SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — K-pop sensation BTS made a grand return on Saturday with a large, complimentary comeback concert in Seoul. The event, held in a central boulevard cordoned off by thousands of police, attracted tens of thousands of fans for this Netflix-exclusive show.
“Annyeonghaseyo! We’re back,” RM, the band’s leader, greeted the audience warmly, initiating the performance with “Body to Body,” which triggered ecstatic cheers from fans waving pink and red light sticks and capturing the moment with their smartphones.
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All seven members—RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook—have completed South Korea’s mandatory military service and aim to reclaim their position as a leading global pop group.
The concert at Gwanghwamun Square marks the beginning of a worldwide tour, expected to encompass a myriad of performances throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia, potentially generating substantial revenue for the group. The hour-long concert followed the release of their fifth album, “ARIRANG,” which reportedly sold close to 4 million copies on its first day. Despite suffering an ankle injury during rehearsals, RM performed using modified choreography.
The concert, which kicked off at 8 p.m., saw thousands flocking to the Gwanghwamun area, including 22,000 fans who secured complimentary tickets and many others who enjoyed the show on nearby screens. The event was also streamed live on Netflix.
“It will be amazing because it’s been so long that BTS (was) not with us,” said Dallila Di Tullio, a 32-year-old fan from Italy, expressing excitement about the return event.
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