BTS to Hold Concert in Busan This October... "Helping to Attract the 2030 Expo"

by Kim Heeyun

Published 08 Jul.2022 12:23(KST)

Busan World Expo Bid Committee, Busan City, and HYBE Hold Strategic Meeting

BTS. Photo by Big Hit Music

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] The group BTS will hold a global concert in Busan this October.

BTS recently attracted attention after being appointed as promotional ambassadors for the 2030 Busan World Expo. They will hold a global concert in Busan in October to promote Busan's bid for the World Expo to the world.

At the first strategy meeting held on the 7th at the Seoul office of the 2030 Busan World Expo Bid Committee (hereafter Bid Committee), discussions were held regarding the official appointment of BTS as promotional ambassadors and holding a global concert as part of their ambassador activities.

The news of BTS holding a global concert has drawn public attention, including from ARMY. Previously, after announcing plans to focus on individual activities following the release of their anthology album 'Proof' on June 10, there was no definite schedule for BTS's full group performances.

Fans who were disappointed by the news of the group's hiatus had been closely watching BTS's moves after the announcement of their appointment as promotional ambassadors for the 2030 Busan World Expo. The announcement of a full-group global concert as part of their ambassador activities has raised expectations.

Regarding the concert venue, HYBE is reported to have recently conducted on-site inspections at Busan Port North Harbor Waterfront Park and Samnak Ecological Park. The Asiad Main Stadium, where BTS has performed before, is also being considered as part of a multi-faceted review of possible venues.

At the strategy meeting, Park Jungwook, Secretary General of the Bid Committee, said, "We appreciate HYBE's active cooperation. In a fiercely competitive bidding environment, BTS's support will be a great asset to Busan's bid for the 2030 World Expo. The government will also mobilize all its capabilities to carry out bid negotiations."

Park Ji-won, CEO of HYBE, stated, "Based on the business agreement with Busan City, HYBE plans to propose various cooperation measures and actively support the national project of securing the 2030 World Expo for Busan."

Going forward, BTS plans to carry out various promotional activities worldwide based on their global influence as promotional ambassadors to support the 2030 Busan World Expo bid.

Although BTS announced a temporary suspension of group activities on the 15th of last month, their global popularity remains strong. On the Billboard chart dated the 9th, their album ‘Proof’ still holds a high position, and songs like ‘Dynamite’ and ‘Butter’ continue to chart.

Meanwhile, J-Hope, the first to launch a solo project, released the pre-release track 'More' on the 1st, signaling the start of his activities. J-Hope is set to release his first solo album 'Jack in the Box' on the 18th, continuing his popularity.