BTS’ 'Arirang' moves fans ahead of comeback show in Seoul

▲ K-pop lovers fill up Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul’s Jongno Ward on March 20, 2026, a day ahead of BTS’s "Arirang" comeback concert. (Yonhap)

SEOUL, March 20 (Yonhap) -- Fans of BTS gathered in central Seoul on Friday, expressing overwhelming emotions after listening to the group’s new album "Arirang" ahead of its highly anticipated comeback performance.

At Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul’s Jongno Ward, where "BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE｜ARIRANG" is set to take place at 8 p.m. on Saturday, newly released tracks from BTS’ fifth studio album "Arirang" echoed throughout the area.

Fans seated on the steps of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts and benches near the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History repeatedly watched the music video for the title track "SWIM" on their mobile phones.

Members of ARMY, BTS’ global fandom, shared their reactions in multiple languages, saying, “It was worth the wait,” and “Amazing!”

▲ A promotional video for BTS is displayed on an electronic screen at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul’s Jongno Ward on March 20, 2026, a day ahead of the group’s comeback concert. (Yonhap)

At the Hottracks store inside Kyobo Bookstore’s Gwanghwamun branch, fans lined up to purchase the new album. A special section featuring the group’s previous albums was also set up to mark the comeback.

Fans cheered upon spotting physical copies of the new album and quickly formed lines at checkout counters, some expressing relief that stock was still available. A store employee said fans had lined up from the 1 p.m. release time and that "Arirang" continued to dominate in-store sales, adding that certain LP versions featuring specific members had already sold out.

The album’s title track "SWIM" conveys a message of moving forward at one’s own pace without resisting life’s waves, echoing the group’s earlier theme of “loving oneself” from its "LOVE YOURSELF" series.

The album also incorporates traditional Korean elements, including the melody of the folk song "Arirang," the sound of the bell of the King Seongdeok Divine Bell and the philosophy of “Geon, Gon, Gam, Ri” from the Korean national flag reflected in its logo.

▲ BTS fans line up to purchase BTS' new album "Arirang" at the Hottracks store inside Kyobo Bookstore’s Gwanghwamun branch in Seoul. (Yonhap)

Eleonora, a 32-year-old fan from Italy, said she had already listened to the album twice in full. Holding a copy of the album and a sports newspaper featuring BTS on the front page, she described it as “an emotionally overwhelming album,” adding it felt “like being embraced.” She also noted that the album seemed to mark a return to the group’s roots, highlighting the inclusion of traditional instruments and Korean elements throughout.

At locations including HYBE’s headquarters in Yongsan, Shinsegae Department Store’s main branch and the National Museum of Korea’s gift shop, collaborative merchandise developed with the National Museum Cultural Foundation’s brand MU:DS went on sale, drawing fans from around the world.

Fans at Gwanghwamun Square described BTS as “a symbol of hope and love,” recalling how the group’s music had comforted them during difficult times, with some becoming emotional as they shared their stories.

Cecilia Ong, a 55-year-old from the Philippines, said she struggled with grief after losing her husband in 2021 but found comfort through BTS after being introduced to the group by her niece. “Their music carries meaningful messages and makes listeners stronger. They made me happy,” she said.

Vivian, a 20-year-old fan from the United States, said BTS had helped shape her values during her teenage years, adding that she became more outgoing and made new friends through the group’s music. “They were there for me when I felt alone,” she said.

Preparations for the concert were in their final stages, with both the main and extended stages installed and lighting systems set up, while staff conducted detailed checks to prevent any errors.

Safety personnel guided pedestrians to minimize inconvenience, with temporary pathways clearly marked, and training sessions for on-site staff scheduled for the event were also underway.

As the day progressed, Gwanghwamun Square grew increasingly crowded with passersby and office workers leaving early ahead of the event.

“Seeing this many people already makes me worried about tomorrow,” one passerby said, expressing hope that the event would conclude safely.

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