Watching BTS live, waiting in Gwanghwamun

The fervor of the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup was reignited at Gwanghwamun Square in 2026 with a comeback performance by BTS. Many celebrities, including Kim Dong-wan, visited the site to watch the show. Kim Dong-wan shared on social media, "It's a bit strange yet familiar that the city is moving this much because of our artist's stage," noting that the scene created by BTS reminded him of the excitement of the '88 Olympics or the 2002 World Cup.

This concert became a "historic site" not only for fans but also for fellow celebrities. Singer Jo Kwon expressed his excitement, saying, "I came to witness a historic moment. My heart is already pounding," while broadcaster Park Seul-gi conveyed the festive atmosphere, stating, "The entire city of Seoul is dyed purple. The giant screens in Gwanghwamun are all BTS." Lyricist Kim Eana revealed her anticipation for the scale and quality of the performance, commenting, "It's heartwarming to think of the epic scale involving 87 personnel."

The event, 'BTS Comeback Live: ARIRANG,' held at 8 PM at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, was a performance commemorating the release of BTS's fifth full-length album, marking their return as a group after 3 years and 9 months. Over 260,000 people gathered for this concert, which featured the world premiere performance of their new song 'SWIM.' The Seoul Metropolitan Government provided full support, including traffic control and broadcasting on large screens, while mobile carriers mobilized their autonomous network systems to prevent communication disruptions.

Leading up to BTS's comeback, various events were scheduled, such as 'BTS THE CITY ARIRANG SEOUL,' 'BTS COMEBACK LIVE: ARIRANG,' and 'BTS POP-UP: ARIRANG.' BTS released their fifth full-length album 'ARIRANG,' their first as a group in 3 years and 9 months. The title track 'SWIM' embodies the will to move forward without stopping amidst the waves of life.

Anticipation for the 'ARIRANG' album was high. It recorded seven consecutive weeks at number one on Spotify's 'Countdown Chart Global,' and pre-saves surpassed 4 million. In response, HYBE organized 'BTS THE CITY ARIRANG SEOUL' from March 20 to April 12, ahead of the comeback, showcasing diverse experiential content such as illuminating major Seoul landmarks like Sungnyemun Gate and N Seoul Tower with media facades.