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Saturday, March 21, 2026
BTS comeback brings cheers from fans worldwide
Mar 21, 20263:12 PM
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BTS comeback brings cheers from fans worldwide

Fans from around the world, ranging from teenagers in Argentina to a housewife in Korea, gathered at Gwanghwamun Square, Saturday night, united by one sentiment: “It’s great to see BTS back together.” Tens of thousands of ARMY members screamed, chanted and waved purple light sticks throughout the 60-minute concert, “BTS COMEBACK LIVE: ARIRANG,” the group’s first live performance in three years and five months. “From the moment they said, ‘we’re back’ at the very beginning, I was already getting emotional. Seeing how well they prepared for their comeback show — it was really moving,” Bella Lai, 16, from Taiwan, told The Korea Times. Lai, who has followed the group for four years, also said: “All the ARMYs were chanting and singing together — the atmosphere was just amazing.” “The show was overwhelming. The scale, the energy, the music — everything made it unforgettable. We’re just happy to be here,” said Ann, a fan from the Philippines. For Park Jee-yoon, a 49-year-old housewife from Korea, the struggle to secure tickets and the sacrifices she made to

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[Herald Review] The wait is over: BTS returns as seven in historic Gwanghwamun comeback
Mar 21, 20263:02 PM
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[Herald Review] The wait is over: BTS returns as seven in historic Gwanghwamun comeback

The wait was finally over. “BTS Comeback Live: Arirang,” the group's first full-group performance in three years, set a new record, making BTS the first K-pop group to host an exclusive live performance at the historic Gwanghwamun Square. Lasting an hour, the performance was livestreamed worldwide on Netflix as the platform’s first-ever broadcast of a single act’s concert. Throughout the day, fans were seen dressed in the fandom’s signature purple and traditional hanbok with Korean traditional a

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(LEAD) BTS stages concert in Seoul's Gwanghwamun to mark long-awaited return
Mar 21, 20262:27 PM
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(LEAD) BTS stages concert in Seoul's Gwanghwamun to mark long-awaited return

SEOUL, March 21 (Yonhap) -- K-pop megastar BTS held its first full-group concert...

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BTS flexes K-pop dominance with historic Gwanghwamun comeback show
Mar 21, 20262:17 PM
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BTS flexes K-pop dominance with historic Gwanghwamun comeback show

K-pop supergroup BTS wrapped up its long-awaited comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square, Saturday evening, transforming one of the capital’s most historic landmarks into a rare open-air pop stage. The performance, titled “BTS COMEBACK LIVE: ARIRANG,” marked the group’s first full-member concert in three years and five months and came a day after the release of its fifth studio album, “ARIRANG.” The timing gave the show an added jolt of urgency, as fans arrived eager to become the first to witness the new material go live. The single-night show unfolded against the illuminated façade of Gwanghwamun Gate, where large-scale projection mapping and synchronized lighting effects turned the landmark into a beaming concert backdrop, seen through the picture frame-like stage structure. Staging the comeback at one of Seoul’s most symbolically charged public spaces underscored themes of the group's identity, origin and renewal that run through the new album. The choice also amplified the group’s longstanding narrative of representing Korean culture on a global stage, now brought ba

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Fans in festive mood as BTS comes back after 4-yr hiatus
Mar 21, 20261:34 PM
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Fans in festive mood as BTS comes back after 4-yr hiatus

SEOUL, March 21 (Yonhap) -- Fans of BTS were in a festive mood as the K-pop supe...

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We will be BTS into our 80s, 90s: BTS' Suga
Mar 21, 20269:47 AM
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We will be BTS into our 80s, 90s: BTS' Suga

BTS said in a recent interview that they could continue performing together for decades if they chose to. In a rare interview released on Apple Music's official YouTube channel Friday, BTS discussed their long-awaited return to music with their new album, "Arirang." The session, conducted by Zane Lowe as part of "The Zane Lowe Show," a daily music radio program on Apple Music 1, took place at Hybe’s headquarters in Seoul. Throughout the roughly 40-minute interview, BTS discussed their new album,

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BTS comeback show to 'spotlight symbolism of Gwanghwamun Square'
Mar 21, 20267:54 AM
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BTS comeback show to 'spotlight symbolism of Gwanghwamun Square'

SEOUL, March 21 (Yonhap) -- K-pop giant BTS said Saturday its long-awaited comeb...

