BTS Kicks Off 'ARIRANG' World Tour in South Korea After Four-Year Hiatus
On Thursday, tens of thousands of devoted BTS fans filled a stadium in South Korea to witness the K-pop supergroup launch their highly anticipated world tour, marking their return after a nearly four-year break. The event, held at Goyang stadium, saw members RM, Jin, Suga, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook perform a dynamic setlist featuring tracks from their extensive catalog and their new fifth album, ARIRANG. This album is their first release since all seven members completed South Korea's mandatory military service, adding a layer of significance to the comeback.
Rain-Soaked Stadium Packed with Global Fans
Despite heavy rain, the stadium, with a capacity exceeding 40,000, was packed to the brim. Fans from around the world, including countries like Russia, the United States, and Brazil, gathered to experience the group's first headline tour performance since their 2021-22 Permission to Dance on Stage tour. Over a hundred additional fans, some of whom were unable to secure tickets, stood outside the venue with umbrellas, listening intently to the performance from afar.
After the show, member Jin expressed his emotions on the fan platform Weverse, writing, "Performing together as a group felt comfortable, and being in the same space with you all made it feel like home." This sentiment resonated deeply with the audience, highlighting the strong bond between BTS and their global ARMY fanbase.
High-Energy Performance and Massive Global Viewership
BTS delivered an electrifying 2.5-hour performance, powering through 23 songs with minimal breaks despite the cold, pouring rain. The concert showcased a series of powerful and breathtaking stages, captivating the sold-out crowd. Worldwide, the event drew over 7 million viewers across platforms like Weverse, as fans cheered, sang along, and amplified every moment of the show.
'ARIRANG' Tour Setlist and Financial Impact
The setlist for the tour included a mix of fan favorites and new tracks, such as:
- Hooligan
- Aliens
- Run BTS
- They Don’t Know ’Bout Us
- Like Animals
- Fake Love
- SWIM
- Merry Go Round
- 2.0 NORMAL
- Not Today
- Mic Drop
- FYA
- Fire
- Body to Body
- IDOL
- Come Over (Hidden Track)
- Butter
- Dynamite
- Mikrokosmos
- I Need U
- Please
- Into the Sun
The tour, which runs through Sunday in South Korea before spanning dozens of shows across the United States, Europe, and Asia, is projected by analysts to generate hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue per quarter. Some experts suggest it could potentially outearn Taylor Swift's recent Eras Tour, positioning it as a major financial success for BTS.
Emotional Fan Stories and Cultural Significance
The concert held deep emotional meaning for many attendees. Kim Eunhee, a South Korean fan who attended with her 30-year-old daughter, shared that the hope of seeing BTS live helped her through a battle with cancer. "Even during my hardest times last year while fighting it, this was the one thing I kept waiting for," she said. "Coming to an actual concert venue and seeing them in person for the first time — it was just so meaningful."
The album ARIRANG, named after a centuries-old Korean folk song considered an unofficial anthem across the Korean peninsula, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. The single Swim also topped charts, underscoring the group's continued global influence.
Post-Military Service Comeback and Tour Schedule
All seven BTS members have now completed their mandatory military service, with Suga being the last to be discharged in June 2025. Due to a shoulder injury, Suga reportedly served at government-related facilities instead of traditional military camps. In South Korea, able-bodied men aged 18 to 28 are required to serve up to 21 months under a conscription system designed to deter aggression from North Korea.
BTS, which stands for Bangtan Sonyeondan or 'Bulletproof Boy Scouts' in Korean, debuted in June 2013. They gained momentum with their 2016 album Wings and achieved a global breakthrough in 2017 when DNA entered the Billboard Hot 100, making them the first Korean boy band to do so. The current tour is scheduled to include stops in Australia in early 2027, with a final performance in Manila, Philippines, next March.
This concert follows less than a month after BTS marked their comeback with a free performance at Seoul's Gwanghwamun Square, further solidifying their return to the global stage.
