A large gathering of devoted BTS enthusiasts filled a stadium in close proximity to Seoul, South Korea, on Thursday to witness the commencement of the K-pop sensation’s eagerly anticipated global tour.
After an absence of nearly four years, RM, Jin, Suga, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook returned to the stage to deliver a performance featuring a mix of their previous hits and tracks from their latest album, ARIRANG—their fifth album and the first release following the completion of mandatory military service by band members in South Korea.
Despite the relentless rain, a vast audience gathered at the stadium with a seating capacity exceeding 40,000 for the event, marking the initial headline tour performance by the group since their 2021–22 Permission to Dance on Stage tour.
The concerts in South Korea, scheduled until April 12, serve as the launchpad for a worldwide tour encompassing numerous dates across the United States, Europe, and Asia, with projections indicating the potential to generate substantial revenue in the hundreds of millions of dollars per quarter.
The Thursday concert follows swiftly after BTS celebrated their return with a grand free concert at Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square, attended by over 20,000 fans in person, and many more who watched the live stream on Netflix.
All seven BTS members fulfilled their mandatory military service obligations, with Suga, the final member to be discharged in June 2025, reportedly serving at government-affiliated facilities and organizations due to a shoulder injury.
In South Korea, males aged between 18 and 28 are mandated by law to complete up to 21 months of military service under a conscription system designed to deter aggression from the neighboring North Korea.
ARIRANG, inspired by a traditional Korean folk song known as an unofficial anthem throughout the Korean peninsula, made a stellar debut by securing the top spot on the Billboard 200 chart. The track Swim also claimed the number one position on the charts.
