BTS Comeback D-40: Seoul readies an army to protect ARMY on concert day SEOUL, February 09 (AJP) -South Korea’s elite counterterrorism units are preparing for a mission unlike any other this spring: protecting not a summit, not a visiting head of state, but the global fan base of BTS. On March 21, Gwanghwamun Square — framed by royal palaces and glass towers — will host the group’s first full-member comeback concert in nearly four years. Police expect up to 260,000 people to converge on the historic plaza for what is alrea February 9, 2026

BTS Comeback D-40: Free tickets for Gwanghwamun Square show SEOUL, February 09 (AJP) - BTS will open free ticket reservations for their upcoming outdoor comeback stage at Gwanghwamun Square starting February 23. According to an announcement posted to the fan platform Weverse on Monday, the group has finalized the entry process for "BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG," a massive event marking their return as a full seven-member unit. The ticketing is split into two categories to accommodate both the general public and dedicated fa February 9, 2026

Teaser posters for BLACKPINK's upcoming album unveiled SEOUL, February 9 (AJP) - Teaser posters for K-pop girl group BLACKPINK's upcoming album were unveiled on Monday, ahead of its release scheduled for late this month. Their management agency YG Entertainment uploaded two posters for "Deadline" on social media, which will mark the quartet's first full-group return in about three years and five months. The posters' vivid contrast in tone and color hints at a wide musical range in the February 9, 2026

K-pop girl band IVE pre-releases single track 'Bang Bang' ahead of second studio album SEOUL, February 09 (AJP) - K-pop girl band IVE released their new single "Bang Bang" across major streaming platforms at 6:00 p.m. (0900 GMT) on February 9. The track serves as a pre-release single for the group's second studio album, "REVIVE+," which is scheduled for release on February 23. "Bang Bang" conveys a message of self-reliance and confidence, focusing on the theme of forging one's own path regardless of outside rumors or public scru February 9, 2026

K-pop icon G-DRAGON draws 40,000 fans to first solo fan meeting in Seoul SEOUL, February 09 (AJP) - G-DRAGON drew approximately 40,000 fans to the KSPO Dome in South Korea over a three-day run that wrapped up on February 8. The event, titled "2026 G-DRAGON 'FAM' MEETING ," marked the artist's first solo fan meeting since his debut and was designed to feel more like a dense 'family gathering' than a standard concert. The atmosphere inside the venue reflected G-DRAGON's effor February 9, 2026

South Korea captures first win in mixed doubles curling at Winter Games SEOUL, February 08 (AJP) - South Korea recorded its first victory in the mixed doubles curling tournament at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on February 7, as the main medal competitions got underway. Kim Sun-young and Jeong Yeong-seok defeated the United States pair of Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin 6-5 in an extra end at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium. The South Korean duo, who had suffered five consecutive losses to open the round-robin stage, held off a late surge February 8, 2026

South Korea expected to secure three golds at Milano Cortina Winter Games SEOUL, February 08 (AJP) - South Korea is projected to win three gold medals and finish 15th in the overall standings at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, according to a forecast released by Sports Illustrated on February 8. The 2026 Winter Games, which officially opened on February 6 and run through February 22, are being held across several clusters in Northern Italy, including Milano and Cortina d'Ampezzo. Approximately 2,900 athletes from 92 nations are competing fo February 8, 2026

BTS comeback D-42: Band sets Tottenham stadium attendance record with 120,000-seat sellout SEOUL, February 07 (AJP) - BTS has achieved the highest occupancy rate for a single concert at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, concert promoter Live Nation UK said on Saturday. The seven-member band will perform before about 120,000 fans over two nights on July 6 to 7 in London, with tickets for both shows sold out. The performances will feature a 360-degree stage configuration at the 62,000-capacity venue. The stadium, home to Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur, has hosted concert February 7, 2026

BTS comeback D-42: Seoul tells fans to travel light or risk missing the show SEOUL, February 07 (AJP) - With BTS's historic comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square just six weeks away, Seoul authorities and transit operators are urging the hundreds of thousands of fans expected to descend on the capital to ditch their suitcases before heading to the venue. Organizers are expecting about 15,000 for the square, with an additional 13,000 to watch on large screens at Seoul Plaza. Industry observers, however, estimate that as many as 200,000 people could flood February 7, 2026

BTS Comeback D-43: How songs come to reshape Korea's global image SEOUL, February 06 (AJP) - When a government survey on South Korea’s global image is released each year, the top name rarely changes. Once again, BTS ranked first in the “2025 National Image Survey of Korea” released late last month by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The ranking itself is familiar. What is changing is what it represents. Jungkook placed sixth overall — the highest among solo artists — February 6, 2026