BTS returns to stage after three years with Seoul concert

The South Korean group BTS held a concert on Saturday in front of thousands of fans in Seoul, marking their first performance in over three years, CE Report quotes AGERPRES.

Authorities closed parts of the city’s historic center for the event, although attendance was lower than expected, Reuters reported.

The one-hour concert took place in Gwanghwamun Square and marked the group’s official return to the music scene after a hiatus that began in 2022, when members paused activities to complete mandatory military service.

The group released a new album on Friday, which reportedly sold nearly 4 million copies on its first day, according to their record label. Next month, BTS will embark on what is expected to be the largest world tour in K-pop history.

Although only 22,000 tickets were available for the area near the stage, Seoul authorities had anticipated up to 260,000 people outside that zone. Parts of the city were closed off with barricades.

However, most fans chose not to join the crowds. According to Yonhap News Agency, citing government figures, between 40,000 and 42,000 people attended the concert. Fans, known as BTS ARMY, were also able to watch the event live on Netflix in 190 countries.

“It has been a long journey, but we are finally here,” said RM, who spent most of the concert seated after suffering an ankle injury during rehearsals.

“When we were preparing this album, we were a bit afraid that you might have forgotten us,” said another member, J-Hope.

Seoul authorities remain extremely cautious about large public gatherings following a deadly crowd crush during Halloween in the Itaewon district four years ago. Together with BTS’s management agency HYBE and other organizations, they mobilized 8,200 personnel and set up first-aid stations.

Jimena Pinilla, 31, traveled from Spain and arrived early Saturday morning to secure a good spot near the stage.

“I joined ARMY in 2023, right when they started their military service. I’m very excited to be here,” she said. “I used all my two weeks of annual leave for this trip.”

However, some South Koreans criticized the strict measures taken for a smaller-than-expected crowd.

“Authorities claimed 260,000 people would come — it was basically a lie that disrupted local businesses and even weddings,” a user wrote on the online forum Naver Cafe.