BTS meets Mexican president ahead of Mexico City concerts

▲ This photo of K-pop supergroup BTS is provided by BigHit Music. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE)(Yonhap)

SEOUL, May 7 (Yonhap) -- K-pop supergroup BTS met with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum at the invitation of the presidential office ahead of its concerts in Mexico City, its agency BigHit Music said Thursday.

The group held talks with Sheinbaum for about 40 minutes earlier in the day.

When the members appeared with the president on the balcony of the presidential palace to greet the public, the nearby Zocalo square was packed with ARMY fans and citizens.

Fans welcomed the group with signs reading “BTS is always in the heart of Mexico” and “Welcome to Mexico,” while some were seen shedding tears after seeing the members in person.

Earlier, Sheinbaum said at a regular press briefing Tuesday that BTS would visit the presidential office and greet citizens from the balcony.

She also praised the group’s music, saying it always conveys “messages of friendship, peace and love.”

BTS’ visit is also expected to generate significant economic benefits. The Mexico City Chamber of Commerce estimated that the concerts would create an economic impact of about US$107.5 million, or approximately 155.7 billion won.

BTS is set to hold concerts on Wednesday and Friday through Saturday at Estadio GNP Seguros in Mexico City. All three shows have sold out.

The group’s fifth full-length album "Arirang" and its lead track "SWIM" both topped Billboard’s main album chart, the Billboard 200, and singles chart, the Hot 100.

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