BTS to Stage Drone Show, Citywide Events in Seoul for 'Arirang' Album Release

BTS will turn Seoul into a citywide celebration around the release of its new album, ‘Arirang,’ with media facade displays, a drone light show and hands-on fan programs planned across major sites.

The group on Monday posted details on the global fan platform Weverse for ‘BTS THE CITY ARIRANG SEOUL.’ The city project, branded ‘THE CITY SEOUL,’ will run from March 20 to April 19 across central Seoul, aiming to offer experiences available only during the limited period and at specific locations.

On March 20, the album’s release day, large-scale events are scheduled back-to-back. Media facade shows will run from 7 p.m. at sites including Sungnyemun and N Seoul Tower. A drone light show is set for the sky over Ttukseom Hangang Park from 8:30 p.m. for about 15 minutes.

The area around Gwanghwamun Square, where ‘BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE｜ARIRANG’ will be held, will also be filled with related programming. From 7 p.m. March 20 to midnight March 21, comeback content will be shown on large outdoor screens near the square. Music-themed light shows are also planned at Dongdaemun Design Plaza, or DDP, and at Banpo Bridge’s Moonlight Rainbow Fountain. The DDP program will run March 20 to April 12, and the Banpo Bridge fountain production will continue March 21-22.

Interactive events include a ‘stamp rally’ mission at key hubs such as Yeouido, DDP and Shinsegae Square, where visitors collect stamps by checking in at locations around the city.

From March 20-22, a ‘Love Song Lounge’ will operate at the event plaza of Yeouido Hangang Park, tied to the album’s global campaign phrase, “WHAT IS YOUR LOVE SONG?” Organizers said the space will feature music-based activities, busking and photo zones. From April 6-12, DDP Exhibition Hall 1 will be set up as ‘DDP ARMY Madang.’ From April 6-19, a ‘Love Quarter’ program will run around Cheonggyecheon and the Yongsan Station area, using light and video to project the album’s message onto settings such as stone walls, stairs and street trees.

Organizers also plan tie-ins with mobility, lodging, finance and food-and-beverage partners to improve visitor convenience and extend the project into everyday settings. They said collaborations with new business areas will broaden the experience compared with earlier ‘THE CITY’ projects.

Detailed schedules and program information are available on BTS’ Weverse channel and the official website. Some programs will require advance reservations. ‘BTS THE CITY ARIRANG’ is to roll out sequentially in major cities worldwide, starting in Seoul.