Before splitting off for individual military service in 2022, the BTS members announced that the band’s first chapter was coming to a close. Now, they’re ready for the next page.
But how to kick off that new era with the grandeur it deserves? A return to roots is one route: for BTS, that meant tapping into their unique status as a shining global beacon of South Korean culture, plus a musical integrity that stretches back to their first hip-hop-heavy, collaboratively self-composed tracks in 2013.
“At this turning point, we kept asking ourselves what choices we should make and what kind of artists we want to be remembered as,” RM said on Saturday (Mar. 21), standing on stage in Gwanghwamun Square, the symbolic heart of Seoul. As it turns out, only seven people could answer that question: “In the end, we found that the answer wasn’t outside, but within us.”
And BTS’ historic spectacle, which tied together heritage and artistic evolution, is certainly one that won’t fade from memory any time soon. Apart from the unprecedented use of location — the public landmark tends to host protests and national celebrations, not concerts — there was the sheer scope of their first group performance in over three years: 22,000 fans won tickets, while nearly the same number lined city streets and looked on from nearby rooftops. Not to mention that the whole thing was to be livestreamed on Netflix, all around the world — a first for Korean entertainment on the platform.
“This is a moment we have dreamed of countless times,” V said, honored to see everyone who braved the massive crowds and low temps, bundled up and clutching hand warmers. While in the military, the guys admitted, they worried about whether the fans would return when the members did; BTS’ new album ARIRANG takes its name from their nation’s most enduring folk song, which fittingly expresses a deep, resonant longing for the ones dearest to us.
Luckily, BTS won’t have to wait long to see their beloved ARMYs again. The superstar septet will soon take on stadiums as part of their largest world tour yet, touching down in 34 regions throughout 2026 and 2027. On Saturday, between the new songs and old bangers (including “Mic Drop,” which has rightly secured its place on every setlist until the end of time), the guys made time to joyfully banter and goof off, offering fans a sneak peek of what’s to come when the group finally hits the road again.
Of course, since the whole thing was completely live — and because the band never got to rehearse in the actual space — there were bound to be some endearing flubs, including SUGA’s prompter malfunction and Jin’s ski mask mishap. Somehow, that just made the many high points all the more impressive.
Check out seven of the best moments from BTS’ triumphant homecoming show in Seoul below.
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7 Kings Walking
Heavy are the heads of the biggest K-pop band on the planet. That symbolic crown took on new weight as BTS opened their comeback show by strutting the ceremonial path from Gyeongbokgung Palace to Gwanghwamun Gate — the very same road kings once walked down — wearing custom outfits inspired by Joseon dynasty armor. “안녕 Seoul,” leader RM greeted. “We’re back.”
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“Arirang” Takes Center Stage
Given its multi-layered significance, Gwanghwamun Square made perfect sense for a return of this magnitude — there’s a poeticism to having a historic site nestled between Seoul’s modern high-rises background “Body to Body,” which couples ARIRANG‘s eponymous folk melody with a banging beat. To deliver on that fusion of old and new, BTS got a helping hand from a women’s choir and traditional instruments, breathtakingly elevating “Arirang” for the whole celebratory affair.
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BTS, From A to Z
Image Credit: BIGHIT MUSIC AND NETFLIX Following the release of their “English trilogy” — Billboard Hot 100 No. 1s “Dynamite,” “Butter,” and “Permission to Dance” — during 2020 and 2021, some wondered if BTS had strayed too far from their origins. ARIRANG’s “Aliens” refutes that point, both reclaiming the epithet (“Born different, seven aliens,” SUGA spits) and unflinchingly embracing their national identity.
“From the 가나 to the 하, watch and learn from us,” Jung Kook sings on it, a nod to the Korean alphabet’s beginning and end. The setting felt particularly apt for his language lesson: directly across from the stage stood a statue of Sejong the Great, the king who invented Hangul during the 15th century.
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Making Waves
BTS didn’t reveal a single move of the “Swim” choreo in its music video — so anticipation was high for the single’s first live performance. As Jimin has stated, it’s not quite the explosive energy usually expected of Bangtan; rather, the members flow in slow motion, as if underwater. It’s a stunning evolution for the group, while still calling back to some of their most balletic routines.
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Dancing On His Own
After injuring his ankle in the lead-up to their big night, RM took chairography to the next level, hitting every beat while (mostly) remaining seated. At one point, his stool was commandeered by V, who was simply looking for a comfy perch; elsewhere, Jimin had to remind their overeager leader to take it easy. This wasn’t a first for the guys — whenever there’s one teammate down, the rest fill in the gaps, always taking it upon themselves to lift everyone’s spirits.
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All Eyes on BTS
Image Credit: BIGHIT MUSIC AND NETFLIX It wasn’t just 42,000 people watching BTS, but the entire globe. As such, RM made a few lyrical swaps to reflect that enormity. Instead of his default command on “Body to Body” — in which he requests that a stadium get on their feet — he yelled, “I need the whole world to jump.” Later on, he made a cheeky revision to his “Mikrokosmos” verse, upping the syllables for a ballooning population count and making his bandmates giggle in the process: “8.4 billion different worlds / Shining with 8.48 billion lights.”
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BTS 2.0
Prior to stepping away three years ago, BTS imparted some wisdom: even with the many beautiful moments in our past, the best is likely still yet to come. It’s with this conviction that the band is leaning into the uncertainty of their new era. Is the music right? Will the fans still be there? The momentous night in Seoul was a reminder of the longevity of the bond between artist and audience — how that relationship can stay strong through its many ebbs and flows. That’s not something the group is taking for granted. “ARMY, I’m so happy to be back,” J-Hope beamed from the stage. “BTS 2.0 is just getting started.”
