BTS Returns as Full Group After 3 Years, 5 Months; Fans Sing Along to 'Arirang' in Seoul BTS returned as a full seven-member group for the first time in about 3 years and 5 months, since its October 2022 “Yet to Come in Busan” concert. As the clock struck 8 p.m. on Saturday and the seven members appeared on a frame-shaped stage set up at Gwanghwamun Square, about 40,000 fans roared and chanted “BTS.” The show opened with “Body to Body,” a track from the group’s new full-length album, “Arirang.” When five traditional vocalists and a Korean traditional music ensemble performed the folk song “Arirang” live, ARMY members answered with a mass singalong. Attendance was estimated at 104,000 by organizers, while Seoul’s real-time city data put the figure at 42,000. That fell well short of the roughly 260,000 initially expected, but fans from around the world raised light sticks and turned the square purple, the group’s signature color. Many fans also watched from outside fences surrounding the 22,000 official seats, following the concert on large screens. Others streamed the live broadcast on smartphones to share in the comeback. Midway through the concert, the members shared how it felt to perform again and introduced the album’s title track, “Swim.” V said, “What we can do is not stop — to release music step by step and keep performing,” adding, “If we show ARMY a good side like this, I think we’ll move forward.” He said he hoped the song would offer listeners “even a little comfort and strength.” The members also spoke about the hiatus, saying they worried, “Would we be forgotten? Would you remember us?” RM said he had thought hard about what kind of artists they wanted to be “at this turning point,” and described the album’s goal as listening to their own voices and openly capturing “worries, anxiety and wandering.” Jimin said he feels fear every time, including for this show, but added he firmly believes that if they “Keep Swimming,” they will find answers someday. The Gwanghwamun comeback concert ended with “Dynamite” and “Mikrokosmos.” Fans lingered afterward, taking photos with the stage behind them before leaving. 2026-03-21 22:06:19

BTS Live: Fans depart Gwanghwamun as Arirang conert closes curtains SEOUL, March 21 (AJP) - Nearly 50,000 people began a slow, orderly departure from Gwanghwamun Square late Saturday night as the BTS comeback concert came to a close. According to Seoul's real-time crowd management system, the assembly filled the central plaza to capacity before the performance began. To manage the turnout, city officials and local police released the crowd in stages, opening audience sections one by one to prevent congestion at nearby transit hubs. This phased dispersal followed a performance that marked the first time the group had appeared together in South Korea since 2022. For the international fans in attendance, the coordination of the exit was as notable as the music. Eeti, a fan from London who moved her travel plans forward to witness the show, described the safety protocols as the most impressive she had seen. "It was so great & amazing," she said. After spending two days listening to the new tracks to prepare, she found the environment "very well organized. Very convenient. Very surprised how smooth everything was." She noted that she felt "no danger. Pretty safe," despite the volume of people in the square. Other attendees noted the specific atmosphere during the set. Liana, a fan from Russia who has followed the group for a decade, traveled to Seoul specifically for the Saturday performance. While she described the choreography for the new songs as 'so good,' she was struck by the relative silence of the crowd. 'Why is no one dancing?' she recalled thinking. Liana observed that most people around her remained still and focused on filming the stage, which created a quiet environment. She said she had been waiting four years for the return and was interested in seeing the dance routines live since they were not featured in recent music videos. The demographic in the square included families like Chloe Besner and her daughter from Montreal. Besner, who is in her 50s, attended the show to support her daughter’s interest in the group. "Really enjoyed it. It was great that the boys were really fantastic," she said. Although she suggested the sound could have been "more balanced and stronger," she found the overall experience positive. Besner noted that the group's music is a regular part of her domestic life in Canada. "Everything was very smooth and great, came to see the show for my daughter," she said, adding, "I think we are going to still dance in the kitchen with BTS music." Extra subway and bus services remained in operation past midnight to accommodate the dispersal. Traffic on the main thoroughfares in central Seoul was scheduled to resume in the early hours of Sunday morning. 2026-03-21 21:54:08