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BTS opens up about fears, excitement at historic 'Arirang' stage
Mar 21, 202612:44 PM
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BTS opens up about fears, excitement at historic 'Arirang' stage

SEOUL, March 21 (Yonhap) -- BTS shared both excitement and heartfelt candor abou...

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Historic moment: BTS comeback creates decade's largest celebration in Gwanghwamun
Mar 21, 202610:08 AM
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Historic moment: BTS comeback creates decade's largest celebration in Gwanghwamun

Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul transformed into a massive open-air concert venue on Saturday, as an estimated 260,000 people gathered from around the world to watch BTS’ first group performance in three years and nine months. The turnout marked the largest crowd in the area since the street celebrations in the Gwanghwamun area during the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea Japan, which drew 200,000-250,000 people. As early as noon, BTS fans — known as Army — began arriving to bask in the atmosphere a

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BTS finishes historic comeback show
Mar 21, 202612:07 PM
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BTS finishes historic comeback show

K-pop supergroup BTS launched its long-awaited comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square, Saturday evening, transforming one of the capital’s most historic landmarks into a rare open-air pop stage. Roars from hundreds of thousands of fans filled central Seoul as the concert started. The performance, titled “BTS COMEBACK LIVE: ARIRANG,” marks the group’s first full-member concert in three years and five months and comes a day after the release of its fifth studio album, “ARIRANG.” The single-night show unfolded against the illuminated façade of Gwanghwamun Gate, where large-scale projection mapping and synchronized lighting effects turned the landmark into a beaming concert backdrop, seen through the picture frame-like stage structure. Staging the comeback at one of Seoul’s most symbolically charged public spaces underscores themes of the group's identity, origin and renewal that run through the new record. The group began with “Body to Body,” from its new album "ARIRANG," released Friday. The track is among the most talked-about songs on the album for as part of it contain

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BTS starts historic comeback show, transforms Seoul’s core into massive stage
Mar 21, 202611:02 AM
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BTS starts historic comeback show, transforms Seoul’s core into massive stage

K-pop supergroup BTS launched its long-awaited comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square, Saturday evening, transforming one of the capital’s most historic landmarks into a rare open-air pop stage. Roars from hundreds of thousands of fans filled central Seoul as the concert started. The performance, titled “BTS COMEBACK LIVE: ARIRANG,” marks the group’s first full-member concert in three years and five months and comes a day after the release of its fifth studio album, “ARIRANG.” The single-night show unfolded against the illuminated façade of Gwanghwamun Gate, where large-scale projection mapping and synchronized lighting effects turned the landmark into a beaming concert backdrop, seen through the picture frame-like stage structure. Staging the comeback at one of Seoul’s most symbolically charged public spaces underscores themes of the group's identity, origin and renewal that run through the new record. The production, according to BTS' Label, BigHit Music, placed strong emphasis on blending contemporary pop staging with Korean imagery. Ink-and-wash-style media art is projec

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Imagine foreigners singing ‘Arirang': How Bang Si-hyuk persuaded BTS to include the traditional song
Mar 21, 202610:12 AM
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Imagine foreigners singing ‘Arirang': How Bang Si-hyuk persuaded BTS to include the traditional song

