Kpop supergroup BTS launched its global concert tour in the South Korean city of Goyang, after the group’s comeback single topped rankings worldwide.
BTS’s World Tour ARIRANG, expected to bring in blockbuster revenues, officially kicked off with three nights in Goyang yesterday, tomorrow and Sunday, and will take in 34 cities across the world in a new record for the most tour dates by a Kpop artist.
The opening concerts in Goyang sold out in pre-sale for all three nights, while tickets in South Korea, North America, and Europe sold out within a few hours of the pre-sale and general sale, according to BTS’ management agency.
Analysts have said some estimates pointed to total tour earnings of as much as 2.7 trillion won ($1.81 billion) not including fans’ spending outside the concerts, which will feature a 360-degree in-the-round stage design, when visiting cities for the show.
Fans began arriving at Goyang Stadium under rain, hours before the concert was scheduled to begin at 7pm local time yesterday, with umbrellas and wearing raincoats coloured purple – the symbol colour of the ARMY fan base.
“I am absolutely elated that they are finally coming back,” said Casey Murrihy, a 44-year-old ARMY fan who flew from Australia for the concert. “It’s been a long wait,” she said, referring to their break.
The group went on hiatus in 2022 and all seven members completed South Korea’s mandatory military service by mid-2025, before getting together to record their fifth studio album ARIRANG.
Released in March, the album topped the Billboard 200 chart for two weeks, a first for a Kpop group or artist. Lead single Swim made its debut at No 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, before falling to No 2 in its second week.
“I am so excited to see them sing Body to Body altogether, which has Arirang at the end. It will be so nice because it is our country’s own folk song,” said O Yoon-sun, who has been an ARMY fan since 2019 and travelled 200km from her city of Daejeon for the concert.
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