BTS Reunites for Historic Seoul Concert at Gwanghwamun Square, Launching Global Tour After Military Hiatus

K-pop supergroup BTS reunited on Saturday night for their first concert in nearly four years, marking a significant return following the completion of their mandatory military service. The seven-member band—Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook—performed at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, a historic site near Gyeongbokgung Palace. The event drew tens of thousands of fans, known as the “BTS Army,” from South Korea and around the world, with some estimates suggesting up to 40,000 people gathered in the area despite official ticketed attendance being around 22,000.

The concert was notable not only for its scale but also for its symbolic location and cultural elements. BTS received special permission from the Korean Heritage Service to perform at Gwanghwamun Square, marking the first major live show at the site, which dates back to the Joseon Dynasty. The group incorporated traditional Korean motifs into their performance, including hanbok attire and a stage design that framed both the historic gate and the band in a single visual presentation. RM, the group’s leader, explained that the stage was designed as an open “cube” to provide an unobstructed view of both the band and the landmark. Despite an ankle injury, RM participated in the choreography with limited movement.

The concert featured songs from BTS’s newly released album, “Arirang,” which debuted on March 20 and sold nearly 4 million copies on its first day. The album’s title references a traditional Korean folk song, reflecting the group’s blend of contemporary pop with cultural heritage. The set list also included global hits such as “Dynamite” and “Butter.” The event was live-streamed on Netflix, allowing fans worldwide to watch the performance simultaneously. The show opened with a bell ringing and drone footage, followed by a greeting from Jin, who enlisted in the military ahead of the other members. Jin expressed gratitude and happiness at reuniting with fans after the group’s hiatus.

The concert marked the beginning of BTS’s extensive global tour, which will include over 80 dates across the United States, South America, Europe, and Asia. The U.S. leg is set to start on April 25 in Tampa, Florida, with the tour concluding on March 14, 2027, in the Philippines. Fans traveled from various countries to attend the Seoul concert, with some unable to secure tickets but still gathering in public spaces to watch on screens. Security measures were extensive, with approximately 15,000 personnel deployed, including 6,700 police officers, and traffic controls were implemented to manage the large crowds. The event was widely seen as a significant cultural moment, symbolizing BTS’s resilience and continued global influence after their military service hiatus.