Global K-pop group BTS is drawing attention for incorporating the traditional Korean folk song “Arirang” into its new track “Body to Body,” a move that reflects both artistic ambition and careful deliberation. The song, included on BTS’s latest album “Arirang,” features the familiar melody of “Arirang” layered with dynamic samulnori percussion and hip-hop elements. According to the music platform Melon, March 21, “Body to Body” ranked No. 4 on the daily chart, following the album’s lead-off track “SWIM,” which placed first the previous day. Interest in the track has also brought attention to how the traditional melody came to be included. According to industry sources, the idea was proposed by Bang Si-hyuk, chairman of HYBE and the album’s executive producer. While BTS members agreed on the album’s concept of revisiting their roots, opinions reportedly differed on whether to incorporate “Arirang,” with some expressing concern that it could feel overly direct or be perceived as excessive nationalism. During a songwriting camp held in Los Angeles last su

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BTS sets own first-day sales record with 'Arirang'
Mar 21, 20266:48 AM
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BTS sets own first-day sales record with 'Arirang'

SEOUL, March 21 (Yonhap) -- K-pop supergroup BTS has sold more than 4 million co...

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PM inspects on-site safety ahead of BTS concert
Mar 21, 20266:28 AM
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PM inspects on-site safety ahead of BTS concert

SEOUL, March 21 (Yonhap) -- Prime Minister Kim Min-seok inspected on-site safety...

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BTS fans in festive mood for 'Arirang' comeback
Mar 21, 20265:20 AM
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BTS fans in festive mood for 'Arirang' comeback

Downtown Seoul buzzed with a festive mood Saturday as fans gathered for K-pop group BTS' comeback concert, with some singing the Korean folk song "Arirang" -- the name of the septet's new album. Throngs of people had already gathered at Gwanghwamun Square in the morning ahead of the group's long-awaited return to the stage after a four-year hiatus caused by the members completing mandatory military service. Fans were elated about the group's return with its fifth studio album "Arirang" on Friday

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BTS returns to the K-pop throne
Mar 21, 202612:00 AM
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BTS returns to the K-pop throne

The return of BTS on Friday comes at a moment when K-pop’s global reach is firmly established — and still growing. On Saturday, the seven-member group will reunite onstage for the first time in nearly four years. The concert, set in Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, is expected to draw about 260,000 fans from around the world, a testament to the group’s enduring pull even after years away. BTS’ military hiatus did little to slow K-pop’s momentum. Acts like Stray Kids and NewJeans have continu

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Mar 21, 20262:25 AM
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BTS Smashes Their 1st-Week Sales Record In Just One Day + Tops Charts Worldwide With “ARIRANG”

BTS is already breaking personal records with their long-awaited comeback! On March 20 at 1 p.m. KST, BTS made their highly-anticipated return with their new album “ARIRANG” and its title track “SWIM.” According to Hanteo Chart, “ARIRANG” sold a staggering total of 3,981,507 copies on its first day of sales alone—managing to break BTS’s previous… The post appeared first on .

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BTS comeback show to 'spotlight symbolism of Gwanghwamun'
Mar 21, 20268:08 AM
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BTS comeback show to 'spotlight symbolism of Gwanghwamun'

K-pop giant BTS said Saturday its long-awaited comeback concert will focus on showcasing the symbolism of Seoul's Gwanghwamun Square, where it will perform live for the first time as a full group in more than three years. With a few hours left before the show's beginning at 8 p.m., the group said the concert's stage design aims to frame the historic Gwanghwamun Gate as part of the performance, underscoring its cultural significance at the heart of the capital. "To highlight the meaning of Gwangh

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Fans elated despite big-city exhaustion just hours ahead of BTS’ Gwanghwamun show
Mar 21, 20267:57 AM
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Fans elated despite big-city exhaustion just hours ahead of BTS’ Gwanghwamun show

Hours before BTS is set to take the stage at Gwanghwamun Square, central Seoul, it had already begun to feel less like a city center and more like a vast, improvised fan village. By Saturday afternoon, sidewalks, subway exits and café terraces surrounding the plaza were packed with fans of BTS, or ARMYs, from across Korea and overseas. Some leaned against barricades scrolling through streaming apps, while others clustered beneath roadside trees, sharing snacks and swapping travel stories while keeping a constant eye on the vastly expanding crowd. The mood was a mix of fatigue and excitement — a familiar paradox for fans who had traveled long distances for a rare chance to witness the group up close. “There are so many people here which makes it quite exhausting, but we’re planning to stay here until the concert starts at 8 p.m.,” said Han Hee-young, 20, who had arrived early with her friend Sugdiyona, 19, from Uzbekistan. The two stood out in the throng with purple balloons and ice-cream cones — the symbolic color of the group — purchased from a nearby café, small yet delib

