'3 Trillion Won Economic Impact' BTS Returns... The World's "Arirang" Fills Gwanghwamun

BTS Kicks Off Comeback Concert at 8 p.m. in Gwanghwamun
Fans Gathered from Across the Globe Cheer with Cries of "Arirang"
City and Urban Skyline Become Stages, Marking a Turning Point for K-Culture
Safety Ensured as Police Deploy in Force A

"Arirang, Arirang, Arariyo~ Crossing over the Arirang pass."

The group BTS performed a free comeback concert on the 21st at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. BTS members RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook are performing. Photo by the Joint Press Corps

BTS, who have led the Korean Wave, colored Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul purple as they made their long-awaited comeback as a full group after three years and nine months. The performance of "Arirang"—sung by fans from around the world in the heart of the city—is being seen as a symbolic moment demonstrating that Korean Wave has become a central force in global pop culture.

At around 8 p.m. on the 21st, as an introduction played by traditional instruments began, BTS members appeared on stage. "Hello, Seoul. We're back." With this greeting from leader RM, the show opened to a roar of cheers from fans. The BTS fandom, known as ARMY, waved purple light sticks in rhythm to "Body To Body," a track from their fifth full-length album "Arirang." It was a moment where "Arirang" resonated with voices from all over the world.

At around 8 p.m. on the 21st, as BTS's comeback performance began at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, fans gathered from around the world waved purple lightsticks in support. Photo by Jiye Lee

All the electronic displays in the Gwanghwamun area simultaneously broadcast the performance, transforming the cluster of city buildings into a single concert venue. There were 22,000 official seats at the venue, divided into Section A (standing), Section B (reserved), and Section C (additional seats). Even those seated far from the stage enjoyed the show via nine electronic displays installed along the road. Some fans were moved to tears at the joy of finally seeing BTS in person.

There were also complaints from some fans. Many had taken positions far from the stage, expecting the performance to be streamed on the electronic displays installed on the exterior walls of buildings around Gwanghwamun, but when the show began, only BTS comeback posters were shown on those screens. Fans comforted themselves with the music and the electrifying atmosphere despite their disappointment.

At around 8 p.m. on the 21st, as the comeback performance of BTS began at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, fans from all over the world waved purple light sticks in support. Photo by Hosoo Park

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, as of 8 p.m. on the 21st, between 44,000 and 46,000 people had gathered in the Gwanghwamun and Deoksugung area. The crowd grew by nearly 10,000 in just one hour before the performance. Although up to 260,000 attendees had been expected, it is believed that the crowd dispersed to nearby areas after the police tightened area-based controls to ensure safety.

Even during this "moment of celebration," the police remained on high alert. As the crowd surged toward exit 3 of Gwanghwamun Station, Lee Cheol-hee, Chief of Jongno Police Station in Seoul, shouted, "Slowly!" as he personally adjusted the fence. Officers in fluorescent vests formed a human chain to maintain order and prevent excited fans from pushing forward.

At around 8 p.m. on the 21st, as the BTS comeback performance began at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, fans gathered from around the world waved light sticks and recorded the live performance with their smartphones. Photo by Jaehyun Park

From the morning of the event, security around Gwanghwamun Square was tight, with thorough body checks and restricted entry. Safety fences spanned 1.2 kilometers north to south from the opposite side of Gwanghwamun to City Hall Station, and about 200 meters east to west. To pass through the square, attendees had to go through one of 31 gates set up along the fence, each equipped with metal detectors. Police conducted bag checks on all citizens and attendees.

As the concert time approached, police began controlling entry and maintained order to prevent incidents caused by crowd movement. On five main roads and fifteen side streets, they established triple barriers using barricades and police buses. Inside the gates, special police units were stationed, and high-altitude observation vehicles equipped with 30x zoom cameras monitored crowded areas from above.

Around 8 p.m. on the 21st, as the BTS comeback performance began at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, the police reinforced fence boundaries to ensure citizen safety. Photo by Ji-eun Oh

This concert by BTS is being seen as a turning point for "K-culture," making the city itself—previously a place for events like World Cup celebrations—a stage for global support. In particular, the unified domestic and international fandom is expected to generate an economic impact worth about 3 trillion won. According to securities industry estimates, if album sales reach 6 million copies, tour attendance hits 6 million, with an average ticket price of 300,000 won and average merchandise purchase of 140,000 won, total sales are projected at a minimum of 2.9 trillion won.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.