Tens of thousands of fans gathered in Seoul’s Gwanghwamun square on Saturday for BTS’s first full-group concert in nearly four years, marking the end of the K-pop supergroup’s mandatory military service. The seven-member band performed a one-hour set drawn largely from their new album, Arirang, which had sold nearly four million copies since its release the previous day.
The crowd included fans from across the globe, including the Zubillaga family from Veracruz, Mexico, who flew 15 hours to attend after failing to secure tickets for the band’s world tour in their home country. “It’s beautiful,” said 15-year-old Renata Zubillaga of the new album. Her favourite member, like her parents, is Jung Kook.
BTS, who became the first Korean act to top the Billboard Hot 100 and address the United Nations, paused group activities in late 2022 as members fulfilled South Korea’s mandatory military service. The concert, streamed live on Netflix to over 190 countries, drew about 22,000 fans to a designated viewing zone, with thousands more watching on nearby screens.
“Annyeonghaseyo! We’re back,” leader RM told the crowd as they opened with Body to Body. The set included the title track Swim and the 2020 English-language single Dynamite, which brought the group wider global recognition. Fans waved ARMY light sticks in unison against the backdrop of Gyeongbokgung palace, lit up for visual projections.
Lea Baron, a 30-year-old German living in Seoul and a 13-year fan, said: “I’m just really happy they’re back together and still making music.” Nani Cruz, 30, from Guam, added: “The longing that ARMY is feeling, that’s what we’re able to experience again tonight.”