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BTS’ RM reveals cast photo ahead of ‘Arirang’ stage
Mar 21, 20267:47 AM
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BTS’ RM reveals cast photo ahead of ‘Arirang’ stage

Fans of global K-pop group BTS were left worried after leader RM revealed he had been injured just days before the group’s highly anticipated comeback performance. On Friday, RM posted a photo on social media showing his ankle in a cast, captioned simply with a crying emoticon, “ㅠㅠ.” The image quickly spread across fan communities, fueling concern as BTS prepared for their large-scale return stage at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul. The group is scheduled to perform “BTS Comeback Live: ARIRANG” on Saturday, marking their first full-group comeback in nearly four years — a moment already drawing global attention. According to their agency BigHit Music, RM sustained the injury on Thursday during rehearsal. He was diagnosed with a navicular bone sprain, partial ligament tear and talus contusion — injuries involving ligament damage and inflammation around the ankle. Medical staff advised him to minimize movement for at least two weeks, meaning he will be unable to perform some choreography during the comeback stage. Despite the setback, RM sought to reassure fans during a

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BTS sets own first-day sales record with 'ARIRANG'
Mar 21, 20267:47 AM
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BTS sets own first-day sales record with 'ARIRANG'

K-pop supergroup BTS has sold more than 4 million copies of its new album "ARIRANG" on the first day of release, marking the band's highest first-day sales to date, its agency said Saturday. BigHit Music said the band's fifth studio album recorded 3.98 million sales in 24 hours after its release on Friday. The figure surpasses the group's previous first-week record of 3.37 million copies set by its fourth studio album "Map of the Soul: 7" in February 2020. "Arirang" has also topped iTunes' Top Albums charts in 88 countries and regions, including Italy, Mexico and Sweden, according to the label. Its lead single "Swim" reached No. 1 on iTunes Top Songs charts in 90 markets, such as the United States, Japan, Britain, Germany and France. In South Korea, the track jumped straight to the top of local streaming services Melon and Bugs, with all songs from the album entering Melon's Top 100. Produced under the direction of Hybe Chairman Bang Si-hyuk, the album explores BTS' identity as a group that began in Korea and universal feelings shared through its musical journey. The lead track carries a

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BTS sets own first-day sales record with 'Arirang'
Mar 21, 20267:18 AM
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BTS sets own first-day sales record with 'Arirang'

K-pop supergroup BTS has sold more than 4 million copies of its new album "Arirang" on the first day of release, marking the band's highest first-day sales to date, its agency said Saturday. BigHit Music said the band's fifth studio album recorded 3.98 million sales in 24 hours after its release on Friday. The figure surpasses the group's previous first-week record of 3.37 million copies set by its fourth studio album "Map of the Soul: 7" in February 2020. "Arirang" has also topped iTunes' Top A

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‘Distinctly Korean’ BTS bring palace-front spectacle to Gwanghwamun
Mar 21, 20264:32 AM
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‘Distinctly Korean’ BTS bring palace-front spectacle to Gwanghwamun

Global K-pop group BTS returned with their new album “Arirang” to stage a landmark comeback performance at Gwanghwamun Square, March 21, marking the first time a single artist or group has held a standalone concert at the historic site. Set against the backdrop of Gyeongbok Palace, the performance will highlight what BTS described as a fusion of “K-heritage and K-pop.” Their agency HYBE said it had applied to use the location with that concept, and the Korea Heritage Service granted approval on the condition that the site would be closely monitored to prevent any damage to cultural assets. From their earliest days, BTS have incorporated Korean identity into their music and performances. Their 2013 track “Paldogangsan,” from the mini album “O!RUL8,2?,” showcased regional dialect rap, with members introducing their hometowns using local accents. Lyrics referencing regions such as Daegu and Gwangju delivered both humor and a message of unity, emphasizing that “under the same sky, we are all worthy.” This theme continued in “Ma City” from “The Most Beautiful Moment