Foreign Media Cover BTS Comeback Concert Live, Call Group a K-Pop Powerhouse As BTS’ comeback concert began at 8 p.m. on the 21st, international media outlets delivered real-time coverage to audiences worldwide. The New York Times created a separate online live page to report on the “BTS Comeback Live: Arirang” concert held at Gwanghwamun in Seoul, providing continuous updates from the event. The newspaper also detailed the atmosphere among fans in the Gwanghwamun area, safety measures put in place, and reactions from nearby businesses. AFP, in a breaking news alert, described the event as the start of a “massive comeback concert” by “K-pop powerhouse BTS,” reporting that the South Korean megastar group took the stage for the first time in about four years and thrilled large crowds in Seoul. Foreign outlets also focused on reactions from ARMY, BTS’ global fan base. The New York Times cited interviews with fans of various nationalities, including a woman who traveled from Brazil, while emphasizing the group’s global reach. In addition, reports noted that BTS members fulfilled mandatory military service, described what security steps the Seoul city government took for the concert, and highlighted the historical backdrop of Gwanghwamun, the venue for the performance. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-21 21:09:15

BTS Live: Special forces, police, firefighters in action SEOUL, March 21 (AJP) - Large numbers of police and fire personnel have been deployed across central Seoul ahead of a performance by BTS, with security and safety measures stepped up in the Gwanghwamun area. Police have positioned riot units and traffic officers around Gwanghwamun Square, implementing vehicle restrictions and managing pedestrian flow in parts of the area. Special police units have also been deployed on site to prepare for any emergencies. Fire authorities have stationed fire trucks and emergency medical teams nearby, maintaining a rapid response posture. On the day of the event, roads in the Gwanghwamun area are under traffic control, while boarding and alighting are restricted at nearby subway stations including City Hall, Gyeongbokgung and Gwanghwamun, with some trains passing through without stopping. Notices informing the public of traffic controls and viewing guidelines have been posted throughout the area, with citizens and tourists advised to use public transportation and take alternative routes. 2026-03-21 20:39:18

[[UPDATE]] BTS Live: K-pop legend reclaims global spotlight SEOUL, March 21 (AJP) -The silence that has defined the cultural landscape of Seoul for nearly four years vanished in a single, percussive instant as BTS initiated its Arirang comeback performance in the heart of Seoul on Saturday night. At least 50,000 people have occupied Gwanghwamun Square, according to Seoul's real-time crowd management system, creating a dense sea of violet light that stretches from the Sejong Center for Performing Arts to the gates of Gyeongbokgung Palace. This sudden mass assembly triggered the city's highest tier of traffic and safety monitoring, effectively paralyzing the heart of the capital to accommodate the group's first full ensemble appearance since the conclusion of its collective military service. The opening sequence signaled an immediate, aggressive departure from the group's previous polished aesthetics. By launching into "Body to Body," "Hooligan," and "2.0"—all tracks from the new fifth studio album—the seven-member group asserted a raw, industrial identity that suggests a radical creative recalibration during their years away from the public eye. This performance is not merely a musical return but a high-stakes restoration of the primary engine of South Korean soft power, transitioning the ensemble from a period of national conscription back to its position as a global phenomenon. The setlist for the evening reflects a meticulous balance between institutional legacy and future ambition. While the inclusion of "Butter" and "MIC Drop" provides a bridge to the group's past dominance, the narrative core of the performance remains centered on the debut of the title track, "SWIM." The logistics of the event are managed by thousands of police officers and city personnel who have cordoned off the Sejong-daero corridor to maintain order within the historic district. 2026-03-21 20:08:42

