▲ Fans of BTS, known as ARMY, wait for the group’s free concert "BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE｜ARIRANG," held to mark the release of its fifth full-length album "Arirang," at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on March 21, 2026. (Yonhap)

 

SEOUL, March 21 (Yonhap) -- 

“Arirang, Arirang - Is this how you sing it?”

 

Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul was buzzing with excitement from early Saturday morning as fans gathered ahead of BTS’ comeback concert "BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE｜ARIRANG."

 

Fans from home and abroad, brimming with anticipation, took photos with the stage in the background and unpacked light sticks and various merchandise as they prepared to welcome the group.

 

Connie, a 55-year-old fan from Australia who arrived in Korea the previous night with her daughter, hummed the melody of "Arirang" she had practiced. “I’m so excited to see how the members will perform on stage,” she said.

 

She added that BTS serves as “a kind of ambassador representing Korea,” noting that she plans to visit Busan, the hometown of member Jungkook, after attending the concert.

 

 

▲ Fans of BTS, known as ARMY, wait for the group’s free concert "BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE｜ARIRANG," held to mark the release of its fifth full-length album "Arirang," at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on March 21, 2026. (Yonhap)

 

Fans expressed excitement about seeing live performances of tracks from BTS’ fifth full-length album "Arirang," released a day earlier, while also hoping the large-scale event would proceed safely for both the artists and the audience.

 

Kiara, a 27-year-old from Mexico, said she got chills listening to the “Arirang” segment in the track "Body to Body." “I think this album will become one that represents them,” she said, adding, “I hope both BTS and fans enjoy today, and above all, that the concert ends safely.”

 

Although tickets had long sold out, fans without tickets roamed around Gwanghwamun in search of spots where they could catch a glimpse of the performance from afar.

 

Rania, a 25-year-old from Greece who said she had been searching for a good viewing spot since 5 a.m., said, “Even if I can’t see them up close, I just want to confirm with my own eyes that they exist.” She added that watching a BTS concert would feel “like getting oxygen when you can’t breathe.”

 

Fans were also seen taking commemorative photos holding special edition newspapers released to mark BTS’ comeback, treating them as collectible merchandise. Major dailies, including The Chosun Ilbo, The Dong-A Ilbo, Segye Ilbo, Kyunghyang Shinmun and Herald Business, published extras and special editions targeting BTS fans.

 

Foreign media outlets were also on site, interviewing fans and capturing the festive atmosphere.

 

BTS is set to take the stage at 8 p.m., delivering a roughly one-hour performance featuring new songs from "Arirang" along with its hit tracks. The concert will be livestreamed to about 190 countries via Netflix.

 

Meanwhile, offline events titled "BTS THE CITY ARIRANG - SEOUL" have been taking place across central Seoul, from Gwanghwamun to Seoul Plaza, since the previous day to celebrate the group’s comeback.

 

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