Seoul gears up for BTS comeback concert, Netflix live event
by Thomas Maresca · UPISEOUL, March 20 (UPI) -- Seoul geared up Friday for BTS' long-awaited comeback concert, as final preparations continued and fans flooded the city on the eve of a globally streamed live event on Netflix.
The performance, titled "BTS The Comeback Live: Arirang," marks the K-pop supergroup's first major group appearance in nearly four years following the members' military service, coinciding with the release of a new studio album that has already surged to the top of domestic music charts.
The free, hourlong show will take place in central Gwanghwamun Square on Saturday night, with a stage framed by Gyeongbokgung Palace, the main royal palace of Korea's Joseon Dynasty.
Netflix, which will stream the concert worldwide, described the event as one of the most ambitious live productions ever staged in South Korea, with crews laying nearly 5.9 miles of power cable and deploying a 23-camera setup to capture the performance for a global audience.
The company said the broadcast represents a major step in its push into live programming.
"We view these live events as an opportunity to reach fans and members around the world in a way that is becoming increasingly tough to find: singular events that really pull people together," Brandon Riegg, Netflix vice president of nonfiction series and sports, said at a press briefing in Seoul on Friday.
"This might be the biggest thing this year that we see on Netflix in terms of our live ambition," he added.
About 22,000 fans secured tickets for the show, but authorities expect more than 260,000 people to gather in the surrounding area, with millions more watching globally via the livestream.
Authorities have strengthened security measures, with plans to deploy about 15,000 personnel for safety management, including some 6,700 police officers.
Concertgoers will pass through metal detectors to enter the venue, while police plan to install triple-layer barricades around the site and deploy special tactical units to guard against potential threats.
Traffic in the area will be restricted, and subways are scheduled to bypass Gwanghwamun, City Hall and Gyeongbokgung stations from Saturday afternoon until after the concert. Emergency responders will set up three medical stations near the site, while organizers will operate 11 additional medical booths.
Local businesses have embraced the influx of visitors, decorating storefronts in BTS' signature purple color and offering themed promotions to welcome ARMY, the group's global fan base.
At a small shop near Gwanghwamun Square specializing in acai bowls, owner Choi Kunyoung highlighted the purple hue of the fruit by creating BTS-themed menu items and selling tote bags emblazoned with the word "Bora," Korean for purple.
He said customer traffic has already increased in the days leading up to the concert.
Government data released Friday showed foreign arrivals to South Korea in early March rose more than 30% from a year earlier, suggesting an influx of overseas BTS fans ahead of the concert.
"I'm looking forward to the show," Choi said. "I'm hoping we'll get many new customers."
Nearby, crowds gathered at fan hotspots including a staircase outside the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts that has been wrapped in BTS and Netflix logos and turned into a popular photo site.
While many office workers navigated the swelling crowds in the bustling business district, others paused to take selfies and soak in the festive atmosphere building ahead of Saturday's show.
"This is exciting," Kwang Hun, a 31-year-old travel agent, said. "It's been great for our business -- we've been getting a lot of inquiries. I'd say 99% of the people I know are excited about the concert."
Arirang, BTS' fifth studio album and its first major release since the 2022 anthology Proof, arrived Friday afternoon ahead of the concert and signals the group's full return as a unit.
Formed in 2010, BTS consists of RM, Jin, V, J-Hope, Suga, Jung Kook and Jimin. The group went on hiatus in 2022 as members completed South Korea's mandatory military service.
Following the comeback event, BTS will embark on what its agency BigHit described as the largest world tour in K-pop history, spanning 34 cities and 79 shows. The tour, featuring a 360-degree stage design, is set to kick off April 9 at Goyang Sports Complex near Seoul.
A documentary film, BTS: The Return, showcasing the making of Arirang, premieres on Netflix on March 27.