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Lee Hugh
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BLACKPINK receives Red Diamond for first artist YouTube subscription of 100 mln SEOUL, February 22 (AJP) -BLACKPINK has become the first musical artist in the world to surpass 100 million subscribers on YouTube, setting a new benchmark for global fandom in the digital era. The channel exceeded the 100 million mark at 7:31 p.m. Friday, YG Entertainment said in a press release Saturday, nine years and eight months after it was launched on June 28, 2016. YouTube on Friday presented the group with its Red Diamond Creator Award to commemorate the milestone. The distinction is reserved for channels that exceed 100 million subscribers, placing BLACKPINK in a rare tier of global creators. Launched in June 2016, the group’s official channel reached the mark in about nine years and eight months. It has uploaded more than 50 videos with at least 100 million views each, while cumulative views stand at 41.1 billion. Guinness World Records has also listed the quartet as the “most viewed band on YouTube.” Lyor Cohen, global head of music at YouTube and Google, described the achievement as “historic,” calling it the first time any artist worldwide has reached the 100 million-subscriber threshold. He said the figure reflects the depth of BLACKPINK’s bond with fans and underscores how artists can use digital platforms to build borderless fandoms. The Red Diamond Creator Award, featuring a dark red crystal play icon, is one of YouTube’s rarest honors. Previous recipients include major global creators, but BLACKPINK is the first official artist channel to claim the distinction. Debuting on Aug. 8, 2016, under YG Entertainment, the four-member act — Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé and Lisa — rose quickly with early hits “Whistle” and “Boombayah.” Their 2018 single “DDU-DU DDU-DU” became a global breakthrough, expanding their international footprint and reinforcing their dominance on YouTube. Subsequent releases, including full-length albums “THE ALBUM” and “BORN PINK,” cemented their standing as one of K-pop’s leading acts. The group has also mounted sold-out world tours and performed at major international festivals, further broadening its global reach. Each member has pursued solo projects alongside group promotions, yet BLACKPINK’s collective brand has remained a formidable force. The group recently wrapped up its “DEADLINE” world tour and is set to release its third mini album, “Deadline,” at 2 p.m. on Feb. 27 (Korea time). The upcoming album will feature five tracks: title song “Go,” along with pre-releases “Dwieo,” “Me and My,” “Champion” and “Fxxxboi.” YG Entertainment said the record will capture “the best moments that cannot be undone” and showcase “BLACKPINK at their brightest right now.” 2026-02-22 14:36:09 -
BLACKPINK Becomes First Artist Channel to Reach 100 Million YouTube Subscribers BLACKPINK has reached 100 million subscribers on YouTube, the first time in the platform’s history that an official artist channel has hit the mark. YouTube said on the 21st that it presented BLACKPINK with a “Red Diamond Creator Award” made to commemorate the milestone. The group’s YouTube channel was launched in June 2016, reaching the record in about 9 years and 8 months. The channel has produced 50 videos with more than 100 million views each, and its cumulative views total 41.1 billion. Guinness World Records has officially listed the group as the “band with the most views on YouTube.” Lyor Cohen, Google and YouTube’s global head of music, called the achievement “truly historic,” saying it is “the first record of its kind among artists worldwide.” “It proves how deep the bond is between BLACKPINK and their fans, and how unmatched their influence is on the global stage,” Cohen said. He added that the group is “a perfect example” of how artists can use YouTube to build a borderless mega-fandom, and congratulated BLACKPINK on the “monumental moment.” BLACKPINK will release its third mini-album, “Deadline,” at 2 p.m. KST on the 27th. The album includes five tracks: the title song “Go,” along with the pre-release songs “Run,” “Me and My,” “Champion” and “Fxxx Boy.” YG said the album, like its title, will be filled with “the best moments that can’t be undone” and “BLACKPINK’s present at its brightest.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-22 13:54:14
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INTERVIEW: Formosa Chairman Sandy Wang emphasizes long-term research partnership with KAIST SEOUL, February 22 (AJP) - Wang Ruey-yu, known by her English name Sandy Wang, described the establishment of the KAIST-Formosa Biomedical Research Center as a foundational step in a rare cross-border collaboration between Taiwanese industry and South Korean academia. Speaking in an interview with AJP on February 22, Wang, an executive member of the Formosa Group and chairperson of Formosa Bio, characterized the partnership as a "first seed" for future cooperation. "This first button is the establishment of the KAIST-Formosa Biomedical Research Center," Sandy Wang said. "Since we have fastened the first button, should we not continue with the second and third?" The