BTS Comeback Concert Draws Massive Crowd to Seoul
Fans are converging on the historic center of South Korea's capital for what is anticipated to be one of the year's largest events: the return of BTS, the world’s most successful band in recent years.
Approximately 260,000 people are expected to gather on Saturday at Gwanghwamun Square, where the seven K-pop members - RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook - will perform together for the first time since October 2022.
The concert will take place against the backdrop of a 14th-century gateway to the royal palace. The band's one-hour performance will feature songs from their newly released album, Arirang, which debuted on Friday afternoon.
For South Korea, this event represents more than just a band’s comeback; it marks the return of a cultural phenomenon that has significantly enhanced Korean soft power through its record-breaking blend of dynamic pop and electrifying dance routines.
How Do We Watch the BTS Concert?
Only about 22,000 attendees who secured free tickets will be allowed inside the concert venue, a restricted section within Gwanghwamun Square.
Ami Ostrovskaia, who relocated from Russia to Seoul last year to study, is among the fortunate ticket holders.
"BTS is the reason I'm here,"she says.
"It's why I started learning about Korean history, culture, food, sports, and the language."
The majority of fans will watch the concert on giant screens set up outside the venue. Margarita Perez, a 58-year-old architect from Germany, did not obtain a ticket but has been scouting the area to remain nearby on concert day.
Jacqueline, a 29-year-old teacher from Mexico City, will also be present at Gwanghwamun Square on Saturday to catch a glimpse of her favorite band before seeing them on their world tour next month.
"The last few years have been a sad time for [the BTS] Army. I loved their solo albums, but they're more amazing when they're together."
For millions of fans worldwide, the concert will be live-streamed on Netflix. As part of its agreement with BTS, Netflix holds exclusive rights to live stream the show and to release a documentary on the band's reunion. This deal is a significant marketing achievement, reflecting the billions invested in Korean entertainment.
What Do We Know About Arirang, the New BTS Album?
The album title, Arirang, references Korea's most cherished folk song, a sentimental anthem symbolizing the journey from hardship toward hope and improvement.
The band is aware that the earliest known recording of Arirang was made in the United States in 1896 by seven Korean men at Howard University.
A promotional video for the album features RM, V, Jin, Jungkook, Jimin, J-Hope, and Suga listening to that historic wax cylinder recording, drawing a parallel between their role in exporting Korean culture globally 130 years later.
The album and Saturday’s comeback concert culminate years of anticipation since BTS went on hiatus in 2022 at the height of their fame.
The hiatus was taken to fulfill mandatory military service obligations, beginning with Jin in 2022. Suga completed his service in June last year, enabling the full group's return.
Their upcoming 82-date world tour will span over 30 cities, including Singapore, Tokyo, Munich, and Los Angeles, starting next month.
The return comes amid a larger and more competitive K-pop industry.
"They've always exceeded my expectations. They might feel the pressure, but I believe they'll do their best,"says Park Joo-young, a student in her 20s who has awaited this moment for a long time.
How Has Seoul Prepared for the BTS Concert?
Authorities have implemented extensive preparations.
Landmarks throughout the city are illuminated in the band's signature purple. Approximately 7,000 police officers, including SWAT units equipped with anti-drone technology, will be deployed to manage the crowds at Gwanghwamun Square.
The central district of Seoul will transform into a vast open-air stadium for BTS, with access to numerous buildings restricted and three nearby subway stations closed.
Entry to the square will be controlled through 31 checkpoints equipped with metal detectors in the hours before and after the concert.
Although South Korea enforces strict gun control laws and private firearm ownership is rare, authorities will temporarily prohibit civilians from retrieving firearms during the event.
Local businesses are anticipating a surge in tourism driven by the band's popularity.
Before BTS's hiatus, the Korea Culture & Tourism Institute estimated that a single BTS performance could generate up to $842 million (£621 million) in revenue, including ticket and merchandise sales, accommodation, tourism, and related spending.
By the conclusion of this tour in 2027, BTS is expected to have generated over $1 billion in revenue.
Hotels in the vicinity were fully booked or had increased prices more than a month in advance.
"I'm preparing menus in English, Chinese and Japanese, and decorating the restaurant with purple flowers,"said Kim Sung-dae, owner of a nearby seafood restaurant, referring to BTS's signature color.
What Are South Koreans Saying?
With much of Gwanghwamun Square closed, forcing pedestrians to take lengthy detours, many pre-planned events nearby have been disrupted by the BTS concert.
This caused particular stress for Sohn Yeon-ju, a lawyer in her 30s, who was scheduled to hold her wedding near Gwanghwamun Square just hours before the concert.
As of Thursday, it remained uncertain how she and her hundreds of guests would access the heavily secured venue. Police indicated guests might be permitted to use police buses if the nearest subway station is closed.
A Seoul city official told the BBC that authorities provided the concert with the venue, crowd management, and safety measures but did not offer direct financial support.
Some South Koreans expressed concerns that authorities may have devoted excessive resources to the concert.
"They've pulled in police and fire personnel en masse. If something happens elsewhere, there may be no staff left to respond, and access could be blocked because of the controls,"wrote one user on X.
Pop music critic Jung Min-jae commented on X:
"If a comeback concert of this scale, one that effectively paralyses parts of the city centre, is allowed, then other artists or agencies may well request to use the same space in the future. At that point, on what criteria will the Seoul Metropolitan Government approve or reject such requests?"
However, some locals consider these inconveniences a minor cost for the benefits BTS has brought to the country.
"I don't see what the problem is,"wrote one resident living nearby.
"BTS has done so much for Korea, elevating our image abroad, with no government support all along. Why can't we share the Gwanghwamun public space for their performance just one Saturday?"
What Do BTS Fans Think?
The BTS Army, the band’s global fanbase, has eagerly sought tickets for Saturday’s concert.
Some 13,000 free tickets were claimed immediately when reservations opened last month, despite over 100,000 people queuing online. An additional 7,000 free tickets were released later and also sold out within minutes.
"I tried with both my smartphone and a desktop computer - none of them worked,"said Rachel, who does not consider herself a BTS fan but wanted to seize the opportunity to see the globally renowned group perform live.
The distribution of free tickets has caused frustration among some fans who feel it reduces the chances for dedicated followers to secure seats. Campaigns have been launched to discourage ticket resales and prevent "no-shows."
Concerns about the large crowds at Gwanghwamun Square have also been expressed.
"I know officials will strengthen safety measures, but there will be so many people that I'm still a bit worried,"said Park Su-bin, a wheelchair user in her 30s. She holds tickets for the group's concert in April and has chosen to skip the Gwanghwamun event.
Ami Ostrovskaia initially failed to obtain a ticket and
"was crying the whole night,"but a friend helped her secure one.
"I was so happy and felt like all my problems were gone. This means that I'll be joining their [full-group] performance after so many years. It's really meaningful for me."
Additional reporting by Leehyun Choi and Hosu Lee
