Seoul: K-pop icons BTS drew an estimated crowd of more than 100,000 to their long-awaited comeback concert in central Seoul, marking their first group performance in nearly four years, according to their label HYBE.
The seven-member band—RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook—took the stage together on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Gwanghwamun Square, set against the historic backdrop of Gyeongbokgung Palace. Fans from South Korea and international locations filled the area, waving glowsticks, singing along to classic hits, and capturing the moment on their phones as large screens broadcast the show across the venue.
HYBE stated to AFP that approximately 104,000 fans attended, based on ticket sales figures and data from South Korea’s three major mobile carriers. This number fell short of the initial expectation of 260,000 attendees. Yonhap news agency reported police estimates placed the crowd at around 42,000.
The free public event, titled “BTS The Comeback Live Arirang,” coincided with the release of their new album ARIRANG on March 20, 2026. The label described the project as reflecting the group’s evolving Korean identity, with first-day sales nearing four million copies.
Netflix streamed the concert live to viewers in about 190 countries, expanding its reach far beyond the physical gathering.
ALSO READ : BTS Returns with ‘ARIRANG’ Album, Shattering Records
Security measures were extensive, with around 15,000 police officers and personnel deployed, barricades along roads, and nearby venues closed to manage the large turnout safely.
The concert signals the start of a broader return for BTS, who paused group activities due to mandatory military service requirements—some members even served near the border with North Korea.
Following the Seoul show, the group will launch their “ARIRANG” world tour on April 9, 2026, in Goyang, South Korea. The tour spans 82 concerts across 34 cities in Asia, North America, Europe, and Latin America. Tickets for performances in South Korea, North America, and Europe sold out rapidly within hours of going on sale.
The event underscored BTS’s enduring global popularity and the excitement surrounding their full-group comeback after years apart.
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