BTS Comeback Live: Fans Flock to Gwanghwamun Square for 'ARIRANG' Event

As BTS's comeback live event unfolds, Gwanghwamun Square is bustling with fans and onlookers. Despite the crowd, both citizens and fans are cooperating with traffic control, maintaining an impressively orderly scene.

On the 21st, TenAsia met with ARMY (BTS's fandom) at Gwanghwamun Square to celebrate the 'BTS Comeback Live: ARIRANG' event, which starts at 8 PM.

A local fan from Gimpo expressed joy, saying, "Our BTS is back as a full group after four years." Another ARMY member added, "It's been a while since we've seen them all together, so I'm incredibly excited. I hope they complete their activities safely without anyone getting hurt."

We also spoke with exchange students from France. One male student said, "I'm not a fan, but I was curious about the atmosphere here and wanted to see the stage." A female student with him remarked, "BTS is a significant part of Korean culture. Many people would love to be here, and we're lucky to be in Korea, so we couldn't miss this opportunity."

Another male student shared, "I've already listened to the album. Hearing the tracks live would be amazing. Being in Seoul, I felt I had to see it."

Fans from the Philippines came solely to celebrate BTS's comeback. One male fan said, "I flew from the Philippines to Seoul just for this. I don't have a ticket, so I'm walking around, planning to enjoy the stage through LED screens." A female fan from the Philippines added, "I'm extremely excited. I don't have a ticket, but I was too curious about the live event to miss it."

A middle-aged Korean fan, adorned with purple balloons and BTS merchandise, came from Seongsu-dong. She joked, "I'm so excited and expected. It's frustrating not to have a ticket." When asked how she became a fan, she confessed, "I discovered BTS in 2021. I wasn't interested in idols, but 'Butter' was so famous that I checked it out. After that, BTS kept appearing in my YouTube algorithm, and their kindness in videos made me a fan."

While some expressed inconvenience due to traffic control, it seemed to have a positive effect on managing the event. A fan noted, "I arrived comfortably. Isn't it orderly? There's no trash, and it's clean. Fans organized a cleanup campaign, and I'm proud as a fan."

A French exchange student said, "I was worried it would be crowded, but it's well-organized. I moved around comfortably." He added, "The Korean government and Seoul City are managing this event systematically. It would be different in France." Another fan agreed, "From the subway, control and guidance were excellent, so I arrived here comfortably."

Another foreign fan commented, "There are many people, but there are also many guides, which is impressive. It's systematic and convenient."

Nearby convenience stores near Gwanghwamun Station had employees in purple uniforms to welcome BTS fans. An employee mentioned, "It's such an important day that even executives visited the site."

A convenience store clerk near the Seoul Finance Center said to TenAsia, "Until yesterday, I didn't feel the impact of the concert. Today, the foot traffic has increased dramatically." According to the store, people started visiting from 8-9 AM, with a significant influx from 3 PM, including many foreigners.

Meanwhile, BTS released their 5th studio album 'ARIRANG' on the 20th at 1 PM, marking their return after about 3 years and 9 months. It's their first full album release in 6 years. 'ARIRANG' captures the group's identity and universal emotions they face, with Bang Si-hyuk as the executive producer, enhancing its quality.

Min-Kyung Lee, TenAsia Reporter 2min_ror@tenasia.co.kr