collaboration marks the first time the Taiwan-based conglomerate has entered into such a support and research agreement with a South Korean university. While Formosa Group operates across diverse industrial sectors, Sandy Wang noted that the initial focus on life sciences was driven by a shared mission to solve critical health challenges. She explained that her decision to support KAIST was finalized after meeting with Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences Head Kim Dae-soo and Professor Choi Min-yi. "When I asked what they could do best, I heard the answer, 'I can save people,'" Sandy Wang said. "I was able to make a decision easily at the word that I could save people suffering from diseases. I felt there could be no more important plan for social contribution than this." Sandy Wang identified the leadership of KAIST President Lee Kwang-hyung and the university's research infrastructure as decisive factors in selecting the institution as a strategic partner. She noted that the partnership combines the research capabilities of KAIST with the clinical experience of Formosa’s 12,000-bed Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine. "The cooperation with KAIST and the support for KAIST were considered significant just by the fact that one more research center was added that could give hope to people suffering from incurable or intractable diseases," Sandy Wang stated. The partnership is structured as an open research platform designed to link laboratory discoveries with industrial commercialization. To facilitate this, researchers participating in the joint center have been appointed as specially appointed professors at Chang Gung University and Ming Chi University of Technology in Taiwan. Sandy Wang emphasized a patient approach to results, stating that she does not intend to be "impatient" about producing immediate research outcomes. "I plan to provide support calmly without being impatient about producing research results," Wang said. "How to realize that value can be considered after the groundwork is laid." Beyond biotechnology, the collaboration is expected to expand into other industrial fields, including energy transition and resource circulation. Chief executives from Formosa Group affiliates have already visited KAIST to identify potential cooperation areas. Sandy Wang expressed confidence that these exchanges will assist Formosa Group in its strategic shift toward carbon-neutral industries. "I am confident that if industry-academic cooperation with KAIST is achieved and exchanges are expanded, it will be of great help in finding new paths for the Formosa Group to move forward," Sandy Wang said. The executive also reflected on the broader implications of the partnership for South Korea and Taiwan, noting that it is very rare for a Taiwanese company to engage in industry-academic cooperation with a South Korean university. Wang reiterated her commitment to her father’s philosophy that a company must return its profits to the society where it took root. "They say a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and you cannot be full with the first spoonful," Wang said. "We have already made an important start together, and I will do my best to cooperate and support this start so it can produce good results." 2026-02-22 13:28:40 -
BTS Comeback D-27: Free tickets for Gwanghwamun show open Monday SEOUL, February 22 (AJP) -Kpop sensation BTS are 27 days away from their first full-scale comeback performance in nearly four years, with free offline tickets for their Gwanghwamun Square show set to open Monday. According to HYBE, detailed access and safety guidelines were released through Weverse ahead of the March 21 event, as anticipation builds for one of the largest outdoor K-pop concerts ever staged in central Seoul. Access to the main viewing area will be limited to winners selected from Weverse Global reservation purchasers and holders of advance-sale tickets. Areas outside the designated zone may face partial restrictions under on-site safety rules. The audience area will include both standing sections and reserved seats. Some reserved sections may have limited views due to stage equipment and safety installations, but those seats will be connected to large LED screens installed around the venue. Offline tickets will be offered free of charge through NOL Ticket at 8:00 p.m. on Feb. 23 in Korean time. Fans who cannot attend in person will be able to watch the performance live on Netflix. The concert will take place at Gwanghwamun Square, a 550-meter public plaza stretching from Gwanghwamun Gate toward City Hall. Steeped in political, cultural and historical symbolism, the square has hosted major national events, protests and celebrations — but never a full-scale K-pop comeback show of this magnitude. For the March 21 performance, the area will be transformed into what officials describe as a “super outdoor digital stage,” with massive LED walls, surround sound systems and temporary structures lining the 12-lane boulevard. The Gwanghwamun concert marks BTS’s first full-group comeback following the completion of members’ mandatory military service, ending a hiatus that began in late 2022. Since then, individual members have pursued