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BTS video lead actress Lili Reinhart shares playful behind-the-scenes clip with global K-pop stars
Mar 21, 20269:22 AM
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BTS video lead actress Lili Reinhart shares playful behind-the-scenes clip with global K-pop stars

A behind-the-scenes clip featuring Hollywood actor Lili Reinhart and global K-pop group BTS is drawing attention online, giving fans a rare glimpse into the atmosphere on set. On March 20, Reinhart posted a short video on her social media account with the caption, “Keep an eye on them for me, thanks.” The clip quickly circulated across fan communities, adding to the buzz surrounding BTS’s long-awaited comeback. In the video, Reinhart introduces the BTS members before stepping out of frame. The group then breaks into playful poses, showcasing their individual personalities and a lighthearted chemistry that highlights the relaxed, energetic mood of the shoot. The footage offers a behind-the-scenes look at the music video for “SWIM,” a track from BTS’s fifth full-length album “Arirang,” which was released the same day. The comeback marks the group’s first full-member return in nearly four years, amplifying global fan interest. The video was directed by Tanu Muino, a globally recognized filmmaker known for her visually striking work with major international artists. Reinhar

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BTS’ RM reveals cast photo ahead of ‘Arirang’ concert
Mar 21, 20269:22 AM
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BTS’ RM reveals cast photo ahead of ‘Arirang’ concert

Fans of global K-pop group BTS were left worried after leader RM revealed he had been injured just days before the group’s highly anticipated comeback performance. On Friday, RM posted a photo on social media showing his ankle in a cast, captioned simply with a crying emoticon, “ㅠㅠ.” The image quickly spread across fan communities, fueling concern as BTS prepared for their large-scale return concert at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul. The group is scheduled to perform “BTS Comeback Live: ARIRANG,” Saturday, marking their first full-group comeback in nearly four years — a moment already drawing global attention. According to their agency BigHit Music, RM sustained the injury during rehearsal Thursday. He was diagnosed with a navicular bone sprain, partial ligament tear and talus contusion — injuries involving ligament damage and inflammation around the ankle. Medical staff advised him to minimize movement for at least two weeks, meaning he will be unable to perform some choreography during the comeback show. Despite the setback, RM sought to reassure fans during a liv

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BTS MV lead actress Lili Reinhart shares playful behind-the-scenes clip with global K-pop stars
Mar 21, 20269:07 AM
Source

BTS MV lead actress Lili Reinhart shares playful behind-the-scenes clip with global K-pop stars

A behind-the-scenes clip featuring Hollywood actor Lili Reinhart and global K-pop group BTS is drawing attention online, giving fans a rare glimpse into the atmosphere on set. On March 20, Reinhart posted a short video on her social media account with the caption, “Keep an eye on them for me, thanks.” The clip quickly circulated across fan communities, adding to the buzz surrounding BTS’s long-awaited comeback. In the video, Reinhart introduces the BTS members before stepping out of frame. The group then breaks into playful poses, showcasing their individual personalities and a lighthearted chemistry that highlights the relaxed, energetic mood of the shoot. The footage offers a behind-the-scenes look at the music video for “SWIM,” the title track from BTS’s fifth full-length album “Arirang,” which was released the same day. The comeback marks the group’s first full-member return in nearly four years, amplifying global fan interest. The music video was directed by Tanu Muino, a globally recognized filmmaker known for her visually striking work with major international ar

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Fans still elated despite big-city exhaustion just hours ahead of BTS’ Gwanghwamun show
Mar 21, 20267:47 AM
Source

Fans still elated despite big-city exhaustion just hours ahead of BTS’ Gwanghwamun show

