Tens of thousands of fans gathered in Seoul on Saturday for a free concert by BTS, marking the K-pop supergroup's first full performance together in nearly four years. The show, held at Gwanghwamun Square in the heart of the capital, drew attendees from around the world, including Mexico, Japan, France and Guam.
The seven-member band, which became the first Korean act to top the Billboard Hot 100 and address the United Nations, paused group activities in late 2022 as members began mandatory military service under South Korean law. Their return raised questions about whether the group could recapture its global dominance, but the crowd's response was emphatic.
About 22,000 fans secured free seats in a designated viewing zone, while thousands more watched on nearby screens or via Netflix, which streamed the concert to over 190 countries. The one-hour set featured songs from the group's new album, Arirang, released the day before and already selling nearly 4 million copies.
Fans expressed joy at seeing the band together again. 'Seeing them come back is a huge thing,' said Nani Cruz, 30, who travelled from Guam. 'The longing that ARMY is feeling, that's what we're able to experience again tonight.'
The concert also drew attention to the symbolic location. Gwanghwamun Square, flanked by the historic Gyeongbokgung palace, has been a site of mass protests that helped bring down two South Korean presidents. For many, the BTS concert represented a peaceful celebration of cultural unity.