solo projects, while the group’s collective activities have been limited to special releases and anniversary events. Industry watchers see the March performance as a symbolic reset — reintroducing BTS as a complete group on a stage that reflects both national identity and global reach. “Choosing Gwanghwamun is a statement,” a music industry source said. “It connects BTS’s global status with Korea’s historical center.” The event, titled “BTS Comeback Live: Arirang,” will run for about an hour starting at 8:00 p.m. on March 21, in and around Gwanghwamun Square. Traffic in the area will be tightly controlled for security and crowd management. Nearby subway stations may operate on a pass-through basis without stopping, depending on congestion. Police, fire authorities and city officials are expected to deploy large-scale safety measures, given the possibility of hundreds of thousands of fans gathering in and around the plaza. BTS will release their fifth full-length album, “Arirang,” at 1:00 p.m. on March 20, one day before the concert. 2026-02-22 13:24:50 -
SK chair sees profit from memory sales topping $100bn amid AI boom, wary of volatility SEOUL, February 22 (AJP) -The surging demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure could push operating profit at SK hynix beyond $100 billion in the near term, but the chip operation is equally at risk of an unprecedented volatility, said Chey Tae-won, chairman of SK Group. Speaking at the Trans-Pacific Dialogue (TPD) 2026 held Feb. 20–21 at the Salamander Washington DC, Chey said AI is fundamentally transforming industrial structures worldwide. The Trans-Pacific Dialogue (TPD) is an annual track-1.5 dialogue organized by the Chey Institute that brings together scholars, policymakers, and opinion leaders from the U.S., Japan, and Korea to discuss pressing global issues and challenges. “AI is restructuring global industries at their core,” he said. “It is driving extraordinary opportunities, but also unprecedented uncertainty.” Chey said market expectations for SK hynix’s earnings have risen sharply over recent months. “In December, estimates suggested operating profit this year would exceed $50 billion. Last month, that was raised to over $70 billion,” he said. “Now, some forecasts suggest it could surpass $100 billion.” He added that Morgan Stanley recently projected SK Hynix’s operating profit could reach 179 trillion won ($123 billion) this year. Despite the upbeat outlook, Chey warned against excessive optimism. “It sounds like great news, but it could also mean a $100 billion loss,” he said. “Volatility is extremely high. New technology can be a solution, but it can also wipe everything out.” He noted that the pace of change has become so rapid that even one-year business plans are losing relevance. Chey said AI adoption is fundamentally altering the structure of memory demand, creating acute supply shortages. “AI memory is in severe shortage, with the gap exceeding 30 percent this year,” he said. “AI infrastructure is absorbing almost all available memory chips.” He described high-bandwidth memory (HBM), SK Hynix’s flagship product, as a “monster chip.” “This monster chip is now the real money-maker for our company,” he said. “Its margins exceed 60 percent.” However, he said distortions have emerged in the market. “HBM margins are around 60 percent, but in some cases, conventional memory chips are generating margins close to 80 percent,” he said. “That creates a distortion where selling general-purpose chips can be more profitable.” Chey warned that industries outside the AI ecosystem face growing risks. “In non-AI sectors, even PC and smartphone makers are struggling to develop new applications,” he said. “Some of them may eventually exit the market.” “The shortage is completely reshaping the global industrial landscape.” Chey said AI’s impact is spreading beyond technology into energy and finance. “If power demand for AI is not met in time, society could face a major crisis,” he said. “We need environmentally friendly and stable energy systems built on new technologies.” He added that only countries and companies with sufficient capital and resources will be able to shoulder massive AI infrastructure costs and remain competitive. “In a race that cannot be paused, financial capacity will determine leadership,” he said. Trilateral cooperation key Chey emphasized the importance of cooperation among South Korea, the United States and Japan. “The change we face is not simply a challenge. It is a structural reality that will determine our survival,” he said. “How the three countries cooperate will shape the future order.” He called for moving beyond diagnosis to concrete solutions. Meeting with Korean correspondents on the sidelines of the forum, Chey explained his recent series of meetings with global tech leaders, including Jensen Huang, and executives from Meta Platforms and Microsoft. “I went to apologize for not being able to supply enough memory,” he said. “We simply cannot meet all customer demand right now.” On recent U.S. court rulings limiting tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, Chey adopted a cautious tone. “I will review the ruling before commenting,” he said. Chey also heads