to see is what it came up with for the dancers and also the costumes because its styling team is next level.”
Across Seoul, iconic landmarks joined the celebration. The N Seoul Tower on Mount Nam, Cheonggye Stream, and the Sebitseom islands all shone crimson red, the signature color of the “Arirang” album.
Further east, along the Han River at Ttukseom Park, 2,000 drones took flight in a stunning choreographed light show. They formed a massive Taegeuk pattern, then transitioned rhythmically into the Korean national flag, all synchronized to music from the new album, culminating in the spelling of “Arirang” in Korean characters.
The riverside was packed an hour before the show commenced. Fans swayed to the background tracks of BTS’s new music, their excitement building as the drones formed the faces of each member. As the refrain of the beloved Korean folk song “Arirang” played, international fans joined in a massive sing-along, their voices united in celebration.
At Gwanghwamun Square, the venue for Saturday’s comeback concert, digital billboards on surrounding buildings displayed footage celebrating the return of BTS from 7 p.m. onwards, drawing crowds of locals and tourists eager to take selfies under the illuminated screens.
The celebration will continue throughout the weekend, featuring a BTS-themed musical fountain show at Banpo Bridge and fan lounges and exhibitions planned across Seoul through next month. (Yonhap)
