Global sensation BTS (RM, Jin, Jimin, J-Hope, Suga, V, Jungkook) headed to New York, USA, just 12 hours after their comeback stage in Gwanghwamun.
On the morning of the 22nd, BTS departed for New York via Incheon International Airport for overseas schedules. They will be attending a Spotify performance held in New York.
Leader RM, who suffered an ankle injury right before the Gwanghwamun performance and couldn’t fully perform on stage, appeared at the departure hall with crutches.
On the afternoon of the 21st, BTS held the ‘BTS Comeback Live: ARIRANG’ performance at Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno-gu, Seoul, marking their return as a full group after approximately 3 years and 9 months. According to Hybe, the estimated number of people gathered in the Gwanghwamun and City Hall Plaza area was approximately 104,000. Considering the possibility of a gathering of up to 260,000 people, the performance was conducted under a large-scale safety management system, with approximately 4,800 police personnel and 4,000 order maintenance personnel deployed.
Afterward, RM posted a lengthy message on the fan communication platform Weverse, stating, “I would like to thank everyone who joined us for the Gwanghwamun performance.”
RM said, “After a long wait of 4 years, the seven of us gathered again and faced you in the meaningful space of Gwanghwamun. I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who sent us generous consideration and support so that the comeback stage could be completed safely,” and “I would like to bow my head and thank the police, fire department, government, and local government officials who embraced Gwanghwamun Square as our comeback stage and worked hard to ensure a safe performance without any major accidents despite the huge crowd.”
He continued, “I would also like to sincerely apologize and thank the citizens, as well as the merchants and office workers in the Gwanghwamun area, for enduring the large and small inconveniences such as traffic control and noise,” and added, “We will never take the warm consideration you have shown in embracing our performance with such a generous heart for granted, and we will keep it deeply engraved in our hearts for a long time.”
RM stated, “This Gwanghwamun stage is not just for the seven of us from BTS. It was a stage completed by the hard work of those who were responsible for safety, the warm understanding of the citizens, and the unwavering love of ARMY,” and “We will not forget this great love and support that you have sent us, and we will continue to create greater resonance and good music in the future journey of BTS. I hope that the hot memories of today will remain as a pleasant gift in your daily lives for a long time. We were really, extremely happy.”