the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Regarding potential semiconductor tariffs, he added, “We need to see how negotiations unfold. It’s not something I can address in advance. Korea must respond as one team.” The forum was hosted by the Chey Institute for Advanced Studies, which brings together senior officials, scholars and business leaders from South Korea, the U.S. and Japan to discuss regional security and economic cooperation. Launched in 2021, this year’s event marked its fifth edition. Kim Yoo-seok, president of the institute, said the anniversary provided an opportunity to reassess the strategic value of trilateral cooperation amid rapid global change. “The institute will continue to focus on practical solutions in key areas such as AI and energy that shape national competitiveness,” he said. 2026-02-22 13:11:59 -
'The King's Warden' on track to become Korea's biggest box-office hit after "Exhuma" SEOUL, February 22 (AJP) -"The King’s Warden" is rapidly emerging as South Korea’s next potential 10-million-viewer blockbuster, signaling a renewed appetite for domestic cinema after a year without a mega hit following "Exhuma" in 2024. According to the Korean Film Council’s integrated box office database, the historical drama drew 581,184 admissions on Friday, ranking No. 1 for the day. Its cumulative audience reached 5,260,595. Given packed cinemas nationwide over the weekend, the cumulative tally is likely to top six million admissions once weekend figures are fully reflected — a milestone many analysts now regard as all but certain. The film is directed by Jang Hang-jun and stars Yoo Hae-jin, Park Ji-hoon, Yoo Ji-tae, and Jeon Mi-do. In addition to box office momentum, audience reviews on South Korea’s leading portal Naver reflect strong viewer engagement. With more than 3,200 real-time audience ratings, The King’s Warden holds a 9.02 out of 10 average score, with: 73 per cent of reviewers rating it 9–10/10, 17 per cent rating it 7–8, and a gender split showing wider female viewer participation (66 per cent) vs male (34 per cent) Such robust ratings point to strong word-of-mouth, particularly among female audiences — a factor that industry observers say is helping sustain box office growth beyond the opening week. "The King’s Warden" reached the five-million mark two days faster than "The King and the Clown", the first Korean historical film to surpass 10 million viewers, and is tracking similarly to "Masquerade", which eventually drew more than 12 million admissions. Unlike many recent releases that peaked early and tapered off, this film’s attendance curve continues to rise, a pattern distributors associate with strong long-term potential. “At this pace, six million admissions look nearly certain, and reaching 10 million is well within reach,” said a senior distribution executive. Released on Feb. 4, the film has benefited from a favorable competitive landscape. With no major domestic blockbusters scheduled through the March 1 Independence Movement Day holiday, The King’s Warden has maintained wide screen availability and high occupancy rates. Set in 1457 during the Joseon Dynasty, the film explores the psychological isolation and daily life of the deposed King Danjong during his exile in Cheongnyeongpo, Yeongwol, and his unlikely bond with a village chief seeking to revive his struggling community. Distributors credit its emotional storytelling and ensemble cast with drawing audiences beyond traditional historical drama fans. The film’s success follows a challenging 2025 for Korean cinema. In 2025, no domestic film surpassed the 10-million-viewer mark, an unprecedented outcome outside of 2021 when theaters were largely shuttered due to pandemic restrictions. The year’s most successful local release, "My Daughter Is a Zombie", drew about 5.6 million viewers. The last Korean film to cross the 10-million threshold was "Exhuma" in 2024. At No. 2 was "Humint", directed by Ryoo Seung‑wan, which drew 100,053 viewers over the same period, with a cumulative total of 1,491,010. The espionage thriller stars Jo In‑sung, Park Jung‑min, Shin Se‑kyung, and Park Hae‑joon. Third place went to No. 1, directed by Kim Tae‑yong, with 6,724 admissions and a cumulative total of 223,399. Unlike many recent mid-range hits that cooled quickly after opening week, "The King’s Warden" continued to add audiences heading into its second weekend — a rare sign in the current theatrical landscape. “The combination of high viewer ratings and strong weekend occupancy gives this film a real shot at reaching the 10-million mark,” said a theater-chain analyst. If current momentum holds, the film is expected to top six million admissions comfortably in the coming days, and early forecasts increasingly point toward it becoming the first true Korean mega-hit in the post-pandemic era. 2026-02-22 11:45:03 -
