K-pop megastars BTS still see themselves as "country kids from South Korea", according to a trailer for a new documentary released on Tuesday ahead of their huge comeback concert this weekend.
More than a quarter of a million fans are expected to descend on central Seoul on Saturday for BTS’s open-air gig, the group’s first performance in almost four years.
A day earlier, the group’s fifth studio album, ARIRANG, will be released. It is named after the beloved folk song about longing and separation, often described as an unofficial anthem of South Korea.
The documentary, BTS: The Return, will be released on Netflix on 27 March and follows the seven-member group’s comeback after completing their military service, widely seen as a gruelling experience for young conscripts.
"We are still just country kids from South Korea," group leader RM says in the trailer.
"We are trying to find out what makes us BTS," the 31-year-old adds.
At the height of their fame before their hiatus, BTS regularly ranked among the most popular artists on Spotify, alongside stars such as Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber.
After visiting the White House, releasing hugely successful English-language albums and performing at famous venues around the world, the group has chosen a historic stage at home for their grand comeback this weekend.
The concert will take place at Seoul’s sweeping Gwanghwamun Square, near the historic Gyeongbokgung Palace.
The area has also been the site of many political protests in South Korea, including demonstrations following former president Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law in December 2024.
The trailer features the melody of Arirang, the folk song many associate with resilience and enduring longing.
Source: AFP
