BTS are set to launch their long-awaited world tour on Thursday, building on the success of their comeback album and a landmark return performance in Seoul.
The seven-member K-pop group took to the stage together for the first time last month after a lengthy hiatus prompted by mandatory military service, and recently released their latest studio album, ARIRANG.
The tour is due to open in Goyang, the hometown of BTS leader RM, with three sold-out shows on 9, 11 and 12 April. It will then travel to 34 cities around the world.
In a statement released ahead of the opening concert, Jin said the group were eager to reconnect with fans around the world.
"We all agreed that the most important thing for a singer is a concert," he said.
"We want to meet audiences all over the world as soon as possible, and since this is our first world tour in a long time, we want to experience the culture and concert atmosphere of each region firsthand."
The group's latest album, ARIRANG, is named after the traditional Korean folk song often described as South Korea’s unofficial national anthem, and has been presented as a reflection of the band’s evolving Korean identity.
Ahead of the opening shows, Goyang has been transformed into a purple-lit celebration zone in tribute to BTS and their global fanbase, known as ARMY.
BTS recently became the first K-pop act to top the Billboard 200 in the US for two consecutive weeks with the same album, underlining the scale of their comeback. The lead single Swim debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
Many K-pop boy bands have struggled to regain momentum after completing military service, but analysts say BTS are proving to be the exception.
American sociologist Sam Richards, a professor at Pennsylvania State University, told AFP the group’s return is "extremely significant" for South Korea’s cultural influence.
"This is extremely significant for the future of K-culture and the nation of Korea because it means that unprecedented growth in soft power will continue," he said.
Billboard K-pop columnist Jeff Benjamin said BTS built an unusually close relationship with fans through social media and direct engagement.
"ARMY were never made to feel like consumers, but like they were friends and participants in BTS’ story," he told AFP.
Source: AFP