Hours before BTS is set to take the stage at Gwanghwamun Square, central Seoul had already begun to feel less like a city center andd more like a vast, improvised fan village. By Saturday afternoon, sidewalks, subway exits and café terraces surrounding the plaza were packed with fans of BTS, or ARMYs, from across Korea and overseas. Some leaned against barricades scrolling through streaming apps, while others clustered beneath roadside trees, sharing snacks and swapping travel stories while keeping a constant eye on the vastly expanding crowd. The mood was a mix of fatigue and excitement — a familiar paradox for fans who had travelled long distances for a rare chance to witness the group up close. “There are so many people here which makes it quite exhausting, but we’re planning to stay here until the concert starts at 8 p.m.,” said Han Hee-young, 20, who had arrived early with her friend Sugdiyona, 19, from Uzbekistan. The two stood out in the throng with purple balloons and ice-cream cones — the symbolic color of the group — purchased from a nearby café, small yet deliber

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BTS fans in festive mood for 'Arirang' comeback
Mar 21, 20265:16 AM
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BTS fans in festive mood for 'Arirang' comeback

SEOUL, March 21 (Yonhap) -- Downtown Seoul buzzed with a festive mood Saturday a...

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Ancient bell sound enters BTS album after museum chief’s inspiration
Mar 21, 20264:17 AM
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Ancient bell sound enters BTS album after museum chief’s inspiration

The resonant sound of Korea’s historic “Emille Bell” has been incorporated into BTS’s latest album, marking a unique fusion of traditional heritage and global pop music. According to the National Museum of Korea on March 20, a high-quality audio recording of the Sacred Bell of Great King Seongdeok — widely known as the “Emille Bell” — was used on BTS’s new track “No. 29,” featured on their fifth full-length album “Arirang.” “No. 29,” the album’s sixth track, serves as an interlude bridging the first and second halves of the record. The audio captures even the subtle “beating” phenomenon — a rhythmic fluctuation in sound intensity that produces a long, lingering resonance often imperceptible to the human ear. During a live broadcast held shortly after the album’s release, BTS leader RM said, “We set the track length to 1 minute and 37 seconds (actually 1 minute and 38 seconds) to match the duration of the bell’s resonance when it is struck.” The title “No. 29” is understood to reference the bell’s former designation as National Treasure

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BTS tops brand reputation rankings upon full-group comeback
Mar 21, 20264:07 AM
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BTS tops brand reputation rankings upon full-group comeback

Global K-pop group BTS has ranked No. 1 in singer brand reputation rankings immediately following their full-group comeback. According to the Korea Corporate Reputation Research Institute, March 21, BTS topped the March 2026 singer brand reputation rankings based on big data analysis. Lim Young-woong placed second, followed by IVE in third, BLACKPINK in fourth and WOODZ in fifth. The singer brand reputation index is calculated by extracting big data on artists whose music is widely consumed, and analyzing consumer behavior. The index evaluates participation, communication, media and community values, along with positive and negative sentiment ratios through a reputation analysis algorithm. BTS returned as a full seven-member group on March 20 with the release of their fifth full-length album “Arirang,” marking their first group comeback in about three years and nine months. The album features 14 tracks, including the lead-off song “SWIM,” and reflects the group’s accumulated experiences and personal reflections, offering a portrait of BTS at their current stage. This article fr

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BTS comeback drives S. Korean newspapers to print special editions
Mar 21, 20264:03 AM
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BTS comeback drives S. Korean newspapers to print special editions

SEOUL, March 21 (Yonhap) -- South Korean newspapers released special weekend edi...

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Seoul glows red for BTS' new album 'Arirang'
Mar 21, 20263:15 AM
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Seoul glows red for BTS' new album 'Arirang'

Ahead of Saturday's special live performance marking K-pop giant BTS' long-awaited return, Seoul transformed into a sprawling open-air festival overnight, as fans poured into the heart of the city, turning weekday streets into scenes of celebration. The stone walls of the 600-year-old Sungnyemun gate, a key national treasure of South Korea, lit up with alternating white and red logos of BTS and its new album, "Arirang." Accompanied by a deep rumbling sound, the silhouettes of the seven members a

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(Yonhap Feature) BTS fans come out early to get close to concert stage
Mar 21, 20263:12 AM
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(Yonhap Feature) BTS fans come out early to get close to concert stage

SEOUL, March 21 (Yonhap) -- At 7 a.m., two dozen BTS fans were already lined up ...

