BTS Returns in Full Formation with “ARIRANG” After 3 Years and 9 Months

BTS is set to make a comeback in its full lineup of seven members for the first time in 3 years and 9 months. The group will release its fifth studio album, “ARIRANG,” on March 20, followed by a free reunion concert at Gwanghwamun in Seoul two days later on March 21. This concert will be streamed live to 190 countries via Netflix, marking the first time a major event held in Korea is broadcast globally through Netflix.

All seven members of BTS have completed their military service. After starting with the release of digital singles in the second half of last year, they coordinated efforts on the studio album and overseas tour schedules before finalizing the timing for this full-group comeback. Fans, known as “ARMY,” along with people around the world, have been eagerly awaiting this return.

The album title, “ARIRANG,” is a folk song that represents the roots of K-pop and embodies core emotions of Koreans. With K-pop as a whole experiencing a slowdown recently, choosing “ARIRANG” as the album title has been praised as an excellent decision, given the growing global awareness of Korean traditional culture. This heightened interest is partly attributed to “Golden,” the OST for Netflix’s original animated series “K-Pop Demon Hunters,” which succeeded at the Grammy and Golden Globe awards.

The choice of Gwanghwamun as the concert location also holds significance. BTS will perform on a stage set up at the northern starting point of Gwanghwamun Square, starting from inside Gyeongbokgung Palace, passing through Gwanghwamun and the outer terrace. The stage route along the “King’s Road” adds a symbolic weight to the event. The group previously performed against the backdrop of Gyeongbokgung’s Geongjeongjeon Hall and Gyeonghoeru Tower on an NBC program in 2020, and this concert expands on that experience by utilizing more of these historic spaces.

Cultural critic Kim Heon-sik commented, “Streaming the Gwanghwamun comeback concert live is equivalent to broadcasting not only K-pop but also K-culture worldwide. There is no better opportunity to promote Korean culture than this.” He added, “Thanks to the symbolic meaning of the album title ‘ARIRANG’ and the concert location Gwanghwamun, global viewers’ perspective on Korea is set to change dramatically.”

Seoul plans to transform the entire city into a festival space in celebration of this comeback. Utilizing the Han River buses that will resume service in March, the city will host the “BTS The City ARIRANG Seoul” event from March 20 to April 12. On March 20, media facades will be displayed at major landmarks such as Sungnyemun and Seoul Tower, along with interactive content that combines music and media. On March 21, during the concert at Gwanghwamun, live broadcasts will be shown from various landmarks like Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), while street performances, random dance festivals, and other participation-based events will be organized throughout the city for fans to enjoy.

Starting from April 10, a Spring Festival will be held in Han River parks across 11 areas, including Yeouido, Dukseom, Banpo, and Nangji. In addition to events dedicated to BTS fans, cultural programs showcasing the charm of the Han River and Seoul will also take place. The Hyundai Economic Research Institute estimates that the annual economic value generated by this comeback is approximately 5.6 trillion won.