The wait is over! BTS has officially returned.
“BTS Comeback Live: Arirang,” the group’s first full-group performance in three years, marked a historic moment. BTS became the first K-pop group to host an exclusive live performance at the iconic Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, South Korea.
The highly anticipated one-hour performance was livestreamed globally on Netflix, representing the platform’s first-ever broadcast of a single musical act’s concert.
Throughout the day, fans, known as ARMY, showed their dedication by dressing in the fandom’s signature purple color and sporting traditional hanbok attire with Korean accessories, paying homage to the significant historical venue.
The energy was palpable as fans chanted “BTS! BTS!” and the members’ names in the moments leading up to the show. The concert began with the resonating bell sound of the Bell of King Seongdeok – a sample featured in the interlude track “No. 29” from the group’s latest album, “Arirang” – filling the square and signaling the commencement of the momentous event.
The members made a grand entrance, emerging from a five-story-tall stage designed like a giant gate. They walked along the King’s Road, passing through Gyeongbokgung Palace, Geunjeongmun Gate, Heungnyemun Gate, and the woldae platform in front of Gwanghwamun Gate. Before the show, RM, the group’s leader, explained that the stage design was specifically chosen to highlight the symbolic importance of Gwanghwamun to the international audience.
“Hello, Seoul,” RM greeted the crowd as BTS took the stage. “We’re back.”
BTS kicked off the concert with “Body to Body,” followed by “Hooligan” and “2.0,” all popular B-sides from their new album. The performances ignited explosive cheers from the audience.
During “Body to Body,” as RM sang the line, “I need the whole stadium to jump,” the fans responded in unison, raising their Army Bombs – BTS’ official light sticks – and jumping along. When the familiar Korean folk song “Arirang,” woven into the track, echoed throughout the venue, the crowd passionately sang along, fulfilling RM’s request from a Weverse live session the day before.
“Army, we’ve finally met,” Jimin said with a heartfelt smile. “I’m so grateful to be able to stand here and speak to you, and I’m so happy that all seven of us could be together again. We missed you so much.”
“It feels incredibly meaningful to perform at such a special place,” V added, expressing gratitude to fans who traveled from afar and those watching live on Netflix. He conveyed his hope that their performance would resonate with viewers around the world. The live broadcast on Netflix reached an estimated 300 million subscribers across 190 regions.
BTS maintained the high energy with a medley of their hit songs, including “Butter” and “Mic Drop.” “Mic Drop” garnered the most enthusiastic response, with fans singing along and mirroring the group’s iconic choreography.
The septet also showcased a selection of new tracks from “Arirang,” notably the main track “Swim.” Netflix had teased the performance of “Swim” since its release on Friday, and the crowd’s anticipation culminated in an explosive reaction, making it a definite highlight of the evening.
“Since this is our first time performing the songs (from our new album), I feel a bit nervous,” Jungkook confessed. “But it’s also really exciting, and everything feels very new. It’s been such a long time – it feels thrilling.”
The members also shared their reflections on “Arirang.”
“The new album includes a wide range of tracks, and it also carries many of our concerns and thoughts,” J-Hope revealed, adding that the members had wondered if they had been “forgotten” after a three-year hiatus from performing as a group.
In response, the fans emphatically shouted “Never!” and “How could we?” demonstrating their unwavering support.
Acknowledging that BTS was at a turning point, RM – who contributed to the composition and lyrics of 12 of the 14 tracks on the new album – shared that he had been questioning himself about the choices he should make and the kind of artist he wanted to be remembered as while creating the album.
“The answer wasn’t on the outside, but it was within,” he explained. “Listening more closely to our own voices and honestly expressing our concerns, anxiety, and even confusion was the goal behind this album.”
Suga echoed RM’s sentiments, adding that the members had deeply contemplated what they needed to protect and what they needed to change during their time apart.
“Because of that, we still feel uncertain and anxious, but we believe those emotions are also a part of who we are,” he said.
As the concert drew to a close, BTS revisited some of their biggest hits, concluding the night with tracks that evoked both celebration and reflection: “Dynamite,” their global smash from 2020, and “Mikrokosmos,” a fan-favorite known for its poetic and symbolic lyrics.
Instead of a traditional encore, the members remained on stage, creating a meaningful and intimate moment with their fans.
“Once again, thank you so much for being here,” Jin expressed. “We’ll be back to share more moments and to be together with you more often from now on.”
Approximately 22,000 ticket holders attended the concert within the designated venue, while thousands more gathered in the surrounding streets and public areas to catch a glimpse of the performance.
Organizers, including Hybe Corporation, estimated a total live audience of up to 104,000 people, stretching beyond City Hall Station, located nearly 1 kilometer from the main venue. Despite the large crowds, the event proceeded smoothly without any reported incidents, thanks to weeks of meticulous planning and strict safety measures.
The Gwanghwamun performance signified BTS’ return not only as a group but also as a powerful cultural phenomenon, transforming a historic landmark into a shared experience between the artists and their devoted fans who had eagerly awaited their comeback. BTS demonstrated that their hiatus had not diminished their presence but had instead refined them into even stronger performers.
Following the Saturday concert, BTS is heading to New York City, where they will participate in a special fan event hosted in collaboration with Spotify on Monday, bringing together 1,000 lucky fans to enjoy a live performance of tracks from their latest album, “Arirang.” The group is also scheduled to appear on NBC’s “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” on March 25 and 26, marking their first appearance on the program since July 2021.
Netflix will also release the documentary “BTS: The Return” on March 27, which chronicles the seven members’ journey as they reflect on their past and begin shaping the next chapter of their careers while recording “Arirang” in Los Angeles.
After two weeks of domestic and international promotions, BTS will officially launch their “BTS World Tour ‘Arirang,’” commencing in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, on April 9.
