BTS Performs First Group Concert in Three Years in Seoul

A Landmark Return to Gwanghwamun Square

The seven-member group’s performance, titled BTS The Comeback Live: Arirang, marked their first live appearance together since the "Yet To Come in Busan" concert in October 2022. Although only 22,000 tickets were available for the free event, an estimated 104,000 fans gathered in the Gwanghwamun Square area to witness the return. The concert was also broadcast live on Netflix, representing the streaming service's first-ever live music broadcast.

The event transformed the heart of Seoul, with Sejong-daero blocked to traffic from Gyeongbokgung Palace to City Hall. Large screens and BTS-related content replaced standard advertisements on billboards along the route. The stage itself featured a square arch wrapped in LED screens that framed the historic Gwanghwamun gate.

"I still vividly remember asking you to wait for us at our last concert in Busan a few years ago. Thank you so much for coming here. Actually, I had so many worries before standing here today, but seeing you all again, I’m so grateful and happy."

— Jin

Garrett English, Executive Producer at Done+Dusted, noted the significance of the location, which served as the home of the Six Ministries during the Joseon Dynasty and was the site of the 1919 March 1st Independence Movement. English stated the production aimed to "celebrate Gyeongbokgung and Gwanghwamun Square" while elevating the group's return.

"It’s truly an honour to perform at Gwanghwamun, the most historic place in Korea. We wanted this album to capture our identity. That’s why we chose ‘Arirang’ as our theme, and with that in mind, we decided to perform here."

— Suga

Symbolism and the Arirang Theme

The hour-long set began at 8pm KST with "Body To Body," the opening track from the group's new album, Arirang, which was released on March 20. The performance integrated traditional Korean symbolism, specifically the geongongamri elements found on the South Korean national flag:

• Fire (ri): Represented during "FYA" with red lights and dry ice.

• Water (gam): Represented during the lead single "Swim" with blue and green visuals and wave-shaped lighting.

• Earth (gon): Represented during "Like Animals" with imagery of crumbling dirt.

• Heaven (geon): Represented during "Normal" with cloud-filled sky visuals.

The members performed in custom outfits by the Korean fashion house Songzio, designed under the concept of "lyrical armour" to blend historical nods with modern global stage requirements.

"At this turning point, we kept asking ourselves what choices we should make and what kind of artists we want to be remembered as. In the end, we found that the answer wasn’t outside, but within us. listening to our own voices and capturing those thoughts and anxieties without hiding them – I think that was the essence of this album and the goal of this album."

— RM

RM Overcomes Injury for Group Reunion

The comeback was marked by a physical setback for the group's leader, RM. On Friday, March 20, BIG HIT MUSIC announced via Weverse that RM had sustained an injury during rehearsals on Thursday, March 19. The medical diagnosis included a sprain of the accessory navicular, a partial ligament tear, and a talus contusion involving inflammation.

Following medical advice to wear a cast and limit movement for two weeks, RM performed primarily from a stool at the side of the stage wearing a black ankle boot. This decision was made to "preemptively prevent any further strain on his injury." Despite the limitation, the group addressed their anxieties regarding their three-year hiatus during the show.

"ARMY [BTS’ fandom name], I’m so happy to be back. This moment is possible thanks to you. BTS 2.0 is just getting started."

— J-hope

Future Global Plans and Setlist

Following the Seoul event, BTS will embark on a 2026-2027 world tour starting in Goyang, South Korea, on April 9. The tour is scheduled to visit Europe, North and Latin America, and the Middle East. Additionally, a documentary titled BTS: The Return, directed by Bao Nguyen, will premiere on Netflix on March 27, chronicling the group's reunion in Los Angeles.

Brandon Riegg, Netflix’s VP of Nonfiction Series and Sports, described the live broadcast as a "singular event" and suggested it could be "the biggest thing this year" for the platform's live ambitions.

The Comeback Live: Arirang Setlist:

• Body To Body

• Hooligan

• 2

• Butter

• Mic Drop

• Aliens

• FYA

• Swim

• Like Animals

• Normal

• Dynamite

• Mikrokosmos

"As long as you’re with us, we’ll always do our best to bring you great music and performances. Thank you!"

— Jungkook