Fans poured into the historic heart of South Korea's capital for the return of the world's most successful band in recent years, BTS. According to entertainment company HYBE, around 104,000 people attended the concert on Saturday at Gwanghwamun Square, where the seven K-pop stars performed together for the first time since October 2022.
The concert, set against the backdrop of a 14th Century gateway to the royal palace, featured songs from their highly anticipated new album, 'Arirang', which was released on Friday.
Entering Seoul's central Gwanghwamun square felt like stepping into a temple dedicated to the boyband, adorned in purple, their signature color. The stage resembled a triumphal arch, a tribute to the seven idols who have become the face of Korea's cultural success.
Fans are set to follow BTS on their world tour kicking off next month, with expected revenues around $1 billion (£747m). However, the government highlights that BTS's impact extends beyond financial gain.
Despite the euphoria, only approximately 22,000 attendees could enter the concert venue, while many fans gathered outside to watch giant screens. Some shared touching stories of their journey to attend, while those who missed out expressed their disappointment, having attempted to secure tickets through various devices.
The concert was live-streamed on Netflix, amidst significant hype around the album and the band’s future activities, marking a pivotal moment in the K-pop landscape as BTS returns to a music scene that has only become more competitive.
