"Together for 30 More Years"... BTS's Busan Concert Ignites in 'Purple'

Stage with 50,000 'Ami', 90 Minutes & 19 Songs Performed
Oldest Jin to Enlist at Year-End, Last Full Group Concert for Now
Chapter 2 Solo Activities Announced, Fans and Members Show Strong Trust

BTS_2030 Busan World Expo Bid Support Concert BTS Yet To Come in BUSAN. Photo by BigHit Music

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] "I am not afraid at all of the next 10 years and I look forward to it. ARMY and I will be together for 30, 40 years."

On the afternoon of the 15th, the group BTS heated up Busan with about 50,000 fans of their fandom 'ARMY' at the concert 'Yet To Come in BUSAN,' held to support the bid for the 2030 Busan World Expo.

They emphasized their trust and commitment to continue their musical journey together as members. This concert was highly anticipated by fans as the last performance of the 'complete group' before Jin, the eldest member of BTS, is expected to enlist for military service at the end of this year.

The concert was held free of charge with the hope of attracting the 2030 World Expo to Busan. It was about six months after the concert held in Las Vegas, USA, in April, and the first domestic concert in seven months since the March performance at the Jamsil Sports Complex Main Stadium in Seoul.

About 50,000 people watched the performance at the Busan Asiad Main Stadium, about 10,000 people viewed it via 'Live Play' set up at the outdoor parking lot of Busan Port International Passenger Terminal, and about 2,000 people attended the 'Live Play' at the special stage in Haeundae. The online live streaming playback on Weverse reached approximately 49.07 million views. JTBC, which broadcasted the concert, recorded an unprecedented 3.3% viewership rating.

BTS_2030 Busan World Expo Hosting Support Concert BTS Yet To Come in BUSAN. Photo by BigHit Music

Opening the concert with the dazzling fireworks and the intense band sound of the song ‘MIC Drop,’ BTS performed the ‘Run BTS’ performance for the first time on stage, followed by ‘RUN’ and ‘Save ME,’ raising the atmosphere to the fullest. Then Jin, Jimin, V, and Jungkook captivated the audience with unit stages of ‘00:00 (Zero O'Clock)’ and ‘Butterfly,’ while RM, Suga, and J-Hope impressed with ‘UGH!’ and ‘BTS Cypher PT.3 : KILLER.’

They passionately sang a total of 19 songs arranged with an all-live band, including ‘Dynamite,’ ‘Boy With Luv,’ ‘Butter,’ ‘FIRE,’ ‘IDOL,’ and ‘Spring Day.’ Before the concert, the members explained that since this stage was a performance to wish for the 2030 Busan World Expo bid, the setlist was composed mainly of representative songs that both ARMY and general audiences could sing along to. The members ran across the stage, creating a music festival atmosphere by interacting and breathing with the audience.

Symbolic elements of Busan and Korean culture were placed throughout the stage, captivating not only domestic fans but also global fans. The ‘Ma City’ stage, set against the backdrop of Busan’s scenery, and graphics inspired by Busan’s landmarks left a strong impression of the city on the audience. Additionally, traditional performances such as Bukcheong Lion Dance were naturally incorporated into the stage, offering diverse visual experiences.

Fireworks were launched intermittently during the concert to heighten the festive mood. Before performing ‘Dynamite,’ ‘Spot,’ the quadruped robot dog from Boston Dynamics, a robotics company acquired by Hyundai Motor Group, appeared, showing backstage preparations with the members, attracting fans’ attention.

Jungkook and Jimin, members from Busan, shared their emotional thoughts. Jungkook said, “I’m excited and happy to spend time with so many ARMYs here in Busan.” Jimin said, “It’s an honor just to meet you all, but being able to host you in my hometown makes me even more excited and gives me a strange feeling. I sincerely thank everyone who came.”

BTS_2030 Busan World Expo Hosting Support Concert BTS Yet To Come in BUSAN. Photo by Big Hit Music

BTS expressed their hope that “today’s concert will help promote Busan and contribute even a little to the bid for the World Expo,” and the numerous audience responded with cheers. They concluded with the greeting, “As the title of this concert ‘in BUSAN’ suggests, we firmly believe that today was the best moment for everyone who joined us and for BTS. We hope to share the most shining moment again, and with that wish, we present the last song of today,” ending with the stage of ‘Yet To Come (The Most Beautiful Moment),’ promising a brighter future.

The ‘THE CITY’ project held throughout Busan before and after the concert also supported the efforts to attract the 2030 Busan World Expo. Various programs set up across the city, including the exhibition ‘2022 BTS EXHIBITION: Proof,’ which showcases BTS’s nine-year history, and stores selling official concert merchandise, provided diverse fun and rich experiences in shopping, entertainment, theme parks, and accommodation for Busan citizens and visitors, linked to the concert theme and BTS IP.

BTS_2030 Busan World Expo Hosting Support Concert BTS Yet To Come in BUSAN. Photo by Big Hit Music

Meanwhile, the host city for the 2030 World Expo will be decided through an on-site inspection early next year and a vote by the member countries of the International Bureau of Expositions (BIE) around the end of the year. If Busan is selected, the World Expo will be held from May 1 to October 31, 2030, at the Busan Port area under the theme ‘Transforming Our World, Navigating Toward a Better Future.’

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.