‘BTS 2.0’ kicks off in Gwanghwamun as septet returns in triumphant fashion

K-pop band BTS performs onstage during its comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno District, central Seoul, on March 21. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

 

BTS delivered a monumental performance on Saturday night in the heart of Seoul, which unfolded like a layered work of cultural storytelling, rich with symbolism.

 

The historic show, taking place at Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square, traced the world’s biggest K-pop group back to its roots — while also reflecting on its place as a global phenomenon and declaring the beginning of “BTS 2.0.”

 


 

“It’s truly, truly an honor to be able to perform at Gwanghwamun, one of the most historic places in Korea,” said member Suga at the beginning of the show.

 

“Especially with this album, we wanted to include our identity,” the rapper continued, “which led to the album’s title, ‘Arirang.'”

 

“BTS The Comeback Live: Arirang,” held a day after the release of the septet’s fifth full-length “Arirang”, took place at Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno District, central Seoul, on Saturday. This marked the first time a K-pop act had held a standalone concert at the historic venue.

 

The event was livestreamed globally by Netflix, the first time the streaming giant has broadcast a Korean live event worldwide.

 

BTS perform in Gwanghwamun Square on March 21 [YONHAP]

 

The free, 60-minute concert was BTS’s first full group live performance since the members completed their military service, and the first performance together in more than three years following the “Yet to Come in Busan” concert in 2022.  

 

“While preparing this album, we felt afraid at times,” said V, reflecting on the months the members spent preparing for the new album. “But we firmly believe that if we include even those feelings and keep swimming together, we’ll find the answer someday.”

 

With just over 20,000 tickets issued, the event actually drew about 104,000 people to the surrounding area, according to organizers.

 

BTS perform in Gwanghwamun Square on March 21 [YONHAP]

 

The show was helmed by executive director Hamish Hamilton, known for directing the Super Bowl halftime show and the opening and closing ceremonies at the 2012 London Olympics. Guy Carrington, who directed the Emmy Awards in 2020, joined the project as a producer.

 

As expected from the title of the group’s new album, “Arirang” — which got its name from a collection of Korean folksongs — the performance placed the spotlight on BTS’s cultural identity. Throughout the evening, the show explored the intersection of the septet’s Korean roots and its current status as a global pop phenomenon.  

 

Behind the main stage, measuring 18 meters wide (59 feet) wide and 10 meters long, a cube-shaped structure stood against the backdrop of Gwanghwamun, framing the historic gate like a piece of art. During the performance, the seven members walked out along an extending stage into the standing section, bringing them closer to their fans, known as ARMY.

 

The concert kicked off at 8 p.m. with the sound of a bell ringing, featuring an opening performance by 50 traditional dancers. The members emerged between the performers, who lined both sides of the stage, in a dramatic introduction that paid homage to Korean heritage.

 

Leader RM, however, had to remain seated during the performance, as he injured his ankle during rehearsal.

 

BTS perform in Gwanghwamun Square on March 21 [YONHAP]

 

Their stage costumes were inspired by “Korea’s past, present and future,” according to a statement from BigHit Music. The outfits drew inspiration from traditional attire, including the armor worn during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910).

 

The setlist featured 12 songs, both new and old hits. After opening with a run of tracks from the new album, “Body to Body,” “Hooligan” and “2.0,” the show shifted to classics, namely “Butter” (2021) and “MIC Drop” (2017).

 

After the performance-heavy numbers “Aliens” and “FYA,” the atmosphere grew more intense with “Swim,” followed by “Like Animals” and “Normal,” before an emotional finale with “Dynamite” (2020) and “Mikrokosmos” (2019).

 

The opening track, “Body to Body” featured musicians from the National Gugak Center, blending contemporary pop with traditional music in a nod to the group’s Korean roots.

 

Symbolism originating from Korean national imagery remained embedded throughout the production. One recurring motif was
geongongamri, the four black trigrams at the corners of the Korean national flag, representing water, sky, earth and fire. 

 

Each element was reflected in the visual concept of different performances. “Swim,” the lead track of the new album, centered on the theme of water, with media art cascading across the cube-shaped LED screens.





“Normal” had blue skies and drifting clouds displayed across Gwanghwamun and the structure.“Like Animals” featured cave-like stone imagery, symbolizing the earth. The explosive stage of “FYA,” expectedly, represented the element of fire, with waves of red and bright orange ligth radiating from the stage.





The show ended with “Mikrokosmos,” a fan-favorites, with phone lights spreading across the sprawling plaza like a sea of stars — to which RM said, “It’s beautiful.”


 

“We’re so happy to be back,” J-Hope said near the finale. 


 

“Every moment like this is thanks to you,” he stressed, declaring, “BTS 2.0 is just getting started.”

K-pop band BTS performs onstage during its comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square, Jongno District, central Seoul, on March 21. [AP/YONHAP]

 

As safety remained a major concern for organizers before and during the show, authorities deployed approximately 6,700 police officers, along with about 8,200 safety personnel — including 3,400 from local governments — to manage crowds and maintain order.  

 

The group’s fifth full-length album, “Arirang,” has been dominating charts since its release, with the lead track, “Swim,” topping iTunes Top Songs chart in 90 countries, as well as domestic platforms Melon and Bugs. The album sold 3.98 million copies on the first day of its release, according to data compiled by Hanteo Chart.

 

Following the Gwanghwamun performance, BTS will embark on what is expected to be K-pop’s largest world tour yet, with at least 82 shows across 34 stops, starting with three shows at Goyang Stadium in Gyeonggi on April 9, 11 and 12.

BY SHIN HA-NEE [[email protected]]