Table of Contents
After almost four years of waiting, it’s finally happening. BTS will return on the 21st of March to Gwanghwamun Square with a free comeback concert in the historic heart of South Korea. With the iconic Gyeongbokgung Palace as background, it will certainly be a royal, long-awaited return. For many fans, or ARMY, it almost feels unreal to say that out loud. After military service, solo projects and years apart, they will finally see their favorite group performing together again.
This concert celebrates the release of their new album ‘Arirang’, which will come out the day before, and their first full-group comeback in nearly four years. But this moment is not only a promotion for their new album and their upcoming world tour. It’s a reunion that BTS wants to share with fans that have been longing for that familiar feeling of shared love for the seven members they have been missing for so long.
And they couldn’t have chosen a more meaningful setting. The name of their new album ‘Arirang’, named after Korea’s most famous folk song, symbolizes longing and reunion. That combined with the long historical background the word has, makes Gwanghwamun Square the perfect stage for this comeback. BTS will create a bridge between centuries of history and modern day K-Pop.
With around 260,000 attendees expected and millions watching online, this long-awaited reunion will definitely turn Gwanghwamun Square into a powerful space of unity, shared emotion, and relief. It will be an emotional reunion, not just for BTS, but for everyone who waited for them.
The power of ARMY
BTS is one of the most globally loved K-Pop groups and this worldwide fame didn’t happen by accident. Since the group debuted in 2013 they have built a close fanbase, not only for their music but also for their authenticity and connection to ARMY. Several of the members are very involved in the writing and creating of the song. Which developed a sound that feels personal and relatable to millions of fans around the world.
Their music also often involves a lot of topics like mental health, self-acceptance, struggles and personal growth, which has helped resonate with fans globally. That was only the beginning of their rise to fame, songs like ‘Dynamite’ and ‘ Butter’ pushed them even further into the international spotlight. ‘Dynamite’ was their first fully English song, which became a massive global hit and even got nominated for a Grammy. ‘Butter’ went on to spend weeks as number one on the Billboard Hot 100. These milestones helped BTS become one of the biggest music acts in the world.
That’s why, after nearly four years apart, the excitement is huge. Fans have been counting down the days to see the group perform together again ever since they announced their hiatus in June 2022. The 15,000 reserved seats for the comeback concert sold out almost immediately, and many fans that could not get a ticket are planning to come down to Gwanghwamun Square just to get a glimpse of the performance.
With almost 260,000 attendees expected, Seoul Metro, Hybe and many other organizations are working together to manage traffic and ensure the safety of both the fans and the city during what promises to be an unforgettable night.
Photo: Time MagazineA 4-year wait
Back in June 2022, BTS shared news that fans had quietly been dreading. They were going on hiatus to focus on solo projects and to fulfill their military service. For a group that had been putting out music, making online content, going on tours and connecting with fans all around the world, this news felt like the end of an era. The members reassured ARMY that this hiatus was only temporary, but the idea of having to wait years to see them together again was still a very emotional moment.
In South Korea, every able-bodied man between the ages of 18 and 28 has to serve in the military. While some athletes and classical musicians can get exemptions for enhancing national prestige and boosting the economy, K-pop idols and entertainers normally do fall into that category.
However, their impact on Korea’s image and economy didn’t go unnoticed. In 2020 the Military Service Act was revised, making it possible for K-Pop idols that made a significant impact to postpone their service until the age of 30. This change was widely associated with BTS’s worldwide success and the way they brought Korean culture in a fun and new way to a global audience.
A global debate wanted BTS to receive permanent exemption, but the members made it clear they wanted to fulfill their duty. So in 2022 they began enlisting one by one.
For ARMY this was the start of a long wait. While each member released solo music and creative projects that were widely enjoyed and loved by fans, nothing could compare to seeing all seven of them together on stage again. And now finally the wait is over.
A stage with a story
BTS has always found ways to weave Korean culture into their art, so choosing Gwanghwamun Square as the venue for their comeback concert is also very intentional. By returning together in the heart of Korean history, they once again show their love and pride for their culture and share this with the world.
Over the years BTS has introduced fans to parts of Korean culture. From wearing traditional and modern hanbok to using pansori-style vocals and Joseon-era aesthetics in their music videos. Even outside of their music, through their shows such as ‘Run BTS!’ or ‘In the SOOP’, they have shared different parts of their culture. From just the language and the food to traditional Korean games, they have shared all of it with their fans worldwide. For many different fans this has been their first introduction to Korean culture.
That's why the name for the new album ‘Arirang’ feels so meaningful. Arirang is the name of the most popular Korean folk song that handles themes like longing, resilience and deep emotional connection. After years apart, this is what fans feel, a longing to get back together to watch their favorite group, a reflection of the distance and the love that endured during the hiatus.
The location makes this message even more powerful. The concert will take place at Gwanghwamun Square with the Gyeongbokgung Palace proudly in the background. Each of the members will reportedly enter through the gates before stepping onto the woldae platform in front of the main gate. The same place that was used centuries ago for royal ceremonies and celebration during the Joseon Dynasty, will now be used for this powerful reunion.
The palace itself also carries deep meaning. As the primary palace during the Joseon Dynasty, it has witnessed a lot of Korean history. It was also damaged and partially destroyed during the Japanese occupation, but restored after the liberation. Now it symbolises Korean identity and national resistance.
Holding a K-Pop concert at this historical landmark is very unusual, which only further proves the strong meaning behind this choice. In many ways this comeback concert doesn’t feel like a promotional event to introduce their new album, documentary and world tour. It feels like a powerful, cultural moment. The contrast between the 600 year old palace and a modern concert stage mirrors exactly what BTS has done so many times: connecting Korea’s past with its present.
Worldwide reunion
This comeback concert isn’t just another performance, it will be a global event. The show will be directed by Hamish Hamilton, who is a British director famous for directing the Super Bowl halftime shows. Having someone with this level of experience can only hint at how spectacular the show is going to be.
Other great news for global fans who can’t travel to Korea for the show, it will also be broadcast live on Netflix in more than 190 countries. This way fans all over the world can come together to finally see all BTS members together again on stage for the first time in years.
The excitement doesn’t stop there. Only a week after the release of their new album Arirang, on the 27th of March, Netflix will premiere a documentary film titled ‘BTS: The Return’. Fans will get to see the creative journey behind the album, shared moments in the studio and the emotional reunion of all seven members.
Then, on the 9th of April, BTS will officially kick off their biggest world tour yet. With 82 shows in 34 cities they will finally welcome ARMY’s all over the world again together.
ARMY’s have been waiting for this BTS comeback for years and combined with the theme, it is safe to say this will be an emotional reunion.
Moments like this highlight why K-Pop resonates far beyond Korea’s borders. A comeback of this scale isn’t only about the music but about the culture and creativity behind it. At The Daebak Company, these are the experiences we want to share with our community. From the music and storytelling to the visuals and fan culture, we strive to bring Korean lifestyle closer to fans around the world through these trends and experiences. And with BTS returning to the stage together again, we are reminded why so many people fell in love with K-Culture in the first place.
Photo: Netflix