Kpop supergroup BTS performed in front of thousands of fans in Seoul on Saturday in their first concert in more than three years, during which authorities closed down the city’s historic downtown, although far fewer people turned out than expected.
The hour-long outdoor concert at Gwanghwamun Square was the official comeback of the group that helped make Korean pop music a global phenomenon before going on hiatus in 2022 while the members complete mandatory military service.
They returned on Friday with a new album, which their record label said sold nearly 4 million copies in its first day, considered the biggest in Kpop history, ahead of a global tour starting next month.
While there were only 22,000 tickets in the indoor arena to watch Saturday’s concert live, Seoul officials had estimated that 260,000 people would be part of the crowd outside. An entire part of the city was closed by putting up barricades.
In the end, most fans just decided to stay away. Yonhap news agency cited city government estimates as saying 40,000–42,000 people came. Fans, who call themselves the BTS Army, could instead watch the concert on Netflix, where it was streamed live to 190 countries.
“It’s been a long journey but now we’re finally here,” said BTS leader RM, who performed most of the concert from a chair after injuring his ankle during rehearsals.
Another member, J-Hope, said, “When preparing this album, we had some concerns that maybe we would be forgotten, or would you still remember us.”
Municipal authorities in Seoul are extremely cautious about crowds after a crush in the Itaewon nightlife district four years ago killed several people celebrating Halloween. The Seoul government, group management agency HYBE and other organizations jointly deployed 8,200 personnel and set up medical stations.
According to the tour website, BTS’s world tour will last until 2027, covering 34 arenas and 82 shows so far. new tab opens
The comeback album “Arirang” sold 3.98 million copies on its first day of release.—Reuters
