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, instructed 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 — not too long ago accomplished South Korea’s obligatory navy service, and hope to reclaim their standing as one of many world’s greatest pop acts.
The efficiency at Gwanghwamun Square launches a worldwide tour spanning dozens of reveals throughout the United States, Europe and Asia, which analysts say may generate lots of of tens of millions of {dollars} in income per quarter.
The hourlong live performance got here after the group on Friday launched its fifth album, “ARIRANG,” which offered almost 4 million copies in its first day, stated the band’s administration firm, HYBE. The firm 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 reside 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 world supporters who name themselves the “Army.” It grew to become the primary Okay-pop act to high Billboard’s Hot 100 chart in 2020 with their first all-English track “Dynamite.”
Jung Dukhyun, a popular culture commentator, stated that the impression of BTS’ return as a full-group can be super 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.”
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 arms 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 providers, and sealed off dozens of surrounding buildings, in what amounted to a full-day shutdown of the district.
Thousands of law enforcement officials maintained a decent 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 means of 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 wedding 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 seemed for a spot to attend.
While South Korean officers have taken crowd security extra severely since a 2022 Halloween surge that killed almost 160 individuals, 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.
Hundreds of 1000’s have gathered in Gwanghwamun lately to mourn, protest and have a good time because the nation weathered tragedy and political upheaval. The BTS live performance got here a few yr after waves of demonstrators stuffed the world, calling for the ouster of then-President Yoon Suk Yeol over his temporary imposition of martial regulation in December 2024. Those monthslong rallies had been marked by a festive environment and a hanging mix of politics and popular culture, with protesters singing and waving colourful Okay-pop gentle sticks, and ended with out main security accidents.
The new BTS album, “ARIRANG,” takes its title 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 offered a sweeping historic backdrop to Saturday’s present, which was highlighted by lighting results that bathed the palace gate and partitions in purple, pink and blue.
Suga instructed 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 instructed the gang.
South Korean officers, together with present President Lee Jae Myung, expressed hope that the occasion would promote the nation’s tradition and gentle energy.
The group’s comeback follows a virtually four-year hiatus pushed by South Korea’s obligatory navy 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 may grow to be the largest Okay-pop tour ever by scale and income, with 82 reveals deliberate globally in stadiums of round 50,000 seats. Ha Jae-keun, a cultural critic, stated BTS was prone 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 greatest to present every little thing we acquired,” J-Hope stated.
Associated Press video journalists Yong Jun Chang and Yong-ho Kim contributed to this report.
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