Aboard India's Indigenous Aircraft Carrier INS Vikrant VISAKHAPATNAM, INDIA, February 22 (AJP) - About 10 miles off Vizag Port, our small vessel — packed with around 80 local and international journalists — cuts through the swells for 30 to 40 minutes. Then, without warning, it appears. A vast steel wall, rising slowly over the horizon. INS Vikrant. India's first indigenous aircraft carrier. It takes several more minutes to pull alongside her and for the boarding bridge to be secured. Nobody speaks much. We are all just staring. The first stop is not the flight deck. It is somewhere far more unexpected — the hangar bay. Descend below deck and the scale hits you immediately. Roughly the size of two football fields, the hangar bay is the carrier's garage at sea — a cavernous steel chamber where up to 20 aircraft can be parked, serviced, and armed between sorties. Jets are chained to the floor with heavy-duty fittings, barely shifting even as the 45,000-ton ship rolls through open water. Technicians maneuver them into position on hydraulic turntables with practiced efficiency. Two 30-ton elevators on the starboard side stand ready to lift aircraft up through armored doors to the flight deck above — doors that stay sealed whenever the carrier is underway. We ride one of those elevators up. Slowly, the hangar bay disappears beneath us, replaced by open sky and a rush of sea wind. The first thing that strikes you is not the fighter jets parked nearby. It is the deck itself. The flight deck stretches 262.5 meters in length and more than 60 meters across — roughly two and a half football fields — hosting around thirty aircraft, including MiG-29K fighters. Look down and you will notice the lines painted across the steel: bright yellow and red, sharp and deliberate. The yellow line is a landing alignment guide, helping pilots center their aircraft on approach. The red Safety Line marks zones that are absolutely off-limits during flight operations — a boundary between routine and catastrophe, protecting crew from the lethal force of jet blast. "Crossing beyond that line can mean risking your life," one officer says grimly, his eyes fixed on the runway ahead of us. We stay well behind it. At the bow, the deck curves sharply upward into a 14-degree ski-jump ramp. There are no catapults here — aircraft launch on engine thrust alone, hurled skyward by the ramp's angle and their own power. Landing, however, is another matter entirely. "Landing is the real challenge," one pilot tells us. "You're coming in at hundreds of kilometers per hour, and your tailhook has to catch one of just three wires stretched across the deck. The system adjusts the tension in a split second — based on your speed and weight — and that's what brings you to a dead stop in such a short distance." If the hook fails to catch, the pilot immediately powers back up, circles around, and comes in for another attempt. He says it calmly. The physics of it are anything but. After the deck tour, we are escorted into a sealed briefing room deep inside the ship. Mobile signals vanish instantly. No Wi-Fi, no reception — just steel walls and the hum of machinery. Moments ago, we stood under open sky. Now, there is nothing but metal in every direction. On a carrier, silence is security. Beneath the flight deck lies a world of its own — more than 2,200 compartments housing around 1,700 crew members, who cycle between long deployments at sea and intensive maintenance periods in port. Vikrant generates enough electricity to power thousands of homes. Her onboard hospital has an ICU and a CT scanner. Three automated galleys produce nearly 5,000 meals a day. "The naan from the baking room is actually really delicious," one crew member says with a grin. Even here, morale is part of the mission. Under India's SAGAR doctrine — Security and Growth for All in the Region — Vikrant is both deterrent and lifeline. In 2025, her helicopters evacuated an injured sailor from the Arabian Sea, proof that this ship's purpose reaches far beyond combat. Back at the edge of the deck, steel meets open water. The horizon stretches without end. The carrier holds steady. And standing here, at the edge of a floating city in the middle of the Indian Ocean, that feels like the most remarkable thing of all. 2026-02-22 10:59:23 -
'A Man Living With the King' Tops 5.26 Million Admissions, Leads Weekend Box Office 영화 '왕과 사는 남자'가 520만 관객을 돌파했다. The film “A Man Living With the King” remained No. 1 at the box office, drawing 581,184 moviegoers on Feb. 21, according to the Korean Film Council’s integrated ticketing network. Its cumulative audience reached 5,260,595. The film hit 5 million admissions two days earlier than “The King and the Clown,” the first historical film to surpass 10 million moviegoers, and is matching the pace of “Masquerade,” which drew 12 million admissions, the data showed. Set in 1457 at Cheongnyeongpo, the period drama follows a village chief who volunteers for exile to revive his community and a young deposed king sent into exile. It is directed by Jang Hang-jun and stars Yoo Hae-jin, Park Ji-hoon, Yoo Ji-tae and Jeon Mi-do. “Humint,” directed by Ryoo Seung-wan, ranked No. 2, selling 100,053 tickets over the same period for a total of 1,491,010 admissions. Set in Vladivostok, the film centers on people with different aims who collide in a place where secrets and truths are buried in an icy sea. It stars Jo In-sung, Park Jeong-min, Shin Se-kyung and Park Hae-joon. “No. 1,” directed by Kim Tae-yong, placed third. It drew 6,724 moviegoers over the same period, bringing its cumulative total to 223,399.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-22 10:57:16 -
