BTS Returns as Full Group at Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square in ‘Arirang’ Comeback Live Seoul’s central Gwanghwamun Square filled with cheers as BTS returned as a full seven-member group after 3 years and 9 months. The “BTS Comeback Live: ARIRANG,” held at 8 p.m. on the 21st, was streamed live to more than 190 countries, underscoring the group’s continued global reach. The show opened with sweeping drone footage over Bugaksan and Gyeongbokgung Palace. As 50 dancers lined up on the stage platform, the seven members appeared in black outfits that reinterpreted traditional armor in a modern style. Leader RM, seated due to an ankle injury and focusing on vocals, greeted the crowd: “It’s been four years. Hello, we are BTS.” He added, “We’ll pour everything into today. It’s been a long journey, but we finally made it here.” BTS launched into new-album tracks “Body to Body,” “Hooligan” and “2.0,” quickly taking control of the square. “Body to Body” blended the melody of the folk song “Arirang” with a collaboration with the National Gugak Center, highlighting a distinctly Korean identity. After the stage, Jin thanked fans for returning. “I vividly remember telling you to wait for us at our last Busan concert a few years ago,” he said. “I had a lot of worries about getting to this point. I’m grateful and happy to face you again.” Jimin told fans, “ARMY, we finally met. I’m overwhelmed and grateful to be able to speak like this. I’m so happy the seven of us can be together again. I missed you. I didn’t expect you to fill Gwanghwamun Square like this — thank you.” Suga called it an honor to perform “at the most historic place in Korea,” saying the album title “Arirang” reflected a desire to capture the group’s identity and that the decision led them to stage the comeback at Gwanghwamun. V added, “It feels new to be able to come back in such a special place. Thank you to ARMY who came all the way here, and to those watching around the world through Netflix. We waited a long time, too. Wherever you are, I hope our feelings reach you.” The group followed with global hits “Butter” and “MIC Drop.” J-Hope and Jung Kook told the crowd it still felt unreal to be onstage together as seven again, thanking fans for waiting and promising they had prepared “a lot of special things” and would give everything they had. Jung Kook said, “I don’t think I’ll ever forget tonight. I think I had pressure and fear about the comeback, but standing in front of you today, it just feels good. Just good.” RM said the album was worked on for two months in Los Angeles, with postproduction completed in Korea. He said the members held many conversations about who they are now and how they could come together, and that they took on new challenges, before performing new songs “Aliens” and “FYA.” In remarks about their hiatus, J-Hope said the album contains “countless worries,” including concerns about whether the group might be forgotten or whether fans would still remember them. Suga said he spent a long time thinking about what needed to change during the pause, adding that he still felt uncertain and anxious but considered those feelings part of who they are. RM said he repeatedly asked himself what choices to make at a turning point and what kind of creator he wanted to remain, concluding that the answer was not outside but within. He said the goal of the album was to listen more closely to their own voices and reflect themselves more fully. Jimin said, “As you know well, we’re not special people. Like you, we’re afraid every time, and I was afraid preparing for this stage, too. But I believe if we ‘keep swimming,’ we’ll find an answer someday.” V said what they can do is keep making music, keep performing and show fans their best, adding he hoped their songs could offer some comfort. The group then performed the title track “SWIM,” along with “Like Animals” and “Normal.” The production emphasized a blend of tradition and modern staging. Director Hamish Hamilton said he focused on building a balanced stage model that respected the historic setting of Gyeongbokgung. Netflix said it viewed the show as the biggest moment among its live events planned for the year and a landmark partnership, highlighting major investment to ensure technical stability. J-Hope said, “I’m really, really happy to be back. Every moment is thanks to you. BTS 2.0 is just beginning.” V told fans it was time for the last song, saying he had imagined the moment for years and wanted to keep going. Suga again thanked the Seoul Metropolitan Government and related officials, as well as police working on site. Jimin bowed and said, “Thank you, and I’m sorry.” Jung Kook told fans the seven members always share the same 마음, adding they would always do their best as long as fans stayed with them. BTS closed with “Dynamite” and the encore “Mikrokosmos.” BTS, which set a new personal record with 3.98 million copies sold on the album’s first day of release, used the roughly hourlong show to reaffirm its presence. By the Seoul city government’s count, 40,000 people gathered near Gwanghwamun, with the crowd far larger when including the area around Sungnyemun, and the event proceeded safely in an orderly manner. The group is set to continue its global schedule with a world tour starting April 9 at Goyang Stadium.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-21 22:54:00

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: Orderly fan exit caps Gwanghwamun concert SEOUL, March 21 (AJP) - Nearly 50,000 people departed orderly and safely 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, the coordinated exit was as surprsing as the surreal outdoor concert itself. 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 amd amazing," she said. She found the entire event "very well organized. very convenient, very surprised how smooth everything was" and was impressed how 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. And ARMY fans cleaned up and made sure they left no trace. 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