BTS / Courtesy of BigHit Music
BTS is set to deliver a massive, free concert at Gwanghwamun Square and a neighboring royal palace on March 21, marking their highly anticipated comeback, and fans are already buzzing about how the group will integrate the historic location into their performance.
Industry experts and Seoul city officials revealed Wednesday that preparations are underway for “BTS The Comeback Live: Arirang,” scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. that evening. The seven members are expected to emerge from within the palace grounds, proceeding through Geunjeongmun and Heungnyemun gates before exiting through the iconic Gwanghwamun Gate, with all three major southern gates of Gyeongbok Palace dramatically opened.
Sources indicate the group has received approval to utilize these three gates, as well as the “woldae”—a restored ceremonial stage historically used by Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) kings for royal rituals and public appearances. This carefully planned entrance is designed to evoke a traditional royal procession, leading to the main stage on the square’s expansive lawn.
Whether this procession will be performed live or prerecorded remains undecided, according to reports. Once onstage, BTS will be accompanied by 50 dancers and a 13-member traditional music troupe, a performance intended to amplify the themes of their fifth studio album, “Arirang.”
Fans of K-POP boy band BTS, known as ARMY, sit in front of screens as they wait for ticketing to open for BTS’ first Korea concerts in years as part of the world tour at a PC cafe in Seoul, Jan. 22. Reuters-Yonhap
To further immerse the audience, a media facade showcasing motifs of Korean traditional culture will be projected onto the walls of Gwanghwamun Gate during the show. Similar projections are also planned for Sungnyemun Gate and its walls on March 20, coinciding with the album’s release.
The production’s scale is fitting for the venue. Organizers are preparing for 15,000 spectators in Gwanghwamun Square, with the potential for live broadcasts on large screens for an additional 13,000 fans at Seoul Plaza and its adjacent intersection, though these numbers are subject to change for safety considerations.
Reservations for the free concert will be available simultaneously on Hybe’s K-pop fan platform Weverse and other ticketing sites. However, estimates suggest as many as 200,000 people could gather in the area, exceeding official capacity, as fans without tickets seek to experience the atmosphere.
Hamish Hamilton, a British director known for his work on the Super Bowl halftime show, will direct the spectacle, which will be broadcast live on Netflix. This marks the platform’s first global livestream of a Korean show, targeting 300 million users in 190 countries.
A documentary film, “BTS: The Return,” will follow on the platform on March 27, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the band’s creative process for the new album. The 14-track album is scheduled for release at 1 p.m. on March 20, marking the group’s first new music in three years and nine months.