BTS Live: Packed, pushed, imperfect, yet orderly for BTS moment SEOUL, March 21 (AJP) -Two hours before BTS’s comeback concert, hundreds of fans without tickets for the free reserved seats had already formed tightly packed lines, hoping they would lead as close to the stage as possible beyond the police fence. The official seating at Gwanghwamun Plaza totaled 22,000, divided into Zone A for standing, Zone B for reserved seating and Zone C for additional seats. The rest were left to watch from around the plaza. Of those, 15,000 seats vanished almost instantly when online booking opened on Feb. 23, followed a week later by another 7,000 standing tickets. Police estimated that as many as 260,000 people could gather from the stage area to Sungnyemun, making it the largest crowd in central Seoul since the 2002 World Cup street cheering, when 200,000 to 250,000 people filled the area. Officers repeatedly urged pedestrians to keep moving whenever foot traffic slowed. “You cannot stand here. Please move,” they said in Korean, while foreign visitors were met with a constant refrain of “Move, move!” Access to Gwanghwamun Plaza was restricted to 31 gates equipped with metal detectors to block hazardous items, with police special forces also deployed inside. As crowds swelled, some gates were temporarily closed. When frustrated citizens protested, officers redirected them, warning that certain entry points were already overcrowded. Fans who failed to secure tickets adopted their own strategies to claim the best possible viewing spots. Some brought newspapers to sit on, others folding fishing stools. Even benches became contested territory. One concertgoer let out a sigh after losing a hard-won seat during a brief trip to the restroom. In front of the Kyobo Life building, some spectators sat on the pavement and stretched out their legs, prompting police to ask them to move for safety reasons. Near the KT building, there was not even room to sit, leaving fans standing for hours. The lines stretched endlessly, and many were not even sure where they were heading. After nearly an hour, the flow of people spilled into City Hall Plaza — a walk that would normally take 15 minutes. Hundreds, who thought they were heading toward Gwanghwamun, settled instead in front of giant outdoor screens. Those inside the perimeter faced their own constraints. Entry required arrival by 5 p.m., three hours before the concert, and all food except a bottle of water was confiscated. Those in standing zones hesitated to leave even for the restroom, fearing they would lose their hard-earned spots. An AJP reporter inside also reported intermittent internet outages as networks became overloaded. Still, for many, the experience was worth it. Paula, 27, from Chile, who had attended BTS’s last concert before the members began their military service, said the decision was simple. “I could watch it on Netflix, but I wanted to hear their voices in person.” Nearby cafés were already filled with fans waiting with BTS content playing on their screens. She and a Spanish friend she had met just 15 minutes earlier were simply hoping to catch even a partial view. “I just want to be part of this historic moment in a historic place,” she said. Drifting farther away from the venue with each police-guided step, Lil Reinhart, 21, from Germany, found herself pushed toward the outer edges of the crowd. Yet she had come anyway. “At least you can hear their real voice,” she said, her breath visible in the cold after six hours of waiting on the street. It was her first time traveling abroad alone. She booked her flight two months earlier, paying around 800 euros — well above the usual 500 — for what she called a “once-in-a-lifetime event.” “This kind of comeback won’t happen again,” she said. “Not with this many people, live in front of you.” Her determination was shaped by disappointment. She had failed to secure tickets for BTS’s Germany tour, an experience she described as “strong disappointment.” This time, she was not willing to miss it entirely. “I really wanted to see them at least once in my life.” Even as access to the venue became effectively impossible and the crowd was steadily pushed farther away, she stayed. The plan, if there was one, was simple: wait and hope. “Somewhere,” she said, “where I can at least hear their voices.” “I think as soon as I see them,” she said, “I’ll just be like — oh my gosh.” 2026-03-21 19:32:06

