BTS Returns as Full Group With Free Gwanghwamun Square Concert for 'ARIRANG' Album

“Because of BTS, I learned for the first time that ‘Arirang’ is a Korean folk song, and I was moved because the show captured Korea’s identity so well,” said Kiara, from the Philippines, who attended the concert at Gwanghwamun Square on March 21.

A K-pop fan since 2008, she said she has been part of ARMY, BTS’ fan community, since the group’s debut. Hoping to hear the new songs live first, she said she even held off listening to the tracks released the day before. After hearing the title track “SWIM” and the B-side “Body to Body,” she gave a thumbs-up.

The square turned into what many fans described as a massive purple venue as crowds gathered to see BTS return as a full group for the first time in 3 years and 9 months. Organizers estimated 104,000 people attended, while Seoul real-time city data put the figure at 42,000. The area was awash in purple, the group’s signature color. The crowd was calmer than expected, which helped on-site operations.  
Fans outside the fenced-off area around the 22,000 official seats watched large screens and sang along. Some foreign fans streamed the show on their phones or video-called friends overseas to share the scene in real time.

With about 6,700 police deployed, concertgoers passed through four checkpoints. Despite the tight security, the crowd remained orderly.

At 8 p.m., sweeping drone footage over Bugaksan and Gyeongbokgung Palace signaled the start of the show, broadcast via Netflix to more than 190 countries. As 50 dancers lined up on the stage platform to clear a path, the seven members appeared in black outfits that reinterpreted traditional armor in a modern style.

RM, seated because of an ankle injury, opened with the group’s greeting: “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’ve finally made it here.”

BTS launched into songs from its new album, “ARIRANG,” performing “Body to Body,” “Hooligan” and “2.0” in succession. “Body to Body,” created in collaboration with the National Gugak Center, set an “Arirang” melody to a modern beat, reflecting what the article described as Chairman Bang Si-hyuk’s determination that the starting point be Korea’s most symbolic space.

The group then performed global hits “Butter” and “MIC Drop.” Foreign fans moved to the upbeat rhythm of “Butter,” and singalongs filled the square.

Midway through, members spoke candidly about their hiatus. J-Hope said, “We worried we might be forgotten.” Suga said, “I thought intensely about what needed to change. I’m still anxious, but these feelings are ours, too.” RM added, “The answer wasn’t outside, it was inside. The goal of this album was to put ourselves into it.”

Jimin said, “We’re not special people. We’re scared every time, but if we ‘keep swimming,’ I believe we’ll find the answer someday.” V said, “I hope our songs can be a comfort, even a little,” before the group performed the title track, “SWIM.”

The restrained choreography and use of open space in the performance underscored what the article called the start of “BTS 2.0.” During the encore, “Mikrokosmos,” the production projected the Big Dipper in the night sky above Gwanghwamun as ARMY light sticks shone like a field of stars.
The next day, HYBE issued a statement thanking authorities for allowing the concert at Gwanghwamun and residents for accepting the inconvenience. “Mature civic awareness made this concert shine even more,” the company said. It added that it would detail plans to promote protection of national heritage and cultural assets and implement a long-term support system.

BTS returned with a record 3.98 million copies sold on the first day of release. The group is set to continue its global schedule with a world tour starting April 9 at Goyang Stadium.