BTS Returns Along the 'King's Road,' Unveils a New Universe at Gwanghwamun [BTS is back]

[Review] BTS Comeback Show from the Press Section
First Group Performance in 3 Years and 9 Months
Gyeongbokgung Framed as the Stage
Stage Mise-en-Scène Inspired by Geongon Gamri
A Showcase of Maximized Korean Aesthetics

The ARIRANG is being held.

"Hello Seoul, we're back!"

Passing by Geunjeongjeon Hall and Heungnyemun Gate at Gyeongbokgung Palace, the stage was set at Gwanghwamun's elevated stone terrace, shrouded in darkness. A single spotlight illuminated leader RM standing beneath the Gwanghwamun signboard of the Joseon Dynasty's main palace. Looking out over a sea of purple lights that filled the square, he took the microphone. As his greeting echoed through Gwanghwamun, the venue instantly erupted in a tremendous roar of joy. It was the signal that marked the end of three years and nine months of waiting.

Hardly had his shout finished when the new track "Body to Body" began to play. As the melody of "Arirang" emerged in the chorus, blue beam lights shot vertically from both lighting towers, adorning the night sky, while the cube stage showcased a media facade of graceful lines, like a giant ink wash painting. This was followed by "Hooligan" and "2.0" in succession, powerfully announcing the beginning of "BTS 2.0."

BTS continued the exuberant stage with performances of "Butter" and "MIC Drop." Their energetic disco pop and powerful hip-hop beats, which once dominated the Billboard charts, reverberated against the backdrop of the Joseon Dynasty's main palace, delivering an electrifying catharsis. The highlight was the title track "Swim." As the "Swim" stage began, it was enveloped in blue media art symbolizing water (or paint), then smoothly transitioned to "Like Animals," representing earth (Gon) in the trigrams, and "Normal," representing heaven (Geon).

BTS is performing their comeback stage 'BTS Comeback Live: Arirang' in Gwanghwamun, Seoul on the 21st. Photo by Joint Press Corps

BTS is performing their comeback stage "BTS Comeback Live: Arirang" on the 21st in Gwanghwamun, Seoul. Photo by Joint Press Corps

"Swim" is a song about the determination to keep moving forward and swim through the waves of life without stopping. RM participated in writing the lyrics, adding sincerity to the song. During the performance, the members delivered a restrained group choreography that, rather than resisting the oncoming waves, calmly crossed them at their own pace, making use of intentional pauses and space. In the chorus, they repeated simple movements instead of flashy techniques.

BTS then invited the audience into the heart of the festivities with "Dynamite," the song that sparked a global phenomenon. When the intro to encore song "Mikrokosmos" began, starlight depicted on the LED stage gradually spread out to Gwanghwamun. Soon, a vivid Big Dipper created by the media facade appeared above the Gwanghwamun roof, and the enormous "microcosm" that unfolded for an hour over Gwanghwamun faded to black, leaving behind a deep sense of emotion and lingering impression. Dozens of blue beam lights shot high into the sky, commemorating this historic night.

That night, Suga said, "It is an honor to perform at the most historic place, Gwanghwamun," and added, "We wanted this album to reflect our identity, which is why we made 'Arirang' the title." RM exclaimed, "It has been a long journey, but we finally stand here."

BTS shared, "While preparing for this album, we sometimes worried whether we might be forgotten, and if people would continue to remember us." They continued, "During the time we had to pause, we reflected deeply on what we must protect and what we need to change." They added, "Although we are still uncertain and sometimes anxious, these feelings are also part of who we are."

BTS had to walk a path that had never been taken before. Jimin said, "We are not special people," and continued, "We are also afraid, but if we include those feelings and keep swimming together, I believe we can find the answer."

BTS is performing their comeback stage "BTS Comeback Live: Arirang" on the 21st at Gwanghwamun, Seoul. Provided by Big Hit Music/Netflix

BTS performed a total of 12 songs over the course of about one hour that night. At Gwanghwamun Square, the heart of Seoul, South Korea, 22,000 ARMY (the fandom name) filled the plaza with a vast galaxy of purple ARMY Bomb lights. This stage, planned to celebrate the release of their fifth full album "ARIRANG," marked the beginning of the group's new chapter, "BTS 2.0."

A massive cube-shaped stage, measuring 12 meters by 11 meters and as tall as a five-story building, stood facing the statue of King Sejong. The upper part of the cube, adorned with a unique media facade evoking the texture of waves or rocks, was lit with a new logo: the BTS emblem combined with the "Arirang" emblem (in the shape of a Taegeuk). Through the frame, the illuminated "Gwanghwamun" signboard was clearly visible, visually representing the message of this new release: "The most global stage in the most Korean space."

As the first-ever solo artist concert to be broadcast live worldwide through the online video service Netflix, the event drew significant attention from the global entertainment industry. Outdoor LED screens installed throughout the venue played pre-recorded safety messages from the members. Top-tier production staff, including director Hamish Hamilton and producer Guy Carrington, known for leading the London Olympic opening and closing ceremonies and the Super Bowl Halftime Show, joined the project.

On the 21st, at Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno-gu, Seoul, 'BTS The Comeback Live: Arirang' was held.

Fans who could not get tickets gathered around the fence to enjoy the concert. However, there were no reports of "overnight ARMY" staying outside, and the audience watched the concert in an orderly manner. The police had initially estimated that 260,000 people would gather near the venue, but the actual number felt on-site was lower. HYBE stated that 104,000 people attended that day, based on estimates combining ticket holders, users of the three major telecom providers, budget phone users, and foreign visitors.

The entry process for the audience was strictly managed. Attendees had to pass through multiple security checks and present both a wristband and a ticket before being allowed to move. Fences were installed in each area to prevent overcrowding, and staff were deployed to guide the flow of people. Entry was permitted one hour before the concert, with movement encouraged to prevent the crowd from gathering in one place.

After the concert ended, fans voluntarily picked up trash, displaying a high level of civic responsibility. The audience exited in an orderly manner guided by safety staff, but it took over 40 minutes for some to reach the nearby City Hall Station. Some exits were temporarily closed to prevent overcrowding.

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