110,000 ARMY Gather in Busan: "Feels Like a Reward for Waiting Four Years for BTS"

BTS's 'Arirang' Concert in Busan: On-Site Report
"Meaningful to Gather Again on the 13th Anniversary"
Local Businesses Thrive with Restaurant and Cafe Discounts

Lorina (47), Mergita (47), Lina (49), and Wawa (43) from Malaysia, whom I met near the Busan Asiad Main Stadium, where BTS's world tour 'Arirang' is held in Busan. Photo by Lee Eesul

"The moment I got my passport stamped in Korea and saw the sea in front of Busan, I felt like I was finally being rewarded for four years of waiting. Even though we speak different languages, we are already connected through music."

On June 13, the 13th anniversary of BTS's debut, the area around Busan Asiad Main Stadium, where the world tour 'Arirang (ARIRANG)' was being held, was bustling with fans from all over the world from early in the morning.

This was BTS's first concert in Busan in about three years and eight months since 'Yet To Come in BUSAN' in October 2022. Over two days, approximately 110,000 fans visited the main stadium. Despite the scorching heat, they celebrated the festival by taking commemorative photos with purple goods and Army Bomb light sticks, the group's symbolic color.

International fans at the scene gave special meaning to the long-awaited Busan concert. Emma (24) from Chicago, United States, said, "I took time off work and flew here to celebrate BTS's 13th anniversary in their hometown. The whole city feels like a huge festival welcoming us, and it's overwhelming." Carmen (21) from Mexico couldn't hide her excitement, saying, "I never imagined I would be able to hear the new Korean song live in Busan."

Enthusiasm among overseas fans was also high. Lorina (47) and three others from Malaysia said, "We are happy that today, which we promised at the last concert four years ago before enlistment, has finally come. We came together, just like we did back then." Yoko (51) from Japan remarked, "I was disappointed when I failed to get tickets for the previous tour, but now I get to see a meaningful debut anniversary concert. I wish the members good health."

Korean fans also celebrated the meaningful occasion. Four fans in their 30s who gathered from Busan, Chuncheon, and Chungnam said, "We've attended the J-Hope and Jin concerts, as well as the Goyang show, and now Busan as well. It's special to gather again on the 13th anniversary." Via (29), wearing a black traditional ribbon with the new album 'Arirang' logo and dressed in hanbok, said, "The lyrics of the new song 'Come Over' have given me great strength."

Fans of BTS holding Army Bomb light sticks near Busan Asiad Main Stadium. Fans came from Busan, Chuncheon, and Chungnam. Photo by Lee Eesul

BTS gave gifts to every audience member who attended the concert over the two days. These included a transparent bag with the new song's message 'Keep Swimming,' a sky-blue parasol, a small towel, and a handwritten postcard. Fans waited patiently to enter, shielding themselves from the hot sun with the sky-blue parasols provided by the organizers.

However, the large crowds caused some operational issues at the venue. On the first day of the concert, June 12, overlapping movement routes in some sections led to bottlenecks, delaying entry by about 75 minutes. On June 13, police and staff took control, but as the waiting time grew longer, some attendees expressed dissatisfaction. The second concert was also delayed by about 23 minutes.

Outside the stadium, Busan's downtown districts were also bustling with fans for the first time in a while. Fans took photos in front of 'THE CITY' event installations set up around Busan Station, Haeundae, and Gwangalli. BTS songs played in restaurants and cafes throughout the city. Many shops displayed 'Welcome to ARMY' signs at their entrances, and some offered discounts to fans with concert tickets or purple merchandise, allowing local businesses to benefit from the concert boom.

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