Global fans throng merchandise booths as BTS prepares return SEOUL, March 21 (AJP) - Fans from across the globe gathered at official BTS merchandise booths in central Seoul on Saturday, marking a festive prelude to the first major performance by the group following a prolonged hiatus. The process for purchasing items, including a new lightstick for the seven-member group, was governed by a strict reservation system to manage crowds and prevent unauthorized resale. Lana Ro, 25, from Russia, bought two lightsticks—one for herself and one for her friend. Having followed the group for three years, she focused on the specific design of the items. "I bought a special edition of the lightstick just now," she said. She also selected apparel in various colors. "These are T-shirts in different colors. I bought one white and one red," she said. The scene near the stalls remained orderly as fans of different ages and nationalities waited to buy exclusive merchandise ranging from apparel to limited-edition collectibles. While there were no long lines due to the reservation system, the area remained active with fans taking photos and exchanging small gifts. Adriana, an American teaching in Seoul for six months, was among those who secured a large volume of products. She moved through the area holding a full load of items in both hands, representing the diverse demographic that has traveled to the capital for the event. The atmosphere remained focused on the shared experience of the fandom and the tactile connection to the group through these products. Ami Ostrovskaia, 23, from Russia, has been a fan of the group for six years. On Saturday, she limited her purchase at the booth to a single item. "I only bought a lightstick today. We will go to the pop-up store in Shinsegae Department Store," she said. For Ostrovskaia, who was interested in a wider range of apparel, the cost of the clothing kept her from a shopping spree. Each T-shirt at the booth is priced at 59,000 won. Ostrovskaia expressed a particular interest in the designs featuring the members, but had to hold back due to her budget. "I like the T-shirt with black-and-white photos of the seven members. I want to have each one of them, but I don’t have enough money," she said. Despite the financial considerations, she described her connection to the group as a personal support system. Showing a tattoo related to her fandom, she explained the role the members have played in her life. "I think it’s because they’re always saving me when I go through really rough times. They’re always there to help me, to listen to me," she said. The booths are scheduled to remain open throughout the evening as the city prepares for the start of the performance. 2026-03-21 19:31:39

More Than 30,000 Gather Near Gwanghwamun Ahead of BTS Comeback Show Standing-room entry began at 5 p.m. Saturday ahead of BTS’ comeback concert scheduled for 8 p.m. Fans known as ARMY streamed in from around the world, and some foreign fans were seen wearing hanbok. The Seoul city government said more than 30,000 people had gathered near Gwanghwamun as of 6 p.m. It rated crowding as “slightly busy,” adding that the number was rising quickly as entry to the area began. Entry is set to close at 7 p.m. Organizers prepared 22,000 official seats for the show, with additional standing areas and reserved seating nearby. Others can watch from around the plaza. Police estimated the crowd could reach up to 260,000 around the stage, though some projections said the turnout as of 6 p.m. could fall short of that figure. Yonhap News reported that people who failed to get tickets were competing for “best spots” around the plaza. In front of the KT building, where there is no place to sit, fans have been standing for hours while waiting for the concert to start. Authorities set up near-complete barriers in the area as an anti-terror measure. Barricades and police buses formed a perimeter to block vehicle-ramming attempts, and access routes to the stage were sealed off with multiple layers of fencing. In some standing zones, reports said bringing in newspapers, including a special BTS edition, was banned, prompting complaints. Officials cited the risk of flammable material. To prevent accidents — including blocking detours, rooftop viewing and falls — access to 31 nearby buildings was restricted. The National Museum of Korean Contemporary History closed temporarily, and the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts canceled its events for the day. 2026-03-21 19:09:19

BTS Live: Proud to be an ARMY SEOUL, March 21 (AJP) - March 21, the day of the BTS comeback performance. Gwanghwamun Square was already filled with people. While several hours remained until the start of the performance, fans turned the wait into a festival. They took photos in front of the stage under construction and posed before the phrase "BTS IS BACK" engraved on the steps of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. Some took photos of the members appearing on electronic billboards. Even among strangers, people smiled when their eyes met. Walking through the square, people were revealing they were ARMY in their own ways. Not everyone wore purple. There were tourists in black coats and others in jeans and white T-shirts. Some simply watched the stage from a distance. But those truly enjoying the moment were different. Some held light sticks. Though not yet lit, their presence was enough. Some wore purple jackets, while others wrapped purple fur mufflers around their necks. Purple shoes, purple hats, purple scarves. Even if they did not wear the color, some used purple as an accent through nail polish, hairpins, or phone cases. And above all, their expressions were different.​​​​​​​ The faces of those taking selfies were full of excitement. Those posing in front of the "BTS IS BACK" sign were smiling. The gaze of a fan taking a photo of Jungkook on a billboard was serious. One fan even showed a tattoo on their arm that read "ARMY" in Korean. Light sticks, purple clothing, and expressions. These three elements filled Gwanghwamun Square.​​​​​​​ "Borahae (Be Purple)"—a word BTS gave to their fans. Purple is the last color of the rainbow and carries the meaning of staying together for a long time. That promise became light sticks, clothing, and smiles in Gwanghwamun today, filling the streets. Among the people filling the square, it was not difficult to distinguish who was a fan and who was a spectator. Hands holding light sticks, bodies dressed in purple, and above all, brightly smiling faces were the answer.​​​​​​​ Hours remained until the start of the performance. But for them, the festival had already begun.​​​​​​​ 2026-03-21 18:01:58

