BTS performs at Gwanghwamun stage for the first time after releasing their new album, Arirang (Courtesy: AP)BTS Comeback 2026 Arirang Concert LIVE Updates: BTS is returning to the stage on Saturday for the first time in nearly four years, performing a comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square in the heart of Seoul before an expected crowd of up to 260,000 fans.
The concert, titled BTS The Comeback Live: ARIRANG, marks the first full-group performance since the band paused activities in 2022, when all seven members enlisted for South Korea’s mandatory military service. Suga was the last to complete his service in June 2025, paving the way for the group’s return as a complete unit.
The seven members, RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook, announced their comeback in January 2026 and released their new album ARIRANG on Friday, March 20, one day before taking the stage at one of Seoul’s most historically significant public squares.
Authorities expect the crowd to stretch over a kilometre from the main stage to Sungnye Gate, in what would mark one of the largest public gatherings in the area since the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup.
The concert is also notable for how it is being broadcast. BTS The Comeback Live: ARIRANG is streaming live exclusively on Netflix, the group’s first major collaboration with the platform, bringing the Seoul performance to a global audience in real time.
BTS was spotted at Icheon Airport this morning as they prepared to fly to New York for the BTSx Spotify: Swimside event. The seven members, RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook, were spotted in blue jackets. Excitement is building for their performance, which promises exclusive moments for Spotify Premium members.
According to HYBE, approximately 104,000 people attended the concert on Saturday at Gwanghwamun, marking the first full-group performance of BTS—RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook—since October 2022.
RM highlights the overwhelming support from ARMY, saying, “As soon as I heard your cheers filling the square, I felt overwhelmed, ‘Oh, you’re finally back.’ We were moved by how you were considerate of each other and enjoyed the performance in a mature and orderly manner despite the large crowd.” He adds that the stage was made possible through teamwork, citizen understanding, and ARMY’s love, promising bigger music and cherished memories in the BTS journey ahead.
BTS said they bow to the police, firefighters, government officials, and local authorities, acknowledging their hard work in ensuring a safe performance amid large crowds. They also thanked citizens, merchants, and office workers in the Gwanghwamun area for their patience with traffic control and noise, expressing deep appreciation for their warm understanding.
Through his Weverse post, RM said, "After four long years of waiting, the seven members gathered again and faced you in a meaningful space called Gwanghwamun. I would like to thank everyone for their generous consideration and support so that our return stage can be completed safely."
Following the release of their fifth studio album Arirang, BTS’ first full-group project since 2022, fans are expressing gratitude towards Jin for keeping the group’s presence alive during the hiatus.
The 14-track album includes the title song Swim, with writing credits from RM, Suga, J-Hope, and Jungkook. After being discharged in June 2024, having enlisted in December 2022, Jin stayed active through solo albums, variety appearances, monthly lives, and a world tour, earning praise from members who said he “protected our team.”
At the end of the live concert, BTS share a special end credit message reading, “Special thanks to our forever love song, ARMY.” The note ties back to earlier prompts during the show asking, “What is your love song?”, with ARMY positioned as their answer, closing the night on an emotional note.
In a subtle yet powerful moment during the closing performance of “Mikrokosmos,” RM updates the iconic lyric from “7 billion different worlds, shining with 7 billion lights” to “8.4 billion different worlds, shining with 8.48 billion lights,” reflecting the present-day global population.
Fans point out the full-circle moment, noting that “Mikrokosmos” was the very last song BTS performed in front of ARMY before COVID, and now once again serves as the final track at their first comeback concert after a four-year hiatus.
Becky G is spotted among the audience at Gwanghwamun, watching BTS’ comeback concert. Her presence also highlights her friendship with J-Hope, with whom she collaborated on the song Chicken Noodle Soup.
Following the concert, Netflix surprises ARMY with a preview of an upcoming BTS documentary, set to stream on Friday.
Fans attending the concert at Gwanghwamun square spotted members’ parents in the audience, sharing videos online and calling the moment wholesome as it quickly gains attention across the internet.
BTS’s setlist for the night includes Body to Body, Hooligan, 2.0, Butter, Mic Drop, Aliens, FYA, Swim, Like Animals, Normal, Dynamite, and Mikrokosmos, taking fans through a mix of new tracks and iconic hits.
BTS bring the concert to a close with “Mikrokosmos,” thanking ARMY for their love and support and urging fans to return home safely after the show.
BTS perform “Dynamite” and “Mikrokosmos” as a heartfelt tribute to ARMY, turning the moment into an emotional singalong with fans, turning it into a sea of purple lights.
