After a hiatus of four years, the renowned K-pop group BTS made a grand return on Saturday with a colossal free concert in Seoul. The event, exclusively available on Netflix, saw thousands of fans flock to the central boulevard, which was secured by numerous police officers. The concert commenced with RM, the group’s leader, greeting the crowd with “Annyeonghaseyo!” before launching into their performance of “Body to Body,” eliciting ecstatic cheers from fans brandishing purple-and-red light sticks and capturing the moment on their smartphones.
Following the completion of their mandatory military service, all seven members of BTS, namely RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook, are eager to reclaim their position as one of the globe’s most prominent pop acts. Their show at Gwanghwamun Square marks the beginning of an extensive global tour covering the United States, Europe, and Asia, with analysts anticipating substantial revenue potential in the hundreds of millions of dollars per quarter.
The concert, lasting an hour, coincided with the release of their fifth album, “ARIRANG,” which achieved impressive sales of nearly four million copies on its debut day, as reported by HYBE, the band’s management company. Despite sustaining an ankle injury during rehearsals, RM delivered a remarkable performance with altered choreography. The concert, which commenced at 8 p.m. local time, attracted tens of thousands of attendees to the Gwanghwamun area, including 22,000 fans occupying free seats in the designated viewing zone, while others watched on screens nearby. The entire show was broadcasted live on Netflix.
BTS, debuting in 2013, boasts a dedicated global fanbase known as the “Army.” In a notable achievement, the group became the first K-pop act to top Billboard’s Hot 100 chart in 2020 with their hit single “Dynamite.” The return of BTS as a complete group is expected to have a significant impact, especially amidst the rising global interest in K-pop, exemplified by the success of Netflix’s animated series, “KPop Demon Hunters.”
The concert venue witnessed stringent crowd controls, with police presence managing the enthusiastic fans who sang and cheered from cordoned-off sections. The group performed a mix of songs from their latest album, including “SWIM,” alongside popular hits like “Dynamite” and “Butter.” Emotional moments transpired as some members expressed gratitude towards fans braving the chilly night, culminating in a heartfelt hand-holding gesture and bow to conclude the show.
The concert’s location in Gwanghwamun, a revered historical site in Seoul, accentuated the significance of the event, with lighting effects bathing the palace gate and walls in vibrant colors. Suga emphasized that the album’s title and the choice of venue reflected the group’s emphasis on identity, with RM underscoring their commitment to producing authentic music that embodies their true selves.
Despite the tight security measures and crowd regulations, the event brought joy to fans who eagerly anticipated BTS’s long-awaited return, solidifying their status as global music icons.