BTS reunites after military hiatus with historic Seoul comeback performance

SEOUL, South Korea — K-pop supergroup BTS made its long-awaited return to the stage Saturday with a concert at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, marking the group’s first appearance together in nearly four years.

The seven-member group – Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V and Jung Kook – reunited after completing their mandatory South Korean military service and pursuing solo projects during their hiatus.

The comeback concert, held at the historic square in central Seoul, comes ahead of a more than 80-date world tour across the United States, Europe and Asia.

BTS obtained special permission from the Korean Heritage Department to perform at Gwanghwamun Square, the main gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace, a landmark dating back to the Joseon Dynasty. Organizers described it as the first major live show held at the venue, with the show also being broadcast live around the world.

Fans, known as the “BTS Army,” came from all over the world to attend, while others were already in South Korea.

Betty Filip, a 33-year-old from Minnesota, moved to South Korea in 2023 because of her love for BTS. Although she didn’t get a ticket for the concert itself, she arrived at the venue at 5:30 a.m. to make sure she didn’t miss what she described as a historic moment.

“BTS introduced me to Korean culture and I was just at a point in my life where I needed a change, so I just decided to quit my job and risk everything,” she told NBC News in an interview. “I learned to love Korea from them, so moving here was the only option. I didn’t want to go anywhere else.”

Filip said she has been part of the BTS army since 2020 and that “the last few years seemed so empty without them.” She was determined to be there to welcome them back.

“This is not only a monumental moment for the music industry, but also for Korea, its culture and history,” she said. “This performance is truly unprecedented. Being able to witness it live is a unique opportunity.”

The show mixed contemporary pop with traditional Korean elements. The group took the stage by walking along a historic path once used by kings of the Joseon Dynasty, while parts of the performance incorporated hanbok, a traditional Korean garment.

The set list included songs from their latest album, “Arirang,” released Friday and named after a traditional Korean folk song, as well as global hits such as “Dynamite” and “Butter.”

Speaking to HYBE, the group’s management company, RM said: “To maximize Gwanghwamun’s symbolic space, we designed the stage with an open ‘cube’-shaped structure that ensures a clear view. The key point was to frame Gwanghwamun and the stage on a single screen without either blocking the other.”

Despite suffering an ankle injury, RM performed with limited movements, with other members joining him during parts of the choreography.