J-Hope asks ARMY about their favourite songs, prompting a light-hearted exchange on stage. Jimin shared his pick as “Into the Sun,” while Suga added “They Know About Us.” RM laughed and said his choice keeps changing, making their fans laugh.
Jimin told fans during the concert, “We are just like you, scared and worried all the time. Despite that, the seven of us want to accept those feelings and keep swimming together.” On cue, BTS begin performing “Swim,” before continuing the set with “Like Animals.”
As BTS perform, the city of Seoul turns red in sync with the stage. The members open up about their fears of being forgotten, with RM sharing how vulnerable they felt during the process. They reflect on realising that the answers were within them, and that listening to their own voices and capturing those thoughts and anxieties without hiding them became the essence of the album, a sentiment echoed by Jimin.
At Gwanghwamun stage, RM shares that the group wanted to present new songs that truly feel like themselves, reflecting on spending two months in Los Angeles creating music that captures their mindset. Suga added that there were extensive conversations behind the process, with the aim of showing the honest side of all seven members, highlighting a more mature and evolved version of BTS.
Jimin says performing on stage makes the comeback feel real, checking in on fans and asking if they are feeling cold. Jungkook echoes the concern, urging ARMY not to catch a cold, adding that he will never forget this concert as he felt immense pressure ahead of the comeback, but now feels relieved and happy being back on stage.
BTS take fans down memory lane as they perform crowd favourites “Butter” and “Mic Drop,” bringing a wave of nostalgia to the audience at the comeback concert, with Suga delivering the iconic mic drop moment at the end of the song.
BTS greet ARMY with their iconic introduction in Korean, “Hello, we are BTS,” thanking fans for waiting through their long journey and saying they missed them, as they return for their first concert since enlistment, both in person and virtually. Jungkook adds, “We have something special tonight. We’ll do our best, give everything we got.”
Following the tracklist, BTS move into “Hooligan” and “2.0,” dressed in hip-hop inspired black outfits as the stage is bathed in red lighting reflecting the album’s signature colours. RM performs seated on a chair during the segment due to his injury, adding a distinct visual element to the performance.
BTS kick off the concert at Gwanghwamun with “Body to Body” as the opening act. The performance concludes on a striking note, with five women in traditional Korean attire closing out the vocals in a Korean folk style.
According to various Korean news outlets, The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced that they have deployed close to 15,000 safety personnel for the event, including 6,500 police officers, with additional support from HYBE and local authorities.
The Korea times reported that security has been significantly tightened, with the central government raising its terrorism advisory level to “caution.” Authorities have installed metal detectors and drone jammers at the venue, while police are also using an AI-based monitoring system to analyse live CCTV feeds and detect overcrowding in real time to prevent any potential incidents.
In the opening seconds of “No. 29,” listeners can hear the distinctive tone of the Sacred Bell of Great King Seongdeok, one of South Korea’s most revered national treasures, also known as the Emille Bell. Cast during the Silla Dynasty, the bell is renowned for its deep, resonant sound and cultural significance.
The track itself stands out for its minimalist concept, carrying no listed credits and focusing solely on the bell’s tone without any additional instrumentation or vocals, making it a symbolic inclusion to reflect heritage through sound.
BIGHIT MUSIC confirmed on Friday that RM sustained an ankle injury during rehearsals, including a sprain, partial ligament tear, and contusion. As per medical advice, he will wear a cast and restrict movement for at least two weeks. While he remains committed to performing at Gwanghwamun on Saturday, his on-stage choreography will be partially limited, with the company prioritising his recovery while assuring fans of a heartfelt performance.
Jungkook shares a message on Weverse ahead of the performance, calling it an honour to stand on the special stage at Gwanghwamun, thanking ARMY who travelled from afar and the team behind the event. "We'll do our best on stage today! Let's all meet safely and have a fun and happy time," he posted.
J-Hope of BTS shared an energetic message for ARMY, saying he can already feel their excitement, while strongly urging fans to stay safe, avoid pushing or dangerous behavior, and make use of the large screens instead of crowding the stage. “See you soon ARMY, I love you!”
Ahead of their first concert since military enlistment, Suga took to Weverse to share a message: “Hello, everyone. We're working hard with the members to show you a good performance! I'd like to thank the staff who are working hard behind me and the staff who are taking care of my safety. For the ARMY who come to our concert, don't overdo it on the day and dress warmly since it's still chilly at night. I miss you. See you soon!”
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