BTS Make a Historic Return to the Global Stage as Thousands Gather in South Korea for the Opening Night of Their Long Awaited World Tour

Tens of thousands of fans gathered inside a packed stadium in South Korea on Thursday as BTS made their long-awaited return to the stage, launching a global tour after nearly four years away from live headline performances.

The seven-member supergroup — RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook — opened the tour with a powerful setlist blending their iconic discography with tracks from their fifth studio album, ARIRANG, marking their first full project since completing South Korea’s mandatory military service.

Despite relentless rain, the energy inside the 40,000-capacity venue remained electric, with fans traveling from across the globe — including Russia, the United States, and Brazil — to witness the historic moment. Outside the stadium, hundreds more gathered with umbrellas, listening from afar after missing out on tickets, underscoring the group’s unmatched global demand.

For many, the concert carried deep emotional significance. One fan, Kim Eunhee, attended the show with her daughter, sharing that the hope of seeing BTS live helped her endure a battle with cancer. Standing among thousands of fellow fans, she described the experience as profoundly meaningful, a long-awaited moment that carried her through some of her most difficult days.

The South Korean shows, running through Sunday, mark the beginning of an expansive international tour spanning dozens of cities across the United States, Europe, and Asia. Industry analysts anticipate the tour could generate hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue per quarter, further solidifying BTS’s position as one of the most influential acts in global music.

The group’s return follows a celebratory free concert at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, held less than a month prior, signaling their official comeback after fulfilling national service obligations. Suga, the final member to complete his duty in June 2025, served in a public service role due to a prior shoulder injury.

In South Korea, military service remains mandatory for all able-bodied men between the ages of 18 and 28, with enlistment lasting up to 21 months as part of the country’s long-standing conscription system.

Their latest album, ARIRANG — inspired by a centuries-old Korean folk song often regarded as an unofficial national anthem — debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, while its lead single “Swim” quickly climbed to the top of global charts, reaffirming the group’s enduring dominance.

Since their debut in 2013 with 2 Cool 4 Skool, BTS have steadily reshaped the global music landscape. Their breakthrough moment arrived in 2017 when “DNA” entered the Billboard Hot 100, making them the first Korean boy band to achieve the milestone — a moment that was soon amplified by a landmark performance at the American Music Awards and the rapid expansion of their global fanbase, known as ARMY.

Looking ahead, the tour is set to extend into 2027, with scheduled performances in Australia and a final stop planned in Manila, Philippines, next March — bringing a new chapter of BTS’s global journey to audiences worldwide.