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Fans continue to pour into central Seoul as BTS comeback concert nears
Mar 21, 20262:36 AM
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Fans continue to pour into central Seoul as BTS comeback concert nears

The crowd in central Seoul continued to swell on Saturday as fans gathered at Gwanghwamun Square for BTS’ long-awaited comeback concert, prompting authorities to maintain extensive safety inspections and traffic control throughout the district. As of 4 p.m., the Seoul Metropolitan Government and police reported between 26,000 and 28,000 people on site — a 23.8 percent increase from three hours earlier. Despite the rise, authorities assessed overall congestion levels as “manageable.” Despite earl

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BTS fans come out early to get close to concert stage
Mar 21, 20261:36 AM
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BTS fans come out early to get close to concert stage

SEOUL, March 21 (Yonhap) -- At 7 a.m., two dozen BTS fans were already lined up ...

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Rare appearances, enduring devotion: Why Chinese fans still chase BTS
Mar 21, 20261:02 AM
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Rare appearances, enduring devotion: Why Chinese fans still chase BTS

When Hu Siyi, a 27-year-old Chinese fan of BTS, secured a ticket at midnight for the group’s concert at Gwanghwamun Square, she said she could hardly contain her excitement. “I came to Korea and restarted my undergraduate studies because of them,” Hu said. “I’m so happy that I feel like I might explode just thinking about their comeback.” Drawn in by the group’s music, Hu has been a fan for more than eight years. She said she was particularly drawn to the positive messages in their songs, as well as the members’ talent and involvement in songwriting and choreography. However, the group has had limited exposure in mainland China since Beijing’s unofficial restrictions on “hallyu,” or the Korean wave, following the 2017 deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system. Hu moved to Korea in May 2025, hoping to attend concerts and other in-person events after all the members completed their military service last year. “If they can’t come to where I live, I’ll just come to them.” Hu is among millions of Chinese fans who have remained devoted to

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Seoul glows red as fans gather to celebrate new BTS album 'Arirang'
Mar 21, 202612:23 AM
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Seoul glows red as fans gather to celebrate new BTS album 'Arirang'

SEOUL, March 21 (Yonhap) -- Ahead of Saturday's special live performance marking...

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BTS to stage concert in Seoul's Gwanghwamun to mark long-awaited return
Mar 21, 202612:17 AM
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BTS to stage concert in Seoul's Gwanghwamun to mark long-awaited return

SEOUL, March 21 (Yonhap) -- K-pop megastar BTS will hold its first full-group co...

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BTS buzz lights up Gwanghwamun — and ad prices
Mar 21, 202612:00 AM
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BTS buzz lights up Gwanghwamun — and ad prices

As BTS gears up for its Saturday concert, central Seoul’s Gwanghwamun is getting a glow-up — not just in lights, but in advertising buzz. Fan-funded billboards, brand campaigns and album teasers are flooding the district’s giant digital screens, turning the historic square into a high-impact showcase of K-pop fandom and commercial firepower. The surge is already pushing up prices. At the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, wrapping its iconic outdoor staircase for two weeks now costs about 12

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When BTS reads, the world follows
Mar 21, 202612:00 AM
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When BTS reads, the world follows

Throughout their long reign as a K-pop phenomenon, BTS has shaped culture in many ways, and literature is no exception. The group's reading recommendations routinely send titles up bestseller lists, often leading to sellouts, reprints and translations across languages and borders. Whether a book has been read by a member, inspired a BTS album or simply appeared in photos — quoted on social media or glimpsed in a variety show — it often becomes a bestseller. Their devoted and highly engaged fando

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