BTS Battle Torrential Rain to Kick Off $1bn World Tour
BTS faced heavy rain as they began their extensive world tour at Goyang Stadium in South Korea. Both the band and their fans were soaked throughout the open-air concert.
"It's raining like crazy,"said V as he splashed through puddles on the expansive 360-degree stage. Suga compared the venue to "a water park," while Jimin expressed feeling "frustrated and stressed" by the weather.
"But that's not what's important,"he told the audience.
"What's important is that you're here with us."
Despite the adverse weather, BTS delivered an energetic and intense performance featuring a 23-song setlist. This marked their return after a four-year hiatus during which the members fulfilled their mandatory military service. The group appeared revitalized and delighted to be back on stage.
V even incorporated the persistent rain into his performance by lying on the wet stage and mimicking the breaststroke, performing an impromptu rendition of the band's comeback single, "Swim."
"Watch out!"warned the band's leader RM, who recently sustained an ankle injury during rehearsals.
"You might get hurt like me."
The 31-year-old, who performed seated during a promotional concert last month, was back on his feet for the tour's opening night in his hometown. However, during a "meet the audience" segment, he was carried around the stadium on a makeshift throne, indicating his torn ligament had not fully healed.
"It's been three weeks [since the injury] so the doctor said I can perform,"RM told fans from the stage.
"It's not that big of a deal. We just wanted to give it our all today."
The heavy rain did not dampen the enthusiasm of the fans. Many arrived as early as 06:30 to secure prime viewing spots, taking selfies and sharing stories beneath umbrellas as queues extended around the stadium.
Even after the concert started, hundreds of fans without tickets braved the rain to listen to BTS from outside the venue.
Concert Highlights and Setlist
The concert prominently featured songs from BTS's new album Arirang, which blends Korean folk melodies and mythology with the band's dynamic, experimental pop style. All but one of the new tracks were included in the setlist.
The show opened with a solitary hooded figure running onto the stage holding a red flare as fans chanted "BTS, BTS, BTS." As numerous dancers entered the stadium, the band confidently took the stage and launched into "Hooligan," a fiery rap track featuring chopped strings and clashing swords. Ironically, RM called for "a bigger mop" during the performance.
This set the tone for the night, focusing on the band's harder-edged sound with songs like "Mic Drop," "Run BTS," and "FYA," rather than the melodic pop hits that brought them global fame.
The performance was charged with energy, with the seven members sprinting along the compass-point catwalks extending from the stage, surrounded by pyrotechnics, walls of flame, and thousands of LED lights.
Following the rap-heavy opening, "Swim" was performed with moody, sultry choreography emphasizing its theme of perseverance through turbulent times.
There was also a surprise performance of "Not Today," a song dedicated to "all the underdogs in the world." As BTS sang about fighting injustice and corruption, dancers wearing hockey masks held fluorescent lights aloft, creating an urgent and powerful atmosphere—a stark contrast to the polished fun of their previous world tour.
The concert featured less choreography than usual, with BTS focusing more on engaging the crowd than on the precise dance routines fans expect. This may have been influenced by the weather but added a spontaneous immediacy to the show.
Near the end, V and Jimin spontaneously performed the dance routine for "I Need U," much to the surprise and delight of their bandmates. This impromptu moment highlighted the group's enduring chemistry and affection for each other after many years.
The main set concluded with an extended version of "Idol," the lead single from 2018's Love Yourself: Answer. The band descended from the stage and walked around the stadium edges as fans chanted the chorus from the rafters.
The encore was filled with joy, featuring English-language hits "Dynamite" and "Butter," alongside the nostalgic pop of 2019's "Mikrokosmos."
All seven members reflected on the concert, with Jin calling it an "unforgettable moment" and Jungkook saying,
"I made a good memory today."
"I'm soaked down to my underwear,"laughed Jimin,
"but the most important thing was getting to see you all. For four years, I couldn't see you and it was tough, but it's an honour that I got to see you again."
"More than anything, having all seven of us together is what matters most,"added RM.
They closed the show with another new song, "Into The Sun," whose lyrics include the mantra
"I'll follow you into the sun,"dedicated to their loyal fans.
One fan who watched the live stream commented,
"Their voices are so strong now and they looked amazing, wet hair and all."Others joked about the cost of streaming all three days, with one saying,
"My wallet is crying."
Tour Details and Financial Impact
BTS are scheduled to perform two additional nights in Goyang, each expected to draw 40,000 attendees. All concerts will be broadcast on WeVerse, a social media platform owned by their record label, Big Hit / Hybe.
According to on-screen statistics during Thursday's show, over four million fans paid to watch the live video of the opening night, generating approximately $168 million (£125 million) in sales.
Such figures contribute to predictions that the Arirang tour could become one of the most lucrative concert tours ever, with some experts suggesting it may surpass the $2 billion revenue of Taylor Swift's Eras tour.
Regardless, it will be recorded as the largest tour ever undertaken by a South Korean band, comprising 85 dates across 34 cities worldwide.
BTS will perform in London in July for two nights at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. These will be their first UK concerts since 2019, when they became the first K-Pop act to headline Wembley Stadium.
BTS Setlist - Goyang Stadium, 9 April 2026
The full setlist was not detailed in the original report.
