BTS will return as a full group at 8 p.m. Saturday at the central Seoul plaza, their first full-group stage since the June 2022 anthology album “Proof.” The comeback show will open the rollout for the group’s fifth full-length album, “ARIRANG,” and is planned as a large-scale public event rather than a standard new-song reveal.
Police estimate up to 260,000 people could gather at the site. The performance will be livestreamed on Netflix to more than 190 countries, with real-time screenings also planned on large outdoor screens in major cities across Asia, the Americas and Europe, organizers said.
◆ A ceremonial walk to the stage through a historic route
A centerpiece of the production is a procession along a route tied to royal-era ceremonies. The members are to start at Geunjeongmun Gate at Gyeongbokgung Palace, pass Heungnyemun Gate and the Gwanghwamun gate pavilion, then cross the recently restored “Woldae” platform before heading to the main stage.
The Woldae, which had been buried under tram tracks during Japan’s colonial period and restored after more than 100 years, is described by organizers as a key space for the staging. The members are expected to wear stage outfits that reinterpret traditional clothing in a modern style.
The Korea Heritage Service supported the plan by making the unusual decision to close the palace on Saturday, the article said.
◆ A 1-kilometer concert zone; free admission
The stage has been set at the north end of Gwanghwamun Square, and admission is free. Viewing areas stretch about 1 kilometer past the statues of King Sejong and Adm. Yi Sun-sin to near City Hall Station.
Designated seating was expanded from 15,000 to 22,000 seats by adding 7,000, but police still expect the crowd could approach 260,000. The Seoul Metropolitan Government is placing large screens around the plaza so people outside the main zones can watch, and additional high-performance speakers will be installed to improve audio coverage.
◆ Subway stations to skip stops; 14,700 personnel deployed
Authorities warned fans to check transit restrictions. Line 5’s Gwanghwamun Station will not stop trains from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. City Hall Station on Lines 1 and 2 will be bypassed from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Line 3’s Gyeongbokgung Station will also be a non-stop pass-through from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Jonggak and Anguk stations may face flexible controls depending on congestion.
A total of 14,700 personnel will be deployed, including 6,500 police officers as well as staff from the Seoul city government and HYBE, the article said. Officials said they will tightly manage crowd density by zone and position emergency medical and rescue teams throughout the area to prevent crush incidents.
Access to rooftops and upper floors of 31 nearby buildings will be strictly restricted as part of heightened security measures against potential threats, the article said, adding that approaching nearby high-rise buildings to watch the show will not be possible.
With chilly late-March temperatures expected at night and long outdoor waits likely, attendees were advised to bring light outerwear and warm items such as scarves and gloves, and to keep belongings to a minimum.
◆ Tour preview; estimates put economic impact at 100 trillion won
Saturday’s show is billed as a preview for BTS’ “ARIRANG” world tour, scheduled for 79 performances in 34 cities. The securities industry and the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute estimated direct revenue from the tour at 2.9 trillion won and the overall economic ripple effect at 100 trillion won, the article said.
The concert will be livestreamed on Netflix to more than 190 countries. With the show set for prime weekend viewing, the article noted expectations of a surge in delivery orders and advised at-home viewers to order at least two hours in advance.
Related events across Seoul under the banner “BTS THE CITY SEOUL” will run from Saturday through April 12.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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