BTS Comeback Live: 100K Fans in Gwanghwamun, 190 Countries, Historic SWIM Event

Global sensation BTS has returned after a 3-year, 9-month hiatus! The performance in Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square, filled with fans, was truly a historic moment.

On March 21st at 8 PM KST, BTS held their comeback live event, ‘BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG,’ at Gwanghwamun Square. Following their hiatus, the members released their 5th full-length album, “Arirang,” and the title track “SWIM” on March 20th, marking their return with a total of 14 tracks.

BTS’s 5th full album, “Arirang,” features 14 songs, including the title track “SWIM,” “Body to Body,” “Hooligan,” “Aliens,” “FYA,” “2.0,” “No. 29,” “Merry Go Round,” “NORMAL,” “Like Animals,” “they don’t know ’bout us,” “One More Night,” “Please,” and “Into the Sun.”

The concert was broadcast live to over 190 countries via Netflix. ‘BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG’ marked the first music performance ever to be live-streamed on Netflix and the first live event broadcast from Korea to a global audience. BTS’s comeback stage, beginning in Seoul’s Gwanghwamun, reached viewers worldwide through Netflix.

Earlier that day, Netflix Korea’s YouTube channel posted a countdown video titled ‘Fan Waiting Room Countdown | Netflix,’ showing the time remaining until the comeback live show and opening a chatroom. The page saw a surge of over 50,000 people just before the live broadcast, proving the intense global interest. ARMYs worldwide filled the chatroom with messages like “BTS,” “ARIRANG,” and “30 minutes left,” accompanied by a sea of purple heart emojis.

The opening featured a breathtaking scene as over 1 km of Seoul’s Gwanghwamun area was packed with people. ARMYs, along with numerous fans, waved their ‘ARMY Bombs’ (light sticks), cheering wildly as the seven members appeared. To the backdrop of Korean-infused music, the complete BTS group emerged and launched the show with tracks ‘Body to Body,’ ‘Hooligan,’ and ‘2.0’ from their new album.

BTS premiered seven tracks from their new album, “Arirang,” including the title track “SWIM,” as well as “Body to Body,” “Hooligan,” “Aliens,” “FYA,” “2.0,” and “Like Animals.”

The members wore matching black outfits, exuding charisma. RM, who sustained a leg injury, joined the members from a chair on the side of the stage from the first song, ‘Body to Body.’ On March 19th, RM was diagnosed with ‘osteochondral lesion of the accessory navicular bone and partial ligament rupture with talus contusion (ligament damage and inflammation)’ during rehearsal. While he couldn’t participate in the intense dance performances, he stood up whenever possible, walking to the center of the stage or standing with the other six members during their ments.

Filled with emotion, the seven members greeted fans for the first time in 3 years and 9 months. Jin said, “I vividly remember asking you to wait for us at the last Busan concert. Thank you for waiting.” Jimin added, “ARMYs, we finally met! I’m so overwhelmed and grateful to be able to speak in front of you like this. I’m happy that the seven of us are back together. I missed you.” He also expressed his gratitude, saying, “I didn’t expect you to fill Gwanghwamun like this. Thank you so much.”

Suga commented, “I’m glad we can perform in Gwanghwamun, a historic place in Korea. We prepared ‘Arirang’ for this album, which captures our identity, and we’re performing here in Gwanghwamun.” V stated, “I’m so moved that we’re performing in such a special place. To the ARMYs who came all the way to Gwanghwamun and to the fans watching worldwide through Netflix, we’ve really been waiting for this too. I hope our hearts are conveyed to the world.”

J-Hope, Jungkook, and RM said, “You’ve waited a long time, right? We’re going to show you a lot for today,” “We’re going to pour everything into it,” and “We’ve finally arrived,” respectively, eliciting cheers as they performed their hit songs ‘Butter’ and ‘MIC Drop.’