BTS turns Gwanghwamun into stage, signals K-pop expansion

Mar 23, 2026, 09:45 am

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BTS performed at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on March 21 during their comeback concert “BTS Comeback Live: Arirang.” /Joint Press Corps

BTS returned as a full group after three years and nine months, turning central Seoul into a massive concert venue and drawing global attention to what many see as a new phase of K-pop expansion.

The group held a free one-hour concert, “BTS Comeback Live: Arirang,” at Gwanghwamun Square on March 21 to celebrate the release of their fifth full-length album.

International media widely covered the event, highlighting both its symbolic significance and scale.

CNN described the concert as a “comeback of the century,” emphasizing the meaning of BTS performing together again after nearly four years. It noted that around 22,000 people entered the venue, with up to 260,000 expected to gather in the surrounding area, potentially making it one of the largest public concerts in Korea. The performance, set against historic landmarks such as Gyeongbokgung Palace and Gwanghwamun, was praised for blending traditional Korean elements, including hanbok, with modern K-pop production.

However, actual attendance fell short of expectations. According to Seoul’s real-time city data, about 40,000 to 42,000 people were present near Gwanghwamun and Deoksugung Palace as of 8 p.m., with police estimates placing the figure at around 42,000.

Germany’s public broadcaster DW highlighted BTS’s return following their military service hiatus, calling the concert a starting point for a global tour and a signal of renewed expansion in the K-pop market. It also noted that large crowds, traffic controls, and extensive security measures turned the entire Gwanghwamun area into a concert-centered zone.

The Washington Post reported that Seoul “became BTS’s city” on the day of the concert, with drone shows over the Han River, purple-themed decorations, and fan-driven events across shops and cafes. It added that even international fans without tickets traveled to the site, creating a cultural experience beyond the concert itself.

Singapore’s The Straits Times described the event as a “spectacular return,” noting that Gwanghwamun Square effectively transformed into a virtual stadium. With 12 performances, large screens, and citywide fan events, the entire capital functioned as a unified concert space. The report also highlighted the deployment of more than 15,000 security personnel and an elevated terrorism alert level, underscoring the scale of the event.

BTS is set to launch its world tour starting April 9 at Goyang Stadium.

#BTS #Gwanghwamun Square #K-pop #comeback concert