Short track, snowboard lead Korea's charge as Milan–Cortina Olympics close SEOUL, February 22 (AJP) - The 2026 Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics drew to a close Sunday, ending 17 days of competition that tested a new model of decentralized hosting while offering South Korea renewed confidence in its next generation of winter athletes. The Games, held across northern Italy and officially titled the Milan–Cortina d’Ampezzo Olympics, featured venues spread over hundreds of kilometers, making it the most geographically dispersed Winter Games in history. Events were staged in four major clusters, supported by six athlete villages, with the closing ceremony held separately in Verona. Organizers promoted the format as a sustainability-driven alternative to large-scale construction. While the approach showcased both urban Milan and the Alpine landscape, it diluted the traditional festival atmosphere associated with the Olympics, according to many athletes and officials. Operational challenges emerged early. Several venues were completed only shortly before opening day. Power outages at curling arenas, schedule disruptions caused by heavy snowfall and norovirus cases, and concerns over defective medals added to a sense of early instability. Despite these issues, competition on ice and snow remained the central focus as the Games progressed. Korea Finishes 13th with Improved Medal Tally South Korea, which sent 71 athletes as part of a 130-member delegation, stood 13th in the medal table heading into the final day, with three gold, four silver, and three bronze medals. The result marked an improvement over the Beijing 2022 Games, where Korea collected two golds and finished 14th. Although the team fell short of its target of a top-10 finish, officials noted that both the quality and diversity of medals improved. Short track speed skating and snowboarding emerged as the pillars of Korea’s performance. Kim Gil-li delivered Korea’s strongest individual showing, winning gold in the women’s 1,500 meters and adding another gold in the 3,000-meter relay. Her victory halted teammate Choi Min-jung’s bid for a third consecutive Olympic title in the event and made Kim the only double gold medalist on the Korean team. In men’s competition, Lim Jong-eon claimed bronze in the 1,000 meters and contributed to a silver in the relay, reinforcing his status as a rising leader of the squad. The results reaffirmed short track’s position as Korea’s most reliable Olympic discipline. The biggest surprise came on the slopes. Choi Ga-on, a 17-year-old high school student born in 2008, captured gold in the women’s halfpipe, becoming Korea’s first-ever Olympic champion in a snow event. Competing despite injury, she quickly emerged as one of the breakout stars of the Games. Yoo Seung-eun added a bronze in the women’s big air, further strengthening Korea’s presence in a discipline long considered a weak point. The success of teenage athletes suggested that Korea’s winter sports portfolio is beginning to broaden beyond ice-based events. Norway once again topped the medal table, securing 18 gold medals and confirming its status as the world’s leading winter sports nation. Johannes Klaebo led the charge by sweeping all cross-country skiing events to claim six gold medals, one of the most dominant performances in Winter Olympics history. Korea also achieved notable results beyond competition. Kim Jae-youl, president of the International Skating Union, was elected to the International Olympic Committee’s Executive Board. Former bobsleigh star Won Yun-jong won the IOC Athletes’ Commission election, securing an eight-year term. 2026-02-22 10:45:20 -
BTS to Open Ticket and Viewing Details for Gwanghwamun Square Comeback Show BTS’ Gwanghwamun Square concert is 27 days away. HYBE shared additional details on Weverse, raising anticipation among fans. Access to the designated viewing areas will be limited to winners selected from Weverse Global reservation purchasers and to holders of advance-sale tickets. Areas outside the viewing zones may face partial restrictions under on-site safety guidelines. The audience setup will include standing sections and reserved seating. Some reserved seats may have limited views because of stage production and safety structures, though large LED screens will be available on-site for viewing. The show will be available both in person and online. Offline ticket reservations will be offered for free through NOL Ticket at 8 p.m. tomorrow (23). Those unable to attend in person can watch on Netflix. “BTS Comeback Live: Arirang” will run for about an hour starting at 8 p.m. on March 21 in and around Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square. Traffic in the area will be controlled to support operations and safety, and nearby subway stations may pass through without stopping depending on crowd levels. BTS will release its fifth full-length album, “Arirang,” at 1 p.m. on March 20. The 14-track album reflects the group’s identity and deep love, and uses the title of a well-known Korean folk song to express the team’s roots and the emotions felt by its members through music. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-22 10:21:16