▲ A drone light show welcoming "BTS World Tour ARIRANG in Busan" lights up Gwangalli Beach in Busan's Suyeong Ward on the night of June 12, 2026, ahead of BTS' concerts in the city.

 

BUSAN, June 13 (Yonhap) -- BTS has turned the southeastern port city of Busan purple once again as the K-pop supergroup celebrates the 13th anniversary of its debut with a pair of concerts and citywide festivities.

 

The group's "ARIRANG" world tour concerts kicked off Friday at Busan Asiad Main Stadium. Although the show began more than an hour later than scheduled due to delays in audience entry, the enthusiasm of ARMY, BTS' global fan base, quickly filled the venue as the performance got under way.

 

The Busan concerts mark BTS' first domestic performances in two months since the opening shows of the "ARIRANG" tour in Goyang in April. They are also the group's first concerts in Busan in three years and eight months since "Yet To Come in BUSAN" in 2022.

 

▲ A drone light show welcoming "BTS World Tour ARIRANG in Busan" lights up Gwangalli Beach in Busan's Suyeong Ward on the night of June 12, 2026, ahead of BTS' concerts in the city. (Yonhap)

 

The venue holds special meaning for the seven members, as it was where they bid farewell to fans ahead of their military service.

 

The second day of the concerts, Saturday, coincides with the 13th anniversary of BTS' debut. Busan is also the hometown of members Jimin and Jungkook.

 

Fans from around the world began gathering near the stadium early in the morning. Even those unable to secure tickets joined the festive atmosphere outside the venue, waving official light sticks and cheering for the group.

 

The BTS effect has spread throughout the city, with subway stations and major tourist attractions decorated with BTS-themed displays. Various related events are being held across Busan, including in the Haeundae and Gwangalli areas.

 

▲ A drone light show welcoming "BTS World Tour ARIRANG in Busan" lights up Gwangalli Beach in Busan's Suyeong Ward on the night of June 12, 2026, ahead of BTS' concerts in the city.▲ A drone light show welcoming "BTS World Tour ARIRANG in Busan" lights up Gwangalli Beach in Busan's Suyeong Ward on the night of June 12, 2026, ahead of BTS' concerts in the city.

 

On Saturday, the group's debut anniversary, a drone show featuring 1,000 drones and a lighting display on Gwangan Bridge are scheduled at Gwangalli Beach, further adding to the celebratory mood.

 

The reunion of the seven members and their fans from around the world is transforming Busan's summer nights into a purple festival, marking the beginning of another special chapter in the journey shared by BTS and ARMY.

[ⓒ K-VIBE. 무단전재-재배포 금지]