SPECIAL OPINION: Song crosses century as BTS stands at Gwanghwamun SEOUL, March 21 (AJP) - Songs rarely defy the gravity of time. Even those that define an era typically fade as the industry of music demands rapid production and immediate consumption. Most melodies remain trapped within their own chronology, yet Arirang stands as the definitive exception. It is not the work of a single composer or a finished product born at a specific moment; it is a collective creation, an accumulation of voices across a century of records and even longer oral traditions. Its essence lies not in its origin but in its layered history, functioning less like a song and more like a vessel for a society’s shared memory of parting, migration, and eventual recovery. To hear Arirang is to experience the passage of accumulated time rather than the consumption of a melody. Today, this anthem stands at Gwanghwamun in the heart of Seoul, performed by BTS. This encounter between a group at the center of global pop and the oldest emotional bedrock of the Korean people is more than a simple fusion of the traditional and the modern. It marks a fundamental transition. Seoul currently stands at the threshold of evolving from the industrial success of K-pop into the permanent realm of K-heritage. While K-pop is a triumph of modern systems—planning, production, and fandom—it remains within the boundaries of a market. Arirang, conversely, belongs to the dimension of time, having survived through history rather than commerce. Their intersection at Gwanghwamun signals a shift from a competition based on individual content to one rooted in the depth of a cultural structure. The success of Seoul on the global stage has largely relied on isolated hits in music, drama, and film. These achievements, while significant, often lacked a reinforced structure that could sustain influence beyond a single release. The focus must now shift toward transforming content success into a durable cultural ecosystem. Arirang is critical to this mission because of its inherent scalability; it exists without a fixed genre, allowing it to be reimagined as performance, film, or digital narrative. Historically, it has adapted to different regions and eras, proving that its flexibility is its greatest asset in a globalized age. Unlike fixed content that is consumed and discarded, an open structure like Arirang can expand indefinitely. In the past, Arirang was often utilized as a one-time centerpiece for international events, appearing as a fleeting scene before disappearing. This approach must change from mere utilization to structuralization. True structuralization requires creating a state where culture is continuously reproduced and interconnected. This demands a broader range of interpretation, ensuring the song is not treated as a static relic but as a narrative of hope and recovery that can be translated across different genres and cultures. When music, tourism, and education flow together as a single stream, tradition ceases to be a ghost of the past and becomes a medium for the future. The most vital shift required is one of perception. Tradition must be viewed as an active force rather than a subject for preservation alone. Arirang has always been a functioning culture, sung in the streets and altered by the circumstances of the people. This inherent fluidity is precisely what makes it relevant today. In this context, the role of BTS becomes clear: they are not mere consumers of tradition but translators who interpret Korean sentiment into a language the world understands. Their presence at Gwanghwamun is a cultural signal that the depth of a nation's narrative is becoming as important as the content itself. One performance cannot create lasting change, but it can establish a direction. As the world begins to look past the hit single to the context and history behind it, the path for Seoul is to move beyond the cycle of temporary success and toward the status of a nation with a deep, accumulated cultural structure. 2026-03-21 17:11:35