K-pop kings BTS stage massive comeback concert in the heart of Seoul

It marked the first time all seven members were seen onstage after halting music activities in October 2022. Read more at straitstimes.com.

SEOUL – After a nearly four-year hiatus, K-pop kings BTS staged a spectacular comeback with a free one-hour concert at Gwanghwamun Square on the evening of March 21.

Titled BTS The Comeback Live: Arirang, it marked the first time all seven members of the group were seen onstage, after pausing music activities in October 2022 for their mandatory military service. 

BTS member Jin admitted to the audience they had been anxious about their highly anticipated return right up until the performance began, and were relieved and grateful to see the large crowd that turned up to support them.

The boy band – also comprising RM, Jimin, V, Jungkook, J-Hope and Suga – kicked off the show with the track Body To Body from their new album Arirang, released just the day before on March 20. They performed a total of 12 songs, including Arirang’s lead single Swim, and ended with familiar favourites Dynamite (2020) and Mikrokosmos (2019).

BTS leader RM, who was nursing an ankle injury sustained during concert rehearsals on March 19, had to sit out most of the choreography at the side of the stage.

The performance – which was live-streamed on Netflix – saw Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square transformed into a “virtual stadium” for the night, featuring the city’s iconic landmark Gyeongbukgung Palace as backdrop for the stage. The audience area stretched 1.2km southwards to Seoul City Hall, with Jumbotrons installed along the stretch.