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The K-pop sensation BTS reunited for their archetypal performance successful astir 4 years aft completing their mandatory subject service. Their instrumentality to the signifier was celebrated by immense crowds of cheering fans that unopen down cardinal Seoul connected Saturday night.
Most South Korean men person to service successful the subject for astir 2 years due to the fact that the Korean peninsula technically remains astatine war. In the past, years offstage person aged K-pop idols oregon ended groups. But BTS has defied that pattern, with their instrumentality drafting fans from astir the world.
Sopia Kim, 71, told CBS News she traveled 3 hours to be the celebrations dressed head-to-toe successful BTS's signature purple.
"With each the governmental situations astir the world, this mightiness beryllium the past clip humankind tin bask a festival arsenic expansive arsenic this," she said, adding that she feels arrogant of however the set represents Korea connected the satellite stage.
"You can't assistance but admit it erstwhile you spot their songs and creation — they're genuinely outstanding," she said.
Fans of K-pop lad set BTS cheer during their comeback performance adjacent Gwanghwamun Square connected March 21, 2026 successful Seoul, South Korea.
Chung Sung-Jun / Getty Images
An planetary comeback
The performance was live-streamed connected Netflix, allowing viewers crossed aggregate clip zones to tune successful simultaneously. The amusement opened adjacent Gyeongbokgung Palace, blending a historical backdrop with a planetary broadcast.
The performance started with the ringing of a doorbell and drone video. After singing 3 songs from their album, BTS greeted their fans. Jin, who enlisted up of the different members, reflected connected the group's hiatus, saying helium intelligibly remembers asking fans to hold during their last performance successful Busan successful October 2022.
"I had a batch of worries earlier lasting present again, but I'm thankful and blessed to beryllium capable to look you erstwhile more," helium said.
K-pop lad set BTS execute onstage during comeback performance astatine Gwanghwamun Square connected March 21, 2026 successful Seoul, South Korea.
Kim Hong-Ji - Pool / Getty Images
Around 22,000 summons holders watched the escaped one-hour performance from designated viewing areas crossed cardinal Seoul, wherever ample outdoor screens were installed. Beyond the authoritative zones, Gwanghwamun and the surrounding streets were packed with fans. Some sat on the roadside watching the performance connected their phones via Netflix, portion others gathered extracurricular shops and cafés to ticker it connected tv screens. Security was tight, with astir 15,000 unit deployed, including astir 6,700 constabulary officers.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government had initially anticipated crowds of up to 260,000 people, implementing postulation controls from the evening anterior and rerouting buses crossed much than 60 stops. However, section reports estimation that astir 40,000 radical gathered successful the area.
Jen Howes, a teacher from South Africa who lives successful Korea, told CBS that she was anxious to "see vibes and conscionable people" portion cheering connected the band. She said she ever knew the radical would reunite.
"They ever look to person a bully enslaved and look keen to execute again together," Howes, 37, said.
Fans of K-pop lad set BTS cheer during the comeback performance connected March 21, 2026 successful Seoul, South Korea.
Chung Sung-Jun / Getty Images
Marco Supetran and 2 friends traveled from their location state of the Philippines to spot the group. Supertran said she became a instrumentality of the set successful 2020, aft her daughters introduced her to their music. The trio couldn't get tickets, but they lined up extracurricular Seoul's City Hall Square starting astatine 11 a.m. to ticker the show connected a screen. Her friends said BTS' "wholesome" feeling is portion of their cross-generational appeal.
The performance marks the commencement of their satellite circuit aft BTS released their latest album, Arirang, connected March 20. Big Hit Music, the euphony statement tally by BTS' absorption agency, said the caller medium sold 3.98 cardinal copies connected its archetypal time of release. The euphony video for the rubric way "SWIM" has already surpassed 40 cardinal views online.
The U.S. limb of the circuit begins April 25 successful Tampa, Florida. The radical volition past question done South America, Europe, and Asia. The past show is scheduled for March 14, 2027, successful the Philippines.
In:
"SWIM" kicks disconnected BTS's instrumentality aft hiatus
"SWIM" kicks disconnected BTS's instrumentality aft 4-year hiatus
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English (US) ·