BTS reunites with ARMY in comeback concert
BTS is officially back!
The "Kings of K-pop" reunited on Saturday, March 21 for their first concert after nearly four years since they went on hiatus in 2022 to serve in the South Korean military.
The concert took place in Seoul's sweeping Gwanghwamun Square beside Gyeongbokgung. Built in 1395, the former royal palace is often seen as a symbol of Korean resilience through dynastic collapse, colonial rule, and pro-democracy protests.
"Hello Seoul, we are back," its leader RM said.
Gwanghwamun Gate was lit in rainbow colors, as a massive stage installation featuring three circular features—symbolising BTS's new album—glowed beneath towering lighting rigs.
The boys, dressed in black baggy fits, opened with the song Body to Body from their latest album, ARIRANG. Midway through the song, a group of singers wearing hanboks was seen performing a sample of Arirang that was used in Body to Body. Arirang is Korea’s most famous and beloved traditional folk song.
Moments later, Hooligan played, with Jin putting on a black leather face mask before j-hope appeared with a group of masked dancers, and then SUGA showed off his rapping skills in 2.0.
Reflecting on their journey, BTS shared a heartfelt moment on stage where Jin—the first member to enlist in the military—recalled their past. "I still vividly remember asking you to wait for us at our last concert in Busan a few years ago," he told the crowd. "Thank you so much for coming here."
He continued saying that he "had so many worries before standing here today, but seeing you all again makes me happy."
Jimin shared how surreal it felt to be back. "All seven of us standing on the stage makes me so happy."
SUGA followed, saying he is honored to perform at Gwanghwamun. "We wanted this album to capture our identity, that's why we chose 'Arirang' as our theme. And with that in mind, we decided to perform here."
V agreed, saying, "Being able to make our comeback in such a special place brings back a lot of feelings."
j-hope, for his part, is in disbelief that he is standing with all members of the group. "We know it's been a long wait. Thank you for waiting for us."
Jung Kook promised the audience they had "prepared something special" for them.
RM thanked everyone for being there tonight before they sang Butter. "It's been a long journey, but now, we're finally here!"
The group launched into MIC Drop, a fan-favorite from their 2017 mini-album, Love Yourself: Her.
Following the performance, RM took a moment to reflect on the sheer volume of new material they were debuting. He opened up about the intensive two-month creative retreat the group held in Los Angeles.
"We spent a long time thinking about it because we wanted this album to capture who we really are and what has truly been on our minds," RM shared. "While we were in LA, we had endless conversations and took on a lot of challenges to create music that feels authentic to us."
SUGA added that the goal of this chapter wasn't just to return, but to redefine themselves. He noted that the group aimed to showcase a more "matured and evolved BTS" through this new body of work.
The setlist continued with Aliens and FYA.
Finding their inner voice
During another poignant ment, the members opened up about the anxieties that followed them during their time apart. j-hope admitted to a fear common among artists on hiatus, questioning "whether people would keep waiting for us, or if we'd be forgotten."
SUGA agreed, saying that during their hiatus, they thought about what they should hold onto and what they should change. "We're still not completely sure and still feel anxious at times," he confessed, "but I think even those emotions are a part of who we are now."
According to RM, this vulnerability became the creative engine for their new music. He described this chapter as a "turning point" where the group faced hard questions about their legacy and identity.
"In the end, we found out that the answer wasn't outside, but within us," the group leader shared. "Listening to our own voices and anxieties without hiding them—I think that was the essence and the goal of this album."
Jimin bridged the gap between the K-pop superstars and the audience, reminding fans that they are "just like us—scared and worried all the time." He encouraged the crowd to accept those worries and "keep swimming" as he transitioned into their next performance, aptly titled Swim.
The emotional high of the evening continued as the group powered through their setlist, performing Like Animals, Normal, Dynamite, and Mikrokosmos.
ARIRANG was released on Friday and is billed as a reflection of the maturing boy band's Korean identity.
The album sold almost four million copies in the first day, BTS's record label said. Five million fans pre-saved it on Spotify, the most ever for a K-pop act.
ARIRANG takes its name from a folk song about longing and separation that is often dubbed South Korea's unofficial national anthem.
Featuring collaborations with multiple Western artists and producers, the 14 tracks on the album mix rap, heavy beats and experimentation. (with reports from AFP)